Community Update

The Concord Grange, formerly known as Pineconia Grange held a public 100th birthday party at Keach Park last night.  A large crowd attended the flagpole dedication and listen to Nevers' Band along with enjoying a 100th anniversary sheet cake.  Prior to the dedication, the Grange with Walgreen's Pharmacy sponsored Splash Bash for the third straight year.  Splash Bash was cut from the city recreation budget 3 years ago and the Grange stepped up to the plate to save it.  Walgreen's also came forward to save this special night for third to fifth graders.  They get to swim, listen to music by a deejay, enjoy popcorn and a soda.  Walgreen's also handed out balloons, frisbees, and water.     

Concord Grange was organized on May 11, 1914 on the Concord Plains, known today as Concord Heights.   Several areas of the city already had a Grange chapter.  The Grange is a national non profit organization founded in agriculture to aid the farmer.   In recent years, Community Service has become a major program for the Grange members.    Fifteen residents of Concord Plains met to organize a Grange on the Concord Plains.   Within a short time, the membership grew to over 100 members consisting of men and women.   The Grange met in a former horse barn sold to the Grange for $1 dollar by Mailand Prescott.  The building was moved to the corner of Prescott and Ormond Streets.   Within a few years, the Grange renovated the hall and added a stage and more meeting space along with a full cellar.   The Grange was noted for many things on the Concord Plains.  They petitioned the city for police coverage, placement of a fire truck on the Plains, and getting electric light poles.    

The Grange Hall bustled with activity throughout the years.   It became the Ward 8 voting place for all elections until 1979.   The hall hosted weekly boxing matches, fairs, public suppers, public dancing, variety shows, meeting place for other organizations, and churches as well as Grange meetings.      

Last year Grange Master Dick Patten started planning for the 100 year anniversary.    His dad, Clinton Patten was helping him despite suffering from cancer and dying in January of this year.    James Cusano and Dick talked about a community project for the Grange to do.  Talking to the members, it was decided the Grange would purchase a flagpole for Heights Park, known as Keach Park in memory of former Concord Recreation Director John Keach.  Fundraising began with Master Dick Patten sending out letters to former members, family members of deceased members, and asking the general public.  When Dick's dad passed away, people had an opportunity to donate to the anniversary fund in lieu of flowers, which don't live in the winter.   The Grange received several donations from non Grange members and acknowledged all of them.   There are a couple of pledges still to be sent in.     
The Grange submitted a proposal to the Concord Recreation Advisory Committee with a $2,000 check to pay for the flagpole.  Once it was approved by the committee, it was onto to the City Council to accept the gift.      
Tom Cusano, a member of the Grange arranged for Nevers' Band, who was slated to do a concert in the park on July 22 to combine efforts with the Grange to celebrate the milestone event.  Thus, on Tuesday, July 22, a new flagpole with flag is now flying in the park.  Perry Brother Monuments donated a large flat marker that is placed in front of the flagpole indicating, who presented the gift.    

During the evening, the band played Happy Birthday to Grange member Arline French., who celebrated her 100th birthday on July 17.      There were a number of State Grange officials including State President James Tetreault present for this.   City Councilor At Large Fred Keach spoke on behalf of his mother Suzanne and the Keach Family thanking the Grange for this gift.  City Councilor Byron Champlin was also present for this special night.    Representatives of the Concord Fire Department Color Guard and Jerry Venne, a retired member of the armed forces provided the the color guard.   David Gill, City of Concord Recreation Director accepted the gift of the flagpole from Concord Grange.  

Grange Master Dick Patten presented Grange Trophies to families of Charter members or Grange Families, who were so active in the early years:   They were The Wentworth Family;The Coulombe family, Fred Cherrette family; William Spaulding family; the Dan Cusano family; Rodney Huntoon family, The Stella Lougee family; Gerri Marquis Harrington family,  Philip & Madolin Cantara family, Francis Shattuck family, Albert Rogers family, the Henry Champigny family, Paul Brogan family, Mailand, John & Blanche Prescott famly,  Frank Goodsell family; Everette & Victoria Mahoney family, Donald Foote family;Ernest & Loretta Hammar family,  Gea Robbins family; James & Gladys, Edith Knauf family and Robert & Evelyn Little family.    In addition Nevers' Band members Priscilla Giles (62 yrs) and Douglas Osborne (50 yrs) as members of Nevers'Band.   
The Grange today helps to sponsor the annual Christmas Parade, held Nov. 22 this year; the Christmas Tree Lighting along with lighting trees at the State House Plaza, Eagle Square, and at the intersection of Loudon, Airport, and Pembroke Roads.    The seasonal banners on the light poles along Loudon Road; giving all third grade students in the public schools in Concord and Dunbarton new dictionaries; awarding recognition awards to police, fire, educator and more; along with adopting children at Christmas for gifts and many more projects.  
The Grange meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall, 48 Airport Road.  The Grange would like anyone who is interested in the Grange to come and attend a meeting.    
The Grange Centennial Cookbook and History will be available for sale very soon.   They have been shipped but as of today, have not arrived.  The cookbook includes over 125 recipes from members, non members, and former members along with history written by Master Dick  Patten.   Rodney Huntoon, along with Shelley Huntoon, Esther Herrick, and Yvonne Crocker coordinated this project.  Please call 224=4320 to order a cookbook.    Please call Dick Patten at 496-2917 for Grange Information.