Hoosick Grange met on February 11. The Grange didn’t have a meeting in January because of the weather. Norma Brenenstuhl was in charge of the program. We saw one half of the 100th, Centennial Program held last April, 2008. We had a break in our program to have cherry pie and ice cream provided by Norma. Then we had the rest of her program. Norma told us about Valentine’s Day, the month of romance and the mystery of why we celebrate this day with all kinds of gifts. Chocolates are one of the big gifts, then flowers and jewelry. In 1840, Esther Howland, a native of Massachusetts, is given credit for sending the first Valentine cards. In the 1700s, Americans exchanged hand-made cards. Over 50 percent of all Valentines are purchased in the six days prior to the big day. More than half of the U.S. population celebrates Valentine’s Day by purchasing a card.
Norma then talked to us about the Inauguration of the 44th President and some of the other presidents. George Washington gave the first inaugural address in New York City on April 30,1789. He concluded his address with “So Help Me God,” and after the oath he kissed the Bible. On March 4, 1841, William H. Harrison gave the longest speech on record. Abraham Lincoln was escorted to the Capitol in 1861 by cavalry, the first President to receive such heavily armored protection. William McKinley’s inauguration was the first recorded by a motion picture camera. Harry S. Truman’s second inaugural ceremony was the first to be televised. William J. Clinton’s inauguration was the first to be broadcast live on the internet. In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called for the creation of the Presidential Pilot Office to provide air transportation to the President and his staff. On March 4, 1837, Martin Van Buren became the first President who was not born a British subject. On March 4, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt began the tradition of morning worship service by attending St. John’s Church. On August 9, 1974, Gerald R. Ford, was the first unelected Vice President to become President. Television networks paid more than $5 million for exclusive rights to show events surrounding President Barack Obama’s inauguration including the Neighborhood Balls.
Norma had a closing thought, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”
Our next meeting is March 11. Marion Hynick is in charge of the program and refreshments.