Amazing Tales from CT: Keeping The Grange Alive in the 21st Century

We encourage you to tune in to our newest program, Amazing Tales from Off and On Connecticut's Beaten Path, which airs Sunday afternoons at 4:30 right after the Opera. Amazing Tales uses a story-telling format to focus on historically significant people, places, and events from Connecticut’s past. Host Mike Allen interviews subject matter experts on a variety of historical topics. He specializes in bringing local history to life, by using his journalism and story-telling skills with podcasting and public speaking. For 15 years, Mike worked as a radio journalist, both at NPR's Boston affiliate WBUR and as News Director at i-95 (WRKI-FM) in western Connecticut. He subsequently worked in government and corporate before retiring and starting his podcast. As a resident of Connecticut for more than 50 years, Mike also makes public appearances throughout the state, speaking on topics of local history.

When you hear about “The Grange,” do you only think about farmers? If so, your knowledge of one of the country’s oldest service organizations needs some refreshing. The Grange was indeed critical to farmers in the 19th and 20th centuries. As society has modernized, The Grange has continued its focus on local community issues – which now encompasses far more than just farming. Despite its important function in many Connecticut communities, it’s facing declining enrollment. However, The Grange is battling back and trying to keep this iconic organization afloat. Hear from the Treasurer and former state head of the Connecticut Grange, Jodi Cameron; their head of communications, Terri Fassio; the new leader of the Redding Grange, Elizabeth Jensen; and an officer with the Bridgewater Grange, Neil Olshansky. You’ll be amazed when you hear about the history of this incredible service organization, a candid assessment of the issues its facing as well as its future prospects.