April Minutes4/28/2024 Meeting started at 4:35pm
Members present: Dan & JoAnn Keeley, Mindy Ferris, Sandy Shew, Troy Bayless JoAnn Keeley will be acting secretary because Betty Chipps is absent. Since we didn’t have a quorum we can’t vote or approve business. Minutes were sent by email to members previous to the meeting. Those present did not have any changes. Committee Reports: Dan: Hall - There are 7 party rentals on the books as of today. Agriculture - Ag Fest in Salem went well. The state grange booth was busy. There were quite a few people overall at the event. Education – There was a teacher at Canby High School that received an award for excellence. Legislative – Dan encouraged everyone to study their voter’s pamphlets and vote. Pomona – There were over 60 resolutions presented to Pomona from individual granges and some that are sunsetting this year that will be voted on at the State Grange Convention in June. Between two different days the members were able to go through all of them so they will be ready for consideration at the convention. Pomona will also be selling cookies at the 2024 Clackamas County Fair. Pam Furlan will send out a request soon for help to prepare the dough. JoAnn: Scholarship – There were no applications received for our scholarships. Next year I suggest we change our requirements to include a broader range of college studies &/or applicant groups. Cemetery – Dan weed sprayed the entire cemetery. JoAnn sprayed around each stone to kill the grass which will make it easier to edge. She also reminded everyone the cleanup days are May 16th and May 18 starting at 10am. Quarterly Report – Maplewood paid $225. The office is asking for a copy of our bi-laws. Treasurer’s Report – Vicki had sent it by email to members previous to this meeting. Those present did not have any changes. Report will be filed for audit. Roberta has asked for a $15 refund to pay for her entrance into Ag Fest. Mindy Ferris gave $50 to JoAnn to give to Vicki for her 2024 dues. Old Business: Cleaning the hall day is scheduled for June 9th. Everyone that can is asked to come at 10am. Dan will send out an email with a list of potential jobs so everyone can come prepared. The members present decided on potluck for lunch rather than pizza for that day. State Convention – Mindy is interested in participating in the 6th Degree program. Dan has agreed to be 1st delegate. JoAnn has offered to be 2nd delegate. We will ask the full membership by email if they agree. New Business: Redland Grange is interested in our old floor buffer machine. The members present agreed to give it to them since we no longer have use for it. Next meeting will be June 9th after our cleaning time. Meeting adjourned at 5:25pm. March Minutes3/24/2024 Maplewood Grange Meeting MARCH 24, 2024 @ 3:00pm
Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM, by Master / President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, March 24, 2024 with the “Opening of the Grange” reading (downstairs). The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Visitation: (none) Guest: (none) Members acting Pro-Temp: Don Sether, Master (part-time, while Dan was present with potential renter) . ROLL CALL (Secretary): Members present: 9 (Mandatory – Quorum “7”) Dan Keeley, JoAnn Keeley, Don Sether, Roberta Elders, Vicki Pounds, Sandy Shew, Mindy Ferris and Betty Chipps (late arrival). PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – none MINUTES (Secretary): The February 25, 2024 Grange Meeting Minutes were emailed March 20th to members. Dan inquired of members were there any comments, hearing none: Don Sether moved to approve the minutes as presented, Mindy Ferris seconded, motion carried, VSO (voting sign of the order). COMMITTEE REPORTS HALL REPORT (Dan Keeley) –9 party rentals scheduled. