(Continued from Pago At) bers from around Pennsylvania will gather at the Scottish Rite Cathedra] in Reading for the state convention where new policies are discussed and voted on by dele gates. The session is being hosted by the 12 Granges in Berks County. ‘The Grange is a grass-roots organization which gets its poli cies from the local Granges in the form of resolutions,” said Pennsyl vania State Grange Master (presi dent) Bill Steel “Over the years the Grange has successfully lobbied for such issues as rural mail delivery, estab lishment of rural electric coopera tives and fairer prices for farmers. All these policies started at a local Grange and were then passed to the state level.” A special celebration is being held between 1-3 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 2S) to mark the 125th con vention. An Olympic-style torch that has been moving from county to county the past year will kickoff the anniversary celebration, which includes a program to showcase the many accomplishments of the Pennsylvania State Grange. The public is invited to attend this free event at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Another highlight of the five day convention will be the State of Agriculture Address from Secret ary of Agriculture Samuel Hayes Jr., set for Monday afternoon, as well as the presentation of the vari ous departmental awards on Tues day evening. Awards to be presented Tuesday evening at the All-Granger ban quet include: the State Master’s Award for Excellence in Com munity Service and Membership Growth; Community Service awards to the outstanding Subordi nate (local) and Pomona (county) Granges, Past Officer awards and the Granger of the Year award, the highest honor bestowed upon an Pa. State Grange individual for service to the organization. Youth members, ages 15-35, will take center stage Sunday as they compete in the Public Speak ing, Sing-A-Song and Knowledge Bowl competitions beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the Inn at Reading. ‘The competition in these events is tough and the talent is outstanding as Youth members battle for state-wide honors and the right to perform against their peers from around the country at the National Grange convention,” Steel said. “These youths demons trate skills and abilities that they Grangers Demonstrate Love With Their Hands HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) - For the 21st consecutive year the Women’s Activities Department of the Pennsylvania State Grange is sponsoring its stuffed toys con test But this just isn’t any contest. In fact, the stuffed toy contest' has evolved into something more than just another competition. It isn’t about winning awards or accolades from your peers. Or even being the best No, the only winners .in this “Labor of Love” are the children who receive these toys. When nearly 1,000 Grangers from around the state descend upon Berks County fra- the 125th annual Pa. State Grange convention, they’ll bring with them nearly 9,000 toys to be judged and then distributed to Ronald McDonald Houses, ambulance services, children hospitals and other needy charities. Most of the toys will be distri buted to services located in the region of the host county. The stuffed toys program is sponsored by Fairfield Processing. “These Grangers are more have learned as Grange members. Many are leaders within their own Granges and will one day be the leaders of our nation.** The Pennsylvania State Grange is a 125-year-old family fraternity representing 30,000 rural Pennsyl vanians. The organizations offers its members benefits such as insur ance, a credit union, lobbying efforts, community service, and social activities. The Grange is making Pennsylvania a better place to live through its legislative endeavors, community service work and providing member services. interested in toys for loving than toys for judging,” Becky Michal ka, women’s activities director of the State Grange, said. “There were 8,723 toys made last year, and, according to the repeats I’ve been receiving, there will be many submitted this year.” The toys, however, won’t be the only labor of love on display at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Read ing. .Over 1,000 baby quilts for HIV-positive and crack-addicted babies will be stacked to the ceiling. “The ABC Quilts for AIDS babies is designed to make their lives a little more comfortable,” Michalka said, “because many of these babies won’t live to see their second birthday.” In addition to the toys and quilts. Grangers make clothing items for nursing homes, prepare food that is donated to food banks, cut soup labels for charitable groups and develop kits contain ing personal care produdets that are distributed to abused women shelters, to name a few. (Turn to Pag* A 22) Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, October 18, 1997-Al9 Pa. State Grange 125th Convention Schedule Oct. 25-29, Reading, Pa. Location Key: Scottish Rite Cathedral=SßC; Inn at Reading = lAR OCT. 25 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Exhibitors arrive and setup; for Lecturer, Youth, Junior, Women’s ''Activities, and Deaf activity groups SRC. 1 p.m. Arrival of Torch (Finishes year of passing torch between the state’s subordinate Granges.) SRC. A celebration of history pageant SRC. 3:30 p.m.-S pan. More exhibits to arrive and setup SRC. 7 pan. Talent Festival SRC. 9:30 p.m. Welcome Reception SRC (lower level). OCT. 26 9 a.m. A time of worship, memorial service SRC. 10:30 a.m. Junior Grange Degree Conferral lAR. 12 p.m. Junior Luncheon lAR. 1 p.m. Judging of exhibits. 2:30 p.m. Sign-A-Song and public speak ing contests lAR. 6 p.m. Special session of the Pa. State Grange. Youth Corps Drill Demonstration. Adress by National Master. Conferral of the Sixth Degree SRC. Weaver Elected Angus OCT. 27 9 a.m. Official opening of the 125th Annual Session SRC. 10 a.m. Convention Address by State Master William A. Steel SRC. 12 p.m. Youth/GROW Club luncheon lAR. 4:30 p.m. Closing of first day’s session, youth officers SRC. 7:30 p.m. Departmental Recognition Night SRC. OCT. 28 7 a.m. Women’s Activities breakfast lAR. 11:45 a.m. Election of officers SRC. 6 p.m. All Granger Banquet at the Lees port Fanners Market, including Granger of the Year Award pre sentation and Community Service Recognition. OCT. 29 7 a.m. Master’s Breakfast lAR. 9 a.m. Opening of the third day’s session SRC. 10 a.m. Exhibitors released. Installation of officers 11:30 a.m. Session Closes. Delegate NEW HOLLAND (Lancaster Co.) Bar bara J. Weaver, New Holland, has been elected as a delegate to the 114th annual meet ing of the American Angus Association, Nov. 17 in Louisville, Ky., reported Richard Spader, executive vice president of the Ameri can Angus Association. Weaver, a member of the American Angus Association with head quarters in SL Joseph, Mo., is one of 315 Angus breeders who have been elected by fellow members in their state to serve as a statfc representative at the annual meeting. Repre senting 45 states and Canada, the delegates will participate in the business meeting and elect a new president, vice president and five directors to the Ameri can Angus Association board. The annual meeting is held in conjunction with the annual conven tion and banquet, and the Roll of Victory Angus show, Nov. 16-18, during the North American International Livestock Exposition.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers