PRE-SESSION
BANQUET – Wednesday Evening, October 20, 2004
The Pre-Session Banquet of the 120th Annual Session of the Connecticut
State Grange was held at the Sheraton-Hartford Hotel, East Hartford at
7:00 P.M.
State Master F. Philip Prelli introduced the head table, State Overseer
Robert Sendewicz and Sister Marge; Bruce Grezyck, Commissioner of Agriculture;
William Davenport, our guest speaker from Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury;
State Chaplain Marvin Wilbur and Sister Shriley; Duane K. Wetmore, Chairman
of the Board of Directors; Sister Maureen Prelli and Sister Judy Sherrod,
our National representative who was late in arriving due to her flight.
Special guests: Dr. & Mrs. Kerr, Dean of Agriculture at the University
of Connecticut; Dr. & Mrs. Anderson of the Connecticut Experiment
Station; Dr. Louis Manarelli, new Director of the Station; Milton & Paricia
Natisch, representing FFA; the current President Mindy Crane & Secretary
Missy Clark; and Bob Night for Heifer International.
Michael Molodich, Agriculture Director of the Connecticut State Grange
presented Colleen Augur as this year’s Outstanding Young Farmer
with a certificate and a check for $100. Also hoored was Dr. Peter Rothenberg
for Outstanding Production. Dr. Rothenberg was unable to be present.
Sister Nancy Weissmuller and Brother John Waterhouse of the Student Loan & Scholarship
Committee introduced this year’s five students, each of whom was
presented with a check for $2,000 - Melissa Barr, Caitlin Heintz, Erin
Heintz, Jonathan Hermonot and Jacqueline Hnath were recipients of this
year’s awards - the 160, 161, 162, 163 & 164th scholarships
given to date by the Connecticut State Grange. Sadly missed was Sister
Alma Brooks, Chairman of the committee, who was unable to attend.
Mindy Crane, FFA President, spoke to those present, comparing the goals
and plans of the Grange and the FFA, thanking the Grange for its continued
support.
A check for $1,550 was presented to Bob Knight, representing Heifer Project.
The evening concluded at 8:15 P.M. The First Day Session will open Thursday
morning at 9:00 A.M. in the Sixth Degree.
OPENING SESSION – Thursday
Morning, October 21, 2004
The morning session of the 120th Session of the Connecticut State Grange
was called to order at 9:00 A.M. by F. Philip Prelli, State Master, of
Riverton. Brother Prelli welcomed all and introduced Sister Judy Sherrod,
National Lecturer and our National Representative. Sister Judy spoke
briefly of her pleasure at being present.
Roll Call was taken and it was reported that 10 Pomonas, 57 Subordinate
and 2 Junior Granges responded to the roll call and there being a quorum,
the work of the session could continue.
The Grange was lowered to the Fourth Degree and the Fourth Degree delegates
were presented at the Master’s Station where they were greeted
by the Master and encouraged to become members of the Sixth Degree on
Friday evening.
