PALERMO — Since 1938, Palermo Grange 493 has served as a gathering place for neighbors and an education facility for kids raising livestock to show at local fairs — but above all else, it’s a place where community is fostered and cherished.
“It’s a place where people can come to get to know their neighbors and feel a part of this rural community,” said Tyler Smith, president. “At the grange, you learn nobody is alone in this world.”
The grange is where folks come to “talk, have a good time and eat good food,” said Smith, describing what takes place in the unassuming building on Irwin Avenue where, on the fourth Saturday of every month, he, his wife, Carla, and members Charles and Carrie Pierson prepare a community dinner with menus ranging from Swiss steak to beef stroganoff and spaghetti to tacos.
It’s where more than 50 people gather every Friday night for “heated, good natured” games of bingo, said Smith.
“You’d be surprised: Bingo is not an old ladies game anymore,” he said.
The grange members are also civically engaged. They pony-up to support Palermo Little League and had a long history of supporting their local volunteer fire department before it transitioned to Cal Fire-Butte County. They are now looking for ways to show their appreciation to their community’s new fire-fighting team. And, at every monthly meeting, they check with one another to see if there’s anyone in the community who may be ill, incapacitated or “in need” so they can organize assistance such as delivery of prepared meals.
“Being part of the city, town, community, I love that stuff. We love that stuff,” said Smith. “It’s important to create a safe and caring place, community for people.”
Among those who find a place at the grange are more than 20 local youth ages 4 to 19 who, under the direction of Jacquelyn Marshall, raise animals to show and auction at the Silver Dollar and Butte County fairs.
“The grange youth program is exactly like FFA and 4-H only independent,” said Marshall. “It allows kids who don’t have another way of going to fair to raise and show animals.”
The youth also learn about community service in the program by assisting with grange functions such as helping serve the monthly dinners, ringing Salvation Army bells at Christmas and participating in other grange events including the annual Peddlers Fairs.
The grange building — with a full kitchen and two halls that, combined, hold 350 people — is also a popular rental venue for family reunions, anniversary parties and is home to the Oroville Piecemakers Quilt Guild.
“There’s no place else big enough for us to meet and set up our sewing machines,” said Cindy Aldrich, guild member.
Reaching out
The grange extends its commitment to community beyond the surrounding neighborhood by providing space for other service organizations like the Community Action Agency and North State Food Bank. On Friday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon or until supplies run out, the grange will serve as the distribution location for a drive-through free-food giveaway hosted by the non-profits.
The grange is “a way of life,” said Smith — but that lifestyle is danger of going away.
Rising costs including increased insurance premiums and property taxes, plus declining membership threaten the existence of the community hub. Even post-pandemic, there’s just a “lack of people coming out,” said Smith.
But Smith is hoping that an evening of boot scooting boogie and Mexican food will go a long way to help pay the grange’s debts.
On Feb. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. a “Save the Grange Fundraiser” line dancing event will be hosted at the grange, 7600 Irwin Ave., by top-notch local instructors Charlie Bird and Aldrich, who in addition to being a Piecemakers Guild member is also a line-dance teacher. The fee to join the dance party is $10.
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“We’ll have everyone dancing from brand new beginners to the very experienced,” said Aldrich. “I have invited dancers I’ve danced with for years from Yuba City, Red Bluff and Redding to come and they are excited. I’m hoping for 80 dancers — could be more, could be less — but what it will definitely be is fun.
“If we can dance and help save the grange which does so much for the community, I’m all for it.”
And since dancing gives people an appetite, a meal of homemade enchiladas will be available for $12 a plate following the dance.
“I live right down the street from the grange,” said Smith. “I love its dream, vision and culture, and really want to see it continue for the community.”
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