Concord Grange #322 Looking for Individuals to Honor

The Concord Grange #322 is getting ready to celebrate National Grange Month in April honoring individuals in the Concord area for 37th year.

As president for the local Grange and coordinator for the Community Awards for overall 42 years, I announced earlier that this year's presentations will take place Monday, April 22, at the former Dame School now the new home of the Concord Recreation Department in the auditorium.

The Grange Awards had been presented in the auditorium for 10 years before last year being moved to another location. The Grange is hoping to hold their monthly meetings in the former school starting in May.    

The Grange will honor individuals in the law enforcement, firefighting, education, citizen, community spirit, military individuals both retired and active duty, media, and public service. Some of the awards presented will go onto the NH State Grange for further competition. The awards on the State Level will be announced in October at the NH State Grange Convention being held this year at the Holiday Inn, Concord.

In addition, the Grange will honor members for their years of service to the organization. This is the 99th year for the local Grange founded on the Concord Heights in May 1914. In addition to being the Master (President), I'm also the Historian for the local unit and the State Grange. James Cusano, along with other the members, are planning a busy year in 2014 to celebrate the 100th anniversary.   

The first project is putting together a Grange Cookbook that will include the 100 year history. I'm looking for all members of the Grange and past members including people who had family that belonged to Pineconia Grange now known as Concord. It seemed that if you lived on the Heights, you were a member of the Grange.

Please send all recipes typed on a 3x5 file card or on white unlined paper and send to me at 30 Pinewood Trail, Concord NH 03301. The deadline to send recipes is Sept. 10. The book will be printed and available for purchase in time for the holidays.  

Future events being planned include in 2014 include a possible anniversary parade in May, anniversary banquet, band concert with fireworks,  awards night, and more! Fundraising efforts will be held to hold these events along with project in Keach Park and the former location of the Grange Hall at the corner of Ormond and Prescott Streets.  

The Grange is also conducting a membership drive for anyone 14 years and older.  The Grange meets the fourth Monday of each month except July and December at 7 p.m. Please call me for information at 4962917.  

The Grange is a non profit 501(c)3 organization. We are currently getting ready to deliver new dictionaries to third grade students in Concord and Dunbarton. This is the eighth year in which Granges nationwide have done this.

The Grange also helps sponsor the 42nd annual Concord Christmas Parade, slated for Nov. 23 at 9:30 a.m. this year; the Concord Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday, Nov. 29, from 4 p.m.to 6 p.m. at the Statehouse Plaza.

In addition they will be sponsoring Splash Bash for kids at the Heights Pool in Keach Park in July, date to be announced. The seasonal banners on Loudon Road are also coordinated by the Grange. New ones need to be ordered.  If you would like to assist with a banner, please contact me.