Six receive highest honor, seventh degree

Six members of the Deer Lagoon Grange recently earned awards at the 151st National Grange Convention in Spokane.

The members were seeking conferral of the seventh degree (the highest degree in the order) on Nov. 11 at the Spokane Convention Center. Recipients included Langley residents Kenneth and Marta Schillinger, Clinton residents Gary and Tarey Kay, Tori Johnson and Chris Van Wetter. They were among 150 candidates from across the United States to be awarded seventh degree.

Other Deer Lagoon Grange members to attain the seventh degree are Chuck and Judy Prochaksa of Greenbank. The total number of seventh degree members is eight, which is the highest number in at least the past 25 years, according to a press release.

In addition to the seventh degree members, the grange also has two sixth degree, five fifth degree and five fourth degree members.

Each degree is progressive in teaching the fundamentals of husbandry, such as agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry and all things related to rural living. Each degree also administers an obligation to the members to obey the laws of the land and to treat other grangers with respect, according to Chuck Prochaksa.