USA > New York > The History of New York State Grange, 1934-1960 > Part 9
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State Lecturer Reed attended the New England Lecturers' Conference at Orono, Maine, and was a part of the National Youth and Juvenile Conference, Hamilton, Ohio, where representatives from 17 States exchanged ideas and molded patterns for Youth
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and Juvenile work. Much valuable help came back to the Empire State from such contacts. Mrs. Reed spoke on theme topics, Booster Night and anniversary meetings in over twenty counties. She conducted Workshops for Youth Adults. She installed im- pressively.
From Paris Grange, during her term, went a winner from a Subordinate "Teen-Ager Road-e-o" to a regional contest at Kingston, New York. Mrs. Reed, in The Grange Monthly, de- fined this as "a sort of four-wheeled trackmeet in which driving situations, tough enough when met on the road, are given the heightened difficulty and challenge of a game."
THEMES-AND STATE SESSIONS: Mrs. Reed's 1954 State Grange program Jamestown, featured an address by Rev. O. B. Hill, State Chaplain, and a pageant by Dansville Grange No. 178, Mrs. Mae Hughes, Lecturer, in charge. Both were on the theme topic, "CHARITY FOR ALL."
The Rochester, 1955, program was a special, too. Miss Catherine Marolf, Beaver Falls Lecturer, voiced the opinion of many: "No one could ever put on a better program than Mrs. Reed. It was "tops". That pageant-I will never forget it," It was put on by Maple Leaf Grange No. 11, Quebec, Canada, Basil Kelly, Lecturer. Its title was the theme topic of the year, "BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE." Wayne, Orleans, Cortland and Monroe County Choruses had special numbers.
Mrs. Reed had a word to say about this theme: "We are try- ing to build better educational benefits, better homes, better Granges, better communities, better agriculture, better relations in the world. Our motto will be "Working Together is Fun."
In his 1955 annual report, State Master Leland Smith said: "Regardless of the other fields that we may work in, I want to mention again the Lecturer's field and the excellent work done State wide by Mrs. Reed. The job of State Lecturer is a tremen- dous one and needs the support of all."
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Nearly one hundred years ago, Oliver Hudson Kelley, Grange Dreamer-Founder, said: "The main object is to encourage and advance education in all branches of agriculture." To this end
MRS. LORENZO PALMER has given devotion. Fern and Lorenzo Palmer live on a 90 acre fruit and vegetable farm near Williamson. They are Baptists. Mrs. Palmer has been Associate Grand Warder of the Order of Eastern Star. Mr. Palmer is former Master and Lecturer of South Shore Grange No. 552, and also served as Pomona Master and Deputy Grange Master of Wayne County. Mrs. Palmer is former South Shore .Secretary, and has served her County as Juvenile Deputy and Pomona Lecturer. At the 1955 Rochester session, she faced Edward Baker, Wayne County Deputy, across the altar as she assumed the State Lec- turer's obligations. In 1958 she traveled over 10,515 miles on speaking assignments, at committee meetings, officers confer- ences and traveling schools. Let us analyze this program appliqued upon the Grange years.
REGIONAL CONFERENCES AND TRAINING SCHOOLS: Joint conferences were held in 1956-57, with State Master Leland Smith and State Juvenile Superintendent Mrs. Roger Miller con- tributing. In 1958, Pat Emerson, Youth Director, and Mrs. Miller assisted Mrs. Palmer in five two and one half day schools; in 1959, there were ten Schools. In 1960 Mrs. Steve Karlik, Service and Hospitality Chairman, was one of the staff.
MIDDLE-ATLANTIC CONFERENCES: The 1956 Elmira, New York, Conference was at the Mark Twain Hotel, "fairly bursting at its seams." 400 attended, three-fourths of whom were New York Patrons. 1957,-Maryland, had a New York enrollment of 97. The 1958 session, held in the First and Central Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, Delaware, used the keynote, "Teamwork in Granges." Mrs. Palmer presided over the Friday morning symposium, "Joint Efforts in Agriculture," for which Dr. George
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M. Worrilow, Dean, School of Agriculture, University of Dela- ware, was Moderator. The 1959 Conference was held in Atlantic City, and the 1960 in Penn State. For 1961 the Five-State Con- ference met again at The Mark Twain, Elmira, with Mrs. Palmer host State Lecturer and President of the Association. Governor Nelson Rockefeller was guest speaker at the dinner.
