Category: Quick Tips

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com. For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.

October Bulletin

Yes, we have produced an October Bulletin — it is a reduced edition and will be snail-mailed late due to the State Session, but it’s important to maintain the practice, especially for those who do not attend the State Session. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Bogus Email

Remember to keep your radar on! Here’s an example of a different type of bogus email you might receive claiming some of your email wasn’t delivered. Just delete it!

Breaking News Icon/Logo

Congratulations to Manchester Grange for being the first to be assigned our new “Breaking News” Icon! When a Grange submits news about their programs or events, we’ll be using it to identify the post as a “developing story.” Is that too subtle a hint that you should be sharing your news for posting?

Submitting Events Is Easier

Remember, we now have a specific form for submitting events on the site, and we’re using it! Keep submitting! Ideally, submit event announcements at least thirty days in advance. Then send us a “breaking news” update two weeks before the event. Remember, people are visiting the site from all over Maine and beyond!

Craft Fairs/Sales

Sendus your plans! We’ve created a special page on the site listing the ones we know about! Make sure we know about yours!

Christmas Craft Shows

To Ponder…

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

John Quincy Adams

An Idea for Your Grange

Check out this month’s Communications Column for several ideas, including the idea of sending an annual report of your activities and accomplishments to your Town Office for inclusion in your Town’s Annual Report.

Made Your Plans? Hope to see you there!

Visit the 152nd State Convention Webpage!

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

• The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
• The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com. For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.

October Bulletin

Yes, we will produce an October Bulletin — it will be a reduced edition and will be snail-mailed late due to the State Session, but it’s important to maintain the practice, especially for those who do not attend the State Session. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

New Communications Handbook!

Communicate the Grange story with confidence. The Maine State Grange Communications Handbook offers practical guidance for connecting with local media, writing news and event announcements, sharing photos, and keeping members informed. From press releases and branding to websites and social media, it’s a useful resource for Grangers who want to share their work clearly and effectively.

Submitting Events Is Easier

Remember, we now have a specific form for submitting events on the site, and it’s being used! Keep submitting!

State Convention Banquet

There’s still time to make your reservation — the deadline is October 10, 2026.

To Ponder…

“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”.

Mahatma Gandhi

An Idea for Your Grange

Choose a future event and start organizing promotion, including a telephone tree or mailing personal notes or postcards. (A telephone tree is an informal communication network. For example, one person calls three people who each in turn call three people, who…)

Made Your Plans?

Visit the 152nd State Convention Webpage!

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

• The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
• The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

Lecturers’ Conference

The date of this year’s Lecturers’ Conference was originally submitted for the wrong month. The Maine State Grange Lecturers’ Conference will be held on  Saturday, September 26, 2026, from  9:00 am until noon. The conference will include a workshop and distribution of the 2026-27 Program Booklet. It takes place at Maine State Grange Headquarters,  36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330. Corrections have been made!

Deadlines

• September 10, 2026, Deadline for claiming Memorial Bricks available from former headquarters. That’s today!
• September 14, 2026, Bulletin Columns are due by the end of the day. That’s four days away!
• September 15, 2026, Educational Aid Scholarships Deadline
• September 15, 2026, Annual Officer and Department Reports are due.
• October 1, 2026, Program Books are due. Please send a copy of Program Books to the webmaster.
• October 1, 2026, Delegate Registration Forms are due.
• October 10, 2026, Deadline for banquet reservations at State Grange Session.

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com. For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com. For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.

September Bulletin

The deadline for the September Bulletin is September 14, 2026. Janice and I are traveling in September and I’ll have limited availability–early submissions would be great! Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Submitting Events Is Easier

We now have a specific form for submitting events on the site, and it’s being used! You’ll be hearing more about it…

Deadlines

It’s the season of contest deadlines! Many are listed on the Grange Events Calendar. We’re also starting the countdown to State Session. Have you elected delegates and made your plans to attend?

Fair Season Is Upon Us!

Maine has some of the best agricultural fairs in New England. If you want to know more about Maine’s great agricultural fairs, go to the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs website for the latest news and information.

What’s Going On?

Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Try the new form. We’ve added more months to the online event calendar. You’re planning ahead, right?

To Ponder…

“If people stop going to the circus, the clowns go home.

Seth Godin

An Idea for Your Grange

I recently saw a video of “move-in day” at a college. The students who were already there were lined up holding welcome signs, jumping up and down, reaching out… could the gatekeeper (or greeter, if you prefer) organize something like that at your next event?

Made Your Plans?

Visit the 152nd State Convention Webpage!

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

• The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
• The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com. For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.

August Bulletin

The August Bulletin is complete and available for download. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Submitting Events Is Easier

We now have a specific form for submitting events on the site. It’s optional, but we strongly encourage it. It helps create event listings that include all the details. The event calendar is becoming an increasingly popular site feature! 

Deadlines

It’s the season of contest deadlines! Many are listed on the Grange Events Calendar.

Words for Thirds – Book Exchange Boxes

Are you getting ready for this year’s dictionary distribution? Are your BEBs and Little Free Libraries stocked for fall? It may be the end of summer, but it’s the beginning of the school year and learning.

What’s Going On?

Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Use the new form. We’ve added more months to the online event calendar. You’re planning ahead, right?

