STAFF REPORTS
ORWIGSBURG - On Aug. 26, about a dozen residents from various municipalities gathered in the Orwigsburg Borough Hall to elect officers for the newly chartered Hawk Mountain Grange No. 2109.
The Grange, a nonpartisan, fraternal organization that advocates for agriculture, was formed in 1867 and has more than 2,100 chapters across the United States. The charter, issued Aug. 21 by the National Grange, includes 17 people from the county. Another seven have joined since the charter was issued.
"We hope that the diversity in our membership will allow us to serve a variety of needs in the different communities throughout Schuylkill County," Secretary Brian Ryder, Schuylkill Haven, said.
Ryder said the group is also seeking to add new members.
"We hope people who are interested in helping others, a core value for many in Schuylkill County, learn more about the Grange, come to our meetings and assist with projects," he said.
In addition to Hawk Mountain Grange, there are 240 Granges in the state of Pennsylvania. Two other Granges - Jefferson Grange No. 1384 and Lewistown Valley Grange No. 1639 - also serve communities in Schuylkill County.
The Grange has already discussed several fundraising ideas and hopes to hold open discussions with Commissioner Gary Hess, who serves as the county agriculture liaison, as well as agriculture educators and others.
Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in the council chambers of the Orwigsburg Borough Hall unless otherwise scheduled.
Officers elected include President Brandon Bayer, Vice President Bryan Marchefsky, Treasurer Amanda Leigh Brozana, Program Director Nancy Marchefsky, Steward Justin Weller and Greeter Bryce Lewis.