The Sandisfield Grange No. 425 was established in June 1947 as a community service organization with about 60 energetic and committed charter members under "master" Stanley Koloski. Sandisfield had many farms at the time, and a local Grange organization made sense.

The Grange is the oldest surviving agricultural fraternal organization in America. Founded in 1867, its mission is to promote economic, political, and social wellbeing for farming communities. At its height, national membership was about a million individuals.

The New Boston Congregational Church parish hall served as the group's home for nearly forty years until the branch closed in 1985. At the time, Edna Leavenworth of River Road was "master."

Recently discovered in the church files were several photos of the organization's original members, possibly posing for a first anniversary ceremony photo in 1948, Many of the names are familiar to longtime residents as friends, neighbors, or family members who were active in post-war Sandisfield.

The Times is introducing a new column, "Once Upon A Time," to celebrate and remember persons, families, and community groups who over the years worked for the betterment of Sandisfield. Submit old photos electronically to editor@SandisfieldTimes.org or by mail to The Sandisfield Times, P.O. Box 594, Sandisfield, MA 01255. If you send the photos, please don't send your only copy by mail, but get in touch with Ron Bernard at Ronbernard@aol.com.