Vic Phelps was born in 1926 and joined Blackwater Grange #152 when he turned 14 years old in 1940. His father Victor E. Phelps was already a member and probably influenced this decision. But as Vic reminisced, “there wasn’t much else to do in Andover in those days.”
He remembers talk of having to ride the donkey to join, but the donkey never showed up.
Blackwater Grange meetings were held in the upstairs hall across Lawrence Street from today’s Lake Sunapee Bank. Oscar Couture’s Barber Shop was in the room directly outside the door of the meeting hall, so he would close on two Thursday nights per month so meetings could be held and use his space.
Originally, there was no running water or “modern” plumbing, but grange members are always progressive, and these things were installed soon after Vic joined.
Vic took his turn in all the different officer positions except Master that he was eligible to fill. (There are four positions that must be filled by ladies). He said, “My family and the business took up so much of my time that I didn’t think I could do the job of Master right.”
Over the years, he saw members come to meetings in horse and buggies, sleighs, Model A Fords, motorcycles, and every mode of transport up to Acura and Prius.
His wife Ella was already a member when they met. The Grange probably gave them a bang-up party when they married.
Vic has many good memories of Grange activities and friends. When he was asked to name names, he replied, “Ed Hamp and Atherton Frost used to show movies and go around to other towns also to show them. They were really great! They may not have been members, but they put on a good show.”
Many members came to mind, including George Corson, Paul Fenton Sr., Glenn and Etta Currier, Lisa Buzzell, Grace George, Lizzie Dodge, Viola Blake, Dolly Smith, and Al Eaton. There were many more special people in “Blackwater.” Because Grangers love to travel, there were friends from all the surrounding towns as well.
In 2013, Blackwater Grange merged with Blazing Star Grange in Danbury, and Vic made the move also. On June 11, 2015 a certificate from the National Grange commemorating 75 years of faithful membership was presented to Vic by two other former Blackwater members, Liz Kirby and Bernice Nowell, on behalf of Blazing Star Grange. He also received a beautiful quilt handmade by Blazing Star members.
Vic’s children Cynthia Alley, Doug Phelps, and Karen Hanson joined him to make the occasion complete. Vic was all smiles.