Upload
lykien
View
215
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Page 12
Another 100 year
milestone
Page 8
Junior Grange
Awards
Page 6
Lecturer’s 2015
Awards
Page 7
Grange
Happenings
Page 4
MSD Christmas
Party
Page 3
State and National
Conventions
GRANGE NEWS Michigan
www.michiganstategrange.org
Volume XXI NO. 6 USPS 345-580 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 2015
BE SURE TO PULL OUT THE PROGRAM BOOK AND KEEP FOR REFERENCE
Happy Thanksgiving Merry Christmas
Michigan State Grange
6th degree team
Congratulations to MSG Master, Christopher Johnston for Being Re-elected to Gatekeeper of the National Grange
NOV. 26 HAPPY
THANKSGIVING
EVERYONE!
DEC. 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS
EVERYONE!
JAN. 1
2016 HAPPY NEW YEAR!
EVERYONE!
(USPS 345-580) Periodical postage paid at Durand, MI
Michigan Grange News is published bi-monthly for the members of the Michigan
State Grange.
Inquiries contact: Michigan State Grange 404 S. Oak Street, Durand, MI 48429
Editor & Adv. Manager: Christopher D. Johnston
Postmaster send address changes: Christopher D. Johnston, Editor 404 S. Oak Street, Durand, MI 48429
6 issues per yearr, bi-monthly 404 S. Oak Street, Durand, MI 48429
Tel: 989-288-4546 E-mail [email protected]
Prices effective June, 1997. Payable in advance, check should be made to Michigan State Grange. Please
include camera-ready copy. Copy to be received no later than the 15th of the month preceding date of insertion. Advertisements for alcohol or tobacco will not be accepted. Michigan State Grange reserves the right
to refuse copy. Discounts available on multiple insertions.
The above rates include advertising space for two months.
Whole page $150.00
1/2 page $90.00
1/4 page / business card $50.00 $40.00
2 Michigan Grange News
Happy Thanksgiving,
Merry Christmas
&
Happy New Year!
Kathryn Strouse, Chaplain P.O. Box 84, North Star, MI 48862
Tel: 989-875-2894 E-mail: [email protected]
Chaplain Being like Jesus
Well State Session for this year is in the past. I am not rested up yet but am sad
to think that another year has passed.
As I got to thinking about Session I thought about the fact that every day the Bi-
ble was opened on the alter. The times I opened it I always looked at what book it
was opened to. I would then open my bible later and read the scripture there. Even
the days that I did not have to open the Bible I looked to see what book it would
open to. I am sorry to say that since I have been home I have not opened my Bible
to any scripture. I wonder how many others out there do the same thing.
We talk about God in our Sessions but do we take God outside of those sessions.
I have looked at my past few days and think about how I claim to be like Jesus but
am I really. Yes, I have helped people and even gave a woman who was lost direc-
tions on how to find her way home. But am I really being “like Jesus”. 1 John 2:6
states” Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did”. We all need to walk
like Jesus did. We need to help the sick, the lame, the downtrodden even the wid-
ows. These are not just words but we need to act on them.
I do not know how many of you have seen the movie “War Room”. It is not a
war movie but a
movie about going to
war with prayer and
Christ. We all need
to find our War
Room and pray for
the whole world. We
need to fight evil and
work for the Good of
the Order. God is our
Order and we need to
bring this country
back to what it was
when the Grange was
founded.
I pray that maybe
these words have
planted a seed in
someone’s heart as
you read this. God is
a powerful source of
strength, hope and
love. He never leaves
us and even will carry
us during times of
sorrow and trouble
but we must also talk
to him, be like him
and live like him.
I pray that your
days ahead will be
blessed and full of
hope, love and caring
for not just yourself
but for others.
3 Michigan Grange News
Christopher D. Johnston, Master 6241 Grand River Road, Bancroft, MI 48414
Tel: 989-634-9350 (H) 989-666-6648 ( C) E-mail [email protected]
Master State and National Conventions
Jeff & Nancy Swainston, 2589 144th Ave., Dorr, MI 49323
Tel: 616-813-8746 E-mail [email protected]
Worthy Master, Chris Johnston accepts the Distinguished Grange Certificates from National Master, Ed Luttrell for the
Michigan State Grange, Burns Grange #160, Gratiot Grange #1898 and Kinney Grange #754. Members of the three
Granges were present to receive the certificates. Chris Johnston, Sharon Popler, Peggy Johnston and Dale Moore for
Burns Grange, Luanna Swainston and Arnette Welsh for Kinney Grange, and Chris, Sharon and Peggy for Gratiot
Thank you The recent convention of the Michigan State Grange was a
huge success, thanks in part to the Granges of the host region,
Rome; Lime Creek; North Adrian; Mosherville; Adams; Ply-
mouth/Westland; and Pittsfield Union. The big thanks goes to
the host committee chairs Tim and Barb Johnston. We had a
wonderful time in your historic town and the oldest fairgrounds
in the state, THANK YOU.
