Plumsteadville Grange Newsletter – July, 2014

 


 

    Box 335, 5901 Easton Road (Rte 611), Plumsteadville, PA 18949 – www.plumsteadvillegrange.org

 

 

July 9, 2014 – Plumsteadville Grange

  • Monthly Meeting – 7:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall Program Awarding of 2014 Ellen Elaine Crooke Scholarships and presentations by 4H Beef Club members with leader Annette Crooke

 

No Meeting in August – Please volunteer at the Middletown Grange Fair!

 

September 10, 2014 – Plumsteadville Grange

  • Monthly Meeting – 7:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall Program – to be announced

 

PLUMSTEADVILLE GRANGE FARM MARKET

Market continues each Saturday

Farm Market upcoming events

  • July 5 – Lou Pompillio Jazz Musician

  • July 12 – George Thompson and friends Guitar / songs
  • Like us on Facebook for the latest details

MIDDLETOWN GRANGE FAIR – SNACK BAR

HELP NEEDED for our major fundraiser of the year –

August 13-17, 3014. To volunteer and receive a parking pass, please contact

Steve Byrne at 267-408-9367 or


[email protected]

 


 

THANK YOU TO THE 4-H TEEN COUNCIL

Members of the

Bucks County 4-H teen council

recently weeded and planted flowers to beautify the grounds around our our hall – Thank you!!

 

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4TH OF JULY !!

FROM THE MASTERS DESK

JAMES E. DIAMOND, MASTER, PLUMSTEADVILLE GRANGE #1738

 

Raymond Gross Bequest. I am pleased to inform the members of Plumsteadville Grange #1738 that a letter was received from Luray A. Gross, Executor for the Estate of Raymond C. Gross

announcing the estate of Raymond Gross bequeathed a generous donation to the Grange. Per

the Executor Luray Gross, “We trust this bequest will, in a small way, further the work of Plumsteadville Grange as it supports the community and enriches the lives of its members.” Involvement in the Subordinate, Pomona, State and National Grange was a significant part of the Raymond Gross Family lifestyle. I personally have a myriad of fond memories of late Rachael and Raymond Gross at the various Grange events and meetings. I also had the privilege of observing their five wonderful daughters unfold into respectable and successful adults. On the whole, Raymond Gross has left a legacy at Plumsteadville Grange that is an inspiration to the future growth of the Grange and surrounding community.

 

Thank you. In October 2014 Plumsteadville Grange will accept new leadership. It has been truly an honor and privilege to serve as Master of Plumsteadville Grange #1738 during the past four years. I am quite confident that the Plumsteadville Grange will continue being a community center and provide local leadership that benefits residents in Plumsteadville, Plumstead Township and surrounding municipalities. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Master. I look forward to continued membership and participation in Grange endeavors and will certainly support the new leadership team when they are elected in September. Plumsteadville Grange members are the greatest!

 

 

 

FROM THE DESK OF MARGUERITE QUINN

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 143RD LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

 

Bucks County Medication Disposal Permanent Collection Boxes

 

Pennsylvania recently launched a permanent statewide drug take-back program that will provide up to 250 secure medicine return boxes throughout the Commonwealth. The new MedReturn boxes, installed in Bucks and 28 other counties, allow individuals to dispose of unused and expired prescription and over-the-counter medication safely and anonymously.

 

This is an important step in addressing Pennsylvania’s public health and safety concerns regarding prescription drug abuse and misuse, especially among young people who don’t have to look further than their own family’s medicine cabinet. Additionally, proper disposal of these products is the best practice for our environment. Flushing unwanted medications puts chemicals and potentially dangerous materials into our ground water, even if your home is serviced by sewer. Eventually the water is recycled back into our creeks, streams and waterways.

 

Medications accepted in the MedReturn boxes include prescription medications, patches and ointments, as well as over-the-counter medications, vitamins, samples and pet medications. Medications not accepted include needles, inhalers, aerosol cans and thermometers. Under the program, all pharmaceutical drugs being disposed of need to be in a sealed container, such as the original bottle or a zip-lock bag. They may not be disposed of loosely.

 

It’s up to all of us to keep our communities safe. Making the most of the MedReturn program is just one small part of making that possible. For more information on the Bucks County Medication Disposal Program, or any state-related topic, please contact my district office in Doylestown at 215-489- 2126. I also encourage you to visit RepQuinn.net or Facebook.com/RepQuinn.

MedReturn Box Locations in my Legislative District:

 

  • Buckingham Township Police Department

    613 Hughesian Drive Lower Level, Buckingham

    215-794-8812

  • Bucks County Courthouse

    55 East Court Street, Doylestown

    215-348-6000

  • Doylestown Township Police Department 425 Wells Road Doylestown

    215-348-9915

  • Plumstead Township Building 5186 Stump Road Plumsteadville 215-766-8741

 

PLUMSTEADVILLE GRANGE MINUTES

The minutes for the June 2014 meeting of the

Plumsteadville Grange as recorded by Karen Moss,

secretary, are included in their entirety. Plumsteadville Grange #1738 met Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 7:30 pm. Present    Men – 5 Women –

8 , Youth – 3 Total – 16

 

OPENING: The Grange opening ceremony was led by Master Jim Diamond, followed by the roll call of officers and committee members. Minutes of the previous meeting of May 2014 were mailed/emailed with the monthly newsletter.

 

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Present Master James Diamond, Overseer Donald Steeley, Assistant Steward Don Moss, Treasurer Jim Lomax, Secretary Karen Moss, Greeter Katie Graham, Ceres Ruth Steeley, Flora Jane Birk, Musician Betty Diamond.

GUESTS: Dave Horne, neighbor of the Diamonds, Linda Ochoco and her daughters, Madison, Gabrielle and Sydney.

 

PROGRAM:    Madison Ochoco spoke about her experience as Middletown Grange Fair Queen for 2013 and the books she has written and illustrated for children about the fair experience. Sydney Ochoco presented a timely, excellent and informative program on strawberries. Following the program, Linda Ochoco presented to Plumsteadville Grange member, Don Moss, the Bucks County 4H Community Assistance Award for 2013.

 

 

 

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES:

 

Deaf Activities/Fish Fry: A check for $1,000 has been sent to the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. We have not heard back from them about how it will be used.

 

Farm Market: Meg Lomax reported that we had a good opening of the Market. A tree planting demonstration was given by the Bedminster Land Conservancy. The tree was planted with a ceremony in the memory of Ellen Crooke.

 

Building and Maintenance & Grounds: Steve Byrne and his son Brandon (who has a landscaping business) have leveled and seeded the grassy area between the Grange building and the barn. Steve is mowing the lawn for us and has done beautiful work on the plantings around the apartment building. The 4H Teen Council has weeded and replanted the beds around the Grange building.

 

Agriculture Committee: Reporting that the corn is doing well this year but that it is a poor year for strawberries.

 

Legislative Report: Reporting that there is no agreement on the PA Ag budget. Jim Diamond reported that Tom Corbett is speaking at colleges about his Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program, which will provide an additional $25 million for middle income students who want to enrich their learning experience with a two or four year degree. These grants would award up to $2,000 dollars and would go directly to academically achieving students who otherwise may not be able to attain enough financial aid.

Grange Fair Snack Booth: The agreement for this year’s snack bar has been signed with Middletown Grange. The menu will remain the same.

 

REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

Ellen Elaine Crooke Scholarship: This year there will be two recipients; more information at next month’s meeting.

 

COMMUNICATIONS: We received a note from the Brownies who meet at the Grange building thanking

us for allowing them to use the building and asking what they can do to help us.

 

TREASURER REPORTS: Jim Lomax reported expenditures of $5,872.35 and income of $5,560.07 during the month of May. Our major expenses were the donation of $1,000 to the Intermediate Unit and

$932 for quarterly dues payment to the State

Grange.

 

NEW BUSINESS: The Farm Market Banners are wearing out. There was a motion made, seconded and passed to buy a new banner. Don Moss is making the arrangements.

 

The August meeting will be cancelled because the Middletown Grange Fair is that week. Jane Birk reminded us that we need to choose who we are sending to the State Grange meeting in Reading at the July Meeting.

MEMBERS SICK OR IN DISTRESS: Lillian Shull has returned home and is recovering.

 

Respectfully submitted, Karen Moss, Secretary.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Each year, millions of people enjoy Pennsylvania’s nearly

    9,500 registered amusement

    rides and attractions inspected by more than 1,400 certified professional private industry inspectors.

