Published Quarterly Donna Keeton, Master Marvin Purdy, Editor 4202 West Doolin, Blackwell, OK December 2011

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1 Sooner State Published Quarterly Donna Keeton, Master Marvin Purdy, Editor 4202 West Doolin, Blackwell, OK December 2011 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 122 Tonkawa, Okla Granger Master s Message... Volunteers Deserve Great Credit For Success Of State and National Conventions In Tulsa The Holiday s are upon us and I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This has been such an exciting year being able to host the National Grange Convention in our State for the first time!! Everyone did a terrific job with the Convention. There were so many complements on our state and members. They said that we set a high standard on hosting the National Convention. I would like to thank everyone who volunteered at the National Convention. Without the volunteers Dates To Remember March 1, News items for next Sooner Granger are due. Send to Marvin Purdy, 4202 W. Doolin, Blackwell, OK or Fax April 14, Degree Day at Welch, OK. Civic Center. June 2012, Father s Day Weekend for the Great Plains Leaders Conference hosted by Kansas. Site to be determined. we would not have had a successful convention. A Great Big Thanks goes to Dee Procter for being our National Grange Convention State Coordinator, he was our glue that kept us together and working. Dee planned a great Delegates tour for Tuesday, and Thursday. He did a great job on the Non-Delegates Tour. Thank you to the volunteers who went on the Non-Delegates tours and helped with them. Our state hosted the hospitality room on Sunday and Monday, thank you for all the good food that was donated and made for our two days. Everyone enjoyed the chili and hot dogs and all the other great treats. The transportation went smoothly, thanks to the transportation committee. The registration booth was one of the best organized that the National Coordinator Jessie Cope has seen, so thanks to Matthew Keeton, Sandy Blake, Jerry and Aliene Taylor, and the other volunteers. A special thanks goes to Martha Shufeldt and Marie Volz for ironing all those costumes for the Seventh Degree. There were eleven members from Oklahoma who were in the Seventh Degree and there were two members who were in the Sixth Degree. We also had several candidates for both the Seventh and the Sixth Degree. I heard a lot of comments that this was the best sixth degree that they had seen in a long time. The only complaint that I heard about was the temperature in the meeting room and we could not control that. We had several youth who participated in the youth activities and we had two youth ambassadors, Camille Krehbiel and Mitchell Nutter, and also two youth officers Clayton Krehbiel and Justin Knight. They all represented our state with pride. Our Youth Director Ann Keeton worked hard, she provided blankets to tie that they gave to some of the Veterans who were at the National Grange Convention. Ann also planned a great tour for the youth. They went to the Oklahoma City Memorial Bombing Site. On Friday evening after the Night (Continued on page 2)

2 2 Master s Message Continued (Continued from page 1) of Excellence the youth had a party where they played games and sang songs from a Karaoke machine. Thank you, Ann for your dedication and time spent with the Youth Department. We had several Junior members from our state who participated at the activities that our Junior Leader Cassy Shufeldt and the National Junior Director had for them. There was a scavenger hunt and a swimming party, a tour to the zoo, and lots of crafts and games. Thank you, Cassy for your dedication and time spent with the Junior Department. Our National Coordinator Yvonne Meritt did a great job coordinating all the states and made sure everything went smoothly; thank you, Yvonne. Also thank you Mary Krehbiel for stepping up when Yvonne asked you to see over the Ideal Fair, that was a lot of work, finding helpers and setting up the Ideal Fair. During the Celebration Banquet on Saturday evening the Clear Creek Band was the entertainment and everyone enjoyed the music. At the Celebration Banquet, Oklahoma State Grange was recognized for an increase in membership of 177 new members this year. The state was given a gift certificate from the Grange Store. I will be getting door prizes with it for the Degree Day. Our Christmas tree from Oklahoma went to a children s shelter in Tulsa and the National Grange Christmas tree went to the Blue House in Langley. It is a shelter for women and children. Aliene Taylor and Debbie Borgstrom did a fantastic job on the trees. At the State Session this year there was an election of officers: Master Donna Keeton, Overseer Dee