Looking forward to next year when the 144th annual conven-
tion will be held in the Northern Lower of this great State. We
are looking towards having the convention at the Shanty Creek
resort in Bellaire, more information in the future editions.
National Grange The 149th annual session of the National Grange is definitely
one for the history books. Not only is this the 149th time dele-
gates have come together to deliberate on the policies of the Na-
tional Grange but this is the first time the delegates have elected a
woman to the position of National Master. Betsy Huber (PA) has
been elected Master we wish her all the best during her stay in
office.
Also the Michigan State Grange was represented very well at the
session by Emily Kurburski who served as the John Trimble Leg-
islative Youth Experience member. During the convention Emily
had the opportunity to
serve as a voting mem-
ber of the Citizenship
committee, as well as
being seated among the other delegates on
the floor of the session.
Michigan was also
proud to have Katie
Kurburski attend the
National Convention
and open the session
on Friday as the Secre-
tary of the Youth Offi-
cer Team.
Luke Kurburski did
an amazing job with
his speech in the Jun-
ior activities of the convention. Thank
you to Anne Kurbuski
for making the effort
to get the kids there
and to keep them interested and active in the Grange, they are
our future leaders.
The future of the Mich igan State
Grange is looking
good.
Until next time…..
Katie & Emily Kurburski
Luke
Kurburski
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
4 Michigan Grange News
Luanna Swainston, Director 965-108th Street, SW Byron Center, MI 49315
Tel: 616-262-3516 E-mail: [email protected]
DEAF AWARENESS MSD CHRISTMAS PARTY
DEAF AWARENESS CONTEST WINNERS
POSTER CONTEST — AGES 6 & UNDER
1st Cora Zsigray Gratiot #1898
POSTER CONTEST — 9-11 YR OLDS
1st Cory Johnston Burns JG #325
2nd Marc Johnston Burns JG #325
3rd Eowyn Sheffer Burns JG #325
ESSAY CONTEST — SUBORDINATE MEMBER
1st Jackie Bishop Home #129
2nd Peggy Johnston Burns #160
3rd Sharon Popler Burns #160
DEAF AWARENESS FUND—2015
Burns #160, Pittsfield Union #882, Community #1675,
Mosherville #1351, Studley #1174, Barnard #689,
Oceana Center #1047, Plymouth/Westland #389, Lucy
Sandeen, Torch Lake #1840, Janet Dillivan (from alu-
minum), Judy Bowers (from aluminum), Luanna
Swainston (convention collection), Kinney #754, Car-
lisle #812, Gratiot #1898
DEAF AWARENESS ANNUAL REPORTS
Plymouth/Westland #389, Gratiot #1898, Rome #293,
Burns #160, Oceana Center #1047, Home #129, Bar-
nard #689, Kinney #754, Community #1675, North
Adrian #721, Mosherville #1351, Studley #1174,
Burr Oak #1350, Fern #803, Carlisle #812, West
Oshtemo #1630, Adams #286., Mid Michigan
Pomona #61, Kent/Ottawa/Oceana Pomona #18.
MSD ADOPT-A-CHILD PROGRAM
Fredonia #1713, Gratiot #1898, North Adrian #721,
Plymouth/Westland #389, Mosherville #1351, Stud-
ley #1174, Oceana Center #1047, Claudia Libbey
Family, Burr Oak #1350, Barnard #689, Burns #160,
Rome #293, Kinney #754, Carlisle #812, Mid
Michigan Pomona #61, St. Jos/Cass/Kal. Pomona
#4, West Oshtemo #1630, Peggy Johnston, Dale
Moore, Sharon Popler, Phil and Luanna Swainston,
Marshall & Jackie Bishop, Burns Grange #160,
Kent/Ottawa/Oceana Pomona #18, Michigan State
Grange, Carlisle #812.
The following is an essay that Peggy Johnston entered in the Deaf Awareness Contest a few years ago but it probably got the
program started. Thanks Peggy for letting me use it.
The Adopt-a-Child Program
What a warm feeling it gives a person to be able to help children that have a hearing problem. I have been involved with
the Grange and the students at Michigan School for the Deaf for many years. Approximately twenty- five years ago, I contacted Michigan School for the Deaf to see if there was something that maybe our Burns Grange could do for them to help them out at
Christmas time. I was given the names of a couple of students that were in need of clothing, coats, hats, mittens, shoes and other
things. We decided to do what we could for these two students. My youngest son, Chris, who was 4 or 5 years old at that time and I
shopped for both of them.
Then one day we made our trip to the school and were taken to a room with just these two boys. We gave them their
wrapped gifts and oh what a special time that was. Chris and I both were so excited for them and just couldn’t get over the way they
kept thanking us for their gifts. It was a very special time for both of us. We became good friends with both of these boys and every
time we were at the school and we saw them they were always happy to see us.
