PA State Grange Concludes its 135th
Annual Session
in Williamsport and looks forward to its
136th Session in Lancaster
by Carl Meiss, P.R. Director
Thank you to Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Union, Tioga, Bradford and Sullivan Counties for hosting the very well-run and successful 135th Annual PA State Grange Session in Williamsport.
Beth Downey of Lycoming County was re-elected to serve on the PA State Grange Executive Committee
Everything throughout the Session seemed to run quite smoothly (and when a problem did pop up, a host committee member was on top of the problem working to get it resolved quickly and quietly).
You will be reading about various portions of the Session throughout the articles in this issue of The Advocate so I won't dwell on those. But I do want to notify those Grangers who were not in attendance about some of the major items of interest that came up throughout the Session.
The Official Opening of the Session took place on Saturday morning, October 6th, at 1:00 p.m. in the ballroom of the Genetti Hotel with our Worthy Master/President Betsy Huber in the chair. She introduced our National Grange representatives, Bruce and Sharon Croucher from New York. Bruce serves on the National Executive Committee with Betsy. Also introduced at this time were our past State Masters and/or their spouses including John Scott, Fae Snyder, Wayne and Helen Readinger and Gordon and Mary Hiller.
Shortly after all the introductions and "Welcomes," the delegates got down to business working on the 42 resolutions submitted by you, our members. At the end of this article I will be listing those 19 resolutions which were passed by the delegates.
A few items of note during the discussions of the resolutions included: opposing any leasing of the PA Turnpike; opposing tolling any of our Interstate Highway System; continuing the three-day format for State Session beginning in 2009; rejecting both the reprinting of the white cookbook and the printing a new cookbook.
One item of special note was that the delegates rejected the resolution to increase Subordinate member's dues by $2.00 per year in 2008. BUT, on Thursday, November 15th, the delegates at the National Grange Convention approved increasing Subordinate dues by $2.00 a year beginning January 1, 2008 AND an additional increase of $2.00 beginning January 1, 2010. This means that for the upcoming year 2008, PA State Grange must pay that additional $2.00 per member to National Grange. That amounts to an additional $26,000 (based on the present approximately 13,000 members) that must come out of the general fund. Obviously, the dues issue will need to be re-evaluated at next year's 136th Annual Session in Lancaster, PA, October 18-21, 2008.
2007 APPROVED RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 2 - Farm Show Complex
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange support the current management of the Farm Show Complex within the State Department of Agriculture.
Resolution No. 8 - Fuel Quality Testing Program
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange make every effort to ensure passage of legislation such as HB 684 and SB 744 to implement a fuel quality testing program.
Resolution No. 11 - School Board Actions
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange urge all school boards to follow the instructions of the Sunshine Laws and make sure that all meetings and agendas are published in local papers or news media to make sure everyone is aware of any action to be taken, so that everyone has a chance to comment or give their opinion before any final action is taken by that Board.
Resolution No. 12 - Medicare Payments
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange urge Congress to refrain from reducing payment to physicians and the providers since it would add an additional burden to those needing to use the program.
Resolution No. 14 - Handicapped Accessible Post Offices
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange urge all post offices that are not handicapped accessible provide either a ramp or drive-up windows to alleviate this problem.
Resolution No. 15 - Welfare Reform
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange go on record to require that all welfare recipients be United States citizens.
Resolution No. 17 - Border Patrol Guards
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange go on record and ask the President of the United States to pardon the two United States border patrol guards for doing their jobs; and therefore be it further resolved
RESOLVED, that the $5 million lawsuit be dismissed, considering the individuals were doing illegal activity against the United States, therefore be it further
RESOLVED, that boarder patrol guards be given full protection and support of our government in protecting our borders.
Resolution No. 20 - World War II Monument – Washington DC
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange support engraving of the words “So Help Us God” on the World War II Monument in Washington D.C., since this is the context
of the full quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Resolution No. 21 - Pledge of Allegiance in English
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange go on record, that when the “Pledge of Allegiance” is said anywhere on United States of America property, that it is said in English.
Resolution No. 23 - Religious Symbol Rulings
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange go on record and ask that when decisions concerning religious symbols are made, that they are put on a referendum and that they are voted on during an election in the jurisdiction where they are located and that the
majority of the voters shall decide the fate of these symbols.
