Resolutions Wanted!

 Legislative  No Responses »
Aug 132012
 

The annual State Grange conference is coming up fast. October is but a couple months away so it’s time to think about resolutions. With perhaps one or two Pomona meetings left until the conference and the same for subordinate Granges we’d all better get busy.

Certainly there are some concerns out there that require attention. Get them together and submit them to the State. Dealing with resolutions is all part of the annual agenda. Let’s show our communities that Grange can get things done when it comes to community service.

Hoping to see a plethora of resolutions, I’m at your service.

In Faith, Hope and Charity,

Jim Annis, Legislative Director

Maine State Grange

 

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2012 Lecturers’ Reports

 Lecturer  No Responses »
Aug 122012
 

As a reminder, 2012 Lecturers’ Reports are due September 1. The new “short form” for completing was included in the last news letter and has been uploaded to this site: 2012 Lecturer’s Report Short Form. Note that reports are expected from both Subordinate and Pomona Lecturers. Pomona Lecturers are also asked to send a list of their Pomona’s meeting dates and locations.

Completed reports should be mailed to: Sherry Harriman, MSG Lecturer, 280 Kennebunk Road, Sanford ME 04073-5515. Please also note that Sherry is currently having computer issues and only has limited access to email.

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QRC for Maine State Grange Website

 Web Site Information  No Responses »
Aug 102012
 

QR Code for Maine State Grange website

by Walter Boomsma, MSG Webmaster

Have you noticed an increasing number of weird little boxes (like the one at the right) on all sorts of printed things? You’ll find them on brochures and flyers, signs, product labels… even websites. They are very useful for folks who have smart-phones. QRC stands for “quick response code” and a quick response code works very similar to a bar code, allowing a smart phone user to use the camera function to scan the QRC and immediately be directed to a website without typing in the entire URL (website address).

There are also QRCs for email addresses, phone numbers, and even Facebook Profiles. The fundamental idea is to make it easier for people to find additional information. As a quick example, I was recently comparing several scanners at an office supply store. Each model had a QRC displayed, which meant I could readily use my phone to check specifications.

Before your non-geeky eyes glaze over, all I’m suggesting here is that those who are developing any kind of print material for fair displays, brochures, flyers, etc. please consider placing the Maine State Grange website QRC on it! You treat it just like a photograph–right click the image in this post and then “save as.” Once you have the photo file (QRC), you can readily insert it into any material you produce. You can resize it if necessary to make it fit.

If you don’t think this is “cool,” find a smart phone user and ask him or her about it. This is actually fairly “low tech” and best of all it’s free! There are a number of QRC generators available. The one I personally use is

 Barcode Maker - Online Barcode Generator

but you don’t have to use the generator unless you want a code for something other than the Maine State Grange site. Simply right click and save the image above, then insert it into your brochure, flyer, sign, etc. Those who scan it with their phones will end up right here!

Post your questions as a comment; I’ll do my best to answer!

 

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Quick Tip–Don’t You Believe It!

 Quick Tips, Web Site Information  No Responses »
Aug 092012
 

A scary email announcing a major rate increase in Medicare Premiums has been making its way around and now seems to be travelling around Grange Circles. It usually appears to be a “message from Blue Cross Blue shield” and includes reference to a Professor at Indiana University. This is just a false rumor—if you receive this email, delete it without forwarding.

When you receive email like this it really makes sense to check accuracy before forwarding. A good site for doing so is http://snopes.com. You can enter a few words from the email in the search box and usually learn the facts within a few seconds.

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National Grange releases ‘Friend of the Farmer 1867-1947′ as e-book

 Agriculture, Grange News, History and Trivia  No Responses »
Aug 092012
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Aug. 8 the National Grange released Charles M. Gardner’s out-of-print historical account of the organization’s first 80 years, “Friend of the Farmer 1867-1947″ as a Kindle download available through Amazon’s Kindle Store.

The digital version of the 1949 volume has 531 pages, including index, illustrations and an appendix.

“We are very excited to release to the public this fantastic history of the first 80 years of our Order,” National Grange President Ed Luttrell said. “Gardner’s volume is one of the most comprehensive and interesting books on the Grange, the climate and culture in which it was started and worked, and the biographies of its most significant members.”

Luttrell said the National Grange is working to make the e-book available in other markets and formats in the coming weeks. They also expect to produce several other volumes in digital format, including the 1966 “First Century of Service” and the 1984 book “People, Pride and Progress.”

“These books tell a very interesting history of the American people, spirit and culture,” Luttrell said.

The Friend of the Farmer e-book is available for $4.99.

Established in 1867, The National Grange, a nonpartisan, nonprofit fraternal organization, is the oldest agricultural and rural community service organization. With more than 2,100 local chapters, the Grange has evolved into the nation’s leading rural advocacy organization and a major benefactor to local communities. There are more than 160,000 members across the United States. For more information on the National Grange, visit our website at www.nationalgrange.org.

