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Phone: 717-589-3075 July - August 2009 Serving since 1919Visit our website @ www.perryvalleygrange.org

West Juniata Parkway & Owl Hollow Road, Millerstown, PA 17062

Celebrating Nine Decades of Service

Our Grange was organized on July 19, 1919, and is 90 years old this month. A gala anniversary banquet was held in May at the Walker Grange Hall in Mexico, Juniata

County……….how nice for our members to be able to sit back and let another group do the cooking, serving and clean-up! A 12-page historical booklet featuring a narrative history for

each decade and plenty of pictures was prepared for this special occasion. If you want a copy of the booklet, please contact Doug Bonsall (e-mail: douglas.b@verizon.net or phone: 717-921-

1957). This newsletter shares some other information about our nine decades of service.

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A View of our Grange Homes over 90 Years

The organizational meeting of the Grange in 1919 was held in Beaver’s School located just off what is now known as Old Ferry Road, Millerstown. After it was closed as a one-room school, the

building was a butchering shop. It now appears abandoned.

By the 1950’s the Grange was growing slowly and meetings were moved to the Ferrell’s School on Mountain Road, Millerstown.

Eventually the building was purchased from the School District by the Presbyterian Church and the Grange entered into an

agreement for joint use of the property. The Grange became the owner of the building in 1971 and shortly initiated plans for an addition. This groundbreaking ceremony took place in 1972.

The present Grange Hall at West Juniata Parkway & Owl Hollow Road, 2 miles east of Millerstown.

During the 1920’s and 1930’s Grange meetings were held in various rented or borrowed locations, including the Reward

School, now a private residence on Perry Valley Road. Throughout the 1940’s the Grange membership was very small

and meetings were held in the homes of its members.

Fire severely damaged the Grange Hall on Mountain Road in June, 1988, only 17 years after the Grange purchased the building as its first permanent home. Within six weeks of the fire, another ground

breaking ceremony for a brand new hall (below) was held at a piece of land owned by the Grange about 3 miles away.

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Highlights of 90th Anniversary Celebration – May 16, 2009

The anniversary cake was cut by brother and sister Bill Cameron and Reba Weimer who have been members of Perry Valley

Grange for 59 years. Bill served 11 years as local president and several terms as Pomona Grange president.

This husband and wife duo – Lesta Schreiber (seated) and Harry Schreiber (standing right) have both served as president of our

Grange. They were instrumental in the purchase of the Mountain Road Grange Hall and worked tirelessly building the addition and

raising the needed money. Here they receive congratulations from the Pennsylvania State Grange for 45 years of membership.

Making the presentation is Carol Kallenberger, president of the Perry County Pomona Grange.

Harriet Walker (left) receives her Golden Sheaf certificate and pin recognizing 50 years of continuous Grange membership. Harriet is

a past president of Community Grange and was active with the Perry Valleyettes Quartette after coming to Perry Valley.

Doug Bonsall (right) became a Grange member at the age of 15 and was honored for 40 years of membership. He is currently in his 19th year as president of the local Grange, is past president of the Pomona Grange and served in several State Grange offices.

Carol Gantt (right) receives a Silver Star certificate and pin in celebration of 25 years of membership. During many of these

years she has served as secretary and chaired the dining room.

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Over $2,000 Given to Various Causes This Spring

Summer Reading Programs

Again this summer Perry Valley Grange joined forces with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to support children’s reading programs at the Greenwood Elementary School (shown above) and at the Newport Public Library. Thrivent matched the Grange’s contribution of $500 so twice as many books could be purchased. Each participating child receives a book of their very own to encourage the development of lifelong good reading habits. A nameplate placed in the front of each book notes that it was donated by the Grange.

Two special “capital” appeals recently received generous contributions from our Grange.

The Newport Public Library needs $20,000 to replace its roof. (Above) Perry Valley Grange presented Library Board of Trustees treasurer Anita Kresge with $500 for this emergency need. This gift is in addition to the Grange’s annual support - $500 to fund the summer reading program and providing gallons of soup to feed hungry riders in the fall Bike-a-Thon.

The Perry County 4-H Rabbit Club’s project to replace worn and unsafe animal pens at the Perry County Fair received $250 from the Grange. (Right) Club president Michael Lindgren is all smiles as Grange Treasurer Barbara McMillen makes the presentation at our June picnic.