Procter, Executive Committee Kay Meritt, Lecturer Yvonne Meritt, Steward Billy Shufeldt, Assistant Steward Alan Thomsen, Lady Assistant Steward Valarie Thomsen, Chaplain Terry Stolezing, Secretary Jeannie Harrington, Treasurer Deloris Walker, Gatekeeper Jerry Taylor, Ceres Chabrice Evans, Pomona Lisa Evans, and Flora Morgan Meritt. On Sunday the State Officers were installed by the Worthy National Master Ed Luttrell with assistants from the youth: Bailey and Melody Shufeldt, Kennedy Bailey, Jorja Fisher, Saxon Kuehn, and Austin Cato. I told everyone at the State Session that I would announce my directors in this newsletter so my new directors are: Membership Carl Shufeldt, Grange Activities and Community Service Mary Krehbiel, Junior Director Scheneista Procter, Youth Directors Lena and Billy Shufeldt, Legislative Director Yvonne Meritt, Agriculture Director Kent McAninch, Editor Marvin Purdy, IT Director Robert Lobsinger. I would like to thank all of my past directors Jerry Taylor, Aliene Taylor, Debbie Borgstrom, Ann Keeton, and Cassy Shufeldt for a job well done. You have helped me so much these last two years and have made our State Grange a better grange. I hope that you will help the new directors with their endeavors. On Friday evening before the Banquet there was a fund raiser for the Kelley Farm Foundation and it raised $270.00; also at the Banquet our Granger of the Year was not able to attend, that person was Paul Matthews. He has served the State Grange as Legislative Director for many years and also represented us on the Highway Users Foundation until he has finally retired. I wanted to recognize him this year as our Granger of the Year. I will be going to his local grange meeting at Prairie Grange and present him with his plaque. Thank you Paul Matthews for your dedication to the Oklahoma State Grange! During our State Session we had one resolution that went to the National Convention and the National Delegates said that it was a state issue. I would like to thank the youth for exemplifying the Fifth Degree at our State Session. We had fourteen candidates for the Fifth and Sixth Degree. Our auction for the youth was a huge success, it made (Continued on page 3) Shop The National GRANGE STORE Offering a wide assortment of Grange Products and Merchandise from Jewelry to Grange Supplies. Visit

3 3 Grange Activities By Debbie Borgstrom and Aliene Taylor Fellow Grangers History was made this year, as the National Grange Session was held in the state of Oklahoma for the first time in November. We think we showed the nation what hospitality can be in Oklahoma. The session went very smooth, as the Oklahoma members went above and beyond in many cases. We understand Marvin Purdy has had knee surgery since the National Session. We would like to wish him the best and a speedy recovery. Master s Message Continued Thanks for everything Marvin! We had a great time and very successful State Session this year. We would like to thank Master Donna Keeton for some great ideas, and running a very smooth and efficient session. We would like to thank all members for the opportunity to be your Activities Directors these past years. The winners in the contests were: Women crafts, 1st place Aliene Taylor, 2nd place, Marie Voltz, 3rd place, Martha Shufeldt. Men crafts, 1st place, Jerry Taylor, 2nd place, Richard Voltz, 3rd place, Marvin Purdy. Youth craft, 1st place, Taylor Monroe, 2nd place, Coleton Evans The winner of the community service awards this year was the OU Grange. Other Granges participating were Thompson Grange, Pleasant View Grange, Bluejacket Grange, Adair Grange, Ketchum Grange, Union Grange, Cherryvale Grange. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the activities this year. Fraternally yours, Debbie Borgstrom Aliene Taylor Activities Directors (Continued from Page 2) over $2,100 for the Youth Department. A big thank you goes to Roger Bostwick, Kansas State Master, for exemplifying the Sixth Degree as Master. I also would like to thank OU Grange and Thompson Grange for donating the blankets for the National Master and First Lady. Also for building the background screen for the Graces. It looked great during the Fifth and Sixth Degrees. Some dates to remember are April 14, 2012 Degree Day at Welch Civic Center, Welch Ok. June 2012, Father s day weekend for Great Plains Leaders Conference it will be hosted by Kansas. (Site to be determined) From my family to yours MER- RY CHRISTMAS! Donna Keeton State Master Secretaries Take Note By Jeannie Harrington It s time again for the newsletter. This year sure went by fast and winter is fast approaching. I pray this letter finds everyone in good health. The State Session in October in Tulsa OK was well attended and a good time of fellowship. A few