THE GRANGE HALL
The English Ridge Grange Hall, across the corner from the school house and the now Michigan-Wisconsin Booster Plant, was finished and dedicated in the fall of 1926. It was promoted and built by the grange members and the community at large. Lumber from the Peck residence (old grange hall) was used at the start. A great deal of work and materials were donated by men who were able to do carpentry and cement work.
The Grange Hall served the community well and has been the scene of many money making projects and fun and neighborhood activities. In the 20's to 40's, there were Epworth League parties, ice cream socials, home talent plays, grange parties, all local meeting and oyster suppers. The W.S.C.S. ladies have held their annual bazaars and suppers there for many years. For a number of years a big coyote hunt centered that at noon on New Years Day.
Many family reunions, a few wedding receptions and showers have been held there.MEMORIAL PARK
One day while walking around one of the beautiful gardens in Washington, D.C., which has now been deeded to Harvard University, I conceived the idea of making the plot between Buck's Grove Church and our home a garden as a memorial to my parents and grandparents. I am sure a great many people thought it was a very foolish idea but one spring during the 30's, we started and with the help of many people,in the community, it began to grow. Much credit goes to Florence and Ivan Clements, who lived there and did so much work through the years, and Uncle Arch Kroth, Harley Manuel, Ted Nicholas, Sherman and Fred McKinsey, Mr. and Mrs. Bird Holmes and Ida Clements of Hennessey, Oklahoma. The first year didn't make too much of a showing but as the years passed, the garden became a beautiful spot and the Kroth Reunion was held there every year on May 30th. I was not there every year but thoroughly enjoyed working in the garden and meeting so many relatives and friends when I was there. Most everyone, who came to the cemetery, on Memorial Day, came over for a few words of greeting. One former Governor and Mrs. Ben Paulen came and called for a short visit. Barbara Paulen was raised just around the corner from us and it was from her Grandfather that Buck's Grove got it's name. I think that the garden was visited by all of the Kroth children at one time or another and by many of the grandchildren stationed in other parts of the United States. We had many happy reunions there until 1951 when the place was sold. I want all who worked in the garden to know that I really appreciated their help more than I can express. I felt that it was really a worthwhile project and was sorry it could not last, but to me it was a very great pleasure while it lasted.
Ina L. Clements
A sun dial was donated by Mrs. Rhodes Clements and Martha Clements Holmes sent all sorts of flowers and shrubs with water lilies from Oklahoma. The lily pool was built by Arch Kroth.
May 30, 1936 - Miss Ina Clements from Washington, D.C.,is expected to arrive for a couple of weeks visit in homes at Buck's Grove, and with her brother, Clare, in Topeka. Ina is here over- seeing a Memorial Park that Is being made just south of the Buck's Grove Church.
May 30, 1939 - In honor of Miss Ina Clements of Washington, D.C., who was home visiting home folks, the Clements-Kroth reunion was held May 30th in Memorial Park at Buck's Grove. As usual the tables were spread under the oak trees, but the decorations were unusual. Verne Clements had sent from his home in Houston, Texas, a box of Cape Jasmine, as it is known in the south; Gardenia as it is known in the north. A beautiful spray of these flowers with their wax like foliage and palm leaves, was placed in the cenetery in loving memory of father and mother. The fragrance of these lovely blossoms is a marvel of strength and sweetness. Besides those who usually attend the reunion, we were happy to have these relatives from a distance: Mr. and Mrs. Clare Clements and family and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hayes and family from Topeka; Mr. and Mrs. Neal Watts and boys from Dewey, Oklahoma; Miss Lou Venneberg and Mrs. Grace Johnson and children from Frankfort, Kansas. A court revealed that 103 had visited the garden at sometime during the day.
