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2 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING <br /> KATHERINE CHEEK <br /> WHEREAS, Katherine "Kat" Thompson Wilkerson-Cheek was born in Orange County; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, she has been a driving force within the community and especially the <br /> Schley Grange organization; and <br /> WHEREAS, Katherine assumed the role as president of the Schley Grange in 1983 <br /> when it had only six active members; and <br /> WHEREAS, under her leadership, the Schley Grange became the largest Grange in the <br /> State of North Carolina with more than 150 members; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Schley Grange was built in 1948 using funds that the Grange won in a <br /> contest to receive a $50,000 prize from Sears & Roebuck; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Grange being in disarray at her start as president, Katherine led <br /> fundraising to return the hall to its former glory serving as a meeting place for many <br /> community events; and <br /> WHEREAS, under her leadership, the Grange added its dictionary program that has <br /> delivered over 10,000 dictionaries to third graders in Orange County Schools; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Grange has promoted rural agriculture as a strong supporter of the <br /> FFA/4-H Junior Livestock Show, now in the 73rd consecutive year; as well as hosting <br /> numerous sessions of the Orange County Agricultural Summit; and <br /> WHEREAS, Katherine is one of the few women in the nation who served as president of <br /> a Grange Chapter; and <br /> WHEREAS, including the 36 years since she first became president of the Schley <br /> Grange, Katherine Cheek has helped to improve the quality of life in Orange County; <br /> NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Orange County Board of <br /> Commissioners recognizes and expresses its deep appreciation and respect for the <br /> services rendered by Katherine Thompson Wilkerson-Cheek and wishes her well in her <br /> retirement. <br /> This the 2nd day of December 2019. <br /> Penny Rich, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />