Category: Publicity Posts

Press releases and publicity helps

Communications Column — August 2022

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Give us a bite!

Well, what I mean is “give us a sound bite,” except that’s not exactly correct, either. “A sound bite is a short, catchy piece of video, audio, or speech chosen to give the essence of what you are saying and arouse interest…” While we’d love a video, we’ll take a written snippet (a small piece or short extract.) Let me explain.

We did something like this when the website was first launched, listing them as Member Benefits. Since the site was launched over ten years ago, it’s time to update and expand what people love about the Grange. We can’t do this without you.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare would likely be able to work effectively with the media today–he understood the value of “short and sweet.” It’s important to remember that you are trying to capture interest, not cover “everything you need to know.” In my work with the media, I’m always amazed when a reporter covers an event and shoots over an hour of video. After editing, the story is told in 2-3 minutes. As someone prone to rambling, I have to remind myself to stay focused when being interviewed. In journalism, we are reminded to “write tight.”

Why do you love the Grange? We need your answer in a short, catchy way. I know, there’s lots to love. Think of your contribution as a “teaser” or testimonial designed to make people curious about the Grange. Another prompt might be, “What’s the one greatest benefit you receive from your Grange membership?“

We’ll take your answer in writing. Don’t worry about grammar and spelling–I’ll edit and correct (with your permission) if necessary. I’m making it as easy as possible by creating a short form you can fill out. This also makes it easy for me because filling out the form ensures that I’ll have all the information I need.

Visit the “I love the Grange” post for the form. (For those reading this in the printed Bulletin, there will be a form at the end of the Bulletin you can complete and mail.) And, yes, you can submit more than one.

It’s not just Grange members using the website. Let’s tell website visitors what’s great about the Grange. While I will be updating the Member Benefits page, I also hope to be using your answers in several other ways. Stay tuned!

► FACT: 530 people visited the Maine State Grange Website in July.

Tell us why you love the Grange!

Homesteaders Wanted!

We’re looking for a couple of folks who are “homesteading” in Maine who might be willing to be interviewed for an article in Good Day! — the National Grange quarterly magazine. If you consider yourself a “homesteader” (a term that has many different definitions), please let me know, and I will put you in touch with the author.

We’re Grangers. We help each other. This will be a win/win for those willing to participate, but you’ll have to act fast. There are deadlines to be met!

Email the Communications Director

Grange Makes Front Page Headlines

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

Some may recall that Vicki Huff and I were invited to speak at the Waterboro Maine Historical Society–headquartered in a former Grange Hall. Coverage of the event made the front page of The Reporter— “Your Community Newspaper” in the Waterboro area. It is always fitting and appropriate to see the words “Grange” and “community” together.

When I talked with Cynthia Matthews, the reporter who wrote the story, it was also rewarding that she was familiar with Porter Gange and some of its activities. Too often, the local Grange is the best-kept secret in an area–not only from the media but also from the people who might be interested in joining or supporting it.

The media business has changed dramatically over the past decade or two. We no longer see local reporters showing up at events or chasing down stories. (In this case, Matthews didn’t attend, but asked a friend to take photos, and she subsequently did her interviews by telephone.) I know many people are intimidated by the idea of writing articles for the media, but it’s not that difficult to develop relationships with reporters and editors. We can help them with “tips” and simply let them know what’s going on at the Grange.

Don’t forget, there’s a Communications Handbook available for free on the MSG Website. It lists a number of daily and weekly newspapers throughout Maine and lots of tips and tactics for getting your news and events published. If you’re having an event, make sure you publicize it! Don’t have a party and forget to invite people!

Read the entire article in The Reporter

Merriconeag Grange Seeks Members

Merriconeag Grange is located in Harpswell, Maine

Check out this article written by freelancer Sam Lemonick for the Harpswell Anchor. The article not only explores some of the factors creating declining membership in fraternal and community organizations, it explores ideas and adaptations that can impact local Granges’ relevance and growth.

The Merriconeag Grange isn’t in immediate danger. Despite struggles to convene formal meetings, Sam Alexander says it is doing better than most Maine Granges, both financially and in terms of membership.

Check out the article to find out how they are doing it!

Coming up in July…

  • July 9, 2022, Seaside Grange Rummage and Bake Sale, 9 am-noon. Email Seasidegrange@gmail.com for more information.
  • July 9, 2022, St George Grange Public Supper, 5 pm at St George Grange Wiley’s Corner. Call 372-8904 or 372-6768 for more information.
  • July 11, 2022, Piscataquis Pomona Fun and Fundraiser at 5 pm. Contact Pomona Overseer Walter Boomsma for further information.
  • July 14, 2022, MSG Bulletin Deadline — columns and posts are due.

This information is from the Conferences and Dates Page. We do our best to list conferences, regional events, state meetings, Pomona meetings, and local Grange events with dates and links to information! Please remember, we can’t post what we don’t know. 