That next year, the Michigan State Grange Deaf Activities Director, Marie Thelen contacted the school and got a list of
names of children that were in need of clothing and special attention. Thus, began the Adopt-a-Child program with the Michigan
School for the Deaf.
You just can’t imagine the thrill, unless you have been there and witnessed the excitement. What a great project!!! *****************
At the State Session many of you contacted me about sponsoring a student again. If some of you who didn’t contact me
there or weren’t there to contact me, please do so now. As of now I have 3 families that want to participate so if you want to do that,
that if fine too. Please call me at (616) 262-3516, e-mail me at [email protected] or write me at 965 -108th St. SW, Byron
Center, MI 49315. The party this year will be on Thursday, December 17 at 11:30. Everyone is invited!
The letters to the parents have gone out so when they are returned and I get them I will be sending them out. I will try to get the
same students as some of you had last year but we had some that graduated so you will be getting a different student. I am hoping
we have some new Granges this year and new Grangers too!
I hope each of you and your families have
a BLESSED THANKSGIVING and a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
MICHIGAN SCHOOL
FOR THE DEAF
CHRISTMAS PARTY
DECEMBER 17, 2015—11:30 a.m.
Judy Bowers 11802 Reed Road, Byron, MI 48418 Tel: 517-242-2790 Email: [email protected]
Wild life Family Activities Awards and Winners
5 Michigan Grange News
AWARD WINNERS
BAKED GOODS — COFFEE CAKE
1st Peggy Johnston Burns #160
2nd Dale Moore Studley #1174
3rd Tricia Eidsmoe Studley #1174
BAKING WITH PUMPKIN
1st Barbara Johnston North Adrian #721
2nd Peggy Johnston Burns #160
3rd Joanne Normand North Adrian #721
PROCESSED CANNING — JAM OR JELLY
1st Sharon Popler Burns #160
2nd Leora Smith Plymouth/Westland #389
PROCESSED CANNING — VEGETABLE
1st Helen Mudd Studley #1174
2nd Ardith Merten Oceana Center #1047
3rd Helen Mudd Studley #1174
PROCESSED CANNING — ANY OTHER
2nd Arlene Hilgendorf Burns #160
KNITTING — AFGHAN
1st Leora Smith Plymouth/Westland #389
2nd Wilma Hayden
CROCHETING — AFGHAN
1st Plymouth Grange
2nd Wilma Hayden
3rd Sharon Strebbing
CROCHETING — DOILY
1st Ardith Merten
Oceana Center #1047
CROCHETING — ANY OTHER
1st Lois Hicks West Oshtemo #1630
2nd Sharon Popler Burns #160
3rd Sharon Strebbing Plymouth/Westland #389
EMBROIDERY — ANY OTHER
2nd Janie Lerchen Plymouth/Westland #389
COUNTED THREAD —CROSS STITCH
1st Leona Smith Plymouth/Westland #389
COUNTED THREAD — PLASTIC CANVAS
1st Leona Smith PlymouthWestland #389
COUNTED THREAD — ANY OTHER
1st Leona Smith Plymouth/Westland #389
QUILTING — COMBINATION
1st Leona Smith Plymouth/Westland #389
QUILTING — MACHINE
1st Leora Smith Plymouth/Westland #389
2nd Darleen Dhaseleer Barnard #689
3rd Sharon Strebbing Plymouth/Westland #389
SEWING — PILLOWCASE
1st Helen Mudd Studley #1174
2nd Sharon Strebbing Plymouth/Westland#389
SEWING — PURSE OR TOTE
1st Barbara Johnston North Adrian #721
SEWING — ANY OTHER
2nd Lois Hicks West Oshtemo #1630
3rd Sharon Strebbing Plymouth/Westland #389
SNOWMAN
1st LaDonna Kurburski Harbor Springs #730
2nd Peggy Johnston Burns #160
3rd Dale Moore Studley #1174
SHRINKY DINKS
1st Cory Johnston Burns JG #325
2nd Marc Johnston Burns JG #325
LEGO BUILDING
1st Cory Johnston
Burns JG #325
2nd Marc Johnston
Burns JG #325
BEST OF SHOW
BARBARA JOHNS-
TON
NORTH ADRIAN
#721
GRANGER’S MAKING 50 OR MORE TOYS
Doris Buehrer, Linda Harbaugh, Marilyn Kies, Ted
Mudd, Helen Mudd
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT — POMONA
Mid Michigan Pomona #61, St. Joseph, Cass, Kal.
Pomona #4, Lenawee County Pomona #15.
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT — SUBORDINATE
West Oshtemo #1630, Oceana Center #1047, Home
#129, Harbor Springs #730, Gratiot #1898, Barnard
#689, Burns #160, Mosherville #1351, Fern #803,
Plymouth/Westland #389, Studley #1174, Rome
#293, Colon #215 and North Adrian #721.
