ELLSWORTH – The 135th annual Maine State Grange session took place Oct. 23 with 176 delegates representing 103 Granges.
Congratulations on our 135 years of serving the State of Maine were received from Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, Congressman Tom Allen, as well as the National Grange Master (President) Edward Luttrel.
Representatives from the National Grange, John and Nancy Valentine from Indiana, were introduced and welcomed.
Highlights from the session included:
• The 2008 Grange Farm Family Award was presented to John and Beverly Ingraham of Dirigo Grange 98 of Knox;
• Tree Farmer of the Year was awarded to the Park Family of Presque Isle;
• Commissioner of Agriculture Seth Bradstreet spoke about agriculture issues in the state of Maine;
• Representatives from the Grange-sponsored cottage from Good Will Hinckley received a check from the Maine State Grange for over $600, in addition to hundreds of dollars from the annual penny drive; and
• Legislative resolutions were discussed and voted on. Resolutions adopted by the delegates included supporting: seniors (70+) from being required to participate in the deer-hunting lottery, the President’s plan to lift the Ban on off-shore drilling, increasing the number of turkeys allowed by hunters to reduce the population and Joe Shaw’s efforts to promote research and development of his potato that is toxic to the Colorado potato beetle.
Thursday’s session ended with the Annual Banquet, with entertainment by Maine humorist Clyde Folsom.
Photo courtesy of Steven Haycock
The LARRY Park Family received the Tree Family of the Year award from Maine State Grange Agricultural Directors Jeanne and David Burnham (Burnhams are wearing sashes) during the 135th annual Maine State Grange session held Oct. 23.
