Its numbers have dwindled, but
the heart of the Grange still beats strong. During Grange Month
in April, members of Potter County Granges are focused on
letting the public know that their organization is still active
and relevant - a vital part of rural life with a voice that is
heard loud and clear in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. - but
that it needs new members to survive and continue its mission.
Thirty years ago, Potter County
had 19 Granges. While today those number only five, there's
evidence that some members of the younger generation are ready
to carry the torch, keeping the grassroots organization alive
within the county and throughout the state and nation.
Today's active Granges in Potter County are Odin, Central
(Sweden Valley), Victoria (North Fork), Carter Camp and Ulysses.
Of those, Victoria, Carter Camp and Odin still maintain their
own Grange halls. Central Grange, at Sweden Valley, meets at the
township-owned building. Although Ulysses no longer has its own
hall, members continue to meet monthly in each other's homes.
Grange members view their
association with the organization as having many valuable
components: friendship with people of good character, family
environment, fun and enjoyment, leadership development,
community service, the opportunity for grassroots legislative
action, and a chance to make a difference in the lives of rural
residents. They are qualities that hold true for both larger
Granges in more populated areas and smaller ones that exist in
places like Potter County.
"Our whole goal is family and
community oriented," remarked John Peet, Master of Odin Grange.
National Level
Founded in 1867, the
National Grange is the nation's oldest general farm and rural
public interest organization. Its history is one of progress and
achievements for farmers and rural communities across the United
States.
Much of the National Grange's
history has been groundbreaking: it was the first nationwide
farm organization to give women full voice and vote, more than a
half-century before the adoption of Universal Suffrage in the
U.S.
In 1870, the National Grange
became the first national farm organization to attempt to
organize African-American farmers following the Civil War.
A system of cooperative business
organization was introduced by the National Grange early in its
history, developing into successful national and regional farm
cooperatives.
In 1876, the constitutionality of
Granger Laws was affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Beginning
in 1916 through 1941, the National Grange secured passage of
federal legislation to assist struggling farmers by
strengthening their property rights and their bargaining
position.
The National Grange has continued
to support farm legislation, as well as multilateral trade
negotiations and food aid programs to open foreign markets to
U.S. farmers. Its representatives were present to advise the
U.S. delegation at the founding of the United Nations in 1945.
It brought European farm teenagers to live with Grange families
following World War II, to learn about modern agriculture
practices and the advantages of democracy. It has participated
in agricultural development programs for the U.S. Peace Corps.
The organization was also
instrumental in organizing rural electric cooperatives,
telephone cooperatives, water service cooperatives, public
utility cooperatives, volunteer fire departments and state
police programs across the U.S.
All these measures began with the
support at a local level. Today, the Grange maintains that
voice. In Pennsylvania, it serves its members with a credit
union in Harrisburg and provides health insurance to groups such
as farmers. At one time, farmers could only insure their
machinery through the Grange.
"That's why we had so many
members years ago," says Joyce Root, a 53-year member of
Victoria Grange. "Now they can get insurance elsewhere."
The many voices of the individual
Granges are brought together on a quarterly basis, when all
assemble for Pomona (countywide) Grange meetings. Normally
well-attended Pomona meetings are held at the various Grange
halls around the county, or in rented social rooms for those
Granges which no longer maintain their own hall. Each features a
guest speaker. Recent speakers have included Pa. Game Commission
WCO Mark Fair, who presented a well-received program on
bluebirds; as well as representatives of the Susquehannock Trail
Club and the Pa. Lumber Museum.
Held during the day, Pomona
meetings include a full dinner. Grange Visitation is also held
four times per year, and is a social occasion, held during the
evening hours.
In Potter County, as in other
areas, individual "Subordinate" Granges are encouraged to
introduce resolutions to come before Pomona Grange. Resolutions
approved by Pomona Grange go on to the State Grange for
consideration. All Subordinate Granges this year have been
encouraged to develop at least one resolution for the good of
their communities, the county or state, to be presented at the
June Pomona Grange meeting for consideration.
To maintain its fellowship, the
Grange maintains a full schedule throughout the year, with
Subordinate Granges holding monthly meetings; quarterly Pomona
meetings; Neighbor Nights three times a year at Subordinate
Granges, open to Grangers and the public; Visitation at
individual Granges; and an annual Potter-Tioga Grange Exchange
Program. In between are fundraisers such as bake sales and
participation in the Potter County Fair.
Grangers also come together on
Grange Day at the Potter County Fair. The Grange will supply
sack lunches for all youths who are exhibiting animals that day,
enabling them to attend to those projects while preparing for
and taking part in those all-important shows.
That consideration, has another aim as well - drawing the
interest of young people. Tom Schultz, treasurer for Ulysses
Grange noted that there is a substantial movement on to
revitalize the Grange in Harrisburg and Philadelphia areas,
encouraging younger people to join; that is reflected in more
rural areas as well.
With many of today's Grange
members belonging to the organization for a half-century, a
major focus at the national, state and local levels, is getting
youth involved. Young people involved with the Grange
participate in programs and activities aimed at building their
communities and providing services to people of all ages.
Individuals age 14 and over are given the full privileges of
membership, and are encouraged to take an active part in the
Grange and their community. Junior Grange membership is
available to children ages five to 14.
Odin Grange
After its inception in
1904, Odin Grange was responsible for organizing a telephone
company in the area. Odin lost some of its membership as new
Granges sprouted, but when those disbanded in the 1920's, many
members returned to Odin.
