Supporting 2013 National Session

 National Conference  No Responses »
Mar 182013
 
Raffle prizes for fundraiser. Get your tickets soon!

Raffle prizes for fundraiser. Get your tickets soon!

Dear Maine Grangers,

As Maine’s Coordinator for the hosting of the 2013 National Session I am appealing for your help. Below is the list.

1. We will be decorating a wooden tree like structure with hats, mittens and scarves that can be either handmade or purchased. After the session is over the purchased items from Maine will be donated within the state to non-profits that can use them. The handmade items will be donated to the New England Grange Building store. These items will be collected at State Session in October.

2. Every person that registers for conference will receive a “ditty” bag. We are expecting approximately 500 registrants and Maine is expected to come up with 500 items for these bags. The theme of the conference is “How Sweet it is”. We are looking for items that could be donated by Maine businesses that fit this theme. Most of the folks coming to conference have to travel, therefore items should be light and edible so they do not have to add these items to their luggage. If you know of some businesses we could contact please email me or call my phone number in the roster.

3. Several items have been donated to a Fund Raising Raffle. We have a quilt, some painted sap bucket lids, a painted basket and State baskets (items made in that state). As I travel this year I hope that many of you will purchase tickets, they are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

4. Maine will host the Hospitality Room on the Friday during session. Once the coordinator has been announced I am sure he or she will be asking for volunteers to help in the hospitality room.

I know that this seems like a lot and every little bit helps, whether it is a homemade item, the purchase of a ticket or fundraising item or volunteering to help. The other members of the host team and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do.

Sincerely,

Vicki Huff

Maine’s Coordinator

Northeast Connection

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Piscataquis Pomona Party

 Agriculture, Grange News, National Conference  No Responses »
Feb 242013
 
East Sangerville members dive into the t-shirt supply.

East Sangerville members dive into the t-shirt supply.

It was a cold and snowy night… but that didn’t stop Piscataquis Pomona Members from going over the river and through the woods to East Sangerville Grange for an evening of fun and frolic! We were especially pleased to host Maine State Grange Overseer Vicky Huff who shared her infectious laugh as well as lots of great information about National Grange Conference in New Hampshire later this fall. The Piscataquis Pomona Publicity Program will no doubt be greatly enhanced by the number of t-shirts sold in support of the conference.

We had several “agricultural moments” throughout the evening. The first came with a discussion of maple sap and the observation that ‘not every knows and understands you’re not going to get maple sap from a tree with leaves on it.’” (For the uninitiated, trees are tapped in the early spring, well before leafs appear.) The second came when Pomona Master Bill Bemis share an article describing a pair of oxen that resided in nearby Stetson in the early 1900′s. It seems they were named “Mount Katahdin” and “A Granger” after the then two largest things in Maine! (For a photo and more information, see the Maine Memory Network website.)

Reports of subordinate Granges proved that the Grange is alive and well in this Pomona. East Sangerville member reported they are establishing a special committee to explore additional methods for involving younger and newer members. Garland Grange reported they are in the early stages of developing some ideas that will make their hall more available to the community… and Valley Grange checked off a number of upcoming activities, including the GrowME Agricultural Literacy Program and a Newspapers in Education Contest. Our lecturer’s program featured a report from Ernest Rollins regarding the development of the Fossa General Store and farmers market.

And, once again, East Sangerville Grangers demonstrated they know how to entertain with a delicious ham supper topped off with gingerbread and whipped cream! Pomona members appreciate this annual tradition and look forward to it every year!

State Overseer Vicky Huff is joined by Nancy and Guy Ellms at the ham carving station.

State Overseer Vicky Huff is joined by Nancy and Guy Ellms at the ham carving station.

 

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National Conference Table Contest

 National Conference  No Responses »
Nov 302012
 

Submitted by Vicki Huff

A friendly reminder that the deadline for this contest is fast approaching. Please have your entries to State Grange Headquarters on or before January 1, 2013 or bring them to the Northeast Leaders’ Conference on Friday night January 11th. They will be judged sometime during the weekend of the conference.

