Remember the old song, “Like a rubber ball, I’ll come bouncing back to you?”
I am truly sorry that it took longer than expected–and longer than it should have. It’s been frustrating, an education, and–frankly–expensive in terms of both time and money. That’s the limit of my whining.
For those nerdy Grangers, we have a few loose ends. Most won’t be apparent, but one that involves our friend Google. People searching for the site using Google may not find it for a while–it’s hard to tell how long, but at least a few days. The good news is that historically, not many visitors come from “googling” the site.
From a more practical perspective, I do have a backlog of columns and posts to handle. Again, the good news is I’ve been working on the Bulletin, so it’s mostly a matter of now posting from the Bulletin–exactly the opposite of my usual procedure. Barring something unforeseen, I should be caught up by the weekend. This could mean subscribers will be seeing more than the usual number of posts over the next few days.
Since my confidence level is, at the moment, relatively low, I will add that I’m not sure we’ll remain back. The current solution has been labeled “temporary.”
UPDATE: I’m reminded of the line in Jurrasic Park, “We’ve spared no expense,” but the good news is the fixes should be permanent by Monday at the absolute latest.
I am “gathering rosebuds where I may, ” catching up with posts, etc., and also continuing to work on a more permanent solution. Your continued patience is appreciated!
One thing I’ve learned that you might find interesting! When we experience website issues, I can still contact website subscribers by email. Those who are subscribers know that because you received an email explaining that the site was down. Some who are not subscribers emailed me asking what was going on.
So you can see there’s an advantage to all of us for you to subscribe. A couple of important facts about subscribing:
We do not share your email address with anyone, and the only email you receive will be an occasional summary of website posts.
Except for very rare emergency situations, you will not receive more than one email per day.
Subscribing is free, and you remain in control of your subscription. You can easily “unsubscribe” at any time.
Reprinted from an e-newsletter by Stacey Guerin, Maine State Senator, District 4
New Ventures Maine, a statewide program of the University of Maine at Augusta that has helped Maine residents venture in new directions for over 40 years through tuition-free programs for career, business, and financial education, has announced its next set of fall classes and workshops.
Offered at no cost to all Maine adults, the program includes in-person and online options as well as one-on-one coaching. They offer one-day programs and course-length classes that encourage and empower those thinking about making a change to take the next step towards financial security, a new career or even a new business.
With topics ranging from job searches, resume strategies and money management to career choices, interviewing and building confidence, the classes and workshops are easy to enroll in and some can even be taken at your own pace. For more information about course offerings and how to sign up, as well as success stories and other resources, please visit their website.
Victor Grange of Fairfield has released its September Newsletter using an all-new method. While it’s not so easy for Barb Bailey, editor, it is fairly user-friendly for members and others. An email is sent to members containing a link to the newsletter hosted on Google Drive. We’re pleased to be able to share it with you!
The September Issue reports, among other things:
The Victor Grange Hall now has Wi-Fi available!
Two floors of the hall are now ADA-accessible.
They plan to remain open through the winter.
Future improvements include installing a generator (to qualify as an emergency shelter), new LED lighting in the kitchen, and a new kitchen floor.
But wait! There’s more! This Grange is so busy they even have their very own online calendar! They are hosting Computer Classes, AA Meetings, Public Suppers, Senior Circle Potlucks…
By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director 207 343-1842
Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Send us your ideas and thoughts!
September Bulletin Reminder
Columns from ODDs (Officers, Directors, and Deputies) are due no later than September 14, 2023. Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.
Monroe Classic
As a reminder, the Grange Store by Monroe Classic, Inc. offers fundraising programs, custom printed apparel, promotional items, awards, signs, banners, and awards.
What Can You Say Other than “WOW!”
Recently, one of the most visited posts was “High Season Market at Ocean View Grange! One thing that makes this especially interesting is that the post covers an event that already happened! Should Granges be doing more markets? Two others that stand out are Tunes at Tranquility and the post about Mill Stream Grange’s Tool Lending Library. Should Granges be sponsoring more concerts and creating more lending libraries?
Why not publish an annual report of your Grange’s accomplishments? You could even offer them for inclusion in your town’s annual report! It could be based on either a calendar year, the Grange Year, or the school year.
2023-2024 Events Calendar
This is a great time to start planning your programs and events for the next Grange Year. Please submit the information for posting on the MSG Website Calendar.
Thought for You…
Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia – even during times of stress and fatigue.
The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!
Do You Have FOMO?
“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!
Bangor Saving Bank has announced its annual Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive, encouraging folks to “go nuts and have fun! Valley Grangers have no problem with going nuts and having fun. In fact, we plan to support it!
In short, we’ll collect jars of peanut butter and jelly to contribute to the drive. As Bangor Savings explains, “Peanut butter, a protein-rich food item, is too often in short supply and high demand at local food insecurity programs. And what’s a more classic pair than peanut butter and jelly? Something as simple as donating a jar can make a big difference to a neighbor in need. And with school back in session, we can support our local schools and backpack programs by donating a jar of peanut butter or jelly!”
