Meeting Notes 5-4-17

Sorry this is late!

New Members: Sarah Kiracofe was voted and obligated in tonight, mother to members Jayna and Jaimie.

Committee Reports:

Sunshine– She was MIA for the meeting but sent word that she had sent out this months Birthday cards, Sympathy, Get Well Soon, and Thinking of You cards.

Juniors– April 18th was our Nature Conversations with the “Bat Lady”, everyone loved hearing about Bats and gardening. April 19th was our Weather Talks with Matt Denardo from Channel 6 News. We donated food to him for his food bank drive, and he recognized the Grange on several of his broadcast. May 2nd was our formal meeting and our craft for Mother’s Day, sorry its a secret till the Mother’s of the Grange receive their present from the Juniors.

Buildings & Grounds– Grass has been mowed, mulch was put down, and the fair building needs to be washed and painted for the season. Thank you to all that have helped with the mulch and to those who will volunteer for the fair building cleanup.

Communications:

Essays are in and have been decided on, winners will be announced.

Thank you card from Larry Donathan

Thank you card from Lucy Core for the Bunny Visit at Easter

Unfinished Business:

Breakfast with the Bunny was a great turnout, we had a total of 150 people participate and 6 new juniors applications. Thank you to those who helped in the kitchen, Kim for doing crafts and Robin for the photos of those who sat with the Easter Bunny.

Bunny at Lucy Core as always is a wonderful thing to see, if you have never helped with it you should! Jessica got to see Mrs. Fox and Rob got to see an previous neighbor of his. Everyone enjoyed their gifts from the Bunny and please come help next time, it is so rewarding.

Health Fair was not a great turn out but the vendors were amazing. If you missed it Rob (6’5″) went into the “Down and Out” House that the Fire Department brought to show kids how to escape a fire in a mock house. Rob tried to escape through a window that was child sized, very interesting. Let’s hope we get to see this again next year.

Kids Only Bingo was a great turn out and the children were great sportsmanship. We did more than the scheduled 10 games, and there was a lot of prize swapping between the kids. If a kid won more than once they offered their prize to those who didn’t win.

Citizens Award Dinner where we awarded Earl Spencer with the Citizens Award for donating Ice to the Grange at the Fair for the past 20 years! 5 year pins were handed out. Betty Rakley’s Son came to accept her 25 year pin on her behalf. Ernie was award this evening (5/4/17) her 55 year pin.

Lecturer’s Conference in PA was great, got to see some old friends and some folks who were related to others in VA. Took a tour of the wooden quilt blocks and made some of our own. Beach Community Grange will be hosting the 2019 Lecturer’s Conference so be ready!

We have WiFi!!! The Beach Community Grange has finally come into the 21st Century and has set up Wifi for the Building. There will be a Guest password for those who rent or Vendors for our Vendor Bingos and other events. If you have questions on this password please see Rob.

New Business:

Brunswick Stew will be May 28th and 29th. Prep is Sunday May 28th at 6pm and Cooking is Monday May 29th at 6am. We need volunteers for both days, please!

Dictionary Program is coming up again. Bruce Thompson called and wanted to make sure we are still doing our 8 schools this coming year. The Grange was also in the word of the day email from the Dictionary Program in April because they knew it was National Grange month. The word of the day was “Do-er” and Holden Grange in Massachusetts was featured.

Bingo next Friday (May 12) will be short staffed due to an obligation that many members need to attend. Kitchen staff will be covered, Nick will be on the floor and Janet will be calling. Sorry for the short handedness but we will make it through.

July 4th Fair Grounds Fireworks is in prep. Our application and payment has been delivered so we are ready to go to have our Fair Booth open. We need volunteers to help run the booth, Prep is the 4th at Noon to 1pm and Sales at 4pm. If you are volunteering please park at the baseball fields at Byrd High school and take the shuttle to Gate 3. Inform those at Gate 3 that you are with the Grange to help serve as a Vendor, and wear your Grange Shirt and Visor. June 3rd the inside of the building will be cleaned and June 17th or 18th we will move the soda machine. Volunteers will be needed for these dates as well.

First Tee Luncheon is coming up June 6th, so those who can volunteer to help serve lunch will be needed.

Basket Bingo’s and Vendor Bingo’s for next year are in prep. If you know of a non-profit non-government affiliated program that needs donations, please gather some information about them and turn it in to Melinda so it can be voted on as our folks we are sponsoring for these Bingo’s.

Farmers Market is paid for till April 30th of 2018, we have a center spot and will need volunteers to help run our table. Every Saturday the Farmers Market in Colonial Heights is open from 8:30am to 12:30pm. We will have a kit put together for those who will run the table, i.e.: brochures, member packets, table, banner, tent, etc. This is a way to get our information out there and to get back to our roots with Farmers.

Members Sick or in Distress:

Melinda’s Dad had surgery for his Bells Palsey on his eye, and he is doing great.

Jon Walters 98% blockage but came to the meeting and is looking good.

Cathy Maggard  still having issues with her back but doing good.

Literary Program:

Melinda passed out a flyer that gave information on Ticks and Lyme Disease. Virginia is a hot spot for Ticks with Lyme Disease and we all need to make sure this spring and summer that we are watching for Ticks. The flyer gave helpful tips on how to keep ticks at bay from your yard, what to do if you have or find a tick, and warning signs of Lyme Disease. Please keep a watchful eye on yourselves, children, elderly and pets.

Suggestions for the Good of the Order:

Check for Ticks!!!

 

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