Home Grange 129

December FUN at Home Grange!!

2010-11-27T19:58:00.000-08:00

Hey Friends!

There are a lot of fun things coming up at your local Grange Hall!!

This Friday, December 3rd is the annual

Swiss Steak Dinner and Bazaar!!

December 3rd

4:30-7

Dinner includes savory Swiss Steak, REAL mashed potatoes, squash, coleslaw, rolls and dessert!!!

There will also be a Craft Bazaar with plenty of baked goods, ceramics, baby quilts and maybe even a hat or two made by Holly of Knit it Up, YO!

Wait! It's also time for December's Craft Day!!!

Join us Saturday, December 4th for another great day of Crafts, fun, plus, friends and food!!

Home Grange Craft Day!

Saturday, December 4th

Noon-4pm

We will be meeting in the lower hall this month. Bring your craft and have some fun! Or, try a new craft.
People bring knitting, spinning, scrap booking, crochet, jewelry making, genealogy, quilting, and sometimes even home work!! Bring your favorite craft and join us!

December 11th 4 pm-Holiday Decorating followed by
Regular Business Meeting at 7

Don't miss out on the fun of decorating the hall. I promise, I'll clean the bathrooms, you can decorate the tree.

Learn about all the fun activities the Grange has planned for the upcoming year, and see what community service activities we are planning too!!

December 18th

Home Grange Holiday Program

December 18th

7pm

Join us for our annual Holiday Program! Bring your favorite reading, poem, original holiday story, skits, or songs. You ARE part of the program.

We will also be handing out awards that members received from State Grange contests.

Wooo! Go Grangers!

Bring a $3-$5 woman's or man's gift for our random gift exchange.

Santa will also be there to hand out gifts to children-You bring the Gift, Santa will dole it out!

We hope you can make it to many of our great events!

Please note: Holly d'Awesome will be at all above mentioned events-weather dependent.

Please note: NO CRAFT DAY this SAT

2010-11-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

NO CRAFT DAY THIS SATURDAY at the GRANGE!

Dear Friends,

Due to family circumstances there will be no Craft Day this Saturday, November 6th.

We will have our December Craft Day-Saturday December 4th Noon-4.

Thank you so much for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you in December.

Fraternally,
Holly

Don't miss the Fun at the Grange!!

2010-09-14T04:32:00.000-07:00

September

4 Pedro Party, 2 pm

11 Regular Meeting, 7 pm

14 Work Day/Sack Lunch, 10am-3pm

25 Installation of Officers

Regular Meeting, 7 pm

28 Work Day/Potluck, 1-5 pm

29 VA Hospital Visit

October

2 Craft Day - Noon to 4 pm

Pedro Party, 2 pm

Pomona Grange @Fredonia Grange

6 pm potluck, 7 pm meeting

9 Regular Meeting, 7 pm

12 Work Day/Sack Lunch, 10am-3pm

20-23 Michigan State Grange, Wayne/Washtenaw

26 Work Day/Potluck, 1-5 pm

29 Scalloped Potatoes & Ham Dinner, 4:30 - 7 pm

30 Halloween Party, 5 pm

Regular Meeting, 7 pm

November

6 Craft Day - Noon to 4 pm

Pedro Party, 2 pm

9 Work Day/Sack Lunch, 10am-3pm

13 Collections Night, 7 pm

23 Work Day/Potluck, 1-5 pm/5-8 pm

27 Regular Meeting, 7 pm

December

3 Bazaar/ Swiss Steak Dinner, 4:30 – 7 pm

4 Bazaar

4 Craft Day - Noon to 4 pm

Pedro Party, 2 pm

11 Regular Meeting, 7 pm

14 Work Day/Sack Lunch, 10am-3pm

18 Christmas Program, 7 pm

29 VA Hospital Visit

Thank YOU!

2010-09-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the Craft Day.
We had people knitting, finishing knit items, spinning, and over all having a nice time visiting. Please join us for our next one which will be:

Saturday, October 2nd, noon until 4pm.

Some of you were interested in the hanging towel that I was making...

It's Lacy Mock Cable Dish Towel available for free from Steph's Designs


Now includes a button and woven in edges, thanks to Grange Craft Day!

