This fall, the Blazing Star Grange has begun to lead the community to make more choices for sustainable living by increasing the use of sustainable supplies used in serving their suppers. For the Grange fair in September, which served around 200 people, Styrofoam divided plates were replaced with a compostable variety. For the November supper, with plastic silverware supplies running low, 100% recycled cutlery, using no virgin plastic, has been added. Though more expensive, the Grange hopes to raise awareness by example. As current supplies dwindle, sustainable items will be ordered.
The Blazing Star Grange cooks up five suppers each year plus sponsors a Winter Farmers Market. Also, in support of the local foods movement, the November supper used apples for the crisp and squash from local farms, while crisp topping and pot pie crust was made by Huntoon Farm.
Supper proceeds are used to maintain the Grange building in Danbury and to provide service to the community. Meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of the month and welcome those interested in supporting their building and rural issues or concerns. During the winter months, meetings are held in members’ homes or at the Grange Hall on market days, therefore it would be best to call for meeting locations. For information on the Blazing Star Grange, call Donna at 768-5579. For information on the sustainability project, call Phyllis at 744-2332.
Grange Painted Curtain Presentation
On October 27, Chris Hadsel, director of the nonprofit group Curtains Without Borders, was guest speaker at the Blazing Star Grange Hall in Danbury. She gave an informative presentation about the talented New Hampshire artists who created many of the hand-painted curtains that grace Grange halls and town halls across New England.
The Blazing Star Grange Hall in Danbury has the honor of having the only complete set of curtains painted in 1921 by Egbert L. Foster, a lifelong resident of Manchester. There are three curtains with wings, teasers, and a set of flats, plus an advertising curtain depicting area businesses done by another New Hampshire artist.
Though these curtains are basically in good shape, there is much work and expense involved in cleaning, restoring, and making sure these treasures last another 100 years. The group assembled discussed ways to fundraise and the grants that are available if the curtains were owned by the Town of Danbury.
Hadsel mentioned that many curtains across the area have been restored with “moose money” grants, as it so happened that the curtains were in town halls in which Granges had their meeting hall as well. In Danbury’s case, the Blazing Star Grange built its own hall, purchased the curtains, and have maintained them since their inception.
A meeting will be planned in January 2014 to further discuss the next steps to be taken. People interested in being updated on the curtain restoration progress are asked to call Donna at 768-5579 to be added to a call list, or e-mail DonnaArdena@nullgmail.com to be added to an e-mail list.