Grangers and friends enjoyed a fabulous meal, good company, and great music at our January General Meeting. We elected our 2025 Leadership Team and we’re so grateful for their service!
Chaplin Barton brought us together in gratitude, noting that people we know are in need of our help. He shared the poem by Lew Welch. about Mt. Tam: “Step out onto the planet”.
Our musicians Peter, Lawrence, Richard, Dorothy and Fish sang “Long Tall Granger” and “Birthday” for the January birthday members
President Lawrence shared three objects he holds dear: a1951 Martin Mandolin from Gary that has been lovingly repaired; Murcott Mandarins, originating from Morocco, and a gavel made from the trunk of an original, ‘California’ Navel Orange tree, AKA Bahia, or Washington Orange. He discussed the Grange Declaration of purposes from 1870.
Amy Crawford shared about a conference she attended on Regenerative Farming.
Gary Abreim shared this heartfelt story about Lawrence Jaffe, “People Gardens”:
They say Elon Musk is the wealthiest man in the world. That isn’t true. My friend Lawrence Jaffe is one of the wealthiest. Not something you’ll see in the media, but those who know Lawrence will confirm. He is rich in life experience and wonderful relationships.
Elon Musk is no Lawrence Jaffe.
Lawrence was once a farmer but went on to develop people gardens. He’s been planting relationship seeds for as long as I have known him. He is a minstrel man whose heart sets his compass direction.
15 years ago in the days of peak oil and Richard Heinberg, I was part of a group that included Carolyne Stayton (former chaplain), Jerry Allen (former Grange president), Susan Butler and Denise Meiers. We called our group ‘Ready for Anything’. Lawrence’s neighbor Carolyne invited him to our meeting and Lawrence talked about the Grange which he had just joined.
Lawrence had with him at the meeting a bunch of Grange membership applications. Lawrence always had some application or something to get involved in…that’s who he is. That hasn’t changed. Lawrence is always planting-a-seed. He emanates joyful participation.
Well, a month later back in 2010, we all followed Lawrence’s lead and joined the Grange. He led a renaissance of the Sebastopol Grange that at the time only had 5 or so active members. Back then the Grange was this building on Highway 12 that no one really used. Like so many others, I would drive by and wonder what it was.
Our Grange, within a few years under Lawrences’ leadership, became a star in the State Grange universe. We were a model of community-building and very much a hub of great things in West Sonoma County. Lawrence has been a magnet for our Grange. Attracting all sorts of great events and people like yourself.
However, Lawrence is not about Lawrence. He’s about you. He inspires, supports and encourages others to play…to people garden with him.
He is a master of making friends and influencing people. He told me many years ago that Dale Carnegie’s book of How to Make Friends and Influence People is something that he had read over and over….cultivating human connection is a life principle he lives by.
Even now, as our country has entered a dark time, Lawrence still speaks about the ever more importance of community. He does what he does as a cheerful expression of his wonderful heart….our Grange is a form of Sangha…we gather, meet, share wholesome food, participate and support one another and our community in service.
Fun is a key ingredient which Lawrence has demonstrated is essential.
So brother Lawrence, I am humbled to have you as my mentor, Grange partner and amazing good friend. You have helped me become wealthy too, as you have done for so many others.
Thank you.
Your friend
Gary