Berks County Family named Grange Family of the Year

Berks County Family Named PA State Grange Family of the Year

For information contact: Carl Meiss, Public Relations Director Ph: (717)-737-8855 or (800)-552-3865

October 23, 2008

The Miller Family (Paul & Dorothy are seated in Rocking chairs surrounded by their family)

LANCASTER: The family of Paul J. and Dorothy M. Miller of Shoemakersville, Berks County, was named the PA State Grange "Family of the Year" by PA State Grange President Betsy Huber at the recent "All Granger Banquet" held Monday night, October 20, 2008 at the Lancaster Host Resort.

The Miller Family consists of Paul and Dorothy Miller (grandparents); James and Addie Miller; Marlin and Dawn Dietrich and children Emily, Andrew and Anson; Donald and Brenda Lengel and children Meredith, Ian and Michelle. All Subordinate (adult) members are Lifetime Members of the PA State Grange and the entire family belongs to the Virginville Grange #1832 as well as the Berks County Pomona Grange #43.

Paul and Dorothy have attended every PA State Grange Session since 1992. Many of the other members also attend the conventions and participate in various contests. In 2007, several members received first place awards for different contests including the highly acclaimed Talent Contest. The Junior members have participated in the Junior Grange Degree Presentations for many years as well as attending Junior Jamboree, Junior Camp and Family festival.

Among the 14 family members, they have held almost every office available in their Community or Junior Granges. In one way or another, the entire family assists or participates in almost every major activity with both Virginville Grange and Berks County Grange.

Paul and Dorothy serve on the volunteer service board at the Berks Heim county nursing facility. They also assist other family members in transporting patients to church services at the home. Paul, Dorothy, James and Addie attend Zion's Church in Windsor Castle; Dawn, Marlin, Emily, Andrew and Anson attend Frieder's Lutheran Church in Stony Run; and Brenda, Donald, Meredith, Ian and Michelle attend St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Pine Grove.

"Our family has been deeply enriched by the Grange," they said. "Paul's parents, Stanley and Mabel Miller, and his grandparents, James and Mary Hein and Owen and Emma Miller, were all charter members of the Virginville Grange. We all grew up in the Grange which helped instill in us family values and respect for others. We also learned to work together with family members and other Grange members to help others in the community." "Our family truly believes in the Grange and we strive to do our best to promote 'The Greatest Family Organization'."

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.