changes took place on the board and we are looking forward to a great The National Session in November was also in Tulsa OK. We appreciate all of the hard work that was put in to making it a great session. I heard nothing but positive comments from the attendees from other states. Anyone who would like to turn in your report for Subordinate Grange still has time to get it in the book. Please get those in as soon as possible. And don t forget it is time for the fourth quarter dues to be paid. Those who attended all three days of the State Session are exempt BUT we still need your reports. The following Granges are exempt for the fourth quarter: Adair, Bethel, Big Cabin, Bluejacket, Cherryvale, Clear Creek, Ketchum, Pleasant View, Prairie, OU, South Coffeyville, Thompson and Union. I would like to say Thank You to all my fellow Grange secretaries who send their reports in a timely manner. Jeannie Harrington State Secretary

4 4 Lecturer s Lesson By Deloris Walker, Outgoing Lecturer Greetings Grangers! Another State Session has come and gone. And also a National Session also held in Tulsa, OK. Do to surgery in September and healing not going as planned I was unable to attend the State Session for the first time in many years. But I would like to thank Lena Shufeldt for filling in for me during my absence. In the talent contest there were 3 entrants. Bailey and Melody Shufeldt won the right to perform in the Night of Excellence at National in November. Bailey Shufeldt sang a solo, winning 2nd place and Don- Lecturer s Lesson By Yvonne Meritt, Incoming Lecturer na Keeton sang a solo, winning 3rd place and Katelynn Thomsen sang a song, not to be considered for the contest. Thanks to all of you. The winners in the photo contests were as follows: Oklahoma Get Away category: Junior 5-14 Chase Monroe 1st place; Youth Taylor Monroe 1st place, Charbrice Evans 2nd place, Dakota Evans 3rd place; Adult 26 & over Patricia Shufeldt 1st place, Mary Krehbiel 2nd place, Jennifer Larmon 3rd place; Landscape category: Junior Chase Monroe 1st place; Youth Greetings from your State Lecturer, History is repeating it s self. The Delegates of the Oklahoma State Grange elected me to the office of State Lecturer. It is a great honor to serve in this capacity again. I think being Lecturer is probably my favorite office in the Grange. I get to encourage Grangers to develop their talents, I hope to develop a Lecturer Program that I hope to share with each Grange across the state in the very near future. We will continue the pop can tab program and we will continue to support Dogs for the Deaf. If you would like additional information on either of these programs please contact me. We will continue with the photo contest and of course the talent contest. More details will follow in the next issue of the paper. I would like to congratulate Melody and Bailey Shufeldt - these two young ladies made Oklahoma proud. They were the opening act for the Evening of Excellence at the National Grange Convention. Job well done girls. Mary Krehbeil had a picture on display in the Showcase of Excellence at the National Convention. Fraternally, Yvonne Meritt meritt73@gmail.com Taylor Monroe 1st place, Camille Krehbiel 2nd place, Clayton Krehbiel 3rd place, Adult Mary Krehbiel 1st place, Jennifer Larmon 2nd place, Don Larmon 3rd place. New Beginnings category: Junior no entries, Youth Camille Krehbiel 1st place, Charbrice Evans 2nd place, Colton Evans 3rd place, 26 & over Donna Keeton 1st place, Mary Krehbiel 2nd place, Becky Price 3rd place. Tell-A-Story category: Junior no entries, Youth Dakota Evans 1st place, Charbrice Evans 2nd place, 26 & over Mary Krehbiel 1st place, Jennifer Larmon 2nd place, Morgan Meritt 3rd place, Best of Show was one of Camille Krehbiel s pictures going on to National. Thank you to all of you who participated. The drawings on the two blankets that chances were sold on raised $ for Dogs for the Deaf. They were both won by OU Grange. This money will be added to the money donated by the members of Green Country Pomona. Also thank you to those who saved and brought their can tabs to be donated to Ronald McDonald House. As this will be my last letter, I d like to thank you for letting me serve as your State Lecturer. It has been quite an experience! Now I will return to being your State Treasurer. Thank you for having enough confidence to elect me to that office, even though I wasn t there. Merry Christmas to All, Deloris Walker

