Introducing Homer’s new Grange

Almost a year ago, a small group in Homer began to explore the possibilities of developing a Grange to create and preserve sustainable ways of life within our community. At that time, 12 Granges had already been established in Alaska.

Since then, we have had continued support from the National Grange in Washington, D.C. and the State Grange of Alaska. On both levels, leaders have patiently and diligently worked with us as we have journeyed forward toward getting an official charter here in Homer.

During our first meeting, we were honored to meet Ted and Zula Bryan, Ambassadors with the Washington State Grange, along with Gaye Hunt, the President of the Alaska State Grange. These leaders addressed the history of the Grange and how it has evolved over the years to support grassroots projects all across the nation.

Last week, we were finally presented with our official charter by Gaye Hunt, along with Ed Luttrell, President of the National Grange. We were also able to meet Rusty Hunt, the leadership membership director of the Grange. He is a dedicated individual who helps bring individuals together to create teams of people who wish to better their communities.

Homer is now the 13th Grange located in Alaska. One of our priorities is to further educate others in the community as to how they can become involved and share their own concerns and ideas. We will be doing our best to discuss upcoming events about our new Grange through newspapers and radio stations.

As of now, you can find more information about the Alaska State Grange at www.alaskagrange.org, or the National Grange at www.nationalgrange.org. We are in the process of developing a local Web site to create a public forum of our own.

Eartha Lee

Alaska Trip

I had three great meetings in Alaska last week. Gaye Hunt, State Master, did a great job of setting things up and contributed to each meeting.

The first meeting on Monday evening was in Palmer with Northland Pioneer and Greater Anchorage Granges. We had a good turn out and the discussion focused on what could be done to revitalize their Granges as well as where new Granges could be started.

A lot of good questions were asked and the group decided that they wanted a Grange Growth Summit to be held next March. They suggested three locations for possible new Granges and talked about what needed to be done to get ready for next March.

On Tuesday I got some work done and that afternoon Rusty and I headed down to Kenai. On Wednesday morning, we had the opportunity to go out salmon fishing on the Kenai river with guide David Wilson (208.659.3483 or letsfish05@yahoo.com). This four-hour fishing trip was arranged by a member of Slikok Creek Grange. First time fishing in Alaska and caught my first Silver.

The next meeting was in Kenai on Wednesday evening with Slikok Creek Grange. Don and Alice McKee from Fairbanks came down for the two meetings on Wednesday and Thursday. This meeting was spent discussing how to get things moving in the Grange. The group, once again, asked a lot of questions. The results were positive with the members deciding to have a pancake breakfast in November as their next project.

Thursday evening's meeting was in Homer. In addition to the McKees, Steve (Master) and Linda Albers from Slikok Creek were present. We started the meeting with the presentation of the Charter. Then a presentation on several Grange issues were made by Rusty and myself. Two possible large projects were presented and the members discussed both. Both projects were adopted by the new Grange and the meeting ended with a group photo.

This trip was one of the best I've had to Alaska in positive attitude, action being started, and so many members that I hadn't met before. Picture is of the Homer members, their new charter, Rusty and I.