Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 3:32 PM, by Master,/President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, October 22, 2023 with the “Opening of the Grange” reading (downstairs). The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Visitation: (none) Guest: Sheri Chandra (Chinchilla Show contact) Members acting Pro-Temp: Betty Chipps, Gatekeeper; JoAnn Keeley, Chaplain ROLL CALL (Secretary): Members present: 6 + 1 (new) = 7 (Mandatory – Quorum “7”) Dan Keeley, JoAnn Keeley, Don Sether, Roberta Elders, Betty Chipps, Vicki Pounds, and Sheri Chandra (after membership approval). Welcome, Sheri! PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – Sheri Chandra met Grange members at our last meeting on October 1st and she desires membership. Dan asked for discussion before we vote, several of us already chatted with Sheri last meeting. . Members were asked to vote to accept Sheri as a new Maplewood Grange member - vote was unanimous, membership ‘approved’, VSO (voting sign of the order). MINUTES (Secretary): The October 1, 2023 Grange Meeting Minutes were not yet completed - two sets of minutes to be approved next meeting. . COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary, Betty Chipps) – two Flyers were presented from other Granges:
SECRETARY REPORT- (Betty Chipps): No report. COMMITTEE REPORTS HALL (Dan Keeley) – Four party rentals scheduled. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts. Dan requests: Please observe on Tuesday’s are Trash bins still full? IF so, then please call Dan and report our bins were not emptied. Situation: PGE informed the electrical wires, on top of the roof, are cracked and must be corrected. Whiskey Hill Electrical has agreed to do the electrical wire repair albeit at a higher price ($2,500). – should be done in a couple weeks (after the Grange Harvest Fest.).. Dan asked does PGE charge for two meters? Yes, JoAnn reviewed the bill and noted one ‘basic’ charge of $20 is assessed for each meter. An additional misc. power of 4.49 ( total $24.49) was noted. Dan will inquire whether one (1) meter can be removed. Don Sether motioned and Roberta seconded to access the wires and submit a budget, motion carries, VSO. HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley): Museum could use some refreshing next.. Repair electrical service wires Northeast side roof needs additional screws Kitchen counters need refinished Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan Repainting under eaves of hall Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished AGRICULTURE (Dan Keeley): Good News – Harvest pretty much over with and appears to have been a safe one. Hazelnuts will have a record high crop and prices are edging back up to maybe reasonable levels (and better than average). Oregon has selected a new director for the Department of Agriculture. Alexis Taylor has considerable experience in the Department of Agriculture and most AG groups are cheering the choice. Bad news is getting depressing – giving it a rest this month! COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley):
EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) – Story from the Oregonian education newsletter by Terah Bennett Queer students at Catholic schools around the Portland area say they’ve felt the effects of guidance released by Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample earlier this year directing schools to use only pronouns assigned to students at birth among other things. At some schools, that feels subtle, with instances such as perceived administrative disapproval of LGBTQ+ icons on school posters. Other students say they’ve felt the blowback more directly, including being deadnamed by classmates. Gwendolyn McGarry, a student body co-president at St. Mary’s Academy, says the conflict echoes battles in the wider Catholic church. “I don’t know if there’s a way to support queer and Christian students at the same time,” she said. Youth Voices reporter Terah Bennett, herself a former St. Mary’s student, interviewed youth across the metro area to bring readers insights into how Sample’s controversial guidance is impacting students. Give her story a read (click at left to follow link)– and don’t forget to keep up on all the latest stories written by our teen writers at Oregonlive.com/youthvoices. LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – A group has formed to attempt to repeal Measure 110. As might be expected it is largely a Republican party effort at this point. So far I have heard no discussion of whether they want to return to the war on drugs or establish some other policy with regard to mind altering drugs. MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Betty Chipps) – No. Report POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley) – No report. YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – absent TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds) The Treasurer’s Report for the October 22nd Maplewood Grange meeting was emailed 10/19/2023. The opening balance, as of September 29 was $11,165.23 and the ending balance on October 19, 2023 was $11,560.86. Hearing no discussion, the report will be ‘filed for Audit.’ TABLED BUSINESS
Fidelity Bond coverage limits and rates have changed for 2024.. The Grange, in 2023, elected $12,500 of coverage and paid $72 in premium. Comparable coverage in 2024 provides $25,000 of coverage at a rate of $75. The next level of coverage would be $50,000 for $100 premium AND requires an Underwriting application be completed. Don Sether moved to purchase $25,000 of coverage for $75, JoAnn seconded, motion carries, VSO. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley):
- MENU
NEW BUSINESS
10/21/23 Mower Battery Cable 9.99 TOTAL $64.95 Don Sether moved and Betty Chipps seconded to pay the bills, motion carried. VSO
MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley) – None reported. GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) – Opportunity is missed by many people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. (Thomas Edison) Guide Dogs for the Blind – Roberta asked if the Grange had an interest in this organization? The site in Boring gives guided tours each Wednesday at 10:00 AM. This organization runs a two-week live-in program: The owner and their potential dog live on site to create a pairing and become acclimated. Graduation is every other Saturday. HEIRLOOM PROGRAM – (picture: senior couple, sit on the sofa with photo album in hand). SPEAK GOOD OF OTHERS, RATHER THAN EVIL. GATHER UP MEMORIES OF OTHERS’ VIRTUES AND PASS BY THEIR FAULTS IN PITY. (Third Degree - Chaplain) NEXT MEETING – Combines November / December business on Sunday, DECEMBER 10th at 3:30 PM – Join us for the Welcome Ceremony for Sheri Chandra, NOTE: Per Dan Keeley November 4th email: The November/December Meeting date has been changed to NOVEMBER 26 at 3:30 PM, to accommodate a scheduling conflict expressed by some members. CLOSING – Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 4:42 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Betty Chipps Secretary Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 3:35 PM, by Master/President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, October 1, 2023 with the “Opening of the Grange” ceremony (upstairs at stations). Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Visitation: (none) Guest: Sheri Chandra (Chinchilla Show contact) Members acting Pro-Temp: Don Sether, Asst. Steward; Betty Chippis, LAS; Roberta Elders, Ceres; JoAnn Keeley, Chaplain; Don Sether, Gatekeeper. ROLL CALL(Secretary): * indicates NOT in attendance. ** Absentee Members Master: Dan Keeley Steward: JoAnn Keeley Overseer: Don Sether Asst. Steward: Mike Ellis * Lecturer: Roberta Elders Lady Asst. Steward (LAS): Mindy Ferriss * Chaplain: Kathie Femrite * (deceased 9/24/23) Gatekeeper: Sandy Shew Secretary: Betty Chipps Pomona: (vacant) Treasurer: Vicki Pounds Ceres: Judi Aus * Member: Doug Femrite * (withdrew) Flora: (vacant) Member: Laura Ellis: * Member: Ken Fessler * Member: Troy Bayless Executive Committee Members: Jack and Priscilla Weaver (Canby) ** #1 Vicki Pounds Member: Stacie Bernert (OR City) ** #2 JoAnn Keeley Member: Joyce (Olivier) Urnaut (Sandy) ** #3 Sandy Shew ============================================================================================== ***** Members present: 8, Guests: 0, Youth: 0 ***** (Mandatory – Quorum “7 ” _____________________________________________________________________________________________ PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – Introducing Sheri Chandra, residing in Wilsonville, is with the Chinchilla Show rental, desires membership and is here today to meet our grange members. MINUTES (Secretary): The August 27, 2023 Grange Meeting Minutes were emailed 9/25/2023. JoAnn moved to approve the August Minutes, Troy seconded - motion carried, VSO. COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary, Betty Chipps) – See last page SECRETARY REPORT (Betty Chipps): The 2023 3rd Quarter (financial) Report ended SEPT. 30, 2023 with a payable to OSG of $213.75. The Q3-2023 Quarterly Dues report - status below:
Maplewood subordinate Grange Seal was affixed; Q3-2023 report was signed by Secretary and Master, Dan Keeley; and the 2024 Membership List was enclosed - mailed with Q3--2023 Report. Don Sether motioned and Roberta Elders seconded to approve 3rd Qtr Report and issue check for $213.75 to OSG, motion carries, VSO. DRAPING the CHARTER for: Kathie Femrite (Woodburn, OR), Member: July 1, 2015 - until deceased September 24, 2023. Betty Chipps shared Kathie was a friend and will be missed, both in the community and Grange. Kathie and Doug owned Femrite’s Nursery in Aurora, were (life) members of the Oregon Association of Nurseries, held office as Maplewood’s Chaplain and was one to volunteer when the hard work needed to be done. Don Sether had respect for Kathie who was kind and would sign up to volunteer. COMMITTEE REPORTS HALL (Dan Keeley) – Three party rentals scheduled - money pending. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts. Ernst Electrical now says they have a truck broken down and can’t do our job until it gets fixed. I am exploring other alternatives. Bathroom repairs are almost complete and look great. Museum could use some work now! HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley): Hall Projects (in priority order): Repair electrical service wires Northeast side roof needs additional screws Kitchen counters need refinished Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan Repainting under eaves of hall Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished AGRICULTURE (Dan Keeley) – Good news / Bad news.. Good News – average farm prices have edged up some. Grain prices up a lot should give central and eastern Oregon a boost. Hazelnut prices up only a bit but inventories down a lot gives hope for more good news this year. Also, drought conditions have eased with normal fall rains. Hopefully a good snow pack will follow. Bad news – The fight over water in the Klamath basin is still hot with tribes and fish advocates pushing to eliminate irrigated agriculture. Absent changes in the ESA it appears they will be successful in eliminating the farming. Bringing back abundant runs of salmon is another matter. EPA has “settled” the “mega suite”. A federal judge has approved a court settlement that commits the EPA to fundamentally changing how it regulates pesticides and to pursuing a “pilot project” that aims to eliminate even potential impacts to endangered species regardless of the economic impacts. In the Willamette valley one of the objectives is to favor the western checkerspot butterfly. To that end the regulations appear to make it impossible to apply most insecticides on much of the Willamette Valley. EPA is currently taking public comments on their new regulations at this link: Regulations.gov Sign on to a petition opposing the regulations here: EPA Herbicide Strategy Producer Petition Sign-On Form (google.com) Don Sether said it has been approximately 30 years since he was State AG Director - at Klamath Falls 250 people fought against this …K. Falls has been happening that long ago. Also Don commented he tried to finish plowing, it was very hard ground. Rain predicted tomorrow (3 inches would be nice). COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley):
Troy would like Grange access Friday night (downstairs) to prepare foods and store in the refrigerator. Also asked if upstairs can be set-up on Saturday beginning 10:00 AM? Yes, Dan advised calendar is open. Troy will be assigned an access code for FFF.group. Hall will be ready to receive guests by 2:00 PM Saturday.
