FREDERICKTOWN – The Knox County Pomona Grange met on Monday, May 17, at Sockman Lake in Fredericktown.
Middlebury Grange was the host of the meeting, which started at 7 p.m. Master Marie Walker was back from knee surgery and conducted the meeting.
Legislative Director Margaret Ann Ruhl announced the annual legislative conference is slated for June 12 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Newark. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. for a reception; and speakers will be Jenny Camper, Congressman Troy Balderson and State Rep. Allison Russo. The State Legislature is working on the budget for the next two years. Reminder that the State of Ohio has announced they are giving out $1 million for the next five weeks to registered vaccinated individuals by a drawing. You need to register through OhioVaxaMillion.com if you have your vaccine and want to be eligible for the drawing. Also, if you are under age 18, you are eligible for free tuition, room, board and expenses to any Ohio college if you register and have been vaccinated.
Mary Jewell, Family Activities chairperson, reported on the Deputy Conference held on May 1 at Sugarcreek. All the baking contests were judged and, unfortunately, no winners from Knox County. She did take 167 glasses, hearing-aid batteries, hats and scarfs to the Ohio State Grange meeting. It was announced that this is the last year for the prescription bottles to be taken at the Ohio State Grange. We have until October to get them in to Kevin Evans.
Bruce Roy, Youth chairperson, announced the Youth Camp is coming up next month (June) and will be held at Hocking Hills again this year.
Dee Smith, Pop Committee chairperson, handed out the fair schedule for this coming Knox County Fair. It is to go as planned, starting with harness racing on Saturday, July 24; and free admission on the first Saturday.
On our schedule, we were to have a picnic on July 19, but with some still not comfortable with a potluck dinner, we will only have an ice cream refreshment at Monroe-Dan Emmett Grange picnic shelter. It will start at 7 p.m. and will have a short business meeting.
The annual Farm-City Dinner will be rescheduled for next year in April. That keeps with the annual grange month of April and will give more time to plan it.
Deputy Master Cindy Campbell reported that Bethel Payne had shoulder surgery and is currently residing at Country Court Nursing Home with her husband, Floyd. Knox County volunteered to have two flower arrangements at the annual Ohio State Grange Conference in October. Campbell will take care of getting them at a cost not to exceed $100. We are to get placemats for the luncheon, and it was suggested to get them printed up with some history on them. Reminder that the talent contest deadline is June 1 with the actual contest on June 19, so get your "acts" together and represent Knox County.
In the current Ohio Granger Magazine, there are several pictures from Knox County grangers in it. The September/October grange magazine will be sent to all grangers with the possible sign-up for the following issues.
May 2 was the annual Rural Life Sunday held at Greer Wesleyan United Methodist Church, with 30 grangers present. A reminder that the dues to state grange will start back up on Oct. 1, 2021, after not having to pay because of the pandemic. Two grangers attended the Spring Fling at Troy, Ohio, and an interesting project was done by all who attended. Reminder to start working on the Knox County Fair booth and that Pomona will have their own this year. You can put up your booth on July 22 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lecturer JoAnn Walton had a skit of a reading called "Tale Hardy Pioneer," with participants of JoAnn Walton reading the story and actors Janet White, Willis Smith, Belinda Litt, Lonnie Totten, Dee Smith and Margaret Ann Ruhl. Very cute skit with all enjoying a change. There were word searches available to take home.
Ohio State Grange Secretary Deb Hamilton repeated that the Ohio State Grange Magazine will be sent to all grangers and that the local grange secretaries ensure Hamilton has correct addresses from each grange. She announced that Ned Campbell and Willis Smith are the new delegates to the convention.
Dee Smith won the door prize of a puzzle, and it happened to be her birthday.
Next meeting will be at Harrison Grange on Monday, June 21, at 7 p.m.
