The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., December 10, 1903, page 3

HUSUM GRANGE HOLDS FRUIT FAIR

     Husum, Wash., Nov. 28.  -- Editor Glacier: Following is a report of Husum Grange's doings Thanksgiving day.  Had you been at Husum on that day you could have seen the people going to the school house with baskets filled with everything to satisfy the inner man.  But we as grangers did not stop with well filled baskets but brought along samples of vegetables, fruits and chicks as well to exhibit, all of which your humble scribe can say rival anything in that line seen this year.  At 10 o'clock the master’s gavel fell and the labors of the day began.  We initiated a class of eight in the 3rd and 4th degrees, followed by a dinner prepared by the worthy matron of our order.  And if ye editor had been here he surely would have came home with an attack of indigestion or gout.  To say the least, Husum   matrons are good cooks.  But we as grangers look for something more than means to satisfy the inner man.  So, after doing justice to all the good things to eat, of the following literary program was rendered:
     Instrumental music by Miss Bird Williams and Harry Mathews, followed by an address by George M. Cole on education.
     Song by George Curtins.
     Declamations by Miss. Delia Williams, Fred Mickelsen, David Cole, Miss Cole, Annie Mickelsen, Leonard Mickelsen.
     Song by Miss Frances Williams.
     Reading by Steve Mickelsen and Mrs. Mickelsen.
     We were also favored with music from the graphophone from time to time.
     Husum grange was organized Thanksgiving day a year ago with 18 charter members.  It now has a membership of 34.
     And now for the exhibit table which fairly groaned under its heavy load.  The first to take our eye was a huge head of cabbage raised by Bro. Fred Mickelsen.  There were also fine carrots, pumpkins, potatoes and beets on exhibit by the mile.  We all had oyster plants there, so you see we grangers do not have to buy our oysters, even if we don't live near the sea.
     The fruit exhibit was the best part of our little fair.  I can hear one of the sisters remarking: “I'll bet my chickens, and that pullet of mine, which was hatched on the 22d of March, and laid her first egg the 24th of August, if any Hood River people can beat that!” Let's see if they can.
     But to return to the fruit exhibit.  We had Yellow Newtons, Spitzenburgs, Red Cheek Pippins, Swaar, York Imperial, Northern Spy and a lot of other varieties.  And say, Mr. Editor, our folk hereby challenge Hood River people to a fruit and vegetable and exhibit next fall.
     About the grange once more.  We, as patrons, believe in the farmers, and shall ever strive to elevate our calling by proper schooling in the nature study as well as in agriculture and in horticulture.  While we are endeavoring to have these subjects taught in the public schools, we believe in getting acquainted with these things which we see in our everyday life.  Therefore we believe all our granges should take up nature study.  To those who are indifferent to our noble calling, we cite Husum grange and its record for one year.  The farmers’ institute held at White Salmon was the work of the Husum grange.  The branch of the state library, to which our were people belong, is the fruit of our work.  Besides it has proven a great stimulus to our people in an endeavor to excel others in raising fruits, vegetables and all other farm products.

Granger.