Williamsport - October 6-8, 2007 were the dates of the 135th PA State Grange
Annual Session held at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport, PA.
"Junior Talent Winners" left to right, Ashley Mohn, Meredith Lengel and Michelle
Lengel
Legislative policies of the Grange in Pennsylvania are suggested and voted upon
at its annual State Session. PA State Grange President Betsy Huber said, "Each
policy is originated by a local Grange. If approved by the county - or "Pomona"
- Grange, they are forwarded to a state committee for consideration." She
continued by saying that," The approved resolutions then set our policy for the
upcoming year."
The committees, which include Agriculture and Environmental Issues, Family
Issues, Governmental Issues and Good of the Order, then make recommendations to
the delegates in attendance at the State Session. The delegates from the 280
local Granges throughout the state, then vote on those resolutions to set the
year 2008 legislative policies for the PA State Grange.
"State Officers" left to right front row: Christie
Straub, Nettie Kauffman, Besty Huber, Judy Pressler, Tammy Schaeffer, Sara
Shank standing left to right: Chester Tau, Richard Mangel, Kelly VanOrd,
Derek Schroeder, Beth Downey, David Troutman, Barbara Gross, Sandy Witmer,
Brian Ebersole, Henry Seidel)
Some of the resolutions approved by the delegates this year included opposing
the leasing of the PA Turnpike to a private operator, reaffirming their
opposition to charging tolls on Interstate 80, requiring all welfare recipients
be American citizens and calling for the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited in
English only.
Those resolutions which were passed at the state level but deal with national
issues are being sent to National Grange headquarters in Washington, DC to be
proposed and voted upon at the upcoming National Grange Convention in Reno,
Nevada, November 13-17, 2007.
Other items of interest held during the weekend session were a "Sign-A-Song"
competition won by Jodi Keith from Huntingdon County, Prepared Speech age 20-29
also won by Jodi Keith, Prepared Speech age 30 and up won by Brian Ebersole of
Perry County, Impromptu Speech age 13-19 won by Gail Switzer of Berks County,
Impromptu Speech age 20-29 won by Jodi Keith, Impromptu Speech age 30 and up won
by Charlene Espenshade of Lancaster County and the annual Grange talent contest
with Jennifer Nauss of Cumberland County winning "Best of Show."
The Junior Grange Talent Contest winners were: Michelle Lengel, Berks County,
1st place in the 5-9 age group for Other Acts; Meredith Lengel, Berks County,
1st place in 10-14 age group for Instrumental; and, Ashley Mohn, Berks County,
second place in 10-14 Instrumental.
The following awards were presented during the session: "Friend of the Grange
Youth" to Nettie Kauffman from Berks County; "Friend of the Grange" to Walt
Peechatka of PennAg Industries Association; "Top Membership Recruiter" to Paul
Miller of Berks County; and "Grange Family of the Year" to the Straub Family
from Mercer County.
Elizabeth "Beth" Downey from Allegheny Grange #1843 in Lycoming County, was also
elected to serve a second consecutive four year term as a member of the PA State
Grange Executive Committee.
Total attendance at this year's session was about 360, including delegates and
guests. The National Grange representatives attending this year's PA State
Grange Session were Bruce and Sharon Croucher. Bruce is the New York State
Grange President and a member of the National Grange Executive Committee.
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.
|
