Christmas Parties Galore!

Last week, I had the privilege of attending two Grange Christmas parties!

The first, was Monday night at Arcadia Grange. They were celebrating Christmas, but also, honoring the Hege's and all they have done for the organization over the years. The children sang and signed songs for everyone and a few of the women performed as well. We really appreciate them inviting us there!







Then, on Tuesday I attended Cape Fear Grange's (Adult) Christmas party. This new Grange planned TWO Christmas parties! One for the adults, and one for the teenagers after school, the following day. The adults gathered at Sammio's restaurant in Fayetteville, for a fun night and good food! Thanks for having me!

2010 Places Announced!

At the Board meeting in Lake Junaluska this past weekend the Board has decided to host Family Conference at Lake Junaluska, April 9-11th!



They also decided to host State Convention at the University Hilton in Charlotte, September 16-19th!



Pack your bags and mark your calendars :-)

Grand Rapids Wrap Up!

Well, it's Monday, and were back at work in NC. Here's a few photos from Friday and Saturday night at National Convention. It was a wonderful time, in a nice city!



Jimmy Gentry, NC Grange President, and his wife Anita at the dance


Curtis and Evelyn, NC members, at the dance


NC members after the banquet



Courtney Gray, our NC talent winner performing at the Evening of Excellence




*All photos by JJ Horton Photography

2009 National Convention Update!

We've been keeping busy here at the National Grange Convention! Here are a few of the highlights!


They delegates have been busy with session. This is the same room the National Grange Convention was held in, in the 1950's!



David and Crystal Allen have been manning the 2010 National Convention booth in the Idea Fair. Here they are posed with the banner, displaying the logo for next year.



Today the Junior Grangers went to the Van Andel Museum in downtown Grand Rapids. There, they have a 1928 restored carousel, and our Juniors had a fun time riding it! Here's our own Taryn Wevil, and a new Granger friend she's made this week.



Here's Josh Dixon, having a good time at the museum with some other Juniors.

Greetings from Grand Rapids, Michigan!

Hello all!
National Convention is well underway here at the Amway Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids. The committees have been busy and much fun is being had. The NC bus is touring Cleveland, Ohio today and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They'll be arriving here in Michigan shortly after noon tomorrow. We haven't heard from them, so we'll assume things are going great!

On another note, it's cold here. It's windy here. I do already miss the 70+ degree days we've been having in NC. But this trip did give me the opportunity to spruce up my winter wardrobe. So far, those fleece lined pants have already been handy!

That's all for now. I'll leave you with the view from my hotel room :-)

Welcome Leslie Rush!

We have a new face on board with us! Leslie Rush is our newest team member, filling the role of Administrative Assistant. She is in high spirits and very enthusiastic about her new job. She is a California native, and moved to NC in 1999. She has been a legal secretary, and was looking for a new opportunity, and found us! She currently lives on a dairy farm in Cleveland, NC.

We're excited to have you here, Leslie!!

We Have New Officers!

We survived our 2009 State Convention! We had a very busy time getting all our business taken care of this weekend, but we made it!

We had a full election this year, so we have some new exciting officers to announce!

Here's the full list: The bolded ones, are NEW! :-)

President: Jimmy Gentry, re-elected
Chairman of the Board: Charles Forrister, re-elected
Vice Chairman of the Board: John Suther, re-elected
Vice President: Ned Hudson, re-elected
Treasurer: Jack McKee, re-elected
Secretary: Deb Welch, newly elected
Assistant Steward: Valentin Deleon, newly elected
Ceres: Dianne Hudson, re-elected
Chaplain: Josh Barfield, newly elected
Flora: Carolyn Jernigan, newly elected
Pomona: Francis Suther, re-elected
Greeter: Martha Suther, newly elected
Lady Assistant Steward: Crystal Allen, re-elected
Program Director: Margaret Davidson, re-elected
Steward: Sidney Albright, re-elected

Greetings from the 81st Annual State Convention!

Hello All! We are having an exciting time here in Fayetteville. Many of us arrived yesterday, we were busy setting up contest rooms, exhibits, and registering the delegates and nondelegates.

Today, we've been busy debating issues in committees, listening to workshops and doing some tasting of some wonderful sweets tonight at our tasting party of all the fantastic baking entries!

