The Thurmont Grange #409 met on November 22, 2021, for its annual Community Citizen Award Dinner and also to recognize members of the grange for their years of service, not only for the Grange but for our community.
Greta Lambert was recognized with a 40-year membership award. Greta lives in Woodsboro, but previously lived in Creagerstown with her late husband, Pete. She served the office of Ceres, the 6th degree Rose Drill Team, and is a 7th degree Grange Member. She is a member of the Rocky Ridge Church of the Brethren and also assisted at the hospitality booth during the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show.
Wendall Zentz was recognized with a 50-year membership award. Wendall could not attend many Grange meetings because of hauling cattle for Keilholtz Trucking. He is a member of the Catoctin FFA Alumni and was the first person to donate money to build the Ag Center building at Catoctin High School in 1976. This building is used to house animals and equipment for the Beef, Sheep, Swine & Goat Show during the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show.
Ethel Brauer was recognized with a 50-year membership award. Ethel was born in her grandmother’s house at Camp Airy and lived at Camp Airy until she married Alan 52 years ago. They have three children (Julieanne, Alan, and Kelly) and four grandchildren. During her membership with Thurmont Grange, Ethel was the lecturer and started Thurmont Junior Grange, where she remained the leader, along with her husband, for many years. Several Grange members were members of the Junior Grange and recalled that some of their fondest memories were the weekends spent at Camp Airy. Ethel was also involved with Grange on a county, state, and national level. During the time when Alan was state Grange master, Ethel served as a national delegate. She was Frederick County Pomona Master, State Junior Grange director and chaired the Education Committee at the National Grange Convention. In 1972, Ethel and Alan were Grange Young Couple of the Year. In addition to Grange and raising three children, Ethel was a very busy lady. She has been a member of Weller Church for 64 years, where she has been the Sunday School Superintendent and a choir member. She taught social studies for FCPS for 3 years and for 26 years at St. John’s. Ethel has been a member of the Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, editor of the Catoctin Enterprise, and a 62-year member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, where she was a founding member of the Jr. Auxiliary.
Alan Brauer was recognized with a 50-year membership award. Alan was the Thurmont Grange master from 1972-1975; Frederick County Pomona Grange master in the late 1970s, and the Maryland State Grange master from 1983-1989. Alan knew the ritualistic work very well and was very good at code reading. Ethel and Alan installed officers and were on the degree team. Alan was a member of the Farm Safety Committee and also testified on bills in Annapolis and Washington for the National Grange. He was a member of the Ag Commission, Farm Visitation Committee, chairman of the Maryland Ag Dinner, and has been a member of the Rocky Ridge Fire Company for 59 years, where he has served as secretary and vice president. Alan also helps with the Rocky Ridge butchering meat sales, helps with the Fire Police, and handled parking for the Community Show for several years. Alan is just completing a term as president of the Weller United Methodist Church Council and is the newly elected president of the Emmitsburg High School for the second time.
Peg Long was recognized with a 60-year membership award. Peg joined the Lewistown Grange in the late 1950s. She was living with her grandparents, the Leatherman family. Her uncle John asked her to join, as he was master at the time. When election of officers came around, she was selected as secretary. She served as secretary until the Grange disbanded about 14 years later. Peg recalls the Grange being very active, doing community service, holding family picnics every summer, as well as an annual Christmas party with entertainment. She participated in the Pomona Grange contests, such as baking and sewing, and still has a dress she made that received a blue ribbon. She served on the Pomona Grange Degree Drill team and always prepared a booth for the Frederick Fair, along with other County Granges to display fresh produce and fruit. Peg said it was always a challenge and fun to select a title for the backboard to describe the exhibit. Peg also helps with the judging at the Community Show and with taking entries. Peg recently received her 65-year county and state certificate for being an organizational leader and volunteer of the Lewistown Mt. View 4-H Club from the University of Maryland. Peg and her husband Cap recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary and are members of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Utica.
James Moser was recognized with a 70-year membership certificate. James is married to Sandy Kifer Moser for 60 years and has all seven Grange degrees. He is an active member of the Thurmont United Methodist Church and was the youth leader. While raising his family, he and Sandy bowled for the Grange. He participated in the one-act plays, helped with Grange float construction, the fair booth, and the Community Show. He served as Grange master from 1964-1965, 1991-1995, and 1999-2003. He served as the master for the Frederick County Pomona Grange from 1974-1978 and served on the Pomona Grange and State Grange Executive Committee. He also served as the Frederick County Pomona Grange treasurer for 30 years. He also represented the Grange on Johnson grass, and was the co-chair of the Farm Bureau/Grange/Soil Conservation Legislative Day; Citizens Zoning Review Council; Frederick County Historic Preservation Council, and served as a director for the Thurmont Cooperative, Inc. for 12 years; Dairymen, Inc. for 10 years; and for 5 years has donated white blood cells and platelets at Johns Hopkins for cancer patients. His father, George Moser, served as master of the Grange from 1954-55, and his Uncle Lester Moser served as master from 1959-1960. His brother, Joe Moser, served as master of the Grange in 1966. In 1950, Jim Moser, Joe Moser, and Rodman Myers played on the Creagerstown 4-H basketball championship team.
Russell Moser was recognized with a 70-year membership certificate. Russell is married to Sidney Caullel for 65 years in January. They have three children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Russell served in the Army for three years and the National Guard for eight years. Russell was honored at the 1st Grange Veterans Day program for his service to our country. He always represents the Thurmont Grange at the Memorial Day program, which is sponsored by the Thurmont American Legion. Russell’s Grange activities include helping to dip ice cream during Colorfest, and he was also a member of the Grange bowling team, softball team, and basketball team. He played in a benefit game for the heart fund against Thurmont High School team. He was a member of the Creagerstown independent baseball team and Thurmont baseball team. He enjoys attending Mount St. Mary’s basketball games. Russell and Rodman Myers once attended a banquet at Cozy Restaurant, where James Phelan, coach of the Mount St. Mary’s basketball team was the speaker. He referred to them as the M&M Boys (Moser and Myers). Years ago, Russell built many wooden tables for the Community Show, and he always helps to haul tables and to set up and clean up for the Community Show. He and Sidney helped with junior Grange projects. Russell worked as a bridge inspector for the State of Maryland and helped design and build Maple Run Golf Course on the family farm.
Pictured from left: (front row) Ethel and Alan Brauer; (back row) Niki Eyler, Thurmont Grange Lecturer; Becky Long Chaney, Rianna Chaney and Sheridan Chaney (representing Peg Long), Bob Wiles (president), Jim Moser, Sandy Moser, Rodman Myers, Russell Moser, and Jane Savage (secretary).
Courtesy Photo
