USA > New York > The History of New York State Grange, 1934-1960 > Part 8
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State. She gave Blue and Gold ribbons for program quality of reports. In 1937 she awarded certificates "in recognition of out- standing, well-balanced Lecturer's programs-and for projects accomplished, thereby promoting more enthusiastic interest in the welfare of the Grange and the community." Signed by State Master, and State Lecturer, and with the seal of the State Grange, these had value. In 1937 she attended the Sullivan County meet- ing when the New Jersey State Grange Friendship Flag came to this State; she accompanied it to Connecticut.
CONFERENCES: Mrs. Miller held 213 Regional Conferences, an annual of 35. In 1939 67% of the Granges were represented. In the first five years, approximately 1,452 attended State Grange Conferences. In 1938 a State-wide Conference at the Hotel Mizpah, Syracuse, replaced the State session conference, and nearly 400 Lecturers attended. That same year Mrs. Miller was President of the Middle-Atlantic State Lecturers' Association, and hostess for their annual conference at Cornell University.
"Another duty, a real privilege," she voiced, "is the opportun- ity to reach the Granges through the Lecturer's page in the National Grange Monthly. From the reports there are very few Lecturers who do not have this splendid Grange paper. I have tried to make this page each month a personal letter not only to the Lecturers but to the Granges." Her page awoke, built and en- couraged a great love and appreciation of the Grange.
The evolution of the State-wide theme commands interest. In 1935 each county selected its own theme, with typical symbol to carry from meeting to meeting. Madison County carried a small white church; Niagara, "Keynotes;" Herkimer, keys; Fulton, a gavel; Essex, "Amos and Ruby;" Steuben, a school house; Che- nango, a bundle of sticks; Allegany and Otsego, altar cloths; Sara- toga, a bee hive; Ulster, an album; Jefferson, a candle; St. Law- rence, a Bible; Clinton, a scroll; Tompkins, a "Good Will air- ship." Mrs. Miller had a large "Theme Program Book," with one page for every Grange in the State. This went to State Grange, and Middle-Atlantic Conference.
1936 saw these themes evolve into one State-wide theme, "The Fraternity Chain." Each Subordinate had a link, with a larger Pomona link. Links were joined at State Grange in an impres- sive ceremony with Pomona Lecturers in the forefront.
1937 had the great theme, PEACE. White flags, identical in shape, with PEACE in blue letters, design original with each county, were featured in 1000 programs throughout the State. At the 1937 session, Ogdensburg, "we were privileged to witness the very impressive ceremony of the presentation of the Peace Flags from every Pomona, carried by the Pomona Lecturers, led by the
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American Flag and the Christian Flag" was recorded by the State Secretary. Mrs. Miller presided. The 1938 State Fair exhibit had a number of Peace Flags displayed.
ยท The 1938 theme was "THE CONSTITUTION," with "The Story of The Constitution" sent every Lecturer for study and program use. 1939 presented "MY COUNTRY AND MY HOME."
Mrs. Miller said: "We must get over the idea that the only object of a Grange meeting is the entertainment part. The Grange was organized to aid rural people and help them solve agri- cultural problems ... The office of Lecturer in any Grange, large or small, is important. Anyone elected to that office should feel it a distinct honor ... No officer, not even the Master himself, has a greater opportunity to create a 'live' Grange than you. Maintaining a large Grange gathering of your own Grange mem- bers speaks in ringing tones that yours is a Grange of service. The very act of coming together with friendly smiles and kindly words is noblest service."
Appointed State Grange Historian in 1940, Mrs. Miller served through 1941. Unfortunately her home burned and many valu- able Grange papers were destroyed.
In 1944, Mrs. Miller placed first in a contest sponsored by the Farm Credit Association, Springfield, Massachusetts, "Why I Buy War Bonds." The award was a $500.00 War Bond. We con- clude with her entry:
I BUY WAR BONDS
"Because my country needs every dollar I can spare to help carry on to victory.
