USA > New York > The History of New York State Grange, 1934-1960 > Part 15
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"In all, the Associated Press despatched thirteen State Grange stories this year,-and I know of no other organization that even comes near equaling this figure. It proves, I am sure, the weight of Grange opinion." Two such outstanding news items were: 1. Mr. Thomsen prepared an article on the threatened milk strike development; newspaper headlines reported that the Grange was opposed to holding milk, that the Buffalo session had asked for $6.00 per hundredweight for milk, and more re- search and milk promotion. The Grange position commanded attention. 2. When the State Grange requested Governor Harri- man to approve a St. Lawrence-Reynolds Metal Corporation con- tract, that made headlines. The proposed contract would insure industrial development and new outlets for agricultural products. Governor Harriman approved.
Other Grange reports involved: Community Service awards, annual legislative conferences, Deputy Schools, Grange Queen awards, the Grange in Conservation and similar items. When the New York Daily News patted Secretary of Agriculture Benson on the back for his coolness to price supports, Mr. Thom- sen sent an article to the News pointing out that the State Grange had taken that position months before. It appeared in "The Voice of the People" feature of the Sunday News with circulation of 3,500,000. Through the Associated Press, the wire service featured the story of the ninetieth anniversary of Fredonia Grange No. 1, as a narrative that went far beyond New York State boundaries.
Typical headlines of 1960 publicity include: "Grange Urges on Farm Research,". ."State Grange Leaders to Hold Confer- ence in Syracuse," ... . "Local Grange Members to See Dedication." (of New National Grange Building in Washington.). . . . "Free Enterprise System Topic for Grange Heads.". . . . "Grange to Battle Farm Integration.". .. . "Freedom in U. S. Seen Important," ."Grange Youth Plan 1961 Project,". .. . "Smith Hits Exploit- ation of Farmers," ."Farmers Get U. N. Invitation.".
From the Watertown session: "Grange Head Raps Waste of Taxes,". . 'Quotes and Controls For Farmers Scored by Grange Master,". . ."Grangers Urged to Aid 'Working Farmers'" "Grange Would Limit Price Support Loans to Farmers," "Unemployment Pay to Strikers Seen Unfair by Grange." "Rocky Signs-Grange Wins Long Fight." 'It was a good year for Grange publicity," said Mr. Thomsen.
Long ago Oliver Hudson Kelley, Founder, realized the value of publicity. In his great compulsion to build this fraternal- educational-agricultural Order, Mr. Kelley wrote his friend, Francis McDowell, Founder, "Give me printer's ink and I can control public sentiment on this continent. Use printer's ink at every chance."
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Chapter 8.
COMMITTEES AND PROJECTS
1. SERVICE AND HOSPITALITY
In the "Washington Republican" of 1870, William Saunders, one of the Seven Founders of the Order, and First National Grange Master, said: "The admission of woman to full member- ship, and her assistance in the workings of the Order, is proving of incalcuable value; it is indeed doubtful whether the objects of the institution, especially in regard to the refinements of education, and all that tends to brighten hearths and enliven homes, could have been accomplished without her presence and aid."
How truly this distinguished Grange member, Mr. Saunders, spoke has been evidenced by this committee. Mrs. Roy Bixby, Norfolk, when Chairman clarified its purposes as "standing for just what the names implies, service to Grange, church and com- munity, and hospitality to all. This committee has graciously contributed to the betterment of civic, educational, social and religious life of the community." Her reference to "religious life" implies respect and assistance to all Christian groups and church life, since the Grange is strictly and impartially non-sectarian. GENERAL DUTIES: Each of this three member State Committee has charge of one third of the Pomona and Subordinate commit- tees. Letters are sent, reports tabulated, contests and theme projects stimulated, annual yearbooks made ready. In earlier years valuable messages for The National Grange Monthly were prepared. 1961 sees this same good service in the new Empire State Granger.
Annual attendance at Farm and Home Week, Cornell, in the past has maintained broadening contact and opportunity for horizon widening. The Chairman attends annual National Grange Leadership Conferences, Washington, D. C., and regional confer- ences in this State when advisable.
