On Sunday, Jan. 15, Granby Grange was honored to welcome Connecticut State Grange President Rob Buck for his first visit to historic Granby Grange Hall at 212 North Granby Road. His visit was especially appropriate as Granby Grange #5 was the home of Connecticut’s first State Grange President, Harvey Goddard, from 1875-1878. During Buck’s visit, Granby Grange broke the modern state Grange history record by welcoming 29 new members to its ranks.
Connecticut State Grange General Deputy Peter Keefe installed these 29 new Granby Grange members.
During his congratulatory remarks, Buck said that Granby Grange now holds the record for the most new members added in one day by exceeding the record set recently by Wallingford Grange. New Granby Grange members include Connecticut State Rep. Mark Anderson, Salmon Brook Historical Society (SBHS) President Todd Vibert, SBHS Curator Martha Miller, SBHS Board Member Philip Marshall, and Granby Conservation Chairman Dave Roberts and commissioners David Desiderato and Kara Marshall. The large number of new members was the result of a collaboration with Riverton Grange #169 to help reinvigorate their neighbor’s membership. Newly installed Granby Grange President Ron Cowdrey personally thanked Riverton Grange, their members, and in particular President Dave Roberts for all their tireless work to help bring new members to Granby Grange.
Newly elected Granby Grange officers for 2023 who were inducted by General Deputy Peter Keefe and his installation team includes: President Ron Cowdrey, Vice President Philip Marshall, Lecturer Judy Doyle, Teasurer Carol Innes, Secretary Kara Marshall and the executive committee: Dave Roberts (3 years), Lucian Cascio (2 years) and Conrad Krupa (1 year), steward Klynn Matthews, assistant steward Stephen Gilkey, lady assistant steward Karla Andrulot, Ceres Nancy Andrulot, Flora Linda DePamphalis, Pomona Jackie Martin, Chaplain, Lucian Cascio, gatekeeper Natalee Roberts and pianist Denise Canora.
Following this historic event of having all Grange offices filled, the large audience was served refreshments provided by Granby Grange and Riverton Grange. Granby Grange will next work on appointing committee chairs and members to all its local Grange committees. Granby Grange would like to invite other Grangers, as well as those interested in joining our Grange, to come visit our historic Grange Hall and experience the new enthusiasm we have at Granby Grange.
Upcoming events include:
Sunday, March 12, 2023, business meeting at 2 p.m. by Zoom; please contact Dave Roberts for the Zoom information at either 860-469-5067 or Granbydavidroberts@gmail.com.
Sunday, March 26, 2023, monthly membership meeting (in-person); lecturer Judy Doyle program on “Caterpillars and Butterflies.” Refreshments will be served following the meeting.