Resolution No. 24 - Prayer Rulings
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange go on record and ask that when decisions concerning religious prayer are made, that the issue should be put on a referendum and that this is voted on during an election in the jurisdiction where the issue is being addressed and that the majority of the voters shall decide the fate of this issue.
Resolution No. 26 – Capital Punishment
RESOLVED, that the Grange favor the death penalty for convicted killers who have exhausted their rights to appeal.
Resolution No. 27 - Pension Plan for Congressional Cons
RESOLVED, that Grange support enhancement of legislation requiring all political office holders who have been convicted of bribery, extortion, perjury, or molestation to forfeit their taxpayer funded pension.
Resolution No. 28 - Highway Upgrades
RESOLVED, that the Grange support securing permits to move oversized implements of husbandry, to be able to secure those permits allowing all oversized implements of husbandry to move between fields in which they will be used or a place of business for the purpose of buying, selling, trading, loaning and leasing, demonstrating, repairing or servicing the implement of husbandry on a single seasonal permit
Resolution No. 29 - Pennsylvania Turnpike Leasing
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange urges the Pennsylvania Senate and House not to allow the leasing of the Turnpike operation.
Resolution No. 32 - Interstate Highway System Tolls
RESOLVED, that Pennsylvania State Grange oppose State efforts to toll expanses of the Interstate Highway System built and operating as toll free.
Resolution No. 34 - Length of Pennsylvania State Grange Session
RESOLVED, that all Pennsylvania State Grange Sessions hereafter continue to be three days in length (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday).
Resolution No. 36 - Grange Degree Ritual
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange shall investigate if the degree work for the first four (4) degrees can be produced on DVD or VHS for use by the local Granges to present to their members and initiates; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this program be developed as a supplemental learning tool to enhance and assist in the performance of the lessons taught through our ritual, rather than a replacement of the traditional degrees.
Resolution No. 41 - Granger of the Year Recognition
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange honor a well deserving Granger and/or Grange Family of the Year at State Session.
A STATE SESSION EXPERIENCE
by M.E.Ahhhhh, all is peaceful and quiet. Anyway, I though it was until a certain group of people came into my residence on Friday evening October 5 and then on Saturday, October 6, at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport. Boy, did this place jump after these people arrived! It was everyone greeting each other with hugs and glad to see them once again. I thought to myself, "must be some kind of 'love party' going on!" Boy, was I wrong, it was just a grand convention and the people were glad to see each other again.
Well, with this type of fellowship, I thought I would stick around and see what would be happening during the time these folks were here in MY RESIDENCE. I’m about to tell you what I experienced during their stay.
First and foremost, there was a group of people who scurried about to put up tables, set out chairs, carry the many boxes filled with some type of goodies, and finally sit down for a moment or two. Guess these individuals must have been the ones that would greet all the others that eventually showed up for this event. Hey, the one neat thing I enjoyed watching was having those men carrying that big pumpkin into the hotel check-in area. You should have heard the conversation that was a-going on, but then maybe you might not want to know what was said!!! I must admit that the pumpkin did attract the people. I just hope they didn’t find that little hole in the bottom of the pumpkin after the session was over...I enjoyed a “bit of the pumpkin” myself.
Let’s get on with some of the other activities that took place during this activity. I was impressed by the various articles that were brought in for judging. The Family Activities area really has some nice warm and cozy quilts which I crawled under to keep warm (the air conditioning sometimes was a bit too cool for me). In addition to those quilts, there were some nice soft pillows to lay a head upon (I didn’t do that for fear of being spied by someone and getting chased away). I scurried over the neat handiwork of those crocheted, crossed-stitched, and needlepoint items were something else I felt everyone should take a glance at during the session. My favorite area in this department was the baking area and checking out those good tasting breads, fudge, and cookies. I needed a nap after this task!
Once again I am on my adventures. I scurry into the Lecturer’s department where many items are showing talents by artists and photographers. There also is an area where various items showcased individuals’ favorite anything. These individuals who brought their items are very creative and “think out of the box” when making their items. Wonder what would happen if all those people I saw on Friday evening and Saturday morning brought their favorite anything. Sure would create a greater display. Well, I was on my way to some other adventures when I whizzed by these orange items. Man, you could have fooled me that there was pumpkin underneath those creations. It stopped me in my tracks. What a show they made! So I’m off again on my adventures and get stopped by some interesting looking snowmen creations and very intriguing birdhouses. Know what, I spent some time snoozing in one of those birdhouses. I’ll know that my friends, the birds, will be comfortable and cozy when these get set outside for them to use.