STATE FAIR entails many responsibilities. This committee has charge of the Grange Building Rest Room, equipped so baby may take a nap while the weary mother relaxes. Minor injuries receive treatment. The Committee acts in hostess capacity, has charge of check room, registration, dressing room during singing and program contests, is chaperon to the State Grange Queen or Princess, and dispenses pertinent Grange literature to inquiring passers-by. In the two weeks 1938 Fair, 3,648 Grange members registered, including 85 from eight other States; in 1959, one week, 3,102 registered, including 41 from out of State. The Chair-
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man takes part in the Grange Day program, and with the assis- tance of the Onondaga Committee and helpers, gives fine pro- grams and supervises exhibits in the Harriett May Mills Building as part of Women's Activities.
STATE GRANGE sessions require a limelight spot for this com- mittee, with: Welcoming reception for State Officers; special program, and popular annual luncheon. The Chairman gives her annual report with a breath-taking array of achievement by Subordinate, Pomona and State Granges.
CONTESTS AND EXHIBITS culminate at State Grange. Chief among these are The American Agriculturist contests, canning or baking, with State Grange recognition $3.00 prizes to county winners, and larger prizes sponsored by various firms in collabo- ration with the Agriculturist. There are also State Grange sewing contests, and an ever increasing array of National Grange con- tests.
PATRIOTIC-EDUCATIONAL: War Bonds and Stamp Sales were promoted by this very active committee, which helped to secure a huge total of patriotic investment. A major project has always been the Revolving Scholarship Fund. It would be diffi- cult to estimate the amount contributed under committee sponsor- ship, but it would easily reach many thousands of dollars. Juvenile work is encouraged.
State Grange Service and Hospitality Committee members may well be designated as
NOTABLE GRANGE WOMEN OF THE YEARS: In the follow- ing list the Committee Chairman is named:
No. 1. 1934, Mrs. Earl Clark, Norwich, urged educational programs which compared butter values with its substitutes, and greater use of dairy products in the home. 789 Subordinate and 52 Pomona Granges earned $27,186.79 for Grange and Community. No. 2. 1935, Mrs. John Fuller, Castile: In her talk at State Fair, Mrs. Fuller called attention to the fact that women in the Grange are not auxiliary to it, but rather enjoy equal opportunity with men. "There are more than 75,000 organized rural Grange women in New York State." The great flood in the Southern Tier of counties gave opportunity for special service.
No. 3. 1936, Mrs. Charles Everett, of Plattekill Grange No. 923: "We represented the Grange on the Conference Board of Women's Educational Organizations." Goal: "Community betterment by cooperation with any enterprise in the spiritual, educational, civic or social life of the community."
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No. 4. 1937, Mrs. Roy Bixby, Norfolk: "Our exhibit, a very attrac- tive set-up in the Harriett May Mills Building, State Fair, repre- sented the pillars for which the Grange stands. Much credit goes to Mrs. Gerald Hotaling, Onondaga Pomona Committee Chair- man, for this exhibit, viewed by 70,000. Our committees earned over $31,000."
No. 5. 1938, Mrs. Leslie Tanner, Medina: "Mrs. Andrews and I re- presented the Grange at a meeting of the Council of Rural Women in New York City, to make plans for a National Rural Women's Day at the New York World's Fair, May 23."
No. 6. 1939, Mrs. Nehemiah Andrews, Montgomery: "Your Chair- man attended several meetings of the Women's Legislative Forum in Albany. 29 Counties filed a report from every Grange. Committees earned $31,739."
No. 7. 1940, Catherine Dillenbeck, Little Falls, cooperated with Miss Lucille Brewer in the G. L. F. Cookbook sales; represented the Grange at the Family Life Training Conference and the Nutrition Conference, Cornell. Goal: "Nutrition for National Defense." Shingles valued at $317 were given for the National Grange Home, Washington, D. C.