Below, the annual picnic lunch and program for residents of Perry Village in New Bloomfield was provided by the Grange on June 27th. A number of

Grangers enjoyed this afternoon of fellowship spent with the guests of the nursing home.

SSttuuddeenntt AAwwaarrddss Perry Valley continued its long tradition to recognize the outstanding achievements of local students by giving awards in both Greenwood and Newport High Schools this spring. The FFA and Vo-Tech Awards recognition included a $200 United States Savings Bond to each of the four recipients.

Outstanding Vocational-Technical Graduates Greenwood – Chelsea McNaughton of Thompsontown Newport – Jeffrey Ray Smith of Elliottsburg

Outstanding FFA Students Greenwood – Samantha Barrick of Millerstown Newport – Katie Peters of Newport

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This year our Grange will have an increased presence at the Perry County Fair! In addition to an educational exhibit and helping with the Pomona Grange concession, we’re also planning to sell homemade pie, ice cream and beverages from a trailer concession of our own. Help is needed for all projects!

Carol Gantt and Peg Bolton are in charge of the exhibit, which also will be taken to the Juniata County Fair in Port Royal during September. (Historical note – 2009 will be the 56th consecutive year that exhibits have been entered by our Grange in one or more local fairs.) Volunteers are needed to help with this project – planning, set-up, and take-down. The theme this year is Our Fairs in Full Bloom. The committee is open to all suggestions so please contact one of the committee if you have ideas for the display and/or want to help in some way.

Perry Valley will be responsible to staff the Pomona Grange concession stand at the Perry County Fair on Wednesday, August 19th from 4-10 PM and Saturday, August 22nd over the lunch hour. The proceeds of the project are used to purchase dictionaries for all third grade students in the county, to contribute to charitable appeals and to award a $100 scholarship each night of the fair to a 4-H or FFA member. Our local coordinator is Carol Gantt; call 567-6725 to volunteer.

Natalie Fritz is spearheading the pie concession as a fund raiser for our Grange after being offered free use of a fully equipped concession trailer. Here’s a tentative schedule:

• Sat., Aug. 15th – 2 p.m. Move in trailer, tables, chairs, etc.

• Mon., Aug. 17th – 5 p.m. Complete set up of trailer

• Tues.-Wed., Aug. 18th & 19th Open for business 4- 10 p.m.

• Thurs.-Fri., Aug. 20th & 21st Open for business 3:30-10:30 p.m.

• Sat., Aug. 22nd – Open 1-10:30 p.m. Three or four people are needed to staff the trailer while open for business. If sufficient volunteers can be scheduled, each day will be divided into two shifts.

Meanwhile, other volunteers are also needed each morning Tuesday through Saturday at 9 a.m. to bake the pies at the Grange Hall. Doug Bonsall is coordinating the baking part of the project and Carol Rhoades is in charge of transporting the finished pies from the hall to the fairgrounds. This new fund raising project needs your help to ensure its success.

Grange Essay & Poster Contests

All State Winners from Perry Valley Congratulations to these local elementary

school students who earned state awards in the 2009 Grange Essay & Poster Contests.

Posters: • 1st - Sarah Fisher (Greenwood) • 2nd – Miranda Fawver (Greenwood) • 3rd – Hailey Weller (Newport) • Honorable Mention – Abbie Good (Newport)

Essays: • 1st – Morgan Kauffman (Greenwood) • 2nd – Tori Hostler (Greenwood) • 3rd – Samantha Coletta (Newport) • Honorable Mention – Dena Fickes (Newport)

Volunteers are invited to help the Grange operate the Greenwood Area Recycling Project at the new Millerstown Park on West Juniata Parkway, just east of town. Collection starts at 8 AM and ends promptly at 10 AM. Afterward a brunch will be served at the Grange Hall to all volunteers helping this day.

This fun activity we’ve done each July for many years helps in some small way to keep our land a cleaner place by recycling glass, metals and paper. Contact Linda Byers (589-7889) to volunteer or for more details.

Safe Food Handling Course

Our Grange hosted another Safe Food Handling Course open to the public in May with several of our members participating again in the instruction. The instructor was Mark Hennessey from the PA Dept. of Agriculture. Food safety rules continue to become more and more stringent to protect the public.

