Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
One of the software providers for our website recently blogged some ideas for community events that will draw people in.
What are you going to do this summer? Don’t forget to submit your events to the MSG website calendar!
In a recent post, Seth Godin reminded us that some restaurants keep a photo of the local food critic in the kitchen. That way, if someone notices that person in the restaurant, everybody bends over backward to make things right.
But why not try to get things right even if the critic isn’t there?
What if we conducted every meeting as if there were a dozen potential new members sitting in the back? Or do we ask the gatekeeper to warn everyone, “We have guests!”
For that matter, there’s a place in the opening for honoring “special guests.” Traditionally, that means someone from “higher up” in the Grange. Maybe the steward should at least announce ALL guests, regardless of their status.
Quick tips from Granges and Grangers are always welcome… on any topic that might improve or make things easier for other Granges. Use the submission form or email yours to the webmaster for consideration!
What’s the difference between a Subordinate Grange and a Community Grange? Hopefully, there is none! Every Grange should be a Community Grange!
Of course, that assumes the Grange is involved in and relevant to the community.
For a discussion of the term “Subordinate Grange,” see the March Exploring Traditions Column.
Quick tips from Granges and Grangers are always welcome… on any topic that might improve or make things easier for other Granges. Use the submission form or email yours to the webmaster for consideration!
Here we go again, with another warning! Yesterday, I received an email that looked like it was from a Granger I know. “She” asked if I shopped at Amazon. It didn’t sound like her, but I replied that I do.
This morning I received a reply:
Glad! I’ve been trying to purchase a $150 Amazon E-Gift card by email, but it says they are having issues charging my card. I contacted my bank and they told me it would take a couple of days to get it sorted. I intend to buy it for my Friend of mine who is diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma cancer, It’s her birthday today. Can you purchase it from your end for me, I am just trying to put a smile on her face in this trying times. I’ll send you a check regarding the refund later. Here is her email (XXXXXX@comcast.net )and have it ordered From Me. Please and the message space, write Happy birthday Dear Kathie, Stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Eph. 6:10, Let me know once you order it and send me the confirmation once it’s done.
Both emails I received come from an email address that I identify as the Granger’s. The style of writing and the number of errors, particularly in the second email, aroused my suspicion. While I don’t know this Granger extremely well, from previous email correspondence, this is not at all like her. The other red flag is the urgency. If this were legitimate, I’d expect a phone call–not an email.
I will call the Granger at a more reasonable hour. In the interim, if you receive a similar email, you might consider doing the same. It’s likely that someone has hacked her email account. She did hold a state office in the past, and it’s likely that the person sending these emails has access to her contact list.
This is not my favorite part of being Communications Director. Unfortunately, the digital world is complex and filled with hazards. Don’t be discouraged. Just be careful.
Yes, there was an error in the original posts! Thanks to John Lowry for spotting it and bringing it to my attention. It has been fixed and is included here for your convenience.
The moral of the story is, “Don’t use a new software feature until you’ve thoroughly tested it.”
A secondary lesson might be, “Don’t be surprised at the methods software developers will use to introduce their software to new users!”
Sorry for any inconvenience or confusion!
by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director
Similar to an Easter Egg hunt, how about sponsoring a Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt? All you need is a field or lot and a pile of candy canes. Invite participants to bring a flashlight and a bag or bucket to help collect the candy canes nestled throughout the field. Provide hot cocoa and cookies.
You’ll need to jump on this quickly and get the word out–don’t complicate it too much!
A couple of guides could find elf costumes… I admit I didn’t come up with this on my own. I saw a news item announcing one in New Hampshire!
By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director
Microsoft issued a general alert this morning that they are seeing a significant increase in “undeliverable” emails. Well, so am I! Several emails I sent early this morning “bounced.” There doesn’t seem to be any pattern to it, and from the Microsoft Announcement, it appears they are working on it without admitting any fault.
If you have recently emailed or submitted to the site and haven’t had a response, it’s not for lack of trying. Frankly, it’s a bit of a relief knowing that there’s nothing wrong at our end. I will keep trying.
We have someone looking for a wedding shower venue (just the hall, no services within 30 minutes of Brunswick on October 14, 2o23. If your Grange is interested, let me know and I’ll put you in touch.
This is also a reminder to please check your voicemail and email regularly if you are a roster contact–and reply!
The attempts to scam innocent people are running rampant. Fortunately, the scammers aren’t always the brightest bulbs on the string!
National Grange recently posted a warning in Patrons Chain regarding emails appearing to be from National Officers and Staff. Facebook is overrun with stolen profiles and hacked accounts.
By nature, we often go on “autopilot” when processing information, and it becomes very easy to click “reply” to emails or accept friend requests on Facebook. Slow down. Stay smart, stay safe.
submitted by Walter Boomsma
As most know, Valley Grange is very much involved with our schools in regard to literacy and reading. Studies have validated what is called the “summer slide.” Children who don’t read or who read rarely over the summer encounter stagnation or decline in their reading skills. At least one estimate suggests this can be overcome by children reading just five grade-level appropriate books over summer vacation.
Can your Grange encourage this? Absolutely! You might consider partnering with your local library–many have summer reading programs and events. Or how about a community potluck supper with a side order of reading? This could have all sorts of variations: kids who bring a book they are reading eat free… or maybe there’s a “book exchange” where you invite kids to bring books they’ve read to exchange with others. At Valley Grange, we keep a milk crate of children’s books in the dining hall… whenever a child visits us for a supper or a program they are invited to take a book home as long as they promise to read it.
Don’t just think about reading to children–a key component of Valley Grange’s bookworm program is that we have the kids reading to us! Several months ago a second grader started a book with me that we didn’t have time to finish. When her turn came up again recently, she brought the same book and remembered exactly where we’d left off. This is a kid for whom reading is important. It’s nice to feel our program is contributing.
Just get something started–it doesn’t have to be massive and complicated.
“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child.”
― Dr. Seuss
Quick tips from Granges and Grangers are always welcome… on any topic that might improve or make things easier for other Granges. Use the submission form or email yours to the webmaster for consideration!