| JANUARY 9, 2008 -- With history in photos and on certificates surrounding, about 80 members and friends of the Riverton Grange celebrated its 100th year anniversary Friday night with a dinner and plenty of stories.
Mark Prelli II, grandson of Peggy Prelli and the late Frank Prelli, said the Prelli family has been very involved in the grange and cares a lot about it.
"It's basically like having an expanded family," Prelli said.
The grange was an add-on to his family experience, he said. Many who spoke Friday night reminisced about meeting spouses at square dances held at the grange and going on dates to grange dances. Those who spoke also told of the great commitment to the community that Riverton Grange has displayed throughout the past century.
"All the people here are nice people and are always willing to help," Shirley Moore, a lecturer and past master, said before the ceremony began.
Delegates from the state and national granges came to show their support. "What a fine tribute to see so many of you here tonight," state grange Master Robert Sendewicz said.
Riverton Grange Master Gail Prelli said the grange continues to flourish because people keep coming out to help. Others are welcome to join and can come to the grange's open meeting, held on the third Friday of each month, she said. F. Philip Prelli, the state's Commissioner of Agriculture, represented both the state of Connecticut and the National Grange at the celebration.
"It is really a great honor when you get to (honor) your own grange," Prelli said.
Prelli, a former master of the grange and president of the state grange, recalled trying to hang up picture frames on the old oak beams of the grange hall, which was hard to do. Cynthia Prelli, a past master and lecturer, read the history of the grange, which was written by fellow members. Several songs and skits were also performed to the delight of those who gathered.
State Rep. George Wilber, D-63, recalled how his mother and father were involved in the grange and how he kept up with all of the dance moves of the time. Wilber said his father was one of the junior members of the grange.
"We've been involved here with the Riverton Fair for years," Wilber said of his family's involvement.
Rural roads became a reality in the first half of the 20th century because of the state grange and granges have accomplished a lot, Wilber said. Wilber then read an official citation from the General Assembly. State Grange Deputy Earl Phillips offered congratulations and added that he met his wife at a grange dance.
First Selectman Donald Stein read his first proclamation and talked about the wonderful number of people and organizations in Barkhamsted.
"I'm extremely impressed with the talent and spirit of this group," Stein said.
Those that gathered closed with the song "God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again.'"
The grange was organized on Jan. 3, 1908, with 36 charter members attending the first meeting, according to a history of the grange. The organization moved from the current Riverton General Store to the present grange hall in 1934. The grange purchased the hall for $2,200. The building has survived the 1955 flood and a fire at the nearby Hitchcock Chair finishing area.
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