Williamsport - The Straub Family
of Greenville, Mercer County was named the 2007 "Grange
Family of the Year" by PA State Grange President Betsy Huber
at the 135th PA State Grange Annual Session held this past
weekend in Williamsport, PA. The announcement was made at
the "All-Granger Banquet" held on Sunday, October 7 at the
Genetti Hotel.
left to right: Joel, Christie,
Virginia, Richard and Christopher
The Straub Family consists of
Richard and Virginia (father and mother), sons
Christopher and Joel and daughter-in-law Christie (married
to Joel). All five have worked on local, Pomona (County),
and state Grange activities for many years. They are
members of Stony Point Grange #1694 in Greenville.
Christie is originally from
Berks County.
As President Huber stated,
"These folks have so many activities and honors listed on
their application that I can't possibly tell you all of
them." Both couples (Richard and Virginia, and Joel and
Christie) met through the Grange. Ginny and Richard have
helped at PA State Junior Grange camp as counselors, cooks,
and workshop leaders for 25 years. They always drive a
carload of kids along so they have the opportunity to attend
camp.
Richard, Ginny, Joel and Chris
have all served as Subordinate (local) Master (President).
Joel and Chris were both Junior Grange Prince and Youth
Ambassador. Joel and Christie are the current State Grange
Young Couple, and Christie holds the office of State Grange
Flora.
"They are also involved in their
community," Huber stated. "Joel and Chris umpire and
referee ball games. Ginny takes neighbors for groceries
every Monday and drives them to doctors' appointments and
the drug store. They all help at fundraisers for community
needs."
On the application for Grange
Family of the Year it stated, "We almost always attend every
activity as a family. We try to set an example by being
together as a family and try to prove it is still possible
for a family to travel together. We try to lead by
example."
Runners-up families for this
year were John and Vivian Hall of Allegheny Grange #1843,
Lycoming County, and Thomas, Denise, and Jessica Kostelansky
from Laurel Point Grange #915, Armstrong County.
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 Grangers (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
150,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was
chartered in 1873.
