Friday, Dec. 26, 2008

Grange hall gathering place for community

Ingrid Stegemoeller, Herald staff writer

Step inside the Columbia Valley Grange Hall in Pasco on the second Thursday of the month and you'll likely be offered a friendly "Welcome!" along with coffee and a slice of pie.

Stick around for the post-potluck meeting, and you'll see century-old rituals as Grangers present the flag, say a prayer and conduct committee business.

And sometimes you may hear presentations about ostrich farming, local museums and other topics of interest.

Originally a national fraternal organization for those in agriculture, the more than 135-year-old Grange now welcomes anyone interested in getting involved in their community.

But like many community groups, Granges are competing with myriad other activities and demands on people's time. That means the membership is aging and younger people aren't as active in the organization.

A younger face will take the helm of the Columbia Valley Grange next year, though, bringing fresh ideas and renewed energy to grow membership.

"One thing I'd like to do is get more of a community involvement," said 24-year-old Jeremy Blasdel, who will become the Grange master in January.

"I think it's great," said Sandi Peterson, a longtime member and leader of the Columbia Valley Junior Grange, which is for kids ages 5 to 14. "They bring a fresh perspective."

"One thing we'd like is more young people," added Willetta Burns, another longtime member. "They bring change and change is good."

Blasdel was active in Junior Grange for much of his childhood, when he went to the weeklong summer camp at Camp Wooten near Pomeroy and made many memories of fishing and other outdoor fun.

He continued to be a camp leader into adulthood, and after a few years of being inactive, he decided to get involved again because of his passion for the camp and what it offers to kids.

"There are so many kids that if it weren't for going up there they would never do archery or anything else (related). It's a great opportunity to see these kids and the smiles on their faces the first time they try something."

Recruiting younger generations to the Grange is one of the state organization's main goals, said June Hendrickson, president of the Washington State Grange.

"We're trying to get the word out to encourage everybody at all levels ... of our availability and what we do have to offer," she said. "We've given more authority to the local community Granges to try to branch out and be a little bit more proactive in their communities and not wait for directions from state and national."

When Doris Conner, 81, a Columbia Valley Granger, was growing up, she said the Grange was serious business for her family.

Same for Burns, 82, whose 50-plus-year membership means she no longer has to pay dues.

"It's a great family organization. I've hardly ever had a babysitter because I could bring them to the Grange," said the mother of eight.

One of her sons, Gary, is the outgoing master of the Columbia Valley Grange.

But after-school sports, music lessons, clubs and busy, working parents seem to mean less time for community groups like the Grange.

"There are so many other things to do now," Conner said. "I think all Granges are going through this membership aging thing. So many times families grow up and move onto other things."

"I think TV cut back on attendance," added member Dorothy Greenough.

And the individualistic nature of today's society lends to "non-joining," Hendrickson said.

But as the economy continues to struggle and people face job loss and other hardships, groups like the Grange may see increased interest, Grangers said.

"People will need help from each other and organizations," Hendrickson said. "We've been trying to increase our visibility so that they know that we do exist. And we're trying to be relevant in the types of programs we offer."

One major contribution area Granges make to their communities is use of their facilities.

Richard O'Banion, treasurer for the Kennewick Valley Grange, said his group rents the hall to the public for birthdays, weddings, memorials and groups needing space for events, as well as a church.

And being able to offer that service is one reason he's been a member for 10 years.

The Grange has fewer than 100 members and most are between 75 and 100, he said.

But it's a place where people can come to socialize, and the group is always looking for new members.

The Finley Grange also offers up its hall for community members to rent, said secretary Cindy Smoot.

"It's a viable part of the community that needs to be sustained," she said.

Smoot hopes the Finley Grange will evolve to meet the needs of the community.

"We try to be, for as small as we are, still an influence in the community," she said, citing the group's involvement with trying to turn the old elementary school into a community center.

"We're few but we're mighty," she said.

Grangers also take on legislative issues when they see fit, though the group is nonpartisan.

A few years back, the Washington Grange proposed the successful Initiative 872, which created the state's Top 2 primary system.

The Grange's statewide membership of about 40,000 also gives the group sway, said Alvin Conner, 83, of Pasco.

"If we have an issue we're concerned about, we write a resolution," he said.

At least 100 resolutions make it to the state level each year, Burns said.

At Columbia Valley's December meeting, current master Gary Burns received a round of applause for his year of service as leader of the group.

And once committees had reported and business had been completed, members closed the meeting.

"Be honest, be just and fear not," Burns said. "Whatever we do, we strive to do well."