Grange “Revival” to Kick Off with Potluck

Saturday, March 9 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Orcas Grange

By Margie Doyle

Several Orcas Islanders have put their heads together and think others may share their passion to revitalize the Orcas Grange.

Michael Greenberg, Learner Limbach and Leslie Seamans, current Grange Master, agreed to work with “a group of energized young people involved in agriculture … to revitalize the Grange, focused around principled civic engagement and local agriculture,” said Greenberg recently.

They have planned a potluck dinner celebration for Saturday, March 9, starting at 5 p.m. at the Grange. Guests are asked to bring a prepared dish and their own tableware, including eating utensils, to the Potluck Dinner.

There will be live dinner music by Buckthorn and the Lonely Boys. Following the potluck, there will be a brief Grange presentation, speaking of the history and accomplishments of the Grange movement nationally and locally, and then a Dance Party starting at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to carpool. All are welcome.

Greenberg says, “The Grange has a history of doing importantly things directly. The most important goal is that people engage and own the civic process in their own neighborhood. What could be more central to the rural character of Orcas than preserving farms and farmland?” he asks. He envisions more usage of the Grange by organizations such as 4-H, FEAST, and Foodmasters, and the possible addition of a commercial kitchen.

Greenberg recognizes the contributions made to the Grange in recent years by the Actors Theater of Orcas Island, which maintains the building and performs regularly at the Grange, usually packing the house.  The Actors Theater is “golden” says Greenberg.

Recently the Actors Theater/Grange was the beneficiary of new audience seating, paid for in part by a $10,000 donation from Bob and Phyllis Henigson, and in part by donations from ATOI patrons who “purchased” seats.