Category: Fraternal Concerns

News items of interest

Fraternal Concerns

Submitted by Sharon Morton, MSG Secretary

It becomes my sad duty to inform you of the death of Laura Macomber, mother of Debra Ivers, State Flora, and mother-in-law of Peter Ivers, State Gatekeeper.  Condolences may be sent to Deb and Pete at 961 Duck Pond Rd., Westbrook, Maine 04092.  

Cards of Get Well/Thinking of You can be sent to Lorraine Goodness, mother of Missy (Melissa) Baldwin, State Lecturer, who suffered a stroke and is doing well.  Cards can be sent to Sister Lorraine at 8 Guillemette Street, Sanford, ME 04073.

Fraternal Concern — Rolf Staples, Sr.

Submitted by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

It is my sad duty to inform you that Rolf Staples Sr. passed away on June 10, 2024, following a long illness. Rolf was a member of Bangor Grange and Old Town Grange, where he held numerous offices, including Master/President.

Rolf served as Deputy of the North Penobscot Pomona from 2006 to 2009 and on the Maine State Grange Membership Committee. He led numerous Degree Days and an Officer Installation Team. He and his wife Anne supported Granges in the area, including the Piscataquis Pomona. Rolf’s knowledge and understanding of “the Grange Way” was deep, and he truly loved the Grange. When Rolf said, “for the good of the Order,” you could trust it.

Cards of condolence and encouragement should be mailed to Anne Staples, 487 Grandview Avenue, Apt 202, Bangor, ME 04401

A service is scheduled on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 1:00 pm, at the Essex Street Baptist Church in Bangor. A complete obituary is available here.

May the example of our Brother inspire us to persevere and
when we are called to lay down our implements here on earth, may we be reunited with all our Brothers and Sisters who have labored in His glorious cause. May we enter the Paradise not made with hands, eternal in the heavens and receive that welcome plaudit: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We remember our Brother not as one dead – but as one gone on before us through the gates, where dwells the Great Master of us all.

Adapted from the Subordinate Grange Manual, 2023

Fraternal Concern – Wesley Ryder

It becomes my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Wes Ryder on October 7, 2023. Wes was a past Master of both Stevens Mills and Danville Junction Granges and served as a Maine State Grange Deputy. Wes was also known for his poetry and description of the Grange as a place for Friends, Family, Food, and Fun.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation in his honor to the Danville Junction Grange #65 Scholarship Fund can do so by sending it to 48 Pond Road, Raymond, ME 04071.

A private burial service will be held at Mt Auburn Cemetery. Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives, and a full obituary is available here. You can also sign the guest book with your message and memories.

When I spoke to Glenys, she shared, “Grange has always been a huge part of Wes’s life.  He was born into a Grange family, and when he joined at fourteen, he became very active at both the Subordinate and Pomona levels.  Later, he enjoyed being a deputy of the Maine State Grange.  He loved going to Lecturer’s Conferences and state conventions.  His proudest moment, however, was when he received his 70-year Membership Certificate!”

Cards for Glenys can be sent to Glenys Ryder, 1267 Old Danville Road,
Auburn, ME 04210.

Got a Stamp?

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

One of the “rituals” we follow during our Valley Grange Meetings is probably not unfamiliar to many Grangers. When the WM asks, “Is any member in sickness or distress?” the Chaplain reaches for a box of greeting cards. If there’s a report, a card is passed around for all to sign. Sometimes, it happens when the WM calls for “Suggestions for the good of the Order,” and someone reports a success or happy event, suggesting we acknowledge it with a card.

It’s a pretty cool ritual that represents our fraternal nature. It can also become a community service and an important aspect of “communicating” with members and Grange friends.

I was recently contacted by a hospice nurse who is caring for a 94-year-old man in assisted living. He’s a long way from home, unfortunately, and his nurse reports that he “talks about the Grange and his 70+ year membership on a daily basis.” She wonders if “if this friend could possibly get visitations or
information from the Grange mailed to him on a regular basis.”

I should certainly hope so. I’m going to put a copy of my book, Exploring Traditions, in the mail to him today. Since I know the Valley Grange Chaplain quite well, I suspect she’ll get a card in the mail before we meet. There’s a post on the Valley Grange Website encouraging others to reach out.

