This month’s “Speak Like a Champ” phrase from National Grange President Chris Hamp is “Situational Awareness.” This refers to one’s ability to be cognizant of your surroundings, to know what is going on around you, so that you may better use your judgment to fulfill your goals and objectives. This relates back to our personal interactions with people in our Grange dealings too. One can also take this awareness of surroundings out into the “wild” world as I do while birding. It was such awareness that allowed me to observe two Peregrine falcons a couple of days apart in late September and three bald eagles in one week in early October. Some of you may have seen these species at some point in your life and some may have not. They are there if you know where to look and are observant. Because of proximity of two of the eagle sightings, I am sure two of the three are the same bird while I know the two falcons are different birds because I know where each one lives. This is situational awareness in a nutshell. Try applying the principle to your interpersonal relationships and in the Grange.

Once again, the National Grange sponsored Bonding Program payments have come due. It is imperative that your Grange officers be bonded . The State Grange pays these premiums to the National Grange and each Grange should pay their appropriate amount to the State Grange. Get your payments to the State Secretary Todd Gelineau promptly.

It has come to my attention and yours that Normand Manning of Higganum Grange #124 went missing on October 6 and was found deceased on October 12 in Cockaponset State Forest. Our condolences to out to his family. I first met Normand while inspecting Central Pomona in Meriden while I was a Deputy. He was a dedicated Grange member and former Camp Berger Trustee.

Terri Fassio recently held a Grange Virtual Social Hour on Artificial Intelligence and its uses for Grange work. For all the work Terri does to assemble these programs, it would be nice to see more attend them. AI can be very useful when used productively although lately we hear of some of its nefarious uses as well. This program will be posted on the CSG YouTube page so you can view it there.

As I write, I am anticipating our 140th Annual Session to begin tomorrow in Norwich, the National Representatives are Roger and Melanie Bostwick from Kansas. Roger is the High Priest of Demeter, so I guess I better do well in my ritual work! We have 18 resolutions to consider. I just got a text from the National President wishing us a great Session, and I think it will be. We have election of officers this year. I won’t say these two years of my term as President have flown by as there have been several challenges along the way. I will say it has been an honor and privilege to serve the Connecticut State Grange as your President and hope I am elected to serve another term. I will cut off here and complete this after the Session...

The 140th Annual State Session was great and thanks to everyone who made it so. Jeff Barnes picked up our National Representatives in Providence and Jody dropped them off again on Sunday for their return flight home to Kansas. Brother Bostwick brought the Sacred Record of the Assembly of Demeter, so people had a chance to see it. In his address to the Delegates, he shared his thoughts with us. We had a total of 20 resolutions. Ten people received the Sixth Degree. Congratulations to them! Maggie and I thank Family Activities Director Dawn Percoski and her committee for the nice gifts. Election of officers produced one change. We have a new Gatekeeper, Aili McKeen of Wallingford Grange #33. Ted Beebe will continue as a Deputy.

I want to announce the Pomona Honor Granges here: #1 goes to Nutmeg Pomona #16, #2 goes to Mountain Laurel Pomona #15, and #3 to Eastern Connecticut Pomona #14. Two Community Granges submitted Honor Grange reports but neither qualified for the award.

Certificates are to follow soon.

Next, Vice President Ted Powell and I are off to the 158th National Grange Convention in Bettendorf, IA. I am serving on the Citizenship and Taxation Committee. The High Priest of Demeter has asked me to portray the Second Mystagogue in the Seventh Degree.

At lunch Saturday, during the Junior and Youth Committee reports, Angelina DeDominicis of Hillstown Grange #87 and the Junior Committee introduced us to a catchy pop tune by Chappell Roan named “Hot To Go”. Is your Grange ready for the new year to come? Are you all Hot To Go?