 

  • According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, PA is ranked fourth in the nation for nurseries, greenhouses, floriculture and sod production with more than 944,000 operations providing products across the globe.

 

  • According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture more than 1.5 million pounds of strawberries are harvested in PA each year which brings in more than $11.3 million to PA’s economy. Ounce for ounce, strawberries have more Vitamin C than citrus fruit and are excellent source of dietary fiber, potassium, and

    Vitamin A. One cup of fresh, sliced strawberries contains only 50 calories.

 

 

 

SCAM ALERT: PHONE SCAM ALLEGING ASSOCIATION WITH USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY

It has been brought to the attention of USDA’s Farm

Service Agency (FSA) that a phone scam is being perpetrated on FSA customers.

 

The caller, who identifies themselves as a Farm Loan Services representative out of Washington, D.C. states that FSA “owes” you disaster assistance funds and proceeds to request your checking account information or requests a credit card number alleging that funds will be credited to these accounts.

 

SHOULD YOU RECEIVE A SIMILAR CALL, DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, PROVIDE PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO THE CALLER.

 

DANBORO 4-H NEWS

Members participated in District Fashion Revue held

at the Montgomery Extension Office. Danboro Junior

Winners were: Logan Sudholz, Isabelle Congdon, and Sydney Ochoco. Danboro Seniors were Angela Williams, Madison

Ochoco. Senior Alternates include Elizabeth Wilshire and Christina Williams.

 

Don Moss was presented with Danboro 4-H’s Community Assistance Award at the June 2014 Grange Meeting –

Pictured with Don

are Linda Ochoco,

Danboro $-H leader and daughter Madison,4-H alum and 2013 Middletown Grange Fair Queen.

NEWSLETTER

Have something to share? Want to get the newsletter

via email? Contact Jane Birk at 610-657-7668 or

[email protected]

 

USE OF THE GRANGE HALL:

If you know of a group needing a meeting place, or

to inquire about hall rental for an event, contact Meg Lomax at Meg Lomax at 215-766-9801 or [email protected]

 

2014 QUILT RAFFLE

Quilt raffle tickets are available at all Grange events –

$2 each or three for $5 – who wouldn’t want to win a beautiful work of art!

Sales have been brisk so far – let’s keep the momentum going.

 

 

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK – We welcome members, friends and market vendors to post your comments. Search for “Plumsteadville Grange” or “Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market”

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO ALL PLUMSTEADVILLE GRANGE MEMBERS WHO

HAVE A BIRTHDAY IN JULY 2014. George Burns once

said, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”

BUCKS COUNTY POMONA GRANGE FUNDS SCHOLARSHIP AND MORE!

At a luncheon meeting held on June 28, 2014 at Plumsteadville Grange, Bucks County Pomona Grange made the final payment to fund an endowed scholarship at Delaware Valley College.    Funds were raised by pizza booth sales at the Middletown Grange Fair as well as additional contributions by individual donors and accumulated interest.

 

Additionally, donations were made to the following service organizations: Bucks County 4-H, PA State Grange Deaf Activities, A Woman’s Place, Habitat for Humanity, Chandler Hall, Discovery Projects, Meals on Wheels – Woodside. Meals on Wheels – Central Bucks, Meals on Wheels – Riegelsville. And Peace Valley Nature Center.

 


Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market

 

Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

 

Buy LOCAL and FRESH

 

Vegetables – Fruit – Eggs – Honey – Preserves – Jams – Pickles Baked Goods- Cheese -Flowers – Crafts – Art Pottery -Alpaca Products

Dog Biscuits – Woodwork – Tea Room – Knitting Workshop

 

Try your hand at pottery with Gloria Kosco Continues every Saturday till Oct 25th – 9 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLUMSTEADVILLE GRANGE # 1738

BOX 335, 5901 EASTON RD.

PLUMSTEADVILLE, PA 18949

 

 

 

 

WWW.PLUMSTEADVILLEGRANGE.ORG

 

 

PLUMSTEADVILLE GRANGE #1738

ACHIEVEMENTS

 

MISSION: The Plumsteadville Grange is a local non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in local communities through educational, social and legislative activities; promoting community activities; advancing the cause of agriculture in rural and suburban communities; developing rural and suburban leadership; and acting as presenters in public affairs.

