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PA State Grange Names 2005 "Granger of the Year"

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

October 26, 2005

Susan Tau, a Grange member at Hayfield Grange #800 in Crawford County since age 5, was named the 2005 "Granger of the Year" on Sunday at the 133rd Annual PA State Grange Session held in West Middlesex, Mercer County.

Susan lives in Saegertown, Crawford County and joined the Hayfield Grange as a "Junior" member (age 5-14) when she was 5 years old and became a "Subordinate" member in 1965. She has held the offices of Lecturer, Lady Assistant Steward, Family Activities Chairperson and Publicity Director at Hayfield Grange. She has also been the Secretary (for 25 years) and Flora at Crawford County Pomona and presently is their Master (President). She is also the immediate past Lecturer of the PA State Grange.

In addition to the Grange, Susan is a member of the Hickernell United Methodist Church, the Crawford County Fairground Building Association and the Crawford County Fair Board. In 1996 Susan was awarded both the Crawford County Pomona Grange Public Service Award and the Hayfield Granger of the Year. She also received the Crawford County Pomona "Make You Smile" Award in 2002.

Susan was nominated for the State Grange award by the Master of Hayfield Grange, Ken Merritt who said, "Susan constantly helps to increase activities and fund raising to try new projects and activities for the community." At one point, Ken said that "Susan does so much for the Grange that I would have to obtain a contract with a book publishing company in New York City to help with keeping up on her whereabouts.

But I already have a title for the book, 'Where Would the Grange Be Today Without Miss Susan Tau.'"

Frank Bizjak, Executive Livestock Chairman and Vocational Agriculture Teacher from Conneautville, PA stated that he once asked Susan why she is willing to put so much effort into the County Fair and she replied, "I was taught to believe in commitment from my family and my involvement in the Grange." (Susan's mother Margaret was named the 2003 PA State Granger of the Year.)

The PA State Granger of the Year is named every October at the annual PA State Grange Session. The award is given to the PA Grange member who best exemplifies the the Grange and its motto, "In essentials unity - In non-essentials liberty -- in all things charity."

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 14-24), Young Adults (ages 21-35) and Regular Community (Local) members (age 14 and up). The Grange represents approximately 16,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth. It is the oldest agricultural and rural organization of its kind in the United States.

The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), representing about 300,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was chartered in 1873.