Wow, on Monday we held our first in-person meeting since February 2020.  A handful of members were online, in some cases battling the challenges of low bandwidth, but nevertheless trying to be part of the group.  The chatter of unmutable voices greeting each other as brothers and sisters was a joy to hear.  Gathering together in fraternity once again and involving the entire family across the generations as we have for years was refreshing.

On Saturday, a smaller group gathered again in the home of one our members and we began preparing our application for the 2021 National Grange Distinguished Grange Award.  Again, it was a welcome sight to see a broad cross section of our membership working together to recall all of the things we have done through the past year and how they represented the ideals presented on the application.  Although we are not completely done we do have a great start and will be able to submit the online paperwork in a timely manner.

One comment that was made after the Saturday meeting centered on our Community Service during the last 12 months.  It was suggested that perhaps we actually did more than we had in previous years unaffected by COVID 19. In the opinion of this humble writer, that is true.  We each looked at the opportunities around us that could be effective forms of service and as individuals, united by the silken strands of fraternal obligation, we stepped forward to do what we can. It is my hope that we can continue, as Central Union Grange, to continue to answer the call to service for years to come.

July is swiftly approaching and with it come a special event for five of our members.  From here in the heart of California we will be winding our way to Sturgis, SD to participate in the National Grange’s Grange Revivial an organized campout that will include lots of fun activities and even a tour to Mt. Rushmore. From age 13 to 70+ we are eagerly awaiting our travels.

Likewise we are planning for the 2021 California State Grange Session and this year we will include a new selected delegate as well as planning to have our usual large number of entries in the California Grange Expo and the live California Granges’ Got Talent show. 

All I can say is despite our losses over the past 18 months we have emerged as a whole and active Grange and are ready to take on new challeges -including the 2022 National Grange session in Sparks, NV.  Look out, here we come!

As we continue on our journey through the land of Quarantine and Shelter In Place, there comes a time when we may feel we must break our bonds. It may come as a niggling feeling of unease, perhaps the need to laugh so that we don’t cry, or the realization that while we may be in the same boat, it doesn’t mean we are experiencing everything in the same way. Anger, appreciation, anxiety, and apprehension may all begin with the same letter, however that does not indicate they have the same meanings.

Sojourns through social media can inspire us.  We can see what others are doing to lend a hand in their community; help provide for the welfare of others; feed the needs (physical and emotional) of like minded people; and emulate those who are striving to do good works. Take the inspiration as you find it and act upon it in your life.

Through our own posts, we too can be inspiring. We may not know whom we touch, but our words and images may be just the balm that was needed to soothe deep wounds, bring a smile, rekindle a memory, or bring forth an opportunity for unification or growth. We can provide information, clarification, and support while being fair and honest. Yes, silly games, pictures of flowers, recipes, and messages of faith all have their place on this continuing passage from what was to what will be.  

One thing about social media, it allows for everyone to step onto their own private soapbox and express their point of view.  You, as the viewer, can either examine the viewpoint, add additional comments in support, step into the debate, or move on without comment. As Grange members, I will hope you keep faith, hope, charity, and fidelity in your heart as you respond and most of all remember to be kind.

For Central Union Grange our March meeting was scheduled for Monday March 16th, however on March 16th those over age 60 were told to stay home. Then group gatherings  of more than 10 people were curtailed, so after consultation with some of our membership we cancelled that meeting.

On Monday April 20th we will be holding a Zoom meeting for the first time. So we are making every effort to continue to grow our Grange. Just last weekend the California State Grange held their meeting via GoToMeeting. Last week the National Grange started offering online discussions and meetings using Facebook in combination with Zoom or YouTube. It is happening across the country.

Grange members have been firing up their sewing machines and make face masks for hospitals, healthcare workers, and first responders. We are checking on each other to make sure our seniors, families, and singles are doing well. 

Perhaps the most important message is to remember our principles of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Fidelity.  Make sure you are following the social distancing guidelines in your community which may include STAY HOME, take time for yourself, and wash your hands.  May you be safe and well. Until we meet again.

