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• Taste sensation in Lodi

• Progressive solar plan pitched by Galt mayor

• New Lodi High gym opens; holds entire student body

• Coastal cleanup day at Lodi Lake Park

• Woodbridge Grange Hall may be open to community by December

• Regional Roundup

• Big turnout for the San Joaquin county ag center dedication

• Clarification

• Correction

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

• Chase ends in crash

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

November 17th, 2009

• Clarification

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• Regional Roundup

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

November 13th, 2009

• What to expect with new homebuyer tax credit

• Lodi Muslim: Local mosque not involved

• Regional Roundup

• Mayor Larry Hansen points out Lodi's economic progress

• First phase of Lockeford park by 2011?

• Lodi veteran recounts close calls in Vietnam

• Burglary suspects are under arrest

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (151)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (67)
• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise (56)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (48)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Lodi Flames slim playoff chances vanish in setback to Tracy Bulldogs (25)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Nightmares about America's future (23)
• Tokay Tigers blow late 27-point lead in loss to Wolf Pack (22)

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Woodbridge Grange Hall may be open to community by December

After three years of planning, work has finally begun to restore the historic Woodbridge Grange Hall on Lower Sacramento Road.

Once work is completed, by the end of the year or sooner, the Woodbridge community will have a new place to conduct meetings, dances, dinners, weddings and other events.

Mid-Cal Constructors, which recently completed the renovation of a 19th-century schoolhouse in Lockeford, is now tearing out the interior of the Woodbridge Grange Hall and bringing the building into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The floor will be replaced, and the restrooms are being remodeled. Other improvements include new windows and electrical system.

The cost is an estimated $165,000, but the Grange received a $2,000 grant from San Joaquin County and $25,000 in federal money for ADA improvements.

The interior contains an old piano, donated by Addie Benedict according to a 1939 newspaper clipping.

The Woodbridge Municipal Advisory Council has discussed the possibility of moving its meetings to the Grange building from the Lodi Elks Lodge once the Grange Hall is repaired. The building will seat 75.

The Woodbridge Grange was formed in 1932. Its treasurer, Sharon Stokes of Thornton, comes from a long tradition of Grange members. Stokes' grandparents were members and may have been charter members.

The historic Woodbridge Grange Hall on Lower Sacramento Road is being completely remodeled so that it can be used by the Grange and community events. The restoration is due to be completed by December. (Courtesy photo)

"The goal was to save the building, and we did," said Grange treasurer Sharon Stokes. "It is an important part of Woodbridge's history as well as Galt's history"

Stokes' grandparents, Bill and Ramona Stokes, were active in the

Woodbridge Grange, having joined the organization in the mid-1930s.

An organization for 133 years in California and 138 years nationwide, the Grange today has about 12,000 members in 200 community Granges throughout the United States.

The Woodbridge chapter disbanded in 2004, but the club has since been resurrected with help from the Elk Grove and California Granges.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.