Does your Grange have members that you haven’t seen in a while? How do you communicate with them?

“As we in form thus enclose you within a sacred circle, so does this Grange in the name of our noble and beneficent Order pledge to you a pure friendship, enduring through life to shield you from harm… let us ever hold fast and firm our obligations of Fidelity.”

Quoted from the Altar Circle Ritual conducted when admitting new members

Fraternal Concern — Robert Smith

Submitted by MSG Master/President Sherry Harriman

Once again, our Grange family has had a loss of our Brother Robert Smith, Deputy of the Maine State Grange. He entered into that great Grange above on May 11th and received his welcome plaudit “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  He will be missed by all.  

Funeral Services will be held at Harland Harnden Masonic Hall 70 Bryant Road, Wilton, Maine June 3, 2023, at 1 p.m. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Services, 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, ME 04938

View the complete obituary here.

Fraternal Concern – Norma Jean Haines

Submitted by MSG Secretary Sharon Morton

Norma Jean Haines, Past Jr. Deputy of the Maine State Grange, passed away on April 19, 2023.  Celebration of Norma’s life at the First Congregational Church of East Baldwin from 2:00-3:00, Sunday, May 7, 2023.  In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brown Memorial Library, P.O. Box  24, East Baldwin, ME  04024. Condolences may be sent to Glenn Haines and his Family at PO Box 49, East Baldwin, Maine  04024.

Condolences may be sent to:
Glenn Haines and his Family
PO Box 49,
East Baldwin ME  04024.

View the complete obituary here.

Fraternal Concern – Gerald Libby

Submitted by Master Sherry Harriman

Once again, our fraternal circle has been broken. Brother Gerald (Glen) Libby, past Deputy of the Maine State Grange, and past Educational Aid President, passed away on January 16, 2023. A Memorial Service will be held on January 28, 2023, at Farmington Grange #12, 124 Bridge Street, West Farmington, at 2:00 pm.

Condolences may be sent to:
Patricia Libby
381 Mosher Hill Rd
Farmington, ME 04938

View the complete obituary here.

Fraternal Concern – Philip A. Hebert

On December 12, 2022, Philip A. Herbert, Past Master of the Maine State Grange, passed away at home at the age of 90.  Phil was a Past National Delegate, Chief Deputy, Deputy, and Executive Committee member of the Maine State Grange. Phil became a member of the Old Town Grange in February of 1971 and continued his Grange journey. He served as Master, Treasurer, and other positions of his Subordinate Granges.  He also served as Master at the Pomona level and various positions there. Philip is survived by his daughter Jodie Ann (Herbert) Dowling of Alton, his son Paul Arthur Herbert of Las Vegas, NV, and daughter Connie Marie (Herbert) Hawes of Hudson, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to Connie Hawes, 422 Hudson Hill Rd, Hudson, ME  04449.

Burial will be held in the spring. View the complete obituary here.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Old Town Animal Orphanage, PO Box 565, Orono, ME  04473.

Fraternal Concern, Elaine M. Walls

Submitted by MSG Master Sherry Harriman

White Rose

Our fraternal circle has once again been broken. Sister Elaine Walls, former Lady Assistant Steward and former Ceres of the Maine State Grange passed away Friday, October 7, 2022. Her wake will be from 4 pm – 7 pm this Friday, October 14, 2022, with the funeral to be held at 10 am Saturday, October 15, 2022.  I understand arrangements have been made for MSG Chaplain Collins to conduct a Grange Service at 6:30 pm Friday at the Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral home, 199 Woodfords Street, Portland, ME 04102.  

View a partial obituary here. Arrangments by Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home.

Fraternal Concern – Roger Shorty

by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

It becomes my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Roger Shorty on September 16, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held September 26, 2022 at Victor Grange at 11:30 am. I understand Roger served as a deputy, and had been involved in several state committees, and he and his wife Wanda were honored as the State Grange Young Couple many years ago.

Obituary of Roger Shorty

Many thanks to Barb Bailey of Victor Grange for her assistance and providing this information.