Two particular Grange members from our state have contacted me expressing displeasure at the content of the Legislative department columns. The Grange, of course, is supposed to be non-partisan. The columns have reported on events and policies of the current administrations which, whether you agree with them or not, can often be considered controversial. With the death by murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah recently, the space is present for more division in our country as fingers are pointed trying to lay blame. National Grange President Hamp recently wrote in her email column on the need to stay strictly non-partisan. Now more than ever, I agree with that assessment, but will also make it clear to people that when our Legislative Director reports on the mistruths and apparent cover- ups in his column, that I will stand behind him. There must be a line of distinction between reporting and supporting or criticizing.

The latter part of this summer has been dry, and the birds seem quieter and less active than usual for this time of year. I wish I could say the same for the political scene in our country. On the up-side, I saw the American Kestrel, a small falcon, on Cassidy Road here in Southbury the other day. This summer I’ve seen more than usual Coopers Hawks, a not terribly common type of hawk. The warblers are starting to migrate south and I’ve seen a few of them in outings. This includes the Hooded Warbler which I have observed many times around the area this spring and summer as they become more common.

The Big E is over and another year of hard work preparing and staffing the New England Grange Building for its duration. A lot of preparation goes into that event. Thanks to Noel and Dawn for fulfilling the duties of their managerial positions and Ted Powell and all the rest of the workers from Connecticut and the other states in the region for contributions of time. I worked my weekend and, as always, had fun doing it. We work hard in this endeavor to support the upkeep of the building and try to publicize Grange through this tool we have been given by a previous generation of Grangers. Thanks also to all those supplying the handmade articles for sale. People come back year after year for them.

With State Session right around the corner, preparations continue, and we all hope for a productive convention. Our National representatives, Joe Goodrich and wife Lisa from Vermont, will be attending so make them feel welcome to the Flatland. A workshop on the future of the Grange is on the agenda and I can’t wait for it. It promises to be thought provoking. Then on to the National Grange ABC Cruise which will be a new experience.

Higganum Grange #124 will be turning in their charter. They have lost the use of their meeting room due to the sale of the building they used to own but sold years ago and which was recently re- sold to someone who is unwilling to continue the agreement on hall use with the previous owner. They have no alternate meeting place and health issues and age of members make continuing as a Grange not possible. My understanding is that few of the remaining members if any will continue their memberships. I thank the Higganum members for doing what they did for as long as they were able. However, it should be noted that any Grange wanting to dispose of a real asset like a Grange Hall MUST run their plans by the State Grange Board of Directors. This requirement comes not from the State Grange but the National Grange Digest of Laws.

I can tell from the reports on Community Service coming in that we are on track to equal or exceed last year’s figures. We will have agricultural contest winners, and the Honor Grange awards for Subordinate and Pomona Granges have been reinstated. As was done in previous years, the President of the top ranked Pomona will have the honor of closing the 141st Annual Session of the Connecticut State Grange in the Fourth Degree on Saturday.

In the recent Frontline Flash for National Grange, the latest phrase in President Hamp’s Speak Like A Champ series is “succession planning.” This refers to the idea that your Grange, like any organization, should have a view of the future with leaders lined up to take over top positions. As we struggle with membership, this is an incentive to keep on pushing for new members if we want our Order to survive. Food for thought.