In addition to the estimated $300 groceries/supply costs, Troy asked the Grange if there was any interest to donate a portion of their net proceeds, i.e. 10% to the benefit cause? Given the outcome (attendance, full costs) is unknown, discussion was tabled till the next meeting. EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) – The Oregonian has been looking at and publishing Oregon Department of Education's release of state standardized test scores in reading, writing and math. Those results show there's been virtually no bounceback among Oregon students after two full years back in school buildings. Unlike in some states, such as Tennessee for example, Oregon has not implemented strategies that researchers have said are the most effective at helping students catch up, such as one-on-one or small group tutoring. Tennessee, which has implemented both of those strategies, reported in June that its students exceeded their pre-pandemic performance on the state’s English and social studies tests and made significant gains in math. Tutoring helps, who knew? Now we just need to convince districts they need the help and their lawyers that tutors from the community are not an excessive risk. Oh, and maybe keep teachers from quitting and/or going on strike in frustration. Piece of cake. LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – No report. MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Betty Chipps): A reminder that 2024 membership renewal is $50/person. 2023 Membership.Dues have been paid, in full, by all members. Kathie Femrite (deceased September 24, 2023) and husband, Doug, will be withdrawn as members effective October 1st. (NOTE: our membership total is only14 members.) POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley) – No report. YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – absent TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds) The Treasurer’s Report for the October 1st Maplewood Grange meeting was emailed 9/29/2023 (there was no September Grange meeting). The opening balance, as of August 25 was $10,583.83 and the September 28 ending balance was $11,165.23. The report will be ‘filed for Audit.’ UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley):
OLD BUSINESS: Betty asked: how did the POMONA 5th Degree go at Maplewood Grange held Saturday, SEPT 23rd. Dan reported 27 people attended and two people took the 5th Degree. NEW BUSINESS
09/28/23 Electric Wire for light $4.17 09/27/23 Wood Floor Cleaner $51.99 Total $86.63
MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley):
GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) – The dignity of labor depends not on what you do, but how you do it. (National Grange Newsletter) HEIRLOOM PROGRAM – (picture: woman standing on a hill overlooking the ocean, horizon in the background, fingers forming a window.) CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF LOOKING FOR BETTER AND BRIGHTER DAYS, INSTEAD OF MOURNING OVER THE PAST. (Third Degree - Vice President) NEXT MEETING – Sunday, OCTOBER 22, 2023 at 3:30 PM. CLOSING – Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 4:42 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Maplewood Grange #662 (basic) general meeting was called to order at 4:41 PM, by Master/President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, August 27, 2023 and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
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)
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):
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
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 Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 4:26 PM, by Master/President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, July 2, 2023 with the “Opening of the Grange” reading. .The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Visitation: (none) Guest: (none) Members acting Pro-Temp: JoAnn Keeley, Gatekeeper, Betty Chipps, Chaplain ROLL CALL (Secretary): Members present: 8 (Mandatory – Quorum “7”) Dan Keeley, JoAnn Keeley, Don Sether, Roberta Elders, Betty Chipps, Sandy Shew, Vicki Pounds, and Troy Bayless. PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – None MINUTES (Secretary): The June 25, 2023 Grange Meeting Minutes were emailed 6/23/2023. The June Minutes received the following two corrections:
Dan asked for any questions or further corrections to the June minutes? Hearing none, the June Minutes are approved as presented. COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary, Betty Chipps) – also See last page.
2nd Place – $ 500 awarded to: Pam Furlan, Beavercreek Grange 3rd Place – $ 500 awarded to: Cortland Saunders, Springwater Grange SECRETARY REPORT (Betty Chipps) The 2023 2nd Quarter (dues) Report ended June 30, 2023 with a payable to OSG of $213.75:
Jay Sexton, OSG President’s, Life Membership ‘status’, per June 13, 2023 correspondence: Life Membership Information: In normal years, line’ H’ would show the Life Membership income, for your Grange, being subtracted from your 2nd Qtr Dues. In 2022 all our investments saw “unrealized” losses of 11.5%, so there was no investment credit to subtract from your Grange’s 2nd-Qtr dues. The OSG Exec. Committee considered how to handle this situation during the meeting on March 25th 2023. Rather than accept a loss in the Principle of the Life Membership Fund, the Exec. Committee approved a loan of $27,175.30 from the OSG Emergency Fund to the Life Membership Fund, preserving the value of these accounts at the January 1st, 2022 level, with the plan to repay the loan over the next five years to the Emer. Fund from the Life Membership Fund earnings There will be no interest charged on this loan. This will slightly reduce the earnings from the Life Memberships for those 5-years until the loan is repaid. Also noted: The OSG Exec. Committee reported, at the June 3rd meeting, for the period JAN 1 - MAY 31, 2023 investments have increased 3.67% making ground on the loss of 2022. COMMITTEE REPORTS HALL (Dan Keeley) – Four party rentals on the books. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts. Mower has been serviced and returned to the Grange. Vicki Pounds questioned who the four rentals might be? Dan Keeley responded (as of Agenda date): July 22, August 5 (today’s contract), September 9, and September 16 (Rodriguez). HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley): Some grading and additional gravel needed on parking areas - COMPLETE. Front ramp needing paint again - Dan removed railings, painted at home, now COMPLETE. Repainting under eaves of hall – Contract project? Northeast side roof needs additional screws Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished. Kitchen counters need refinished (paint or formica). Kitchen (on ramp side) walls and under ramp - has been washed, await touch-up paint. Rear door Threshold (rotted out) - purchased new threshold ($120) - awaits installation. Gray Water Tank report: gray-water collection has been rerouted to the new clean-out and a faucet installed at the edge of the rear lawn area. Research found the gray-water tank, approximately 30-feet South of the Grange (westside) rear corner, was rusted out and drain lines were plugged with sand. Drain lines were cleaned out between the old tank and the grange and 1” Plastic pipe was slid into the tile from the gray-water tank, ran toward the grange and connected to the new faucet supply pipe behind the backup refrigerator. A new faucet was then installed on the edge of the lawn area in a valve can. New ¾” plastic pipe was then run under the kitchen sink, along the west wall, through the concrete foundation wall and now dumps into the new septic system clean out, which flows to the septic tank. AGRICULTURE (Dan Keeley) – Bad news / Good news.. Turkey’s currency has continued to devalue after upending hazelnut prices last year, which experts see as a disquieting though not necessarily disastrous omen for 2023’s harvest. “We’ve hit rock bottom and we expect a two to three year dig-out of this hole to get back to profitable prices,” said Larry George, president of the George Packing Co., a major Oregon processor. The lire’s value against the dollar and euro fell roughly 50% in the year preceding the 2022 hazelnut harvest, contributing to the plunge in Oregon’s initial prices to 40-53 cents per pound, from about 80-90 cents the previous year. JOHN DAY, OR. — New Biochar producer. Giant mounds of what appears to be black powdery charcoal or crushed pencil lead lie piled outside a towering industrial plant built in recent years on the Malheur Lumber property in John Day. It is Biochar, an up and coming product. Similar in appearance to charcoal used for cooking, but it can be added to soil to make it highly fertile for agricultural and gardening use, particularly in tropical areas with high rainfall. It can also be used as a carbon water filter to remove pollutants, such as chemicals and metals, from storm drains and old mines. The new plant, which employs 18 people, started production of biochar made from wood waste in April. It generated 100 tons of finished product in June and is expected to produce 500 tons this month. Krumenauer said, “The