July 14, 2022 -- July 17, 2020- Meeting & Program: “How to Make an Award-winning Dessert with Judy Doyle!” Ref.: Dawn & Rod Anstett
Our June meeting was very productive as we made plans for the remainder of the calendar year. We decided not to serve meals during the Riverton Fair this October. Instead our Grange will have a new initiative that we will launch Columbus Day weekend. Lecturer Raine Pedersen’s program was focused on the American flag and one activity was to teach Riverton Grange members how to properly fold the flag. We also discussed flag etiquette. (Photo 1481: State Master George Russell and First Lady Sharon Russell learn how to fold an American flag) Refreshments were served before the meeting by Mary Lou and Peter Keefe and were outstanding! Our Executive Committee will be reviewing the outside of our Grange Hall to see what work needs doing to keep the hall in good working order. The Grange voted unanimously to let the musical group “The Travelin’ Trout” use our Grange Hall on the 2nd Friday of each month from 6:00
– 9:30 PM to provide music and entertainment for the public. A test night was held on June 10th. Join us on July 8th for the first public event featuring this local musical group.
On June 12th, our Grange partnered with Riverton American Legion Post #159, the Town of Barkhamsted, Barkhamsted Lions Club, Barkhamsted Senior Center, Granby Shannon-Shattuck American Legion Post 182, Riverton Volunteer Fire Department, Northwestern CT Cyber Lions Club and the community for our 3rd Annual American Flag retirement ceremony (in a bonfire on the banks of the Farmington River). Over 1,000 American flags were solemnly retired right before Flag Day. (Photo American Flag retirement 1)
Another new initiative we started was to sell American Legion poppies for Poppy Day and our Grange presented $75 to Riverton American
Legion Post #159 who has become such a great partner for our Grange. Riverton Grange #169 hosted their 13th monthly Veterans Salute on June 5th to an overflow crowd of 80 or more attendees when the American flag was retired in honor of the May Veteran of the Month, U.S. Navy World War II Veteran Edward A. Sweeney, and raised in honor of U.S. Navy Cold War Veteran Danamarie Towers. Riverton American Legion Post
#159 Commander (son of Veteran Edward A. Sweeney) presented the retired American flag to his father on behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation for his father’s service. Timothy Sweeney himself is a 6-year U.S. Army Veteran. Riverton Grange President Dave Roberts presented a shadow box, carrying bag, and framed certificate signed by National Grange President Betsy Huber to retired U.S. Navy World War II Veteran Edward A. Sweeney, who was accompanied to the event by his wife. This program is now entering its second year and has secured the same sponsor as the first year and Royal Coachman Tavern doubled their financial commitment for Year #2 of this Grange initiative. (Photo 1515 and 1520)
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