Mary Swift
7317 Charles Road
Rome, NY 13440
Phone: (315) 865-5357
Mission Statement
The Creative Grange Activities Department will provide opportunities for members and non-members of the Grange to express their creativity through a variety of projects and activities. This Grange department will provide articles to be used by people for comfort and security, help to preserve our agricultural heritage, and encourage participants to express their creativity through crafts and baking.
Community Awareness Projects
Some of the Community Awareness Projects started by the National Grange are continued by this department. These projects include but are not limited to ABC Quilts, CAPS for Kids, and the Foster Parent Program. I have patterns to share for making pillowcases, preemie blankets, and placemats for various agencies in need of these items. Contact me for them.
Health Project
Our health project is to support breast cancer through research and to urge members to “Don’t Duck Your Mammogram!”
Campbell Soup Labels … Labels for Education
Camp Soup labels and other product labels from Campbell Soup Company can be collected and sent to Camp Merry Heart, a facility for crippled children. They can also be given to the CGA Department and we will deliver them to the Camp. The address is: Camp Merry Heart, RD#2, O’Brien Road, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.
Labels for Education can be saved and given to the CGA Department or probably be used by a local school in your Grange’s area. Check to see, and help out rather than throw out.
Recycled Eye Glasses
This department is recycling used eye glasses, cases, safety glasses, and sunglasses for Medical Ministry International, which is the world’s largest short-term volunteer Christian medical mission. Each Grange is encourage to construct a box or boxes to be placed in a doctor’s office, senior center, community center, town hall, etc. for assistance with this project. All glasses should be brought to State Grange or mailed to: Medical Ministry International, PMB - 591, 1001 South 10th Street G, McAllen, TX 78501-5038.
Foster Parent Program
A number of years ago, the National Grange partnered with the National Foster Parent Association, Inc. to enjoy a working relationship on a subject of mutual concern; family and children. We have also taken this on as a project and urge each Grange to contact a local Foster Parent Unit to find out their needs and concerns. Making tote bags for the youngsters to use when they have to move, the giving of Christmas gifts, and sponsoring an event are all projects that have been done in the past.
Project Yellow Ribbon
Let’s continue to do a project to support our troops. There are many things that can be done … writing letters, sending packages, making neck coolers, knitting mittens and socks for the wounded, and making throws are all possibilities. Keep on making neck coolers and gators as they are still needed. Project instructions are available; just contact me. Let’s get involved with Quilts of Valor, who asks for comforting and healing quilts to cover all combat service members and veterans touched by war. Additional information about this project is available from your Pomona or Community Grange CGA chairman, or me, Audrey Planer.
Going Green
All Granges and Grangers are urged to become more eco-friendly. Ideas on how to do these will be forthcoming in my Gleaner articles or in upcoming issues of the Chatter.
Kelley Farm
The Kelley Farm in Elk River, Minnesota was the home of our founder, Oliver Hudson Kelley, at the time the Grange was organized. We have been assisting the farm by purchasing items that they need to keep the farm as a living history museum. I have contacted the site manager, Bob Quist, and he suggested that they need to replace some bowls and crocks. They have to be specially made, so as they continue to be authentic for the historical period. The cost for these replacements is $1,000.00. I informed him that we will help provide them.
The $10.00 Opportunity
Each Pomona or Community Grange that would like to participate will be given a $10 bill. They will then have the opportunity to do whatever they choose to do with this money.
It can be given to a charity; it can be used to buy gifts for shut-ins; it can be used to buy baking supplies for a bake sale, etc. Creativity is the key. Let’s see what can be done with $10.00. Each grange participating will have to report what they did with the money – these ideas will be published in the Gleaner. It should be interesting to see the results.
Cavalcade of Crafts
The following craft contests are open to Grange members as well as to non-members. Participants may use any type of product they wish to complete a project indicative of the class. Entries are due by 10:00 PM, October 12th, 2012
Class A: A Cupcake Article
An entry will consist of an article made with a cupcake motif. It can be an article shaped like a cupcake, such as a pin cushion, potholder, etc., or an article made using cupcake fabric, such as a purse, table runner, placemats, etc.
Class B: A Standing Scarecrow
An entry will consist of a standing scarecrow made by an individual or Grange. Each participant will receive $10.00 toward the expense incurred. Prizes for this contest only will be, for first, $50.00, second, $30.00, and third, $20.00.
Class C: A Decorated Sweatshirt
An entry will be a sweatshirt decorated with any technique, such as paints, appliqués, embroidery, and fabrics.
Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three entries; first place, $20.00, second place, $15.00, and third place, $10.00. All entries will receive a thank you gift.
Grange Bake-Off
The Bake-Off is open to members and non-members of the Grange. Disposable pans must be used but in the event they are not, the committee will not be responsible for their return. Entries representing each Pomona Grange are due by 1:30 PM, October 12th, 2012. Recipes must accompany the entry. Please have a name label attached to the plate or pan containing the baking entry. Prizes are: first place, $20.00, second place, $15.00, and third place, $10.00, for Classes A, B, and C. There will be a Pomona judging and winning entries will be brought to State Grange.
Class A: Cupcakes
An entry will consist of a 13 cupcakes; ingredients and decorations at the discretion of the baker.
Class B: Blueberry Pie
An entry will consist of one blueberry pie, with the topping at the discretion of the baker.
Class C: Pound Cake
An entry will consist of a pound cake, baked in a pan which is the choice of the baker.
