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Across the Fence:  At the Grange Hall  |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 3:00:21 PM
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| Shouldn't there be Grange halls again? Are there any actually up and running anywhere in the country, or is 4-H and Ruritan all we have now? |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 3:36:07 PM
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There is still one in the town I grew up in in Calif. They have the best pancake breakfasts ever..once a month. Mostly elderly people that belong to that grange now...I hope it dosn't dissapear completely. I havn't seen or heard of a grange hall or group here.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 3:52:35 PM
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Wow, I haven't thought of Grange Halls since I last went through my Great Aunt's belongings--she was the Grange secretary of Grove City, Ohio for over 15 years. My uncle was a dairy hauler, and they attended all of the "soirees" that the Grange through and I have a gazillion photos...it's pretty great insight into 50's era rural cultures. I actually have a couple of ribbons that designate my uncle as an "Official" for the Grange shooting competitions. Fringe and all.
Wow, those were the days!!!!
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 3:53:02 PM
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We have a grange hall in our town, however, the membership has been dwindling and they are always looking for members. They rent the building out quite a bit. What was the original purpose of grange halls? Were they the local meeting place in rural areas? Like the community center?
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 3:54:51 PM
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| What were the Granges, actually? Sort of just rural networking? Were they cooperatives? I'm really curious. Our county needs something like that. I could see days where state officials and private-sector folk could be on hand to discuss programs that benefit farmers, including the purchase of development rights to preserve productive farmland for future generations, so farmers don't have to sell out to Wal-Mart to put their kids through college, or just to retire. Things like that. It's surprising how few landowners around here know about things like that. A lot of folks don't put in for tax credits that they're entitled to, because they don't understand how it works. Our county agricultural agent's office is way understaffed and can't handle all this. Our large environmental groups are too focused on fighting specific development threats that stretch their resources to the limit. I imagine a lot of good could be done at a meeting for a couple of hours once a month -- right after a good pancake breakfast :-) |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 3:57:08 PM
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| Aw, Jonni, What great mementoes. It must seem like they lived on a different planet, almost. |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 6:02:52 PM
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Check out www.nationalgrange.org It appears they are alive and well!
I dated someone whose family were "grangers" and the whole thing is sort of set up like the Masons but for Agriculture related individuals. Different, levels, categories of status and hierarchy. A little odd and alittle exclusive if I recall correctly.
I guess I shouldn't complain, his Mom entered a Irish linen jacket I made in the Grange Fair and I won a State prize! Got a big box of sewing stuff from Dritz, some of which I still have (pinking shears)!
In our area most of the Grange buildings have been repurposed for events, etc... Not far from us over in Wrightstown,Pa they have a huge Grange Fair every August and it's still lots of animals , flowers, cooking and fun!
with a happy heart |
Edited by - bramble on Mar 02 2007 6:04:09 PM |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 6:12:40 PM
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There are two Grange buildings in my area. Both are used by square dancers. One recruited square dancers to be board members because that's the only active use it receives these days. It's a sad thing to have the farmers and orchardists just disappearing from the mix of community. Both Granges are very nice meeting facilities.
Humor is the prelude to faith and Laughter is the beginning of prayer. -- Reinhold Niebuhr
I want to be an "outrageous" old woman who never gets called an old lady. I want to be wiser, resonate love & peace and be earth-colored, till I fade away from pure joy!
http://farmstyle.blogspot.com
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2007 : 09:49:02 AM
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I agree, it's sad. This post got me searching for some of Aunt Madge's things...I ran across this ribbon first, so I thought I'd post it for you gals. I'm thinking it might be a neat research project to learn more about the grange societies. I don't ever see any information regarding "grange" halls in Kentucky--maybe they were called something else in the southern states? Seems like something northern.
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl
712 Posts
Holly
Abilene
KS
712 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2007 : 10:19:58 AM
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I kknow there are still several in rural KS but I couldn't tell you how active they are.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2007 : 11:39:15 AM
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| Cool photo! Thanks for going to the trouble. I just love things like this. I mean to take a look at the web site Bramble posted. |
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happymama58
True Blue Farmgirl
1210 Posts
Patti
Missouri
USA
1210 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2007 : 1:51:02 PM
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None in my entire state! I'm disappointed. I've heard my fil and others talk about it, so I know it used to be active in the area. It's sad it's faded away around here.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
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Across the Fence: At the Grange Hall |
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At the Grange Hall