Because it may help to save the life of some soldier or sailor -may keep one blue star in someone's window from turning to gold.
Because it is a debt I owe for the freedom and liberty I have enjoyed in the past; for the safety and security of the present and for the hope of the future for all generations to come.
Because it is the only way I can do my part."
The Lecturers' Slogan for 1940 was "UNITED LEADERS." Under this caption on her handbook, the new. State Lecturer quoted Oliver Wilson, National Master 1911-19: "Let us look for- ward, and with one common purpose work for the good of all." Who was this new State Lecturer?
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HELEN KELLER, of Bergen, wife of Jay Keller, former Pomona Master and Deputy Grange Master of Genesee County. On their farm grew three children, and also, in 1942, corn fourteen feet and one inch tall, so tall that Mr. Keller, standing on his tractor, couldn't reach the top. Kansas !-- Genesee County couldn't be beaten.
Helen Keller had wide Grange experience as Subordinate Lecturer, Pomona Grange Lady Assistant Steward and Lecturer, Genesee County Juvenile Deputy, first President Juvenile Deputies Association, Member State Grange Home Economics Committee, and Lady Assistant Steward New York State Grange. The same deep and abiding love of the Grange which marks all its leaders, the same untiring zeal which characterized both pre- decessors and successors, stamped this State Lecturer, Helen Keller.
Her 1940 theme was "Youth." Its living symbol was real youth. At least one young man and young lady, 16 to 25 years of age, accompanied their respective Granges as they journeyed to neighbor Granges. In some cases colorful white satin banners lettered in red, "The Nation's Hope," with matching regalia, were used.
Among activities of this period were:
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS: Such as in April, 1940, must have been deeply satisfying,-839 Subordinate and 52 Pomona Lec- turers reported. Twenty-seven counties were 100%. "These re- ports are proof that our lecturers have realized their responsi- bilities of making the literary program meet the needs of their members and are developing latent abilities," was Mrs. Keller's verdict. In 1942, she reported: "It was most encouraging that of the 623 Granges reporting, 433 had a Booster Night, the greatest rural event of the year." Tabulated items from semi-annual re- ports were displayed on the exhibit table at State sessions.
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NATIONAL GRANGE DIAMOND JUBILEE SESSION was held in Syracuse, November 12-22, 1940. Special sessions for sixth degree, prior to National Grange, and other activities added im- portant items to the State Lecturer's share. Over 20,000 attended this National session. Through lecturers alone, 705 new members were added to the Grange roster, that year.
MIDDLE-ATLANTIC CONFERENCES held in 1940 at Delaware State College, Newark, saw 64 present from New York. In 1941, at College Park, Maryland, 74 from this State grew in Grange stature and knowledge. Mrs. Keller was Secretary-Treasurer of the Association. Such speakers as National Master Louis J. Taber, National Lecturer James Farmer, L. F. Livingston of the Agri- cultural Division of E. I. DuPont DeNemours & Company, and H. H. Clegg, Assistant Director of the Bureau of Federal Inves- tigation, brought values to the Conferences. War conditions pre- vented the 1942-43 Conferences.
TRAINING SCHOOLS for Lecturers and Juvenile workers were held in 1940-41. The total 1940 attendance was 1,026. Mrs. Keller was assisted by such ability as: William Smith, recreation special- ist, Hugh Williams, Dr. Mary Eva Duthie, dramatics, and Dr. Robert Polson, representing the Department of Rural Sociology, and Mrs. Martha Eddy, Administrative Extension specialist, all of Cornell; Paul Vogt, senior social scientist, Director of Program Study and Discussion, Bureau of Agricultural Economics, and Dr. Morris Storer, U. S. Department of Agriculture, both of Washington, D. C. Demonstration programs were used. The 1941 State-wide theme was: "KEYS TO PROGRESS."
In 1942 Lecturer Schools had to be discontinued, because the thunders of war were no longer vague. "Blackouts," "Victory Gardens," "Win the War," were words heard on every tongue. "Tire and rubber rationing? No excuse to stay home from Grange," declared Mrs. Keller, wisely. "Take your neighbors to Grange, win the war, build your Grange."
