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!
February Bulletin Is Coming Soon!
The deadline for posts and columns is February 14. If you’re planning to spend that day romantically, submit early! Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
Check out the Words for Thirds Resource Pages here. Grange Month in April would be a great time to sponsor a project, but you’ll need to get started soon! National Grange has not yet released any Grange Month material, but we can do a “Our Grange Celebrates Grange Month by Sponsoring a Dictionary Day!” feature!
Loving the Grange
One of my goals for this year is to post at least one reason to love the Grange each month in 2025. The easiest way for you to help make this happen is for you to fill out this simple form. You can answer more than once! Why do you love the Grange?
Community Matters More Voting
Bangor Savings just announced its grant program for this year. As a reminder, only 501(c)3 organizations are eligible. Subordinate Granges are, therefore, not eligible. It’s a great program but writing in a local Grange is a waste of your vote!
Form 5102 Scam
Farms and other businesses may receive an official-looking “Form 5102” requesting a $119.00 payment to register “Beneficial Ownership Interest.” This is a documented scam. (There are requirements regarding B.O.I, but this isn’t one.)
Consider this Idea!
We recently saw an organization announcing a “Muffin Morning.” (I love alliterations, if you haven’t noticed.) It sounded like fun and definitely an easy program because there is no program. All you need are muffins and drinks and give the opportunity for a Koffee Klatch. Simple!
Think about this!
Groundhog Day is the perfect instance of optimism — you either choose to believe the rodent or not. Both options can give you a fantastic outlook for the future.
Anonymous
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.
Every Grange should have a copy of these! Find the answers to your “Can I? Should I?” questions.
The National Digest of Laws is an easy-to-reference digest (book) of Grange Law and Rule. It is updated every year following the National Convention. This link is to the 2025 edition. Printed copies can be ordered from the National Grange Supply Store, but you can download this pdf for free by clicking the image. (It’s also offered on the Program Books and Information Page.)
Similar but much shorter is a booklet containing the Grange Bylaws specifically adopted by and applying to Granges in Maine. It is updated every year following the State Convention (assuming there are changes). This link is to the 2024 edition. You can download this PDF for free by clicking the image. (It’s also offered on the Program Books and Information Page.)
Quick tips from Granges and Grangers are always welcome… on any topic that might improve or make things easier for other Granges. Use the submission form or email yours to the webmaster for consideration!
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!
January Bulletin Is Available!
The January Bulletin is now available for downloading. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
Scholarship Updates
Last week, the Scholarship Page was the fourth most visited page on the site! It is that time of year. If your Grange is offering a scholarship, please visit the page and make sure your information is correct. Send changes either by using the Submit Tab or send an email.
One of my goals for this year is to post at least one reason to love the Grange each month in 2025. The easiest way for you to help make this happen is for you to fill out this simple form. You can answer more than once! Why do you love the Grange?
Suspicious Submissions
I supposedly have received a submission through a company called “ShareFile.” Since it’s requiring me to log in and create an account, I haven’t. There are a couple of reasons I’m suspicious. If you’re “Tara White” and trying to reach me, you’ll have to be a bit more direct!
Consider this Idea!
The MSG Event Calendar for 2025 is still pretty bare at this point. Directors and Committee Chairs, please ensure your contest deadlines and events are listed! Granges, submit your programs and events! You are planning ahead, right?
Think about this!
“For in order that man may do well, whether in the works of the active life, or in those of the contemplative life, he needs the fellowship of friends.”
Thomas Aquinas
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.
Reprinted with permission from the January 10, 2025 edition of Grange Today!
The National Grange is thrilled to announce Rebekah Hodgson as the new Junior Grange Director. A dedicated Jonesboro Grange #357 member in Jonesboro, Maine, Hodgson brings a deep appreciation of Grange values and a passion for community service to her new role. Rebekah’s journey with the Grange began with her grandparents, Helen and Edward Brooks, who were active members of Robbinston Grange in Robbinston, Maine. Her own involvement took root about six years ago when she joined Jonesboro Grange to help save it from closure, inspired by her father’s determination to preserve its legacy.