No. 8. 1941, Mrs. Ray Taylor, Lockport:Committee sponsored an exhibit in Women's Building, State Fair, "Better Living from the Farm," which stressed milk products. A small amount of cream was churned daily as an educational demonstration; buttermilk and buttered crackers given away. Every committee was urged to secure two new members in honor of Caroline Hall, one in honor of Temperance Kelley.
No. 9. 1942, Mrs. Lee Husted, Red Hook, attended Women's Joint Legislative Forum, Albany, weekly during Legislative session, and participated in "Women and Industry" luncheon conference, New York City.
No. 10. 1943, Mrs. Seward Davis, Vernon Center chose as a theme: "PRESERVE AND CONSERVE FOR VICTORY." Blood banks, Red Cross units, and salvage were encouraged. She attended the Dairymen's League Food Forum, and represented the Grange on the Committee of War and Peace Activities.
No. 11. 1944, Mrs. George Kohn, North Collins, attended District Home Economics Conference, Hotel Sherman, Chicago; annual meeting Northeastern Dairy Conference, New York City; Speak- ers' Institute on Home and Farm Safety, Cornell, and became an authorized instructor in farm and home safety, one of twenty women in this State. '
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No. 12. 1945, Mrs. Anthony Rivers, Jay, worked with the motto: "Face the Future Courageously." Conducted a canning contest, with 44 counties cooperating. "While total victory has been achieved," she said, "there yet remains to win the peace."
No. 13. 1946, Mrs. Kenneth Augur, Milford, urged an intensive drive to increase National Grange Monthly circulation to 40,000 in this State, with more pages devoted to New York State Grange news "which we are all anxious to hear." Committees raised $53,308.
No. 14. 1947, Mrs. C. N. Black, Forestville, and her committee obtained 8,200 more National Grange Monthly subscriptions; $2,967 were contributed to the Revolving Scholarship Fund; Subordinate Committees earned $52,946.
No. 15. 1948, Mrs. Claude Palen, Hurley, obtained 100% response in names and addresses of State-wide Committee Chairmen, who in all raised over $70,000.
No. 16. 1949, Mrs. David Mabie, Amsterdam, reported over $631 contributed for the Lounge of the New Grange Building, Wash- ington, D. C. Mrs. Mabie was appointed a member of the Women's Committee, New York State Fair, by Chester DuMond, Commis- sioner of Agriculture.
No. 17. 1950, Mrs. John Lavery, Geneseo; Over $82,000 was raised for Grange and Home improvement. Over 1,800 Grange members were registered at State Fair. Mrs. Hefti, Onondaga Pomona Chairman was most helpful. Mrs. Lavery's report placed second in the National Grange contest.
No. 18. 1951, Mrs. Herbert Thomsen, Poughkeepsie: $15,560 raised for community health, $4,774.79 for better education. Encouraged Albert Goss Memorial membership drive, "to develop Grange members not seeking any personal glory but happy to be a part of a wonderful organization."
No. 19. 1952, Mrs. Bruce Scudder, Fleishmans, urged official Grange road signs near Grange Halls. Her report to National Grange received first, $25.00. At her request the New York Grange Service and Hospitality Creed, adopted officially by the State Grange, was written by Elizabeth L. Arthur, former Chair- man. Mrs. Scudder reported: "2,841 women, members of Subor- dinate, Pomona and State Committees. . . . form an immense service machine."
No. 20. 1953, Mrs. Charles Arnold, Bergen, whose report won second in the National contest, announced 601 committees which stressed "Hospitality." Many Granges were instrumental in bringing exchange students into Grange homes for a year.
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No. 21. 1954, Mrs. Floyd Wilmot, Poolville, was a member of New York State Crop Executive Committee; New York State Citizens' Health Committee; Council of Home Economics, Cornell. She presented the prizewinning quilt to Mrs. Thomas E. Dewey. "International Friendship" was the project, such as pen-pals with rural women in South America.
No. 22. 1955, Mrs. Guy Haviland, Sr., Middleburgh: Over $536 was donated to The Charlton School; Grange Halls were used for regular church and Daily Vacation Bible Schools. Committees raised over $57,000 for education, charity and Grange needs.
