The weather was good but cold on February 1-2, and Hoosick Grange had its first meeting of the year. Master David Cornell conducted the business part of the meeting. The Lecturer presented her program. She had several Grangers read about famous African-Americans like Frederick Douglass, Shirley Chisholm, Thurgood Marshall, Wilma Rudolph and Garrett A. Morgan, who invented the three-way automatic traffic light. Do you know if the green is on the top or the bottom of the light? The Lecturer read about Martin L. King Jr., born January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He had simple beliefs – that all people should be kind to one another and no one should be denied the right to fair treatment. After Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person, she was arrested. Dr. King organized a bus boycott, that no black people would ride the buses. After many problems the rule about black and whites sitting together on buses was changed. Dr. King taught the principle of peaceful resistance instead of arguing. The Lecturer read about “The Buffalo Soldiers.” These soldiers were African-Americans who distinguished themselves in battles. They marched with George Washington and fought with Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans and also the Civil War. Over 33,000 gave their lives during the Civil War.
The Lecturer talked about Abraham Lincoln. Born on February 12, 1809. He loved to read. He had about one year of formal schooling and didn’t go to law school. He didn’t have military experience but did serve as a volunteer in “The Black Hawk War.” He passed the Illinois Bar. It required only evidence of moral character, though Lincoln was well read in the law. He became the sixteenth President. He freed the slaves in the Confederate Territory, not under Union control, with the Emancipation Proclamation. Full emancipation came in 1865 with the passage of the 13th Amendment. Abraham Lincoln’s simple rule, his wish: “Die when I may, I want it to be said of me, by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.”
The Lecturer read about St. Valentine and “Is It Love or Infatuation?” She told about George Washington, the Father of Our Country. He was a redhead and covered his head with a powdered wig. Some say he had false teeth. He was a farmer ahead of his time in rotating crops. He was shy and had a bad temper. People tried to make him king. His reply was “Banish the thought from your minds.” He submitted to the Constitution, and, with Congress, launched a republic Under God, with Liberty and Justice for all.
The Grange had delicious refreshments by Berta Burr. Our next meeting is March 12 with David Filkins in charge of the program, and Helen Filkins in charge of refreshments. It is also Photo Contest Night and Apple Pie Contest. Let’s have lots of entries.