 

“JOB WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS”

 

The members of Plumsteadville Grange #1738 are to be highly commended for developing, adopting and implementing a plan of work that includes the following components: Mission, Goals and Activities. The following describes the achievements of Plumst4eadville Grange members beginning 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2014. PATRONS, CONGRATULATIONS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!

James E. Diamond, Master

 

GOALS and Activities — (1 October 2010 – 30 September 2014)

 

 

GOAL 1 – Sponsored Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market

  • Open from 9:00-12:30 p.m. every Saturday beginning the last Saturday of May to the last Saturday of October.
  • Employed a person to open and close the Farm Market

    throughout the 20-week season. Each vendor is assessed

    $1.00 per week to offset the $20.00 per week cost.

 

GOAL 2 – Sponsored a Food Booth at Middletown Grange Fair

a. Major fund raising activity. All laborers are volunteers.

 

GOAL 3- Support Community Service Programs

  • Created and displayed heritage quilt block on front of Grange Hall
  • Published monthly Plumsteadville Grange Newsletter
  • Planted a maple tree in memory of Ellen Elaine Crooke
  • Improved awareness of the Grange to community members
  • Promoted the Plumsteadville Grange Armed Services Project
  • Sponsored four annual Christmas dinners and plays
  • Provided financial support to all State and Subordinate Grange appeals.
  • Rent the Grange to a local church for Sunday morning services.

 

GOAL 4 – Sponsored Fund Raising Events

  • Sponsored weekly quilting bee. Yearly tickets are sold to raffle off a quilt.
  • Supported the Pomona Grange Pizza Booth at Middletown

    Grange Fair

  • Sponsored several fish fries to raise funds for the hearing impaired
  • Served several dinners to various groups in Bucks County
  • Rented the Grange Hall to groups fore meetings and family celebrations.

 

GOAL 5 – Established Grange Administrative Policies

  • Established a Plumsteadville Grange web site
  • Acquired a power point projector for the Grange Hall.
  • Changed monthly meeting nights from second Friday to second Wednesdays
  • The Executive Committee reviewed the documents prepared

    by Jerry Krone followed by a brief discussion. The Committee recommended that Jerry Krone be commended for the time and effort he dedicated to preparing these detailed documents.

GOAL 6 – Maintained Buildings and Grounds

  • Installed new heater into apartment house
  • Purchased new stove for upstairs apartment
  • Employed janitorial services for Grange Hall
  • Refinanced the Berger Mortgage with Team Capital Bank for apartment house
  • Acquired a weed whacker donated by Donl Moss
  • Installed outdoor motion sensitive lights on the two back ends of the Grange Farm Market Barn
  • Electric units were installed in men and

    women’s restrooms.

    • Installed water in Farm Market Barn
  • Installed concrete slab on side of Farm Market Barn.

 

GOAL 7 – Promote Youth Programs

  • Helped to establish the Bucks County Pomona Grange Endowed Scholarship in memory of Harold Steeley

    at Delaware Valley College

  • Established the annual Ellen Elaine Crooke Scholarship Program
  • Raised funds to support deaf children in Bucks County public schools via Bucks County Intermediate Unit.
  • Supported Danboro 4-H Club by allowing them to use the Grange Hall for their meetings free of charge.
    • Bucks County 4-H leadership team maintained ornamental

gardening on sides and front of Grange Hall

 

GOAL 8 – Organize and Implement Membership Endeavors

  • Welcome six new members of all ages to the Grange annually.

 

GOAL 9 – Organize and Implement Membership Endeavors

a Plumsteadville sponsored Meg .Lomax as a strong candidate for recognition as Granger of the Year in the State of Pennsylvania.

  • Master Jim Diamond published in the Grange Advocate a “VIEWPOINT: Young Married Couples Are the Lifeblood of a

    Grange”

 

PLUMSTEADVILLE GRANGE #1738

 

 

%JAMES E. DIAMOND, PRESIDENT

35 Tabor Road

Ottsville, PA 18942

Telephone: (610) 847-0867 E-mail: [email protected]

 

 

15 June 2014

 

Dear Patrons of Husbandry:

 

I am pleased to inform you that the Plumsteadville Grange #1738 Executive Committee has nominated the following individuals to serve the designated office for a two year term beginning in October 2014 and ending in September 2016. I am confident that each of the nominees is capable of carrying out the duties and responsibilities of their respective office as described herein.

