Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) September 29, 2022
Saturday: our first Program of the fall–Feel Good Action
We will have a brief and informal Grange meeting from 4:30 to 5:00 (see below), followed by a Zoom visit and discussion with Andy Forrest of “Feel Good Action”, about their work encouraging younger folks to take part in voting, elections and issues.
Andy will describe how the organization works with micro-influencers on social media to “Turn Viewers into Voters”. In 2020, they worked to encourage young voters in particular, and they are continuing that work now. It’s work people in any state can be part of, because social media crosses state lines. Here’s a link to the Feel Good Action website, and to their Facebook page.
Andy Forrest, who is based in Seattle will appear via Zoom on the big screen in the Grange Hall, and also in your home if you can’t make it to the program in person. Here is the info:
Passcode: 989050
If Andy’s surname sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the brother of our Grange’s Chaplain, Alison Forrest! We know he is a community-minded person who fits in with the Grange, because he helped to dig the trench to bring electrical power to the Grange sign, when that was new in 2014!
Short Grange meeting
- Resolutions for the State Grange annual session on Oct. 14-16. Copies are available on the Grange website: 2022 Resolutions. I have gotten feedback from a few people already after the Sept. 17 meeting. I’m eager to hear from others, please check them out and either discuss with us at the meeting, or send opinions to: swartztim15@gmail.com.
- Our bank accounts are currently with the VT State Employees Credit Union (VSECU), which is proposing a merger with the New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU). Treasurer Merry Shernock will be seeking opinions on how we should vote on the merger.
- Heating season has started! This will be our first full season with the pellet furnace which we installed last spring, with major help from a low-interest loan from the VT State Grange, and a very generous large donation from an anonymous member of the Grange community. As usual, we only make progress with involvement by a large group of supporters and fellow workers.
Community Potluck dinner follows the meeting!
As always, a Grange meeting in our Hall is always followed by a potluck dinner at 6:00 PM, where we welcome anyone who shows up, and share whatever we’ve all brought. Dishes vary widely, ranging from chips ‘n’ dip to casseroles to roasted meats to South Asian dals to potato salad, to breads, to brownies and pies, cookies, rolls, cider, or whatever else shows up! If you’re coming to the contra dance that starts at 8:00, you might find other familiar faces!
We hold the potlucks in the lower level, with windows open and the Room Air Filter Boxes running to keep the air circulating and filtered–we know that masks won’t be worn while eating–though we support anyone who wants to wear one at the Grange Hall. Hope you will join us!
A few more pictures from the successful fundraiser!
As I said above, the Grange only succeeds with the help of lots of people taking part. Below are some more pictures from the Sept. 3rd finale of the Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall and Montpelier Contra Dance annual “Challenge Fundraiser”. These were taken by long-time dancer and Grange supporter Jonathan Blake! That’s him on the ladder in the bottom photo.
Many thanks to all the people who donated to the cause, including those who purchased the beautiful houseplants grown by Rob Nichols for the fundraiser!
