Grantham Grange honored with top state award
By From staff reports
Published in News on October 10, 2012 1:46 PM
The Grantham Grange has received the state Grange's top community service award, and has been named a Distinguished Grange by the national organization.
The community service award and several individual honors were presented at the state Grange's annual convention held Sept. 21-23 in Raleigh.
John Tart Jr. was named the Recruiter of the Year, and Joyce Hood as Granger of the Year. Sally Waddell won first place in the creative writing contest, and Cullen Grantham took first place in the youth division talent competition with his piano selection.
Other first-place winners were Chris Smith, Graham Jernigan, Sallie Stevens, Jessie Smith and Hannah Grantham. Altogether Grantham Grange members won five first-place honors; four second places; four third places; and five fourth places.
It also placed first in Grange Month activities held annually in April.
Selah Christian Church won Church of the Year in the 101-to-249 member category. The church was nominated by the Grantham Grange.
Grantham Grange is known for its community service, members said.
Its projects include a teacher and staff appreciation breakfast at Grantham School, as well as other projects at the school, Alzheimer's Walk, Heart Walk, Relay for Life, Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army, Grantham Youth Sports Association, and community fundraisers.
It also operates a booth at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair.
The Grantham Grange meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Grantham Rescue building. However, this month's meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Grantham Fire Station when it will host a candidates' forum. The public is invited.
Formed in the late 1800s as an advocacy group for farming interests, the Grange is the oldest fraternal agricultural organization in the United States.
For more information call Grantham Grange president Bobby Crawford at (919) 689-3135.