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts. HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley): Small meter base removed and roof patched Insulate crawl space under bathrooms (1/2 done) Northeast side roof needs additional screws Kitchen counters need refinished Kitchen needs exhaust hood and fan Repainting under eves of hall Kitchen and dining hall floors need refinished AGRICULTURE (Dan Keeley) – Hazelnut blight turned out to be locally bred. Growers planting resistant trees in heavily blighted orchards put extreme selection pressure on the blight and it does what diseases do, it evolved. EDUCATION (Dan Keeley) – Sorry, busy this week - No report. LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – Short session is over and measure 110 has been extensively remodeled. Private possession of controlled substances is again a crime, albeit a specially designed misdemeanor. Cities and counties are being encouraged (but not required) to use the threat of jail time as a lever to get addicts into treatment. Law would then allow (but again not require) the conviction to be expunged from the persons record. Additional money was also provided for treatment. We will see how that part goes. Visitation at Redland – Great pot luck but meeting a bit long. Several resolutions debated and sent on to Pomona. Pomona will schedule an extra work day for the legislative committee early in April. Around 50 resolutions expected for review (Dan taking 35). Clackamas POMONA Grange (Dan Keeley) sponsors a CANDIDATES’ FORUM on Sunday, May 5th, Abernethy Grange: 1:00 PM Nacho Bar (Cinco de Mayo), Cookies and beverages 2:00 PM Candidate Statements - bring your Questions! SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE (JoAnn Keeley) – Schools should be turning in applications: deadlines: North Marion (April 7th), Canby (April 15th), Sandy Shew is interested in having the Applicants come and present their program. JoAnn advised Committee will decide before April 20th. COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley) Veteran Village donations are due today, can bring into Maplewood just let Dan/JoAnn know before April 27th Pomona meeting at Abernethy Grange. Portland Rescue Mission (PRM) deadline is end of May. IOOF / Meridian Cemetery Clean-Up 10:00 AM – MAY 14 and/or MAY 16, or MAY 18th - Dan has sprayed weeds around the Cemetery. JoAnn will check out headstone grasses. Volunteers 5/14 & 5/16: Betty, Don, Roberta – bring knee pads, garden cleaning tools (knee pads, claw, nippers, wire-brush, 5-gal bucket), hat & sunscreen protection. Roberta Elders is interested in Guide Dogs for the Blind (near Boring) – they take pups and go walk in the country, and other settings to train them. The dogs are trained to aid the blind or as health monitors for their owners. Roberta attended one tour at the Adult Center, main event usually at 10:00 AM. COMMUNICATIONS (Betty Chipps) Maplewood visitation to Redland Gr. was March 14th. President (& Legislative Chair), Georgene Barragan filled the missing stations of Pomona, Ceres and Flora with, respectively, Joyce Parker, JoAnn Keeley and Betty Chipps - I was impressed by this. TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds) The Treasurer’s Report for the March 24, 2024 Maplewood Grange meeting was emailed 03/21/2024. The opening balance, as of February 23, was $12,,202.22 and the ending balance on March 21, 2024 was $12,760.72. Hearing no discussion, the report will be ‘filed for Audit.’ UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley) – Spring Cleaning day JoAnn Keeley motioned to have June 9th as Spring Cleaning Day (meet at 10 AM and bring in lunch), Don Sether seconded, motion carries. NEW BUSINESS (Dan Keeley) BILLS presented to Treasurer – Reimbursement to Dan Keeley: 02/27/2024 All Systems Heating $ 350.00 (furnace & heat pump tune-up: filter can rusted) 02/27/2024 Paint for Dance Hall Lamps 9.99 02/28/2024 Lamp Cord for Dance Hall Lamps 10.27 (lamps-rewired) 03/09/2024 Lawn work and dish soap 12.98 03/20/2024 Dimmer for Ball Room Light 25.35 03/20/2024 Diesel for mower 3.5 gal@$4.05 14.17 TOTAL $ 422.76 additional: Valley AG (2 bags fertilizer) 44.00 Insurance - $ 3,159.00 (standard expenditure) Mindy Ferris commented State Farm has lapsed policies on Granges. Don Sether moved to pay the bills, Betty seconded (no further discussion), motion carries,. Grange Hall Speaker, one more being repaired, cost TBA. JoAnn moved to pre-approve the cost of Speaker, Betty seconded, motion carries.
- Certified Report (JoAnn & Betty jointly) completed and seal affixed before mailing.
