| JUNE 30, 2014 -- The Connecticut State Grange isn’t giving up on the idea that the dormant Litchfield Grange can again become a thriving community service organization.
State Grange officials are trying to stir up interest in reorganizing the Litchfield Grange, which closed three years ago after more than 100 years of advocacy for local farmers.
“Litchfield is still very agricultural-minded and has always been community-minded, which is what the Grange is about,” said Todd Gelineau.
The Connecticut State Grange general deputy, Gelineau was at the Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market on Saturday as part of the campaign to revive the Litchfield Grange.
He was promoting the Litchfield Grange from a booth at the market, handing out brochures and talking with anyone who stopped by.
The goal, he said, is to create interest in the Litchfield Grange throughout the summer and then determine if it can be reopened.
The Litchfield Grange’s charter was suspended by the state Grange because involvement had dwindled to only a handful of people. After the suspension, the state Grange assumed management responsibility for the Grange hall on Bantam Road.
Gelineau, a member of the Winchester Grange, said the state Grange believes it’s worth taking a shot at reopening in Litchfield.
That would require interest in membership, and Gelineau on Saturday began a month-long promotional effort that also will take him to the Main Street Marketplace in Torrington and an event (CT NOFA) in Morris.
“It’s going to take several events to know if there’s interest,” Gelineau said.
“I’ve heard a lot of support for reopening, but we’ll have to wait and see if that translates into membership.”
The Litchfield Grange was established in 1889, 22 years after the National Grange was founded as a service-based organization with an interest in farming and rural issues.
Its main tasks were funding scholarships for college bound high school seniors, presenting citizenship awards and holding a fair and flea market.
Membership in the Grange is not limited to people engaged in agriculture, Gelineau said. “Anyone can join, men, women and children age 5 and older,” he said.
Those interested in becoming a member may contact Gelineau at 860-307-1522 or info@LitchfieldGrange.org.
Contact John McKenna at jmckenna33@optonline.net. |