A fire which destroyed the Grange
building, records and furnishings in 1930, was a severe blow to
Odin Grange, but members rebuilt within a year, with the help of
fundraisers such as dinners and square dances, and a boost from
Pomona (county-wide) Grange, which canceled some of the accrued
interest. By the early 1940's, Odin's membership stood at over
200.
Odin's history of highs and lows
is mirrored by other Potter County Granges. Today, with 41
members on the books, but only a small fraction of that who
attend meetings regularly, Odin is fighting to keep alive the
Grange ideals. To that end, members have sponsored a series of
successful square dances over the past couple of years, and
tentatively plan to do so again this year. A pancake dinner is
planned, and in the fall Odin will again host its annual Harvest
Supper.
While Odin's members are all
senior citizens, they're reaching out to younger generations in
hopes of keeping their organization alive.
"We are assisting the Austin Class of 2009 with the cost of
their junior-senior prom," John Peet noted.
"We certainly are seeking younger
members," he acknowledged.
For those who have been
associated with the Grange for generations, the Grange exerts a
strong pull. One of Odin's members - Peet's brother - lives in
Los Angeles but retains his ties to the Grange.
Peet points out that Odin's
Grange hall is a well-kept facility that is available to the
community for other activities. It can be rented for reunions,
parties, dinners and other activities; the rental fee supports
Grange projects.
Odin Grange meets the first
Friday of every month with a tureen dinner beginning at 6 p.m.
and the meeting at 7 p.m.
Carter Camp Grange
Carter Camp Grange has
membership of 27, with around 10 who attend regularly, according
to lecturer Marie Traub.
In a recent report, Traub noted
that "Carter Camp has become a useful tool for the residents
here as the old-time Grange was."
Carter Camp sponsors weekly
bingo, which is a social time for many area residents. Members
hold two bake sales each year, as well as a pork and sauerkraut
dinner in the fall. A recent effort to knit baby bonnets
involved the Carter Camp Grange, members of the community and
Tioga County Granges.
Central Grange
Central Grange of Sweden
Valley marked its first century of service in 2002, with a
special dinner, musical entertainment and State Master William
Steel as a special guest.
Central Grange actively supports
other community organizations, donating to local emergency
services, the Christmas House, Northern Tier Children's Home,
Meals on Wheels, programs for the deaf and the Grange Youth.
Central Grange's fundraisers have
included hoagie sales, chicken barbecues, a chicken and biscuit
dinner, fashion show and auction, which raised money for a new
roof; Odin Grange assisted in that effort. Odin also supplied
books on the history of Pennsylvania Granges to the Coudersport
Library and Potter County Historical Society.
The organization also saves
Campbell labels to help schools gain equipment, hosts dinners
for other organizations and recognizes its own members by
recognizing their years of membership, and holding an annual
memorial services for deceased members.
Central Grange was a vocal
proponent of Lyman Run dam repair, sending a letter to the
Governor in support of its position. Central also sends a
delegate to the State Grange.
Ulysses Grange
Ulysses Grange no longer
has a hall of its own, but meetings continue in members' homes.
Ulysses uses proceeds from its fundraisers to assist with
community projects, children's parties and to help people in
need.
"We help people in need or in
distress, such as in time of serious illness or fire." says Tom
Schultz, treasurer for Ulysses Grange and a member of the Pomona
Grange finance committee. "We always answer the call and send a
donation - that's first and foremost."
He points to a project undertaken
some years ago by women of the Potter County Granges, who joined
together to make lap robes for Sweden Valley Manor residents.
"They had a wonderful time doing
this; the artistic craftsmanship is outstanding." Schultz said.
He also noted the fun that
Grangers have when getting together at their frequent meetings.
Schultz remarked that last year's
dinner at the Potter County Fair, in which Grangers ventured out
and invited people in the crowd to join them for a meal, was
highly successful.
Victoria Grange
Victoria Grange members
have made a successful attempt to interest young people in their
organization; Victoria has three students who are currently
serving as officers in the Grange.
"I'd like to keep them
interested," says Sterry Root, Victoria Grange Master. A 51-year
Grange member, he also serves as State Deputy for the
Pennsylvania State Grange, attending Grange state legislative
meetings in Harrisburg, and as Overseer for Pomona Grange.
According to his wife, Joyce
Root, Parker Madison, age 12, is Steward; Logan Madison, 10, is
Gatekeeper; and Jenna Madison, eight, serves as Chaplain.
"The whole family joined. Their
father, Bill Madison, has been in the Grange for 27 years,"
Joyce remarked. "Two years ago his wife and the rest of the
family joined."
It's this type of interest that
the Grange overall is hoping to stimulate.
Victoria's Grange hall was built
in 1870, and fundraisers such as bake sales and suppers are held
in order to maintain it.
"Our Grange dues go to the State
Grange," Joyce Root noted. "We have to raise our own money to
pay for our taxes and electric."
A 53-year member of Victoria Grange, Joyce says that she
believes there are enough young people in the area to have a
Junior Grange.
"It only costs one dollar to join Junior Grange, and dues are
only $10 for students until they get out of school," she points
out.
She acknowledges that today's
youths may be kept from joining the Grange by computers and
sports activities.
"We'd like to get into the
schools and talk to students," she added, noting that the Grange
also offers college loans and scholarships.
"No one ever applies for the
grants or scholarships in this area," Root said.
The Roots and other longtime
Grange members hope to change that situation - they want young
people to know that membership in the Grange can benefit them,
as well as their communities - and on a broader scale, the state
and nation.