Mindy motioned to buy an FFA banner and post out front to show our community support. JoAnn will ask North Marion and Canby Schools: how can the Grange support FFA?
JoAnn so moved to accept our Mission Statement, Roberta seconded, motion carries, VSO.
GOOD OF THE ORDER (none) CLOSING: Meeting adjourned at 5:46 PM with “Closing of the Grange” reading. NEXT MEETING: April 28, 2024 at 4:30pm February Minutes 20242/25/2024
Maplewood Grange #662 general meeting was called to order at 3:40 PM, by Master,/President, Dan Keeley, on Sunday, February 25, 2024 with the “Opening of the Grange” stations (upstairs). The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Visitation: (none) Guest: Alina Blankenship, Sky Guardian Falconer Members acting Pro-Temp: Gatekeeper; JoAnn Keeley ROLL CALL (Secretary): Members present: 8 (Mandatory – Quorum “7”) Dan Keeley, JoAnn Keeley, Don Sether, Roberta Elders, Vicki Pounds, Betty Chipps, Troy Bayless, Sandy Shew. PROPOSALS for MEMBERSHIP (Dan Keeley) – none MINUTES (Secretary): The January 14, 2024 Grange Meeting Minutes are yet to be completed. Betty received “20 lashes with a wet noodle” from Grange Master. SECRETARY COMMUNICATIONS (Betty Chipps) – No report. COMMITTEE REPORTS HALL REPORT (Dan Keeley) – Eight party rentals scheduled. Chaps, Gamers and Zumba still have long term contracts. Recent rentals have gone fairly well except for a glitter issue recently. I asked our insurance agent, Sean Connor, about the advisability of waiving renters insurance in favor of beefing up Maplewood’s policy. He said ‘very bad idea.’ While he has some business interests to look out for I think I trust his judgment in this case. His number one rationale was renters should have some personal exposure to worry about when bad behavior occurs. Renter didn’t quite turn the faucet off, in the storage room, and the drip caused a puddle. Please keep an eye out for faucet leaks in the storage room, when visiting the hall. Also, lights have been left on several times lately. HALL PROJECTS - in priority order (Dan Keeley): . Insulate crawl space under bathrooms (pipes under both restrooms have been insulated) Northeast side roof needs additional screws (nailed through shingles but not boards) 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) – Federal farm bill has been extended through 2024. Work on the replacement 5-year bill is proceeding slowly with considerable controversy. Some Oregon legislators propose bypassing land use rules to expand urban growth boundaries in the name of affordable housing. This is bad for agriculture partly due to loss of farmable acres but also due to increased traffic and conflicts in the rural areas. Farm Bureau and Thousand Friends of Oregon are opposing HB 1530 and HB 1537 (governors housing bill) for these and other reasons. Grange has policy and opposition, as well. Don Sether reported Commodities horrible as nothing is being exported out of the United States. COMMUNITY SERVICE (JoAnn Keeley):
- $1,000 will be awarded to a graduating senior with plans to enroll in an Agricultural related field. - Recipients have been requested to present their essa/programy to the Exec. Gr. Board. - Applications turned in for North Marion and Canby High Schools - School Award deadlines are April 7 and April 15. - a Committee member will attend the Award Ceremony. Grange is welcome to go to the Scholarship Award ceremonies, which happen before Graduation.