I'd also like to give a big thanks to the generous people who donated their time and talent to make hats for the Haven of Rest in Battle Creek. Hats will be donated later this month.

Craft Day-September 4th!

2010-09-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

We're starting up the Craft Days again at Home Grange 129!

Our first will be today, September 4th, from noon-4pm.

Bring your favorite craft! Need space for scrapbooking...take a table to yourself. Want to learn how to knit? Join a table and we'll try to get you started!

Bring a beverage, and snack to share. Looking forward to seeing you!

A Nice State Grange Visit

2010-08-31T14:52:00.000-07:00

We recently had our Michigan State Deaf Awareness Director, Lois Nichols, speak at Home Grange.

She went over many ways we can help the Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint.

1. Collect soda can tops, and other aluminum. This includes CLEAN pie plates, lasagna tins and many more items.

2. Save Box Tops 4 Education Labels. These are found on everything from soup cans to Kleenex tissue boxes.

3. You don't have to wait until the holidays to help out the kids at the school. Buy school supplies and send them along. Items like pencils, notebooks, paper, etc are always needed.

A big THANKS to Lois for the lovely talk and many other tips on helping bridge the communication gap.

See you at the NEXT event!!

2010-07-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

The Home Grange's next exciting event will be our FIRST (hopefully annual)

Craft, Fiber and Flea Market!!

August 28th

Vendors are still needed. Clean out your closets, have a booth! Make something crafty, and you've always wanted to try selling...here's your chance!

Contact-Holly at homegrange@gmail.com

12x12 outdoor spaces and indoor tables are still available.

The Fourth was GREAT!! Thank you!!

2010-07-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to everyone who help support Home Grange at this summer's events!

We had a great time with everyone at the 26th Annual 4th of July Parade.

Our lovely Parade Marshall, Marilyn! Thank you for all you do for the Grange!

The Parade got a full page of in color photos in the Battle Creek Shopper the Thursday following the 4th.

Thank you to all the many friends, old and new, that were able to make it. It takes a lot of behind the scenes work to make it awesome for everyone.

Grange Parade Honors Rural Life-Battle Creek Enquirer

2010-07-03T07:33:00.000-07:00

Join the Home Grange for the 26th Annual 4th of July Parade!!
Parade is Sunday, July 4th
Line up for the parade starts at 11am at 8 1/2 mile road and B dr South.

Here's what the Battle Creek Enquirer had to say about our Parade:

The following is from the Battle Creek Enquirer online edition-Grange Honors Rural Life.

For the last 26 years, the Fourth of July Home Grange Parade has been a community event showcasing rural life in Calhoun County.

Roland Winter, of Marshall, has been a Grange member for almost 70 years.
"It started out small and just kept growing," Winter said.
The mile-long parade features various churches, fire departments, tractors, family floats, horse-drawn carts and carriages and "lots of kids on bikes and kids with pets," Winter said.
After the parade, free hot dogs and soda are served at the Grange Hall.

Last year's crowd consumed around 600 hot dogs and 500 cans of soda, and Winter estimated that about 500 people showed up.
"Not everyone from the parade comes for the hotdogs, so there were definitely more than that (at the parade)," Winter said.

Each year the Grange selects a Grand Marshal for the parade -- someone whom the Grange members want to honor for contributions to the organization.

This year's Grand Marshal is Merilynn Watkins, 89, of Ceresco.

While she is not a Grange member, Winter said Watkins "is a great worker and friend of the Grange. She comes to our work days and helps with sewing."
Watkins said she has hemmed flags and sewn quilts and blankets for the Grange to donate to various groups.

Watkins has made 56 quilts, which take "five to eight hours from start to finish," Watkins said.
"I enjoy it. I've always volunteered a lot," Watkins said.
Watkins also volunteers her time as a receptionist at Good Samaritan Hospice Residence in Battle Creek on Sunday afternoons.

"I think it's so great we can have a facility like that in the area," Watkins said.
Watkins said her duties on Sunday will consist of "riding in a horse-drawn carriage and waving at the children."
"It's a way to thank her for what she does for the Grange," Winter said.

Annual Home Grange 4th of July Parade!!

2010-06-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

You say you have nothing going on the morning of July 4th? Kids are bored waiting until it's dark for the fireworks?

