Golden Empire Grange History
by Beverly Glenn
5/19/15
5/19/15
Special Announcements 9/17/22
The Union 9/13/22
The Union 9/13/22
The Golden Empire Grange No. 806 was a dream of Walter and Goldie LeRoy, with its conception in July 1962. It’s located off LaBarr Meadows Road, a half-mile from the corner of McKnight Road.
This July, the membership celebrated the Grange’s 60-year birthday and recognized long-term members.
RECOGNITION Jan McElwain was recognized for being a 60 year member (Pic# 1). She is one of the founding members on the 1962 Articles of Incorporation document. And as the first secretary, she wrote the first check. She’s been a member for 60 years. Don’t believe it, just spend some time with her and she’ll share stories of bringing her little girls to many events and how Grange president Walter LeRoy put her family up in the 1963 winter, which brought a lot of snow and they had no heat. One little girl was so sick the local doctor made a house call to the McCoy home. That’s how it is being a Grange member, everyone doing something for someone.
David Craigen was recognized for being the Grange’s 911 one-man (Pic #2) emergency response team for 30 years. He’s been the Grange’s building manager, rushing to the Grange for plumbing leaks, bathroom water overflows, lightning strikes that shut off the water, researched affordable repairs possibilities for our broken HAVC units, installed hot water tank, replaced plumbing, fixed dry rot, and was the building’s watchdog security person. He did janitor duties and has worked for free since the pandemic broke out, he paid for many items out of his pocket including toilet paper and building repairs. He served as president for many years. The Grange’s ongoing existence is due to David’s support.
Bruce Lester was recognized for 30-plus years for his and the Bridge’s support to the Grange (Pic #5). The Bridge club has been meeting at the Grange for 30-plus years. Bruce is a member of the American Contract Bridge League and American Bridge Teachers Association. His accomplishments include accredited master bridge instructor and director, achieved bridge life master status.
Over the past 20 years, the Bridge Club had anywhere from 15 to 18 tables (four at each table) playing Bridge five days a week — approximately 250 people weekly. Thank you Bruce and the Bridge Club for all that you’ve done keeping the Grange operating.
Sydney Hunt was recognized for her 20-plus year membership participation ( Pic #4). She grew up in Middletown, Lake County, and started attending the Guenoc Grange No. 373 when she was about 5 years old, tagging along with her grandparents to meetings and afterwards enjoying the refreshments. Sydney’s great aunt, uncle, and grandparents were farmers. and held offices in the Grange, so the Grange has been her home for a long time.
Her great aunt and uncle had lived on a section of land from the 1845 Mexican Land Grant, Rancho Guenoc.
Ballroom dancing brought Sydney to the Grass Valley Golden Empire Grange. When she walked in, she felt right at home. She became in charge of the Saturday night ballroom dances with live music and enjoyed singing with the musicians.
By 2003, Sydney was the president and her many accomplishments include coordinating the inside Grange paint job, rescuing the Grange through multiple break-ins, and an electrical smoke-out at their New Years’ Eve party.
Dave Jappay was recognized for his 20-plus years membership participation. Dave spent many hours repairing the many needs of the Grange. He attended many ballroom dances. Every Saturday night, you could look over the dance floor and see Dave dancing. Dave has been a dedicated member showing up at meetings overseeing the many projects for over 20 years.
Lilo Koegler was recognized for her 20-plus years membership participation (Camera Shy Pic #2). She ballroom danced to live music at the Grange for decades. She always had a smile and was friendly to everyone.
Mary Carrell was recognized for her 20-plus years of participation (Pic #3). Mary is a square dancer and for decades relayed the square dancers input about the Grange. She was the go-between for the improvements the square dancers paid for.
Mary always had a list of Grange improvements wanting to keep the Grange in tip-top shape. For example, if she saw any ceiling tiles drooping, she’d report it immediately to the membership monthly meeting. Mary developed a plan of action to purchase and display the United States flag, then at a later date, she coordinated the purchase of the California flag.
The Golden Empire Grange No. 806 renters include Nevada County Gem and Mineral Society, Goldancers Square Dance Club, Aces ‘N Spaces Bridge Club, Jamie Hogan Country Dancing, Foothill Fusion Dance Club, Weber’s Concealed Carry Certification Classes, Side Kick Line Dancing, Grass Valley 4-Wheelers Club, Karaoke by Steve & Sandy, Gold Country Horse Trails Council, DeSena Fire Safe Consulting and Training, plus one-time rentals for receptions, parties, or memorials. For more information ring 530-477-9586.
