Friday Update: I have a yellowed newspaper article regarding a meeting held at Valley Grange in 1883. The reporter included this:  “…many thought that owing to the bad condition of the roads our numbers would be small; nevertheless at 10 o’clock nearly all had gathered with their families, for we had learned, as our worthy Master said, ‘that a granger’s horse could go where no other could.’”

In the spirit of our forefathers, we are not cancelling tonight’s meeting!

In case you missed it… it’s not to late to grab a copy of the Piscataquis Observer and read the feature story by Emily Adams regarding Ms. Deering and our January Program! Read that article and you’ll surely want to attend “How to handle the tough stuff” on Friday, January 21st. Bring a dish to share and come at 6 PM for a community potluck supper and fellowship. The meeting will begin at 7 PM and there’s room for everybody! You’ll help stamp out cabin fever, have some fun, and learn some really good stuff in the process!

By the way, if you still have your Christmas cards, you can help us with a very simple community service project. Award winning community service chair Mary Annis has another great opportunity. Mary says, “For our Grangers who hate to throw away their Christmas cards, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children collects them and uses them to make new cards for sale.  Any type of card is needed… cut the front of the card and make sure there is not writing or printing on the back side… 5″ x 7″ or smaller is preferred.”

Operated by Kids, Corp., a program for the children at St. Jude’s Ranch to learn entrepreneurship skills, the children participate in making the new cards by removing the front and attaching a new back. The result is a beautiful new card made by the children and volunteers. The benefits are two-fold: customers receive “green” holiday cards for use and the children receive payment for their work and learn the benefits and importance of “going green,” Basic information regarding the program is available at the St. Jude’s Ranch website. Bring yours to the January meeting and we’ll make a boxful!