 

Being a part of the Plumsteadville Grange Officer team is both a privilege and honor. It’s an opportunity to serve the membership and community. The following slate of nominees have the potential to make a difference and move Plumsteadville Grange forward with a program of activities that will serve members, community and county.

 

Please note there are no nominees for the offices of Steward and Gatekeeper (Greeter). The Executive Committee discussed the purpose and role of both the Gate Keeper and Steward. It was decided that due to changes taking place in the State Grange, it would be best to eliminate these two Grange positions.

 

Each officer should make every effort to attend the twelve (12) regularly scheduled monthly meetings and an occasional (as needed only) officers meeting. For whatever reason a nominee not able to serve the office nominated, please inform the President as soon as possible. Good luck to each nominee during the
officer elections in July 2014. Other nominations may be made from the floor before the election.

 

Table 1. Plumsteadville Grange slate of officers by offices, nominees and job description

 

Office

Nominee

Job Description

President

Jane Birk

All connected with Plumsteadville Grange and those outside the

Grange will diligently scrutinize each act of the President. The

President must keep an open mind among the members and encourage improvement. Maintain order in the Grange, and enforce obedience to the Constitution and Laws of the Order. Decide all questions with calmness and firmness, grant the right of appeal courteously, and abide decisions against you cheerfully.

Overseer

Don Steeley

See that the orders of the President are faithfully transmitted to

the Laborers as described in the Grange Manual. In the absence

of the President to take his/her place.

Lecturer

Katie Graham

The Lecturer is assigned the important duty of leading in the

literary program and the educational work of the Grange. To this

end the Lecturer should be prepared at all regular meetings, as time will permit, with a program of activities.

Assistant

Don Moss

The Assistant Steward opens and closes the bible on the alter,

Steward

participate in draping the Charter, presenting and retiring the

American flag and presents special guests to the Presidents station

Lady Assistant

Darlene Quiring

The Lady Assistant Steward is to assists in keeping the sashes and

Steward

decorations of the Grange, open and close the bible on the alter,

participate in draping the Charter, presenting and retiring the

American flag and presents special guests to the Presidents station.

 

Chaplain

Tony Townsend

The Chaplain offers the opening and closings prayer at each

Grange meeting and brings to the Presidents attention a

notification to drape the Charter upon the death of a fellow

Grange member as directed in the Grange Manual.

Treasurer

Jim Lomax

The treasurer has Grange member’s confidence in his/her honesty

and integrity to keep the Grange accounts in order, deposits

promptly recorded and funds safely secured and ready for needed

payments.

Secretary

Karen Moss

The secretary has the most arduous duty of all, requiring

judgment, promptness and efficiency. She/he becomes the organ

of the Grange through communications and keeping accurate

records of the Grange. The secretary records meeting minutes,

reports    Grange    communications,    processes    membership applications, submits Pomona and State Grange reports and other

duties.

Ceres

Meg Lomax

The ancients worshipped Ceres as a Goddess presiding over

cereals. A female always presides in this position to show respect

for her and regard for Agriculture. Ceres plays an important role

in draping of the Charter as described in the Grange Manual.

Pomona

Toni Kellers

The ancients worshipped Pomona as a Goddess presiding over

fruits as a reminder that fruits are to receive special attention

and care. A female always presides in this position and is

urged    to    encourage women to engage in cultivation and

improvement of fruits where practicable and proper.    Placing

fruits in Pomona’s care is a reminder that no tree bears fruit in

autumn, which do not blossom in the spring.

Flora

Linda Kling

The ancients worshipped Flora as a Goddess presiding over

flowers. A female always presides in this position and she is

urged to cultivate the most beautiful expressions of the Creator’s

goodness to prompt her associates to adorn their homes with

flowers.

Executive

Don Steeley

Executive Committee members carry important duties and

Committee

responsibilities.    They are responsible for the custody of the

invested funds of the Granges and are expected to offer advice

and counsel. The Committee in conjunction with the President is

authorized, between meetings of the Grange, in time of

emergency or need, to act for and in the name of the Grange

itself.

Musician

Betty Diamond

The Musician has the opportunity to share musical talents with

the members of the Grange. It is his/her duty to select appropriate

marches and aid the Lecturer in presenting musical portions of the

programs. Music touches the mood of people