About 70 people attended a fundraiser at historic Rexville Grange 5 miles southeast of town on Saturday, proudly showing their support for the nearly century-old hall that has been site of countless dinners, potlucks, weddings, dances, family gatherings and memorial services over the years.

The two-hour luncheon and silent auction rekindled longtime friendships, saw several new acquaintances made, and evoked fond memories of past events at the Grange.

“That’s what the Grange does,” said Rexville Grange Historian Cathy Savage. “It keeps people connected.”

This weekend that connection brought together, among others, members of La Conner area and Fir Island farm families, a couple that was wed at Rexville Grange in 2002, and Marc “Zappa” Daniel, the Woodstock attendee and one-time La Conner mayoral candidate who promoted a popular dance series at the hall in the 1990s.

Rexville Grange President Talea Lenning said the purpose of the Saturday Feb. 21 fundraiser was to help defray costs of pending renovations to the venerable building, including upgrading its heating system, revamping restrooms, and buying appliances for a major kitchen makeover later this year.

“The Home Depot of Burlington selected our kitchen for their community project,” Lenning said. “They have volunteers signed up to help. We just have to buy the appliances.”

The turnout for the fundraiser showed how widely Rexville Grange is championed in and around La Conner.

Daniel, who formerly bore a striking resemblance to the late rock musician Frank Zappa and today sports long gray hair and a flowing beard of the same color, enjoyed reminiscing about the Rexville Grange dances he staged in a prior generation.

“It feels great being back here,” he said. “I’d love to do a show or two here again.”

Jon Bauer and Gale Fiege of Pleasant Ridge blissfully recalled their nuptials at Rexville Grange 24 years ago. They, like all at the fundraiser, shared an enduring reverence for the Grange building and its mission.

“We really want to see this building survive,” said Fiege, who is the Rexville Grange secretary and serves on the La Conner Community News board of directors.

Kathy Elde and Laura Hill, who are part of long-established La Conner farm families, joined others in relating how Rexville Grange has traditionally served as a community hub for young and old alike. Both also remembered when National Guard units were stationed at Rexville in 1990 to stage flood relief operations on nearby Fir Island.

Savage presented a healthy slice of Rexville Grange history at the fundraiser. Those gems included a 1969 scrapbook featuring photos and news clippings of that year’s Grange activities. Hanging above the display table was a framed impressionist rural Skagit Valley scene painted by legendary 20th century artist and granger Laurie Wells and the 1940 certificate confirming Rexville’s status as an Honor Grange.

Built by volunteers in 1927, Rexville Grange is defined by its solid maple floor and long built-in benches lining the main hall. The intent was for Rexville Grange to serve as a community center for meetings, social events and advocacy for agricultural issues. That pursuit has been fulfilled throughout its rich history.

The national Grange movement, of which Rexville is affiliated, was founded as a non-partisan fraternal organization supporting agriculture, education and public service. It arose during the post-Civil War period, more than 150 years ago.

At Rexville Grange, current plans call for continuation of its spring and fall art shows and summer Skagit River Shakespeare Festival at the Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheatre and to parlay the upcoming renovations into greater rental appeal for the building. A garage sale is scheduled in May and a community potluck in late summer.

A future goal calls for re-establishing Rexville Grange as a Red Cross shelter. Other options being considered include hosting Bunco or mahjong games, line dancing, craft courses, community education classes such as canning, drying, beekeeping and raising chickens, holiday gift wrapping and emergency management presentations.

After nearly 100 years, it could be that the best is yet to come for Rexville Grange.

“It’s going to look great for the centennial next year,” Savage said.

Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.