Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.
Henry Allen Ironside
Best wishes for a happy and thankful Thanksgiving!
The Thanksgiving Reader is a fun activity about gratitude, family, and possibility. It was created several years ago by Seth Godin to”bring people together to not only celebrate the end of the harvest but to look one another in the eye and share something magical.” It’s absolutely free, simple and easy! Check it out!
Social media can make it feel like we’re closer than ever to our favorite celebrities. But if a musician, actor, or athlete you admire suddenly sends you a private message, don’t get starstruck—get skeptical. It’s almost certainly a scam.
That personal attention isn’t coming from the celebrity. It’s from a criminal impersonating them or someone close to them. These scammers build trust through private messages, tailoring their approach based on your responses, sometimes turning it into a romance scam or a charity scam. The story may change, but the goal is always the same – to steal money and personal information.
Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are making these scams even harder to spot. Criminals can now mimic voices, alter photos and craft polished messages without the spelling or grammar mistakes that once were red flags. Some even create fake ads or livestreams featuring celebrities who appear to endorse products or causes.
Enjoy following celebrities online, just remember that engaging with their posts can make you more visible to scammers. If an unexpected message sparks high emotion (like excitement) and involves urgency, let that be your signal to disengage because it’s likely a scam.
Report fake celebrity accounts or impostors directly to the social media platform. If you’re the victim of a scam, report it to law enforcement and insist on a record in case of possible future restitution.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, more money is reported stolen through fraud originating on social media than by any other method of contact. Reports to the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline show a rise in scams on TikTok. Many are recycled fraud tactics with a social media twist. Here are three ways to help protect yourself.
Check your privacy settings. Limit who can see your posts and which apps can access your information.
Be skeptical of direct messages. Scammers often pose as celebrities, influencers, or even friends to request money, solicit “donations,” or promote fake investments. Red flags should go up if a friendly conversation turns into mentorship or romance that offers “investment” advice involving cryptocurrency.
Shop carefully on social platforms. TikTok Shop, Facebook Marketplace, and similar sites can host scams where products are misrepresented, poor quality, or never delivered. Review seller ratings, be wary of prices that seem far below market value, and use a credit card for the best protection.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
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 November Bulletin is available for download. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
We’ve added a sample press kit to the Words for Thirds Resources. A press kit is often provided to reporters who are attending or writing about a particular event. This one is based on five dictionary days, but is easily adaptable. Help reporters and journalists who are helping you.
It’s that time of year! In case you missed it, we’ve created a Grange Craft Show Logo or Icon. It will be beneficial when we receive announcements of craft shows that do not include a photo or flyer and help create a sense of “branding” of Grange Craft shows. Feel free to use it! And remember to get your craft show listed on the website, where it will be seen across the state and beyond.
See the last page of the November Bulletin! Be sure to share with members!
He’s playing as fast as he can! We’re still catching up with results and information from the State Session. A printable ODD Directory is now available! Get yours today! (A copy will be snail-mailed to secretaries with the Bulletin.) The online ODD Directory should also be correct.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
Melody Beattie
With all the recent media attention to Food Insecurity, it could make sense to add some food items to your Book Exchange Box. If it’s outside, be aware of freezing!
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!
Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!
by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director
As of today, there are 371 public schools in Maine (according to The Dictionary Project website). Of those, only 27 have a Dictionary Project Sponsor so far this year. That’s slightly over 7%.
The good news is that it’s still early in the year, and we can do better! If you have been sponsoring in the past, it’s time to start working on this year’s effort.
If you haven’t been a sponsor, this is a good year to start. For a list of unsponsored schools, visit the Dictionary Project Website. Remember, we have many great resources available on our MSG Words for Thirds Resource Page. We’ll even provide you with your Grange’s very own logo!
There are also Rotary, Kiwanis, and Elks Clubs that sponsor schools in Maine. One possibility might be to partner with a local civic organization in your area, particularly if you’re concerned about the cost and effort involved. There are several dictionaries available to choose from. All come in cases of 24 at a cost of around $100 per case, including shipping. Obviously, much depends on school size, but you can start a powerful community service with a minimum investment!
If you doubt the power of this program, check out this short news story about a Valley Grange “Dictionary Day” at Ridgeview Elementary School in Dexter.
