Home on the Grange

Northborough Grange closed in 2007. Christopher Szkutak, whose family had been involved with Northborough Grange since the 1940s, wants to bring it back to town.

Szkutak is the gatekeeper and legislative director of the Massachusetts State Grange.

"Northborough Grange has always been very active in the community," said Szkutak. "Right now seems like a good time to bring it back. People all over are looking for ways to get involved in the community and the Grange is a great way to do it."

Founded in 1867, National Grange provides a social and legislative action organization for farmers. Northborough Grange, considered a local chapter of National Grange, was founded in 1867 and not only provides action for farms, but "over the years," said Szkutak, "we have evolved to encompass community service and action."

Originally founded in 1885, Northborough Grange is a community based organization with a focus on community service, agriculture, non-partisan legislative action, and family. Anyone 14 and older can be a member of the Grange, Szkutak adds. There is also a part of the organization for children 5-14, Junior Grange, and there is one of these in Boylston.

"For 122 years Northborough Grange has been very active in the community," said Szkutak, "between hosting speakers and dances, being in the parades, and doing service projects in town. The Grange meets regularly to discuss current events, future projects, and to have a fun program provided by one of the members."

What makes the Grange unique, Szkutak adds, is the fact that the whole family can become members, it's slogan, "American Values, Hometown Roots."  

"Being very involved in the town is the main priority and reason for re-starting the group," he said. "We would want to partner with other groups in town to do community service projects. But really, once the group is together we would decide what we would want to do. There is no set plan right now. it really will come down to what the new members are interested in doing. The only real requirement is that we meet at least once monthly."

Eleven more members are needed to re-organize the Grange, which presently has 13.

Find out more information visit Massachusetts State Grange or the National Grange.