| AUGUST 1, 2024 -- A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the 2024 North East Lecturers Association (NELA) Conference in Norwich, Connecticut, such a success. It was a joy to see Grangers from all seven northeast Grange states come together for this wonderful event. Special thanks to State Grange Chaplain Charles Dimmick, who hosted a memorable service on Sunday morning for all attendees.
As we look forward to upcoming events, mark your calendars for the 2024 Connecticut State Grange Family Festival. This year’s festival will be held on Sunday, August 4, from 8 a.m. until noon at the Granby Grange Hall, located at 212 North Granby Road, Granby, Connecticut. Organized in partnership with Dawn Percoski, our Family Activities Director, this event promises to be another fantastic gathering for our community.
Granby Grange, one of our revitalized Granges in northern Connecticut, has undergone many exciting changes. The Hall now features a new handicapped-accessible ramp, porch, and unisex bathroom, ensuring accessibility for all. Visitors can also tour our National Grange award-winning community garden, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our members.
During the festival, the Connecticut State Grange Lecturer’s Department will once again sponsor the Photo Contest. All entries must be at Granby Grange, no later than 9:00 AM on Sunday, August 4th. Open to all Grangers (Junior, Youth, 1+, and Grange), the contest will be judged at the State Grange Family Festival, with winning photos displayed at the State Grange Convention before being returned to their owners. Cash prizes will be awarded for First, Second, and Third place in each category. Adults will compete in one contest, while Junior, Youth, and 1+ will compete in a separate contest.
The four photo categories are:
1) Patriotism/Grange Activities
2) Pet
3) Landscapes
4) Flowers
Rules: 1) Only prints accepted. 2) Participants may enter all four categories but are limited to one entry in each category. 3) Entries must have been taken by the participant since the last State Grange judging. 4) No glass or frames allowed on photos. 5) Prints may be processed commercially but must have been taken by the entrant. 6) Size of photo/backing (if used): No smaller than 4”x6” or larger than 11”x14”.
7) The entrant’s name, contest category, Grange/Grange number, and phone number must be placed on the back of each entry.
In addition, please join us for our 11th Lecturers’ Roundup, to be held on Saturday, August 10, at 7:00 PM on Zoom. Zoom information will be sent out before this gathering. This event is for all Grangers, not just Lecturers. Our special guest speaker, Judy Doyle, Granby Grange President-Elect, will share information on new technology tools to make our tasks easier.
It is an honor to serve as your State Grange Lecturer. I hope to visit your Subordinate and Pomona Granges soon. Together, we can continue to uphold our strong Grange tradition!
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