JUNE 4, 2011 -- Winchester Grange has gotten off to a great start this spring with five new members and we welcome them all into our Grange family. It was the first time in a while since we were able to confer all four degrees and it was good to brush off the cobwebs. There were, of course, things that could have been done better, but we hope there will be plenty of practice with many more candidates receiving degrees in the future. We just need 7 more to meet the State Master’s goal. We can do it!
Our spring Super Prize Party was held on June 21 with an EXCELLENT profit. Attendance was way up and the number of great prizes was also better than the September party. Thanks also go to Sister Sandy Phillips for organizing a special basket drawing for the Junior Grange. $50 was raised for the two baskets that Sister Phillips put together. The money will be divided between the Winchester Jr. Grange fund and the CT State Grange Junior Department. Thanks to all who made the evening a success.
On May 19, Winchester Grange sponsored a garden talk at the Beardsley and Memorial Library in Winsted. The program was presented by Master Gardener and Winchester member Sherri Leblanc. A highlight of the program was the promotion of the State Agriculture Committee’s squash program. We now have 8 or 9 families in the Winsted area (in addition to Grange families) growing squash for donation to area food pantries. We hope to have bushels of squash to donate later this summer. We thank Sherri for presenting the program.
On the next evening 11 Winchester members traveled as a group to Riverton Grange to enjoy the wonderful bell program presented by the Cherry Brook Bell Choir under the direction of Mary Lou Keefe. We thank Riverton for their hospitality and the delicious potluck supper.
We are now looking ahead to our spring tag sale to be held at the Grange hall on Saturday, June 4 from 8-2. We plan on holding the sale outside unless the weather turns against us, then it will be held in the dining room. We have many great items for sale, so stop by and have a look.
Our largest fundraiser of the year is the annual Strawberry Festival held on Father’s Day, June 19th. We serve the largest portions of Strawberry Shortcake around made from fresh berries and homemade whipped cream. The perfect cool treat for a warm summer afternoon. Come early as we begin at 2:30 and sell until we run out! |