Coming up in June…

  • June 1, 2022 Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow — a discussion of the Grange’s contributions to our Maine Communities at the Waterboro Historical Society, starting at 7 pm. More information here.
  • June 2, 2022, Piscataquis Pomona meets at 7:00 p.m. at Wayside Grange in Dexter. Contact Pomona Master Bill Bemis for more information.
  • June 3, 2022, MSG Ag Scholarship winner(s) will be announced.
  • June 4, 2022, Maine State Grange Yard Sale at Manchester Grange, 8 am – 1 pm. Contact Fundraising Chairperson Norma Meserve for more information or see this post.
  • June 14, 2022, MSG Bulletin Deadline — columns and articles due.
  • June 17-19, 2022, Eastern Regional Conference in Delaware. Contact MSG Master Sherry Harriman for more information.
  • June 18, 2022, Touch A Truck at Jonesboro Grange, 57 School Road (Elementary School Parking Lot), 10 am – 2 pm. More information here.
  • June 24-26, 2022, Junior Grange Summer Campout at Maine State Grange Headquarters. Contact Junior Directors for more information.
  • June 24-26 Jonesboro Grange Crush Cancer 5K Run at the Municipal Landing in Jonesboro. More information here.
  • June 30, 2022, Deadline for most National Grange Contests.

This information is from the Conferences and Dates Page. We do our best to list conferences, regional events, state meetings, Pomona meetings, and local Grange events with dates and links to information! Please remember, we can’t post what we don’t know. 

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Patrons of Husbandry

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! From the town crier to social media, the Grange has and continues to play an important role in Maine Communities and beyond.

Join Victoria Huff, past president of the Maine State Grange, and Walter Boomsma, author of the book “Exploring Traditions — Celebrating the Grange Way of Life,” for a lively discussion of the Grange’s contributions.

The program is sponsored and hosted by Waterboro Historical Society on June 1, 2022 starting at 7 pm. It is especially fitting that the WHS meets at the former Waterboro Grange Hall. The hall is now owned by the Society. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. Located at 31 West Road in South Waterboro, it is used for business program meetings of the society and rented out for weddings, parties, and other programs.

All are welcome! It would be great to see some Grangers there!

Visit the Waterboro Historical Society Facebook Page

More Grange Music–Right in Your Home!

Some folks may have heard Katherine Rhoda play at a few Grange events around Maine over the past few years. If not, here’s your chance!

person playing guitar with musical notes
Photo by Elina Sazonova on Pexels.com

On Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10 AM, Katherine will offer a 50-minute online performance of Vintage Grange Songs as part of the New England Folk Festival, which is happening on Zoom. As the program notes say, “Founded shortly after the Civil War, the Grange has a rich heritage of songs celebrating agriculture and advocating for farming communities. Katherine Rhoda sings from vintage Grange songbooks.”

Info about the festival is at https://www.neffa.org. For those unfamiliar with Zoom technology, there is an orientation to using Zoom: https://www.neffa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/How-to-Zoom-Be-Prepared-to-Fully-Enjoy-your-Event.pdf. The online festival is free, though donations are welcome, to be split among the performers and tech team.

Katherine plays “heartfelt music fostering authentic human connection.” Visit her webpage about Grange songs at https://katherinerhoda.com/offerings/vintage-grange-songs/

Mill Stream Grange Makes Record

Well, if you’ll forgive a play on words, we mean that Mill Stream Grane was featured in the April-May Issue of the Vienna Record. The Record is published by the Town of Vienna and includes all sorts of town business such as selectmen and town department minutes and news of town events. Mill Stream Dictionary Day was the lead article and a second article listed upcoming Mill Stream Grange events.

Notice the mention of Grange Month and the Open House on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Bring your old flags! What a great example of community relevance and publicity!

Grange Songs on the Promenade

On May 30, 2022, Memorial Day, at 3:00 pm at the bandstand in Ft. Allen Park on the Eastern Prom, Munjoy Hill, Portland, Mr. Brian Dewan will be giving a performance singing “Songs of the Patrons of Husbandry” and “Songs of Land & Sea,” accompanied by accordion and autoharp.

Some decades ago my family belonged to the Grange and 4-H and I was an officer in the Future Farmers of America. So I have a long-time appreciation of the music and the struggle.

I have heard Mr. Dewan, an “old” friend, perform and when he told me he was going to be passing through Portland after performing Down-east Memorial Day weekend for the Greenhorns it occurred to me the opportunity for this entertainment should be available to some Grange members in Southern Maine, as well as some of my neighbors who appreciate this kind of music.

Would you be so kind as to circulate this invitation in some fashion to your local membership?
Attendees might want to bring a blanket or lawn chair as there is no built-in seating around the bandstand. If a hot day perhaps also a water bottle.

Article by R. John Wuesthoff

Webmaster’s note: With sincere appreciation to an anonymous benefactor, this event is being offered at no cost! Grangers! Since there are nearly two months until the concert, there’s time to purchase and wear Grange T-shirts (if your Grange doesn’t already have them)! Show your Grange pride and support! Bring friends! Spread the word to your members and other Granges.

“I don’t sing because I’m happy; I’m happy because I sing.” 

William James