The following resolutions were presented and assigned:
1 Re: Motor Vehicle License Plates - Ref. to Legislative
2 Re: Selling Name & Address Lists - Ref. to Good of the Order
3 Re: Labeling Prescription Drugs - Ref. Grange Activities
4 Re: Farmer Wages - Ref. Agriculture
5 Re: National Forests - Ref. Agriculture
6 Re: Information for Small Farmers - Ref. Good of the Order
7 Re: Protection of Wetlands - Ref. Agriculture
8 Re: Trans-Border Pollution - Ref. Agriculture
9 Re: Roll Call of Officers - Ref. Constitution & By-Laws
10 Re: Support for Farm Aid - REf. Agriculture
11 Re: Driver’s Licences - Ref. Legislative
12 Re: Minimum Speed - Ref. Legislative
13 Re: Alcohol Containers in Vehicles - Ref. Legislative
14 Re: Committee on Women’s Activities - Ref. Grange Activities
15 Re: Right to Farm - Ref. Agriculture
16 Re: Cost of Court Ordered Placement of Students - Ref. Grange Activities
17 Re: Dormant Grange Funds - Ref. Good of the Order
18 Re: Working Lands Alliance - Ref. Grange Activities
19 Re: Signs, Billboards, Etc. - Ref. Credentials & Master’s
Address
20 Re: Designation of Connecticut’s Colonial Statesman -
Ref. Constitution & By-Laws
21 Re: Use of High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes from I-384 to Charter Oak
Bridge - Ref. Credentials & Master’s Address
22 Re: Agricultural Employees - Ref. Constitution & By-Laws
23 Re: Secretarial Comm. - Ref. Grange Activities
24 Re: Internet Connection - Ref. Legislative
The address of the State Master was distributed, then read by Brother
Prelli. Response by Worthy Overseer who commended the Worthy Master on
his address and on the work accomplished this past year. He referred
the address as Resolution #25 to the Master’s Address Committee.
Report of the Worthy Lecturer Marge Bernhardt was given. Ordered accepted
and printed in the Journal.
Report of the Treasurer Philip Bergquist was read, discussed and questions
asked.
Report of Secretary Marion Beecher.
Report of Auditing Committee Charles Brush.
Report of Board of Directors - Duane K. Wetmore.
These reports were ordered accepted and printed in the Journal.
Session recessed at 11:15 to reconvene at 1:45 P.M.
AFTERNOON SESSION – 1:45
P.M.
The afternoon session was called to order at 1:45. The Past Voting Delegates
were escorted to the Master’s Station where they were greeted by
State Master Prelli and thanked for their dedication and service to the
Order. Those present were Brother and Sister Peg and Frank Prelli, Sister
Margaret Warner, Sister Mildred Bell, Brother and Sister Bud and Marion
Beecher, Brother Duane K. Wetmore, Brother Carl MacLaurin and Brother
Russell Gray.
Brother Wetmore announced that the altar, made by Past State Master Frank
Warner for Hamden Grange was being presented as a gift to the Connecticut
State Grange. It was suggested that it might be kept at the Central Office.
Brother & Sister Phil & Maureen Prelli presented a gift to the
Past Voting Delegates.
The ballot was spread and the following were elected to serve the Connecticut
State Grange for the ensuing two years:
Master - F. Philip Prelli
Overseer - Robert Sendewicz
Lecturer - Marge Bernhardt
Steward - Ben Barr
Assistant Steward - Jody Cameron
Lady Assistant Steward - Cynthia Finch
Chaplain - Marvin Wilbur
Treasurer - Philip Bergquist
Secretary - Marion Beecher
Gatekeeper - Jeffrey Barnes
Flora - Carol Hnath
Ceres - Eloise Osuch
Pomona - Jane Wendell
Executive Committee (Constit. term of 3 years) - Carl MacLaurin
Report of the Connecticut Agricultural Fair - Todd Gelineau
Report of Camp Berger - Bud Beecher
Report of Legislative Committee - Gordon Gibson
Report of Agriculture - Mike Molodich
Report of Connecticut Farmland Trust - Gordon Gibson
Report of Connecticut Granger - Todd Gelineau, Edith Schoell
The preceding reports were ordered accepted and printed in the Journal.
It was reported that though she was unable to attend, Sister Dorothy
Kasperait had sent a check for $1,000 to the Connecticut Granger Trust
Fund which brought her annual donations to $15,000. Many thanks to Sister
Kasperait.
Report of the Information Committee, Carl Bernhardt was given and ordered
printed.
Report of Membership - Robert Brockett
Report of the General Deputy - George Russell
Report of Pomona Deputy West - Amy Whitcomb
Report of Pomona Deputy East - Edith Schoell
Report of State Historian - Edith Schoell
The preceding reports were ordered accepted and printed in the Journal.
Session closed in form in the Fourth Degree at 4:00 P.M. The Open Meeting
will start at 7:00 P.M.