Well, have we got a treat for you!! Join us in celebrating Independence Day at

Home Grange's 26th Annual

4th of July Parade!!

Parade starts at noon, ends at the Home Grange Hall.

Free Hot Dogs and Soda after the Parade!

Plus-Antique Engines, old fashion games, Alpacas, bunnies, Pony Rides, and much more!!

Want to be in the parade?
Line up for the parade starts at 11 am on B dr S and 81/2 mile road.

Bring your tractor, pony dog, fancy car, decorated bike, lawn mower, or just yourself. We're not real picky, we just love a parade!!

Where to watch the parade?

Park at the Grange Hall, bring a chair and line up along B dr South. You'll make a new friend, and have a riotous, old fashion fun time.

Vendors Needed! Fun New Event!

2010-06-13T06:14:00.000-07:00

Hi All!
Home Grange 129 in Battle Creek is hosting a
Flea Market and Craft Fair
August 28th

We are currently looking for vendors for this event!
12 x 12 outdoor spaces or a single table inside the Hall will be $10
Honestly, anything goes. Ok, anything legal. We want to make this a fun event that has something for everyone.

Please contact:

Holly at

homegrange@gmail.com

for more information and to reserve your space!

National Grange!

2010-05-28T05:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to an article about the wonderful visit we had last weekend by the National Master!

Ed Luttrell, Chris Johnston, Roland W. Eric B.

Check it out at Battle Creek Enquirer.

Busy Weekend at the Home Grange Hall!

2010-05-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

Hi all-

Just a reminder that this weekend is a big one for Home Grange.

On Saturday, the Michigan State Grange will present a Department Conference. The State Department Directors (Membership, Community Service, Lecturer, etc.) will present information regarding existing programs, new programs, and will discuss ideas for new programs.

The day will begin at 10 am, will have a potluck lunch, and end at 4:30 pm.

The National Master, Ed Luttrell is expected as well and will be here to talk about national and local issues that are affecting the Grange today.

It is hoped that many Grangers from all over Michigan will attend.

In addition to the above events, a regular Home Grange meeting will be be held at 7 pm.

On Sunday, is the Memorial Service at Newton United Methodist Church beginning at 2 pm. Martha Laupp has a very nice program planned that will honor those who have passed away in the last year.

See you there!

Jackie B.

Secretary, Home Grange

May at Home Grange

2010-04-29T05:01:00.000-07:00

There will be another fun filled Craft Day at Home Grange this Saturday, May 1st from noon-4.

Bring your favorite craft, a dish to pass and a hearty sense of Craft adventure!

Don't forget about another Home Grange Activites for the month of May:

Friday, May 7th-Home Grange Chicken Barbeque
430-7
Grilled chicken half, roll, potato salad (homemade!) side veg, and dessert
It's a great deal, and a wonderful time to catch up with old friends, and make new ones!!

May 8th-Regular Meeting 7pm
May 11th-Work Day 10am-3pm
Bring a sack lunch

May 22nd-The National Grange Master visits!! Make sure to be there. Details to follow!
This is also a regular meeting night. Meet the National Master and stay for our meeting!

May 23rd-Memorial Service
2pm at the Newton Methodist Church

May 25 Work Day 1-5 potluck then 5-8

What a busy month! We hope to see you at many activities of our great activities!

April Craft Day

2010-03-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

There will be no Craft Day at the Home Grange on Saturday, April 3 since it's Easter Weekend.

Grange Member, Holly Bishop, showing Carolyn Sullins how to knit.

Don't worry, we'll have another Craft Day scheduled soon so you can have an afternoon of fun and friendship while scrapbooking, knitting, spinning, jewelry making, quilting, etc.

Happy Easter!

Kidney Kozy Drop off!

2010-03-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

Another way the Home Grange #129 helps in the community is by participating in the Kidney Kozy Project.

What is a Kidney Kozy?

Kidney Kozy-A shawl, lap robe, full sized quilt or afghan used to keep one warm, and give comfort while going through Kidney Dialysis.
(for more information, please see the whole post on Kidney Kozies)

Home Grange Quilts

This year Home Grange #129 has already donated 20 quilts to Fresenius Medical Center South.

The patients love the quilts, so do the staff!