Tonight we presented some awesome awards at dinner and heard from our National Grange Representatives, Jeff and Nancy Swainston.

Here's a few pictures!

Get In the Giving Spirit!

Head over here to read about how bad the Wake County Salvation Army needs our help! Take a moment, make a small (or large!) donation to help them get this building to look like this!

National Convention Bus Trip!

Hello All!
Here is the tentative rundown for our trip to Nationals this year....

Where? Grande Rapids, Michigan- pack those coats!
When? November 16-22
Who? Anyone who wants to ride!

Join us on our bus trip this November, you'll see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, take a sight seeing cruise on Lake Erie, and see what Grande Rapids, Michigan has to offer!

Cost?
Quad Room- $385
Triple Room- $459
Double Room- $609
Single Room- $1095

This cost covers your ride on the bus, hotel accommodations for 6 nights and all attractions. You will need to bring money for food and spending.

Email Jessica at jlnewton@ncgrange.com for registration forms!

August Heat!

Our office is hot with commotion from all of us getting ready and gearing up for State Convention!
It officially starts one month from today! Wow! Where has the time gone? Seems like yesterday, we were in Hickory!

Remember to get those resolutions turned in by SEPTEMBER 1st!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Allison might have to hurt you if those hit her desk late!

Please send in your registrations ASAP for convention. We need counts for meals and rooms!

Hello Again!

Us here. Still at Grange Camp!

We have all survived the misquotes, but we've almost lost a few!

Here are a few more pictures :-)

"Super Hero Night" (Tuesday) The Youth Team were the "Power Grangers"


Climbing the Wall!


High Ropes!


Beautiful Blue Skies on Thursday at the High Ropes Course!


Model Grange


State FFA Officers were our special guests this week!


Youth President, Josh Barfield


Jr Grangers Marching


Youth Officers


Juniors


Youth


Youth Team


Staff! :-)

Hello From Eastern 4-H Center!

Greetings!

We are having a wonderful time here at Grange Camp! We made it through Sunday and Monday, and are now tackling Tuesday! Here are a few pictures so far.

Youth Team Introductions


Kayaking


Low Ropes

NC Zoo Honey Bee Exhibit

Allison and I got up early to leave Beaufort County and head to NC Zoo in Asheboro. The NC Grange made a monetary contribution to the new Honey Bee Exhibit, and Allison and I got to attend the opening! It was really neat to be a part of an exhibit opening at the zoo! (even if it was almost 100 degrees!!!)

Here are some pictures!

Playing Catch up....

Lots to fill you all in about!

First- The Board Meeting in Washington, NC

We (the NC Grange Board of Directors, Allison, Mark and I) all made the trip out to Beaufort County for the Board meeting, a tour of the PCS Phosphate Plant, and to attend the Beaufort Country Grange Meeting. We had lots of fun and learned tons! Here are some pictures from our trip out east!

PCS Phosphate Plant- They use these big machines to take off the first 40 feet of sandy dirt.


They use these to take off the 2nd 40 feet to get down to the phosphate.



Then on to the Grange meeting that night!

Allison gets interviewed by the local paper


The original charter signed by Oliver Hudson Kelly!
Beaufort County Grange was called Donnell Grange when it first chartered. It rechartered under the name Beaufort County in 1929/1930

Baseball Friday Night!

kannapolis.intimidators.milb.com

Friday night is Farmers Night at the stadium! We will be out there with a booth to promote the Grange. If you would like some free tickets to attend the game, please let us know ASAP! You may also get them from us at the gate!

See you there!

State Convention Plans.....

Are under way!

We have invited speakers to attend our meal functions. We've talked about some logistics. And, we've talked about some new fun stuff for the Young Adults!!! Stay tuned for more!

Trinity Grange Makes Plans!

I had the opportunity to visit with the members of Trinity Grange on Monday night, and chat with them about their upcoming plans to gain more members! They are planning to have a booth at a local festival, and then host a gospel concert with a cookout. They are all so excited about what the next few months holds for them, and we are too!!

Southern Piedmont Pomona

...... finished electing their officers!

Here they are:

John Suther- President, Anita Gentry- Program Director, David Allen- Secretary/Treasurer, Sidney Albright- Vice President, Mark Payne- Chaplain


Here's the whole group that was at Friday evenings meeting!