Book celebrates group’s 100th anniversary
Norman O. Merkel and the Virginville Grange have a lot in common.
For one thing, he’s the grange’s oldest member.
Another is that they were both born in the same year — 1920.
Merkel celebrated his 100th birthday in May. The grange wasn’t as lucky.
Because of the COVID-19 crisis, the grange has put off its 100th birthday party until 2021.
Originally set for April 25, it was postponed until Aug. 29. Now, that’s off, and the celebration banquet, the highlight of the centennial anniversary, will be held at an as yet undetermined date next year.
The Grange 100th Anniversary committee, however, has decided not to wait until next year to release its 100th anniversary commemorative book.
“Virginville Grange Centennial Book,” a 180-page glossy softcover, will be released at a book launch Aug. 16 from 3 to 6 p.m. during a drive-thru at the organization’s Virginville lodge.
Grange members and banquet ticket holders are entitled to a copy free of charge and non-members can purchase a copy for $15. The book can be purchased by mail for $25.
With more than 100 photographs and a 40page timeline, the anniversary publication celebrates American values and hometown roots.
The centennial anniversary committee dedicated the book to Merkel, a retired Windsor Township farmer who has been a grange member for 86 years.
Virginville Grange No. 1832 is an integral part of the history of the Richmond Township village, once the site of a Native American trading post and former railroad hub in northeastern Berks County.
After a meeting at Fred and Mary Dreibelbis’ farm, the Virginville Grange was chartered on Feb. 24, 1920. In 1922, it began exhibiting at the Kutztown and Reading fairs.
In 1924, the grange entered the Eastern States Farmers Exchange, which allows members to receive discounts on bulk orders of feed and supplies. In 1941, when William A. Sunday has a fire at his Greenwich Township farm, the grange community outreach program was begun. It continues today.
In 1950, the grange purchased the Virginville Hotel and an adjoining property. It sold the hotel, but the adjoining property remains its headquarters.
Over the years, the grange has played a leadership role in community affairs, organized youth activities, raised funds for charitable causes and kicked off its calendar year with a popular Soup Night gathering in January.
“The strength and vitality of an organization can be measured by the participation of its members in its activities and programs,” the anniversary book’s introduction says. “During 2019, an astonishing 10,000 hours of volunteer service were documented.”
For more information, contact the grange at 570294-5516, email VirginvilleGrange1832@gmail. com or visit VirginvilleGrange#1832 on Facebook.