The highlight of this past weekend's PA State
Grange Young Adults/Young Marrieds' Weekend held in State
College was the selection of the 2007-2008 PA State Grange
"Young Couple of the Year." This year's honors go to Joel and
Christie Straub from Greenville, Mercer County.
Couples competing for this honor must have
been Grange members for a minimum of two years and neither
partner may have reached their 35th birthday. Contestants are
judged
on an interview, ambassadorship qualities and
a written test of Grange knowledge. The selected Young Couple
helps to promote and generate enthusiasm for the Youth
Department programs and contests. The Young Couple will also
serve on the State Grange Youth Committee for one year during
their reign.
Joel and Christie met through the Grange and
were married on May 8th, 2004. Joel, 34, is a graduate of
Commodore Perry High School and Grove City College. Christie,
32,
graduated from Oley Valley High School and
Orlando College. They are both members of Stony Point Grange
#1694 in Mercer County.
Joel said, "I joined the Grange at the age of
five and have been a lifelong member. I was past State Junior
Prince and Youth Ambassador. I am the current Lecturer/Program
Director for Stony Point Grange."
Christie joined the Virginville Grange #1832
in Berks County in 1999. She was the Public Relations Director
for Berks County Pomona Grange #43. She says, "I am the current
Ceres for Stony Point Grange #1694. I served
as the PA State Grange Youth Director from 2003-2005. I
currently hold the title of Flora for the PA State Grange."
Joel and Christie live in a 200 year-old
farmhouse in Greenville, Mercer County with their two Jack
Russell Terriers, Augie and Taffy. They like to help out on the
Straub Family Farm and enjoy gardening and reading. Joel is
also very active as a football referee and umpire for baseball
and softball in the Greenville area.
Joel and Christie succeed Matt and Charlene
Espenshade from Elizabethtown Area Grange #2076, Lancaster
County, who served as Young Couple of the Year for two years.
The Grange is a family fraternal organization
dedicated to the betterment of the American quality of life
through community service, education, legislation and
fellowship. The
Grange includes members of all ages from
their Junior Grange (ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-23),
Young Adults (ages 21-35) and Regular Community (local) members
(age 14 and up). The Grange represents
approximately 15,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth. It
is the oldest agricultural and rural advocacy organization of
its kind in
the United States. The National Grange
(Patrons of Husbandry), representing about 125,000 members,
began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was chartered in 1873.
