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!