Mrs. Keller regretted personal contact lost through discon- tinuance of the schools; she substituted quarterly bulletins, sent all lecturers. These helped carry out the 1942 theme, "FORWARD WITH FREEDOM," and the 1943 "HOME SECURITY" plans. Mrs: Keller carried on through this trying period to the credit of our great State Grange Farm, the Grange, and the good of all. CONTESTS were continued, such as Highway Safety essays; skit writing, with winners published in her National Grange Monthly page, and best program of the month, with War Stamp awards, and helpful details in the Monthly. In 1943, at Farm and
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Home Week, Cornell, the announcement was made that "the success of the contest" (Rural Life Poetry Contest,) "was largely due to the cooperation of Grange Lecturers."
"Cooperation," said the smiling State Lecturer, "is just com- mon sense bounded on the north by understanding, on the east by loyalty, on the south by confidence, and on the west by un- selfishness." Later she said: "It is needless for me to enumerate the vast number of obstacles the Lecturers had to battle with in their preparation and presentation of good programs during the past twelve months. .. . It is better to set ten members at work than to do the work of ten members." A gem of advice fully applicable today as it was then.
Like all State Lecturers, Mrs. Keller attended State Fair, Farm and Home Week, and conferences, such as: Rural-Urban, and Nutrition, Cornell; Free Farmers; Safety Council; State Com- mittees on Adult Education, Farm and Home Safety; for consider- ation of a State-wide "Singing-to-Victory" program; annual meeting, Dairymen's League; an important seminar called by Endowment for International Peace, at New York University. As a result, she urged all lecturers to make a study of the Atlantic Charter. Following the Food Forum, called by The Dairymen's League, New York City, Mrs. Keller specially recommended Farm-City Food Forums to promote understanding of food pro- duction, processing and marketing.
"The 1943 programs have been constructive and worthwhile. Program for the coming year must increase in usefulness for on the home front no lecturer has time to waste in useless labor .... Study, planning, work, sacrifice, faith in God and cooperation will Win the War," said Mrs. Keller, and they did.
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On December 15, 1943, the State Lecturer elect was petite MARIETTA WINDECKER, of Mohawk, whose previous service had developed much insight into Grange values. The former Lecturer of Plains Hollow Grange No. 572, she transferred by demit to Fort Dayton Grange No. 567, and in 1936-37 was its Lecturer. In 1938-40 Lecturer of Herkimer County Pomona Grange, the next three years saw her Deputy Grange Master. 1943-49 Lecturer of New York State Grange, her follow-up task was Juvenile Grange Deputy. Her husband, Leonard, was Master first of Paines Hollow Grange, then later Fort Dayton and also Special Deputy Grange Master. From their pleasant farm home Grange influence extended even beyond Empire State lines. -
During her six year term, Mrs. Windecker attended inter- esting events such as the Second Annual Citzen's Conference at Colgate University, Dairymen's League, Youth and Safety meet- ings.
ANNUAL THEMES were: 1944, "PROGRESS THROUGH UNITY"; 1945, "SOLDIERS OF THE SOIL"; 1946, "HOME"; 1947, "THE GRANGE UNFURLED-NEW YORK STATE 75th ANNIVERSARY"; 1948, "UNITED NEIGHBORS"; 1949, "AMERICA FOR ME."
Mrs. Windecker's first Handbook stated: "1944 is a year of great need, rare and golden opportunity. All out Food Production, loved ones in the Service, and transportation restrictions due to war effort are not just obstacles in our path that we should try to make the best of, but a challenge that should bring out our best. The Lecturer who can present wholesome food for thought to a tired mind, solace and a ray of sunshine to anxious parents, wives and sweethearts, is not only rendering a great service to the Grange, but to the home folks who make up the community."
