By Marge Bernhardt, State Lecturer/Programming Director
MAY 2008 -- “The Grange is...
A Fraternity Fellowship An extended Family Education Entertainment A coffeehouse A political-action committee A social/comedy club Tradition – where the past meets the present Patriotism A helping hand Good food & conversation A marketplace Where you can relax and be yourself Where you are wanted and appreciated The Grange is Home”
The above entry in last years Essay Contest was written by Susan Carol Sulier of Trumbull Grange #134. It received an Honorable Mention from the Judges.
It’s that time of year when all the things we have been talking about are about to happen. June 8th our annual Talent and “A Number” run-offs will be held as part of Grange Sunday at Good Will Grange Hall in Glastonbury. I hope you will all come for the Church Service in the morning and stay for the competition in the afternoon. Our part of the day will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. The winner of the Talent Contest will represent us at the North East Regional Finals to be held on Tuesday evening, August 5th at Lecturers Conference at the University of Maine – Farmington. Starting this year the Talent Winners expenses at the college will be paid from the Lecturers Travel Fund.
By the time you read this, information on the conference will be in the mail to all Lecturers and to those who attended last year. If you haven’t received your copy, please let me know. At the end of April I have a meeting in Hooksett, N.H. where all the final details will be ironed out. From there I will be going to Maine and plan to check out the layout at the college. By the time you read this I will be in a better position to answer all your questions about traveling time and distance and what is in the general area including hotels (motels – remember this is Maine) and restaurants. All this information will be included in the newsletter lecturers will receive the beginning of May. (Hope this isn’t too confusing. It is in the future for me, but by the time you read this article it will all be past tense.)
It’s not too early to start planning to celebrate with us on Saturday, July 26th at Good Will Grange Hall. Changes have been made to make our 2nd Annual Let’s Celebrate bigger and better. Photos to be entered should be brought to the hall between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. or they may be mailed to me in advance. At 2:00 the program will begin. The Connecticut Bristol Old Tyme Fiddlers will be the featured entertainment. Even if you don’t have any entries, we hope that you will be able to join us to enjoy their performance.
Keep smiling. Let’s all get out and visit our neighboring Granges. See you around the State.