This July, the membership celebrated the Grange’s 60-year birthday and recognized long-term members.
RECOGNITION Jan McElwain was recognized for being a 60 year member (Pic# 1). She is one of the founding members on the 1962 Articles of Incorporation document. And as the first secretary, she wrote the first check. She’s been a member for 60 years. Don’t believe it, just spend some time with her and she’ll share stories of bringing her little girls to many events and how Grange president Walter LeRoy put her family up in the 1963 winter, which brought a lot of snow and they had no heat. One little girl was so sick the local doctor made a house call to the McCoy home. That’s how it is being a Grange member, everyone doing something for someone.
David Craigen was recognized for being the Grange’s 911 one-man (Pic #2) emergency response team for 30 years. He’s been the Grange’s building manager, rushing to the Grange for plumbing leaks, bathroom water overflows, lightning strikes that shut off the water, researched affordable repairs possibilities for our broken HAVC units, installed hot water tank, replaced plumbing, fixed dry rot, and was the building’s watchdog security person. He did janitor duties and has worked for free since the pandemic broke out, he paid for many items out of his pocket including toilet paper and building repairs. He served as president for many years. The Grange’s ongoing existence is due to David’s support.
Bruce Lester was recognized for 30-plus years for his and the Bridge’s support to the Grange (Pic #5). The Bridge club has been meeting at the Grange for 30-plus years. Bruce is a member of the American Contract Bridge League and American Bridge Teachers Association. His accomplishments include accredited master bridge instructor and director, achieved bridge life master status.
Over the past 20 years, the Bridge Club had anywhere from 15 to 18 tables (four at each table) playing Bridge five days a week — approximately 250 people weekly. Thank you Bruce and the Bridge Club for all that you’ve done keeping the Grange operating.
Sydney Hunt was recognized for her 20-plus year membership participation ( Pic #4). She grew up in Middletown, Lake County, and started attending the Guenoc Grange No. 373 when she was about 5 years old, tagging along with her grandparents to meetings and afterwards enjoying the refreshments. Sydney’s great aunt, uncle, and grandparents were farmers. and held offices in the Grange, so the Grange has been her home for a long time.
Her great aunt and uncle had lived on a section of land from the 1845 Mexican Land Grant, Rancho Guenoc.
Ballroom dancing brought Sydney to the Grass Valley Golden Empire Grange. When she walked in, she felt right at home. She became in charge of the Saturday night ballroom dances with live music and enjoyed singing with the musicians.
By 2003, Sydney was the president and her many accomplishments include coordinating the inside Grange paint job, rescuing the Grange through multiple break-ins, and an electrical smoke-out at their New Years’ Eve party.
Dave Jappay was recognized for his 20-plus years membership participation. Dave spent many hours repairing the many needs of the Grange. He attended many ballroom dances. Every Saturday night, you could look over the dance floor and see Dave dancing. Dave has been a dedicated member showing up at meetings overseeing the many projects for over 20 years.
Lilo Koegler was recognized for her 20-plus years membership participation (Camera Shy Pic #2). She ballroom danced to live music at the Grange for decades. She always had a smile and was friendly to everyone.
Mary Carrell was recognized for her 20-plus years of participation (Pic #3). Mary is a square dancer and for decades relayed the square dancers input about the Grange. She was the go-between for the improvements the square dancers paid for.
Mary always had a list of Grange improvements wanting to keep the Grange in tip-top shape. For example, if she saw any ceiling tiles drooping, she’d report it immediately to the membership monthly meeting. Mary developed a plan of action to purchase and display the United States flag, then at a later date, she coordinated the purchase of the California flag.
The Golden Empire Grange No. 806 renters include Nevada County Gem and Mineral Society, Goldancers Square Dance Club, Aces ‘N Spaces Bridge Club, Jamie Hogan Country Dancing, Foothill Fusion Dance Club, Weber’s Concealed Carry Certification Classes, Side Kick Line Dancing, Grass Valley 4-Wheelers Club, Karaoke by Steve & Sandy, Gold Country Horse Trails Council, DeSena Fire Safe Consulting and Training, plus one-time rentals for receptions, parties, or memorials. For more information ring 530-477-9586.
HVAC & Linoleum Upgrade Information to follow
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The Grange is an organization that began in 1867, rising from the destruction of the Civil War to rural fields and farmland. The South’s farms were in disrepair and farm animals were depleted. The transportation infrastructure lay in ruins, with little railroad service to move crops and animals to market as rails, bridges, and rail yards were destroyed.
