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PA State Grange First Annual Family Festival a Huge Success

For information contact: Carl Meiss, Public Relations Director Ph: (717)-234-5001 or (800)-552-3865

July 28, 2004

160 Grangers can't all be wrong! "You should have been there," is what most of them will be telling their fellow members at their next Grange meeting.

The First Annual PA State Grange Family Festival held July 22-25 at the Centre County Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall was a huge success. And yes, it offered something for everyone. From a Bike Safety Derby for the Juniors, to "Armchair Aerobics" for the seniors, and everything and everyone in between, this festival had it all.

The first afternoon got off to a bit of a soggy start with some showers but the rain wasn't enough to dampen the spirits of the Grangers who came to have fun and fellowship. After dinner, Tammy Miller, a cancer survivor, motivated us with "Embracing a Successful Attitude." This was followed by an educational "Jeopardy" game hosted by the Youth, a movie, games, and Vesper, by Ceres, Linda Strong.

After a hearty breakfast Friday morning, the fun continued with workshops on "Money Management," "Identity Theft," "Pennsylvania Bluebirds," "Birds of Prey," "History of the Centre County Encampment and Grange Fair," and "Who Says We Can't Do It?," all before lunch. No one was left out of anything.

After lunch, folks had their choices of going on one of two tours, either to the Penn State All-Sports Museum and Creamery or the Greenwood Furnace State Park, or staying at the fairgrounds. The museum tour was a great hit, but unfortunately, the bus driver got lost on the way to the Park which limited the time there. While the tours were under way, Grangers who stayed behind had the opportunity to do various crafts including "Quilting" and "Flower arranging." Later in the afternoon, the Centre Hall Fire Company put on a demonstration of some of their fire gear and rescue equipment.

After another rib-sticking dinner (this one was Italian), everyone was treated to a tram ride to the opposite side of the fairgrounds for a bonfire. State Master Huber introduced our 2004-2005 Grange Royalty in attendance, including Junior Princess Rebecca Hetzell and our Young Couple Clark and Judy Kitner. Our newly crowned Male Youth Ambassador, Andrew Kieffer was on gate "guard duty" and arrived a bit later.

And no bonfire would be complete without some s'mores and lots of songs. Amy Hickman led us in a large variety of songs and some "special groups," like Deb Campbell, Nettie Kauffman, Janet Fishovitz and Rebecca Hetzell shared their vocal talents with us. Then the Family Activities Committee provided all the makings for s'mores. It was a real treat to see 160 Grangers relaxing and enjoying themselves in the late evening around the fire. Pomona, Deb Campbell and her husband Wayne, closed the evening out with Vespers.

Again, after breakfast Saturday morning, more workshops were available. This time, you could choose from the "Bike Safety Derby" for the Juniors, to "Discovering the Clown Within," (see photo on page 14), to "Road Rage," "Armchair Aerobics," "Cooking for Crowds," and "Life Goals."

And like the previous day, Saturday after lunch offered tours and crafts. This time the tour choices were to Indian Caverns or Greenwood Furnace State Park (the driver now knew the way). There were three choices for crafts including, Flower Arranging, Quilting and Building Bluebird Houses.

Saturday evening was the culmination of a fantastic festival which included a live band for dancing, square dancing and some smooth "old slow dances." Absolutely all ages had fun dancing (see front page). And to top that off, everyone enjoyed an ice cream social at the same time. Flora, Janet Fishovitz, closed the evening with Vespers.

Unfortunately, the temperature dropped Saturday night and we had to move the Sunday morning Worship Service from the Grandstand into one of the buildings. But our Worthy State Chaplain, Gary Gibson, warmed everyone up with his sermon on "The Three R's," Relinquish, Reliance, and Reward.

Wendy Kerschner then closed the weekend out with a fantastically motivational workshop on "Group Magnetism," which she followed up with a Friendship Circle where everyone got a chance to say what they thought of the weekend and the Grange, before everyone began to pack up their belongings for a safe trip home.

I guarantee that I am not the only one of the 160 Grangers who attended the PA Grange First Annual Family Festival who is already planning to attend the PA Grange Second Annual Family Festival in July, 2005!! "You should have been there!"

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of rural America through community service, education, legislation and fellowship. It is the oldest agricultural organization of its kind in the United States. The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry) began in 1867.