NATIONAL GRANGE, November, 1956, met in Rochester for its 90th session, Mrs. Palmer provided entertainment features for the reception and New York State Grange Banquet in honor of National Grange officers, State Masters and their wives. At the banquet, the Wayne County Pomona Grange Chorus sang effec- tively.
PROGRAM HELPS: In addition to her annual Handbooks, Mrs. Palmer sent mimegraphed letters to all lecturers. With no State Grange paper or pages from this State in the National Grange Monthly, this extra communication was helpful.
THEMES OF THE YEARS and group meetings attracted atten- tion: 1956: "GOLDEN HOURS." 1957: BUILDING A BETTER RURAL AMERICA THROUGH RESEARCH" deserves a word from Mrs. Palmer: "This theme was chosen with a special thought in mind. Faced as we are with minority and price problems, the farmer needs to look to research for an answer, not only in the agricultural field, but in the field of everyday living. We need to find new ways to combat disease, to help us live better in com- munities, even research and trial in ways to live in peace."
Her annual Handbook contained a letter from Mr. Wheeler McMillan, author and editor,- and we quote: "Can research really lead the way to a better rural America? It can, most certainly. No theme could be more timely nor more constructive for Grange programs this year than 'Better Rural America Through Research.' As a long-time Granger, I hope you have hundreds of fine discussions."
In 1958 the theme was also thought-provoking: "SOARING WITH CONFIDENCE IN A ROCKET AGE." 1959 programs touched boundaries of COOPERATE TO CONSERVE-WE ARE STEWARDS OF HIS BOUNTY." "To you lecturers," wrote Mrs. Palmer, "is given the obligation as well as opportunity to pre- serve the good traditions of rural America, and transcribe them in terms of the modern age. We are truly 'stewards of His bounties.'" The theme symol was "Sandy, the Scotchman."
For 1960's theme, "FREEDOM STREET, U. S. A." Mrs. Palmer assigned one of our fifty States to each Pomona Lecturer. For instance, Mrs. Leonard Fuller, St. Lawrence County Pomona Lecturer, assigned Minnesota, devoted her March program to a
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resume of the Oliver Hudson Kelley Farm Home and the beauti- ful State where it is located. Mrs. Robert Jones, Lewis County Pomona Lecturer, developed an outstanding program about our fiftieth State, Hawaii. An unforgetable hour based on the wonders of Alaska was portrayed by Mrs. Kay Williams, Lecturer of Franklin Pomona.
The 1961 "Neighborliness" theme had as its symbol "The Grange Liner-SS Friendship." "Hi, Neighbor," the genial greet- ing. Other ships on the way from group meetings included: Membership, Leadership, Stewardship, Workmanship, Worship.
STATE GRANGE SESSIONS: Delegates often remark, "We just can't miss the State Lecturer's program, Monday evening." The Pomona Lecturers' Association escort the Flag, usher State officers to seats of honor, and take program parts. 1956 featured "I Remember Mama." At the Corning Glass Center, 1957, an "in- ternationally oriented World Cruise, Know Thy Neighbor," original with Mrs. Palmer, depicted Mr. Armchair Traveler, in the person of Assemblyman Charles Harrison; an African Ex- change Student, Mr. Leonard Kagurw, Kenya Colony, British East Africa, presented his country's customs and problems; the Pakistan family was portrayed by Steuben County members, while the Prime Minister of Canada and others by actors from Maple Leaf Grange, Canada. The 1958 "In the Grange Garden," also original with Mrs. Palmer, was delightfully shown at Sara- toga Springs. At the 1959 Elmira session an especially beautiful pageant, " The Silver Rug," enchanted the audience, with color- ful stripes which blended into the silver of service. 1960, Water- town, featured "The Grange in Stereophonic", and concluded with "I AM THE NATION", with Harold M. Stanley, Narrator, and the Wayne County Chorus. This dramatically beautiful pre- sentation was repeated at the 1961 Middle-Atlantic Conference.
