Call to Action

Post date: Aug 6, 2012 9:38:04 PM

August 1, 2012

Dear Gold Trail Grange Members,

The Coloma/Lotus Gold Trail Grange once was a gem in this community as a public forum and host to community events. We believe that with some love and support from the community it can be such a place again. We have big plans for the Grange’s future. Our members have proposed to use this Grange to host community events, including public presentations, a fall/winter Farmers’ Market, live music, potlucks, classes such as canning and preserving of foods, and other events that the community and membership desire. We have partnered with the American River Conservancy and in the near future hope to collaborate with the State Park on events including Gold Rush Days, reestablish a relationship with 4H, and increase awareness about our vibrant local agriculture to area youth.

As of July 1st, the Gold Trail Grange now oversees the building attached to the Grange Hall that includes a commercial kitchen. We hope to have the hall and kitchen available in the near future for private and community rentals. These rentals will help fund Grange operations and community events.

Granges were organized after the Civil War and originally built to support rural farmers who were underrepresented. We will continue this agricultural focus by supporting our local farmers and artisans. However, the Grange’s overall mission is to promote an environment conducive to how its members and community at large choose to shape the organization. Our priority is to cultivate a strong sense of community and support group.

Coloma/Lotus residents are a group of talented, supportive, and generous individuals. To restore the Grange, so that it is safe and up to code, we need your help. Local contractors in the community have stepped up and volunteered their time and skills to help with the structural challenges, but they can’t do it alone. If the Grange is to thrive and reach its potential, we need ongoing support from the community to come together and help restore the Hall.

We have organized two volunteer days to help sort and clean the Grange; Saturday August 11th and August 18th from 8am to 2pm. Attached is a document with more information and specifics on the volunteer days. As much time and support that you can give would be greatly appreciated to restore this icon of the Coloma/Lotus community. Now is the time, through ongoing support and participation, for each member to have valuable input in shaping the future of our Grange – we hope that you will join us in this important community endeavor.

If you would like to volunteer or have any questions reach out to Deb Mason at 213-610-5778 / deb.mason78@gmail.com or Mary Maliff at marymaliff@yahoo.com.

Thank you in advance for your support,

The Gold Trail Grange Executive Committee

Tim Longo: President, Jeff Lee: Treasurer, Deb Mason: Secretary, Alice Butler: Lecturer, Steward: Mary Maliff, Cindi Ehrgott: Chaplain, Bubba Kite: Executive Committee, Jim Klotz: Executive Committee, Molly Hucklebridge: Executive Committee, and Denise Hansen: Gold Trail Grange Member