hope is to ramp up production to about 10,000 tons per year and begin marketing the product to customers in 2024.” COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley) – Foster birthday parties: We reached out to the state organization. They said “fantastic idea” and that they would get back to me. Still no luck, will pursue when things slow down a bit. EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) – no report. LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – The bill proposing ranked choice voting (RCV) as an option in Oregon passed the Legislature and will be on the ballot in November. If it passes in November, the state will use the system but my understanding is it is optional for local jurisdictions. Our new Oregon Secretary of State is LaVonne Griffin-Valade. Secretary Fagan’s resignation cast a dark shadow over the Secretary of State’s office. Oregonians rightly demanded quick action to rebuild trust in the many important programs housed in this agency. Ms Valade says she thinks you deserve to hear exactly how she plans to rebuild trust. See bio at State of Oregon: Oregon Secretary of State - Meet the Secretary. She has also stated she has no interest in running for the office at the end of her appointed term. How do we attract a competent candidate that wants to actually do the job rather than as a stepping stone to governor's office? Annual salary of $77,000 plus $250/month for qualified expenses doesn’t seem likely to do the job. MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Dan Keeley) – State Grange will increase Subordinate Grange dues to $50 versus $45 (ByLaw change will occur one-month before end of year: at NOV. meeting. Betty will contact OSG and order Membership Cards. POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley)
STATE SESSION REPORT (Dan Keeley) – State Session went fairly well. Our resolution concerning Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) went down but so did several others (including the one promoting a study of moving Oregon’s borders. I talked with several folks about the RCV issue and was surprised that the “conservatives” and the “liberals” agreed on one thing: they did NOT like RCV because neither the far left nor the far right wings of political factions would likely get elected under that system of counting votes. Jay Sexton did a pretty good job moderating, at least until we had an amendment - to an amendment - to an amendment of a resolution. YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – None TABLED BUSINESS – Bike rodeo idea TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds) – The July Treasurer’s Report (emailed 7/20/2023) had an opening balance of $10,844.74 on June 23 and on July 20 reflected an ending balance of $12.173.10. The report will be ‘filed for Audit.’ UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley)
Betty Chipps motioned for the Harvest Fair use of the hall, on October 28, to be ‘free of charge which benefits ‘91 School’s indigent kids lunch issue, Don Sether seconded, motion carries, VSO.
INFO: The State Grange’s 150th birthday is September 27, 2023 and the folks at the convention would like to have some sort of celebration at all the community granges. We discussed the possibility of moving the community dinner (we decided, at the May meeting, to have in 2024) to this year, 2023, Discussion: Maplewood could do Pumpkin Decorating in combination with the Harvest Fair fundraiser on October 28th and serve dinner (3-6:30pm): Troy Bayless suggested Dinner to be Pasta with three sauce options: a.) White sauce, b.) Meat Sauces and c.) No-meat Sauce. Combine with Garlic Bread, Salad. and Desserts. Make it a donation option for a good cause and Troy will Chair the Dinner Committee. Suggestion was made to obtain a kitchen permit for evening of food service. Betty Chipps motioned to go with Pasta Dinner, in conjunction with Bayless fundraiser, and have proceeds go to ‘91 School charity, Troy seconded. Dan asked members for a show of hands for approval, all in favor, motion passes. We discussed how to get some better attendance. In addition to word-of-mouth, Advertising suggestions were: a.) place on Canby School website via individual in Canby’s Health and Wellness Dept. b.) place on familyfellowshipfundraisers.com c.) place on maplewoodgrange.org d.) list in Canby Herald ‘community section’ (email: John Baker) e.) Grange Facebook f. ) Vicki suggested: Advantage Magazine coupons & article on fundraiser via Matt Nelson g.) Invite POMONA Junior Grangers
NEW BUSINESS
Ken Fessler 2023 Dues. Mindy Ferris gave $45 cash for 2023 Dues. . - BILLS presented – Reimbursement to Dan Keeley: June Expenses Cleaning Supplies $19.27 Door threshold 120.00 Paper Products 92.30 Sub-total, per JUN Gr. mtg $231.57 Pizza for clean up day 29.96 Bolts for ramp 17.40 Caulk for ramp 9.18 Boards and paint for ramp 62.32 Ramp sub-total: $88.90 Heat pump Electrical straps 2.97 Heat pump conduit 78.34 Heat pump conduit 13.48 Heat Pump sub-total: $94.79 …now up to Code! Website (no longer free) 144.00 Toilet repair part 19.99 Vacuum cleaner repair 7.98 July Expenses Inspect / locate septic tank 320.00 Pump out tank 385.00 Excavate septic tank 241.66 Pipe for lawn faucet 51.24 Fittings for lawn faucet 44.21 Drill for new gray water Pipe holes in wall 66.37 Pea gravel for septic tank 72.00 Gravel for repair of parking 38.00 Gray water pipe fittings 17.25 Pipe for new gray water 51.93 Grey Water Septic exp. $1,287.66 Total $1,904.85 Betty moved and Vicki seconded to pay the bills of $1904.85, motion carries, VSO. Expense notes: Grey Water disposal Septic Tank project ($1,095.47) was authorized by the Executive Committee as an emergency repair to avoid canceling a rental. Lawn water faucet took advantage of abandoned drain line (in existence at old septic tank) to place pipes without digging a trench. Heat pump conduit ( $94.79) was not up to code and needed to be replaced before hiring an electrician to replace the electrical service. Door Threshold ($120) is rotted out and must be replaced.
MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley) – Note received from Ken Fessler with his membership check: said doing OK after some tribulations. Executive Committee State member, Louise Holst (related to Jessie-Jo Guttridge of Springwater Grange), had cancer and has passed. GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) – Don’t count the days, make the days count. (Muhammad Ali) HEIRLOOM PROGRAM – (picture: tractor in grain field) SINCE GOD PLACED MAN ON EARTH, AGRICULTURE HAS EXISTED. THERE IS NO OCCUPATION THAT PRECEDES IT, BEFORE LITERATURE EXISTED, BEFORE GOVERNMENTS WERE KNOWN, AGRICULTURE WAS THE CALLING OF MAN AND ALL THE FRUITS OF SOCIAL PROGRESS SINCE THEN GREW FROM THE BROWN SOIL. (Installation Ceremony, Installing Officer) NEXT MEETING – Sunday, August 20 at 4:30 PM. CLOSING – Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at (approx.) 5:38 PM (downstairs). Respectfully Submitted, Betty Chipps Secretary Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 1:22 PM, by Master/President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, June 25, 2023 (which followed the Grange Clean-Up luncheon).
Visitation: (none) Guest: (none) Members acting Pro-Temp: (none) ROLL CALL (Secretary): Dan Keeley, JoAnn Keeley, Betty Chipps, Roberta Elders, and Mindy Ferris. Members present: 5, Mandatory – Quorum “ 7 ” PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – None MINUTES (Secretary): The MAY 28, 2023 Grange Meeting Minutes were emailed May 27, 2023. With no quorum present, approval is pending for the next meeting. COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary, Betty Chipps)
SECRETARY REPORT (Betty Chipps) – None COMMITTEE REPORTS HALL (Dan Keeley) – Four party rentals on the books. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts. Mower has been serviced and returned to the Grange. HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley): Some grading and additional gravel needed on parking areas - complete. Front ramp needing paint again - Dan removed railings - to be painted at home. Repainting under eaves of hall – Contract project? Northeast side roof needs additional screws Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished. Kitchen counters need refinished (paint or formica). Kitchen (on ramp side) walls and under ramp - has been washed, await touch-up paint. AGRICULTURE (Dan Keeley) – no report. COMMUNITY SERVICE (Dan Keeley) – Our Goodie Basket tickets did NOT win 😐. The kids sold a lot of tickets - put them in a 33 gallon trash can and drew tickets from there. I heard there were over 4000 tickets sold. EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) – no report. LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – As you know the Legislature is back in session. Bills backed up by the walkout are being passed in rapid succession. MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Betty Chipps) – Ken Fessler mailed check for $50, his 2023 dues. Mindy Ferris gave $45 cash in payment of 2023 dues - requests new Grange Membership Card. POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley) – next meeting July 22nd at Harding Grange.
