submitted by Corinne Philpott
Hoosick Grange celebrated its 109th anniversary – birthday, on Wednesday January 11.[private]
Master David Cornell conducted the business meeting. After bills were reviewed and committees finished, it was time for the lecturer’s program. Carleton Philpott was in charge of the program. He had a 40th anniversary program book of Hoosick Grange. He had Corinne Philpott read the list of officers and the master’s message.
Charles W. Filkins was the master in 1948. Carleton talked about the sponsors in the book. Only 5 are still going now. He asked how many G.L.F. were in business back then, and what did it stand for? He had a copy of Hoosick Minstrel Book of 1948 and a copy of The Dairy Princess Book of 1967. Everyone enjoyed looking at them. He asked Corinne to read some of the things that went on over the years. She told us that the National Grange was started in 1867, and Hoosick Grange in 1908. The first Master was Jay C. Cottrell. The first meeting was held on January 21 at the town rooms in Hoosick Falls. The next meeting was held at the Odd Fellows Hall at $5 per night, including heat and lights, for 2 nights each month for one year at $100.
In July, 1942 they got a letter from Thorpe’s in regard to winter months – they could not furnish heat for our meeting due to the shortage of fuel oil. They started looking for a new hall and decided on All Saints Parish Hall in Hoosick, for a donation of $10 each night. We moved to our new hall in 1960. Corinne read some of the things that went on during the war years, and ended the program with some questions on the inaugurations of the past.
Refreshments were a special 109 anniversary cake and other goodies. Our next meeting is on February 8, at 7 pm, if the weather is good. Marion Brenenstuhl is in charge of program and refreshments for the evening. Everyone is to bring an antique or something to show. [/private]