Thank you to everyone who partcipates in this project. It really makes a difference in peoples lives!

This was a part of Fiber Arts Friday...to see other great Fiber Art blogs click

Home Grange Calendar-2010

2010-03-03T06:09:00.000-08:00

July 4th-Parade
July 16th-Chicken BBQ Dinner!!

August 28th-Craft Fair and FleaMarket
Vendors needed-Please contact Holly for more info at hmceab@att.net

Craft Time Again!

2010-03-03T05:39:00.000-08:00

It seems like just a month ago we were at the Home Grange Craft Day...Well, it was! It's time for another

Home Grange Craft Day
March 6th
12-4

Bring a craft, bring a snack and let's have some fun!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-13T15:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day

from the

Home Grange 129 Junior Grange and Youth

The Junior Grange and Grange Youth spent an afternoon together decorating cookies to be delivered in honor of Valentines Day.

Giggle and laughter filled the kitchen as they decorated the cookies.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Word for Thirds at Sonoma Elementary

2010-01-26T15:54:00.000-08:00

There is something so wonderful about doing good for others that it's hard to find the word to describe it or if you have the word but not sure of the meaning, a dictionary would sure come in handy to help spell the word correctly and verify the meaning.

Mrs. Gilbert's 3rd Grade Class with Grange Members, Julie Camp and Andrea Morrison

That was one of the things we told the Third Grade Classrooms at Sonoma Elementary today. We had them look up a word then one child in each class read the meaning of the word. We told them how dictionaries also show you what the word is (noun, verb, adjective, etc) plus a dictionary shows you how many syllables are in a word and the pronunciation.

Mrs Overgaard's 3rd Grade Class

Mrs. Harris's 3rd Grade Class

Our visit was full of smiles and cheers and one child said, "The Grange Rocks!" Well, kiddo, you rock too!

Maddie and her new dictionary

Here is the National Grange's explaination of what we did:
"The Grange is proud to support The Dictionary Project through its Word for Thirds program. Through the tireless efforts of the Grange's network of more than 300,000 volunteers, America's oldest rural and agriculture organization has presented third grade students across the nation with more than 100,000 dictionaries."

Emily and her new dictionary

Schools we are donating to this year-

All in the Harper Creek School district in Calhoun County.

We are also donating to East Leroy Elementary in the Athens School District.

Morgan and Justin looking up a word in their new dictionaries

What's the best part about this project? Going into the classrooms and delivering the dictionaries to the kids. They are so excited to learn that the dictionaries are for them to keep and take home.

3rd Grader, Alex enjoying his new dictionary

Thank you to everyone involved in this program and for doing such a great job!

For more information on the Dictionary Project and all the great work they are doing, please visit The Dictionary Project.

Julie Camp, Grange Member, telling the 3rd Grade Class about their new dictionary

February Dinner! at Home Grange!

2010-01-25T06:59:00.000-08:00

Spaghetti Dinner
(in conjunction with Fazoli’s)

Home Grange Hall
February 26, 2010
4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Menu: Spaghetti (choice of two sauces), bread stick, tossed salad, dessert, beverage
Tickets will be pre-sold for $7*

Limited tickets available at the door

*Tickets must be paid in advance and will be held at the door when you send your check to 9286 B Drive S, Ceresco, MI

Dinners help the Home Grange continue to do all of our amazing activities throughout the year!
Dictionary Project-Words for Thirds
Baby Quilts
Support of Newton Township Fire Dept.
VA Snacks
Kidney Kozies-Lap robes for Dialysis patients
and many more...

Please help support your Home Grange!
Hope to see you there!

Words for Thirds!

2010-01-25T04:42:00.000-08:00

Have you heard what Home Grange has been up to?

We are again participating in the National Grange Words for Thirds Project!

Here is National Grange's explaination:
"The Grange is proud to support The Dictionary Project through its Word for Thirds program. Through the tireless efforts of the Grange's network of more than 300,000 volunteers, America's oldest rural and agriculture organization has presented third grade students across the nation with more than 100,000 dictionaries."

Schools we are donating to this year-
Wattles Park Elementary
Sonoma Elementary
Beadle Lake Elementary

All in the Harper Creek School district in Calhoun County.

We are also donating to East Leroy Elementary in the Athens School District.