Please be sure To
pull the Program
out of the center
of this issue and
save for future
use!!
6 Michigan Grange News
Sharon Popler 3640 E. Bath Road Morrice, Michigan 48857 Tel: 989-634-5748 E-mail [email protected] )
Lecturer Awards & Winners
I’d like to thank everyone for all your entries at this years Michigan State Grange Session. I think everything
went really well. The judges were really good this year.
They took their time examining each item before judging.
The photo category is really growing. The photo boards were almost full this year. GREAT!!! Please make note
of the changes in most of the categories. I hope I’ve
mixed it up a little for everyone to enjoy doing some-thing. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WIN-
NERS!!
LECTURER’S AWARD WINNERS
CREATIVE WRITING—FAMILY SPORTS EVENT
1st Janie Lerchen Plymouth/Westland #389
CREATIVE WRITING-SUMMER VACATION
1st Martha Laupp Home #129 2nd Eric Bishop Home #129
3rd Sharon Popler Burns #160
HAND CRAFTED ART CONTEST
DRIED FLOWERS
1st Sharon Popler Burns #160
2nd Peggy Johnston Burns #160
DECORATED APRON
1st Sharon Popler Burns #160
2nd Peggy Johnston Burns #160
3rd Leora Smith Plymouth/Westland #389
HOMEMADE THROW PILLOW
1st Jessica Ewing Plymouth/Westland #389
WEAVED ITEM—SUBORDINATE 1st Sharon Popler Burns #160
2nd LaDonna Kurburski Harbor Springs #730
WEAVED ITEM—JUNIORS 7-8 YR OLDS
1st Cory Johnston Burns JG #325 2nd Marc Johnston Burns JG #325
3rd Casey Lamblin Oceana Center JG #329
WEAVED ITEM — JUNIORS 9-11 YR OLDS 1st Luke Kurburski Harbor Springs JG #330
2nd Eowyn Sheffer Burns JG #325
3rd Jeremiah Near Oceana Center JG #329
MISCELLANEOUS CRAFT—SUBORDINATE
1st Phyllis Warren Burns #160
2nd Karen Strouse Gratiot #1898
3rd Michelle Barnes Home #129
MISCELLANEOUS CRAFT—JUNIORS 9-11
1st Drew Barnes Home JG #290
MISCELLANEOUR CRAFT—JUNIONR 12-14 1st Lexi Gale Oceana Center JG #329
2nd Haley Jessup Oceana Center JG #329
3rd Gus Gale Oceana Center JG #329
ART CONTEST — WATER COLORS
1st Audrey Ewing Plymouth/Westland #389
ART CONTEST—PENCIL DRAWINGS
1st Dawn Laupp Home #129
PHOTOGRAPHY — FARM SCENE—SUB.
1st Ardith Merten Oceana Center #1047 2nd Terri Sheffer Burns #160
2rd Janice Merten Oceana Center #1047
PHOTOGRAPHY—FARM SCENE—JG 9-11 1st Eowyn Sheffer Burns JG #325
PHOTOGRAPHY—LAKE PIC — SUB.
1st Marshall Bishop Home #129 2nd Sharon Popler Burns #160
3rd Ardith Merten Oceana Center #1047
PHOTOGRAPHY—LAKE PIC JG 9-11
1st Eowyn Sheffer Burns JG #325
PHOTOGRAPHY —FAMILY—SUB.
1st Janice Merten Oceana Center #1047
2nd Tricia Eidsmoe Studley #1174 3rd Ardith Merten Oceana Center #1047
PHOTOGRAPHY—PATRIOTIC—SUB
1st Roland Winter Home #129 2nd Peggy Johnston Burns #160
3rd Ardith Merten Oceana Center #1047
PHOTOGRAPHY—AUTUMN — SUB
1st Sharon Popler Burns #160 2nd Janice Merten Oceana Center #1047
3rd Ardith Merten Oceana Center #1047
PHOTOGRAPHY — AUTUMN — JG 9-11 1st Eowyn Sheffer Burns JG #325
BEST OF SHOW—LECTURER’S DEPT.
Leora Smith — Plymouth/Westland #389
BEST OF SHOW — PHOTOGRAHY
DALE YOUNG—COMMUNITY GRANGE #1675
TOOK 2ND PLACE AT NATIONAL GRANGE!
CERTIFICATES FOR REPORT-
ING: St. Jos/Cass/Kal Pomona #4, Mid
Michigan Pomona #61, Adams #286,
Harbor Springs #730, Burr Oak
#1350, Gratiot #1898, Burns #160, Barnard #689, Studley #1174, Rome
#293, Pittsfield Union #882, Community #1675, Plymouth/
Westland #389.