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Topsham Fair Information Booth

 Grange News, History and Trivia  No Responses »
Aug 072012
 

Left side of Grange Information Booth at Topsham Fair

Submitted by Mailyn Stinson

When Enterprise #48 was unable to come up with people with enough time to set up their display, the Exhibit Hall Director was concerned about filling the booth space. They allowed us to put in a promotion booth instead. A few years ago, Brad cut staves down to about 30″ and made a stand for them and we had a few sentences about their meaning and short explanations about the Graces. I took some pictures off my wall and a painting that my son did when he was 10 and in Jr. Grange, and printed some info about Lecturers’ Department. I printed out some info about Grange history, grabbed some posters we have in our hall and went down to set up. There is a note on the Ceres’ basket that says, “Yes, corn is a grain.” Took apples and potatoes that would withstand the heat for Pomona and picked up flowers at Hannafords and arranged them for Flora. Had a little info about ‘House in the Woods’ and some CWA contest and charity items and left the info at home so I handwrote a little bit about that. The booth didn’t take long to set up and it isn’t the greatest thing in the world, but it looks good and has information about Grange. They said they would put the holder for the brochures on the chicken wire that they protect the booths with.

Right side of booth

Webmaster’s Note: Marilyn says she could really use some assistance with taking down the booth… if you are available Sunday morning (August 12th), please let her know. Booth material can be collected and brought to the Sagadahoc Pomona meeting. Send Marilyn an email  (beedlehillatroadrunnerdotcom)  .

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Harvest Feast = Ice Cream in Piscataquis Pomona

 Grange News  No Responses »
Aug 062012
 

Barbara Bekier (l), Wayside Grange and Cathy Moores, South Sangerville Grange

How hot was it on the second floor of the Dexter Grange Hall on August 2nd??!! Hot enough that Piscataquis Pomona Master Bill Bemis provided ice cream bars and Popsicles for the traditional “harvest feast” following conferral of the fifth degree. The overwhelming consensus was the practice was not only thoughtful, but perhaps should be considered as standard whenever degrees are conferred during the summer!

Candidate Barb Bekier from Wayside Grange (East Somerset Pomona) noted that she’d been trying to achieve her fifth degree instruction for nearly two years but still felt unprepared. “They kept asking me if I’d brought things… and kept me guessing and paying attention throughout the evening.”

In addition to contending with the heat, Pomona members were challenged by the absence of several officers due to the illness of Jean Rollins. But the salutation reminds us that Patrons “will persevere” and persevere we did! Pomona Master Bill thanks everyone for cooperating and helping out… we even had several chairs filled by relatively new Pomona members who rose to the occasion and need.

Candidate Cathy Moores from South Sangerville Grange said she especially enjoyed the symbolism of the evening and the instruction itself. “…the ideas of agriculture and tying them to life… taking a small seed and nurturing it to maturity much the same way we grow intellectually and as people.” This was the second time this year Piscataquis conferred the degree.

Pomona Overseer Walter Boomsma pointed out that fifth degree instruction fits nicely with the beginning of fair season. The Overseer’s instruction to candidates includes, “There is one great duty which I would impress upon your minds at this time. It is to preserve, and bring together for exhibition, at proper seasons, the choicest products of orchard, farm, garden, dairy, and household skill, that we may incite one another to good works…” (Piscataquis Pomona Granges will be participating in the Piscataquis Valley Fair later this month.)

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Youth News – August 2012

 Youth Committee  No Responses »
Aug 032012
 

As many of you already know I attended the Northeastern Regional Youth Conference(NEYC) July 13th! It was a lot  of fun and I met many great people. I judged the Drill Competition and Mass won, we had several states competing (excluding Maine) it was very close. NH came in last,but it was by very little.Conn placed 2nd followed by RI. NY placed next to last,however they had difficulty, but the  overall presentation was not perfect. Although clothing does not matter,shirts should be clean and wrinkle free!

The Big E is quite a fairground and Maine owns the land our building is on…..The Governor can sign a bill in Springfield.

We went to the Springfield Museum and had Fun….Fun……Fun!

I will share more at the Maine Youth Camp next weekend at Maine State Grange! Please contact me ASAP if you plan on attending! Any Youth 14 to 18 or not your own Guardian must fill out paperwork! We need a Medical form,agreement and Registration form filled out! If you are 18 and older you can fill out paperwork the day of camp. Here is the  Agenda:

Friday,Aug 10th

4:30-6:30PM Sign in

6:30-7:30PM Rules/Questions/Pizza/Activity

7:30-11PM Movie/Treat

11pm Vespers (please have a program ready)

Midnight Lights Out!

Saturday,Aug 11th

7-8:30AM Breakfast

9-11:30am Practice Competition

12AM-1PM Lunch

1-3PM Museum

3:30-4:30PM Free time/Practice Competition

4:30-5:30PM Clean up Grange Building

6-8PM BBQ

8:30PM Entertainment

11:00PM Vespers

Midnight Lights Out!

Sunday,August 12

8:00-9:00AM Breakfast/Pack Up

9:30-10:00AM Service

10:30 AM Drill Practice for Maine State Grange/Contest

1:00PM Check Out/Lunch on own

Hope to hear from all of you very soon!!!!

Great news about JR Grange! Brooks has agreed to help me start a new JR Grange the 2nd and 4th Monday after school every mth. My Niece and Nephew are looking forward to it. My Granddaughter is only 2mths but will attend when able!

Hope to see everyone at the bounce house BBQ being put on by the Brooks Grange!

Fraternally,

Terry LaCombe-Stevens,CO Youth Director MSG

207-356-2492 Cell / Home 327-1692      terryllacombeatgmaildotcom  (terryllacombeatgmaildotcom)         148 Old Town Rd,Hudson,ME  04449

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