Visitation: (none) Guest: (none) Members acting Pro-Temp: N/A
ROLL CALL (Secretary): Members present: 7 (Mandatory – Quorum “7”)
Dan Keeley, JoAnn Keeley, Roberta Elders, Betty Chipps, Vicki Pounds, Sandy Shew, and Troy Bayless.
PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – Sheri Chandra, residing in Canby, is with the Chinchilla Show and has shown interest in Grange membership. Dan was hoping she would be here today so we could meet her.
MINUTES (Secretary): The July 23, 2023 Grange Meeting Minutes were emailed 7/22/2023.
COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary, Betty Chipps) – See last page
SECRETARY REPORT (Betty Chipps): No report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
HALL (Dan Keeley) – Three party rentals on the books (one rental secured today, Jenna Weist - downstairs 9/24 rental).. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts.
Bad connection in attic junction box was causing flickering lights upstairs - was repaired. Please report any recurrence
HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley):
Northeast side roof needs additional screws
Kitchen counters need refinished (paint or formica).
Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan
Repainting under eaves of hall
Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished.
Rear door Threshold (rotted out) - has been replaced. Door handle was also installed.
AGRICULTURE (Dan Keeley) – Bad news / Good news..
Bad news is another foreign insect pest. Yellow leg hornets from SE Asia have been detected in Georgia, the first sighting in the Americas. A beekeeper in Savannah GA. discovered the hornet attacking his honey bees and reported it to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), according to a statement from the department. Officials are asking the public to report any sightings of the hornet in the state to the GDA. The hornets nest in paper nests, often in trees and often prey on honey bees and native bees.
Good news is we have a soil scientist rock star at OSU, literally and figuratively. James Cassidy has been teaching soil science since 2002 at OSU. When he attended a meeting that year hosted by three other Oregon State graduate students, a club was born.
That grew into the school’s Organic Growers Club, which has been meeting every Thursday night since its inception. In the beginning, there were only seven participants. Now, around 70 people come together each week to plant, harvest and package a variety of fruits and vegetables. Cassidy has led the effort for more than 20 years.
With no financial support from the university, Cassidy maintains his crops and interns’ stipends by selling community supported agriculture boxes, delivering fresh organic produce to paying community members. He also advises and instructs many regarding how to keep soils healthy (including JoAnn on several occasions) and is regarded as something like a prophet in the field. “Soil science is everything,” he said in an interview. “Every atom in your body has been through the soil system.” “Everything depends on the soil”
He added that large farming companies can have a powerful influence over our access to food. Because of this, he said “gardening is an act of resistance or activism. Gardening is a ritual, a spiritual practice.” According to Cassidy, everyone can take part in this resistance.
“Just garden,” he said. “Even if you live on the 60th floor in a Manhattan apartment.”
COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley) – No report.
Foster birthday parties (Dan Keeley): Still no word from state organization. Will reach out again next month.
EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) – The Oregonian and other Newspapers have formed a high school student newsroom to promote good journalism and give young people an opportunity to showcase their skills and perspectives. The following link is a story by two of those students describing budget problems at local community colleges and the effects on society:
Community college’s budget cuts mean fewer opportunities for adult learners - oregonlive.com
With these young people and their contemporaries populating our high schools, fake news on either side doesn’t stand a chance.
LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – No report.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Betty Chipps) – Dues Receipt Record / Membership Cards have been ordered through Suzy Ramm at OSG.
POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley)
- Pomona 5th Degree at Maplewood, Saturday, September 23rd, Dinner provided by Youth Grange (their fundraiser) at 6:00pm, Lecturer program at 7:00pm, 5th Degree starts 7:30pm. Please plan to attend and show support.
Maplewood 4th Degree members are eligible to receive Pomona 5th Degree: contact
Jim Dumolt: [email protected] or call: 971-244-2628.
YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – None
TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds)
The August Treasurer’s Report (emailed 8/24/2023) had an opening balance of $12,173.10 on July 21 and on August 24 reflected an ending balance of $10,583.83. Vicki noted a recent bill shows garbage expense has gone up.
The report will be ‘filed for Audit.’
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley):
- Maplewood Fair Booth took First prize!! Thanks to the committee.
ALSO, received People’s Choice! Award. - Grange hall electrical service. Repair is being scheduled, approximately $2100.
Vendor, Ernst Electric, awaits PGE approval. - State Grange Log Cabin (8/24-9/5) still needs volunteers.
- Call Jay Sexton at 503-316-0106 - Dinner/Harvest Fair, October 28, 3:00-6:30pm – benefits ‘91’ School Student Lunch Fund.
Hall open: 2-7pm
Foods: Pasta (Troy will also get Gluten-Free noodles), sauces (w/meat, w/o meat & white),
Beverages: coffee, tea (hot), cider, water (ice)
Salads / Desserts: all that can - bring
Planning for what number? 75-100 dinners
- Need min. 6 people to run tables, 10 people preferred
Event Chair people
Advertising / Flyers: Troy and JoAnn.
Dinner Committee: Troy -Chairs plus 6 grangers. Dan will obtain Restaurant Permit.
- anyone can obtain food-handling card through OR State Food Handling
Games: Family Fellowship Fundraiser group (FFF)
Pumpkin decorating: JoAnn
- paper products covered (extra available through JoAnn’s St.Paul activities)
- PA system in dance hall - need update/rebuild status from Scott.
BILLS presented to Treasurer – Reimbursement to Dan Keeley:
Cleaning Supplies $ 7.99
Plumbing for faucet 2.78
Recharge Fire extinguisher 33.30
Traveling Sprinkler 89.98
Hose to run sprinkler 44.99 (125 foot)
Hose to run sprinkler 29.98 (50 foot)
Threshold (rear door) 14.86
Total $223.88
Vicki moved and Betty seconded to pay the bills of $223.88, motion carries, VSO.
MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley) – Ian Craig, Chaps and Petticoats President, doing real well after surgery.
GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) – I’m not interested in what any prophet said. I’m interested in what you, as a follower of that prophet, actually do. (James McBride, American Author)
HEIRLOOM PROGRAM – (picture: overalled farmer walking field of AG produce )
IN NO OTHER OCCUPATION DOES A MAN’S DAILY LAB OR BRING HIM INTO SUCH CLOSE COMPANIONSHIP WITH THE GREAT CREATOR AS IN THE CULTIVATION OF THE SOIL.
(Second Degree - Chaplain)
NEXT MEETING – Sunday, OCTOBER 1, 2023 at 3:30 PM.
CLOSING – Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 5:40 PM (downstairs).
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Chipps
Secretary