The History & Future of the Grange

Sunday, March 12

Silverton historian Gus Frederick will be presenting his talk “The History and Future of the Grange in Transition,” about how the Grange movement started, both nationally and here in Oregon, and how it has remained an active part of rural communities to this day. At the Silverton Grange, on Sunday, March 12, 6:00 pm. Join us prior for a potluck dinner and social hour starting at 5:00.

Background from the Green Grangers Interest Group:

The Order of Patrons of Husbandry, generally known as The Grange, started as a radical populist movement from the 1870s that formed in opposition to both monopolistic corporations and their middlemen. This detrimental concentration of resources and the power it creates they reasoned, would result in a society that degraded the producer, violated the public good, and undermined the republic. Over a century later, this situation not only persists, it thrives – fueled by dwindling supplies of non-renewable and toxic fossil fuels.

Over the last 100 years, our society has grown up around the paradigm of cheap energy and rapid mobility. This is changing no matter what anyone feels about it one way or the other. Market forces are driving society as a whole towards a re-localization paradigm, even if many in industry fail to recognize it, or actively oppose it. We see this in our grocery stores with the ever-expanding range of local organic produce; Or in the increase in vibrant Farmer’s Markets and in the creative ingenuity of many of our rural citizens. Many of us feel that the Grange should accept this changing paradigm, and become a major player and even leader in rural communities in transition.

The Silverton Grange Hall is located at 201 Division Street, Silverton. From Main & Water downtown, head south 1.7 miles on Water Street towards Silver Falls State Park, and turn left on Division Street. There is a large State Highway sign for the Grange Hall on the corner.

Silverton Seedy Saturday

Saturday, March 18, 2017 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free for Everyone to Attend!

This year’s Seedy Saturday will feature a Focus on Food! An event where people get together to swap garden seeds, especially heirloom varieties, or varieties that have been in the family for generations. But the event is so much more! The event is free and everyone interested in gardening is welcome to attend. A few of whats on tap:

• Free Garden Seeds. Bring some to trade too (Not required)
• Master Gardeners to answer your gardening questions
• Demonstrations on Using Worms for Composting
• The buzz from Marion County Beekeepers Association
• Grab a couple of free seed catalogs to browse
• Nutritionist discussing fresh vegetable meals
• Learn about gardening with water conservation in mind
• Kid’s Activities
• Raffle and so much more…

Come browse the Seed Catalog table, talk to Marion Country Master Gardeners, learn about Worm Compost, learn about Water Conservation at your home, find out what your local Grange is all about, get some gardening seeds at the Seed Swap Table (and if you have any Open Pollinated or family heirloom flowers/veggie varieties, bring them in). Local nurseries are invited to sell starts, plants, seeds and gardening implements. Not sure what to do with all the produce from your garden? Visit our Nutrition & Recipe Table. Learn how to put up garden vegetables/canning/dehydrating. Meet the fine folk from the Salem Rose Society. Interested in Hydroponics? This is the place to be on Saturday. Meet your Willamette Valley Beekeepers. And if you are hungry, there is some great food at the “Seedy Cafe,” where we will have baked goods for sale with coffee and tea.

The Silverton Grange Hall is located at 201 Division Street, Silverton. From Main & Water downtown, head south 1.7 miles on Water Street towards Silver Falls State Park, and turn left on Division Street. There is a large State Highway sign for the Grange Hall on the corner.

MLK Day Celebration & Potluck

Dr. M.L. King

Monday, January 16, 2017 at the Silverton Grange Hall. Doors open at 5:30 pm for a potluck dinner and social hour, program around 6:30ish.

Join the Silverton Grange and the Silverton People For Peace as we honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, for our 13th Annual MLK Day Celebration, an evening of Remembrance, Poetry, Song and Potluck. Free for all, and all are welcome!

Starting with just a few volunteers in 2003, The Silverton People For Peace initiated this January tradition of honoring Dr. King as a way to highlight his powerful messages and the examples he left for us to follow. After several years, The Silverton Grange decided to partner with us, and to provide us with a regular venue.

Following a Social Hour & Potluck, our Guest speaker will be Ahjamu Umi, noted Oregon social and racial justice activist and author: “Breaking the Chains of Racism and Intolerance.” Past celebrations have included relevant film showings, poetry and select readings from Dr. King and others involved in the social justice movement. We are proud to continue this tradition into a new decade, and invite one and all to join us in celebrating the life and times of one of this country and this planet’s most endearing citizens.

Dr. Martin Luther King’s challenge 50 years ago to America to “make real the promises of democracy” remains today and his legacy to social and economic justice will be celebrated  at the 12th Annual Silverton MLK Observance, 6:00 p.m., Monday, January 19, at the Silverton Grange, 201 Division, just off of  S. Water. The evening of community potluck, music, short readings and audio samplings of Dr. King’s speeches is co-sponsored by the Silverton Grange and Silverton People for Peace.

The potluck traditionally has featured southern-style cooking with suggested dishes that were Dr. King’s favorites, including macaroni & cheese, pork chops, baked ham, green beans and ham, cooked greens and apple pie. In recognition of Dr. King work as a beacon of hope to the economically disadvantage and in keeping of the tradition of the holiday as one of community service, donations of blankets, coats, hats scarves and gloves – as well as any canned goods – to Silverton Area Community Aid are encouraged.