Troy Bayliss asked about the 5th Degree. Dan expressed the 1st-4th degrees are subordinate grange and represent each season. A member initiated into the 4th degree can receive the 5th degree, which is Pomona (i.e. county) level. Sixth degree is conferred at State level. STATE SESSION REPORT (Dan Keeley) – State Session went fairly well. Our resolution concerning Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) went down but so did several others (including the one promoting a study of moving Oregon’s borders. I talked with several folks about the RCV issue and was surprised that the “conservatives” and the “liberals” agreed on one thing: they did not like RCV because neither the far left nor the far right wings of politics would likely get elected under that system of counting votes. Jay Sexton did a pretty good job moderating, at least until we had an amendment - to an amendment - to an amendment of a resolution. YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – None TABLED BUSINESS – Bike rodeo idea TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds) – The June Treasurer’s Report (emailed 6/22/2023) had an opening balance of $10,463.38 on May 21 and on June 22 reflected an ending balance of$10,844.74. The report can be ‘filed for Audit.’ UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley)
We discussed how to get some better attendance. Advertising the old way doesn't seem to have much impact. Social media may be better but I’m not very adept at that. Word of mouth is best but often takes years to yield results. Combining our dinner with Troy’s carnival might do both some good as we have both done a previous event that should be generating some word of mouth. Troy’s carnival is scheduled for October 28. Idea: Invite POMONA Junior Grangers
The State Grange’s 150th birthday is September 27, 2023 and the folks at the convention would like to have some sort of celebration at all the community granges. We discussed the possibility of moving the community dinner (we decided, at the May meeting, to have in 2024) to this year. Maybe have something fairly simple such as spaghetti, chili or stew and cornbread or french bread with salads and dessert. Make it a donation option for a good cause.
So, conclusion of those present was: Grange should have our dinner/open house this year in combination with Troy’s carnival, set up a display for Maplewood at the county fair in August and advertise our event as a 150th Grange birthday party with charitable benefit in that display. Troy’s intention is to benefit the lunch program at ‘91 School by paying off overdue bills. We could stick with that or pick something else for the dinner proceeds,(if any).
NEW BUSINESS
Mindy Ferris gave $45 cash for 2023 Dues. . - BILLS presented: Reimbursement to Dan Keeley: Cleaning Supplies $ 19.27 (rear) Door threshold 120.00 Paper products 92.30 Keeley TOTAL: $231.57 With no quorum present, bills will be presented for reimbursement at the next meeting.
MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley) – Note received from Ken Fessler, he writes: We are slowing up a little. Marie (his wife) had gallbladder surgery, then a triple (heart) by-pass and COVID on top of that. Now we are doing pretty good. GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) Our children are the messages we send to a future we will never see. (Elijah Cummings, US Representative). HEIRLOOM PROGRAM – (picture: budding and flowering trees) LET US REMEMBER THAT NO TREES BEAR FRUIT IN AUTUMN WHICH DO NOT BLOSSOM IN THE EARLY SUMMERTIME. THAT LIFE MAY BE PROFITABLE, LADEN WITH GOOD FRUITS, LET ALL ENDEAVOR THAT YOUTH BE STUDIOUS AND VIRTUOUS , REPLETE WITH THE BLOSSOMS OF OBSERVATION AND STUDY – THE PROMISE OF FUTURE WISDOM AND USEFULNESS. (Second Degree; Pomona) NEXT MEETING – Sunday, JULY 23 at 4:30 PM CLOSING – Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 2:20 PM (downstairs). Respectfully Submitted, Betty Chipps Secretary INFO: Members noted the following vacations / trips planned:
Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 4:40 PM, by Master/President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, May 28, 2023 (at tables upstairs…warmer). The “Opening of the Grange” was read and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Visitation: (none) Guest: (none) Members present: 8 Members acting Pro-Temp: Kathie Femrite, Gatekeeper. ROLL CALL (Secretary): Dan Keeley, JoAnn Keeley, Don Sether, Betty Chipps, Vicki Pounds, Roberta Elders, and Kathie & Doug Femrite. PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – future renter seems interested. MINUTES (Secretary): The APRIL 23, 2023 Grange Meeting Minutes were emailed May 27, 2023. Dan asked were there any questions or corrections to the minutes, hearing none: JoAnn moved to approve the April minutes, Roberta seconded, motion carried, VSO. COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary, Betty Chipps) –
SECRETARY REPORT (Betty Chipps) – none COMMITTEE REPORTS HALL (Dan Keeley) – Six party rentals on the books. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts. Dan has taken the mower home for service (running rough and needs lubricated) - will be returned to the shed for next mowing and will stay there for the summer. HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley): Some grading and additional gravel needed on parking areas. Front ramp needing paint again - needs sanded, primed and paint applied. Repainting under eaves of hall – Contract project? Northeast side roof needs additional screws Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished. Kitchen counters need refinished (paint or formica). Kitchen (on ramp side) walls and under ramp - could use touch-up of paint. AGRICULTURE (Dan Keeley) – Irrigation water supplies are looking much better in most of Oregon. Even farmers in the Klamath basin are getting water. Also, a recent NOAA study of fish passage in the lower Snake river showed that 90+% of fish swimming upstream successfully pass the four dams on the lower Snake River and survival rates for young fish passing downstream is above 95% at each of the four dams and above 75% past all 4 dams. The study has put a damper on some of the demands to remove the four dams but has not eliminated the threat. COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley) – Ag Fest was successful as usual. Thanks go to State President Jay Sexton for organizing, and tolerating me (seems I poured a watering can on him). Also thanks to Maplewood members who participated. IOOF Cemetery (off Meridian) - looking pretty good after May 15th & 20th cleanup: Grass was mowed, Dan pressure washed headstones & lawn edged almost all of them, Roberta did pruning (string trimmer was used in tight places). JoAnn asked if anyone knew who put up the flags? No clues - JoAnn will call Todd. Supplies will be delivered Tuesday to Veterans Village. Foster children birthday parties? Other granges and organizations are throwing birthday parties for foster children whose families request it. - JoAnn still needs to call and investigate the program, and extend our grange offer. First Responder dinners at Christmas and/or Thanksgiving? Troy is in - loves to prepare food!
EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) – In a continuing saga Governor Kotek has stepped up efforts to align reading/literacy instruction in Oregon with current research that shows teaching old fashioned phonics is critical. The current action is in the Legislature where an effort to align teacher education in the State University system (like Western Oregon University) and at the private system (like George Fox University) with the new/old research is underway. Dan advises school is out soon - be careful & watch for children. LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – Big news here is the Legislative walkout by Senate Republican caucus and Sen. Boquist. The current argument is who gets to determine what bills are voted on when. Republicans say they will only show up to vote on bills they like, Democrats say they are in the majority and have the right to schedule votes on all the bills in the pipeline whether Republicans like them or not. The real argument is about policy, particularly hot button issues such as climate change response, treatment of minority populations, response to crime and criminals, waste of state money, etc. The next big argument will be enforcing the terms of office for the next elected officials. MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Betty Chipps) – Sent 2023 Dues Reminder notice to three members. POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley) – next meeting July 22nd at Harding. Dan is now receiving more information for the Pomona website.
YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – absent TABLED BUSINESS – Bike rodeo idea … anyone interested in spear-heading this event?. TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds) – The MAY Treasurer’s Report (emailed 5/25/2023) had an opening balance of $10,378.07 on April 24 and on May 28 reflected an ending balance of $10,463.38. Dan asked for questions/comments regarding the report? Hearing none, the report was ‘filed for Audit.’ UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley)
Discussion: Vicki emphasized today it is hard to know what is legal/illegal. Dan Keeley related with drugs everything now is a misdemeanor (or decriminalized - illegal but prosecuted like a traffic ticket).