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SIX YEARS OF PROGRAM VALUE INCLUDED: An agricul- tural number on every program; one Bond program per Grange; good citizenship; a higher percentage of registration and vote; soil conservation; Grange Booster Night; Go-to-Church Sunday and Rural Life Sunday emphasized. Annual reports showed 1,150 fire prevention and safety programs.
VISUAL EDUCATION as a matter of Grange growth and inter- est was on trial in five Granges each of Franklin, Orleans and Washington Counties. This developed from a conference between State Master Henry Sherwood, State Lecturer Windecker and Mr. and Mrs. C. Dana Bennett of the Encyclopedia Britannica Films Incorporated.
CONFERENCES: Total attendance at 85 regional and State Grange Conferences was 3,840 lecturers.
POMONA LECTURERS' CONFERENCE at Bibbins Hall, Ithaca, with G. L. F., National Grange Mutual Liability and State Grange as hosts, had great value. Among speakers were: Mr. Paul Taber, Dr. Karl Butler, Col. Charles Skeele, Walter Ranney and others of the G. L. F. staff; Rev. Stanley Skinner, of Rural Life Institute, National Grange Lecturer Edward Holter, Maryland; Mr. R. B. Gervan, acting General Manager Rural Radio Foundation; Dean E. Lee Vincent, College of Home Economics and others from Cornell University and Penn State College. Following an address by Mr. Thomas Milliman, Head Marketing Division G. L. F., 750 lecturers reported use of his topic, "Grass Silage."
"The value of these conferences cannot be overestimated," said Mrs. Windecker. Clare Balfanz., Montgomery County, Presi- dent Pomona Lecturers' Association, agreed. "The Ithaca Confer- ence was extremely helpful." The Association Vice-President, Mrs. George Shulz, Niagara County, expressed it: "We were given many ideas and a wealth of program material."
MIDDLE-ATLANTIC CONFERENCE, dormant during War years, revived in 1949, was held at Indiana State Teachers College, Indiana, Pennsylvania. Lecturers from Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania plus New York's 97 were present. Mrs. Windecker was elected Secretary-Treasurer.
MEMBERSHIP GAIN THROUGH LECTURER EFFORT was 542 members in one year.
STATE GRANGE SPECIALS: The winning lyric song, "Seeds for Victory and Peace," written by Mrs. Bessie Drew, Malone Grange, with music by Frederick Fay Smith, Ilion, sold 3,000 copies which netted $600.00 for the Revolving Scholarship Fund. FOLK DANCES in costume, competitive throughout the State, were demonstrated at State Sessions' contest finals. Such dances
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as Military Scottische, Waltz Quadrille and Prairie Queen "told a most convincing story of beauty and grace when danced as beautifully as at State Grange."
THEME PRESENTATIONS: 1945 "SOLDIERS OF THE SOIL" and its slogan, "Agriculture United for Victory, " developed an informative State Grange exhibit based on "What our County is Most Famous For," with samples and definite production statis- tics on a comparative basis, 1940-45.
The 1947 Oswego session marked the 75th anniversary of New York State Grange. Fully 1,500 privileged people viewed the Diamond Jubilee Pageant Tuesday evening. It was arranged by State Lecturer Windecker assisted by 53 Pomona Lecturers, who selected talent and music for interludes. Episodes reviewed the organization of Fredonia No. 1, first Subordinate, in 1868; the first State Grange meeting, 1873, Syracuse, and values of succeed- ing years. Mrs. Harold M. Stanley was narrator for this unfor- getable program.
The closing feature of the 1948 theme, "UNITED NEIGH- BORS," was United Nations Drill, with 53 Pomona Lecturers who each carried one of the flags of the 53 United Nations at that time. In the grand finale, the floor drill fanned out to show a stage tableau, with people backstage in costumes of many countries, while right center upstage "Uncle Sam" and helpers packed a large barrel for shipment OVERSEAS. This was ended with "God Bless Our Neighbors."
We conclude with Mrs. Windecker's own words: "The Lecture Hour has dynamic power to serve and bear fruit through well trained men and women in a program foursquare and true."