The Silverton Grange is 1.7 miles south of Main and Water and two blocks east on Division Street. A street sign for the Grange Hall is on S. Water and Division. The event is open to the community.

For more information, call 503.580.8893, email Rose Hope. For more information on this release, contact Robert Sisk at 503.580.8893 or this source.

Our Work is Not Over

“When so many of our nation’s schools are failing, especially those in our poorest rural and urban communities, denying millions of young Americans the chance to fulfill their potential and live out their dreams, we have more work to do.

“When CEOs are making more in ten minutes than the average worker earns in a year, and millions of families lose their homes due to unscrupulous lending, checked neither by a sense of corporate ethics or a vigilant government; when the dream of entering the middle class and staying there is fading for young people in our community, we have more work to do.

“When any human being is denied a life of dignity and respect, no matter whether they live in Anacostia or Appalachia or a village in Africa; when people are trapped in extreme poverty we know how to curb or suffering from diseases we know how to prevent; when they’re going without the medicines that they so desperately need – we have more work to do.”

 

The Healthcare Movie

Click to View Trailer

The Healthcare Movie, narrated by Keifer Sutherland, explores the health care system in Canada: how it came to be, how it works for ordinary Canadians, how it is paid for, and how it compares to its American counterpart. A special screening is set for Silverton here at the Grange on Tuesday, March 4. Doors open at 5:30 pm.

The Healthcare Movie provides the real story of how the health care systems in Canada and the United States evolved to be so completely different, when at one point they were essentially the same. Most people under the age of 50, in both countries, are not aware of the intensity of the political struggle that led to the universal medical care system in Canada. Nor are they aware of the public relations campaigns, still active today, that have been prevalent in the United States since the early 1900’s to dissuade the public from supporting national health care.

Produced by Canadian/American (now Oregonian) couple Laurie Simons and Terry Sterrenberg, The Healthcare Movie reveals the personal and emotional impact on Canadians who now have access to universal health care because of the heroism of people who took a stand nearly 50 years ago. It also reveals the continuing struggle in the United States between the fear of government intervention and the right to quality health care for all people. Every day people are dying or going bankrupt due to the ills of the United States system. Who are we in the face of this human tragedy? If you agree that people are more important than profits, then you must watch this film.

This special Silverton screening is sponsored by the Silverton Grange, Silverton People for Peace, the Main Street Alliance of Oregon and Health Care for All Oregon.

The Silverton Grange Hall is located at 201 Division Street, Silverton. From Main & Water downtown, head south 1.7 miles on Water Street towards Silver Falls State Park, and turn left on Division Street. There is a large State Highway sign for the Grange Hall on the corner.

Peace Education Program

Prem Rawat

You are cordially invited to join in a first ever, Peace Education Program in Silverton, Oregon.

Every human being has the right to peace, and the experience of peace is an achievable goal. When individuals value and understand peace they enjoy better lives. When nations value and promote peace, they truly prosper. The purpose of the Peace Education Program (PEP) is to help participants discover their own inner resources innate tools for living such as inner strength, choice, and hope and the possibility of personal peace.

• This is an innovative educational program, facilitated by volunteers, with a curriculum that consists of 10 videos, each focusing on a particular theme.
• These interactive workshops are non-religious and non-sectarian. The content of each theme is based on excerpts from Prem Rawat’s international talks.
• There is no cost for this workshop. Registration is suggested but not required.

Beginning; Thursday October 3, 2013 at 7:00 PM and continuing every Thursday for the following nine weeks.

Location: Silverton Grange Hall, 201 Division Street, Silverton, Oregon
(off South Water Street 1.7 miles from downtown)

For more information, visit our Facebook page or call Michael at: 971-273-6728

Old Fashioned Country Breakfast

Join us on Saturday, October 6 from 8:30 to 11:30 at the Silverton Grange for the first of our quarterly Old Fashioned Country Breakfasts! A great time to fill up on a nutritious morning meal with all the trimmings! $7:00 suggested donation.

Menu:
• Fresh-Ground Coffee
• Johna’s  Tea
• Apple Juice
• Pancakes, (Buttermilk, Buckwheat and Gluten-Free)
• Scrambled Eggs
• Homemade local Sausage, Veggie Sausage

Pancake Toppings:
• Apple Compote
• Plum Jelly
• Black Berries
• Maple Syrup
• Cherry Sauce
• Butter
• Vegan Margarine

The Silverton Grange Hall is located at 201 Division Street, Silverton. From Main & Water downtown, head south 1.7 miles on Water Street towards Silver Falls State Park, and turn left on Division Street. There is a large State Highway sign for the Grange Hall on the corner.

America Values … Hometown Roots: Founded in 1867, the Grange is the nation’s oldest farm organization and supports sustainable communities, local agriculture, and education.

