Winning News
Congratulations to the Deaf and Community Service winners. If you couldn’t attend and review the reports yourself, here are the list of winners:

Under 75 members:
1st: Pleasant Hill #1861
2nd: Fairview #1351
3rd: Kennett #19
Hon. Mention: Frankfort Springs #1989

Over 75 members:
1st: Kutztown #1836
2nd: Hayfield #80
3rd: Fort Granville #1902
Hon. Mention: Schnecksville #1684

Pomona:
1st: Bucks #22
2nd: Union-Montour-Northumberland #31
3rd: Cambria #51
Hon. Mention: Lehigh-Northampton #68

Only one entry in the Sign-A-Song Exhibition. Our thanks for taking part and congratulations goes to Jodi Keith, Huntingdon County.

We also appreciate all the help at Session from Sr. Frances Hoffman as the local liaison to our Dept.

I have to add a huge personal thank you to committee members Laura McCardle and Carol (and sidekick Amos) Kallenberger. They managed everything at Session since I was not able to attend. They rolled up their sleeves and never missed a beat.

Discussion News
We have to talk a bit here. I need to get your feedback about our annual Sign-A-Song event.

Is it really worth continuing? With only one entry this past Session we need to decide if this project has run its course. I don’t know how to promote it any better. We talk it up in The Advocate, promote it when we are visiting with other Grangers and I have even taught a song or two hoping that would spark some new interest.

I know so many members enjoy watching the musical performances but just how much should we spend and when is it time to (perhaps only temporarily) shelve a contest that used to have 8 to 10 entries? In recent years there have been only 3 or so on an annual basis and on one occasion, one or two from the local area where Session is hosted.

We have judges' and interpreter expenses no matter how many entries we have.

YOU need to get in touch with me and give me YOUR ideas of: cutting the Sign-A-Song, tweaking it to get more entries or other suggestions on how to renew the interest if we are going to keep it going.

Military News
When my Dad passed away in September, my brother-in-law Ken (a former Marine himself) offered to contact the Patriot Guard Riders.

It’s hard to put on paper how the family and friends attending Dad’s service felt seeing the double line of American flags as we entered and exited the church. Each full size flag held at attention by a member of the Patriot Guard Riders.

As long as the person who died served in the military, this great group of people will ride their motorcycles to share in a final silent tribute.

There is no charge. They willingly give some of their time to honor the years of service of a veteran.

Perhaps the easiest way to introduce you to them is to include their Patriot Guard Riders Mission.

The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives.

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.

You can contact them at: http://www.patriotguard.org and go from there.

There is the option, if you want them, only at the memorial service site or if you want them to ride along to the burial site. One thing I do know (as the funeral director warned us) drivers today are losing their respect for funeral processions. The Patriot Guards will see that there is no traffic interference from these discourteous drivers.

Regular folks doing something they so heartily believe in. You owe it to yourself to at least learn about this great group. They’re some of the ‘good guys’.

Holiday News
As you look forward to the coming year my Committee and I offer you a toast (that I quote from Neil Gaiman).

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”

Enjoy your holidays. I get to travel to Colorado to visit Jim over Thanksgiving and he’ll be home two weeks at Christmas. His training continues at the CO Center for the Blind until at least Feb. He attends Grandview Grange and feels very welcome there.

If you or your members want to send him some Grange cheer, his address is: Jim Steele, 4560 W. Mineral Dr., Apt. 1637, Littleton, CO 80127.

That’s it from my desk.

Lois