Central Grange 1650, Germansville, recently donated a flag pole and tribute monument in memory of Ruth Metzger, one of the grange’s lifelong members and a longtime fair superintendent.

The ceremony took place Aug. 31 at the new flagpole site in front of Agri~Plex, the fair’s major exhibition building and home of trade shows throughout the year.

Until her passing in 1999, Metzger, formerly of Schnecksville, was a 53-year life member and past master of Central Grange as well as the superintendent of grange displays and home products during the Allentown Fair at Agricultural Hall for many years.

She worked for Allentown Fair starting in late the ’40s in the 4-H building until it burned.

She went to Ag Hall and became superintendent until she retired in 1996 but continued to work until her death in 1999.

She was a member of the Pennsylvania State Grange women’s activities committee and former state deputy of the Pomona Grange of Lehigh and Northampton counties.

A 4-H leader for more than 40 years, she was honored at the 1994 and 1995 Lehigh County 4-H Achievement dinners.

Allentown Fair President Beverly Gruber, Central Grange leaders Harold and Elaine Hoppes, and others spoke to Metzger’s devotion to the mission of granges that are fraternal family organizations dedicated to the betterment of the American way of life through community service, legislation and fellowship.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by veteran Carl Breininger, husband of Metzger’s daughter, Phyllis; and her grandsons, U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Koenig and U.S. Navy Petty Officer Matthew Koenig.

Fair Executive Committee member Doris Koenig, one of Metzger’s two children, remarked on the significance of an American flag flying over Agri~Plex, an expansion of Agricultural Hall, that memorializes her mother who held the missions of granges and the fair dear to her heart.

Pastor Karen Yonney of Heidelberg United Church of Christ, a friend of the family, closed the dedication ceremony with a prayer.