Old-Time Square Dance Night
at the Enfield Valley Grange!
Saturday, September 16, 2017
7:00-10:00 pm
A Benefit for the
Enfield Valley Grange Building Fund
Nancy Spero calling squares, waltzes and more
Live Music by The West Hillbillies
Refreshments Available
Cosponsored by the Groundswell Center
for Local Food & Farming
$5-$15 suggested donation
No one turned away for inability to pay
Beginners welcome, all dances will be taught
No partner needed!
WHY SUPPORT THE GRANGE?
The Grange is a non-partisan rural/farm advocacy group dedicated to promoting the political, economic and social well-being of rural families. It was founded in 1867, after the Civil War, in an effort to bring people from the North and South together in a spirit of mutual cooperation. Local Grange Halls historically served as an important gathering place for rural communities, and a non-partisan space where people came together to discuss and take positions on important policy issues. Unfortunately, Grange membership has declined drastically in recent decades, and many Grange Halls have been torn down or sold.
But we are fortunate in Tompkins County to have one of the few remaining active Grange chapters in New York State – the Enfield Valley Grange! The Grange Hall on Enfield Main Road is a fantastic community space. Downstairs is a kitchen, large dining hall, and a bathroom. Upstairs is a truly wonderful performance and party space, perfect for a square dance! The raised stage is flanked by gorgeous, hand-painted theater curtains showing Lucifer Falls and other Enfield sites. But the building needs repairs and improvements, like handicap access and a new paint job. Hey if we really get on a roll, how about upgrading to a commercial kitchen where farmers and gardeners can process their products for sale or for home use?
The Enfield Valley Grange already hosts occasional pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners. But we would like to do much more! We want to attract many more young people and families to the Grange, including young farmers, to meet and develop relationships with older Grange members. We want to revitalize the Grange as a non-partisan community gathering space, where folks from all political persuasions can come together and get to know each other, and where we can begin to overcome the divide that sometimes exists between urban and rural neighbors.
So join us! And please help spread the word.
DIRECTIONS
Enfield Valley Grange
178 Enfield Main Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
The Grange is an easy 10 minute drive from downtown. From Ithaca, head west on Route 79. After you cross the inlet on the west side of town, follow 79W for about 6 miles. At the flashing light, turn left onto Enfield Main Road, aka Route 327. Proceed 1 more mile and the Grange is on your right. Parking is free – you can park across the street or up in the lot behind the building – just stay out of the way of the firetrucks!
For more info call Joanna Green
at 607-379-9270\