State Officers Lines

Greetings from Berks County. I can't believe it's the middle of August already. Where did the summer go? I've been very busy this summer. Tim and I have been taking care of Cadence, our 10-month old granddaughter one weekend a month which keeps us young.

On July 14th, the week of the Family Festival, our oldest daughter Marci, and her husband Joe, had a baby girl named Ava Lynne. Everyone is doing well.

Tim and I are also preparing for our daughter Brittany's wedding on September 29th, the week before State Session.

I don't know what it is about State Grange functions and babies and weddings in my family, but they always seem to come at the same time. I'm going to be very busy in September getting ready for a wedding and State Session.
This summer I attended the 4th Annual Family Festival. I've attended all of them so far. It is such a great weekend to get together with Grange "family" and friends. This year's attendance was a little lower than last year's but it was a great weekend none the less. The workshops were great and the tours were terrific. I went to see the Woodward Gymnastics Camp & The Boal Mansion & Columbus Chapel. Everything there was beautiful and you were in awe of the history you found in those places. The Family Festival is truly an event for the whole family and I hope more people attend next year. I know I'll be there.

Betsy stated in the August Advocate that the focus of the PA State Grange will be on "Family." I hope everyone will take that to heart. Stay involved with your Grange "family" and activities without compromising your own family's values and traditions because they're important also. It may take a little organization, but it can be done. Both "families" are very important to help us be a better person personally and in our communities.

Fraternally,
 

Tammy Schaeffer
State Ceres