On June 9 it was Grange Community Citizen Award Night for Mr. Philip Leonard. The Master, David Cornell, welcomed everyone. There was an opening prayer and song. The Flag was presented, and the “Star Spangled Banner” was sung. The literary program was presented. The Lecturer read a history of Philip Leonard. He was born in Monticello, NY, attended local schools and graduated with a B.A. Degree at Monticello College. He went to NYS College for Teachers and got his M.A. Degree. He is married to Jinnie, and they have two children, a daughter, Suzanne, and a son, Frederic. Phil has lived in Hoosick Falls since 1957, a total of 53 years.
He was first hired at Hoosick Falls as Principal/Guidance Teacher. He was School Superintendent from 1965 to 1981, when he retired. He has been Town Historian since 2002. Phil is famous for the poster-boards he makes of the Town. He brought three boards for us to see. He said he goes to all the Town meetings and that gave him the idea for them. He has made 100 boards so far. Charles Filkins also makes poster-boards. Phil is Treasurer of the Hoosick Township Historical Society. He was Chairman of the Weir-Reynolds Swimming Pool and raised money for it. He wrote grants for the skating rink and building. Before cable he got Mrs. Reynolds to pay for a tower built on Johnson Hill road. This helped with the signal into Hoosick Falls. Phil was on the Board of the Putnam Memorial Hospital for 28 years. He was Chairman of the Board of the Weston/Hadden Home in Bennington and Trustee of Saint Joseph Business College, until it became Southern Vermont College. He is now working on the Board of the Veterans Memorial in Hoosick Falls.
Our Master read and presented the plaque – Grange Community Citizen Award presented to Philip Leonard – in recognition of long and dedicated public service to the community. Phil spoke briefly. The Master also reminded everyone that Phil was on the Veterans Memorial committee and that they were raising funds for it. He gave Phil a hundred dollar check for it. Phil told us about that. Then the Master called on guests. Charles Filkins spoke on working with Phil and how amiably they work together. The Lecturer had a poem on volunteers.
The Master called on our next speaker, New York State Overseer Mr. Stephen Coye, who was making his official visit. He spoke about the Grange in the past and where it is now and where we want to be in the future. He spoke about changes, and why we have them. The Master called on guests. The Lecturer announced the next meeting is on June 23. The program chairman has changed. Refreshment chairman is C.F.A. The cinnamon roll contest will be July 28. She had a closing poem titled “Friends.” There was a closing song and prayer and retiring the flag. We had delicious congratulation cake and ice cream and drink and fellowship.