Betty motioned for Maplewood to purchase Goodie Basket Raffle Tickets for $20 to benefit/donate to the OSG Youth fundraiser, Don Sether seconded, motion carries, VSO.
Roberta Elders works the “Rainbow” Corn Booth on Wednesday, August 16th, as well. NEW BUSINESS
- BILLS presented: Reimbursement to Dan Keeley: Broken mower throttle lever $ 18.00 (wore out) Light bulbs 27.98 Paint supplies (tape, etc.) 6.97 Keeley TOTAL: $ 52.95 Betty Chipps moved to pay the bills, Roberta Elders seconded, motion carries, VSO. Dan presented Vicki with fuel bill of: $284.40 (90 gallons)
MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley) – None reported. GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) “In my older face, I see my life. My face carries all my memories. Why should I erase them?” (Diane Von Furstenberg) HEIRLOOM PROGRAM – (Young couple seated at a bench overlooking the lake/mountains) THE INTERESTS, THE SOCIAL RELATIONS AND THE DESTINY OF MAN AND WOMAN ARE IDENTICAL. SHE WAS INTENDED BY OUR CREATOR, TO BE THE HELPMEET, COMPANION, AND EQUAL OF MAN - THE PERFECTING HALF ADDED TO HIS HEMISPHERE - THUS COMPLETING THE FULLY-GLOBED ORB OF OUR COMMON HUMANITY; HENCE, AS ONE, EACH SHARES THE GLORY OR THE SHAME OF THE OTHER. (First Degree; Chaplain) GRANGE - CLEANING DAY – Sunday, JUNE 25, 2023 CLEANING DAY arrive at 10:00AM. and NEXT MEETING – will be after Cleaning projects concluded (or perhaps at lunch). CLOSING – Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 5:41 PM with the “Closing of the Grange” reading (upstairs). Respectfully Submitted, Betty Chipps
Maplewood Grange Meeting APRIL 23, 2023 @ 4:30pm Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 4:35 PM, by Master/President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, April 23, 2023 and the pledge of Allegiance was recited. Visitation: (none) Guest: (none) Members present: 7 ROLL CALL(Secretary): Dan Keeley, JoAnn Keeley, Vicki Pounds, Roberta Elders, Betty Chipps, Sandy Shew and Troy Bayless. PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – None MINUTES (Secretary): The March 26, 2023 Grange Meeting Minutes were emailed April 21, 2023. Dan asked were there any questions or corrections to the minutes, hearing none: Troy Bayless moved to approve the March minutes, JoAnn seconded, motion carried, VSO. It was noted that the February 26th Minutes remain to be submitted. COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary, Betty Chipps) – Goodie Basket Raffle sales-due MAY meeting. . For continued communication … see last page. SECRETARY REPORT (Betty Chipps) – 1st Quarter 2023 (financial) Report ended March 31, 2023 with a payable to OSG of $213.75 (deadline for submission is April 30th)...details below: ● Dues for 19 total members for a payable of $213.75 FYI: Grange remits quarterly to OSG an amount of $11.25/per member. ● Three (3) Regular meetings were held in the 1st Quarter,2023 (Membership attendance, each meeting: JAN 22 = 9, FEB 26 = 10 and MAR 26 = 10). ● Date Report approved: April 23, 2023 ● Three questions to answer: 1. Would your Grange watch web based (OSG website) videos on filling out the quarterly report? Yes ____ NO X Other Topics: Lecturer Education and GWA Chair Programs 2. Have you planned any Celebration for the OSG 150th Anniversary this year? NO 3. Will your Grange have representation at the 150th State Grange Session this year? YES Motion to approve the 1stQ-2023 Report was made by JoAnne Keeley, Troy Bayless seconded, motion carries, VSO. Maplewood subordinate Grange Seal was affixed, Q1-2023 report was signed by Secretary and Master/President, Dan Keeley. COMMITTEE REPORTS AUDIT Committee Report (Betty Chipps and Kathie Femrite) – The Audit Committee Findings were emailed April 23, 2023. It was noted Maplewood Grange holds an exemplary set of books which could serve as a model to other Granges. The Treasurer, Vicki Pounds, and Rental Chair, Master Dan Keeley were thanked for their attention to details and service offered to the community. Regarding next year’s Audit: Dan noted he will prepare a ‘Summary of Rental’ contracts and tie to the Page 1 of 7 Maplewood Grange Meeting APRIL 23, 2023 @ 4:30pm funds received. HALL (Dan Keeley) – Six party rentals on the books. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts. Mower has been returned to the shed for next mowing and will stay there for the summer. HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley): Interior ramp resurfacing – complete Some grading and additional gravel needed on parking areas. Front ramp needing paint again - needs sanded, primed and paint applied. Repainting under eaves of hall – Contract project? Northeast side roof needs additional screws Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished. Kitchen counters need paint or formica. Kitchen (on ramp side) walls and under ramp - could use touch-up of paint. AGRICULTURE (Dan Keeley) – Weather in Oregon beginning to come under the influence of an El Nino. Summer is expected to trend warmer and drier when El Nino conditions intensify as predicted over the next year or two. Grape growers will like it up to a point. Unfortunately in other areas of the globe, especially the tropics, the ‘liking it’ point is long past. For example, In 2022, India recorded its hottest March since record-keeping began 120 years ago. Temperatures were abnormally high in April and May, too. Climate change increased the likelihood of such a freakish summer “by a factor of about 30,” scientists concluded. Last week, many parts of India were also under heat wave alerts. Schools and colleges were closed in most parts of West Bengal state. Delhi sweltered above 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit, for the second day in a row. Around 13 died of heat stroke at a political rally in Mumbai. India isn’t alone in facing heat hazards. Thailand set an ominous national record when temperatures peaked past 45 degrees Celsius, or 114 degrees Fahrenheit, last week. Several weather stations in China also broke temperature records this month. COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley) shift ● Ag Fest volunteers needed April 29 and 30. Maplewood ( 3 hours long)? - To Sign-up call: call OSG - open Tues.-Thurs. call: (503) 316-0106 for Jay Sexton. ● Veterans’ village supplies (clothing, household items & toiletries) - bring to MAY meeting.. Troy moved to donate a case of Toilet Paper, Betty seconded, motion carries, VSO. ● Oregon State Convention (June 17-22) winter items will be collected - bring to MAY meeting. children parties ● Foster birthday ? Other granges and organizations are throwing birthday parties for foster children whose families request it. - Dan asks are we interested in offering/donating the hall? Troy thinks it is worth asking if our facility could work as a BD gathering. Betty moved to offer the hall for Foster children BD parties, Roberta seconded, motion carries, VSO. Page 2 of 7 Maplewood Grange Meeting APRIL 23, 2023 @ 4:30pm - The organization, ‘Every Child in Oregon, delivers BD boxes to Foster children. - Foster Parents’ Night Out (FPNO) trains volunteers in childcare and offers a much needed break for Foster parents. - The LAUNCH program can help children with items for school and provide learning skills emotionally & academically. . - AWARE Food Bank, Woodburn, open M,T, Th - F from 8-12 (for produce donations). ● First Responder dinners at Christmas and/or Thanksgiving? Shall we join the group that did it last year? Troy is in - loves to do/prepare food! JoAnn moved to contact First Responders and offer the hall for 2023 Christmas dinner and inquire could they use help in delivery etc.,Sandy seconded, motion carried, VSO. ● IOOF Cemetery (off Meridian): Some volunteers (Dan, JoAnn, Betty, Roberta, Troy, Vicki) were scheduled to clean-up, either Tuesday-May 16, or Saturday-May 20 – bring beverage, gloves and own tools (nippers, scrapers, nylon-bristle brush, bucket, pruner, rake, shovel, etc.) EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) – In an exclusive interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive on Monday, Gov. Tina Kotek made it clear that she expects Oregon school districts to hew to research-backed, phonics-based reading instruction if the Legislature approves the Early Literacy Success Initiative, which is headed to a hearing in Salem this week. A second bill, which grants the Oregon Department of Education extra oversight of school districts, would give that effort more traction. Kotek’s approach would mark a big departure for Oregon, which typically allows its nearly 200 school districts to chart their own course. Some parents and early literacy advocates say the change can’t come soon enough, especially with only 39% of Oregon third graders reading proficiently. On another slant, Oregon colleges are now expanding their efforts to deliver classes behind bars and lawmakers are considering bills that would make it easier for incarcerated students to continue their studies and enter the job market after their release. These bills aim to: ● Expand incarcerated students’ access to college courses. ● Establish a state effort to help formerly incarcerated students transition to college and apprenticeships after their release. ● Reduce employment barriers by specifying how licensing boards determine whether a past crime should prohibit a candidate from earning a professional license and requiring boards to consider individual circumstances. ● Require the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission and Department of Corrections to partner on overseeing prison education. MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Betty Chipps) – Send 2023 Dues Reminder notice to three members. LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – Former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, 73, died Friday while on an around-the-world cruise with his wife, Katy Eymann. Before becoming secretary of state, Bradbury was a state representative and senator from the south coast, serving as Senate president during 1993-94. He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for governor in 2010 and has been a leading voice for progressive state policies, especially vote by mail. (From Capital Chatter) Page 3 of 7 Maplewood Grange Meeting APRIL 23, 2023 @ 4:30pm On April 13, Gov. Tina Kotek signed into law Senate Bill 4. SB 4 makes $210 million of state money available to assist one of Oregon’s major industries: semiconductors (commonly referred to as microchips). The majority of the $210 million helps semiconductor companies compete for federal funding made available by the CHIPS and Science Act. Smaller portions of the $210 million supports higher education institutions, workforce development and site readiness for semiconductor expansions. However, SB 4 includes a potential trap that could significantly damage Oregon’s planning program and set back progress on our response to climate change. The trap lies in the unprecedented authority given to the governor regarding land. SB 4 allows the governor to bypass state and local government planning processes to bring two sites larger than 500 acres and up to 6 sites smaller than 500 acres into an adjacent urban growth boundary (UGB) without any further input. (Edited from an open letter by 1000 Friends). Voters pamphlets are out for the upcoming off-year election. Many bond measures affecting cities, schools and special districts (such as fire districts) are on the ballot. Read up and vote responsibly! POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley) – Pomona meeting was yesterday, April 22, 2023. ● Pomona is now accepting scholarship applications for 2024. ● Pomona will do a display booth at the county fair. Theme is “The place to be in 23.” ● Pomona Grange-Canby Fair Cookie Booth preparations are proceeding, to sign-up: email Pam Furlan jtspamtoo@gmail.com or call (503) 320-2245. ● Milwaukie Grange is teetering on the edge of failure. Joyce Parker will coordinate assistance from the Pomona Grange. Vicki Pounds, attends dances there, and has knowledge of their current situation and failings: i.e. unpaid gas & water bills and perhaps management issues where interested grange renters are turned away. region put the in ● Our District, Clackamas will on convention 2025 . Molalla High School or possibly Reynolds High School are considered sites.. ● 10 resolutions were reviewed, edited if necessary and forwarded to State for the Convention (some listed below). Some Resolutions presented at the Pomona meeting, April 22nd, were: - Tolls Resolution – Pomona Grange supported Tolls decision should be put to Voters. - Resolution on whether parts of Oregon should be transferred to Idaho’s jurisdiction: Pomona supports the State of Oregon paying for a Feasible Study that would analyze the issues generated by transferring jurisdiction of central & eastern Oregon to Idaho. Resolution was forwarded to State Convention for debate and possible adoptions. - Resolution against legislation to tax Off-road Farm Equipment to pay for on-road (buses, other transportation) in town. YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – absent TABLED BUSINESS – Bike rodeo idea … anyone interested in spear-heading this event?. TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds) – The APRIL Treasurer’s Report (emailed 4/20/2023) had an opening balance of $11,904.77 on March 27 and on April 23 reflected an ending balance of $10,378.07. Dan asked for questions/comments regarding the report? Hearing none, the report was ‘filed for Audit.’ Page 4 of 7 Maplewood Grange Meeting APRIL 23, 2023 @ 4:30pm UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley) 1. Bayless Family fundraiser (Troy Bayless) – Planning help needed? Waive Rental fees officially? (This did not get handled … to be presented at MAY Grange meeting.) INFO: Family Business is a 501 C-3 organization that targets a need then pulls together family/church and friends to organize/host a fundraising event to fund the need. This year’s fundraiser may be in June. - Can also donate to ‘91’ School District to pay children's outstanding lunch debts. Contact Pastor Craig at Christ Lutheran church. . - Another program through Beaverton School Dist. councils kids on ‘How to Avoid (drug) Involvement.’ 2. Molalla County Health community event related to Fentanyl poisoning prevention – JoAnn will contact Molalla Grange, working in cooperation with Molalla SD, for status on Fentanyl program and Suicide Prevention/Intervention interest. 3. PA (Public Address) System falling apart in dance hall – await Scoot Zinser’s rebuild status. At the March meeting a motion was passed to investigate the Speaker Price to replace each speaker - Dan to investigate. 4. Spring Cleaning (Dan Keeley) – June 25, meet 10:00 AM at the Grange. Bring your project tools. Grange will provide Pizza, Betty will bring Salad, Troy will prepare a Dessert, Roberta will bring Cookies. Sandy will be our "gopher”’& pick-up the Pizza. 5. Goodie Basket Raffle Tickets – OSG Youth Activities Fundraiser – Bring your Raffle ticket sales to the MAY Meeting. To Do: Shall Maplewood issue a check, payable to OSG, for 20 tickets ($20)? NEW BUSINESS 1. Presented to Treasurer: - RECEIPTS: None - BILLS presented: Reimbursement to Dan Keeley: Toilet Paper $120.10 Paper Towels (96/box) 223.48 Keeley Total: $343.58 Betty Chipps moved to pay the bills, Roberta Elders seconded, motion carries, VSO. 2. Oregon State Convention Packet – JUNE 17-22, 2023 Polk County Fairgrounds, Rickreal Related to Credentials of Pomona Delegates, Dan Keeley, Grange Master, is 1st Delegate. Representing Maplewood Grange as Delegates, Betty moved for JoAnn Keeley to be 2nd Delegate and Roberta Elders as ALT-Delegate at the State Convention, JoAnn seconded, motion carries, VSO, Page 5 of 7 Maplewood Grange Meeting APRIL 23, 2023 @ 4:30pm 3. Umpqua Bank Endorsement Stamp (Vicki Pounds) – Columbia bank actually bought Umpqua Bank but assumed the Umpqua name. Vicki moved to order an Endorsement Stamp for purposes of Grange check endorsement, JoAnn Keeley seconded, motion carries, VSO. 4. APRIL is GRANGE Month (Betty Chipps) – Betty would like to see Maplewood honor APRIL is Grange Month. Perhaps we could resurrect the Chili Feed (not as a cook-off) but rather serve a soup and chili meal to the Community in April 2924. Discussion moved from April to June, since Maplewood has its history in June, why not do a community feed in June 2024? INFO: Maplewood business began May 6, 1925, Maplewood Grange was built in 1938 and the first meeting held was June. Further discussion: probably 75 people could be served downstairs. Requires a Restaurant License to charge for the meal. Perhaps set-up a DONATION Box instead. Betty moved to plan a community dinner in June 2024, JoAnn Keeley seconded, motion passes, VS0. MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley) – None reported. GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) “It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive.” (Bruce Springsteen) HEIRLOOM PROGRAM – THE FIRST AND HIGHEST OBJECT OF OUR ORDER IS – TO DEVELOP A BETTER AND HIGHER MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. (First Degree; Lecturer) Children's thought-habits begin at home and grow through one's Junior years; it would be wonderful for youth to be active in Grange and sprout up, blossom into adulthood. When one enters the Grange, they are welcomed as a member at the 4th Degree level - symbolizes: 1st Degree - Spring, 2nd - Summer, 3rd - Fall and 4th Degree is Winter. Welcome to all four seasons. NEXT MEETING – Sunday, MAY 28, 2023 at 4:30 PM. CLOSING – Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 6:15 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Betty Chipps Secretary Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 4:33 PM, by Master/President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, March 26, 2023 with the ‘Opening of the Grange’ ritual and the pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Visitation: (none) Guest: (none) Members acting Pro-Temp: .JoAnn Keeley,Gatekeeper ROLL CALL(Secretary): * indicates NOT in attendance. ** Absentee Members Master: Dan Keeley Steward: JoAnn Keeley Overseer: Don Sether Asst. Steward: Mike Ellis * Lecturer: Roberta Elders Lady Asst. Steward (LAS): Mindy Ferriss * Chaplain: Kathie Femrite Gatekeeper: Sandy Shew Secretary: Betty Chipps Pomona: (vacant) Treasurer: Vicki Pounds Ceres: Judi Aus * Member: Doug Femrite Flora: (vacant) Member: Troy Bayless Member: Laura Ellis: * Executive Committee Member: Ken Fessler * #1 Vicki Pounds Members: Jack and Priscilla Weaver (Canby) ** #2 JoAnn Keeley Member: Stacie Bernert (OR City) ** #3 Sandy Shew Member: Joyce (Olivier) Urnaut (Sandy) ** ============================================================================================== ***** Members present: 10, Guests: 0, Youth: 0 ***** (Mandatory – Quorum “7 ” _____________________________________________________________________________________________ PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – None MINUTES (Secretary): The February 26, 2023 Grange Meeting Minutes - not yet available. COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary, Betty Chipps) – Anything Goes Sale (April 1-2, 2023) at Boring-Damascus Grange (flyer circulated). Goodie Basket raffle, an OSG Youth Fundraiser, tickets will be sold next meeting (50 available at $1 ea.). . >>>MAPLEWOOD MAILBOX<<< – only advertising and solicitations. NOTE: Dan put in an address change at the Post Office, for Maplewood Grange. So as not to miss any property notices, parcel ‘Land Use’ applications, Site reviews and rental Additional Insured notices, the Grange address was changed from the street/building mailbox to the Keeley’s St. Paul address. SECRETARY REPORT (Betty Chipps) – 1st Quarter 2023 Report deadline is April 30th. COMMITTEE REPORTS AUDIT Committee Report (Betty Chipps and Kathie Femrite) – The Committee met three partial days (March 16, 21 and 24) to review the Grange accounting records for the year 2022. One uncashed check #2286 (issued 8/7/22 to Diana Romero in the amount of $100) for a booking cancellation of 8/27/22 was noted as still uncashed. Dan will look for the contract and inquire. The Audit Committee noted Maplewood Grange holds an exemplary set of books which could serve as a model to other Granges. We commend the Treasurer, Vicki Pounds, and Rental Chair, Master Dan Keeley for their attention to details and service offered to the community. Regarding next year’s Audit: Dan noted he will prepare a ‘Summary of Rental’ contracts and tie to the funds received. HALL (Dan Keeley) – Five party rentals on the books. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts. Lawn was mowed today. Mower will be returned to the Keeley’s for now until next mowing (in April). Wood business’s NW property line – No further news, at present, on the property line issue. HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley): Interior ramp resurfacing – completed (by Dan/JoAnn). Some grading and additional gravel needed on parking areas. Rear water Faucet (in progress) Front ramp needing paint again - needs sanded, primed and paint applied. Repainting under eaves of hall – Contract project? Northeast side roof needs additional screws Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished. Kitchen (on ramp side) walls and under ramp - could use touch-up of paint. In a creative moment, Vicki had placed color swatches (of green paint) downstairs - a nice suggestion for brightening the downstairs walls. Perhaps a future project to consider. Troy Bayless suggested colored can be displayed, via table covers, as well. AGRICULTURE (Dan Keeley) – A proposed off-road equipment tax,intended to pay for Portland-area diesel truck upgrades, has died in committee, to the relief of Oregon farm advocates. The House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee didn’t schedule a vote on House Bill 3158 by the March 17 deadline, killing the tax hikes that critics said disproportionately targeted agriculture. Also, a suitcase of African giant snails was intercepted last week in Detroil Ill.. If traveling please be careful not to import another pest farmers have to put up with. Once a bug or even a snail gets loose it is almost impossible to eliminate them short of using a so-called gene drive, a genetically engineered poison gene that destroys all members of a species and maybe related species. Problem here is that there is currently no way to guarantee the destruction is restricted to one area and no way to predict the consequences of destroying an entire species world wide. Don Sether noted Rye grasses have died in the frost - also true for Orchard grasses too. COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley) Ag Fest volunteers needed April 29 and 30. Maplewood shift (3 hours long)? Donations of clothing and toiletry items for Veterans Village will be collected end of May. At June Oregon State Convention winter items will be collected. Come better weather, volunteers will be needed for the Meridian IOOF Cemetery maintenance. Betty, Roberta and Troy shared their availability with JoAnn. EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) Starting the week of March 6, the Oregonian/OregonLive will publish stories from high school reporters writing about education and teen life. The segment, which the paper is calling Youth Voices, is an outgrowth of the annual High School Journalism Institute, an eight-day summer camp during which reporters mentor students through writing stories, taking photos and putting together a newspaper. Several 2022 program graduates were interested in continuing their professional reporting — and Youth Voices was born. Requests have come into the Beaverton School District from around the country. to see and use Beaverton’s nationally recognized, free-for-the-taking fentanyl poisoning prevention curriculum, which includes informational slides and videos, online quizzes, suggested discussion questions and primary source reading. The Louisiana Department of Health was interested, too. Oregon’s third-largest district has also fielded requests from school districts in Kansas, California and Washington. This project has gained interest world-wide. Don Sether reported Molalla County Health and Molalla Grange are wanting to coordinate an education event as well and possibly include Suicide Prevention education, as well. Maplewood would like to coordinate such an event with North Marion and Canby High Schools. MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Betty Chipps) – 2023 means time to renew your Annual Membership, dues are payable to Maplewood Grange in the amount of $45/each. Dan urges… please bring your treasure chest to the meeting! LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – Gov. Tina Kotek urged lawmakers Monday to support her $80 million plan to expand the state’s behavioral healthcare system. The state has a higher rate of mental health and addiction care needs than other states yet less care to access, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Her plan, contained in Senate Bill 1044, aims to bolster the behavioral health care workforce while making care more accessible to all, including some of the state’s most vulnerable individuals such as those at risk of experiencing homelessness, youth and Medicaid members. Oregon is closer to easing a seven-decade ban on pumping your own gas. The Oregon house voted 47-10 on March 20 (HB 2426) to allow station owners to designate half their gasoline pumps for self-fueling. This will come up in the Senate soon. To follow, go to OLIS (OR Legislative Information System), enter Bill# - can also give ‘comments.’ POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley) – The upcoming meeting (April 22 at Sandy) will be the last opportunity to submit resolutions for this year. Have not been many so far. Cookie booth preparations are proceeding. Sign ups available in a couple months. Next visitation will be to Beavercreek on April 1. Lunch at noon, meeting at 1 PM. Carpooling available if you want to attend. The POMONA Degree day at Maplewood was moved to September 23. 2023 YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – absent TABLED BUSINESS – Bike rodeo idea (re-visit come spring). TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds) – Dan asked Vicki: Do we want to have a second person with ready (but unused) access to the account? Two people, Vicki and Dan, are current signers. Columbia Bank is transitioning to Umpqua Bank; no change is best at this time. The MARCH Treasurer’s Report (emailed 3/23/2023) had an opening balance of $11,323.57 on February 27 and on March 26 reflected an ending balance of $11,940.77. Dan asked for questions/comments regarding the report? Hearing none, the report was ‘filed for Audit.’ UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley) Wood business’s NW property line – No further news, at present, on the property line issue. NOTE: Dan put in an address change at the Post Office, for Maplewood Grange. So as not to miss any property notices, parcel ‘Land Use’ applications, County site reviews and/or rental Additional Insured notices, the Grange address was changed from the street/building mailbox to the Keeley’s St. Paul address. NEW BUSINESS
- BILLS presented: Reimbursement to Dan Keeley: Fire Extinguisher Servicing $ 32.00 Grit-paint etc. for ramp 54.93 (corrected: orig. amt $55.38 had transpo-error) Mower Diesel fill-up - 5.3 gallons @$5.41/gal = $ 28.67 (Dan to provide farm-invoice) Keeley Total: $115.60 Don Sether moved to pay the bills, JoAnn Keeley seconded, motion carries, VSO.
Discussion: guesstimate to replace - approximately $200 each. Sandy moved to budget and investigate (by next meeting) the Speaker Price to replace, Don Sether seconded, motion passed.
MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley) – None reported. GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) “If you are not consciously building your habits they are unconsciously building you.” (Anika J. Green, American Author) HEIRLOOM PROGRAM – THE FIRST AND HIGHEST OBJECT OF OUR ORDER IS – TO DEVELOP A BETTER AND HIGHER MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. (First Degree; Lecturer) Children's thought-habits begin at home and grow through one's Junior years; it would be wonderful for youth to be active in Grange and sprout up, blossom into adulthood. When one enters the Grange, they are welcomed as a member at the 4th Degree level - symbolizes: 1st Degree - Spring, 2nd - Summer, 3rd - Fall and 4th Degree is Winter. Welcome all four seasons. NEXT MEETING – Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 4:30 PM. CLOSING – Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 5:35 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Betty Chipps Secretary Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 3:45 PM, by Master/President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, January 22, 2023 with the “Opening of the Grange” ritual (and stations). Pledge of Allegiance - recited.
