| MARCH 7, 2012 -- Barbara Clark Kulisch was presented with her 50-Year Golden Sheaf Certificate at a recent meeting at the Old Lyme Community Grange #162. Her sons, Karl and Kenneth, escorted her to the altar.
The Old Lyme native and Clinton resident joined in 1962, upon her graduation from the Old Lyme Junior Grange #46, at the age of 14. Kulisch comes from a "Grange Family" that included her sibling, parents, grandparents, and many cousins.
Today, Kulisch and one cousin, Norman Emerson, are the only family members left in the Old Lyme Grange. She was surrounded by Grangers from Cheshire, Echo, Ekonk Community, Lyme, Norwich, Wallingford and Old Lyme Granges. Kulisch serves not only as program director for her Grange but also community service chairman and legislative chairman.
"It is an accomplishment," Kulisch said, admitting that she was sad at first because she recently lost her spouse, a 57-year member, whom she had met in the Grange.
"I thought, 'I don't deserve this,' but I do deserve this. It is a milestone - 50 years is a long time," she said.
Kulisch started in the Junior Grange at age 5 and then joined the Subordinate Grange at 14. "When you're 14, you graduate into the Subordinate Grange. From there you stay for life, as long as you stay in the Grange," she explains.
The general public, she says, has a misconception about the Grange.
"People think the Grange is all about farmers and agriculture, which we're not," Kulisch said and added, "We were originally an agricultural organization because during the Civil War we were a safe haven for farmers. Today we have become more of a community service organization that fosters family values. We're not as much the agricultural, although we support farmland.
"We have a basis in the Bible which is really what a lot of people don't have these days. We do salute the flag and we do have our ritual."
Because of the emphasis on family, the Grange differs from other organizations - kids are included. "And, a lot of organizations don't include men and women in the same room and we do," she notes.
For a small group of people (a dozen active members), a tremendous amount of community service work is accomplished. Kulisch and her colleagues are involved with the Visiting Nurse Association and the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries. They support the Waterford Country School and foster children. And, they recently joined the United Way's Diaper Appeal.
Kulisch was raised on her parents' farm in Old Lyme, which was next door to her grandparents' farm. She worked between the two. "My grandparents had the big farm - the cattle, pigs and chickens. We had the goats and rabbits."
In those days everyone belonged to the Grange. Her grandmother was a Junior Leader so, when Kulisch joined at age 5, her grandmother was her leader.
"My grandmother belonged, my parents belonged, my parents' siblings belonged, and then all of the cousins belonged so it was one big family."
Kids had very few choices for organized activities. "We had Junior Grange or Scouts - that was it. You didn't have this big competition that kids have today. There were not sports in our day," says the sexagenarian.
She looked forward to meetings twice a month. "One Saturday was a meeting and the other was a crafting time. Or, you would go roller skating in Groton."
Because there are so many choices, getting young people to join today is challenging.
"I've had a bunch of open houses to try to get the town to come in and they don't. They just think we're a bunch of farmers and don't want to be a part of it. It's harsh," she admits.
On the legislation side, the Grange has liaisons that "will work on bills that will help the Grange people - not necessarily as a farmer but to help get us financial help if we needed it," she explained.
Outside of the Grange, she has belonged to the First Congregational Church in Clinton for the past 35 years. Kulisch is a Deacon and was a superintendent of church schools for 15 years before retiring in 1998. She volunteers for the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and hopes to become involved with another soup kitchen soon.
"I know what it's like not to have a meal on the table," she said. "They come in and are so grateful. Just to be there and know they got a hot meal and to see the smiles on their faces, it's a rewarding piece at the end of the day."
The 12 active members range in age from 37 to 96. Meetings are held twice a month at the Grange Hall.
"We're a really good group and just work together...the camaraderie we have is really good. That's so important because you can't accomplish things without camaraderie."
Kulisch is an officer at each level. She belongs to New Haven County Pomona #5 where she serves as lady assistant steward. "I do a lot of floor work and also head up a gift card program," she said.
On the state level Kulisch is a member of the family activities, "the one who does the projects for the state," and is filling in as state chaplain.
Grange member Sue Gray, whose husband Russell Gray presented the certificate, has known Kulisch for 45 years. Gray said, "She's probably the most dedicated community volunteer that I know. If there's a need, she's just there."
President Ross Stands, who has known Kulisch for close to 40 years, said, "She is the lifeblood of our Grange. In addition to community service, she makes sure all the reports are done and looks for ways we can help out.
"It's an important part of her life and we couldn't do it without her," he added.
"I consider Grange to be my extended family." Kulisch said. "When I got my certificate I was able to invite my people - my people are the people I grew up with. They're people I have worked with statewide. They're people who knew my husband before he knew me. They're extended family and they were there when I needed them, through my husband's illness and afterward.
"I learned leadership. I learned public speaking. I learned to be there for other people and to work in the community is really great. To me it's family, which is what a lot of people don't have these days," she said.
"It's a way of life. I don't know any other way of life." |
