James A. "Jim" Baker
An Outstanding Citizen
Indian Trail Grange kicked off Grange Week on April 19 with its annual Community Night program. Worthy Master Sheldon Miller welcomed everyone and turned the program over to the Worthy Lecturer, Wilma McGhee. McGhee presented the Outstanding Community Citizen Award to James A. Baker. Baker was nominated by the Lowell Vol. Fire Dept. with the following endorsement:"He was an early organizer of the Lowell Jaycees and the club was probably the largest and most active supportive group in the community during his eligible years as a member. He was also active in local Scouting. Baker served his community for 16 years as a volunteer firefighter, and although he retired from the Fire Dept. in 1960, his dedication has carried him thru the years and has, for the past years, been an asset to us. Jim has the knowledge of taking video recordings and the equipment to back up his expertise. He, with our blessings, responds to all fires he can to film the action. He also attends training sessions.
This has become a super training asset to us and wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for Jim. He does all this at his own expense. So you can see he still is a volunteer fireman at heart, and is always trying to help," said the nomination.
Baker is a member of the Church of Christ on Burr St., and is also a member of the Three Creeks Historical Assn. Retired, he is "still giving actively and freely to the community thru organizations, noted the firefighters.
McGhee presented Baker with a certificate signed by the National Master and the National Lecturer, as well as the local Master and Lecturer, and a marble based paperweight which has the seven sided Grange emblem in bronze.
McGhee announced all the nominees and certificates of merit were given to each for their contributions of time and effort toward the betterment of the community. Those present to receive certificates were: Betty Andrews, Richard Schmal, Susie Cromer, and Pat Searle. Those whose names were submitted but were unable to attend included Peggy Hendricks, Don and Charlotte Seramur and Terry Burchell.
The Rock Ridge Dulcimer Society with Betty Kelly as spokesperson, entertained with dulcimer music, singing and telling the history of the dulcimer.
Louetta Potter gave a brief history of the origin of the National Grange in 1867, following the Civil War. She also told some interesting facts about Oliver Hudson Kelley, the Grange founder. She gave the history of Indian Trail Grange on Feb, 7, 1938, with 15 charter members. Iris Tilton is the only remaining charter member who has held continuous membership in Indian Trial Grange for 48 years. Tilton is a 7th degree member, the highest available Grange degree. She has served many terms of office as leturere and Flora, and has also been dies secretary.
She was a member of the lst Degree installation team for many years, and was responsible for degree work in the first five degrees of the order. She was in charge of the State Grange Rose drill for the 6th degree for five years, and has served on the Installation Team. She served as publicity chair on the Sunshine Committee and the Women's Activities Committee, as well as being a member of the Legislative and Resolutions Committee.
She is currently chairing the Membership Committee and the Lecturer's Committee,. "She has always been a willing and dependable workers and has always had the Grange's best interest at heart, as well as that of the community in which she has always lived," said McGhee, who presented Tilton with a floral tribute in Subordinate Grange colors of blue and gold.
A Fellowship hour followed the program and the Women's Activities Committee was in charge of refreshments.
Go to James A. "Jim" Baker, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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