MRS. PALMER REPRESENTED THE STATE GRANGE at a Clinic on Farm Safety, invited by President Dwight Eisenhower; on the Advisory Committee of Dr. Persia Campbell, Consumer Council for Governor Averill Harriman. Said Mrs. Palmer, "I found this well advised, because up to that time there had been no voice for agriculture on this committee, and as we are large consumers as well as producers, we needed a voice here." She is on the Advisory Committee of Dr. Olaf Larson, Cornell, on a study for Sears & Roebuck Foundation, subject, Grange Com- munity Service Projects, New York State. By National Grange appointment, Mrs. Palmer is a member of the Board of Directors in "Farmers in World Affairs," with its headquarters opposite the U. N. Building in New York City.
In 1957 Mrs. Palmer was appointed Assistant to National
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Lecturer Edward Holter. She said she "accepted humbly," but State Master Leland Smith voiced the sentiments of the State Grange: "We are indeed fortunate that Mrs. Palmer is one of the few Lecturers in the Nation chosen by the National Lecturer as an Assistant."
Since 1957 State Lecturer Palmer has had her own State Lecturer's Advisory Committee: Three Pomona Lecturers-Mrs. Esther Titus, Chenango, Mrs. Onnalee Wheaton, Steuben, and Mrs. Leonard Fuller, St. Lawrence; one Subordinate Lecturer, John Koch, Brewster Grange No. 1344; One Deputy, Mrs. Leah Benjamin, Chemung.
In conclusion, we quote: "Let the duties of your office be an opportunity rather than a job to you. .. . There are two things we need in Grange work ahead, Enthusiasm and Work." Mrs. Palmer.
"The Lecturer's office, while requiring effort thought and preparation, is rewarding. Members who serve well as Lecturers grow in ability and stature. .. . Developing knowledge through the Lecturer's Hour is to develop a powerhouse in the Grange, for knowledge is power." Edward F. Holter, National Grange Lecturer.
"The greatest thing the Grange has ever done, it seems to me, is the development of farm leaders. How much many of us owe, and how much our nation owes to the many Grange Lecturers scattered over this wonderful country of ours, we will never know. Through their efforts many are taught to express their thoughts in words, and are now leading others and filling high po- sitions of responsibility. No organizaton has done more to build the very best into the minds of our members than the Grange. We are working not only for material advancement but for the spirit- ual uplift of rural life." From "The Foreward," by former State Master Fred J. Freestone, in Mrs. Palmer's 1957 Handbook.
POMONA LECTURERS' ASSOCIATION
Organized in 1930, this group has been an important part of Grange activity through the years. Its members have actively encouraged Subordinate Lecturers in their respective counties, and have proved valuable assistants to all State Lecturers, through group or neighbors nights, and in every way possible, its members have transmitted Grange values from conferences and Pomona Lecturer Schools. The Association's quarterly bulle- tins have communicated mutual interests. The active coopera- tion of this group at State Grange and inter-State conferences
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has proved invaluable to all State Lecturers. Information is lacking as to all officers in past years. Mrs. Miles Houck, Yates County, is the 1961 President.
2. YOUTH ACTIVITIES
1. THE JUVENILE GRANGE
At the sixty-fifth annual session, Ogdensburg, 1937, State Grange Historian Leonard Allen, in tribute and prophecy, called the youth branch, "The Wonder Child of the Order." For more than twenty-seven years our Juvenile Granges have made his- tory as only a "Wonder Child" could.
Mrs. David Kidd, first New York State Juvenile Superin- tendent, ascertained through a questionnaire, that 537 Juvenile meetings were held per month. This would imply an estimated 173,988 meetings held over the twenty-seven year period. Juvenile Deputies, Matrons, Patrons and Juvenile Grange com- mittees have exerted lasting influence which no delicate instru- ment is capable of measuring. An unrolled scroll of Juvenile accomplishment would merit a superb place in rural history. Aside from recognition achievement and contest awards, reward lies chiefly in the satisfaction that the Juvenile Grange member counts in a large way.