5 5 This Year s Grange Scholarship Receipents: Mitchell Nutter, Tanner Volz, Colton Evans, Kyle Volz, Camille Krehbiel, Landry Volz. Youth Report By Ann Keeton This has been a great end of the year for Oklahoma State Youth. We had many youth in attendance at the State Session in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We had many scholarship recepients who were recognized at the Friday night banquet. We also had Bailey and Melody Shufeldt who won the talent contest and went on to perform at National Session. Saturday night our youth put on the 5th degree for all our new candidates and after the 6th degree work we had a youth auction where we raised over $2000 dollars. Thank you to all the youth who participated in the 5th degree and to all the people who donate and purchased something for the auction. Sunday, I had 6 youth who helped National Master with the instillation of the state officers. National Session was a great success on the side of the Oklahoma State Youth Department. We had two youth Mitchell Nutter and Camille Krehibel. They represented our state all week long participating in workshops, tours, and the Evening of Excellence. We had two Oklahoma Youth who were on the National Youth Officer Team. They were Justin Knight and Clayton Krehibel. They worked hard late into the night to perfect their drill. Thank you so much to all four of these youth who put in alot of time and effort. You all did a fabulous job. We also had 5 youth who were in the 7th degree, they were Samantha Shufeldt, Bailey Shufeldt, Jorja Fisher, Kennedy Bailey, and Melody Shufeldt. These girls spent their days at Nationals pulling their knees high, even though half of the time they were sick. They all did a wonderful job. I am so proud of all my youth who were a part of this amazing National Session and I hope that you all will continue to be involved in the National Session. I have had such a great time with all of the youth and I hope that your new di- rectors will stick with you and give you a 100% like I have attempted to do! Best of luck to you all! Faithful unto death, Ann Keeton Past Youth Director Membership By Jerry Taylor Dear Grangers, We had a great time at the State Session in October, and another great time at National Session in November. Our first ever National Session in Oklahoma in my opinion was a great success. I would like to thank all the Grange members who worked so hard to make this happen. I would like to give special thanks to Dee Procter, and Yvonne Meritt, our State and National coordina(continued on page 6)

6 6 Oklahoma State Grange Officers: (Top row from Left) Billy Shufeldt, Steward, Alan Thomsen, Assistant Steward, Jerry Taylor, Gatekeeper, Dee Procter, Overseer, Terry Stolezing, Chaplain, Don Larmon, Executive Committee, Richard Volz, Executive Committee, Kay Meritt Executive Committee (Bottom Row:) Morgan Meritt, Flora, Lisa Evans, Pomona, Chabrice Evans, Ceres, Donna Keeton, Master, Jeannie Harrington, Secretary, Yvonne Meritt, Lecturer, Valarie Thomsen, Lady Assistant Steward, Jennifer Larmon, Pianist, (not pictured Deloris Walker) State Treasurer. Membership Continued (Continued from page 5) tors. I hope you were able to attend. We had another successful year in membership gains. I would like to thank everyone for their work in increasing their Grange membership. We had a total gain of 177 members this year, bringing our total from 1530 last year to 1707 this year. The Granges that had increases totaled 12 and were: GRANGE GAIN Prairie Cowskin Prairie OU Ketchum Adair Thompson South Coffeyville Union Bluejacket Two new Granges that started after the counting began last year also are growing rapidly. Cabin Creek 359 now has 26 members, and Elm Bend 358 has 47 members. Thanks again for your work, and it has been a privilege to be your membership director. Fraternally Yours, Jerry Taylor, Membership Director Thank You To All Grange Volunteers! Thank you to all who volunteer during the National Grange Convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma in November. You should be proud of a job well done! We were the teamwork of our state that shined on the success of the Party on the Prairie. I cannot Thank You enough, but THANK YOU. Yvonne Meritt National Grange Convention 2011 Event Planner Super Size the Grange! Every Member Get A New Member

7 Grange Builds Character and Leaders For generations, people have credited their involvement in the Grange with personal growth, character development, leadership skills and confidence. The Grange s structure allows everyone an equal voice, and nurtures skills and values through a structured program in the Junior Grange as early as age 5. Adults serving as mentors and leaders of Junior and Youth programs also find joy in their work with the next generation who will carry the spirit of America forward. Check It Out! NEW Oklahoma GRANGE WEBSITE at okgrange.org Still has a few growing pains, but is mostly complete! Color Photos Grange History Download Forms Find Information Retrieve Archived Newsletters and more Best Viewed in