Granges offer leadership development for local community service projects within their theme of "American Values, Hometown Roots." Granges also offer a legislative voice through grassroots advocacy. While Granges are non-partisan, they urge full participation in the American political process. Family is a part of every Grange meeting. Children, youth, adults and senior are welcome participants in competitions such as music, art, public speaking, crafts and more. Members and visitors enjoy the fellowship, recreation and social activities of Grange meetings.
Grange outreach and volunteering efforts benefit a variety of organizations and projects across RI and surrounding Massachusetts communities: Ronald McDonald House, the RI Community Food Bank, Foster Parents Project, local animal shelters, Linus lap blankets as well as Helmets and Mittens for Hasbro and other hospitals. Grange members have donated change and gift cards for veterans, homeless and widows. A guiding principal for all Granges is Faith, Hope, Charity and Fidelity. The motto of Granges is “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty and in all things charity.”
The Portsmouth Grange will hold its annual Awards Night on May 3, honoring the outstanding contributions of a Portsmouth citizen (farmer, teacher, fireman or policeman). Also awarded that night will be longevity awards for Grange membership & community service. April has been designated as "Grange Month" by the National Grange.
The Rhode Island State Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry (RI Grange) willcelebrate its 125th anniversary in 2012 with a celebration banquet on April 29 at the West Valley Inn, 4 Blossom Street, West Warwick, RI. The 126th Annual RI State Grange Convention will be held October 4 - 7 at the Ramada Inn, 940 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, Massachusetts.
The RI Grange sponsors statewide projects such as Go Green to teach local Grange members more about farming, the environment and their local community. A photography contest was held for photographs depicting RI agriculture and rural life for inclusion in the 2012 Grange Calendar. A scarecrow contest is judged each August at the Washington County Fair. Statewide Grange Roundtables dinners bring together agricultural leaders to discuss issues, share strategies and brainstorm. This gathering allows Grange members to keep up with agriculture, conservation and environmental concerns in Rhode Island and keep Grangers informed.
Each winter RI Granges holds a pie contest; Portsmouth’s was on February 2. Entries were not limited to fruit pies; squash, oyster or meat pies are welcome. After judging and award presentations, the pies were served at the Grange meeting.
Each June Grange members are urged to submit recipes using Rhody Fresh dairy ingredients and create posters promoting the Grange and Rhody Fresh products; judging is held at the Washington County Fair. The Washington County Grange hosts the Washington County Fair August 15 - 19 as well as a BBQ each July. The Newport County Pomona Grange hosts a turkey dinner every fall. Some events are fundraisers in support of Grange member families with special needs such as a child undergoing cancer treatments. Grange members help create and staff a booth at the Easter States Exposition.
Most RI Granges meet monthly. On their agenda is promoting local farmers markets; nearly a dozen committees report on their community outreach projects and successes. Committee titles include: Legislative, Events, Community Service, Women’s, Youth, Junior, Membership and Death (announcing occasional loss of Grange members). Like many nonprofit meetings, the Treasurer gives periodic updates on the organizations finances and officers are elected annually.
Other upcoming RI Grange events include Country Western Dancing every Saturday in 2012 from 7 to 10 p.m.and monthly breakfasts on the third Saturdays at the Slocum Grange. The Ashaway Grange held a Snowball Picnic and baseball competition on January 16, 2012.
There are dozens of Grange Fairs as well as Sheep and Wool Festivals planned for 2012 across New England:
Rhode Island
Washington County Fair August
Massachusetts
Dartmouth Grange Fair September
Dunstable Grange Annual Fair August
Eastern States Exposition September
Easton Grange Fair October
Rochester Grange Annual Fair August
Shelburne Annual Grange Fair August
South Middleboro Agricultural Fair August
Ware Grange Annual Fair August
Williamsburg Grange Fair September
Connecticut
Beacon Grange Fair September
Cannon Grange Agricultural Fair
& Exposition August
Cheshire Grange Community Fair September
Ekonk Community Grange Fair August
Granby Grange Agricultural Fair September
Harmony Grange Fair August
Killingly Grange Fair September
Litchfield Grange Fair August
Meriden Grange Fair September
Riverton Grange Fair August
Simsbury Grange Agricultural Fair August
Southington Grange Community Fair August
Wallingford Grange Fair September
Whigville Grange Fair September
Winchester Grange Fair August
RI Wool and Fiber Festivals May
Fiber Festival of New England November
Fiber Revival August
Franklin County Fiber Twist - September
Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair May
Connecticut Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival April
New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival May
New England Alpaca Classic Show November
Rhody Wool Collection Day June
New York Sheep and Wool Festival October
Maine Fiber Frolic June
Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival October
Jamaica Fiber Festival May
For more information on New England fairs, click here or for details on Massachusetts and Connecticut fairs, click here.
The Portsmouth Grange meets the first Thursdays of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Portsmouth Senior Center, 110 Bristol Ferry Rd, Portsmouth, RI. For more information contact Scott Sherman or 178 Weaver Hill Road, West Greenwich, RI 02817 or call (401) 226-4118. For more information on RI Granges, click here or for information on national Granges, click here.
A similar story ran on February 19, 2012 at Portsmouth, RI's Patch.com.
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