7 Michigan Grange News
Tricia Eidsmoe 1451 Grey Road, Midland, MI 48640
Tel: 989-631-0079 E-mail: [email protected]
Helen Mudd 1757 Stewart Road, Midland, MI 48640
Tel: 989-631-3708
Community Service Winners
GRANGE HAPPENINGS
There are 29 subordinate Granges in the state
& reports were received from 16 of them. Con-
gratulations to these 16 Granges for promoting
CS in their areas & taking the time to complete a
report & send it to me.
Our judges this year were 3 women from Mid-
land County. One was the Midland County Fair
Manager, one was very active in 4-H in Midland
County & one is a retired Dow Chemical Com-
pany professional.
The judges had a criteria sheet to use and the
total points from the 3 judges determined the win-
ners. There will be 3 winners in the under 40
members category and 3 winners in the 40 & over
category. The award money is furnished from the
National Grange.
Grange winner under 40 members:
3rd Place – Burns #160
2nd Place – Kinney #754
1st Place – Studley #1174
Grange winner 40 & over mem-
bers:
3rd Place – Pittsfield Union #882
2nd Place – Home #129
1st Place – Fredonia #1713
The National Grange requested 1st thru 4th
place winners. Based on the total points from the
judging, the following granges were recognized
as the top 4 winners:
4th Place – Home #129
3rd Place – Kinney #754
2nd Place – Studley #1174
1st Place – Fredonia #1713
Fredonia Grange’s book has been sent to Na-
tional Grange to be judged. Each grange that sent
in a report received a participation certificate
from the National Grange.
Thanks again to all granges participating in the
Community Service program! Keep up the good
I had the pleasure of attending several County Fairs
this past summer to sell tickets on the Family Activities
Quilt Raffle. It was my first time to attend the Hillsdale
County Fair and even though I didn’t get to see to much of
the fair, what I did see was the beautiful displays that Ad-
ams and Mosherville Granges put together. They are ab-
solutely out of this world. So much work! I have in-
cluded a picture of each below. Peggy Johnston
ADAMS #286
MOSHERVILLE #1351
“Master your past in the present, or your past will
master your future.”
*********
“Ignorance breeds fear, Fear breeds hate.
Hate breeds violence.”
JUNIORS
Connie Johnston, Director 6241 Grand River Road, Bancroft, MI 48414 Tel: 989-634-9350 E-mail [email protected]
8 Michigan Grange News
New Program and Contest Winners
What an excellent state session! Thank you Region 5 for a wonderful time! Entries were down in the Jun-
ior department as well as the Junior portions of the other departments. Many of the items there were done dur-
ing summer camp. Congrats to those that won! Cora Zsigray’s fairy garden won best of show and will be
going onto National Session to be displayed in the idea fair. Congrats to Cora!!
The new program will be out soon and I hope that more Juniors will enter next year. There are three new
craft contests. The first is a plastic bottle craft, which can be anything as long as it uses a plastic bottle. Ideas
are a bird feeder/house, piggy banks, plant holders, etc. The second one is a yarn bowl. This is basically just a
bowl made from yard and can be made in any format, such as weaving, doing the starch way with a balloon as
a form, etc. The bowl can be decorated as well with any medium such as ruffles, paints, beads, etc. The third
is a Halloween wreath. This can be made with any kind of medium and should stay under 12 inches in size.
Of course you can find all sorts of ideas off of Pinterest. It is actually where I get the contest ideas. Also be
sure to check out the other departments for their contests, they all have Junior divisions.
2015 JUNIOR CONTEST WINNERS
COLORING CONTEST — 7-8 YR. OLDS
1st Cory Johnston Burns JG #325
2nd Marc Johnston Burns JG #325
PET ROCK — 6 & UNDER
1st Cora Zsigray Gratiot #1898
PET ROCK — 7-8 YR OLDS
1st Kassidy Lamblin Oceana Center JG #329
2nd Casey Lamblin Oceana Center JG #329
3rd Marc Johnston Burns JG #325
PET ROCK — 9-11 YR OLDS
1st Luke Kurburski Harbor SpringsJG #330
2nd Eowyn Sheffer Burns JG #325
3rd Jeremiah Near Oceana Center JG #329
PET ROCK — 12-14 YR OLDS
1st Cassidy Jessup Oceana Center JG #329
2nd Peter Kurburski Harbor SpringsJG #330
3rd Michaela Dold Oceana Center JG #329
FAIRY GARDENS — 6 & UNDER
1st Cora Zsigray Gratiot #1898
FAIRY GARDENS — 7-8 YR OLDS
1st Marc Johnston Burns JG #325
2nd Cory Johnston Burns JG #325
DREAM CATCHERS — 6 & UNDER
1st Cora Zsigray Gratiot #1898
DREAM CATCHERS — 7-8 YR OLDS
1st Cory Johnston Burns JG #325
2nd Marc Johnston Burns JG #325
DREAM CATCHERS — 9-11 YR. OLDS
1st Jeremiah Near Oceana Center JG #329
2nd Luke Kurburski Harbor SpringsJG #330
3rd Eowyn Sheffer Burns JG #325
SUBORDINATE GRANGE REPORTS
Fern #803, Burns #160, Harbor Springs #730, Gratiot
#1898, Home #129, Mosherville #1351, West
Oshtemo #1630, Community #1675, Plymouth/
Westland #389, Adams #286.