You can, of course, drop off your donations at any bank branch. For our part, we’ll have a collection box on the porch of the Valley Grange Hall (172 Guilford Center Road, corner of Butter Street). This worked well during last year’s “Sock it to us” collection. We’re also asking Grange Members to collect. We’ll complete the collection at our September 15th meeting and deliver what we’ve collected to the Dover Foxcroft Branch before the September 30th deadline.
Last year, we had a boxful! Will we need a bigger box this year?
Bangor Savings will be matching donations–for every jar received, one additional jar will be donated to local food insecurity programs. It’s a “two-fer!”
We have a few ideas for going nuts and having fun, so stay tuned!
Webmaster’s note: Since this is a statewide effort, perhaps some other Granges will consider “going nuts and having fun” by supporting it!
Maine has established a comprehensive way to inform the public of events and conditions impacting public health and safety. The system is based largely upon the Maine.gov home page, but you can also sign up for email or text notifications.
When you sign up, you’ll be given a long list of topics available, ranging from Amber and kidnapping alerts to storm warnings. It’s a great way to stay informed!
Special note to FHH folks: Why not provide this information as part of your next report?
Like many Granges, Tranquility Grange is located in a somewhat “off the beaten path” rural area. Janice and I allowed the GPS to lead the way to through Lincolnville, Maine. While Grange Halls typically have some unique features, there’s always a comforting sense of familiarity when visiting. It’s not just the building itself; it’s also the people and the fraternal friendliness.
Despite those predictable features, Janice and I found ourselves surprised during our recent visit. No doubt this was because we were there for some “Sweet, Savory, and Song.” The sweet and savory included an opportunity to nibble on some very cosmopolitan finger foods. The song included a lively program of Grange music performed by Katherine Rhoda. Katherine’s program included her voice accompanied by keyboard, Marxophone and violin-guitar (play-by-number American fretless zither sold door to door in the early 1900s), Harpeleik, accordion… and a few I can’t remember the names of!
This program (it’s really much more than a concert) specifically featured Grange songs and shared some of the background and history of the Grange itself. Katherine’s knowledge of music is diverse and deep. But Grangers will quickly respect and admire her knowledge of the Grange. Her historical approach to the program clarified the Grange’s purpose and commitment to change, especially in the earliest days. There were moments when the audience wanted to find a pitchfork and start a march protesting or supporting something.
There were moments when the audience wanted to find a pitchfork and start a march protesting or supporting something.
Walter Boomsma
Katherine is an entertainer, a historian, a storyteller, and more.
One particularly memorable song told the story of Lucy, a young woman who wanted to marry a farmer and had us chuckling. (No spoiler alert-you have to hear it.) Her parents were not supportive because her future husband was… a Granger!
This performance was a joint venture supported by Tranquility Grange and the Lincolnville Historical Society. An even more ambitious goal is the preservation of the hall itself. Erected in 1908, the hall is listed on the National Register, and many members of the Historical Society have joined the Grange. This recent concert is evidence of the determination to preserve the hall, the Grange organization itself, and the history of the ongoing contributions.
Katherine explains, “My hope is that sharing this music and history helps in some small way to cultivate community and to build upon the Grange history of working together for the common good, in keeping with the Grange motto ‘In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity’” She ended her performance by explaining the origins of the Grange Motto and asking the audience to repeat that motto with her not once, but twice.
While the concert ended, working together for the common good to cultivate community continues. In some ways, it may just be getting started.
What I find fun/rewarding about playing in Grange halls is uplifting and celebrating the Grange history of rural people working together for the common good, connecting with folks who are actively involved in their communities, and continuing my own education.
Katherine Rhoda
Katherine has two upcoming concerts scheduled:
September 12, 2023, at 7 p.m. at the Conway Historical Society in Conway, NH
October 22, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the Arundel Historical Society in Arundel, ME
Website visitors may have noticed the MSG Website was “down” for a few hours late Monday night (8/21) through early Tuesday morning (8/22). This was an unanticipated “glitch” due to some miss-timed software updates. We are sorry for any inconvenience! All is restored and well!
Reprinted from an e-newsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin, District 4
As students, parents, and teachers are all gearing up for the start of another school year, it is a good time to remember to keep an eye out for students walking to and from school and students getting on and off school buses.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the road; however, the risk is greatest when children are approaching or leaving a school bus.
Keep in mind these simple rules:
Yellow flashing lights on a school bus mean slow down because the bus is preparing to stop.
Red flashing lights mean stop. Students are getting on or off the school bus. Stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving.
Be ready to stop for a school bus as they make frequent stops.
Watch and stop for children who cross in front of the bus when the bus is stopped.
Be prepared for school buses stopping at all railroad crossings.