No. 23. 1956, Mrs. Roy Shearman, Perry: "One county, with all Subordinates assisting, raised money to place a Christian Chap- lain in a migrant labor camp." Her Committee assisted the State Lecturer with the State Fair Grange Day luncheon. Her report won second prize, National Grange.
No. 24. 1957, Mrs. Gerald Eastman, Ellisburg, was hostess at the National Grange Home Economics luncheon, Rochester, for which the theme was "Let your light so shine-that others may see." Home and overseas community service were promoted. $2,505 were donated to the The Charlton School.
No. 25. 1958, Mrs. Eugene Daley, Poughkeepsie, backed the "Dial Happiness" program of the National Grange Committee. Motto, "Believe, Belong and Build." Theme, "Unity Through Happiness." She spoke at 53 Grange meetings. Her committee registered 3,123 at State Fair, and checked 293 articles.
No. 26. 1959, Mrs. Clayton Taylor, Lawtons, received second for her report to National Grange. 5,000 letters were sent to encour- age contests. $345 were contributed toward the Library in the new Grange Building, Washington. New York State had 3,027 entries in the $50,000 National Grange Dress Contest. May 26, 1959, 83 dresses were modeled at Lawtons Grange, with patrons present from 23 counties.
No. 27. 1960, Mrs. Steve Karlik, Marietta, received 630 Subordin- ate and 53 Pomona reports. Theme, "Golden Gateways." "Mail- box Improvement" project showed pride in the fact that the Grange started Free Delivery of Mail for rural people. Subordin- ate Committees gained 963 new or reinstated members; $15,288 reported for worthy causes; the Dress Revue and Contest held at Skaneateles had attendance of over 500; the State Committee sponsored State Products Dinners, with cooperation from State Department through flyers and posters.
No. 28. 1961, Mrs. Frank Elliott, New Paltz, featured "Opportunity Knocks for Dedicated Hands," as theme. National $50,000 Sew-
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ing Contest was well underway. The Phillipine CARE project was undertaken to help counteract communism.
In 1962 Mrs. John J. Vanderbeck, Rochester, will be chair- man, and Mrs. Charles Scofield, Otego, will be the leader in 1963.
NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL OF RURAL, WOMEN has four voting delegates each from Grange, Home Bureau and Home Department of the Dairymen's League. The Service and Hospital- ity Committee and State Lecturer represent the Grange. The following Grange women have served as President of this group:
Helen Keller, 1945-46, represented agriculture on New York Woman' Council, a group of 34 women appointed by Governor Thomas E. Dewey in an advisory capacity to the Department of Commerce. Mrs. Keller's work was to assist on the Career and Small Business Clinics held on a Regional basis.
Mrs. Elizabeth Haviland. 1955.
Mrs. Clayton Taylor, 1959.
WOMEN'S LEGISLATIVE FORUM: A non-partisan group of 45 local and 15 State organizations, with only three. agricultural.
Mrs. Rutherford Haynor represented the Grange 1946-54. Well- fitted for this position, Mrs. Haynor, of West Sand Lake, reported to our Legislative Representative, Kenneth Fake, Mrs. Haynor was a former Service and Hospitality Chairman, 1933.
2. COMMUNITY SERVICE
"Two things stand out like stone,- Kindness in another's troubles, Courage in your own." (Anon).
For many years, without incentive of report or prize, the Granges of New York State inscribed "SERVICE" across the rural sections of the Empire State. A National Grange Monthly of 1934 indicated this: "In a period in which selfishness appears to reign, it is most refreshing to find such proof of unselfish ser- vice as the Grange often renders."
The following references indicate the Grange and community record: Service to church is in the forefront. Rural Life services pointed out the values of rural Christian living. More than once a rural Sunday School was organized and maintained where there was no prior religious training opportunity for rural youth. Granges cleaned churches inside and painted them outside. West Laurens Grange No. 782. Otsego County, re-opened a Quaker
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Church over 100 years old, and under guidance of the Rural Church Institute this became a Community Church, and a pastor was obtained. . . . Three Scotia pastors testified that Glenridge Grange No. 1544 had made their work possible.
