Hoosick Grange had a meeting on March 22, with Master, David Cornell presiding. Business was taken care of, then they had lecturer’s program.[private]
Martha Babbitt started the program with telling about Fibromyalgia. It causes many symptoms, such as chronic pain. It is compared to arthritis but doesn’t cause joint deformity. The cause is unknown. Early diagnosis may prohibit acute pain. The average time to diagnosis is 5 years. Patients need education, support, medications and pain management services. They are always tired.
David Cornell’s article was on Ezra Cornell. He might be one of David’s relatives. He was a farmer and learned carpentry skills. He designed a new plow and worked for Samuel Morse, designing a pipe-laying machine for the telegraph.
He constructed telegraph lines that connected cities. He and his competitors merged and formed Western Union Telegraph Company. He built a public library in Ithaca and started Cornell University. He was a very giving man.
Norma Brenenstuhl told about Plant Power. Plants like ferns and spider plants help by absorbing indoor toxins, that help clean the air.
Marion Brenenstuhl told about the Albany Rural Cemetery. It is known for the famous people buried there. Chester Arthur, president of the U.S., 5 Governors, 3 members of the Continental Congress and many more.
Carleton Philpott told about the flag. Who Was Mary Pickersgill? It was Mary and not Betsy Ross who sewed the American flag – the Star Spangled Banner. During the war of 1812, Maj. George Armestead wanted a flag for Fort McHenry – so large that the British could see it. He named Mary Pickersgill to produce a large one, and a small one when stormy. She had her children and nieces and other seamstresses to help.
It was delivered August 19, 1913. The biggest one weighed 50 pounds and needed 9 men to hoist it. It had 15 stars and 15 stripes, one for each state in the Union.
Corinne Philpott spoke about famous people in cemetery. She told about Chuck D’lmperie who wrote about famous people- and not so famous, and where they are buried. Like Grandma Moses in Hoosick Falls cemetery and Sam Wilson in Oakwood in Troy. He has 70 stories in his book.
All these articles were from newspapers and clippings.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday, April 12 at 7 pm. We are having the famous Mennonites sing for us. Everyone is welcome to come and hear them. Grangers bring goodies. [/private]