SUPER JG THANK YOU!
Oceana Center #1047 for hosting JG camp
JUNIOR GRANGE DONATIONS
Rome #293, Burns #160, Studley #1174, Gratiot
#1898, Home #129, Carlisle #812, Kinney #754,
Kathryn Strouse
“JUNIOR GRANGE BEST OF SHOW”
CORA ZSIGRAY WITH HER FAIRY GARDEN
9 Michigan State Grange
Roland Winter 15150 A Drive North Marshall, MI 49068
Tel: 269-781-2500 E-mail [email protected]
FOUNDATION Annual Report
Again this year it is my privilege as President of the Michigan
state Grange Foundation to report to you on the condition of your
Foundation and its progress this past year. I believe that the Foun-
dation is a very important part of our organization. Presently it
provides loans for students to help with their education, funds for Department Directors to develop and carry out educational work-
shops plus send out quarterly newsletters, for their particular de-
partments, and I believe it could also be a valuable asset in the
future to keep our Grange active and also to help preserve our His-
tory.
This year has been another very good year for the Foundation.
Two years ago, if you remember, we invested $100,000.00 of our
funds in a ten-year annuity. This year in April it became
$123,228.66 with another good return on our investment. That
amount was again invested for this year hoping for a good return,
but the way the Stock Market has been going this year it will
probably not be as great as the past two years. This past year we have also been working hard trying to collect more of our past due
lo9ans. At this time we have collected $4,120.00 and have four
people making regular payments with the promise of more to
come. This includes some money from past due loans plus the
money from those making regular payments. This will increase
with more loans becoming due in the near future.
The Haslett property where the Michigan State Grange Office
stood is still in the process of being sold. We had ho0ped to have
the closing before the end of last year but this did not happen.
There are still a few details to be worked out but this should hap-
pen very soon. This past year we only issued one new student loan of
$1,000.00. It was again issued to Malcolm Carey of Oceana Cen-
ter Grange #1047 to attend the University of Michigan. This was
his third load, and was Loan #141. Malcolm has one more loan
available which will probably happen this next year. The loan
program was started in the early 1960’s by the Youth Department
and then taken over by the Michigan State Grange Foundation
when the Foundation was founded in 1986.
We are again emphasizing that this is a loan program and the
loans need to be repaid if the program is to continue. Last year in
November we sent out, what will be a yearly report form to each
loan recipient so that we can keep better track of where they are with their education, and when their loans will be coming due.
We had a very good return on this report which will be sent out
again this year.
We also need to emphasize that this program is not just for
youth but for any Grange member that might need to advance their
education. With money coming in from Student loans there are
funds available from the $35,000.00 that we have set aside for this
program and more funds will become available as more loan pay-
ments are made, and I am sure that more of our available funds
could be added to this program if necessary.
One of our goals for the coming year would be to see every active Grange in Michigan make at least one donation to the
Michigan state Grange Foundation, and many of our members
doing the same. The donations do not have to be large and if eve-
ryone helped a little it would make a big difference. I would em-
phasize that the Foundation is a 501 ( c) 3 organization and
individual donations are tax deductible.
$69,669.24 of our money is in a permanent Endowment
Fund with only the interest being used. Our policy in the past
has been that half of all donations made that are not given for a particular purpose would go to the Endowment Fund and half
to available funds and we are planning to continue this policy.
The Michigan State Grange Foundation would like to
thank all those Granges and Gr4ang emembers that made dona-
tions to the Foundation this past year. The Foundation appreci-
ates your donations.
I would also like to thank the other members of this Board
for their work and dedication to this program, they include;
Eric Bishop, Vice President, Kathryn Strouse, Secretary-
Treasurer, Jeff Swainston, Director and Chris Johnston, Direc-
tor.
Fraternally, Roland G. Winter, Board President.
Michigan State Grange Financial Report as of 9-3-15
ASSETS:
Athene Annuity $123,228.66
Checking Account 14,768.60
Student Loans 28,385.00
Total Assets $166,382.26
ALLOCATED FUNDS
Endowment Fund $69,669.24
Student Loan Fund 6,615.00
MSG Dir. Prom&Dev. Fund 3,431.76
Michigan Disaster Fund 633.00
Jonathan Woodman Mem. Fund 2,043.00 Deaf Awareness Fund 161.55
Total Allocated Funds $ 82,553.55
NON ALLOCATED FUNDS $ 83,828.71
INCOME:
Interest received from investments 8,198.39
Student loan income 4,120.00
Endowment fund-D. Pagels Inheritance 499.24
Funds received for memorials 200.00
$ 13,017.63
EXPENSES Corp Tax Report 40.00
Student loan 1,000.00
National Grange Foundation 1,500.00
Meridian Charter Township 1,969.30
Lecturer Expense 216.00
$ 4,725.30
MSG FOUNDATION,
Kathryn Strouse, Sec/Treas.