EVENING SESSION – 7:00
P.M.
The evening session of the first day was called to order at 7:00 P.M.,
starting with the Heritage Team portrayal of Faith.
Sister Jodi Ann Cameron, Youth Director, reported on the Youth Activities
of the year.
Sister Karen Annis reported for the Foster Parent’s Program. Her
guests were Lori Wilkerson and Sharon Brown of the Connecticut Association
of Foster and Adoptive Parents. Karen Presented a check for $3,500 to
the program representatives.
Worthy Lecturer Marge Bernhardt announced awards in the various Lecturer’s
programs.
Sister Bernhardt introduced the Pratt & Whitney United Chorus who
entertained us with a number os songs - which were great!
Sister Mildred Bell reported for the Code Reading Committee.
Brother and Sister Sendewicz reported for Community Service.
Worthy State Master presented Honor Grange bars to all 11 Pomona Granges
with top Pomona being Mountain County Pomona #4 and to 49 Subordinate
Granges with Winchester Grange #74 as top Subordinate Grange.
The raffle of the Past Deputies concluded the evening with $1,188.25
resulting.
We were reminded of the Insurance Breakfast at 7:00 A.M. on Friday morning.
INSURANCE BREAKFAST – Friday,
October 22, 2004
The Insurance Breakfast was served at 7:00 A.M. Master of Ceremonies was
State Master Phil Prelli who introduced those at the head table: A. Ruel
Miller; Russell Gray; Judy Sherrod, National Lecturer; William Siclari,
CEO of Patrons Mutual; Peter Faber, President of Litchfield Mutual and
Mark Bisshoff, Vice President of Operations for Litchfield Mutual.
The work during the past year at Litchfield Mutual, National Grange Mutual
and Patrons Mutual was discussed. All showed a good year in spite of much
bad weather, difficult financial times and much competition.
the work of the Grange in conjunction with Patrons for Habitat for Humanity
was reported by Brother Russell Gray.
The breakfast concluded at 8:00 with a reminder that the morning session
would convene at 9:30.
MORNING SESSION – 9:30 A.M.
The morning session of the second day of the 120th Session of the Connecticut
State Grange opened in form in the Fourth Degree at 9:30 A.M.
Roll call was taken.
Minutes of the previous day were read, corrected and adopted.
Worthy Master reported he planned a change in format for the morning.
He announced that the Hosting Committee would be selling jelly and jams
with a label for the Connecticut State Grange – the same as was sold
in the New England Grange Building at the Big E.
Reports of last evening given by the Youth, Foster Parents, Community Service,
Code Reading and Honor Granges were ordered accepted and printed.
The Worthy Chaplain Marvin Wilbur presented a very lovely Memorial Service
for: June Maynard, Maurice Johnson, Oscar White, Alden Ives, Doris Purinton,
Shirley Davy, Mary Leah Benson, Robert Varney, Donald Stands, Pauline Tomlinson,
Arthur Pearl and all Brothers and Sisters who have passed away this year.
Report of the Chaplain was read and adopted and ordered printed.
Sister Judy Sherrod demonstrated a musical presentation using bells.
Worthy Master presented a program on the Medicare Card - questions and
answers as to the changes and use.
Session recessed at 11:45 until 1:45.
AFTERNOON SESSION – 1:45
P.M.
The afternoon session of the second day convened at 1:45 P.M. The Grange
was declared at ease.
The program of the CWA for the year was outlined in the report of the
committee given by Sister Betty Jane Gardiner, Director. Program theme
was “Putting Your Best Foot Forward.” Theme next year will
be “Busy Bees.”
A check for $960 was presented to the Student Loan Committee, $840 to
the Connecticut Granger Trust Fund, $422 to Foster and Adoptive Parents.