View the original post regarding this contest…

View the flyer and rules for this contest…

 

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News From National… and a challenge!

 National Conference  No Responses »
Nov 202012
 
Submitted by
James Owens, Priest Annalist
Assembly of Demeter
National Grange

Jim Owens

One hundred and sixty six Brothers and Sisters received the Degree of Ceres (Seventh Degree) at the National Grange session in Boise, Idaho on November 17th.  My thanks to those who worked on my Seventh Degree registration table – Debbie Ivers, Pomona of the Maine State Grange, and Nancy Clark, Secretary of the Maine State Grange Executive Committee.  Also assisting with registration were Roberta Meserve, Flora of the Maine State Grange and Lewis Bryson, Soloist of the Maine State Grange.  Thank you to each of these Patrons!

The Master of the New Hampshire State Grange, Jim Tetreault, has issued a challenge.  He states that New Hampshire will have one hundred candidates from their state for the Seventh Degree when we meet in Manchester, New Hampshire next November.  It will be exactly 100 years since the National Grange has met in New Hampshire.  His challenge is for the rest of New England and New York to each provide fifty candidates for the degree.  Several Brothers and Sisters from Maine have already told me that they will be taking the degree in Manchester.  Let’s work to make Maine’s share way more than fifty.  I will be providing applications for preregistration in mid 2013 to save some time and work for the candidates when they get to the degree conferral.

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News From National

 National Conference  No Responses »
Nov 172012
 

 

Vicki Huff, Overseer

Greetings from Boise,ID!

I am pleased to announce the winner of the quilt square contest is our own Pat Libby. It was a pleasure to walk into the Idea Fair and see a big blue ribbon next to the square from Maine.

For those who do not know Sister Pat is a member of Farmington Grange and an avid quilter. Congratulations Sister Pat! The NJ State Grange sponsored the contest this year and Sister Pat will be presented with her prize money in the near future.

Fraternally,

Vicki Huff

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National Grange to Hold 146th Annual Convention

 National Conference  No Responses »
Nov 132012
 

BOISE — The National Grange will hold its 146th Annual Convention Tuesday, Nov. 13 through Saturday, Nov. 17 in Boise.

The Grange, America’s oldest nonprofit organization advocating for agriculture and rural America, boasts a membership of more than 160,000 people and more than 2,500 local Grange chapters across the United States.

Delegates from the 34 State Granges, as well as Grange members from across the country, will gather to discuss more than 130 resolutions, passed in states and sent to the National Grange for consideration to become policy for the organization. Resolutions that pass then become policies for the National Grange, which then advocates on those measures to elected officials and government agencies for its members.

National Grange President Ed Luttrell will open the convention with his annual address at 2 p.m. (Mountain Time) Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the Boise Centre. Luttrell will focus his attention on the need for our nation’s legislators to pass fiscally responsible policies, to work toward resolution related to a Farm Bill and other key issues.

The address and other convention events is open to the public.

Grange members who attend the convention can receive the Seventh Degree, the Order’s highest level and enjoy fellowship with other Grange members. Everyone can participate in workshops and discussions on topics related to agriculture and rural America.

Several Granges will receive awards for community service, deaf awareness and other programs the Grange supports, and 31 Granges will be honored as Distinguished Granges on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

The entire schedule for the convention is available at the National Grange website under Events

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Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

 National Conference, Publicity Posts  No Responses »
Sep 012012
 

The July/August printed edition of the New Grange has arrived on members’ doorsteps across the country. Did you get your edition?

All members may receive free editions of the New Grange. Members should also receive this e-newsletter if they are online. If you or a member you know would like to subscribe, please contact National Grange Information Technology Manager Stephanie Wilkins  (swilkinsatnationalgrangedotorg)   at (202) 628-3507 ext. 101.

The print issue features 40 pages of information from Granges across the country and two special sections. Membership/Leadership Director Michael Martin provides tips and strategies for success. Also, the 146th Annual National Grange Convention Schedule, registration forms and much more are included.  Download this issue.

Webmaster Note: There are several mentions of Maine in this issue… see if you can find them!

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Maine Contests Encourage Helping with National Convention 2013!

