The National Grange Convention will be coming to New Hampshire this fall.

The convention is sponsored by the six New England states and New York that comprise the Northeast Region of the Grange. The convention will be held November 12-16, 2013  at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester NH.

Every state grange in the region contributes financially to the convention and members can help with hands on contributions.

Each state has been assigned a day to host the Hospitality Room. Massachusetts will be hosting on the Wednesday of the convention. Rita Joseph will be our coordinator for the hospitality room that day. She will be looking for bakers and volunteers to assist her that day! Watch for more information from her as we get closer to the convention.

This year at the convention we will be having a “hat, mitten and scarf” drive.

The hats, mittens and scarfs collected will be displayed on trees in the lobby. At the close of the convention, they will be  distributed to charities in the seven states of the region. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to this outreach effort. Items can be either homemade or purchased new. We are looking for items for all ages!

Shirts, sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, and other items are still for sale to support the convention. Contact Cal and Linda Chase to purchase these items.

The convention comes to the Northeast Region only every five years with Rhode Island the host state in 2018. However, all patrons eligible to be initiated into the Seventh Degree are encourage to do so this year in Manchester NH. Patrons will be able to receive the Fifth Degree and Sixth Degree at our own State Session this October.

George Thomas,

Northeast Connection coordinator

for Massachusetts

Maine State Grange Administrative Coordinator James Owens notes that the conference is open to any Grange member. “We’re excited to be hosting this year’s conference,” Owens noted. “Having it in Portland means a great resource and opportunity for existing and potential Grange leaders is very close to home.”

Featured guests include National Grange Master Ed Luttrell and Mike Martin, Membership/Leadership Director of the National Grange. Among the workshops being offered are “Media and Member Relations” by Maine State Grange Webmaster Walter Boomsma and a Sunday morning devotional program my Maine State Grange Chaplain Clyde Berry. Breakout sessions are designed around specific functions and offices of the Grange. State Masters will gather on Saturday for a  “Northeast Connection” meeting.

The Conference will open on Friday evening at the Seasons Event and Conference Center and close following a Sunday morning business meeting.

Rooms are available at the reduced rate of $55 per night (plus tax) single or double occupancy but reservations must be made by December 31, 2012.

Note that the conference registration deadline is December 15, 2012. The conference registration fee is only $10. (Meals are not included.)

Download additional information regarding hotel, meals, directions to the hotel, and a complete schedule:  2012 Northeast Leaders’ Conference Information

The information above was posted by Maine State Grange: http://mainestategrange.org/?p=4445

Today it is important to inform you that, due to budgetary constraints, the National Grange will not print and send an edition of the New Grange in 2013. However, the Communications Department is committed to providing information to all members and asks each of you to assist in this effort.

Please spread the word that the National Grange will produce and distribute e-newsletters on a regularly scheduled basis for all members who provide email addresses to swilkins@nationalgrange.org or abrozana@nationalgrange.org. Information can also be regularly found at www.nationalgrange.org.

If you know members who do not have email or the internet, please volunteer or find someone in your Grange who will print and distribute the e-newsletter editions to members. The National Grange looks forward to continuing to serve its wonderful members and hopes each member will do their part in providing their Brothers and Sisters with information – both to the National Grange about local Grange events and activities and information from the National Grange to all of our members.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Boxborough Selectman, Les Fox (left) presented State Master, Matthew Johnson, with the Town of Boxborough Grange Week proclamation. Also pictured is Owen Neville (right), Master of Boxborough Grange.

State Master and First Lady, Matthew and Lisa Johnson, on the opening night of Session.

George and Patti Thomas were presented with the Mr. and Mrs. Grange award for 2012-2013. Congrats!

Allan Gaspar was presented with the Youth Mentor of the Year Award!

Proclamation

Grange Week – October 22 through October 28, 2012

Whereas, The Grange, known also as Patrons of Husbandry, has had a presence in Boxborough for over one hundred twenty-six years; and

Whereas, this fraternal organization is open to men and women age fourteen and over; and

Whereas, the core values of this organization include Love of community, Belief in the goodness of mankind, and Improvement of the human condition; and

Whereas, The Massachusetts State Grange will meet for their 140^th Annual Session in Boxborough, October 25 through October 28, 2012; therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Town of Boxborough welcomes the Massachusetts State Grange, wishing them a successful event; and be it further

Resolved, that the Board of Selectmen proclaim October 22 through October 28, 2012 Grange Week in the Town of Boxborough.

In witness whereof, I have set my hand and caused the seal of Boxborough to be affixed on this 22^nd day of October in the year 2012.

Boxborough Board of Selectmen,

 Leslie R. Fox, Chair