I.V. Grange celebrates; honors several
From our weekly issue dated April 30, 2008
(Top, from left) Ken Phillips, Annie Pinios, Valorie Squire, Tammie Phillips, Dean Hellemansen, Sherry Overstreet and Sally Jones (Photo by Illinois Valley News)
Thirteen volunteers and Cave Junction Mayor Tony Paulson were among honorees during an open house sponsored by Illinois Valley Grange on Friday evening, April 25.
Held in the Grange Hall on Holland Loop, more than 90 persons attended, and some 70 spaghetti dinners were served. The dinner raised $453 for the Illinois Valley Section of the Boys & Girls Club.
Although not yet “out of the woods” financially, it has been decided to continue the program, said Scott Thornhill, director. He noted that last year the program provided 10,500 meals at its Evergreen Elementary School location.
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Besides 13 volunteers, Grangemaster Ken Phillips awarded a 25-year pin to Charlotte Lindsley, who actually has been a member for 32 years. Quarter-century pins also were available for Thom & Crystal Griffin.
CJ Mayor Tony Paulson and Grangemaster Ken Phillips (Photo by Illinois Valley News)
Present for their certificates of honor for serving as volunteers were Phillips, Tammie Phillips, Annie
Pinios, Valorie Squire, Dean Hellemansen, Sherry Overstreet and Sally Jones. Certificates were available for Ramona Taylor, Debbie Bell, Scott Hicks, Ken Devine, Diane Hill and Raymond Robinson.
Among attendees was Washington state resident Don Osias, 70, accompanied by Josee Stewart. They drove 400 miles one-way to attend the open house after seeing a story about it in the Illinois Valley News.
Osias said that his family represents three generations of I.V. Grange membership. He said that he represents the fourth generation. His mother was Letha Tresham, one of the early day secretaries at the Grange. Osias also told of how his parents met in the early 1930s at the Grange.
Charlotte Lindsley (Photo by Illinois Valley News)
He recalled playing games as a young boy outside the Grange Hall. His great-grandfather, a Grange member, was William “Billy” Tresham, who had a grocery store on Holland Loop. He served as Grange secretary from 1925 to ‘32, said Osias.
And Osias recalled his uncle, Roland Tresham, who lived at the former Spence School near the hall.
Other special guests were the John Lindsley Family from Mississippi, and Jason & Heidi Lindsley from Utah. The Lindsleys are children and grandchildren of Charlotte Lindsley.
Phillips presented a Community Citizen Award to Paulson. He listed the mayor’s numerous memberships, including Rogue Valley Council of Governments, and Rogue Valley Area Commission on Transportation. Phillips added that the mayor developed a free map of Cave Junction, and that he developed and maintains a valley calendar of events.
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Regarding Paulson’s 30 to 40 hours of donated time to the city and community each week, Phillips said that the mayor often is heard saying, “I truly love this valley and the people here. I want it to be a place for my children and grandchildren to enjoy.
“To do nothing contributes nothing.”
Door prizes provided by Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co., and Taylor’s Country Store were won by Guenter Ambron and Michelle Binker.