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At the Rochester 1949 State Session the delegates selected as State Lecturer a very well known Lady Assistant Steward of 1940-45, capable
FLORENCE PICKETT of Rock City Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Theron Pickett were both active Grange members. Both had served as Master of Milton Grange No. 685. She had served as Farm Bureau Office Secretary. From 1935-39 she was Saratoga County Pomona Lecturer. State Lecturer 1949-53, when Florence Pickett in her final State Grange report said goodby to the office of State Lecturer, she may have visioned another appealing position, Youth Director. Her background work as organist and leader of the Young People's Choir in her home church, and her assistance in the developing Youth Schools, indicated special skills.
During her two terms as State Lecturer, Mrs. Pickett was much in demand as speaker on occasions such as installations, anniversaries and supper meetings.
SCHOOLS AND CONFERENCES: State Master Henry Sher- wood, and State Juvenile Superintendent Mrs. John Thew assist- ed Mrs. Pickett in sixteen Regional Conferences and eleven Two- Day Schools in 1950. There was an approximate total attendance of 452 Lecturers. Similar schools were held in following years.
MIDDLE-ATLANTIC CONFERENCE in 1951 was held at Cornell University. "No one could ask or hope for better cooperation than we had from the folks at the Colleges of Agriculture and Home Economics,' said Mrs. Pickett, host Lecturer and President of the Association. The total attendance was 320, of whom 140 were New York State delegates.
The 1952 Conference was held at College Park, Maryland. Mrs. Pickett had charge of the Workshop on Program Planning and Source Material. The 1953 Session was at the University of Delaware, Newark.
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PROGRAM ITEMS of her two terms included: Better Gardens for Better Living; Birdsfoot Trefoil-with G. L. F. practice pro- grams; Rural Life Sunday observance; Landscape Gardening for Grange Halls and Farm Homes; Soil Conservation; and National Grange Mutual Liablity practice programs on Safety. County chorus organizations work was continued.
STATE-WIDE THEMES-NEIGHBOR NIGHTS: 1950 "ACRES OF DIAMONDS" had as its base Russell Conway's famous lec- ture. "Our theme for the year is one that will open vast areas of program possibilities. It will be fun to search out the 'jewels' in our communities; let's dig for hidden ones as well as bringing out the more obvious in heritage, resources and other blessings." commented Mrs. Rodman Fellows of Tompkins County, Presi- dent Pomona Lecturers' Association.
In 1951, "HOBBIES" brought more members into programs through displays, collections, demonstrations. "Just take a look at the people you know whose leisure time is taken up by the pursuit of a hobby, the release they get from the tensions and anxieties of modern life shown in their faces," wrote Mrs. Harold Lawrence, Corfu Grange, Genesee County, for The National Grange Monthly. "Hobbies are a diversion, a pastime, they furnish recreation, they are educational, they create mutual in- terests in family living, and they satisfy a fundamental urge to create, to make things of beauty and of use."
The theme for 1952 was especially fine. "RURAL DEFEN- DERS OF THE AMERICAN TRADITION." The traveling county symbol was The American Eagle, "the bird the Almighty created and gave freedom to build its homes on the highest crag or the tallest tree. It had the liberty to soar to the greatest heights, to find its food anywhere,-and to live out its long life of liberty. Freedom is not the gift of man or the gift of Governments. It is the gift of God. In spite of the welfare state philosophy sweeping the world, all freedom and liberty we enjoy are of Divine origin. Freedom is not 'free,' even though it is the gift of the Almighty. It had to be purchased by prayers and blood and sacrifice of patriots and saints throughout the ages." (Fragments quoted from the theme message of Louis J. Taber, former National Grange Master, in Mrs. Pickett's annual Handbook.)