Friday the 13th of March brought many changes within our Grange community. As schools closed for the weekend emails went out to school employees to prepare for all classes and school activities in Kings County to be cancelled until April 14th. Soon afterward word came from schools in the city of Fresno confirming they too would be closed. Through the weekend additional school districts announced closures that closely aligned to the existing timeline. Churches reported that they would be moving to televised services where possible and most were closing until after Easter. On Sunday. California Governor Newsom, requested anyone 65 years of age and older to self-quarantine, all bars, breweries, and winery tasting rooms to close, and for restaurants to cut their in-house dining seating in half. Meetings of 50 or more people were limited and everyone was asked to social distance about 6 feet apart.

While this was all happening we also saw a change in the weather. Gray clouds started gathering and the winter storm door was finally opened. Snow is falling again in the Sierra Nevada range at about 5,000 ft. elevation. Rain has been steadily falling across the valley. This is definitely something to celebrate for agriculture. Those of us who are school employees are glad we do not need to “enjoy” a rainy day schedule.

Today we made the decision to cancel our regular meeting. With the change in weather, recommendations for older members, and general guidelines recommending not to gather in groups of more than 10, we felt it was appropriate to stay home this evening.

One of the most important pieces of information to keep in mind is if we all abide by the guidelines, recommendations, and suggestions and the havoc anticipated does not happen we will not know if we did the right thing, however if we do not follow the recommendations and the worst comes to pass, we will know that we should have followed the advice.

Please use common sense; stay home if you can; share reliable information; watch over those who are at risk; and as they said on TV, “Be safe out there.”

Winter started well last year. We had snow pack reports showing over 100% of normal and the western hills began turning green with the rains coming frequently enough to germinate the seasonal plants.  Then just before the first of the year the storms stopped. On January 2nd the California snowpack was at 97% of normal. However, locally we had only .4 of an inch in January and nothing so far in February. It looks like the forecast is predicting less than a 1/4 inch for this Saturday, but nothing else in the near future. 

We don’t like to bandy the word drought around, but it is not looking favorable for more storage in the Sierra Nevada range, unless of course we get a “Miracle March”.  Photographs from 2019 and 2020 taken at the same locations in the Sierras show patches of snow and plenty of bare ground where last year drifts of snow lay 6 foot deep or more. 

California gets about 75% of it annual precipitation between December and March so the lack of rain and snow is stressful.  Currently most of reservoirs are filled, so it is not yet a dire situation, however the state gets 30% of its water needs from the annual snowfall as it melts and provides runoff to the rivers, streams, and reservoirs. We will be keeping our fingers crossed. The good news is additional water storage space appears to be coming soon, so that we can meet the needs of agriculture, metropolitan communities, recreation, and wildlife (not necessarily in that order.

Central Union Grange #559 is a small Grange in the heart of California’s Central Valley.  Our home base is Lemoore, Ca, but our membership comes from an area over 90 miles across. We have members of all ages, including farmers, teachers, retirees, newlyweds, and business people.  We come together in service to our community, supporting issues that resonate with our membership, and family fellowship.  What makes us different from many Granges is for the past 30 years or more we have not owned a hall. We meet once a month at the Veteran’s Memorial Hall in Lemoore and we share a closet with several other groups where we store our regalia.

In 2018 we applied for and received the Distinguished Grange honor from the National Grange. In 2019 a committee made up of a wide cross-section of our membership worked together to submit our application and we were again selected as one of 32 Distinguished Granges across the nation.  We are looking forward to submitting a new application this year.

We are proud of what we have accomplished and we look forward to helping re-establish a Grange presence in adjoining Fresno and Kings Counties. 

We’re your neighbors

The Grange is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in more than 2,100 hometowns across America. We have nearly 153 years of history, a spirit of grassroots advocacy, and a fraternal spirit that we’re happy to share with you.

To learn more about the Grange, read our Declaration of Purposes) or download a membership brochure . You can also learn more about Grange Youth for those 14 to 30 years of age and Junior Grange for children 5 to 14 . Grange members enjoy many benefits, including discounts on energy, vacations and medical services. To learn more, read our member benefits brochure .

We’d love to tell you about the exciting opportunities the Grange offers. Stop by a meeting anytime. They’re always open to the public. If you’d prefer to support rural America and agriculture on your own time, you can look into E-Membership. E-Members enjoy the same benefits as community Grange members and have all materials delivered to their inbox. American Values. Hometown Roots.