WABI-TV5 Explains Valley Grange Blanketeering Program
Category: Communication
Communication Shorts 3-16-2025
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!
March Bulletin Available!
The March Bulletin deadline is now available. Submit those posts and columns now! Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
National Grange Contest Updates
In a recent issue of Grange Today! (see page 8), National Grange announced a number of changes to contests, including some that are dropped altogether. Directors and Chairs in Maine will be reviewing these to see what impact there might be on Maine Contests.
Degree Day, April 27, 2025
It is possible that a few flyers/posters were distributed with an incorrect start time! The correct start time is 1:00 p.m. Sorry for any inconvenience!
State Convention, October 17-18, 2025
You should know that it became necessary to change the dates for MSG State Session due to conflicting events at UMaine. Make sure your calendars are correct!
Consider this Idea!
How about a “swap meet?” These are gaining popularity–in simplest form, they are topical with an opportunity for like-minded folks to exchange excess supplies. Use your imagination: craft and sewing supplies, gardening things, music and instruments…
Think about this!
“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!'”
Robin Williams
Online Directories Available 24-7
- 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 consult these directories often.
- The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
Grange Today! 3-14-2025
Articles in this edition include:
- Join in the Spirit of Grange Month!
- Opinion – A Better Path: Why “Slash and Burn” Social Policy Fails Rural America
- Reach Rural Surgical Seniors
- Get On Board for an unforgettable convention
- New York Granges to present rural mental health program
- Managing Isolation & Loneliness
- Grange Store: Veteran Recognition & 4th Degree Pins
- Manson Grange Hall Celebrates Renovation Milestone
- Celebrate National Ag Day with your Grange
- Grange Heirloom for March
- Grange Member Benefit: Harvest Hosts
Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!
Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.
Fraud Watch- Avoiding the cruise to nowhere
Winter is still here and many of us would do just about anything to find some warm weather. Enter the cruise scam. Many of these trips to nowhere literally pop up online as a “free” incentive or a can’t-miss deal. What they really are is an attempt to steal your information or your money.
Here are three tips for avoiding a cruise scam when shopping for your spring getaway.
- Beware of starting with a search engine: Scammers buy ads and use fake websites to appear at the top of results. Consider starting your search on trusted cruise line websites instead.
- Check the source: If you receive unsolicited cruise offers, investigate the company to verify its legitimacy, ask questions and study the fine print before booking.
- Pay with a credit card: If you’ve done your homework and are ready to make the investment, credit cards offer the strongest and most immediate fraud protection.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Chelsea Granges Grant Information
We have more information regarding the successful grant that made the new chair lift a reality for Chelsea Grange. Member Marion Bowman is credited with much of the work involved. She explains that partnership and collaboration are the keys to success.
The grant application period is closed for this year, but for Granges that might be interested, it’s not too early to think about and plan for next year. The nationwide Community Challenge Grant primarily falls under the leadership of AARP with a focus on “making communities liveable for all ages.” You can find a brief history of the program and its funded projects here. A user-friendly FAQ (frequently asked questions) page is also available here.
Marion notes that Chelsea Grange “partnered with the community by sponsoring lunches, summer outdoor concerts” and making sure “the old hall is truly a community hall in every sense of he word.”
While the MSG Communications Department cannot provide in-depth assistance with securing grants, we are always happy to provide information and especially pleased to discover potential grant opportunities for Granges. Please check this one out and let us know if you decide to pursue something!
We’re Grangers. We help each other.
Maine Maple Sunday
March 23, 2025
The Maine Maple Producers Association has announced the 42nd annual Maine Maple Sunday weekend. Set for March 22-23, sugar houses across the state will offer events, games, activities, sugarbush tours, music and much more.
Over 100 sugar houses, farms and orchards are participating in this year’s Maple Sunday weekend at locations across the state. This is a great way to celebrate our Maine maple producers while enjoying a sweet treat!