It was off again to another area. This time I came upon some good smelling apples. Wait a minute, they weren’t apples, it was apple pie! Ohhhhh, me oh, my! Did you see that little piece that was taken out of the crust prior to the judging? Yep, that was me, I tasted them! I understand that these were then sold later in the evening. Hope nobody minded that some crust was missing from their pie. I’m sure they will agree that the pie was just as tasty as I felt it was.
After my adventures into the pie area, I came across the cakes. Need I say more?! Chocolate, white, and nut were there to feast on as well. These also got sold in the evening, but I have to confess, there also was some small piece missing from each of them. Yep, I tasted them as well! You would think by now I would have had my fill of sweets, but not so. I ventured over into the Junior Department area where there were some dropped cookies (according to the sign anyway). Now I need to know, why are they dropped? Did these young people actually drop the cookies prior to putting them on the plate? My guess might be that they could have dropped them on the floor, and they called them dropped! Anyway, these cookies tasted just as good as the pies, cakes, bread, fudge, and other cookies.
I must say that it really took me by surprise when I came across the orange items again. Yep, it was pumpkins created in all types of fashions. I especially enjoyed the one with the little boy that had his “behind” sticking out – you know, just like some construction people do when they bend over to fix something and their pants don’t quite fit! Someone had a very creative mind when it came to providing a costume for a pumpkin that grew in an odd way.
The photography, art and posters in this department were just as interesting as the adult’s area. I’m sure the other departments will look forward to having these youngsters entering their various contests in the future years.
Well, that’s about it for my adventures in the display area. But I’m not through with telling you of my other adventures.
Sunday morning and all is quiet in my headquarters. But alas, the noise is getting stronger and here come the troops to invade my area in the ballroom. Many speeches were given, some singing going on, instrumental playing and some funny stories were told. I really enjoyed the fine piano playing by several of the individuals. I must say, the lady who told everyone about her experience getting a mammogram was something else! Just to let you know that if I happen to get a mammogram completed, I want to make sure no fire starts!
After all this entertainment took place, I thought I would have a little peace and quiet. No way! In came the troops to reset the ballroom for a banquet. There was scurrying about, setting tables, getting this and that done in order for these troops to be fed by a certain time. The time arrived, and it seemed like someone left open the flood gates...people hurrying and scurrying to get to a table. You would have thought they didn’t eat for several weeks! Goodness, it was only that they wanted to sit with certain friends in order to have some more fellowship.
The evening went well, some very nice quiet piano music while eating and later on the ragtime tunes started. Even I enjoyed the music. I was dancing around underneath the tables and at one point, I thought I got caught up on someone’s skirt! An enjoyable time was had by all, even me. After the music and food, awards were distributed to certain individuals and Granges.
Monday morning found my headquarters once again disturbed. The troops came in and did some type of voting after discussing and debating particular issues. You want to know something, these folks really know how to debate about their issues. They even had the books out reviewing the bylaws. This makes a very productive and informative process within the organization. I guess they have to keep things on the “straight and narrow.”
I did take notice that the time and length of the session for next year (2008) will be October 18 - 21 in Lancaster, PA. I am rally looking forward to this session in an area where they have all that delicious “home style” cooking. It gives me an extra day to get some extra food in my stomach! I’m hoping some of those people will drop something on the floor for me to feast upon! Boy, I can’t wait....only 352 days to go from November 1, 2007 – it’s almost like Christmas!
They also discussed the 2009 session dates which means we would be heading for Johnstown on October 17, 18, and 19. This is a entirely new location from all the sessions I’ve been at previously. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to explore something new. Could be quite interesting. Hope to “catch” you there!
I was a little disappointed, no one awarded me anything for my “sneaky” adventures that I do when everyone comes to visit me at the hotel. Oh well, I’ll just sign off and maybe in the future, you’ll see me at another session, if not, you all come back to visit M.E. in Williamsport.