Since then, Rebekah has been an enthusiastic advocate for Grange activities, making her mark through projects like the Crush Cancer Lobster Crawl 5k, Candyland, the free 10,000 Easter Egg Hunt, and Grinch at the Grange.
Outside of her work with the Grange, Rebekah is a K3 preschool teacher and K4 preschool assistant, a Girl Scout leader, and a licensed commercial lobster fisher—a skill she’s honed since age 10. She currently lives in Illinois with her husband Garrett, an active duty Coast Guard Chief, and their two children, Jase (7) and Kennedy (5). Her family shares her passion for the outdoors and community engagement.
As Junior Grange Director, Rebekah has ambitious plans for the year ahead. She aims to foster stronger bonds between Junior and more senior members, spark interest in new Junior Grange chapters, and deepen young members’ love for the Grange through creative, engaging programming. Inspired by her connection to the ocean, she plans to incorporate aquatic-themed activities into Junior programming, especially at this year’s National Convention aboard the Carnival Horizon.
Rebekah’s vision for the Junior department centers on empowering young members to be future leaders of the Grange. “Junior members are the voice of tomorrow,” she said. “By utilizing their energy, passion, and eagerness to learn, they can create meaningful change and preserve the traditions that connect us all.”
Her advice to those hoping to engage more young people in the Grange? “Find out what interests them and incorporate that into your Junior Grange! Show them the joy and sense of family that comes with being part of the Grange through welcoming, free events and fun-filled meetings.”
National Grange President Christine Hamp is confident that Hodgson’s creativity, leadership, and dedication will inspire the next generation of Grange members, ensuring the organization’s legacy continues to thrive.
“Rebekah’s engaging energy and excitement are exactly what we need to create meaningful experiences for our youngest members,” said Hamp. “I can’t wait to see the positive impact she and her team bring to our Junior Grange Program.”
Hodgson will be assisted by the Junior Advisory Team, consisting of Emily Hartsell (NC), Makayla Piers (RI), and Gayle Reyburn (PA). Email junior@nationalgrange.org for more information.
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!
January Bulletin Is Coming Soon!
The deadline for posts/columns for the January Bulletin is Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Submit your stuff! Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page.
We’re Still Looking for Help!
In case you missed it, we’re looking for your comments regarding both property and liability insurance on your Grange Hall! I know people have been busy with the holidays, but we’d like to summarize and share the information by January 15, 2025. See the original request and help us out!
It’s not a resolution, but one of my goals for this year is to post at least one reason to love the Grange each month in 2025. The easiest way for you to help make this happen is for you to fill out this simple form. You can answer more than once! Why do you love the Grange?
Reminder! 2024 is now 2025
It usually takes a bit to get in the habit of writing the correct year. Thanks to technology, getting the year right is somewhat automated, but we still need to pay attention!
Consider this Idea!
The MSG Event Calendar for 2025 is pretty bare at this point. Directors and Committee Chairs, please ensure your contest deadlines and events are listed! Granges, submit your programs and events! You are planning ahead, right?
Think about this!
“Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.”
Thomas A. Edison
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.
Notes from National are gleaned from an email provided by Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director.
Subscribe to the National Grange’s Good Day! Magazine. Only $16 a year gives you access to our print or digital subscription. Learn more about the magazine at http://www.nationalgrange.org/goodday or the digital issue at http://www.issuu.com/grangegoodday. The October issue is hitting mailboxes this week.
Subscribe to Grange Today! at http://www.nationalgrange.org/subscribe. Grange Today! is released on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month, full of news and information from Granges around the country. We hope to engage and inspire Grange members from coast to coast through this newsletter.
We are also looking for people to submit their Grange’s news so we can feature them in the newsletters or in Good Day! Magazine.