P.O. Box 84
North Star, MI 48862 Please accept my donation to help support the Mission of the Michi-gan State Grange Foundation.
$ _______ ________________________ In Memory of:
For Memory ____Birthday
Address ________________________ ____Anniversary
City/State ___________ Zip_______ ____ Deceased
Donations made by: ________________ ____ Other
Thank you for your Support!
10 Michigan
Kevin Young, Director 60822 Creek Road, Niles, MI 49120
Tel: 269-684-3870 E-mail: [email protected]
AGRICULTURE Annual Report Annual Report Legislative
Jeff Swainston, Director 2589 144th Ave., Dorr, MI 49323
Tel: 616-813-8746 [email protected]
Worthy Master, First Lady, National Grange Rep-
resentative, Delegates, Brothers and Sisters:
Welcome to the 142nd Annual Convention of the
Michigan State Grange!! It is hard to believe that it
is time for yet another Michigan State Grange Ses-
sion. Time sure goes by fast and for some reason
this year has gone by way too fast!! I hope everyone
has enjoyed my articles as at times I felt like I was
just rambling on but at the time I was writing them it
was what was on my mind. I appreciate the wonder-
ful attendance at the Salute to Ag Dinner last year
and I hope we have a good attendance again this
year. I will be doing door prizes again this year, try-
ing to stick with things pertaining to Ag type items.
Agriculture in our Great State is a very important
part of life and of the State Economy , and I feel
honored to be the Director of the MSG Agriculture
Department. I hope to continue to bring you infor-
mation on this Department that meant so much to
our Great Organization when it was first founded! I
hope everyone enjoys the State Session and their
stay in the Adrian!!!
Worthy Master, First Lady, State Officers & Directors, Dele-
gates, Members, and Friends:
Welcome to Adrian for the 142nd annual session of
the Michigan State Grange. What a great week this
will be. An organization that is the legislative voice of
rural America meeting at a fairgrounds that is rich with
Grange history and tradition. I bring you greetings
from the Legislative Department where it is a pleasure
to continue to be able to serve you.
The action we take this week on resolutions submit-
ted by local Granges is the beginning of the grass-roots
stepladder. It is important to consider all resolutions
seriously and give them all ample thought and discus-
sion. We are mapping our organization for years to
come.
Activities surrounding the Legislative Department
continue to be thin due to budget constraints but there
are still ways we can be active. The most important
way to stay active is to involve yourself in the local po-
litical process, and most of all… get out and vote.
There is one new item on our agenda, however, that we
are seriously starting to look at. We have been asked to
join the Coalition for Expanded Pipeline Infrastructure
(CEPI) which brings together groups from across
Michigan and Ohio that support the development of
new, safe natural gas pipeline infrastructure in the re-
gion. This is a coalition representing interests from ag-
riculture, business, manufacturing, and labor in Michi-
gan and Ohio. Hopefully, we will have time to review
and discuss this during the session this week.
I look forward to this week in Adrian. The last time
we were here the weather was unseasonably warm and
it would be joyous to have that happen again. It is al-
ways great to reconnect with Grange friends and hope-
fully make and new friend or two along the way. As
always, if you have any questions about our policies,
please ask.
“The world we are experiencing today is the result of our collec-
tive consciousness, and if we want a new world, each of us must
start taking responsibility for helping to create it.”
—Rosemary Fillmore Rh
** “Success isn’t permanent and failure isn’t fatal.” - Mike Ditka
**
Humor is contagious...Laughter is infectious….Both are good for
your health.
11 Michigan State Grange
Creative FUNDRAISING
Find a date in the next year
to have an additional fund-
raising event at your
Grange
Utilize Michigan State
Grange officers to help man
your event
Notify the Michigan State Grange office
when the event will be and how many
people are needed
Delegate tasks to the Michigan State
Grange helpers
Run the event in the way you normally
do
Advertise your event in the normal ways
Invite lots of people to your event
Sell to or Serve those that attend your
event
Include your processes for success that
are used in your other local Grange fund-
raisers
New concept to replace Michigan State
Grange raffles
Give the profit to the Michigan State
Grange
This is a new approach developed by the
Michigan State Grange Executive Com-
mittee to be utilized in 2014/2015. Please
help our Michigan State Grange have the
funds to provide continued support to the
Subordinate Granges so that they may
serve local communities.