An era began that encouraged farming families to band together on common ground to promote the well-being of the community and agriculture, and to rebuild farmlands, restore the railroad system, and establish a rural mail delivery system. Hence, the Grange organization was created. Today, the Grange has evolved into a community service organization throughout every state. Our history and legacy still supports a strong interest in agriculture, healthy communities, fun, and friendships — where new friends are made and old friends |
are cherished.
Golden Empire Grange History
 Walter and Goldie LeRoy
Walter and Goldie LeRoy originally joined the Banner Grange in 1961, but then left in 1962. They took the leap to create a new Grange, Golden Empire Grange #806. Walter LeRoy became the first Golden Empire Grange Master and his wife, Goldie LeRoy, became the first Home Economics Committee Chairman. The July 9, 1962 first meeting included 26 charter members.
The first meetings were held at the Union Hill Schoolhouse in Nevada City, then at 159 Mill Street, Grass Valley (now the Nevada County Bank Building), and eventually moved to the Grass Valley Vets Hall. The annual dues in 1962 were $4.00.
Their first big annual event was a harvest moon baked ham dinner. Tickets were $1.25, children under 12 - 65¢. The community was invited. On the first year anniversary, July 1963, "there now are 64 members, plus a Juvenile Grange with 14 members and 12 honorary members and six more waiting into be admitted" reports the July 25, 1963 California Grange News.
Their first year anniversary accomplishments included providing gifts to the DeWitt State Hospital patients. By their second anniversary, 1964, the Sons of Norway thanked and acknowledged our Grange membership for collecting cancelled stamps. The stamps were sent to an organization in Norway known as TUBFRIM, and all the profits from the sale of cancelled stamps were forwarded to the anti-tuberculosis organization for the preventive work against tuberculosis among the children of Norway. A note says that 90 members showed up for the second anniversary party.
By October 1964 the membership coordinated the purchase of 3.5 acres from George Henry and Florence Lucille Mulligan for $8,500. At a later date (1965) they sold the front portion of the land to raise money to build the Grange Hall. By May 1965 a work-party was organized - the men worked clearing the brush while the women worked preparing lunch.
March 1966 meeting's agenda included a vote to begin drawing the plans for a new Grange hall. The Building Chairman was Bob Harbert. October 1968 members voted to hire Hanson Bros to excavate and backhoe to level an area for the building and prepare the foundation area. |
On July 30, 1962 at the Rough & Ready Grange, State Grange Master, J.B. Quinn installed officers for the newly formed Golden Empire Grange. In attendance were the Banner Grange Master, Mr. Earnest Mason; Rough & Ready Master, Mr. Willis Perry; Long Valley Master, Carolyn Wakefield; Brownsville Master, Vera Brunnell; El Camino Master, Ralph Shaw plus many other dignitaries, officers, and members,
The Home Economics Committee went to work coordinating fund raising events such as rummage sales and pot luck luncheons plus they sold Merry-Much - rich 'n buttery candy @ $1.00 a bucket in 1969. Light bulbs were sold, bake sales were held in front of Safeway, and pot luck picnics in Memorial Park were coordinated. Even BBQ's were held on the Grange's landsite before the hall was built.
The membership's work included donations to CARE, Meals for the Millions Foundation, and a student loan fund. Meetings included presentations on dentistry and latest techniques, Grange's Credit Union benefits, and gems and mineral sharing. A May 1967 photo shows brush being burned at the landsite for the new Grange Hall. An October 1968 newspaper article says "construction work for the Golden Empire Grange began ." Ongoing events included skating parties at the LaBarr Meadows Roller Rink on the corner of Dog Bar, Easter bonnet parades, whist card parties, traveling gavel groups, old fashion box socials, Hobo Dances, Mothers and Father's Day dinners, Christmas parties, Valentine's dinners, and secret pal dinners held at Lindley's Red Wagon with a note "if you need a ride meet out front the Smith's Department Store." At the 1969 Christmas party Santa arrived by dog sled pulled by Siberian huskies furnished by Mickie and Carl Holmquist. Also, the Jr. Grange has been hard at work serving spaghetti dinners. After the hall was built the membership kicked into full operation having Bingo parties - the events were well attended. A September 1978 newspaper photo in the headlines read: "Mortgage up in smoke. Years of payments went up in smoke as members of the Golden Empire Grange burned their mortgage during a ceremony recently. Edwin Koster, State Grange Master, held the note which was lit by Master Goldie LeRoy." |