To Ponder…

“You can always debate about what you should have done. The question is what are you going to do?”

Hubert Humphrey

An Idea for Your Grange

How about a Cookbook Club or a Recipe Romance–good excuses to get together and share! Each meeting could have a theme…

Made Your Plans?

Visit the 152nd State Convention Webpage!

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

• The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
• The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com. For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.

August Bulletin

Don’t forget! August 14 is the deadline for the Bulletin! Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Monroe Grange Store–National Grange Statement

The National Grange decided not to renew its licensing Agreement with Monroe Classic, Inc. upon its expiration on August 26, 2026. Monroe Classic, Inc. has since requested that we “cancel our license agreement now and not after expiration” as we proposed. This request has been accepted. Therefore, effective immediately, Monroe Classic, Inc. cannot represent that it is a licensed or authorized vendor of Grange merchandise. As before, any Grange may work with any vendor of their choosing (including Monroe Classic, Inc.) to create merchandise with Grange trademarks, names, logos, or other protected marks. If your vendor requires a letter of authorization to use our trademark, please contact the Communications Department.

Deadlines

Roster information is due NOW- actually, it’s overdue. Resolutions are due August 15, 2026.

Words for Thirds – Book Exchange Boxes

Are you getting ready for this year’s distribution? Are your BEBs and Little Free Libraries stocked for fall? It may be the end of summer, but it’s the beginning of the school year and learning.

What’s Going On?

Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! We’ll soon be adding more months to the online event calendar. You’re planning ahead, right?

To Ponder…

“The tans will fade but the memories will last forever.”

Anonymous

An Idea for Your Grange

If you follow the Grange Fiscal Year and practice, this is a good time to dedicate a meeting to reviewing your accomplishments and planning your future.

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

• The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
• The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com. For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.

July Bulletin

The July Bulletin is complete and will be mailed soon. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Manchester Grange Website

Manchester Grange recently completed its Facebook Page with a well-designed website. Check out both and see what they are up to!

Deadlines

Roster information is due NOW. Resolutions are due August 1, 2026.

What’s Going On?

Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Surely, there are lots of things happening in Maine, especially in the summer. We also love photos and reports of events that have happened.

To Ponder…

“The sense of danger must not disappear:
The way is certainly both short and steep,
However gradual it looks from here;
Look if you like, but you will have to leap.”

W. H. Auden

An Idea for Your Grange

How about setting up a lemonade stand?

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!

Online Directories Available 24-7 ROSTER REMINDER

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

• The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
• The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com. For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.

June Bulletin

The June Bulletin is available for download and distribution. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Valley Grange Resolution

Valley Grange is planning to submit a Resolution Supporting Consistency Between Citizen Initiative Petitions and Ballot Questions. If other Granges would like to consider supporting it, a copy is available on the Valley Grange Website. Remember, resolutions are due August 1, 2026.

Fair Season

It’s fair season! For more information about Maine’s Agricultural Fairs, visit the association’s website.

Monroe Grange Store

FYI: The Monroe Grange Store recently announced that it has been advised by National Grange that, effective August 26, 2026, the Uses License will not be renewed. This means Monroe Classic will no longer be able to operate a Grange Store or sell products containing the Grange name or logo.

What’s Going On?

Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Surely, there are lots of things happening in Maine, especially in the summer. We also love photos and reports of events that have happened. What’s your meeting magic?

To Ponder…

You can’t go into a bank with a mask on and expect to be treated as a valued customer.

Seth Godin

An Idea for Your Grange

We recently published contact information for a Speaker’s Bureau on the topic of elder abuse. Speakers’ bureaus and other civic organizations in your area are often sources of good programs. Many have a broad appeal and can help develop the public’s interest in your Grange.

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!

Online Directories Available 24-7 ROSTER REMINDER

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

• The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
• The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com.

June Bulletin

Articles for the June Bulletin are due by the end of the day, June 14th.. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Website Status

No more outages! The site seems to be running faster! We still are occasionally run into missing items and links not working. If it happens to you, please let the webmaster know!

Great Grange News

Ocean View Grange reports they have been highlighted for their Fuel Assistance Program in this issue of the St George Community Development Corporation newsletter. They are happy that their efforts are noted and proud that the Ocean View Grange members are part of helping our community.

Election Stress Getting to You?

Set strict media boundaries: Stop doomscrolling by scheduling 15 to 30 minutes a day to check the news, and use news-free zones (like your bedroom) to disconnect. The June Primaries are only the beginning.

Fryeburg Fair Opportunity

The Fryeburg Fair is seeking a nonprofit to take over the New Church Booth. The New Church group had operated the booth for seventy-three years! The Fair provides an opportunity for over 20 non-profits to earn funds through the operation of various booths. Who is up to this challenge?

What’s Going On?

Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Surely, there are lots of things happening in Maine, especially in the summer. We also love photos and reports of events that have happened. What’s your meeting magic?

To Ponder…

Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.

Howard Zinn

An Idea for Your Grange

How about sponsoring a Patriotic Flower Contest in your community? This could be done in conjunction with an Independence Day parade or as part of your 250 Celebration. One option would be to follow the model of a Christmas lighting contest. Another would be to create a garden tour with a patriotic theme.

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

• The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
• The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.