To the Editor:

The Bethlehem Grange 137 has something for everyone. We’re celebrating our 145th birthday this month!

Come and join in with us to celebrate 145 years of our being continuously open and welcoming new faces. We’re easily reached, south of Glenmont, to the intersection of routes 9W and 396, west on Route 396 (Bridge Street), and were one-tenth of a mile from the intersection, on the left. We have lots of parking, and we’re accessible to people with handicaps. Our address is 24 Bridge St., Selkirk, NY 12158.

If you're looking for that special place to hold your next party, bridal or baby shower, family reunion, meeting, class reunion, birthday party, or just a place to get together to do crafts, knit, crochet, paint, do yoga, or hold a neighborhood gathering, we are also available for rental. There is also a full commercial kitchen available for an extra fee. Our hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, seats 96.

At each of our events, we have a basket raffle. Each basket is different, and handmade by one of our members, to benefit our grange. We also have our This and That Store, which always has new and different items, including some books. If you’re looking for a gift for that special item for someone special, be sure to check out our store, located in our Grange Hall.

Start you spring house-cleaning or downsizing now, and put items aside for Bethlehem Grange’s garage sale. We will begin accepting donations after May 20. We have no place for storage, so please do not drop anything off until after May 20, and not until you’ve confirmed your delivery with one of our members.

Anything that remains unsold, we donate to one of the many organizations in need of items, depending on their current needs. We do not throw items in the dump; we recycle everything.

On April 6, from 4 to 7 p.m., we will be serving our Chicken and Biscuit Dinner, which includes a dessert and beverage, $12 for adults and for children 12 and older; children ages 5 to 11 eat for $6; children under 5 eat for free. Take-outs are also available.

There is also a bake sale to benefit the Bethlehem Junior Grange 115. A basket raffle will also be happening at this dinner. Raffle tickets are $2 each or three for $5.

On Sunday, April 7, we will be holding our Sunday meeting, with a potluck dinner starting at 3 p.m.  Everyone is welcome, and asked to bring a dish to share. April is National Grange Month, and we will recognize the grange’s impact on our community over the last 145 years that we have been in continual existence.

On Sunday, April 14, our Community Award Ceremony takes place, starting at 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. Several of our community members will be recognized, including two veterans, one from World War II and one from the Vietnam War. Be sure to attend and support our community members and thank them for their services. There will be refreshments.

Wednesday, April 17, at 7 p.m. is the time for our monthly meeting, recognizing National Grange Month, with refreshments following. Everyone is invited to see what Bethlehem Grange 137 is all about.

On Saturday, May 4, from 4 to 7 p.m., we hold a roast-pork dinner, with dessert and a beverage included; take-outs are available. There will also be a basket raffle and, for your sweet tooth, there will be a bake sale to benefit the Bethlehem Junior Grange 115.

On Sunday, May 5, starting at 4 p.m., we will be remembering our deceased members at our Annual Rural Life Sunday, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. This is open to the public.

Wednesday, May 15, is the date for our meeting at the Bethlehem Grange Hall, starting at 7 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to attend. There will be refreshments.

Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is our Craft Fair and Plant Sale at the Bethlehem Grange Hall. Come to see what all of our vendors will be showing and selling. There will also be a massage therapist at the event and food will be available for sale.

After May 20, we will be accepting donations of new and gently-used items for our Garage Sale. We will be accepting wooden furniture, not too big; collectibles; records; CDs;, cassette tapes; books; holiday items; decorative items; craft items; fabric; yarn; household items; purses; jewelry; items for cats and dogs; tools; toys; movies; garden equipment; outdoor accessories and furniture; flower pots; vases; dishes, glassware; clean clothing in good condition only.

We will not accept tires, computers, or TVs.

To arrange delivery, call me, Carol Carpenter, at 518-438-8862, or Vernon Starr at 518-567-4294, or Caroline Wirth at 518-424-4953, or Charles Ryan 518-227-8954.

Our Garage Sale is June 7 and 8, and June 14 and 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Carol Carpenter

Master/President

Bethlehem Grange 137