What's the best part about this project? Going into the classrooms and delivering the dictionaries to the kids. They are so excited to learn that the dictionaries are for them to keep and take home.

Thank you to everyone involved in this program and for doing such a great job!

For more information on the Dictionary Project and all the great work they are doing, please visit The Dictionary Project.

Feb 6! Craft Day at Home Grange

2010-01-25T04:31:00.000-08:00

It's almost that time again! Join us for another fabulous

Home Grange Craft Day!

Feb 6th

noon-4pm

This is a free, open to the public event!

Bring your craft of choice, and head over to the Home Grange Hall for a day of fun, crafting and snacks.

homegrange@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Another Day of Fun!!

2010-01-13T05:49:00.000-08:00

Our first Craft Day was such a success we bumped up the date and we will be hosting another one

FEBRUARY 6TH!!
Noon-4

This is a free event open to the public!

Bring any craft you want!

People will be scrapbooking, knitting, crocheting, spinning,quilting, cross stitching, spinning-on drop spindles and on spinning wheels!

Thank You for a Fun Day!

2010-01-05T06:07:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to Home Grange #129 first Craft Day of 2010!

We had about 15 people in attendance, doing a variety of different crafts.

We had jewelery making, ceramics, cross stitch, scrap booking, knitting, crocheting, spinning, and lot's of joke making. I believe that last one does indeed count!

Although formal demos were scheduled, it was more of a over all day of sharing along with some great food.

It's not a Grange Event without food!

For our next Craft Day we are looking into having a surprise from one of the local business.

We are also planning a Kid Themed Day around Mother's Day

Stay tuned for more info!

Home Grange 129 Craft Day Jan 2

2009-12-24T05:41:00.000-08:00

Join us at Home Grange #129
Craft Fun Day
January 2
Noon-4

This is a free event open to the public!

Bring any craft you want!

People will be scrapbooking, knitting, crocheting, spinning,quilting, cross stitching, spinning-on drop spindles and on spinning wheels!

Want to learn a new craft? Now is your chance! Plenty of fun going on and everyone loves to share their ideas!

Snacks will be at the Grange Hall

Bring your craft of choice and a friend!

Craft Demos will be Provided by:

Sarah Boven-Creative Memories Consultant-New tools, and tips

Spinsanity Drop Spindles will be doing drop spinning demonstrations-she was at the 4th of July Parade!

Andrea-The Wonder Why Gal from the
Wonder of the Wonder Why Alpaca Farm

Holly B will be supplying mini knit kits and vague instructions because she believes knitting is in all of us.

These events are also planned for March and May.
More can be scheduled if interest is high!
Working on possible demos from:
The Flying Stitch

Old Fashioned Christmas Program - December 19, 7 pm

2009-12-14T08:30:00.000-08:00

The annual Home Grange "Old Fashioned" Christmas Program will take place at the Grange Hall on the corner of 9 1/2 mile Road and B Drive South in Newton Township, Saturday December 19th.

Everyone from the community is invited, and the event is free!

The program will feature presentations/performances by members, non-members, and those of all ages. Anyone may just show up the night of the program with their music, skit, reading, dance, or whatever they wish to include in the program.

Santa will appear after the program to distribute the presents, as well as popcorn, candy and apples to all attending.

Parents usually bring gifts for their children.

Adults wishing to participate in the gift exchange should bring a "lady" or "man" gift valued at $3-$5. See you there!

Annual Swiss Steak Supper and Bazaar!

2009-11-29T06:45:00.000-08:00

Don't miss your chance to get those homemade mashed potatoes and gravy at

Home Grange #129's Swiss Steak Supper and Craft Bazaar
Friday, December 5th
4:30 PM - 7:00 PM

I really do need that cricut!

We've been working hard all year making beautiful baby quilts!

There will also be some great handmade scarves,

ceramics, quality antiques, baked goods, and don't forget those famous Home Grange sweet pickles!!

Don't worry it's not all work at the Grange! We do take some time to relax and go over some of our Grange History with Roland Winter, Chairman of the Michigan Grange Historical Collections.

Great low prices on a home made SUPPER in the LOWER HALL and don't miss your chance to get a wonderful handmade gift at the BAZAAR in the UPPER HALL!!