Only a limited number of concrete indications of Juvenile Grange service are possible here: Out of their own earnings, Juvenile Granges have made sizable contributions to such causes as Red Cross, Salvation Army, Near East Relief, Infantile Paraly- sis, gifts sent hospitals, Children's Homes, or to buy robes for a Junior Choir. In 1937, sixty Juvenile Granges had booths at county fairs; 1940, ninety-six exhibits were reported; 1941, ninety- two, plus fourteen decorated floats and many parades.
During World War II, Juvenile Grange members were alert Airplane Spotters, Aiir Raid Wardens, in canning clubs and Junior Red Cross. In 1942 they collected 35,000 used auto plates, from which they realized $84.80 for the Red Cross. They partici- pated in the American Agriculturist-State Grange sponsored Rat Control Contest, with prizes for boy or girl who killed the largest number of rats. They aided in scrap drives, had Victory Gardens, and when the National Grange Juvenile Superintendent issued a booklet, "The Juvenile Granges' Wartime Effort on the Home Front," the cover picture was of Seneca Falls Juvenile Grange No. 29, while feature pictures were of Southold, Nassau-Suffolk, and Newfane, Niagara, as recorded in Mrs. John Thew's first re-
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port. Incomplete reports, as of 1943, showed Juveniles in eighteen counties owned no less than $17,049.65 in Bonds and Stamps.
Juvenile Granges contributed $314.13 to the Taber National Forest, and sent $87.00 to the Harry Caton Memorial Library, in our neighboring State of Ohio. They gave generously to the Re- volving Scholarship Fund and Susan Freestone Vocational Educa- tional Fund. In 1959 State Juvenile Superintendent Audrey Miller reported $548.00 and in 1960, $476.00, collected for the Freestone Fund.
We cite a few representative examples of Juvenile service: During their annual Tri-County Dairyland Festival, Jefferson County Juveniles sold milk almost below cost, on the Watertown Public Square; Unadilla Juvenile No. 532 and Melrose Juvenile No. 646 raised money for wheel chairs; Duane Juvenile No. 345 earned money and presented a $90.00 window to a church being rebuilt after a fire, and also gave $25.00 to the Charlton School. In 1950, Oswego County Juveniles carried on a poster contest to publicize the Oswego County Community effort by which 77 open wells on private and State-owned land were discovered and filled.
An outstanding project, the expression of State Grange Juvenile Superintendent Ruth 'Thew's desire to promote a pro- ject of more than one year's duration, developed in 1951. The State Grange Executive Committee approved; State Master Henry Sherwood and Legislative Representative Kenneth Fake met with the State Conservation Department Deputy Commissioner. A plan evolved which committed the Juvenile Grange to raise $1,000.00 annually for reforestation. The Juveniles raised all they could; the State Grange underwrote the balance. Plantings have been made on State-owned land; the Department furnished trees without cost and donated signs to mark Juvenile Forest areas.
The Conservation Department considered this an excellent opportunity to acquaint children with values of practical refores- tation and means of retaining valuable top soil. The 1959 "Elmira Gazette" stated: "This living memorial to the Juvenile Granges of the State now comprises 639 acres numbering 513,400 ever- green trees, the kinds that will grow best in each locality." 1960 data increased acreage to 699, and trees to 519,400. Varieties com- prise red pine, white pine, Scotch pine, white spruce, Norway spruce, Japanese larch.
The Chautauqua planting has 60 acres, 60,000 trees; Allegany, 62 1/10 acres, 80,000 trees; Tompkins, 125 acres, 70,000 trees; Chenango, 226 acres, 170,000 trees; Lewis 90 acres, 75,000 trees; St. Lawrence, 76 acres, 58,000 trces; Franklin's 1960 Leland D. Smith Forest, 60 acres, 60,000 trees; the 1961 planting will be in Oneida County.