The check to Foster Parents was in addition to many bags and boxes of
instant cameras, memory books, back packs, and a set of luggage presented
to Dr. Roger Le Gasse. Hanahoe Clinic received a tremendous outpouring
of $1,215 plus gifts for the children. 250 Hats for Hanahoe were also
given - a competition at the Connecticut Agricultural Fair.
The committee presented gifts of appreciation to the State Master and
Maureen as well as to Sister Sherrod.
The Session was called to order and the first session committee report
was given.
Sessions Committee Reports:
Good of the Order
Resolution
#2, Re: Selling Names & Addresses.
Committee reported
favorably. Moved for adoption. So voted.
Resolution #6, Re: Information for Small Farmers.
Moved adoption.
So voted.
Resolution #17, Re: Dormant Grange Funds. Committee
reported
unfavorably. Moved for rejection. So voted.
Committee Resolution #26, Re: Study of Pomona Alignment.
Committee
moved for adoption. Motion made and seconded to table the
resolution. So voted.
The
session closed in form in the Fourth Degree at 2:45
to convene for the conferral of the Sixth Degree at
7:45 P.M.
EVENING SESSION – SIXTH
DEGREE, 7:45 P.M.
The Evening Session of the second day was opened in form in the Sixth Degree
at 7:45 P.M. National Lecturer Sister Judy Sherrod was escorted to the
station.
Golden Sheaf members were recognized as well as the Past Voting Delegates.
The beautiful Sixth Degree was conferred on Robert Lord, Kent Marchall,
Carolyn Douglas and Mary Alyce Lee who were our guests in waiting for the
Sixth Degree which was then conferred upon these candidates.
Special thanks were extended to Cindy Anderson and the girls of the Rose
Drill, Worthy Flora and the ladies of the Court, Sister Gail Prelli, Soloist
and the Men’s Quartet and Pianists Edith Schoell and Huena Wetmore.
The evening meeting was closed in the Fourth Degree by the Youth officers
followed by the march to the table.
Special mentiion was made of Sister Dorothy Haller’s who will be
91 years old and the 50th wedding anniversary of Phil & Kathy Bergquist
last week.
MORNING SESSION – Saturday,
October 23, 2004
The morning session of the third day of the 120th Annual Session of the
Connecticut State Grange was opened in the Fourth Degree at 9:00 A.M.
Sister Judy Sherrod was escorted to the Master’s station.
Roll call of officers, committees, and deputies was taken.
Minutes of the second day’s sessions were read, corrected and ordered
printed in the Journal.
Session Committee Reports:
Good of the Order/Membership
Reported
on tabled resolution #26, Re: Pomona
Alignment. Committee
moved adoption with the addition, by common consent, of the words,
“the role of the Pomona Granges in the new Grange, following
“a committee to study . . .” in the resolve. Committee appointed:
1. Pomona Masters; 2. Pomona Deputies.
Credentials/Master’s Address
Resolution
#17, Re: Dormant Grange Funds. Committee
moved rejection.
So voted.
Resolution #21, Re: Use of Hight Occupancy Vehicles
in H.O.V. lanes.
Committee moved rejection for Substitute Resolution #27. So voted.
Committee moved adoption of #27. So voted.
Resolution #28, Re: Streamlining Meetings. Moved adoption.
So voted.
Committee Resolution #29, Re:
Mission Statement. By common consent
the words “Executive Committee” changed to “Board
of Directors.”
Committee moved adoption. So voted.
Committee Resolution #30, Re: Day Care at Camp Berger.
Committee
moved adoption, but the resolution was rejected by the delegates.
Resolution #25, Re: Master’s Address. Committee
moved adoption. So
voted.
Committee Resolution #31, Re: Central Office Telepone.
Committee moved
adoption. So voted.
Agriculture
Resolution
#4, Re: More Wages for the Farmer. Committee
moved
rejection for Substitute Resolution #32. Resolution #5 was rejected.
Resolution #32 was adopted with the addition of the
words “to the
other New England States” in the final resolve.
Resolution #5, Re: National Forests. Committee moved
adoption. So voted.