“According to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, in fall 2022, the average amount spent on a single child’s primary grade sport per season was $833. For families with household incomes at or above $150,000 a year, the average is $2,068. Around half of those who’ve played or have children who’ve played youth sports say they’ve struggled to pay for it, according to a 2023 Project Play report.” That doesn’t include the difficulty or expenses parents have getting their kids to practices, particularly in families where all the adults work outside the home. Maybe grade school kids should go pro now also? LEGISLATIVE (Dan Keeley) – Legislative short session is about ⅔ over. As expected, dealing with addictive drugs is a top issue. The Republican caucus has proposed essentially a straight up repeal of Measure 110, with the exception of cannabis remaining legal. The argument is that addicts will not seek treatment unless compelled to (in jail) and that country health departments will do a better job of treating addicts than the state has. Some opposition from District Attorneys and prison officials, mostly complaining they do not have the capacity or budget to go back to the war on drugs. Democratic caucus has proposed more modest adjustments centered on making public consumption of most addictive drugs illegal similar to alcohol consumption, accelerating establishment of treatment centers and non-police agency response to drug violations and overdoses. The objective is to get addicts into treatment programs without a criminal record that limits employment. Opposition argues that the state has had plenty of time to get treatment programs running and has failed. My opinion is that addicts have to want help for any program to be successful. The main question is whether jail or counseling will be more effective in persuading folks and what to do with them in the meanwhile. Troy Bayless addressed ‘wrap’ on personal employment for drug violations is ineffective as there are always get-arounds. Counseling should be effective. Troy inquired: was legislation proposed for repair of own Farm Equipment? Discussed: QVC Code supports ability to fix own equipment - issue is copyright information. MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Betty Chipps) – Membership dues for 2024 is $50. Don Sether gave a $50 check to the Treasurer. POMONA REPORT – Don Sether advised Clackamas POMONA Grange prompted RESOLUTIONS need to be presented before April 2024. YOUTH REPORT (Mindy Ferriss) – (absent) TREASURER’S REPORT (Vicki Pounds) The Treasurer’s Report for the February 25, 2024 Maplewood Grange meeting was emailed 02/23/2024. The opening balance, as of January 12, was $14,244.05 and the ending balance on February 22, 2024 was $12,481.52. Hearing no discussion, the report will be ‘filed for Audit.’ Vicki reminded the membership that Grange Dues ($50) are due. Thus far I have only 3 checks.. TABLED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley) – None UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Dan Keeley): Website Host – Weebly Are we willing to continue to pay for our website ($211 per year from Weebly) or go with a smaller, plainer one on the National Grange site using WordPress? Pros / Cons: National Grange supports WordPress - it’s simple, no pictures & no videos. Troy asked, has Weebly generated rentals? Dan said Weebly does allow tracking - has generated approximately 25% of rental inquiries Dad advised OK to pay $211 since Weebly was pre pre-approved vendor. NEW BUSINESS
02/04/24 Janitorial Supplies & rug pad 22.58 02/16/24 Dimmer for ballroom 25.35 02/17/24 Electrical for Dimmer 6.78 Sub-Total $ 89.17 l Spot Lamp - Disco ball Additiona Fixture 61.84 expenses Mop 24.00 presented Misc 21.97 TOTAL $196.98 Don Sether moved and Betty Chipps seconded to pay the bills, motion carried. VSO
MEMBERS SICK or IN DISTRESS (Dan Keeley) – none noted. GOOD OF THE ORDER (Dan Keeley) Whether you think you can or think you can’t , you’re right. (Henry Ford) GUEST: Alina Blankenship, Sky Guardian Falconry located in West Linn (503) 969-6119. ([email protected]) (www.GuardianFalcon.com) Falconry is the hunting of wild animals in their natural habitat by means of a trained Bird of Prey.. Landowners/Facilities are provided habitat training as well. Mutually benefiting the Urban / Suburban environments with the bird-of-prey::
A business will provide a habitat (nesting home) for the raptor, and through normal course, the natural hunter will prevent damage to crops, orchards, or business grounds. Examples: the Army Corp of Engineers benefits by the hunting of voles; the hawk would flush out squirrels in a Filbert orchard NEXT MEETING – March 24, 2024 at 3:30 PM. CLOSING – Meeting was adjourned, by Dan Keeley, at 4:16 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Betty Chipps Secretary October minutes10/22/2023 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 September Minutes10/1/2023 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, August 2023 Minutes8/27/2023 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 July Minutes7/23/2023 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 June Minutes6/25/2023 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:
May Minutes5/28/2023 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 AuthorBetty Chipps, Secretary. Edited by Dan Keeley Categories |
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