November 2014 - Square Dance with Dave Thielk and the Possum Carvers; Quimper Grange Elections; Grange gets new windows; Cooperatives program

November 8th Square Dance

For the November Square Dance and Social, Dave Thielk will be calling traditional square dances and related dance forms from 7:30-10:30. Live music will be provided by the extraordinary Possum Carvers.  Dave Thielk is a local musician/dancer/caller who has been involved with community dance events in Port Townsend for over 25 years.  Members of The Possum Carvers, also local, have been playing for squares and contras all over the State of Washington, and beyond, for decades.

The Possum Carvers

Caller Dave Thielk

Come as you are. Singles, couples, families, and tribes, beginners and experienced, are all welcome.

Admission is $5.00.  Aged 16 and under are free.  All dances are taught.  This event is non alcohol and family friendly.  Dancers are encouraged to bring their own personal water bottle and if inclined, snacks to share with other dancers.  Call Dave Thielk (360-385-3308) for more information.

Quimper Grange Elections: November 10th, 7PM
Perhaps the most crucial event of the Grange year is election of officers to fill the important roles that make it possible for our Grange to continue serving the community. We will be electing President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and one Executive Committee member at our November 10th business meeting. If you are interested in becoming a member and being able to take part in determining Quimper Grange priorities, cook up interesting programs or have other ideas you would like to put forth, membership applications can be found by the door in the Grange hall or by clicking on the "Membership Information" tab at the top of this page.

Grange Hall Gets New Windows!

Our old wooden windows were attractive but high maintenance; they needed to be re-puttied and painted to keep the wood from rotting and the panes from falling out. (Yes, panes were falling out). They were also difficult to open. So in order to preserve the look of the old windows, decrease time and energy spent on painting and puttying, and reduce our heating costs we have installed new double glazed, double hung, divided light windows. Check them out the next time you are in the hall!

October's Panel Discussion:"Building a More Cooperative Economy" 

In the 1870s Granges all over the nation began establishing cooperative businesses in an effort to have more control over pricing, quality of goods, and access to services. Their early efforts expanded to include buying, selling and manufacturing cooperatives for farmers, and eventually included credit unions, fire insurance and even Seattle's Group Health. October is National Cooperative Month and in an effort to shine a light on the Grange's role in establishing cooperative enterprise as a business model in the US our Quimper Grange secretary, Deb Wiese, brought together a panel of local people to speak about their experiences working co-operatively. Thanks go out to Deb Wiese who moderated the program, and panelists: Steve Moore, Heather Dudley-Nollette, Jacob Talamante, Jim Lyons, Kenna Eaton, and Robert Yourish.