Resolution #7, Re: Protection of Wetlands. Committee
moved adoption.
So voted.
Resolution #8, Re: TransBorder Pollution. Committee
moved adoption.
So voted.
Resolution #10, Re: Support for Farm Aid. Committee
moved rejection.
So voted.
Resolution #15, Re: Right to Farm. Committee moved
adoption. So voted.
Legislative/Insurance
Resolution
#1, Re: License Plates. Committee moved
rejection. So voted.
Resolution #11, Re:
Diver’s Licenses. Committee moved
rejection.
Committee vote failed. Motion ot accept and resolution #11 was
adopted.
Resolution #12, Re: Increase Minimum Speed Limit.
Committee moved
rejection for Substitute #33. Resolution #12 was rejected and #33
was adopted.
Resolution #13, Re: Open Containers of Alcohol in
Vehicles. Committee
moved adoption. Defeated by the delegates and the resolution was
rejected.
Resolution #24, Re: Internet Connection Responsibility.
Committee moved
rejection. So voted.
Grange Activities
Resolution
#3, Re: Labeling Prescription Drugs.
Committee moved
rejection. So voted.
Resolution #14, Re: CWA Department Name. Committee
moved rejection.
So voted.
Resolution #18, Re: Working Lands Alliance/CT Farmland
Trust
Committee moved adoption. So voted.
Resolution #16, Re: Placement of Students. Committee
moved rejection.
So voted.
Resolution #23, Re: Grange Secretarial Committees.
Committee moved
adoption. By delegate vote the resolution was rejected.
Session recessed at 11:45 until 1:15 P.M.
AFTERNOON SESSION – 1:15
P.M.
The afternoon session of the third day opened at 1:15 with Garret Brush
of Beacon Valley Junior Grange and other Junior members from North Stonington
and Ekonk filling some of the stations, under the direction of Junior
Director Joanne Cipriano.
The Bible was opened and the flag presented.
State Master Philip Prelli and Sister Maureen and Sister Judy Sherrod,
National Lecturer, were presented at the station.
Sister Cipriano presented her report of the year’s work, listing
awards and recognition of the various activities. See Junior Director’s
report.
Session was called back to order at 2:35 P.M.
Report of the Junior Director was ordered accepted and printed in the
Journal, with appreciation of the work done by Sister Cipriano.
Constitution and By-Laws
Resolution
#9, Re: Roll Call of Officers. Committee
moved rejection.
So voted.
Resolution #20, Re: CT Statesman. Committee moved
adoption. So voted.
Resolution #22, Re:
Agricultural Employees. Committee
moved adoption.
So voted.
This being the final resolution for action, the Worthy Master thanked
the committee chairmen and secretaries and released all.
Motion made, seconded and so voted the Board of Directors approve the
last day’s minutes.
Motion made, seconded and so voted the budget be adopted as presented.
Worthy Master expressed his appreciation to all attending this 120th
Session of the Connecticut State Grange, for the work done, and for the
willingness of all to try to make changes.
Worthy Secretary thanked those who had assisted: Sister Cindy Legg for
acting as Storekeeper and Brother Ruel Miller as assistant, as well as
Sister Phyllis Bierce, typist for the session.
The afternoon session of the third day of the 120th Session of the Connecticut
State Grange closed in form in the Fourth Degree at 3:30 P.M. the Installation
of Officers would be held this evening at 7:30 P.M.
EVENING SESSION – INSTALLATION
OF OFFICERS
The evening session of the third day of the 120th Annual Session of the
Connecticut State Grange was called to order at 7:30 P.M. Officers were
conducted into the hall where they were installed in a beautiful ceremony
by Edith Schoell and her installing team: Sisters Marion Carlson and
Rita Schaefer, Brother Stephen Laputz; Pianist Virginia Laputz and Soloist
John Waterhouse.
Worthy Master once again thanked all for a fine session and wished everyone
a safe journey home.
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