Members of the Russellville Grange recently celebrated the organization's 150th anniversary with a banquet held at Oxford Presbyterian Church. More than 70 people attended the event, which featured dinner, guest speakers and awards presentations.

Betsy Huber, a past state Grange president and former national Grange president, was the speaker for the evening. She also presented a national citation to Russellville Grange president Terry Murray. The citation reads, in part, "The National Grange presents this Certificate of Recognition to Russellville Grange 91 in honor of 150 Years of Enduring Service." Rep. John Lawrence was also on hand to present the Grange with a citation from the State House of Representatives.

In addition to a PowerPoint program about the history of the Grange, a highlight of the evening was the presentation of membership anniversary awards by Pennsylvania State Grange Master Matthew Esbenshade.

Honorees included the following: 20 years - Jessica Reyburn, Christopher Coburn, Sarah Coburn and Francis "Franny" Sharon; 35 years - Stanley Reyburn; 45 years - Marjorie Holman; 50 years/Golden Sheaf award - Jack Lindsey; 55 years - Melanie Murray; 60 years - Rebecca Clendenin; and 75 years/Diamond award - Betty Spotts.

Spotts passed away suddenly two days prior to the celebration, so the award was accepted by her daughter, Melanie Murray. She would have been 95 years old on Monday, June 17.

Members of the 150th anniversary committee included Nadine Hook and Melanie Murray, co-chairpersons, and Jessica and Stanley Reyburn.

According to a history of the Grange, it was founded on Jan. 31, 1874. The Grange members met at several locations before purchasing Russellville Hall in 1916. Russellville Grange celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1974. The Junior Grange was started by Jessica Reyburn, and its first meeting was held on Feb. 18, 2010.

The Grange has evolved from a group of farmers to a community service and social group. Today, the Grange is a family-oriented fraternal organization that promotes community service. The Russellville Grange is composed of members whose families have been in the organization for generations, as well as several new members with more recent connections.

The Russellville Grange supports a variety of local charities, including Mighty Writers, which helps students with their writing skills; YoungMoms, which supports expectant mothers and new moms; Twin Pines Camp; Neighborhood Services Center of Oxford; and The Oaks Ministry, which provides transitional housing for women in need. Russellville Grange also provides an annual scholarship to a high school senior who will study agriculture or nutrition after graduation.

At the state level in Harrisburg and at the national level in Washington, D.C., the Grange seeks legislation that supports agriculture and the rural community. 

Russellville Grange currently has 52 adult members and 13 junior members ages 5 to 14. Members hail from Cochranville, Parkesburg, Coatesville, Nottingham, Oxford and Lincoln University.

The Grange accepts membership at any time. Adult meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Grange, 245 Old Limestone Road in Russellville. In June and August, meetings will be held at the Upper Oxford Township Community Park, 177 Catamount Road, Oxford. There will be no meeting in July.

Junior Grange members meet on the second Friday of the month at 6:30 p.m., with the exception of July, when the youths are at summer camp. Prospective members are invited to attend a meeting and complete a membership application.