Great Fair Weather for the Hillstown Grange Ag Fair

This past Saturday, the 132nd Hillstown Grange Agricultural Fair took place. With the mandatory social distancing and mask wearing guidelines in effect, The Fair had a very good turnout and a whole lot of fun had by the attendees. The parking lot was utilized as the space where most of The Fair took place with on street parking. There were many canopies with table and chairs set-ups to accommodate the BBQ diners in an alfresco dining setting. Judging by the time Frank Forrest spent manning the grill from 10:00 am until almost 2:00 pm and the amount of hot dogs and hamburgers coming off of it, the attendees not only had their fun but also ate well. Phil Crosby, Ken DeDominicis and Jerry Poehler were at the Hillstown Grange, 2 hours before the opening of The Fair to set-up the canopies along with the tables and chairs, plus take care of any of many other things that need to be done to have a successful event. They were still there breaking down The Fair when I left about 2:45 pm.

The Fair actually starts on Thursday evening when entries are dropped off between 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm., Michelle DeDominicis was there to receive and record the entries along with Laurie Michaud. Friday at 9:00 am the judges arrived and Michelle was there to walk them through the procedures and the criteria. Saturday, the day of The Fair, Michelle was there before I arrived, was there after I left and seemingly running non-stop while I was there. Michelle is a force of nature and along with Frank Forrest who also goes above and beyond constantly are the living embodiment of the spirit of The Hillstown Grange. Just saying because some things need to be said out loud
In the kitchen, making sure the orders were served in a timely manner were Laurie Michaud, Pat Shaskin along Michelle DeDominicis who seemed to be all over the place. I think next year there should be a sign stating "tip the waitresses they will be running all day long". This year all the entries were judged and exhibited on the second floor of the hall which was manned Saturday by Lizette Hykes and Charlene LaFontaine who welcomed all the those viewing this year's entries. The first floor of the Grange Hall was set-up for the raffle which was overseen by Helene Forrest, aided by JoLynne Burlette and Noella Burlette. The first floor was an alternative to the outside dining and for dining just in case of inclement weather.

Outside where Frank Forrest grilling, just a short distance away was Amy and Bob Cianci running a tag sale under another canopy where this reporter found a glass container that was perfect for a bonsai plant that he was given earlier by one of The Hillstown Grange Gardeners, Jack Biella. In the center of the parking lot was where the many tables with canopies were set up for the alfresco dining experience. At a right angle from the grilling area was a table and canopy set-up where you could meet, greet and talk to Danielle Shapiro, Ms. Ct. Agriculture. Next to her was Dan Gallagher, aka The Lone Granger, passing out info on The Ct. Master Composter and Master Gardener programs while answering composting and gardening questions. He was also generously given the opportunity for the second year in a row to pass out free seed from the New England Seed Company and was amazed that not everyone knew that they are located at 122 Park Ave. in East Hartford, Ct. a local natural resource source. Nothing says hope the way a seed does.

In the front of the Hillstown Grange Hall was Tom Forrest putting Ag into the Hillstown Grange Agricultural Fair by manning a table and selling fresh vegetables. If I have forgotten any of those who with their effort helped to make this fair the success it was, I apologize. As you have probably noticed that there seems to be much repetition of surnames that is no coincidence. The Grange although it is a National Agricultural Fraternal Organization, it is still all about family and community and The Hillstown Grange will be having a New Membership Drive in October. If you would like to be part of something good and would like to elevate your community or neighborhood in the Tri-town area of East Hartford, Manchester and Glastonbury, by becoming a Granger, just click on the link below. Hit Contact Us at the top and get any questions answered you may have.
http://hillstowngrange.org/gra...