By Ailie McKeen

Wallingford Grange will be having several more events coming up this summer. In July, we will be having our next Meatball Luncheon Fundraiser on Saturday, July 13th between 12pm-2pm. In conjunction with that, we will have a youth event starting at 10am where youth can learn how to make their own fresh butter. In August, we will be having a Community Event involving Tye Dye Shirt Making for anyone 12 years of age and older between 5:30-7:30pm on Tuesday, August 6. We will also be having a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser on Saturday, August 10, between 8:30am-11am. In conjunction with it, there will be a free “Make a Fresh Fruit Tart” event for youth to participate in. To wrap up the astronomical summer, in September, we will be having our annual Grange Fair at the Grange hall on Saturday, September 14, between 12pm-5pm. One can exhibit in a number of categories including vegetables,  baking,  needlework,

canning, and photography to name a few. More information about specific exhibit categories can be found on our website. Also, we are seeking craft vendors for the fair. Interested parties should reach out to Kathy Bergonzi at fair@wallingfordGrange.org .

We recently had our June Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on June 8 which was a great success with approximately 40 people coming out for pancakes at this event. A photo of our fantastic pancake breakfast team is seen below.

In addition, the Grange collected and donated 1,384 lbs. of clothing items, 840 lbs. of household items, and 243 lbs. of books in our Saver’s Clothing Drive this past spring! Thanks goes out to both everyone who came out in support and to all who volunteered at these fundraisers!

We’re now hosting a food collection box to benefit the local food pantry Master’s Manna. In our first week, 64 pounds of non- perishables were collected! Thank you to the community for donating to this! We will be continuing to use the collection box in the future as a permanent fixture to continue to donate food to Master’s Manna.

Our “Maker Monday” gatherings are continuing to go well! The group has finished making the second comforting “Quilt of Valor” that will be given to a veteran in the area, and we are continuing to work on more quilts to give to more veterans in the area. Anyone can join us for open sew/craft at the Grange with experience in sewing or not every first and third Monday of a month at 6:30pm at the Wallingford Grange hall.