May 30, 1944 - Heavy Clouds swept over and around us, but rain held off until the middle of the afternoon, when a hard shower sent folks burring away. A short memorial service in recognition of our boys in their country's service was held. Twenty-four names of Kroth grandsons, great-grandsons, cousins and inlaws were marked with flags on a large "V". Rev. Eckert commented and offered prayer for the boys, absent and scattered over the world at war. Attendance was cut sharply by the restriction of tires and gasoline, and war anxiety that prevents us from seeking pleasure. Ina Clements was present from Wash- lngton, D. C., but the rest of those attending were local people, with some families from Topeka.
May 30, 1945 - The Clements Memorial Park at Buck's Grove held a crowd of relatives and friends at the annual Kroth reunion. Because every family is separated by war and its restrictions, and because death has claimed members of several families, there was a distinct lack of joyfulness, that prevailed at former occasions. Deaths of C. E. Kroth, Mrs. Arthur Kroth and Lowell Verineberg, in the past few months, have caused changes and brought sadness and loss into homes. Three of the Kroth brothers were present: John, Frank and Arch, and several families from Topeka contributed to making the crowd count up to 88.
May 30, 1947 - Somewhere near 130 friends and relatives gathered in the Clements Memorial Park at Buck's Grove on Decoration Day to visit and picnic together. The day was perfect with the beauty and warmth of the sun. Apart from weeks of rain and clouds, it was wonderful to have sunshine on the special day. Several people came from long distances to be present, many came scores of miles; all made special work and effort, contributing to the large display of food spread on the tables under the trees. Uncle Frank Kroth said grace and we sang a short hymn of praise to God before dinner was served. Eating together is always an experience of fellowship and fun, and the abundance of good food swiftly disappeared.
May 30, 1948 - A few more than 160 were counted by Harry Loughmiller, who kindly made the effort to get each signature. Eight states were represented: Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Kroth and family from Detroit, Michigan; Mr. and Mrs. Perry Clements from Hennessey, Oklahoma; Harley Kroth from Buhl, Idaho; Clarence Kroth from Hermosa, South Dakota; Clare Clements from Denver, Colorado; Mr. and Mrs. Verne Clements, Barbara, Lee and Gene, from Houston, Texas;Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kroth and daughters, from Colby, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. George Venneberg, Miss Nola Manuel, Mrs. Frances Estle and daughter, and Miss Esther Rairdon from Kansas City, Missouri; Mr. and Mrs. Gene Siegle and Eugene Taldon from Garden City, Kansas. Dinner was a huge affair. Tables were crowded with good food, which was enjoyed by all. Ralph Kroth furnished several cases of pop, as his treat to the children. We enjoyed a short program led by Lucille Biester of Soldier.
May 36, 1949 - A few more than 100 ate dinner together in the Buck's Grove Memorial Park. By evening the count was over 130 of visiters to the park. Ina L. Clements from Washington, D.C. was present. Mrs. Esther Kroth Clements and Mrs. Martha Clements Holmes from Hennessee, Oklahoma, were also present. Mrs. Clara Fuller Becker came from St. Louis; Albert Kroth and family from Colby; and Mrs. Shirley Siegle and daughter, Bernice, from Garden City; with Estel Snodgrass and family from Larmed, were welcomed from a distance. Ralph Kroth in Detroit, Michigan, talked to his sister's families here, and Verne Clements in Houston, Texas, talked to his sisters, Rose and Ina.
May 30, 1950 - The unsettled weather seemed to clear especially for Memorial Day but probably caused a drop in attendance at the Buckfs Grove community picnic in the Clements Park. The count reached 101. Some news items: Charles Oates, husband of Lorraine Clements Oates, is graduating from the University of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Galen Watts, a senior in Agriculture Engineering at Kansas State will leave soon to spend six weeks in ROTC at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. Walter Kroth is convalescing at Vail Hospital from a severe operation on his hip.
Clarence Kroth in South Dakota had mumps recently and was con- fined to the house for a week. There was no one present from a great distance, but towns in all parts of Kansas were represented.
The picnic continued until 1962 at the Grove near the church. In 1963, it was held in Gage Park in Topeka, Kansas, and also in 1964.
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