WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dorena Grange, #835, has been recognized as a Distinguished Grange for a second year in a row.
”Those recognized as Distinguished Granges make up less than two percent of the total number of granges across our nation, and are truly the cream of the crop,” National Grange President, Betsy Huber, said. ”Every grange works to improve its community and educate others about agriculture and food issues, but these Distinguished Granges are truly beacons of light in their hometowns. Many of them serve some of our nation’s most rural communities and their efforts are vital in raising the quality of life for the local residents.”
The National Grange, which celebrated its 150th birthday last year, will recognize Dorena Grange along with thirty three other community granges and six state granges at a reception during the 152nd Annual National Grange Convention in Stowe, Vermont, in November.
To qualify for this recognition, Dorena Grange submitted a recap of activities from July 2017 through June 2018. Highlights include: Barrel Food Gardens for Cottage Grove, Creswell and Drain; a Firewise fire prevention presentation for the Dorena community; 150th grange anniversary event featuring an open house and spaghetti feed; and holding a cake walk at Earth Day in Coiner Park. Dorena Grange members have worked with Sustainable Cottage Grove and other community resources to provide gardens for folks who would otherwise not have the opportunity to grow their own food.
”One person helping another strengthens our community ties and enriches all of our lives,” said member, Beth Pool.
Located at milepost 4 on Row River Road, Dorena Grange holds a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are on the fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. For more information about Dorena Grange, you are encouraged to visit their Facebook page – Dorena Grange #835 – contact Erika Bartlog at [email protected] or 541-623-0515. You can also learn more at the Apple Festival & Flea Market on Oct. 20th, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
”The recognition by the National Grange of our recent and ongoing public service is really appreciated. Community outreach, while keeping Dorena Grange’s spirit alive, represents the efforts of a small dedicated group of grangers and volunteers. We are striving to illustrate the values of our grange to the local communities of Cottage Grove and Dorena and the residents beyond Dorena Reservoir,” explained Bill Anthony, Dorena Grange’s vice president.
Since 1867, the National Grange has brought individuals and families together to support their communities and advocate on behalf of rural America and agriculture.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan and fraternal organization, which celebrated 150 years of service in 2017, has more than 150,000 members throughout the country. The history of the order is rich with stories of generations of grangers across more than 40,000 communities serving others and developing leadership and other personal skills. Today, the grange is a major benefactor to more than 2,000 communities in which local chapters reside, and members provide millions of hours of service and dollars in funds to support the needs of their hometowns identified through grassroots process.
For more information, visit www.nationalgrange.org.