Looking Ahead……….Our September meeting falls on (Friday) “9-11” so plans are being made to hold a patriotic program remembering those who died in the terrible events of September 11, 2001. Look for details in our next newsletter including information about “Operation Shoebox” to collect items for soldiers. We need names of any persons you know who currently serve in the military so they can be sent a box.

Greenwood RecyclingSaturday, July 25th

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Summer Events for Your Enjoyment

July 2009 6 Executive Committee & planning meeting – 7 PM

11 Poolside Picnic Wine Making Demonstration &

Dulcimer Entertainment At the home of Bill Cameron,

841 Pfoutz Valley Road, Millerstown (see details on page 13)

Social Committee – Rodney & Carol Rhoades (chairs), Bob & Barb Sheaffer, Olga Brookhart, Bob & Andrea Cameron, Debra Kinney & Thomas Stone, Kitty Smith

15 Housecleaning at the Grange Hall – 6 p.m. 25 Grange provides volunteers for Greenwood

Recycling – 8 AM @ Millerstown Park 28 Pomona Grange meeting at Shermanata –

7 PM talent contest

Financial Report

Checking Balance from 4/2009............... $14,813.37 PLUS: Receipts – May 2009............................+ 5,824.64 Receipts – June 2009...........................+ 6,757.21 LESS: Expenditures – May 2009......................- 3,959.65

Expenditures – June 2009.....................- 7,537.30 Checking Balance to 7/2009.................... $15,898.27 Certificates of Deposit............................. $34,291.66

Will You Help Us, Please? Our annual housecleaning work night will be held Wednesday, July 15th starting at 6 p.m. Volunteers ar e needed to help with a variety of small, easy tasks that must be done to keep the Grange Hall in tip-top shape. Young or old, there is something that everyone can do to help. Afterward pizza and beverages will be provided to everyone!

August 2009 15 A Summer Day’s Outing

Bus trip to Lewisburg & Williamsport Advance reservations by Aug. 1st required;

contact Peg Bolton @ 589-3897 (see details on page 13)

15 Initial set-up of pie concession trailer at fair 16 Set-up Perry County Fair Exhibit 17 Final set-up for pie concession at fairgrounds

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Perry County Fair, Newport Perry Valley operates pie concession at fair Pie baking each morning at the Grange Hall (see page 5 for more information)

23 Remove Perry County Fair Exhibit

We hope to add several work nights to the calendar in August when it will be time to pick, husk, cut and

freeze sweet corn to serve at banquets next winter. Obviously we don’t know the date(s) when the corn will

be ready, so expect a call! Supper will be provided!

In Loving Memory Our fraternal circle has been broken three times since our last newsletter with these deaths: • Mary Smith – currently serving as Pomona

and a faithful worker for almost 20 years. A Grange memorial service was conducted at the funeral home and a luncheon served after the burial. Mary requested memorials be made to the Grange; contributions may be sent to: Carol Rhoades, Financial Secretary 1436 Turkey Bird Rd. Newport, PA 17074

• Mildred Markle – a member for 34 years and a kitchen volunteer in earlier years.

• Martha McDermond – currently serving as Flora and a very active member for the past few years. She was faithful in sending cards and remembrances to our members and chaired the annual Daffodil Day sales to benefit the Cancer Society. A Grange memorial service was conducted at her viewing in the Myers Funeral Home.

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Poolside Picnic with Dulcimer Entertainment & Wine Program

Saturday, July 11th This summer we are having something different……a Saturday afternoon/evening swim party, picnic, wine making demonstration and entertainment by a dulcimer band. The event will be held at the home of Bill Cameron, 841 Pfoutz Valley Road, Millerstown and will take place “rain or shine” since Bill has a covered carport in case of rain. It promises to be a great evening of food and fellowship! Here’s the schedule – come when you can and stay as long as your schedule permits: • 4:00 p.m. - Gather for swimming, volleyball,

cheese/crackers and a sample of homemade wine made by Bill Cameron & Ron Makibbin.

• 5:00 p.m. – Picnic dinner. The Grange will furnish meat, beverage, and place settings.