Some locations will be open for activities on both Saturday and Sunday, while others will only be open one day, so be sure to double check with each sugarhouse before heading out! For a list of participating locations, visit the Maine Maple Producers Association website.
Fraud Watch- National Consumer Protection Week
It’s National Consumer Protection Week—and while AARP is focused on protecting consumers year-round—this is a good time to highlight some key consumer protection tips.
Make certain to use strong and unique passwords on all online accounts – look into password managers as an easier way to tackle this challenge. Where offered, use multi-factor authentication, where you receive a code by text, phone, or installed app, to add a layer of protection beyond your username and password. Rather than clicking links from texts and emails from your bank or from businesses you have accounts with, go to your app if you have one, or to a web browser and type the address in yourself—that way you know you are going to the legitimate site. Also, freeze your credit with the three main credit reporting agencies – TransUnion, Experian and Equifax – to block attempts to use any of your sensitive personal information that may have been exposed to open accounts in your name. Learn how at annualcreditreport.com/securityFreezeBasics.action.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Mill Stream Grange Gets the Word Out!
Valley Grange Seeks Blanketeers!
On March 22, 2025, volunteers will create blankets for children in need.
Guilford–Valley Grange of Guilford is sponsoring a blanket-making event on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until noon, and volunteers are needed! Organizer Pat Engstrom notes, “no sewing skills are needed. If you can measure, cut a straight line with scissors, or tie a simple knot you can become a ‘blanketeer’ and help support Project Linus. We’ll show you how!”
Project Linus, a non-profit organization, provides homemade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Similar events in previous years have resulted in dozens of blankets being made by a diverse group of volunteers. Engstrom hopes to see the number of blankets made increase.
“We have a great time doing this, and truly just about anyone can help. We create quite a production line, and it sometimes gets quite competitive! It’s exciting to realize we’re providing love in the form of ‘blankies’ representing love, security, warmth, and comfort to kids. We consider them fabric hugs.”
While supplies will be provided, volunteers are encouraged to bring scissors, rulers, and masking tape. Light refreshments will be served.
For additional information, contact Pat Enstrom at 207 564-8290 or visit the Valley Grange Website at http://valleygrange.com. Valley Grange is located at 172 Guilford Center Road, at the corner of Butter Street.
Communication Shorts 3-1-2025
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!
March Bulletin Available Coming Soon!
The March Bulletin deadline is March 14th! Submit those posts and columns now! Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
National Grange Contest Updates
In the most recent issue of Grange Today! (see page 8), National Grange announced a number of changes to contests, including some that are dropped altogether. Directors and Chairs in Maine will be reviewing these to see what impact there might be on Maine Contests.
Grange Month!
Time’s a wastin’! As noted earlier, the National Grange did not release the traditional resources such as sample press releases. If I can help you and your Grange with publicity for the month, let me know! But don’t forget, every month can be Grange Month if we remember to celebrate!
A Favorite Poem
“The codfish lays ten thousand eggs.The homely hen lays one.
THe codfish never cackles to tell you what she's done.
And so we scorn the codfish, while the humble hen we prize,
Which only goes to show you that it pays to advertise!"
Nikhil Sharda
Is your Grange a codfish for a hen? Can we hear some cackling? What’s your news! When’s your next event?
Words for Thirds
We continue to add to the resource pages. Most recently, we’ve added an article describing how to do a “Dictionary Race‘ with the kids when you hand out dictionaries. It’s fun! Everybody wins!
Consider this Idea!
Have you considered planning a spring spruce up for your hall? Make it a community event! Plan the activities so people can choose what to help with… and don’t forget to include a rain date! Make it a cabin fever reliever! Think big! Invite contractors! Take before and after photos!
Think about this!
“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”
Bryant McGill
Online Directory of Granges
Our online directory of Granges has been updated based on the current roster. As time permits, we’ll be adding additional contact information. Our goal is to have at least two contacts available for every active Grange!
Online Directories Available 24-7
- 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! Visitors to the site consult these directories often.