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State Grange sessions feature Juvenile exhibits under State and National Grange sponsorship: Scrapbooks, Achievement, County map, yard sign, wooden stool, book ends and book racks, doll bed, bird house, party apron, cone craft, decorated tray, deco- rated bottles, liquid embroidery, and similar items.
In 1936 The American Agriculturist started recognition of the outstanding Juvenile member with Achievement awards, presented by the Governor at the Master Farmer Banquet, Cor- nell. For many years there has been keen competition by Juvenile Granges for the National Grange Achievement Contest. In 1937 East Fayette Juvenile Grange No. 329 received first in the Nation, and the cover page of the National Grange Monthly told an amaz- ing story of its work; in 1956 the winner, Addison Juvenile No. 457 received a beautiful gavel on the Youth Recognition program at National Grange. Rochester. They marched into the room wear- ing the striking red and gold caps and capes presented by past National Grange Juvenile Superintendent, Susan W. Freestone and Fred J. Freestone.
JUVENILE HONOR GRANGES: All can endorse the words of Miss Mildred Peck, Saratoga County Juvenile Deputy, 1942:" We Juvenile Deputies do like to write history for County, State and Nation." Such history written in the first nine years of this era saw a total of 789 Honor Juvenile Granges. Several had achieved that goal for five years and were Model Granges.
JUVENILE RITUALISM has beauty all its own. Exemplified at State sessions, comments such as these are frequently heard: 1934, Lake Placid: "One of the most impressive parts of the entire ses- sion, the work was executed with dignity, correctness and impres- siveness." . . . Saratoga Springs, 1958: "It was the unanimous opinion that the young people set a standard that would be diffi- cult for adult teams to even meet." ... Watertown, 1960: "This ritualistic work of the Juvenile Grange was very impressive; several beautiful tableaux and a large Juvenile chorus added much." Letter perfect, without manuals, the complete poise of the teams is etched on the memory. In the last two instances cited the teams wore the smart regalia presented by the Free- stones, kept for State Grange ritualism.
JUVENILE GRADUATION CEREMONY on October 25, 1960, Watertown, was demonstrated for the first time at a State session. Put on by Denmark Juvenile range No. 45, and Lowville Juvenile No. 81, this was under the supervision of Miss Catherine Marolf Lewis County Juvenile Deputy. Mrs. Raymond Gordon was act- ing Matron, and Miss Karen Dening, Narrator, both from Low- ville Juvenile.
MATRONS OR PATRONS AWARDS: "I feel this is a very im-
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portant part of our program," said State Juvenile Superinten- dent Audrey Miller. "The award is in the form of a certificate. Each must score at least 80% to qualify. The award is intended to bring recognition to those people who are doing a good job."
The progress of Juvenile Grange work in this State is satis- fying and rewarding to all who have helped shape the destiny of this "Wonder Child."
2. YOUTH - YOUNG ADULT
YOUTH-the greatest potential wealth of our Nation- Ours to teach, to train-to help point the way- that their dreams, their ambitions will have the proper incentive to grow-
their shining visions to become realities ;-
their willing hands hold the future of our world- may we never fail them; youth we need and youth needs us,-
ours the job to show them rightly how to carry high the torch; Theirs to fulfill the promise of bright dreams
and shape expanding wonder of America and a free world.
It was in 1943 that State Master W. J. Rich announced: "State Grange is cooperating with the National Grange Youth move- ment; State Grange Overseer Henry Sherwood is our chairman." The first State Grange Youth Committee meeting was held in November, 1943. It advised: A three member Subordinate Youth Committee, close cooperation with other youth groups, and the Grange Hall a center of Youth Activity.
In 1944, State Master Sherwood reported: "The American Agriculturist has arranged a conference between our Grange youth groups and the Boy Scouts of America. We may in time develop a Council of Youth." This New York State Council was organized in 1945, thanks to the initiative of Edward R. Eastman and with the State Grange participating. Mrs. John Thew, Juve- nile Superintendent, was a Council Executive Committee mem- ber. Pomona Youth Committees became active. In 1947 Youth Safety programs, outlined by the Extension Service, were ad- vised.
