Welcome Home to the Grange

BONNERS FERRY — Historically, granges grew out of the financial crisis of 1873 to assist farmers, but has evolved in this day and age to fill a different need — providing a meeting place in the community.

According to the Gilder Lehrman institute of American History “The Patrons of Husbandry, or the Grange, was founded in 1867 to advance methods of agriculture, as well as to promote the social and economic needs of farmers in the United States.”

Initially, granges assisted farmers with failing crop prices, increases in railroad fees to ship crops, and Congress’s reduction of paper money. All these contributed to the devastation of farmers’ livelihoods and caused a surge in Grange membership in the mid-1870s.

The world has changed since the late 1800s and the grange is being revisited for more social building of families and communities. Bonners Ferry Paradise Valley Grange is no exception to the desire to rebuild and invest in the community.

There were seven granges in the community at one point and this is the last one left in Boundary County, said Kim Haworth, program director. The grange is being operated by volunteers. A log building covered with siding, the Paradise Valley Grange Hall was built in the 1940s and donated by the Rice family.

“We would rather help people in the community. But our goal, first and foremost, is to get our building fixed. The roof is leaking and has caused water damage. So we'll be having different fundraisers such as bingo and bunco,” Hawoth said. The community has very few places to meet so the grange can help fill that void. The hall has been used for many years for all kinds of different functions, officials said.

Ben Roberts, president, and Amy Roberts, secretary, and Haworth are a few of the officers among the volunteer staff of 13. In September, the new board was established.

The grange has been saved from removal a few years ago. The current members rallied the community to save it. The membership has gone from seven to 63 and is growing strong. New members are invited.

“We are the fastest growing grange in the state,” Roberts said. “We would love to have lots more members. It is the only grange in the county, so you can live anywhere in the county and join.”

The grange does not charge a rental fee to families that need the space for gatherings after funerals. Otherwise, there is a rental fee for all other events such as birthday parties, church events and classes to name just a few. The grange still has vacancies on its calendar since it is being underutilized.

Haworth said she has fond memories of the grange from back in the day of dancing, and attending fun Halloween parties to name a few. The grange committee is planning some holiday gatherings for 2022. They have a lot of ideas. The grange is considering another bunco and a bingo in January, a Valentine's Day dance in February. One of the goals of the grange is to get people out to meet people. Since there is a stage, it is a good option for live music and dancing.

The Kootenai Cloggers use the grange building every second Saturday. Square dance lessons on Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for $5 per person at the Paradise Valley Grange Hall. All are welcome to these classes: singles, couples and families. For more information contact Cassidy Cossairt at 208-597-4434 or visit the Facebook page, Kootenai Kloggers square and round dance club.

The membership fee to join the grange is $35 per year and there is a $7 application fee.

The user fee for the building is $100 a day and $50 for a half day. There is a full kitchen, bathrooms and dance hall or open room with a stage. The property is .48 acres.

The grange meeting is the first Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. A typical meeting will include a potluck and discussion and planning for the months ahead.

If you are interested in more information about Paradise Valley Grange Hall, contact Amy Robertson at ParadiseValleyGrange@gmail.com for rental and membership information. Check their Facebook page for events at Paradise Valley Grange No. 389. Paradise Valley Grange Hall is located 3661 Kootenai Trail Road, Bonners Ferry.