If you have questions or would like some help. Let me know! We’re Grangers. We help each other. And let us know about your Words for Thirds Project!
By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director
Communication Changes and Challenges
We’re already in the second month of a new Grange Year! It may be appropriate to review some communication tactics and techniques with a brief update on some changes and challenges.
I could easily write an entire column and more on the role of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in communication. In terms of our website and Bulletin, I’m increasingly relying on AI, and it’s becoming more sophisticated. For some time now, all submissions have been spell and grammar-checked before release. But AI is not actually writing content, nor do I allow it to substantially change what’s been submitted. And it doesn’t always get things right. For example, the National Grange Communications Handbook insists the word “Grange” and derivations (Grangers, etc.) always be capitalized. AI doesn’t know that. Yet. That’s a minor point, but also a reminder that accuracy and consistency are important.
Communication is happening faster all the time. We can debate the value but not the fact. I mention this because we occasionally lose time due to omissions and errors. I occasionally feel compelled to remind people that the Communications Director’s job is, practically speaking, a volunteer job. I still try to maintain a 24–48 hour turnaround time. If, for example, you submit something for the website, you can expect it to be posted within that time frame. But that assumes you’ve included all the necessary information. If not, and I have to contact you, there’s a delay.
One idea I am pursuing to help with this challenge is creating a dedicated online form for submitting events, which will make all our jobs easier! Your thoughts and ideas are welcome! I might be bragging, but I do maintain some great software, and I am a pretty creative problem-solver. A few years ago, if someone submitted something written on a Mac or Apple computer, it was a nightmare. Today, no problem! Just recently, I received a link to a photo stored online. I was able to get it with a couple of clicks thanks to a screenshot program I maintain. My point is not to brag; it’s to bring the big challenge to the front. The big challenge is getting Grangers to submit the information. I can’t communicate what I don’t know. If you send me something, I can probably work with it!
Thanks in part to AI, I’ve “branded” our Words for Thirds programs, Book Exchange Boxes, and most recently Craft Fairs with logos or icons. Craft Fairs, in particular, seem to have exploded this year! We may be a bit behind the power curve, but we can certainly promote Grange Craft Fairs in Maine—if we know about them!
After the posts themselves, the more static pages of information get lots of “views.” The graph to the right reveals which pages were most frequently viewed over the last twelve months, and brings us to another challenge. Are you surprised? The most viewed page is the directory of Granges. The information will be updated when the new roster is released, and I am looking into making “Find a Grange in Maine” more user-friendly. But everything hinges on the accuracy of the information. To keep this page useful, it must remain accurate throughout the year. You can help!
One other area worthy of note is that we’ve increased the number of subscribers to the website by 10% this year. Look forward to some additional efforts in that area. We can do even better! We will do even better!
FACT: The two most popular categories of posts are Grange Activities and Grange News.
Key dates:
Registration Form for the conference
This is the only information we’ve received. There is a contact listed on the registration form
Veterans Day, celebrated each year November 11, is a time to honor the service and sacrifice of those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. It’s also a reminder of the need to protect veterans beyond their time in uniform.
Earlier this year, AARP surveyed veterans and active-duty military service members to learn more about their experiences and concerns around fraud. The findings reveal that veterans face a higher risk of fraud and are often targeted with tactics related to their military background, benefits, or deep sense of trust.
Nearly four in ten veterans, representing more than 7.5 million people, say they’ve received solicitations from someone pretending to be from the Department of Veterans Affairs or another government agency. About 28%, an estimated 5.5 million veterans, believe their veteran status made them a target.
While many veterans are already taking steps to stay safe online, more than one in three say there aren’t enough resources available to help protect them. That’s where the AARP Veterans Fraud Center comes in. This online education and resource hub helps veterans, service members, and their families learn how to spot and avoid scams.
Learn more about this research and the work AARP is doing to support America’s veterans at aarp.org/vetsfraudcenter.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
Valley Grange Teams are currently celebrating Dictionary Days and Words for Thirds with area schools.WABI-TV5 caught up with the team at Ridgeview Elementary School in Dexter.
To learn more about the Guilford Grange’s Project, visit the Valley Grange Website or Facebook Page.
