 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
MAPLE VALLEY GRANGE 450 |
|
|
|
Almost 97 years ago, about 50 interested people gathered at the Old Newton Hall in Albany, Vt., to join a new organization, known as the Grange, Mr. A E Whitcomb was the organizer. It was a very cold night and the thermometer hovered in the 20 below area, the sleigh and sled runners groaned as they passed over the snow, and warm buffalo robes made the cold ride more cheerful and warmer. The kerosene lamps and lanterns flickered and smoke darkened the glass chimneys. |
|
|
|
About 8 pm the meeting was called to order, the organizer spoke and covered the ritual of the grange, its aims and what it would do for the community and members, this sounded good to the people and all signed up to join. A big frisky goat was brought in and and each took turns to ride the spirited animal By the time Hazel rode his energy was gone, Hazel rode him twice around the hall. All officers were later elected, after a snack the meeting was adjourned and Arthur Cheney had been elected Master. |
|
|
|
At later meetings, the Grange was named Maple Valley #450, meetings were set up for the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month and the dues were 50 cents. |
|
|
|
Ninty seven years have come and gone since that eventful date, and in that time our longest surviving member of the original Charter Members, Hazel Davis Farr passed away in 1999 at the age of 105. She surved this grange in all of the Graces chairs, Ceres being the last chair she filled until she no longer could carry the flag. |
|
|
|
The preceding was originaly writen by Duncen Chaffee, and has been updated several times over the years. The last time being for this web site. |
|
|
|
THE GRANGE |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
MADE IN THE U S A |
|
|
|
Home |
|
History |
|
|
|
|
Officers |
|
Calender |
|
Links |
|
|
|
|
|