Grange to Host 1929 VocAg Film

Silverton High School, 1929

As part of the Silverton Grange’s monthly lecture series, we start off each of our meetings with a Potluck Dinner Program. For the Sunday, December 4, 2011 meeting, we will feature a presentation on the Silverton High School Vocational Agriculture program from the 1920s, featuring a showing of the recently digitally restored movie by SHS VocAg teacher, Warren Crabtree.

This 24 minute film was originally shot between 1927 and 1929 by Mr. Crabtree to highlight Silverton High School’s Smith-Hughes Vocational Agriculture Program, a Federally funded project designed to instruct rural students in the latest modern agricultural techniques. Crabtree, an amateur filmmaker and photographer, documented his Students progress, with this film and an extensive scrapbook of photos and clippings.

The original footage was shot of 16mm Black and White film, with prints made from it. The reels were provided by Mr. Crabtree’s daughter, Doris, who still lives in Silverton. An earlier analog transfer was created in the early 1980s as part of the Silverton Cable TV Show, “Under the Oak.” The new digital transfer, by Pacific Imaging of Amity, is much crisper, with a vast improvement in image quality.

Additionally, several of the still images that Crabtree filmed as part of the production, were in his scrapbook.  These were scanned and included to replace the 16mm static shots. Doris Crabtree donated her father’s scrapbook to the Silverton Country Museum, which formed the basis for the information in the presentation. The original scrapbook can be viewed at the museum by special arrangement. The original movie was silent, so a supplemental sound track of period popular music was added.

Doors Open at 5:00 – Presentation at 5:30 – Business Meeting to Follow

The Silverton Grange Hall is located at 201 Division Street, Silverton. From Main & Water downtown, head south 1.7 miles on Water Street towards Silver Falls State Park, and turn left on Division Street. There is a large State Highway sign for the Grange Hall on the corner.

Thank You!

The members of the Silverton Grange would like to extend a warm thank you to all those folks who helped make our Fifty Mile Breakfast a success, either by attending, buying a raffle ticket or by providing materials for us to serve.

We would especially like to thank our sponsors, whose donations made the breakfast and raffle basket possible. Between the breakfast itself and the Raffle Basket, we are now well on our way to getting our community kitchen upgrade plans. And Mayor Rasmussen’s last-minute $200.00 donation from the Mayor’s Ball was likewise greatly appreciated!

Sherry Pollock
President Silverton Grange

100-Mile Breakfast Shrinks…

Once again, the Silverton Grange is hosting our “localvore” Breakfast on Saturday, August 28, 2010, from 8 am to 11 am at the Silverton Grange Hall. Originally our breakfast featured foods made from scratch with ingredients grown or produced within 100 miles of Silverton.

This year we have decided to shrink our reach and to focus on those items within a 50 mile radius. The event is intended to encourage people to consume foods from their local area. There is a $7 suggested donation. Everyone is welcome.

The menu will include buckwheat pancakes, SortaSausage®, vegetable frittata, fresh fruit, fruit compotes, sausage, and  beverages.

“Within even 50 miles of Silverton is a cornucopia of vegetables, fruits, nuts, meats, grains, and seafood,” explains April Brenden-Locke, Silverton Grange member. “We want to provide a delicious meal to community members showcasing the incredible foods we have available in our local area.”

Information and resources will be available at the event to show people the benefits of eating local food and where they can buy local products.

“Produce travels an average of 1,500 miles before it reaches our supermarkets,” says Brenden-Locke. “Buying more local food decreases our dependency on foreign oil and supports local family farms.”

Founded in 1867, the Grange is the nation’s oldest farm organization and supports sustainable communities, local agriculture, and education. “The Silverton Grange is bringing these ideals into the 21st century by being relevant to today’s families and today’s issues. We believe local farmers and food producers are critical to that goal,” says Brenden-Locke.

Corporate Accounatability

Note: The following was written in response to a Legislative Alert sent by email from The National Grange Legislative Policy Committee. The opinions within are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Silverton Grange.

Molly Thompson; Legislative Program Assistant
Re: National Grange Legislative Action Alert 13

Madam:

I recently received an “Action Alert” urging all Grange Members to OPPOSE House Resolution 5175, designed to reign-in the alleged “constitutional rights” of corporate organizations.

I joined the Grange specifically for it’s early opposition to unbridled corporate power, monopolies and their “middle men.” For over a hundred years, our country has been ever increasingly under the thumb of these corporate interests, whose only goal is to increase profits for share holders.

This situation, fueled by dwindling supplies of non-renewable fossil fuels, has evolved into a massive centralized civilization that even the ancient Soviets would envy. The current fact that campaigns are judged by how much money is raised, is not only obscene, but un-patriotic.

And now the National Grange wants us to oppose the small measure of accountability that HR5175 would mandate. What does the National Grange have to fear from citizens knowing how much money was spent by them?

Maybe because the National Grange is actually more supportive of those same corporate interests? And perhaps fear that HR5175’s accountability would reveal to all this fact?

If the National Grange was truly concerned about family farms and the future of rural America, they might be wise to actually support same. Instead of the centralized corporate predators that feed off of us.

I will advise all my friends and neighbors to contact their Congress folks to SUPPORT HR5175.

Sincerely,

Gus Frederick; Lecturer
Silverton Grange No:748