The National Grange’s biweekly podcast, “The Grange Hall,” is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or iHeartRadio. You can also listen on PodBean, the National Grange website, or watch on YouTube! Be sure to like and subscribe! If you have comments or questions, or if you’d like to recommend a member of YOUR Grange to be featured, you can contact us at grangehallpod@gmail.com.
Many National Grange events are recorded and archived. If you missed an online event and would like to view it, please visit the National Grange YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/nationalgrange.
Follow National Grange on Social Media! We’re on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube! This is generally the quickest and most up-to-date location to find out what’s happening at the National Grange.
I hope you’ve seen that the National Grange announced that registration is open for the 2025 National Grange Convention. The 159th Annual Convention will cruise from Miami to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao from November 8-16, 2025. I know there are a lot of questions about this, so we’ve created one-sheets on registration and a simple FAQ that are available on the National Grange’s website. More information, including how to book your stateroom, is now available, and other details will be released soon, but it’s not too early to begin planning!
Notes from National are gleaned from an email provided by Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director.
Grangers are no exception as targets! We’ve seen a few scam emails recently–remember to be a little suspicious, especially during the holidays!
Words for Thirds Resources
Coming soon! We hope to release what we have so far in the first week of December. You can read our first newsletter here!
Hollis Grange Presents Dictionaries
Hollis Grange delivered dictionaries to two third-grade classes in two different schools this past week. Words for Thirds strikes again!
Consider this Idea!
When having a meeting in the winter, make the hall look inviting! That includes some outside lighting. Remember, solar versions are available that do not require a wired connection!
Songbooks for Singing!
Ellie Collins has some Grange Songbooks that are looking for a good home! If you’re interested, contact her or let us know!
Think about this!
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
Laozi
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.
As we purge older posts and clean things up, you may occasionally encounter missing photos and broken links. Remember, we only maintain two years of posts both to save space and avoid confusion. If what’s missing seems important, please let us know! Mistakes happen.
Many Granges offer holiday craft fairs or “makers markets.” Please submit information about yours! We offer statewide publicity and make it easy for you to share information on Social Media.
Grange History Booklet Added
The 150th Anniversary Booklet is a literal treasure of historical information about Granges in Maine, including a complete list of every Grange that has existed in Maine! Check it out!
Consider this Idea!
If you are having any sort of program event, consider offering tours of your Grange Hall. Many folks are interested in learning more about both the Grange and these buildings.
Songbooks for Singing!
Ellie Collins has some Grange Songbooks that are looking for a good home! If you’re interested, contact her or let us know!
Think about this
“When you think you are too old to do something new remember you will never be younger than you are right now.”
James Clear
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.
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!
November Bulletin Coming Soon!
The deadline for submitting information to be included in the November Bulletin is November 14, 2024. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page.
Words for Thirds
We’re still looking for any Granges considering or already participating in the Words for Thirds Dictionary Project. Please let us know who you are!
Missing “stuff?”
As we purge older posts and clean things up, you may occasionally encounter missing photos and broken links. Remember, we only maintain two years of posts both to save space and avoid confusion. If what’s missing seems important, please let us know! Mistakes happen.
Note Regarding Contacting State Master Sherry
Please remember to use the correct email address for State Master/President Sherry. An older Gmail address is floating around, but it is not regularly checked. Also, she does not maintain any social media accounts, including Facebook.
Holiday Craft Fairs?
Many Granges offer holiday craft fairs or “makers markets.” Please submit information about yours! We offer statewide publicity and make it easy for you to share information on Social Media. If you submit it before November 15, it will be included in the November Bulletin!
Grange History Booklet Added
The 150th Anniversary Booklet is a literal treasure of historical information about Granges in Maine, including a reasonably complete list of every Grange that has existed in Maine! Check it out!
Consider this Idea!
If you are having any sort of program event, consider offering tours of your Grange Hall. Many folks are interested in learning more about both the Grange and these buildings.
Songbooks for Singing!
Ellie Collins has some Grange Songbooks that are looking for a good home!
Think about this
“If you don’t know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere.”
Henry Kissinger
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.