The 1952 Lecturer's program, Saratoga Springs State Grange session, was in charge of Florence Pickett. This was outstanding for two reasons,-the address and the pageant. The speaker, Mr. C. L. Dickinson of the G. L. F., chose the topic, "Security is a Myth." The Journal of Proceedings reported: "Mr. Dickinson ex- ploded the modern myth that we can get 'something for nothing', and proved to all thinking people that no 'Program, or 'Plan' can
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ever replace hard work, true charity, personal responsibility, the thrift and morals of a God-fearing country."
The pageant, "Ours to Preserve," was the culmination of the year's theme. It was written by Florence Pickett, and effectively put on by the Pomona Lecturers and others.
Mrs. Pickett defined the 1953 theme, "FRATERNITY FOR PEACE," thus: "It is important that we present programs that will encourage a spirit of brotherhood in the individual, in the Home, the Church, the Grange and the community, in order to extend its influence in a wider sphere. Peace begins in the heart of the individual."
No one can question the values outreaching from those years.
At the eighty-first annual session, Elmira, October 1953, Mr. E. Carroll Bean, High Priest of Demeter, Winterport, Maine, in- stalled the State Grange officers. The rose and gold State Lec- turer's sash was placed upon the shoulders of MRS. HOWARD REED, Sauquoit, who for six years had worn the Lecturer's green and gold sash of Oneida Pomona Grange. President of the Pomona Lecturer's Association for 1953, she had long been active in her home Grange, Paris No. 1452, of which her husband had been Master in 1948.
On the Howard Reed farm of 140 acres, the prize crop was their six children. Ida Reed, the busy mother, yet found time for outside service: 4H leader for ten years, at one time a Home Bureau leader, she was an active member and Sunday School teacher in Paris Congregational Church. Following her term as State Lecturer, she took up the duties of Oneida County Pomona Grange Secretary. She conducted one of the Workshops in the 1961 Middle-Atlantiic Conference.
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"CHARITY FOR ALL", the 1954 Neighbor Night theme, had the background thought of installing in hearts of Grange members and friends the need and understanding of "Charity" both at home and abroad. "So many times we think more of putting money in our pockets than we do of putting brotherhood in the soul," said the State Lecturer's Handbook. "The Grange is measured in the public eye by the community service it renders. Your Grange will be looked on by the outsider as to the type and character of the programs you present."
In line with this theme, her National Grange Monthly mess- age emphasized the values of a State Grange project, CROP. She referred to the bill signed by President Eisenhower which re- leased almost two million pounds of butter, cheese, dried milk and cotton seed oil, available from our Government under the Agri- cultural Trade and Adjustment Act of 1954, for aid to countries like Germany, Austria, Korea, Palestine, and Greek islands de- vastated by earthquake. "Dairy products, flour and beans for hungry people in other lands now present the biggest opportunity in the building of world peace, ever offered," said Mrs. Reed. "Every bushel given to CROP will deliver 20 bushels. Every can of milk will deliver 20 cans of reconstituted milk. Every dollar will deliver $20.00 worth of food and fibre. This would mean approximately a cup of milk a day for a year for forty people, from the cash value of five cans of fluid milk; butter and cheese proportionately."
SCHOOLS AND CONFERENCES: In 1954, seven two-day schools were held; also, in December, the Ithaca Pomona Lecturers' School, with 85% of Pomona Lecturers present. A pageant, "Building for the Future," was presented by Mrs. Verna Myers, Tompkins County Pomona Lecturer. The Cornell Student Grange "Rec" team taught recreational numbers; discussion groups assisted with mutual problems, and speakers included State Master Leland Smith. Paul Taber of G. L. F., and Stanley Munro, Secretary of the newly organized New York State Rural Safety Council. The Leadership School at Morrisville Agri- cultural and Technical Institute found Mrs. Reed teaching a class on "Program Planning.'
MIDDLE-ATLANTIC CONFERENCES: held in 1954, at Atlantic City, enrolled 123 Lecturers from New York. 1955, at Mannsfield, Pennsylvania, saw 132 New York Lecturers present. Mrs. Reed taught methods in "Discussion Groups."
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