IE9, Firefox, Safari, Opera, or Chrome Chaplain s Corner By Chaplain Terry Stolezing Christmas Christmastime was always a magical time of year for me. The beautifully decorated shopping malls, with toys everywhere you looked, always fascinated me. And the houses, with the way their lights would glow upon the glistening snow at night, always seemed to calm me. But decorating the Christmas tree and falling asleep underneath the warm glow of the lights, in awe that Santa Claus would soon be there, was the best part of it all. As a child, these things enchanted me. Sure, the presents were great, but the excitement and mystery of Christmas; I loved most of all. Believing that s what it was all about. Believing there really was a Santa and waking up Christmas morning, realizing he d come, as my sleepy eyes focused on all the fancily wrapped presents before me. Ah, to be a kid again. How wonderful it would be to relive the magic of Christmas. Don t get me wrong, I have always been a kid at heart and a true lover of Christmas. But as we get older and we realize that Santa Claus and the North Pole were just stories our parents told us so we d behave, Christmas starts to lose that magical feeling. No matter how much we might still love it, Christmastime just isn t the same as when we were young. And at a time of all the aggravating shopping hustle and bustle, dents in the pockets, headaches, traffic jams and long lines, I begin to realize that God has sent me the most magical Christmas gift of all, three Beautiful girls whom I can relive Christmas in all over. Through my children s eyes, I see myself each time their face light up at the sight of Santa, and I feel his anticipation each morning as they faithfully open up one more window on the Christmas calendar. Tonight, as we decorate the tree, I admiringly watched their tiny fingers delicately place each of the ornaments on all the same branches until they drooped to the floor. So proud of their work, I secretly placed some elsewhere, as to not hurt their feelings, and wondered how many times my own mother had done the same thing. And after a long day of shopping and excitement, I watched their eyelids begin to droop while lying underneath the warm glow of the Christmas tree lights. I kissed their sweet cheeks goodnight, and they asked how many more days until Santa Claus comes? And as I sat there watching them sleep, I began to see the Christmas magic come alive once again only through their eyes this time. At that moment, I knew their thoughts and could almost envision their dreams, for I dreamt them once myself. There s just one little difference all the toys and gifts they could ever imagine can never compare to the most precious gift of all and they are lying underneath my Christmas tree right now. Terry Stoelzing 7

8 8 Grange Service Projects Strengthen Communities Veterans Honored. Ann Keeton and Melody Shufeldt presented a red, white, and blue Veteran s Appreciation Blanket to Marvin Purdy for his service in World War II for Veterans Day. Expanding Knowledge The Grange strives to allow each individual to reach their full potential. As part of the original design of the organization, an officer position was created that was solely responsible for bringing to the members entertainment and activities which expanded their knowledge of different subject areas. This officer, the Lecturer, is vital to Grange meetings because they plan and conduct programs. Today, Lecturers plan programs, help to identify what members want and need to learn more about. The National Grange is happy to provide many tools Granges can use to learn about issues that are important to rural America. Oklahoma s Grange: BUILDING BRIDGES TO THE FUTURE Patronize Your Own Grange Mutual Insurance Association and Save. Community Service is an integral part of the Grange that allows local members to interact and serve the communities where they reside. Granger members participate in big and small projects, partner with other community organizations, they fundraise for various causes within their community and nationally. Serving our communities whether it is helping our neighbor in need or bake sale to raise money for the local school, you can always count on the Grange being involved. Our local Grangers recognize outstanding citizens in their communities, like fireman and policeman and sponsor local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. This allows for Grange families and other citizens to participate in community service. If you want to be more involved in your neighborhood or your community then the Grange is the place for you. Connecting Communities through Service is the Grange way. Marvin Purdy, President Robert Bailey, Vice Pres. Dee Procter, Secretary Donna Keeton, Treasurer