MICHIGAN STATE GRANGE MASTER/PRESIDENT
Christopher D. Johnston
6241 Grand River Road
Bancroft, MI 48414
(989)634-9350 (H) (989)666-6648 (C)
msgprez19@yahoo.com

MICHIGAN STATE GRANGE OFFICE
404 S. Oak Street
Durand, MI 48429
(989)288-4546
msgrange1873@yahoo.com



JULY/AUGUST 2024​ GRANGE NEWS
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New Grange Year
As we begin a new Grange year, let's strive to make this the best one yet. Our Granges and Grangers have done amazing things in the past year and we continue to impress our friends and neighbors. In our efforts to
serve the communities we inhabit, we continue to miss our opportunities to share our excitement when we accomplish whatever we are doing in the community by inviting our friends and neighbors to join in
our efforts.
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When we ask them to join us they have a choice to either say yes or no. It has been said that for every ninety-nine No’s there will be one YES. We need to capitalize on the YES’S. The more members we have the more we can do in our own communities.
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Before we volunteer our members to become No’s we need to remember that many hands make little work. While we strive to keep our members from getting volunteer burnout, keep in mind that it is always good to thank your members and volunteers. Fredonia Grange does a catered meal once a year to thank all who have helped them throughout the year, a very nice gesture.
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National Session
As I write this we are preparing to head out to the National Grange Convention in Bettendorf, Iowa. I look forward to visiting with old friends and meeting new ones. We have been hard at work with our host
committee work for the last few months, we will continue with that work through the convention. If you happen to be in the area during the convention we would love to have you stop by and say hi. The National
Convention is designed for more than just the delegates. If you have seen any of the information about this year's convention you will notice that there are over 60 different breakout sessions that are designed for the
non-delegates. 

​​State Session
I would like to wish congratulations to all of the contest entry winners within the departments. The handiwork of our members never ceases to amaze me. We have so many talented individuals around the state, I would hope that our Lecturers are using those individuals to educate our members on their crafts and hobbies.
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I would also like to thank Randy Cebulski and the Region Granges and Grangers that put together a spectacular State Sesson.  The facility was spacious and had room for everything, and of course as Grangers, we adapted to the loss of heat that the Church experienced right before our session.

​​And a big thank you to all that donated to the North Carolina Granges in need. I’m preparing to travel there in just a few short days and am proud of the amount that Michigan Grangers have donated. Every little bit will help our fellow Grangers and their communities re-establish their lives after the devastation brought on by Hurricane Helene.
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“As we are again to separate and mingle with the world, let us not forget the precepts of our order. Let us add dignity to labor, helping the fatherless and the widows, and keeping ourselves unspotted from the world….” But never forget to tell them who we are, what we do, and invite them to join
us. 

​​Until next time……
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 GRANGE NEWS

​Degree Day
Many thanks to Burr Oak Grange and the St.Joseph/Cass/Kalamazoo Pomona Grange for a fantastic Degree Day. There was a good size group in attendance, including many from other states. The High Priest of Demeter, Roger Bostwick was there along with the Seventh Degree Directors, Gene and Marie Edelen. After each degree presented, Roger would give an explanation. This was the first time many had ever seen the first four degrees performed and to those members that stepped in and held an office for each of the degrees, thank you for your assistance. And what Grange event is complete without a potluck?! We also had a fantastic pig roast potluck put on by the Pomona Grange. As usual, Grangers always eat well!

​State Session
Is just around the corner. Get your credentials sent in soon. I know they went out rather late, but please abide by the deadline to get them returned. We will be meeting at the First Baptist Church in Charlevoix. The session, meals and display room will all be at this location. There are hotels in the area. There is a
room block at Charlevoix Inn and Suites until the 17th of September. Addresses and phone numbers for these locations are available on the website. And along with the State Session, is our purpose for the meeting. Resolutions! Please get your resolutions in by October 1st. I’m sure there are many issues that
need to be addressed and resolutions are the perfect start to make changes. After all, we are a grassroots organization, changes start with the Community Granges.
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National Session
Right on the heel of the State Session is the National Session. We encourage everyone to attend this November in Bettendorf, Iowa. There will lots of new workshops and tours designed for the members attending that are delegates. Registration is getting limited on many of the tours, but I still encourage
you to get signed up.

​​Veterans
This year as the hosting region for the National Session, we are looking for Veterans that have not received a Quilt of Valor yet. If you or you know of a Veteran that will be attending the National Session, please let me know. We would want to honor them with their own Quilt of Valor.
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Wreaths Across America
This year’s National Session Community Service Project is Wreaths across America. If you would like to support the community service project and sponsor a wreath or more (each wreath sponsorship is $17.00), please make a check out to Michigan State Grange and send it to Connie Johnston at my address. Along with your donation, please let her know if you are sponsoring a wreath in honor of a current military member or one in memorial of a passed veteran and what branch they served or are serving in. There will be a display with all the names as well as a list that will be sent to Wreaths Across America with the donations received.
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Distinguished Granges
Congratulations to Burns Grange, Gratiot Grange and St. Joseph/Cass/Kalamazoo Pomona Grange for receiving the Distinguished Grange Award from National Grange. An honor well deserved!