Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-08-30
GRANGE NEWS.
Pomona Grange at Westminster West.

Pomona Grange at Westminster West.
Windham County Pomona grange met
with Maple Grove grange al Westminster
West last Tuesday. Representatives of
the order were present from the east part
of the town. from BratteborO, Guilford,
Springfield and Chester, and visitors from
other towns. The exercises were held in
the town hall. which was handsomely dec
GRATED for the occasion. The grange
motto, Faith, hope, charity, with fidelity,
and "Welcome, patrons made from ever
green arranged upon a white surface, with
flags draped above and around them, made
a fine background for the splendid display
Of cut flowers placed along the entire front
Of the platform and on the tables. The
morning exercises We're devoted to grange
work as usual. W. Il. Cutting in speaking
of the work of the Pomona grange referred
OF the organization OF the Windham county
council. The first meeting was held in
Bratteboro. Feb. ), 1S7j. and Feb /, 1876,
the council was formed with W. B. Cutting
as master. May OF the same year a meet
iu- was called in Newfane 10 discuss plans
for future usefulness and did not close till
q o'clock. He incidentally remarked that
the snow drifts in the road over which he
passed were so deep that he was obliged TO
get along by pulling down fences and driv-
ing in the fields. Not long after this
meeting The name wa. changed TO Wind
ham County Pomona grange.
A. A. Edison of Chester, deputy for dis
trict No. .. made an earnest plea for regu-
lar grange work i'm full form. The reports
from the subordinate oranges showed good
work. Westminster West reported the
best average attendance, four-tifths of its
members attending regularly. a bountiful
dinner was served in the vestry, which was
tastefully decorated and proved a restfu.,
cool place IN which to dine.
The hall was well filled in the afternoon.
j. II. Clark gave appropriate words of
welcome, member OF Protective grange
responding. Miss Nellie Heath gave an
illustrated recitation, accompanied by
music, and responded to an encore. Miss
Florence Goodhue followed with a song
rendered in pleasing manner. Then Miss
MAY Goodhue gave recitation in an i'm
pressive manner and Miss Helen Campbell
recited poem delightfully."-. These young
ladies showed natural talent as well as
good training. The present school system
was the subject for discussion and was
opened by Miss LOra Wilcox, who read a
poem written 10y Mrs. Luna Sprague Peck
upon the change from district TO town sys-
TEN of schools Among those speaking
| upon this question were W. B. Cutting,
/ Oscar T. Ware, Mrs. Helen Plumb, Rev.
/ Henry Goodhue, Mrs c. Hubbard, Spring
/ field; A. 4. Edison, Chester; Geo GoOdell
| principal OF Deertield, Mass, academy,
/ and others. Not one wished TO return to
/ the district system. A desire was expressed
/ for a change in methods of teaching, for
/ teachers who were adapted TO their work
| and liked it, and who could 90 before
classes and ask questions, without book
/ in their hands even if it required some
study to do il, hearty sympathy of the
parents in the interests of the pupils, for
skilled supervisors to train and direct
teachers and look after the interests of the
schools. All this showed that the thought
OF the people is being given more and
more TO this subject. Maple Grove grange
choir, with L. L. q orham as organist, fur.
nished splendid music during the after
| noon.
Refreshments were served TO the visitor.
before they started homeward. The mex
meeting will be held in Townshend in Sep
| TENDER. A.