Visitation: (none) Guest: (none) Members acting Pro-Temp: JoAnn Keeley, Gatekeeper. ROLL CALL(Secretary): * indicates NOT in attendance. ** Absentee Members Master: Dan Keeley Steward: JoAnn Keeley Overseer: Don Sether Asst. Steward: Mike Ellis * Lecturer: Roberta Elders Lady Asst. Steward (LAS): Mindy Ferriss Chaplain: Kathie Femrite Gatekeeper: Sandy Shew * Secretary: Betty Chipps Pomona: (vacant) Treasurer: Vicki Pounds Ceres: Judi Aus * Member: Doug Femrite Flora: (vacant) Member: Laura Ellis: * Member: Ken Fessler * Executive Committee Members: Jack and Priscilla Weaver (Canby) ** #1 Vicki Pounds Member: Stacie Bernert (OR City) ** #2 JoAnn Keeley Member: Joyce (Olivier) Urnaut (Sandy) ** #3 Sandy Shew ======================================================================================= ***** Members present: 9, Guests: 0, Youth: 0 ***** (Mandatory – Quorum “7 ”) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) The Certificate of Membership will be presented to Troy Bayless at the February meeting. The Welcome Ceremony was rehearsed (at stations) and the salutation (hand motion) was explained. MINUTES (Secretary): The December 18, 2022 Grange Meeting Minutes were emailed today. COMMUNICATIONS (Secretary, Betty Chipps) – Molalla Grange hosted Officer Installation, SAT, January 14, 2023 at 2pm, conducted by Ed Luttrell, former Master of National Grange and Pomona. Four Maplewood members attended:: Don Sether, Dan Keeley, Mindy Ferriss and Betty Chipps. >>>MAPLEWOOD MAILBOX<<< – only advertising and solicitations. SECRETARY REPORT (Betty Chipps) The 2022 4th Quarterly (financial) Report ended 12/31/2022: payable to OSG of $213.75. The Q4-2022 Quarterly report Dues - status below:
Maplewood subordinate Grange Seal was affixed, Q4-2022 report was signed by Secretary and Master/President, Dan Keeley. Don Sether motioned to approve the 4th Quarter 2022 Report and cut a check to OSG for $213.75, JoAnn Keeley seconded, motion carried, VSO. COMMITTEE REPORTS HALL (Dan Keeley) – Three party rentals on the books. Chaps and Zumba still have long term contracts. Wood business’s NW property line – contact with the owner of lumber business established. Owner of the land is an LLC called WalnutHome owned by lumber business owner’s family. HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley): Camera system is now operational … thanks to Sean Ferriss for his assistance. Rear water Faucet (in progress) Front ramp needing paint again - needs sanded, primed and paint applied. Some grading and additional gravel needed on parking areas. Repainting under eaves of hall – Contract project? Northeast side roof needs additional screws Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished. AGRICULTURE (Don Sether) – John Deere is running out of tractors with remote controls. Manufacturers are to provide manuals to fix the software and electronics. COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley) – Clothing was taken to Portland Rescue Mission. Waiting for warmer weather to schedule future project(s). EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) Should Oregon school districts restore “resource officers” Portland Public Schools and the David Douglas and Parkrose school districts decided to remove police officers from schools in 2020 amid demonstrations over the murder of George Floyd and calls for reforms in the criminal justice system. But Portland police have stepped up patrols at one high school after two nearby shootings and Police Chief Chuck Lovell says the department is in talks with the district about whether to bring resource officers back. Is an armed police presence in schools appropriate? Is it necessary or an admission of failure? Should Oregon school districts be forced to drop discredited reading curriculum (again)? Many Oregon elementary and middle schools students aren’t fully proficient readers, according to the state’s most recent tests, and research suggests that failure to teach children to read using scientifically based methods is a key reason. But the state allows districts in Oregon to use discredited literacy curriculum (whole language and sight reading based). Against that backdrop — and driven by decades of data-driven research — 29 states have moved to overhaul how children are taught to read. The new techniques focus squarely on phonics – how sounds look in writing – and its cousin, phonemics -- the series of sounds that make up a word. Essentially, those states mandate strategies aimed at helping children understand how letters and sounds fit together and how to use that knowledge to decode words as a step toward knowing words on sight. MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Betty Chipps) – January 2023 is Annual Membership renewal month, dues are payable to Maplewood Grange in the amount of $45/each. LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – The legislature started this year's long session January 17, our Lobbyist, John DeHaas is there.. Unlike last year the Capitol building is open, at least in part. Legislator’s offices are accessible as are the hearing rooms on the first floor. The rotunda and second floor rooms are still under construction. Governor-elect Tina Kotek became governor on January 18 and spoke for about 15 minutes after the swearing in. In addition to her longstanding promise to declare a state of emergency to combat homelessness — which she will sign Tuesday — Kotek also proposes to set an annual target of 36,000 new housing units and to seek $130 million immediately to deal with those issues. Among Kotek’s other priorities are to hold the leaders of state agencies accountable for performance and customer service — “we have to put our house in order” as she put it — and also for the entire government to “focus on the problems at hand”. In other news, the House gave Democratic Rep. Dan Rayfield of Corvallis a full two-year term as its speaker. Rayfield became speaker a year ago, after Kotek resigned following a record nine years with the gavel, to make her successful bid for governor. The Senate chose Democrat Rob Wagner of Lake Oswego as its president, succeeding Peter Courtney of Salem, who held the job for a record 20 years. Both Rayfield and Wagner echoed Kotek’s key priorities of housing and homelessness, mental health services and substance abuse treatment, and better schools. As is traditional on the first day, they also extended offers of cooperation to their colleagues. POMONA REPORT (Dan Keeley) – Cookie booth preparations are underway for Clackamas County Fair. The Pomona meeting is this weekend. Website is back up with some useful information and more to come. Any suggestions on what is needed are welcome. Some parts of the website are password protected – Use the Pomona word as the password. Pomona trailer now resides at Dan Keeley residence. The POMONA Degree day at Maplewood has been rescheduled (no longer February 25) moved to September 23. 2023 YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – no report. TABLED BUSINESS – Bike rodeo idea (revisit come spring). TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds): After reconciling with the bank, a corrected December Treasurer Report reflected an ending balance of $10,916.11 (increased PGE expense by $.50 - corrected from $194.85 to 195.35). The JANUARY Treasurer’s Report (emailed 1/20/2023) had an opening balance of $10,916.11 on December 19 and on January 22 reflected an ending balance of $10,401.58. Dan asked for questions/comments regarding the report? Hearing none, the report was ‘filed for Audit.’ UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley)
NEW BUSINESS
Cleaning supplies $ 33.01 Camera System material, 12/18: 4.00 Camera System & o/s faucet, 01/02 17.58 Faucet project, 01/05/2023 _ 81.53 Keeley Total: $136.12 Don Sether moved to pay the bills, Betty Chipps seconded, motion carries, VSO.
Options were discussed on how to proceed:
(Mill would have tax obligation) A lot line adjustment would solve the tax issue!
Dan talked with the County, we will get Site Review in the mail. Dan will contact the Oregon State Grange (OSG) Attorney. Vicki will research for easement rights. HEIRLOOM PROGRAM – IF WE DESIRE TO ENCOURAGE (CHILDREN) TO LOVE RURAL LIFE, WE MUST MAKE ITS LABORS CHEERFUL. WHAT A CHILD SEES MAKES THE MOST LASTING IMPRESSION. WE MAY TELL THEM OF THE PLEASURES AND INDEPENDENCE OF (RURAL LIFE); BUT IF THEIR DAILY INTERCOURSE WITH US SHOWS IT TO BE TEDIOUS, IRKSOME, LABORIOUS, WITHOUT ANY RECREATION OF BODY OR MIND, THEY WILL SOON LOSE ALL INTEREST IN IT AND SEEK ENJOYMENT ELSEWHERE. MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley) – None reported. GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) – Nobody drowns in sweat. (Lou Holtz, college coach) “God gave us two ears to listen and one mouth to talk for a reason. Try to listen twice as much as you talk, be attentive with your whole body, refrain from interrupting, and respond only after reflecting fully on what you heard.” (Jayne Sebright, PA center for Dairy Excellence) NEXT Meeting: February 26, 2023 (per Dan’s FEB 10 email, time is 4:30 PM). CLOSED: Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 4:37 PM with the “Closing of the Grange” ritual - implements secured. Respectfully Submitted, Betty Chipps Secretary |
AuthorBetty Chipps, Secretary. Edited by Dan Keeley Categories |