• 6:00 p.m. – Demonstration on the making of homemade wine, a hobby that is growing in popularity. Then entertainment for your listening enjoyment will be provided by the Strung Out Dulcimer Band from Mifflintown.

Our own Grange member Dave Wyble (below, seated in the

foreground) is a member of the Dulcimer Band. Checklist of things to bring along: • a lawn chair, blanket or pillow • swim suit (if you want to “take a dip”) or a table game

if you prefer this type of activity • a casserole, salad or dessert to share for the meal • one pound of grapes (any color) for the wine making

demonstration

A Summer’s Day Lunch & Boat Cruise on the Susquehanna

Saturday, August 15th In August we’re planning a bus excursion to Lewisburg for lunch and an afternoon cruise on the Susquehanna River in Williamsport aboard the “Hiawatha” paddlewheeler. This trip is open to the public. Advance reservations are required for this trip aboard an air conditioned motor coach equipped with restroom and driven by our own Ron Makibbin. The cost will be $38 per person and includes bus transportation, lunch at the Country Cupboard in Lewisburg and admission to the Hiawatha. No reservation will be considered final until full payment has been received.

The Grange reserves the right to cancel the trip if at least 30 reservations are not received by August 1st. Checks will be held until that time and returned if the trip must be cancelled. Questions – call Peg Bolton at 589-3897.

Tentative Schedule 11:00 a.m. – *Leave Newport Park & Ride lot 12:00 noon – Lunch at Country Cupboard, Lewisburg 1:00 p.m. – Shopping time in the gifts shops 1:30 p.m. – Leave Lewisburg for Williamsport 2:15 p.m. – Board Hiawatha for afternoon cruise 3:30 p.m. – Exit boat/board bus for return trip 5:00 p.m. – Expected arrival time at Newport *Additional pick-up locations in Harrisburg, Dauphin and Liverpool will be available if interest warrants. Please indicate on your reservation where you would like to meet the bus.

Summer Outing Reservation Saturday, August 15th to Lewisburg/Williamsport Sponsored by Perry Valley Grange

Name ___________________ Phone _______ # of seats ___ ($38 each); $____ payment enclosed

Make checks payable to: Perry Valley Grange

Would like to meet bus at: ___ Harrisburg ___ Dauphin ___ Newport ___ Liverpool

Mail reservations/payment no later than 8/1/09 to: Peg Bolton 680 Mountain Rd., Millerstown, PA 17062

Questions? Call Peg at 589-3897.

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IInnssiiddee tthhiiss NNeewwsslleetttteerr,, yyoouu’’llll ffiinndd nneewwss aabboouutt…….. Pages 1-3 ................90th Anniversary Highlights ...... Grange Homes; Members Honored

Page 4 .................. Community Service Projects

Page 5 ... Fair Events, State Winners, Recycling

Pages 6-10 ..........................Business Sponsors

Page 11 ..................... More Business Sponsors .....July-August Birthdays/Anniversaries

Page 12 ........................... July-August Calendar................. Financial Report; In Memory

Page 13 ....Details - July Picnic/August Bus Trip E-mail Addresses Requested If you have an e-mail address and have not already shared it with the Grange, please send it to Doug Bonsall @ douglas.b@verizon.net. We hope to distribute future issues of this bimonthly newsletter via e-mail as soon as we obtain the necessary software to send large files like this electronically. This will save the Grange considerable time, effort and money. If you don’t have e-mail, your newsletter will continue to be mailed to you just as it has been.

PPeerrrryy VVaalllleeyy GGrraannggee IIddeeaallss A good Grange member: Places faith in God, Looks forward to the future, Helps those in need, and Is loyal to family, community and nation.

PPeerrrryy VVaalllleeyy GGrraannggee VViissiioonn Foster an atmosphere where individuals can

grow spiritually, intellectually and socially and, through that growth, improve

themselves, their families, communities and the nation.

If you’re interested in the future of our

Grange, please participate in the planning for 2010 & beyond that will take place on

Monday, July 6th beginning at 7 p.m. in the conference room. All members are invited.

PPeerrrryy VVaalllleeyy GGrraannggee ##11880044,, IInncc.. c/o Douglas A. Bonsall 300 Swatara Street, PO Box 765 Dauphin, PA 17018-0765

July-August 2009 Newsletter