During 1948 Mr. Harry Graham, State Grange Director of Expansion, outlined a comprehensive Youth Program with rela-
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tive responsibilities for all Grange units. He advised cooperation with the New York State Rural Youth Conference, the U.S.A. Recreational Training Schools, and The Eastern Cooperative Recreation School.
In 1949 State Master Henry Sherwood evaluated Youth work: "I believe our Grange Youth Program should be one that will fit youth into the general Grange picture and not try to set up a separate program which would tend to segregate one age group from another. I am sure that our present Youth Committee have this very thought in mind as they plan their efforts for months and years ahead."
In 1953 the name New York State Grange Youth Committee was changed from Youth to Young Adult. In 1958 the original title was resumed to conform with National Grange nomenclature. OBJECTIVES: "To stimulate Grange membership among young people and to incite new widening experiences in fellowship, wholesome recreation and leadership. To get our young people acquainted across the State, to teach them to work and play together, and to develop friendly understanding between young people and adults ... We encourage study programs and emphasis on youth."
Space forbids listing the members of the Youth Committees through the years from 1943 to date, but the first committee that pioneered into this new Grange territory should be mentioned, along with some who did outstanding work in youth development and leadership. The first committee consisted of State Grange Overseer Henry D. Sherwood, State Chaplain Rev. Robert Root, State Lecturer Mrs. Jay Keller, State Grange Pomona Marion Salisbury and State Ceres Florence Wickham, also the Youth Correspondent.
Special mention should be made of Elton Borden, Schaghti- coke, a former Master Easton Juvenile Grange No. 92, and pre- sented at a Master Farmer's Banquet, Cornell, with a 4A Achieve- ment Award offered by the American Agriculturist for outstand- ing work in a Juvenile Grange. Governor Herbert Lehman made the award. Mrs. Pickett said: "Elton Borden really got the Youth program off the ground." Another who deserves special mention as an advisor to the committee is Guy Haviland, Jr., Middleburg. Veteran, Past President New York State F.F.A., "American Farmer," and member of the National Grange Youth Committee. He was helpful.
Members Ex Officio of the various committees were: State Masters Sherwood and Leland D. Smith; State Lecturers Florence Pickett, Ida Reed and Fern Palmer; Juvenile Superintendents Mrs. John Thew, Mrs. Morris Halladay and Mrs. Roger Miller;
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Mr. Haviland; Gertrude Corfman, Pat Emerson and Louis Bruce, Counsellors of the Dairymens League Young Cooperators.
Committee Chairmen during the years were: Mr. Henry D. Sherwood, Elton Borden, Bert Morse and Allen Dunham.
YOUTH DIRECTORS: In 1954 Florence Pickett, Rock City Falls, assumed the newly created position of Young Adult Director. Up to the date of her resignation at the 1956 session, she fulfilled the duties of the office admirably, and her resignation was ac- cepted with regret. On January 1, 1957, Miss Pat Emerson, a mem- ber of Richfield Springs Grange No. 771, formerly with the Diary- men's League, entered into her duties as Young Adult Director, now Youth Director. In 1959 State Master Leland D. Smith said: "The youth program is second to none, and with the leadership of Miss Emerson, the trained youth coming into our Subordinate Granges will play an important part."
LEADERSHIP SCHOOLS, MOTIVES AND VALUES: At the invitation of the Dairymen's League, thirteen Grange youth and Mr. Harry Graham attended the 1949 League Leadership School at Cazenovia. Subsequent State Grange Leadership Schools were held in Agricultural and Technical Institutes as indicated:
DELHI: July 2-8, 1950. 80 enrolled. Harry Graham, Director. Following this, test Regional Youth Conferences were held. The first, at Delevan, with Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Wyom- ing Counties participating, had 43 enrolled. Mr. Graham and three Cazenovia-Delphi students formed the staff. The next year Miss Bernice Scott, Cornell, was Director. 30 enrolled.
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