 National Conference  1 Response »
Aug 312012
 

Submitted by Vicki Huff, Coordinator for Maine–Northeast Connection

Webmaster’s note: You can download a Northeast Connection Contest Poster summarizing these contests and use it for your own reference or to post on your Grange Bulletin Board.

2013 National Grange Convention is coming to our area and will be here before we know it! The Coordinators from the seven Northeast States need your help. Below are three contests we need your help with. These contests will result in materials we need for the Convention.

First, we are looking for a design for hat, mitten and scarf trees. The prototype can be made on a small scale out of any material you choose and should be a pattern that can be adjustable to a full size tree.  In the past each state in the region hosting National Session has donated a decorated artificial Christmas tree to the session and they have been given to local charities. We wanted to do something a little different in the Northeast and instead of asking for decorations we will donate hats, mittens and scarves.

Second, we are looking for ideas for centerpieces and table favors for the different banquets.

Rules and Considerations:  Centerpiece entries should be suitable for round table seating and  no taller than eight inches. Special consideration will be given to entries that conform to the convention theme “How Sweet It Is.”  Also, remember the goal of the Northeast Connection to make this an environmentally-conscious convention. Use of recycled components (cans, glass, plastic, etc.) is encouraged as long as these components are readily available in larger quantities for “mass production.” We will need to produce a large number of each design.   Table favors can be designed to coordinate with a specific centerpiece entry or may be submitted as a separate entry.

A list of materials used must accompany each entry along with a label that identifies the name, Grange, and state of its creator and should also include the category and meal function for which the entry is intended.

Keep in mind that centerpieces may be awarded to lucky diners at the conclusion of the meal. Therefore it is helpful if they can be easily dismantled and packed away in luggage and unnecessary parts discarded.

The current meal functions planned are (subject to change):    Freshmen Delegates Breakfast, Distinguished Grange Awards meal, Host Region Dinner, Heroes of the Grange Luncheon, GROW Club and Youth Dinner, Past Delegates Luncheon, Salute to Ag Breakfast, Junior Breakfast, Luncheon with speaker, Committee Chair and Secretaries’ Meal Celebration Banquet.

If you wish to enter any of these three contests (Tree, Centerpiece, Favors) please bring your entry to the State Grange Convention, October 25th-27th at The Elks Club in Rockland. You may also give your entry to your Deputy prior to December 1 and he or she can bring it with him or her to Deputy School.

All entries must be at State Headquarters by December 21, 2012. Judging will be taking place in January at Northeast Leaders Conference which Maine is hosting this year.

If you have questions please email or call Vicki Huff, the information in the roster is correct.

I look forward to seeing your creativity! Maine Grangers are the best.

Fraternally,

Vicki

 

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Do You Know Who?

 History and Trivia, National Conference  No Responses »
Dec 212011
 

Do you know who might have attended The 1931 National Grange Conference held in Amherst, Massachusetts? Debbie Petersen of the Acton Shapleigh Historical Society has a photo… I asked her to scan it and she tells me she would except it’s three feet long!

The photo shows members from MA, ME, NH, CT, RI and VT and Debbie is fairly sure she’s identified one–that’s a start! She’s looking for a list of delegates… any ideas or suggestions? Post a comment here or email her  (infoatactonshapleighdotcom)  .

This is one of those fun projects that will challenge grange detective skills!

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Grace Dunderdale receives National Sash

 Grange News, National Conference  No Responses »
Nov 182010
 

Submitted by Sue Hackett

Grace Dunderdale, a member of the Maine State Junior Grange, received her 2010 National Junior Ambassador sash while at the National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina November 10 to 13. Her duties included mentoring of the younger junior grangers, helping with workshops, overseeing junior crafts and activities, going on the junior tour to the Levine Museum of the New South, and planning outdoor activities including a scavenger hunt. On Saturday morning the Junior Breakfast was held and Grace gave a speech about her time in the Junior Grange. She then helped the Junior Director give out awards and did the manual spelling which she presented at the Northeastern Regional Youth Conference. Grace was an excellent representative of the Maine State Grange. We should all be proud of her.

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