The National Grange Monthly related how Sunday Worship Services in Enfield State Park held a germ that spread to several sections. In 1935-37 Lewis County Pomona Grange held a series of open air non-sectarian worship services in Whetstone State Park, where steep cliffs afforded a natural amphitheater and per- fect accoustics. From a raw natural condition Grange members, under the direction of Deputy Master John Peterson and Forest Ranger William McCarthy, with trucks, tractors, pick and shovel literally made the place of assembly. Members of fifteen or twenty Granges plus general public attended the services. Fine musical numbers, pastors from outside the county and distingu- ished Grange speakers attracted.
From this project there developed annual worship services held at Cayuga State Park by Seneca County Pomona Grange. Schuyler Pomona Grange held an outdoor service near the famous lily pool in Watkins Glen State Park. On the steps of a little North Country Store, Oseola Grange No. 1432 held a Sunday afternoon service. And so the story grew.
In 1943, at the four day National Folk Dance Festival, Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, where competitors came from over twenty States and Canada, including the Kiowa Indians, Oklahoma City, Hampton Singers of Hampton Institute, English Folk Dancers of Alabama, and Polish Folk Dancers of Chicago, with the United States Coast Guard Band accompanying, the first place was won by Copake Grange No. 936, Columbia County. In an appearance next day at Gimbels' Store Bond Sale, Copake Grange Dancers sold $500 of Bonds in twenty minutes.
In 1944, Mrs: Anna Davis, Secretary Whaley Pond Grange No. 885, had sold a total of $32,881 in bonds. Litchfield Grange No. 1524 sold over $113,000. North Star Grange No. 686 sold $42,000, in one rally. Maple Leaf Grange No. 11, Canada, gather- ed huge piles of rubber tires; their scrap drive netted 85 tons. They contributed $150 to the Victory Loan, $25.00 to the Red Cross, gave to the Canadian Legion Fund and entertained the staff sergeants of Huntington Training Camp. Greene Grange, No. 1413, Chenango County, had four scrap drives, totaling 75,630 pounds of paper, and a large amount of iron, rags and rubber. This Grange provided the honor roll for the township, dedicated at a community picnic.
During the Victory Loan Drive, New York State Grange in cooperation with the State War Finance Committee, mailed
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forty thousand letters to Grange families, urging purchase of Government Bonds. Had the grand total purchase been available to this History, it would doubtless have run into millions.
State Lecturer Marietta Windecker in 1945 stated that three Granges, Goodyear Lake No. 1509, West Laurens No. 782, and Mahopac No. 840 had sold $6,825 of Bonds and Stamps, which make the total Bonds sold by Granges to that date, as reported, $678,443. "This was well on the way to provide funds for the purchase of six service planes. In the cockpit of each plane is a placque that reads, 'This plane was made possible through the purchase of War Bonds and Stamps by Grange members of New York State.' "
Through the "Friendship Quilt" project of Ulster County Pomona Grange, Mrs. Charles Bell, committee Chairman, one $100.00 Bond was purchased, emergency kits for Red Cross made, donations to U. S. O., and Bundles for America given. Neighbor Night collections in Onondaga County sent a purebred heifer overseas to a needy family. The Service and Hospitality Com- mittee of Mountainside Grange met every Saturday from the first mention of the United Clothing Drive, and sorted, mended, packed over 1000 pounds of shoes and clothing.
Service and Hospitality Committees have always majored in community projects, such as removal of unsightly billboards, cemetary clean-ups, sewing and canning for needy, assistance for sick, aid in fire, flood or other disaster. One county reported 92 dolls dressed for Salvation Army Christmas giving. Many USO scrapbooks were sent, milk went overseas for hungry children, rocking beds, wheel chairs, hospital beds, iron lungs were donated from committee earnings. In 1946 the State Com- mittee sponsored a Community Service Contest.
