Hoosick Grange News – January 2012

Hoosick Grange was delighted to have good weather for its meeting on January 11. This was different from the last two years. Master David Cornell presided over the business. The Lecturer received a thank you from the Hoosick Falls Area Church Association for can goods and money the Grange gave. The Master told about a group that would like to have a conference in our hall. Because of many reasons it was refused. The Chaplain announced the death of Evelyn Prebble Dougherty. The charter was draped in her memory. After the business the Lecturer had her program. She started her program wishing everyone a Happy New Year. She had a reading – wipe your slate clean, turn the calendar and begin anew. She asked if anyone had made a new resolution? Most of the Grangers didn’t. She read some good luck rituals. The Greeks bake a loaf of bread with a coin buried in it. The first slice is for the Christ Child. The British believe the first visitor of the year should be a male and bearing gifts. In Wales, at the first toll of midnight, the back door is opened and then shut to release the old year. At the twelfth stroke, the front door is opened, and the New Year is welcomed in bearing good luck. Norma Brenenstuhl read some Resolutions for all.
January 8 – 14 is Universal Letter Writing Week. The Lecturer said make a list of people you know who might like to receive a letter. Tell about things that are happening, and you might get a letter back. At this time we wrote some cards. As you know, we haven’t had much snow, but the weatherman is talking snow. We want to be ready so we can make Snow Ice Cream. It’s delicious. She gave the recipe for it. Alaska got 18 feet of snow. What do you do with so much?
The Lecturer announced that they were celebrating the 104th Anniversary of Hoosick Grange. The National Grange started in 1867 after the Civil War, and 41 years later Hoosick Grange started. It started in 1908 with 95 charter members. Our Master is related to the first Master, Jay C. Cottrell. The Lecturer told where the Grange met in 1908 at Odd Fellows Hall and paid $5 dollars per night with heat and lights. What a bargain. They moved in 1942 to All Saints Parish Hall in Hoosick for $10 dollars each night. The Grange moved in 1960 in their new hall, fifty two years ago.
The Lecturer read a poem titled “Just For The Record” and had a few jokes. She also had a game, and Martha Babbitt won first and David Schmidt second. Her closing thought was – May you have one foot in heaven before the devil knows your gone.
Our January 25 meeting is cancelled, and our next meeting is February 8, if the weather is good. Otherwise, if it’s bad, we will meet on February 22. We will see!
The Photography Contest is on March 14. Enter only one 4″ x 6″ of each group to a maximum of 11″ x 14″ including matting if used. Must have a rigid backing and one entry per category. The categories are People, Animals, Scenery/Nature.