By Ann Wertman

Special to The Press

While this nation was in COVID-19 shutdown in May 2020, Seipstown Grange No. 1657 reached its 105th year anniversary without fanfare or gathering together.

Last month, more than a year later, members gathered at the Fogelsville Hotel to celebrate the Grange’s achievements and to pay tribute to memberships ranging from 10 to 75 years.

Seipstown Grange Master/President Brian Wetzel was master of ceremonies.

Myrtle Horning of Laurys Station was honored by both the Pennsylvania and National Granges for her 75 years of service completed in 2020 with a pin and certificate, and by Seipstown Grange with two beautiful floral arrangements.

In 1945, a young Myrtle Geiger from nearby Leather Corner Post joined the Seipstown Grange. In her early years she served in the offices of Flora, Pomona and Lady Assistant Steward for more than 10 years before eventually moving into the role of secretary where she is now in her 60th year as the record-keeper.

Myrtle and her late husband Earl were steadfast in their support of Grange programs on the Subordinate, Pomona, State and National levels, often serving as delegates to annual conventions.

Myrtle also held offices in Pomona No. 68, comprised of all Granges of Lehigh and Northampton counties, as well as participating in their chorus and degree teams.

Myrtle and Earl were also part of Seipstown Grange’s state award winning square dance team and for years prided themselves in watching over the Grange Hall along with assistance from the Grange’s executive board.

Special recognition was also given to those holding 50 or more years of membership.

While both have now passed away, Althea Dengler reached 55 years and Mildred Gehringer obtained 60 years during the Grange’s 105th year in 2020.

While not all were able to attend the celebration, Rose Bear, Paul Wolf and Ruth Raber became 55-year members in 2020 while Diane Cappa, Karl Haas, Lyla Derr, Richard Hausman, Kenneth Gehringer, Dennis Loch, Dennis Haas, Kathleen Haas, Mark Miller and Gloria Zimmerman reached 50 years of membership last year.

Sold in 2015, Seipstown Grange’s meeting hall, along Claussville Road in Weisenberg Township, was built by members in the 1950s and was a community meeting place for great family and organizational banquets and Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving dinners.

Guests would wait in line for hours for outstanding Pennsylvania German food and homemade pie sales.

The National Grange was founded in 1867 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan, fraternal organization with a mission based on advocating for agriculture, the rural community, family values and community service.

Now in its 106th year, the Seipstown Grange continues to meet in the local community focused on community service awarding approximately $20,000 each year to local nonprofits and senior scholarships.

Recently, the Grange surpassed 30 years of participation in PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program cleaning litter from Route 100, between Route 309 and Fogelsville, as well as Claussville Road.