The Deer Lagoon Grange has been acknowledged as a 2020-2021 Distinguished Grange for its accomplishments.

The community grange, located near Bayview, will be recognized along with 21 other granges and the Washington State Grange at a reception during the 155th Annual National Grange Convention in Wichita, Kan. in November.

“It will come as no surprise to people in the communities where these Distinguished Granges are active that they have qualified for such a select honor,” National Grange President Betsy Huber said. “While every one of our 1,500 granges across America does great work to improve their community, these granges are an integral piece of the fabric of their hometowns, constantly finding ways to improve the lives of their neighbors and rising to the occasion with innovating outreach. They are household names and granges we all look to as shining examples of how we each can raise the quality of life in our hometowns.”

The Deer Lagoon Grange is involved in a number of activities around Whidbey Island. Its display at this year’s Whidbey Island Fair was recognized for its uniqueness and creative quality. Members of the grange are also involved in delivering dictionaries to second grade students and volunteering time and donating money to nonprofits such as Good Cheer Food Bank.

The grange has been active over this past year, with events such as classes, food drives and work parties to improve and maintain the grange hall.

“I joined the grange to become more involved in my community,” said Tara Hammons, a new member of the Grange. “I was quickly impressed by leadership that is open to new ideas and ways to grow old traditions. During the Whidbey Island Fair, I had the challenge to create the granges’ display. It was fun.”

The Deer Lagoon Grange also gained nearly 100 new members, due in great part to outreach, and welcomes others to join and become part of the community’s social fabric.