The Parkman Grange awarded six MSAD#4-area college students Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarships of $500 each for the 2024-25 school year. Winners this year include Anna Zimmerman, Guilford, a Psychology major at the University of Maine at Farmington; Cadence Clukey, Abbot, a Counseling major at Grand Canyon University; Emma Calnan, Parkman, a Nursing major at Husson University; Elizabeth Kendall, Guilford, an Education major at the University of Maine at Farmington; Kendall Kimball, Parkman, an Interdisciplinary Global Studies major at the University of South Florida; and, Hannah Dow, Guilford, an Education major at University of the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Parkman Grange Master Susan Manchester was joined by recipients Emma Calnan and Hannah Dow (l-r) took a break from their studies to share their career plans.
The six 2024 recipients were celebrated at a Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarship Supper on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Attendees enjoyed pork loin, potatoes, salads, and assorted desserts. All proceeds will go to the Scholarship Fund for future awards. Donations may be made to Parkman Grange at PO Box 114, Guilford, ME 04443. Note Scholarship Fund on the memo line.
Minnie Welts Bridge was a lifelong Parkman resident, a teacher, and a Grange member. She passed away in 2011 at the age of 102. Since then, the Parkman Grange has awarded a total of $18,000 in scholarships in her memory.
Oops! It seems a bit ironic that I accidentally sent last month’s column about communication instead of thus month’s!
The Communications and Website Annual Report is posted on the site. For this month’s column, it seems appropriate to include a few important excerpts from it. I certainly encourage you to read the full report and welcome your comments and questions!
There have been 17,985 site views from September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2024—an average of nearly 1,500 monthly. However, these visits do not include subscribers receiving the posts without visiting the site. While this represents a significant decrease from the previous year, the number of actual visitors hasn’t changed much. One could rightly conclude that a similar number of visitors are viewing fewer pages and posts.
Considering the decline in Granges and Grange membership, the site is doing well. Some of that success can be attributed to the site design and content. The site is resource-rich and appeals to both members and non-members. The top pages visited are the information pages, such as the directory of Granges, program books and information, etc. This year, the Grange Event Calendar received the third most visits.
During this past year, I have continued to add resource documents and tools to our collection of communication resources available on the site. There is value in our website.
Several significant accomplishments this year include:
Added additional resources for Grangers, including timely posts that seem to be of interest to them on a variety of subjects.
Completed interviews with media representatives and researchers. One example is a favorable feature article in the Bangor Daily News and Piscataquis Observer.
Completed another significant purge of the website’s oldest posts and images. This makes the site much more manageable and saves server space and remains an ongoing focus.
Continued to work with an editorial calendar to ensure regular, consistent posting. This includes Grange Heirlooms and Why I Love the Grange.
Continued to make “under the hood” improvements to the site.
Continued posting of “special events” being sponsored or hosted by Granges. These events have also been added to the MSG Calendar Page.
Continued to facilitate an email service that allows information to be sent directly to officers, directors, and deputies on short notice.
Looking ahead to 2024-2025, some objectives include:
Continue researching options for a site subscription. The current process is time-consuming, and more automation is needed.
Continuing to keep communication positive, helpful, and engaging.
Investigate the feasibility of sponsoring at least one virtual roundtable discussion. Due to time limitations, this was not achieved last year. I am upgrading my computer system and hope this becomes more feasible soon.
Continue to research further connections between the MSG website and social media.
Continue searching for resources, including additional guest columnists and regular topical information that can be reposted with attribution.
I believe the primary role of any state position or function is to support Subordinate and Pomona Granges and their members. But communication is not a “one-person job.” Individuals, Community/Subordinate, and Pomona Granges can best support our communications efforts by providing positive news and information.
I will continue encouraging open communication throughout our Order and with the public. We must generate interest and excitement among our communities, prospective members, and ourselves.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you and your Grange.
Thank you for your continued confidence and support.
► FACT: The events page on the website continues to be one of the most frequently visited pages on the site! Are you submitting your programs and events?
Find the button representing how and where you want to share a post.
September is Suicide Prevention Prevention Month. As many know, I am a big promoter of preventing suicide.1 Our approach to preventing suicide seems to be one of waiting until a crisis develops. I have long suspected that suicidal tendencies develop pretty early on, and we would be better served to take preventative steps before we reach the crisis point.
Thanks to the media, we’re not only becoming more aware of the issue of suicide-we are also being confronted with examples of mental health issues. COVID certainly contributed. We are easily overwhelmed by the complexity and intensity. In February 2021, 37.5% of adults in Maine reported symptoms of anxiety and depression2.
Since I do not intend to add to the complexity and intensity, I’d like to propose a simple exercise in Emotional Hygiene. In 17 minutes, Guy Winch provides a good foundation in an entertaining and non-clinical way that will also have you laughing.
At one of the mental health workshops I attended some years ago, the instructor asked us to share how we “centered” or grounded ourselves. It was interesting that he gave us some time to think before answering, suggesting that we may not be immediately aware of it. Being grounded generally refers to achieving a state of being emotionally and mentally stable and having a sense of connection to reality. In non-clinical terms, some refer to it as “going to my happy place.”
