Following the Gardeners’ Produce Exchange, Grangers and friends gathered to enjoy a delicious potluck dinner with a Himalyan entree provided by the Grange. After our Grange musicians entertained us, Carol Ellis and Kelli Cox from the Sonoma County Beekeepers Association discussed how the organization educates the public about how to support all the native bees and pollinators in Sonoma County.
Everyone is invited to join us for our next monthly Grange general meeting on Tuesday, June 25th, 5:30pm.
At our March General Meeting, we enjoyed a potluck dinner, with delicious entrees prepared by caterer Isa Jacoby. Grange musicians serenaded us. Adam Peacock led a presentation about the Camino de Sonoma, a 75-mile journey across Sonoma County that invites people to enjoy the beauty of this land and learn more about its unique history while participating in the deeply human experience of an extended walk.
At our February Grange general meeting, our Chaplain Barton Stone gave the blessing in our welcome circle, then Grangers and friends enjoyed socializingas they enjoyed a delicious potluck dinner that included tamales made by the California Homemakers Association. We were serenaded by our Grange musicians, led by Peter Schurch, we swore in and welcomed new members Michael and Carol Ellis, and we finished the evening by swearing in members of our 2024 leadershp team. Join us for our next meeting on the last Tuesday of the month. Everyone is invited!
Important information from the organizers of the Grange Produce Exchange/Donation
It has been brought to our attention that some counties have procedures to follow to prevent the spread of a citrus infestation called Asian Citrus Psyllid. Sonoma County does not have any bans at this time on trading/gifting citrus within our county but to help stop any spread of the insect we can do the following as a precaution.
trade or gift citrus within Sonoma County
take leaves off the citrus before it leaves your property (leaves can go into the green bins)
Following a delicious potluck dinner and socializing, our Grange Musician Peter and friends entertained us.
We met special guests Sue and Mark Loomis, who traveled 3,313 miles from upstate New York, representing the Ausable Valley Grange #973. They are working to revive their Grange and had written Lawrence a letter some months ago about how inspired they were by our programs. They decided to take a trip and come see us for themselves!
We welcomed as new members Felicia Bander, Robin Latham, Christina Nichol, Portia Sinnott, Sally Sorenson, and Hasna Wood. Eva Granahan became a new member at our earlier January business meeting. Welcome all to our Grange community!
Kay Rivers spoke on behalf of Cotati Kids Heritage Grazing. The mission of the organization is to preserve an endangered species of San Clemente Island goats that are native to San Clemente Island off the coast of southern California. Thei group is setting up a breeding program outside of Sebastopol. They hope to use the goats for targeted grazing to help reduce fire risk. They also plan to partner with the community for interaction and education. Donations of time, money, skills, and expertise are welcomed.
What fun we had at the Grange holiday party: Fantastic food, great company, art and music by Clusterfunk and music by our Grange musicians, prizes, and more!
At our November meeting, Nancy presented President Lawrence with a vintage Grange cookbook in appreciation for his service to our Grange.
Dena and Carol presented a slide show detailing the five-year history of the Produce Exchange/Donation. From the early days of one table in the lobby in 2019 to its current collaboration with the Community Seed Exchange and the Sonoma County UC Master Food Preservers, the event has been a sharing of abundance and a building of community. Peter and friends, “Elaine and the Grangettes” performed Don’t Say Nothin’ (Bad About my Baby). We welcomed Portia Sinnot as a new member of the Grange.
How can we improve walking, biking, and rolling near you?
The Sonoma County Transportation Authority is collecting input for updating the Active Transportation Plan in our county. Pedestrians and cyclists have the opportunity to share areas of safety concerns or ideas for improvements by using an interactive map, taking a survey or attending a community meeting, find out details here. If you have any ideas for infrastructure changes to make it safer to cycle/walk to the Grange or anywhere else in our community your input is welcome.
We had a fun time at our Harvest Social on October 12th. We enjoyed great music by Laura and Paul and Peter and friends, fabulous food and drink, an art and music silent auction, and a lively pie and cake auction, led by guest auctioneer Evan Wiig, shown here assisted by Ann Austin.
