Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) March 1, 2022
Join us at the Hall by Zoom…or in “real life” on March 5th
If you can, please come to the Hall to renew our ties as a social organization in person. Our judgement call is that the COVID risk is much reduced, with the great decline in Omicron variant cases which VT has seen. We all hope that it will continue!
We will ask that only people who are fully vaccinated come to the meeting in person. For those who aren’t, or don’t want to travel, or personal preference, we’ll also be happy to welcome you via Zoom! The updated Zoom link is in the event listing on the Grange Calendar for March 5, find it at: www.capitalcitygrange.org/
We’ll follow up this meeting, at 6:00 with a potluck dinner on the lower level, something else we’ve missed!
Both upstairs and downstairs, we’ll be using the Room Air Filter Boxes which have been helping to remove particles including any COVID aerosols. See below of a graph demonstrating their effect!
RAFBs in action!
The graph to the left shows the particle counts in the Main Hall. The blue line is the “small” particles, about the size of the “aerosol” particles that could carry COVID virus. That doesn’t mean they do, just that they are the right size. They are likely all dust particles.
The particle count starts to go down in the early morning, when the furnace comes on to start warming up the Hall for renters to use. We have a MERV 13 filter cleaning the return air, before it goes through the furnace and back into the Hall. This brings the particle counts down from about 95,000 Per Cubic Foot (PCF) to about 45,000 PCF.
A few hours later, the renters come in (causing a slight upward turn), then turn on the Room Air Filter Boxes (RAFBs). The count starts to go down much faster, down to around 8,000 PCF. This is an impressive demonstration of the effectiveness of the RAFBs!
The drawback to these RAFBs is that their noise bothers some Hall users. People with hearing aids say that it is very difficult for them to hear when the fans are on. This will be an important factor in our discussion of ventilation needs. Come to the meeting to hear more!
March meeting–Berlin voting results, ventilation updates, looking ahead to spring events.
We’ll be getting the results of the Berlin vote on extending our full tax exemption for another year following the March 1st vote-counting, so we’ll certainly be talking about those. This exemption is critical for keeping our rental rates affordable for the local, non-profit and family groups that we serve. It also allows us to give free “rentals” to Berlin residents and non-profit organizations.
We will also be talking about the ventilation project that the FCCGH has been working on planning. We are exploring options which are more affordable, and getting close to starting to write grant applications. We are also looking at other needs, notably a lift for better access to the stage and lower level, and dealing with the peeling paint on the siding of the Hall. Our door improvements have made that problem stand out even more.
I would also like to plan when we could have an official “welcoming” ceremony for the several new members who have joined the Grange in the last couple of years, when we haven’t been having meeting time available. This is a brief ceremony, which I think is a good introduction to some Grange ritual. I would be happy to send out a copy of the version of the Obligation ceremony we use to anyone who’s interested.
Also, the National Grange is promoting an “Heirloom Program” to re-introduce the Grange’s rituals to members and promote discussion of them. Our Grange has done very little ritual work for quite a few years, but those of us who took part in the “Four Degrees” put on at our Hall by the State Grange when 70 people joined the CCG in 2005 found the ceremonies quite beautiful. Here is a link to the National Grange’s website page about it: https://www.nationalgrange.
I hope that we can get back to having a Baking Contest this spring, now that we have a good chance of having more in-person meetings. At this meeting we’ll discuss timing, type of recipe, etc.
We’ll also have our usual reports on our finances, and on the increasing numbers of rentals (including more free “rentals” for Berlin folks) we are seeing as the pandemic’s burden gets lighter.
Remember, come in person if you can, and if you’re vaccinated; or come via Zoom–the link is on the Grange Calendar listing for the meeting.
Remember potluck dinners? They’re BACK!
Following the Grange meeting, we welcome all vaccinated folks who want to join us for a Community Potluck dinner downstairs! We are so glad that the Omicron COVID infection rates are down much lower, and hospitalizations too. We hope we’ll be celebrating a positive vote by Berlin voters, too! So bring your favorite foods to share, everything from main dishes to appetizers to soups to salads to breads to desserts is welcome! Starting at 6:00 PM, and stay as long as we want to socialize and catch up in person! We’ll be running the 4 RAFBs in the lower level to keep the air cleaned.
February 5th program recorded: How can Vermonters work to keep our republic democratic?
The program about attempts to restrict voting, and other threats to our democratic (with a small “d”) system of government by the people was well attended by Zoom. Our speakers had interesting things to say about the trends in some states, and ways to oppose voting restrictions and get more people involved in the political process. Attendees provided a lot of interesting questions for discussion as well.
The recording of the presentations and the discussion are now available as 2 video/audio files on the Grange Calendar listing for the Feb. 5th date: https://capitalcitygrange.org/
Our next Grange Program will take place on April 2nd, from 5 to 6:00 PM as usual. Watch the Grange Calendar listings, and look for info in a future Grange Notes edition.
Have you re-enlisted in the Grange?
You can still send in your check for a year of Grange membership. The amount remains $30 for 2022. Please send checks to:
Charles Martin, Secretary
Capital City Grange
639 Minister Brook Rd.
Worcester, VT 05682
While we are happy to welcome anyone to be part of our meetings and activities, becoming a member shows a greater commitment to supporting the Grange in its activities. Members are also allowed to vote on Grange policies. We encourage all members to attend meetings (live or via Zoom) and help us figure out the best ways to be a Grange in the 21st century!
Speaking of the 21st century….if there is someone out there who could help us set up a Venmo or Paypal link to receive membership dues and other payments, please get in touch!
For more info, please feel free to call me, Tim Swartz at: 802-225-8921, or email me at: swartztim15@gmail.com.
Order from Just Food Hub to get fair-trade organic food and support the Grange!
Just Food Hub is a Marshfield-based volunteer organization promoting access to authentically fair-traded organic food, and to raise funds for local nonprofit community groups. Check out the website they made for us: capitalcitygrange.justfoodhub.
They work with Equal Exchange and other organizations distributing ethically-sourced organic food products. They also give all profits to community groups: 30% of all sales. Just Food Hub believes in investing back into our community. This fundraiser could be a really significant contribution to the projects at the Grange and support general site maintenance too.
By eating well and supporting organic, sustainable, and cooperatively farmed organic food from the Global South, you can help reduce climate change, improve working conditions for farmers, and contribute to the Grange at the same time. It’s a win/win for all and the planet!
The original plan was to set up food pick-ups at the Grange. Due to COVID, this plan has changed to Just Food Hub mailing or delivering food to you and your loved ones (mailing charges apply). You can place your order for March at: https://capitalcitygrange.
