Copake Grange honored, recognizes longtime member

COPAKE — History left its mark on Copake on Saturday, May 4, when two town treasures were given long deserved recognition.

At that time, Bessie Bussette, the longest registered member of the Grange with 55 years on the rolls, was honored at an 11 a.m. ceremony that also observed the unveiling of an historic marker commemorating the Copake Grange No. 935’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

The building honor was bestowed in 2001, but it was not until Saturday that the achievement was commemorated by a historic marker, funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation®.

The Grange, located at  628 Empire Road in Copake and constructed in 1902-03, is home to the only Columbia County building still operating as an active Grange. Two years ago the structure nearly reverted to the state when a roster of only seven members made it impossible to conduct Grange business. But a strong effort membership drive brought that number to 80, which allowed the Grange to maintain control, according to spokeswoman Rita Jakubowski.

She lauded the group for providing a place to “gather and socialize without anything political being involved” and for dinners, poetry, children’s workshops and “really fun plays every couple of months” presented by the local Two of Us Productions.

In some way, things haven’t changed all that much in the 116 years of the Hall. 

Honoree Bussette, born in January, 1920, “remembers a string of dinners, film showings and other entertainment in the Grange as she was growing up,” according to Howard Blue, who prepared her biography.

He continued, “After the Pearl Harbor bombing and U.S. entry into World War II in 1941, Bea was one of many who received training at the Grange “to recognize both the sounds and silhouettes of various aircraft. Among many others who received the training were Urbain Nadeau, Remo Gabaccia, Bea’s sister Barbara, Howard and Blanche McGee and  Dorothy Silvernail Hughes.”

With such a rich history to recognize, Grange President Chris Quinby said, “We are grateful to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation for funding this historic marker. The Copake Grange holds a special place in the history of the hamlet of Copake, and we are happy that this marker will memorialize the historical significance of this 116 year old building.”

According to Jakubowski, the funding foundation had its roots in the area when Pomeroy established the Copake Iron Works in the mid 1800s. Although the business relocated to Pennsylvania following the depletion of ore and fuel forests, the family continued to be supportive of the area and has placed a number of similar plaques at historic sites in the vicinity.

Jakubowski said the day’s activities, co-sponsored by Joseph Shirk and speaker Joseph Stafiniak, included a number of local celebrants as well as New York State Senator Daphne Jordan (R-43) and Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106). 

In a statement prior to the festivities, Barrett said, “Granges have been a fundamental part of our rural communities since the 19th century and the role they have played since their founding —  as advocates for agriculture, centers of family and community activities and promoters of civic engagement — is as important today as it has ever been. Those values make the newly restored Copake Grange a tremendous asset to the Roe Jan region. This community hub is already becoming an important addition to the social fabric of the community.”