Fraternal Concern–Follow up

 Fraternal Concerns  No Responses »
Jul 302012
 

Please note the following additional information regarding Jean Rollins and the concern posted yesterday… At the family’s request, visitation is being limited… please call Andrea or Ernest Rollins prior to making plans to visit. Jean is well-loved and an abundance of visitors will potentially interfere with her need for rest!

Also note that Jean is in a respiratory unit and sending fresh/cut flowers is discouraged.

Jean’s room number for mailing cards is 612:

Jean Rollins
EMMC–Room 612
489 State Street
Bangor ME 04401

 Andrea and Ernest appreciate your understanding and support!

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Make Your Voice Heard!

 Legislative  No Responses »
Jul 302012
 

Webmaster note: I’ve posted this as received as “news” and information with an opportunity for interested Grangers to make their voices heard… There is no intended endorsement.

To the Maine State Grange:

I hope this message finds you well! My name is Kate Power and I work with the Permanent Commission for the Status of Women (PCSW). The PCSW is government-appointed group dedicated to improving opportunities for women and girls. As such, we advise the Governor and members of the Legislature about policy and social issues affecting women and girls in the state.

As a part of this work, we’re asking for public feedback. Specifically, we’d like to identify what issues are the most challenging for Maine women and girls, and what could be done to help. We’re doing this primarily through an online survey developed by the PCSW.

I was hoping that you might be willing to pass along the survey to people in the Maine Granges whom you think might be interested (participants, volunteers, whomever!) – we’re trying to get as many Maine voices as we can. The surveys are anonymous, and the answers will be reviewed by the Commission and directly influence the recommendations and policy positions that we take moving forward.

HERE is the link to the survey. (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JSKRP3C). If hard copies of the survey are needed, please contact me at katherinedotpoweratmainedotedu  (katherinedotpoweratmainedotedu)  

Any and all help you’re willing to offer is greatly appreciated! Please don’t hesitate to contact me at this email address if you have any questions. For more about the PCSW itself, please visit our page on the Secretary of State’s site: www.maine.gov/sos/womenscomm.htm.

Sincerely,

Kate

 

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Volunteers Needed in Aroostook County!

 Community Service, Events  No Responses »
Jul 242012
 

Many hands needed for Maine Harvest for Hunger next Wednesday!

A very generous farmer in Houlton just notified the  Penobscot County Extension office that he has thousands of pounds of peas and beans that he’s willing to donate to Maine Harvest for Hunger if volunteers are willing to come harvest.  This is the first harvest of both crops – meaning it will be good pickin’!

Any time you can contribute would be much appreciated.  The farmer estimated that an average picker would harvest approximately 15-twenty pounds an hour.  Just think of the people you could help feed in just one hour!

If you are interested in helping out next Wednesday, August 1st (rain date the following day), please contact Kate Garland at the Penobscot County Extension office (katherinedotgarlandatmainedotedu  (katherinedotgarlandatmainedotedu)  ) for details.  Please provide your full name and phone number when you email and let Kate know your location if you are interested in carpooling.

Here’s a short video explaining the Harvest for Hunger Program:

Tell Kate you’re a Granger! Bless your pea pickin’ hands and heart!

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New Installation Team Available

 Grange News  No Responses »
Jul 242012
 

You may recall an early story reporting that an Installation Team was being formed in the Bangor area. Rolf Staples Sr of Bangor Grange now announces:

We are prepared to install any Granges who may wish to have us do so. We are a new team, composed of members of Bangor and neighboring Granges. I used to do installations many years ago in New Hampshire and the charges are coming back to me. Other members of the team have worked with other teams in the past. Just give me a call at 973-3976 or e-mail me at swederolfataoldotcom  (swederolfataoldotcom)   and we’ll get it done as best we can!

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Quick Tip!

 Quick Tips  No Responses »
Jul 222012
 

Thought I’d share one idea we’ve implemented in Piscataquis Pomona with some pretty good results… As Publicity Director for our Pomona (your Pomona does have one, right?) I try to aggregate or collect events from our Community/Subordinate Granges and submit all of them with Pomona events a month at a time to local media outlets for their “community bulletin board/events listings.” One of the things that’s happened as result is some of the local newspapers not only add each event to their calendars, they are also publishing a separate stand-alone article headlined “Area Grange Events in (Month).” There are some obvious challenges with this… Granges have to plan ahead (in our area the deadline is usually the 20th of the month prior) and remember to email their event list to me. We aren’t doing it perfectly by a long shot, but it’s great to see that article every month. One or two events by themselves probably aren’t “article worthy,” by a list is! (I don’t include “regular” meetings, just events that would be of interest to the general public: open meetings, suppers, etc. We’ve even included other events where a Grange has an official presence. “Saturday, July 28th Valley Grange Bookworms will have a booth set up at the Riverfest Celebration. Kids should stop by for a free balloon and to let us know how you are coming with your summer reading list… festival hours are… contact…”

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Christmas in July?

