South Whidbey was represented well at the Statewide Grange Contests in Ocean Shores June 26 – 29, 2013. All of the entries were the highest ranked entry in a particular category at the Island County competition held in May.

“It was a great event for our grange, since with a small percentage of the total entries we managed to bring home two-thirds of the cash awards in the combined areas of photography and arts and crafts,” said Chuck Prochaska, grange president.

In the arts and crafts competition, the Island County entries had best of show, second best of show, four best of class, one honorable mention, 16 blue awards and one red award.

The best of show award was for a recycled item from glass submitted by Rhonda Permenter of Freeland.

Second best of show was a mixed media ballerina painting by Jennie Lynn Martin of Langley.

Honorable mention went to Martha Martin of Langley for her sculpted rhinestone cowboy on a bench.

Best of class awards went to Flora Bratt of Langley for yard art and to Shirley Lacey of Clinton for her bead necklace.

Adult entries receiving blue ribbons went to: Permenter with three ribbons; Molly Kay of Mount Vernon with two; Bratt; Martin; Terry Permenter of Freeland; John Norris of Langley; Tarey Kay of Clinton; Lacey; Cathi Onan-Bower of Langley; Christine Williams of Langley; and Jennie Lynn Martin of Langley.

In the children grouping ages 5 to 9, Kassidy Norris of Langley received a blue ribbon for her dream catcher. Emma Lee Norris of Langley received a blue for her tear drop camper mustard and ketchup holder in children grouping ages 10 to 13.

Island County grange photography had second best of show, four best of class, 13 blue and five red awards.

The second best of show photography award went to Kay for her entry in the general interest category. She also had a best of class award for manipulated photos. Chuck Prochaska of Greenbank won best of class in the categories people and buildings and structures. Other awards went to Terry Permenter with four blue; Kay with three blue and two red; Prochaska with four blue and three red; Bob Cadwallader of Greenbank with one blue; and Patricia Prochaska of Greenbank received one blue.

Family living contests had 11 entries with a first place, seven blue, two red, and one white awards.

Tarey Kay of Clinton received a first-place needlework award for her table doily in. Molly Kay received a blue for her fingerless gloves.

In quilting, Permenter received a blue for his table runner. Gary Kay of Clinton received a white award for his quilt. Rhonda Permenter received a blue for her entry in candy.

In the baking contest, Kristi Johansen-Abat of Langley received a blue for her banana bread and Rhonda Permenter also received a blue for her Cookies.

The last category in the family living group was canning: Molly Kay received a blue for her soft spread; Tarey Kay received a red for her vegetables and pickles; and Christine Williams a white for her fruit.

A total of 46 submittals in the three groupings of categories above out of 1,000 total were from Island County.

Deer Lagoon Grange also received other awards for grange hall improvement – first place, $500; community service award – second place for medium sized grange, $300; from the national grange, a recognition letter and photograph of attendees at the 1873 National Convention for a growth of five members; and a recognition certificate from Washington State Grange for membership growth.