Find TLC at East Lake Grange!
by Lonnie Caldwell
Master, East lake Grange
The East Lake Grange had its first official "event" since re-organizing and opening its doors on Jan. 30, 2011. The Grange hosted the Transition Lake County (TLC) 4th Saturday Potluck with a Purpose on Saturday Feb 26th. There were 53 in attendance and much was accomplished. TLC is partnering with East Lake Grange to "Transition" the East side of the Lake and to reach out to the community of Clear Lake Oaks and beyond. With the world in turmoil and news reporting the situation steadily deteriorating, we see a real need to open our doors to the community and lead the way in organizing Lake Co. into an efficient, self-reliant, and happy place to live and work.
The need is great and the resources are few, but we intend to make the East Lake Grange into something that Lake Co. and the entire Grange Association can be proud of. Some of the things on our agenda are:
- Upgrading our kitchen to "commercial" standards so we can offer it to local growers and producers to make "value added" products to increase their productivity at as low a cost as possible.
- Feeding the Hungry and Homeless and finding some property close by to create a homeless shelter.
- Make our Hall into a "Community Hall" where we will house operations such as the Lake County Community Co-op's CSA box program and a store front for the LCCC as well. Parents picking up their children from school, or from Pastor John Pavoni's after school/summer youth program, can purchase fresh organic vegetables and value added products.
- Regular "Movie" nights where we will show films on permaculture and sustainable agriculture practices as well as "awareness" films to raise the awareness of local folks to the situation around the globe.
- We are also hoping to partner with the local school to introduce agricultural programs to teach the youngsters how to design, build and maintain an aquaculture greenhouse
- Partner with the growers and business people of Lake County to create a localized economy that will keep monies in Lake County and reduce the need to consume carbon based fuels.
- Create a Bio-diesel and alternative fuels program that will be housed at each Grange (or somewhere close by) to provide fuel for the growers to use in tractors and transportation equipment.
- A CSA Restaurant that would serve food from local growers and producers on a donation basis.
- An indoor year round Farmer's mkt. with a granary program to support local farmers and provide fresh healthy food to our community.
- Monthly Grange events to build community and bring everyone together to have a good time and dance. (God knows we need something to smile about!)
- And of course the Hall is available at a nominal fee for charity events and a slightly higher price for private events such as Weddings and Quincineras, etc.
- A community gardens program.
As you can see we are going to be very busy in the months ahead. We would appreciate any input from other Granges that have gone this path already (Many Thanks to The Little Lake Grange of Willits for its invaluable inspiration and input already!).
If you would like to contact ELG and offer advice or assistance, please contact Lonnie at eastlakegrange@gmail.com or call Lonnie at 707 267 6767
Thank you and happy Granging!