 Community Service  No Responses »
Jul 212012
 

Wreaths Across America is a year-round effort…

Maine is rightfully proud of the Wreaths Across America project–the non-profit organization behind it says their mission is simple: remember, honor and teach. Best known for the week-long “Veteran’s Parade” that includes tractor trailers delivering wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery, the organization actually includes a number of activities here in Maine and around the Country.

Lois DeRaps, treasurer of Benton Grange #458 had the distinct privilege of participating in the laying of wreaths in Augusta a few years ago. She said she was especially impressed with the way young people were involved in helping and as a result became deeply committed to supporting the program.

Lois is also a member of VFW Post 8835 in Winslow and vice president of her VFW District. She says she is committed to mustering as many resources as possible in support of the program because she “really believes in it.” She reports that last year two tractor trailer loads of wreaths were delivered to Arlington National and the goal this year is to make it three.

Lois is offering a “short talk to any Grange interested in the program” to share her experiences as well as additional information about the program and how individuals and organizations can get involved. You can email Lois or contact her at PO Box 261 in Fairfield ME 04937.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. This year’s parade begins on December 9th in Harrington ME and finishes on December 15th at Arlington.

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Welcome to Lee Maine

 Community Service, CWA Committee  No Responses »
Jul 202012
 

Most will recall that our “penny jar” collection this year will benefit the House in the Woods–”a therapeutic, recreational, and educational retreat for the nation’s armed forces and their families” located in Lee, Maine. What many may not know is a film exists that tells the story of Lee Maine and how it dealt “with the devastating news that it has become the smallest community (pop 845) in America to lose two sons in the Iraqi War.” The film is titled Welcome to Lee Maine –a film about two soldiers and the town that loved them.

While I was on vacation and missed the recent screening in Dover Foxcroft, this sounds like a film worth seeing… A DVD is also available for purchase at the Welcome to Lee Maine website. I’ll bet you’ll want to throw more than a few pennies in the jar after watching it.

There is also a list of screenings around the state, but it appears to be near the end and will hopefully be updated soon. I haven’t checked, but it might be possible to host a showing at a Grange Hall or Legion Post. If interested, contact either the producer (from the film’s website) or the folks at House in the Woods.

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Quick Tip!

 Community Service  No Responses »
Jul 192012
 

Quick Tip

Just read an article describing a community in Massachusetts sponsoring a free monthly “Veteran’s Breakfast” and thought it was worth sharing as a tip or idea for Granges… what a great way to show appreciation and to bring the community together! There are a number of possible variations and it wouldn’t have to be monthly, certainly… collaborations with local legion posts might be possible. An even simpler version would be to invite Veterans to “eat free” at your public suppers or events… from a fund-raising perspective, supporting troops and veterans is something that would be popular with local businesses and the public in general.

If you decide to do something like this, take photos and send a report!

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July 2012 Junior News

 Junior Department  No Responses »
Jul 182012
 
Laurie McBurney, Director
laurie_mattidewaterdotnet  (laurie_mattidewaterdotnet)  
563-5347

Junior Grangers enjoyed a carriage ride

A successful Junior Camp was held the first weekend of July. There were seven Junior Grangers and three adults. The campers kept very busy working on craft projects for the upcoming contests, learning Junior Grange ritual, playing games, visiting a Morgan horse farm and eating! The overwhelming consensus was that camp was fun and should last longer another year.

The weekend ended with an impressive Junior Grange meeting (especially impressive since the children had been practicing less than 24 hours). Ritual instructor Roberta Meserve did a super job. State Master Pat Brewer was able to join us for the meeting which was much appreciated.

The next Junior Grange activity is the judging of the numerous Junior contests at the Family Campout Weekend. There should be a good number of entries as popsicle stick crafts and origami were among the craft projects at Junior Camp.

Properly presenting the flag

A good time for all!

 

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July 2012 Membership Column

 Membership  1 Response »
Jul 172012
 

What is going on in your Grange? Hopefully there are fundraisers, suppers, and other community activities going on. Are you involving non-grangers to help take part in your activity? If the answer is yes, you are doing great! As I check the website for activities, it seems more and more Granges are advertising their activities.

I do have a list of all the agricultural fairs and whether there are Grange membership booths set up or not and also if the fair would accommodate one. If you are interested in manning or setting up a membership booth at a local fair that does not have one, please let the Membership Committee know. This would be a great project for members “ looking for something to do” to promote our beloved Grange. Thank you Agnes and Bob Nelson, Agriculture Directors, for the list. Clinton Fair, New Portland Fair, and Piscataquis Fair currently do not have a table set up. Clinton and New Portland would be willing to do so. Also Cumberland Fair would also like a table but would not necessarily be manned. Fryeburg Fair needs more fillers for the display. The CWA Committee and the Agriculture Committee are working on displays. Maybe some other committees would like to help with the rest of the booth? Other fairs that do not have a State Grange booth set up are Waterford, Pittston, Northern Maine, Topsham, Acton, Springfield, Litchfield and Harmony. Materials such as applications, pens and a display board would be available for the table. If you are looking for new members, why not give it a shot?

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