Page 1 - Copake Granger Newsletter

The Changing Granger

Copake, New York — September 14, 2019 — 8 pages of our 2 cents

The Copake Grange: Copake Grangers are

A Grand Tradition Dancing Again

On October 17, 1902, 63 Copake residents met to The Ice Cream Social and Square Dance held on September 14,
discuss joining the National Grange movement and 2019 recalls Grange events from long ago. In 1943, some
establishing a local "subordinate" Grange in town. In young-on-their-feet Grangers were winners on the dance floor.
its first official meeting, on October 24, 1902, over
80 charter members were initiated as inductees of
the new "Copake Grange #935."

At an early meeting, the new members voted to
build Grange Hall on land given by Mrs. Carrie B.
Langdon and her mother, Mrs. Charity Ann Snyder.
The new Grange hall cost $2,400, which in today’s
dollars is $69,973. The first meeting in the new
building was held on September 9, 1903, almost 116
years ago to the day!

Among its many achievements, the Copake Grange Left to right: James Fuller, Marjorie Porter, Howard McGhee, Isabelle Shadic, John
supported the New York State Grange in sponsoring Knox, Myra Knox, Henry Rothvoss, Shirley Knox. Not pictured here: “Pop” Sweet,
Caller.
an Agricultural College at Cornell University,
establishing the Dairymen's League Cooperative These dancers won a competition in Claverack and went on to
Association and The Farm Bureau. The Copake compete in Philadelphia. How well they fared there is not clear
Grange supported the founding of the Copake Boy but on their return trip to Copake, they had the honor of dancing
Scout troop and the Copake Fire Department, and in Macy’s window in New York City. The purpose of all these
sponsored two local basketball teams. dance activities was to raise money for War Bonds.

The dancers at the September 14th event may not be as talented
The Copake Grange maintained, in the Grange Hall,
a public lending library. During World War II, the as those of long ago but they are doing a similar good deed.
Proceeds from the Ice Cream Social and Square Dance will be
Grange raised funds to send ambulances to France,
purchased war bonds, and gave free use of the hall used to support the Grange and maintain Grange Hall.
to the Red Cross and other civic organizations in
support of the war effort.
Yes, The Grange is Non-Partisan
Today, the Copake Grange continues its
commitment to the Roe Jan community. Grange Since 1867, the National Grange has maintained a tradition
Hall’s doors are open and welcoming to members of non-partisanship. The Grange does not endorse political
and friends alike. candidates or contribute to election campaigns. And, as it
says in its brochure:
The Copake Grange It does not seek favor with public officials by showering
100 membership them, or their staffs, with expensive meals, gifts or trips.

hits a new high - The Grange is the only major national farm or rural affairs
100 members! organization that does not have a Political Action
Committee.