Life can easily throw us off balance. If we catch our balance soon enough, we can avoid unintentionally going somewhere (mentally and emotionally) that isn’t helpful. That somewhere may involve depression or anxiety. In simple, non-clinical terms, mental hygiene prevents mental health issues that can lead to suicide. But it’s not just about preventing suicide. It’s about living fully and happily.
“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside awakens.”
Carl Jung
I am a Certified NAMI Mental Health First Aid Responder, a teacher of Suicide Prevention Workshops, and an instructor in Beal University’s Addiction Counseling Program. Additional mental health resources are available on my Brain Leaks and Musings website. ↩︎
September is being observed as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This observance is designed to reach out to those affected by suicide, raising awareness and connecting individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. We can all help individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention.
Seek help immediately if you or someone you know is talking about suicide, feelings of hopelessness or unbearable pain, or about being a burden to others.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
For those in need of immediate support:
Call or text 988. This suicide and behavioral health crisis hotline is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by trained crisis specialists who offer free, confidential support for anyone. Specialists can also respond by chat at 988lifeline.org. Information for the deaf and hard of hearing is available here.
Reprinted with permission from an enewsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.
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.
Met a lot of great people throughout the years. Joined in the early 80’s both Granges dismantled that I belonged to rejoined again a couple of years ago. Great organization!!!!!
Julie Cortright, Saco Grange #53
What about you?
Do you love the Grange? Can you explain what’s great about being a member? It only takes a minute to click the button and tell the world!
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!
September Bulletin Deadline
The September Bulletin Deadline is September 14, 2024. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page.
Danville Junction Grange Bingo Postponed
Danville Junction Grange will resume Bingo at the Grange Hall on Saturday, December 7, instead of in September, as previously mentioned. We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.
Monroe Grange Store Reminder
This is just a reminder that the Monroe Grange Store has many Grange-related products available—even the hard-to-find stuff! They can help with fundraising programs, custom-printed apparel, promotional items, awards, signs, and banners.Check out their Grange Store!
State Session Page Is Updated
A page dedicated to the 2024 State Session now has a “packet of information” that includes the forms necessary to reserve meals. We’ve recently posted a copy of the 2023 Journal of Proceedings, a record of last year’s convention.
Many Contest Deadlines Are Coming Up
Get your entries in! Officers and directors note that annual reports and program books are coming due.
Consider this Idea!
Where’s your Grange’s Cornucopia? What’s it look like? It just might be time for rehabbing your “horn of plenty” and having it prominently displayed somewhere in the hall. H-O-P-E!
Think about this!
“Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you into trouble.”
Frank Tyger
Submit News! Be “famous”
Submitting news can be as simple as a photo and “cutline.” A cutline is a brief description–longer than a caption–to accompany the photo. Let’s prove that the Grange is alive and well in Maine! (Photos should be submitted as an attachment to an email.) We get inquiries from people looking for active Granges!
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!
Information reprinted from an e-newsletter by Maine Senator Stacy Guerin, District 4
Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the achievements of America’s workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being.
Before it became a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized initially by individual states. New York was the first state to introduce a bill recognizing Labor Day; but Oregon was the first to actually pass a law in 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating the holiday.
By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday and Congress passed an act on June 28, 1894, making the first Monday in September of each year the legal holiday.
For many, the three-day holiday weekend marks the unofficial end of summer as public schools and colleges return to class. It also serves as the turning point for Maine’s weather as September is when the fall foliage season begins in the north. The month also marks the harvest season for Maine’s agricultural sector.
New members, as reported in the July 2024 Issue of Good Day!
Congratulations to Tranquility Grange for adding 18 new members, Victor Grange for 11, and Trenton Grange for welcoming 9. A hearty welcome to all 56 new Patrons of Husbandry who will enjoy the “Grange Way of Life.” Don’t forget, we’d love to hear your answer to “Why I Love the Grange!”
Bauneg Beg #382 Pam Gerry
Fairview #342 Mika Levitt Nicole Vera
Merriconeag #425 Jim Alexander Jan Davis Abigail Hight Will Hight Elizabeth Manning
South Sangerville #335 Warren Nuite
Trenton #550 Robert Allison Greg Askires Joanna Dotts Lynn Gregonei Bing Miller Macy Miller Teryn Miller Mary Turner Cecla Zaveskotis
Union Harvest #591 Deborah Bailey Beatrice Martin Jeffrey Todd
Victor #49 Margaret Blair William Blair Donald Green Joyce Green Adam Lerette Joe Robles Lisa Robles Richard Tompkins Sherry Tompkins Mark Williamson Sabrina Williamson
Cambridge Valley #582 Gail A. Watson
Jonesboro #357 Janice Philbrook
North Jay #10 Angelia Courchesney
Norway #45 Dennis Feeney Jeffrey Windom
Tranquility #344 Diane Berenzy Lee Cronin Dwight Emerson Wade Graham Elizabeth Hand Jany Hardy Stephen Hardy DeAnna Hartel Alan Larson Sandy Lehman Diane O’Brien Robert Olsen Pat Shannon Jack Silverio Susan Silverio Cyrene Dlegona Cheryl Wienges Karen Womer