Michigan State Grange
Executive Committee Request Jeff & Nancy Swainston, 2589 144th Ave., Dorr, MI 49323
Tel: 616-813-8746 E-mail [email protected]
YOUTH/YOUNG ADULTS Awards
BE SURE TO PULL OUT THE
PROGRAM BOOK
IN THE CENTER OF THIS ISSUE
AND KEEP FOR REFERNCE THIS YEAR
ON THE AVAILABLE CONTESTS
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:
Christopher Eidsmoe, Nicholas Eidsmoe, Karen Strouse,
Frances Zsigray, Alli Driskell, Kirk Maylum II, Kathryn
Bishop, Bradley Skidmore, James Laupp, Elizabeth Kurbur-
ski, Katie Kurburski, Emily Kurburski, Audrey Ewing,
Christopher Johnston.
SUBORDINATE AND POMONA RECOGNITION
Home #129, Harbor Springs #730, Plymouth/Westland
#389, Burns #160, Gratiot #1898, Community #1675, Stud-
ley #1174.
SPECIAL AWARD/APPRECIATION
Oceana Center Grange 31047 for hosting Youth/Young
Adult Camp.
A special Thank You to all of the individuals and
Granges that helped the Michigan State Grange out with
some very nice gifts for our wish list. All of these items
will certainly help to keep the headquarters expenses down
this year. Here is a list of all of the items that have been do-
nated. 2—10 Ream Cases of Paper
1—5 Ream Case of Paper
2—500 sheet Reams of Paper
3—250 sheet Reams of Paper
2 boxes of 3000 each labels
1—box of 500 envelopes
6 — boxes of 40 envelopes
10—9 x 12 manila envelopes
12—6 x 9 manila envelopes
4 pack of sticky notes
500 sheet memo pad
Book of 20 stamps
Roll of 100 stamps
1 individual black ink cartridge
2 double pack ink cartridge (black and color)
Check for $11.00
That’s an estimate of over $400.00 in supplies
THANK YOU!
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and
complain, and most fools do.”
Benjamin Franklin
12 Michigan State Grange
Position open
MEMBERSHIP Awards
PUBLICITY AWARDS:
Adams #286, Barnard #689, Burns #160, Burr Oak
#1350, Colon #215, Community #1675, Fern #803,
Fredonia #1713, Gratiot #1898, Harbor Springs
#730, Home #129, Kinney #754, Maple Leaf #940
Mosherville #1351, North Adrian #721, Oceana
Center #1047, Pittsfield Union #882, Platte #1328,
Plymouth/Westland #389, Studley #1174, Summit
City #672, Torch Lake #1840, West Oshtemo
#1630.
VOLUNTEERS AWARDS:
Sharon Popler, Arnette Welsh & Luanna Swainston
GOLD STAR AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Burns #160 & Oceana Center #1047
SPECIAL MASTERS AWARDS
Lenawee County Pomona, Washtenaw/Wayne
County Pomona, & Hillsdale County Pomona for
hosting the 2015 Annual Convention.
Dale Moore, Peggy Johnston, and Sharon Popler for
selling tickets on the Family Activities Raffle.
Helen Mudd for donating the quilt for the Family
Activities Raffle.
Sharon Popler for hosting the Great Lakes Grange
Leadership Conference.
MEMBERSHIP AWARDS
SENT IN REPORTS-APPRECIATION AWARD
Adams #286, Barnard #689, Burns #160, Fredonia
#1713, Gratiot #1898, Harbor Springs #730, Home
#129, Lime Creek #712, Mosherville #1351, Oceana
Center #1047, Plymouth/Westland #389, Rome
#293, Studley #1174, Summit City #672, Torch
Lake #1840, White Pigeon #1345, North Adrian
#721.
NEW MEMBERS—ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Plymouth/Westland #389, Oceana Center #1047,
Torch Lake #1840, Harbor Springs #730, Barnard
#689, Burns #160, Lime Creek #712, Fredonia
#1713.
NET GAIN — ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Lime Creek #712, Oceana Center #1047
“Be more concerned with your character than your
reputation, because your character is what you
really are, while your reputation is merely what
others thing you are.” John Wooden
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
Kenneth Becker
Kenneth Becker will be 100 years old on
December 9, 2015.
He joined Courtland Grange #563 in 1950 with five
other couples. Took the 5th degree in 1950 by Ensley
Centre 5th Degree Team. He and his wife along with
Franklin and Doris Roth had the youth of Kent County
with a fifth degree team. He took the 6th degree in
Hastings in 1952. He was a member of the Camping
Patrons in 1974 and was a life member. Courtland
Grange closed in 2007 and he then joined Kinney
Grange #754 and still belongs to that Grange. He has
held many offices in Subordinate and Pomona Grange
and the Camping Patrons. Kenneth’ address is 8938 13
Mile Road. NE, Rockford, MI 49341, if you wish to
send him a birthday card.
Congratulations on a wonderful milestone!