Grays River Grange #124

Rayonier Foundation Grants $500.00

The Rayonier Foundation, which is a nonprofit philanthropic corporation founded in 1952, has granted $500 to the Grays River Grange #124 for the western part of the hamlet's rehabilitation. On June 8th, representatives from Grays River Grange will join all 2011 Grays Harbor grant recipients at the Elks Club in Aberdeen for a breakfast were they will be presented the grant check. Thank you Rayonier Foundation for aiding the Grange with community work!

Robert Michael Pyle at Redmen Hall

Friends of Skamokawa is celebrating the re-release of our Grange Lecturer Robert M. Pyle's The Thunder Tree with a short reading and book signing on Sunday, May 1, at one o'clock.

First published in 1993, The Thunder Tree shows how powerful the relationship between people, especially children, and the natural world can be.

An engrossing memoir and eloquent portrait of place, this reprint of the classic book makes  one of Pyle's important early works once again available for a new generation of readers.

This event will take place at Redmen Hall in Skamokawa, 1394 State Route 4 (Ocean Beach Highway).  Please call 360.795.3007 for further information during business hours, Thurs-Sunday, Noon to 4 PM.

Grange Meeting Tonight at 7:30

A SEEDY CHARACTER #1: “A Cycad’s Survival Story”

Cycads are tough plants. They have lived on Earth for about 300,000,000 years. They were here before the dinosaurs and the flowering plants and they are still here, but with far fewer species than in the past (currently they are represented by fewer than 100 species). Cycads are seed plants in the gymnosperm group so no fruits instead they produce cones with seeds. It is of note that cycads produce their leaves on an annual basis at the top of a woody caudex.  The somewhat palm-like leaves arise from the top of the caudex in many species and many cycads have “palm” as part of their common name (palms, though, are flowering plants). “Sago palm”, Cycas revoluta, is one common name of a species of cycad that is familiar to many people as it is the species most commonly available at nurseries. Cycads are evergreen. After a new set of leaves develops, some of the older leaves die (dead leaves remain attached to the plant and must be cut off if you want a tidy plant). A number of people fervently collect and grow these exotic-looking sub-tropical and tropical plants. They prefer warm weather and must be wintered indoors here in bright light and in well-drained soil. They are very sensitive to being overwatered but a really well-drained soil mix makes this difficult to do (for all kinds of plants, far more plants are killed by overwatering than by under watering).

County Fair Food Booth Meeting

May 2nd 7:00pm at Skamokawa Grange. Join us to make plans for the 2011 Grange food booth at the county fair.

Spring Contest is Saturday May 14th at Skamokawa Grange

The doors will be open by 9:30am entries need to be in before noon. Judging will begin at that time, and should be completed by about 4pm.

Arrangement will be made when entries are brought in for their return following the contest.

Winning entries will be held (with the permission of the contestant) until the State Convention the end of June.

Any questions please contact Donna Moody at 360-465-2253 or send a message to the e-mail on the left.

 

Willapa Valley Grange Spring Open Market

The Willapa Valley Grange is hosting a Grange Spring Open Market event. Lecture includes Raising Goats @ 11:15 pm. Local vendors, soil amendment producers, farmers, seed sellers and small equipment repair people are on hand.  Fun for the whole family!  Music provided by the band Worn Out Shoes. This is a potluck event with a suggested sliding donation of $1 - 5.  Proceeds from vendor sales and donations go to help renovate the Willapa Valley Grange #527. For more information contact: Jeff Gee at 360-589-3444.

Spring Gardening Tips WSU Master Gardener Panel April 19, 2011

Tuesday 12:05 – 1:00 pm Cowlitz County Administration Building

Gardening is a fun hobby that can provide big rewards with very little maintenance if it is done correctly. Let's face it, not everyone has a green thumb and some gardens may need a little help. Learn helpful tips from the experts on ways to keep your gardens looking great all year long. WSU Master Gardeners will share their knowledge and experience on what to plant appropriate to our area, basic garden design and how to encourage the plants you have to grow big and strong.

There will be plenty of time to answer your gardening questions. The class will be held at 12:05-1:00 p.m. in the Cowlitz County Administration Building, Room 300 at 207 4th Avenue North in Kelso. WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination.  Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office.

April Is Grange Month

April is Grange Month and Grays River members are working hard to renovate the historic hall. It's a lot of work! But it's coming together. Paint is being scraped, boards repaired and clutter cleaned out of the closets. The dining area has nice vintage lights now.

President's Message With Ed Luttrell

Aflac Insurance Offered To Grange Members The American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus offers a distinct type of protection. Unlike major medical health insurance, we pay you (unless otherwise assigned) not the doctor or hospital. You control the cash benefits and spend them as you like to help with financial challenges an accident or illness could have to your standard of living.

Sallal Grange's #995 Fantastic Emblem

Sallal Grange has a great emblem for their organization. I admit it, I'm an enthusiastic guitar picker! - Krist Novoselic