In 1949 pioneer safety was the project of Mountainville Grange No. 946, Orange County. Signs were erected at a danger- ous crossing near a school. State Troopers and the State Highway Department cooperated.
In 1950 a "Lost Son Drama" developed when seven year old David Berry, son of the Secretary of Union Vale Grange No. 887, Dutchess County, was lost overnight in mountainous Clove Valley area, in zero weather. Grange members searched all night. The Grange furnished at least 50 pounds of coffee, 30 pounds sugar, over 60 loaves of bread and many pounds of cold cuts, which Grange members distributed to searchers.
NATIONAL GRANGE - SEARS ROEBUCK FOUNDATION COMMUNITY SERVICE CONTEST came into bud in the late forties through efforts of National Master Albert Goss. In 1948
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242 Granges. one-fourth of all in this State, were in the contest. In 1960, 777 Granges reported. In the following list, the name of the Grange Master follows Grange name. New York State first prize winners are given.
TOP GRANGES:
1948: Greene Valley Grange No. 881, Greene County .- Robert Johnson.
1949: Johnsburg Grange No. 1569, Warren County-Clarence Ingraham.
1950: Greene Grange No. 1413, Chenango County-Ralph Mor- gan.
1951: Glenridge Grange No. 1544, Schenectady County-George Atkins.
1952: West Leyden No. 620, Lewis County-Dorothy Bronson.
1953: Macedon Grange No. 326, Wayne County-Henry Marsh.
1954: Yorktown No 862, Westchester County-Sidney Gilbert.
1955: Sodus Grange No. 73, Wayne County-Anthony Bushart.
1956: Mohican Grange No. 1300, Warren County-H. Russell Harris.
1957: Lowville No. 71, Lewis County-Frederick Buckingham.
1958: Mt. Tremper No. 1468, Ulster County-August May.
1959: Five Corners No. 1000, Cayuga County-Eugene Shaw.
1960: Yorktown No. 862, Westchester County-Harold Sutton.
NATIONAL GRANGE AWARDS IN THIS STATE:
1948: Greene Valley Grange No. 881. Second prize, $1,500 in Grange Hall equipment.
1951: Glenridge No. 1544, sixth, $500.
1954: Yorktown No 862, honorable mention, $500.
1955: Sodus No. 73, honorable mention, $1,000. -
1956: Mohican No. 1300, third, $3,000.
THREE YEAR CONTINUING PROJECTS: Finals in 1954: Low- ville Grange No. 71, first award, a beautiful Bible. Raymond Gordon, Master.
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MEMBERSHIP SIZE of winning Granges ranged from 45 mem- bers to over 400. In 1950, two counties, Schenectady, Lloyd Brinkman, Deputy, and Franklin, James Tuggey, Deputy, were honored for 50% participation. In 1952, St. Lawrence County, first County with more than twenty Granges, took front line with 100% participation, Leonard Fuller, Deputy. In 1953, six counties, Franklin, Greene, Jefferson, Orange-Rockland, Seneca and St. Lawrence, were 100%. In 1953, 43 Deputies had 100% reporting. In 1957, based on 80 winning Granges. the average hours per Grange were 1,348; average hours for member participating, 23.2; estimated hours for all projects, 133,090. Cornell University, with Sears-Roebuck Foundation backing. is presently compiling data on New York State Grange Community Service records. In 1961, Pomona Grange competition is promised.
"Certainly the reward which any Grange recevies in the sense of making their community a better place to live, of having merited the respect of other people and organizations in their locality is more important than the recognition of appearing in the list of winners," said Stanley Munro, a contest judge.
National Grange Lecturer Edward Holter, Chairman of the National Contest, added: "It is my firm belief that in this we have the greatest asset of the Grange."
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Chapter 9.
GRANGE EXPANSION
The Grange March of Progress owes much to loyal, devoted members of the Deputy Master force, always ready to sacrifice other plans for the good of the Order. Other agencies for Grange expansion include the following:
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