By Brenda Starkey
Chronicle correspondent

     Eagle Cliff, Kettle River, Malo and San Poil Granges provide a venue for neighbors to meet, get acquainted and improve rural life in Ferry County, and thus the county commissioners proclaimed April Ferry County Grange month.
     The Grange has been active in the county since 1918.
     Each local Grange has its own programs and schedules, according to Jon Chrysler of the Malo Grange.
     Activities include donating a dictionary to each third-grader in Ferry County, providing scholarships to local high school seniors, annual dinner theater, a harvest auction for the food bank, public Christmas parties, community yard sales, an evening of cards and more, he said.
     The four Grange halls also are used by the community for weddings, funerals, AA meetings, dances, and workshops and public meetings, he said.
     The Grange is a national organization, formed more than 130 years ago. It is committed to boosting the standard of living for farmers and other rural residents, according to Chrysler.
     Grange is a non-partisan, grass roots advocacy group for rural people with both legislative programs and community activities, he said.
     Each year the Granges help feed Ferry County fair attendees at food booths. In addition to providing fair goers with yummy meals, the booths also serve as the major fund-raiser of the year to help the local Granges provide services to community for the rest of the year, he said.
     The Grange is a vital part of Ferry County, Chrysler said.
     County commissioners called upon all people in their proclamation to celebrate their pride in the rural area and the natural resources in the county and to observe Grange month.
     Washington enjoys the distinction of having more Grangers than any other state, according to those involved. Currently there are about 50,000 members.
     More information on Grange activities is available from Ed Windsor, 779-4726, Eagle Cliff Grange west of Curlew; Ron Eslick, 684-5376, Kettle River Grange, Barstow; Jennifer Miller, 779-4877, Malo Grange, and Larry Tilley, 775-2378, San Poil Grange, Republic.