submitted by Corinne Philpott
Hoosick Grange had an open meeting on February 10. Master David Cornell discussed the business that the Grange needed to act on. The lecturer presented the program. Grangers were to bring papers, clippings, pictures or some subject they were interested in for show and tell. Just about everyone had something.
[private]David Cornell had a history of the Grange. He told how his grandmother, Hattie C. Baker, was sister to the first Grange master, Jay Cottrell, and this showed he was related to him. Carleton Philpott was next, and he told about a plane crash that landed in the hay field, the pilot ran out of gas. He had a picture of it. He found out later, that was a doctor he had in the hospital.
Natalie Ryan was next and she had a poem on “The Good Old Days.” Corinne Philpott had a picture of Chief Poke in the Nose, the cigar store Indian that stood in front of Moses Schweizer Cigar store for 70 years. He was over seven feet tall and became a celebrated village attraction.
Marion Brenenstuhl was next and she had a clipping on Hillary Rodham who stayed on weekends on a dairy farm in Pownal. She was 23 years old and was a Yale student who needed a change of scenery. She and friends stayed in a post and beam cabin that she called a chicken coop with a boyfriend. Next was Norma Brenenstuhl who talked about The Food Pantry. She told us about the shelf-life of canned goods. If food was stored in 40 to 50 degrees, it was fine. Food stored 80 degrees or more could be dangerous. She talked about shelf-life on box goods, bread, and milk. She said bacteria can grow in the freezer.
Martha Babbitt was next and she talked about the water in Hoosick and it being polluted. This subject was too long and intense and will continue at another time when we have more time.
David Filkins was next – He had seven or eight large cards showing us where the first master of Hoosick Grange, Jay Cottrell came in his geneology. This showed that the Cottrells, Bakers, and Filkins and Cornells were related. Everyone wanted to see the cards up close.
After this we had refreshments served by Marion Brenenstuhl. There was no meeting on February 24. Our next meeting is on March 9. It is Photo Contest and Gingerbread Contest. We hope we have lots of Gingerbreads. Refreshments will be Gingerbread and cream on top.[/private]