The Patrons Chain 5-3-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • Western Region Leaders’ Conference is #GrangeStrong
  • Member Satisfaction Survey
  • National Convention Registration is Open
  • Tonight: Fellowship First Friday
  • May Grange Heirloom
  • Coming Soon… Grange Today!
  • Rural Minds Webinar: Managing Tardive Dyskinesia in Rural America
  • Grange Hall Podcast: Episode 1
  • Grange Supply Store: Good Day! magazine
  • Grange Member Benefit: Lenovo 

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!


Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent. For example, the last Friday of the month is usually a View from the Hill week, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

Communication Shorts 04-30-2024

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!

May Bulletin Coming soon!

The deadline for the May Bulletin is Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Keep those cards and letters coming in! You can find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

This Might Be Ironic

A recent “Word of the Day” in The Dictionary Project Newsletter was hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. No, it’s not a fear of hippotamus. It’s a fear of long words!

Katherine Rhoda Concerts

You may have received an offer from Katherine to perform a Grange-themed concert at your location. For those planning an anniversary celebration or open house, this could be a good fit! For more information, contact Katherine through her website.

Consider this Idea!

There appears to be a growing trend towards informal social events. For example, in Abbot a group of people meet weekly to play board and card games. There’s not a lot structure and work involved. Sometimes, the best ideas are the simplest.

Under Consideration – Online Grange Directory

We are considering a change to the online Grange Directory. Instead of listing one contact, we may include two: the master and the secretary. This will double the odds of interested people reaching someone and getting a response. If you have any thoughts about this, let me know!

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!

Introducing Grange Hall Podcasts

“The Grange Hall” podcast, a new platform that delves into the rich history and future of the Grange, has officially launched! This exciting venture was announced in November and made its web debut during Grange Month.

Join hosts Meagan McDonald (WA) and Philip Vonada (PA) as they interview Grange members from around the country about their Grange story, their Grange’s history, and where they see the Grange going in the future – and anywhere the conversation goes in between.

The Grange Hall aims to welcome diverse voices within the Grange, highlighting local members who are “movers and shakers,” making big moves in their Granges and maybe across the country.

Remember, this podcast is not just for current Grangers! We extend a warm invitation to share this podcast with friends, family, and anyone who may be interested in or curious about the Grange. We also hope that current members will listen and be inspired by the incredible things that are happening in Granges around the country.

The first podcast was released on April 17, 2024. National Grange plans to release a new episode every other Wednesday.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, or iHeartRadio. You can also listen on the National Grange website, on PodBean, or watch the video version on YouTube!

Do you know a Grange member who you believe would be a “good fit” for the podcast? Email your suggestion to grangehallpod@gmail.com and explain why they should be featured. Please include your Grange, State, and contact information for your suggestions.

View from the Hill – April 2024

This monthly newsletter written by Burton Eller, National Grange Legislative Director, covers “what’s happening” in Washington on various topics of interest to Grangers.

Notes from National – May 2024


  • Subscribe to the National Grange’s Good Day! magazine. Just $16 a year gets 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 April issue has hit mailboxes and the July issue will be here before you know it!
  • Subscribe to the Patrons Chain and View from the Hill at http://www.nationalgrange.org/subscribe. These newsletters are released every Friday, containing information about National Grange programs, events, and more.
  • Are there topics you would like to see covered in a future Zoom from a National Grange staff member, department, or officer? Please let us know! We’re always working to ensure our topics are in line with what our members want or need to hear from us.
  • The National Grange Social Media Calendar is available. This is intended to be a guide for State and Community Granges of topics/events that may be used to enhance social media. By no means is it a suggestion to post ALL of these things, but if you’re looking to get out of a rut or expand your social media reach. This could also be a great resource for Grange Lecturers/Program Directors who are looking for new programming ideas.
  • Many National Grange events are recorded and archived – if you missed an online event and would like to see 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!

Notes from National are gleaned from an email provided by Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director.

The Patrons Chain 4-19-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • Two Grange members seated on national advisory groups
  • Using the Reaching Rural Surgical Seniors program
  • Introducing The Grange Hall podcast
  • Middle Branch Grange seeks support after fire
  • Join the Lecturer’s Forum
  • Save the Date: Registration Opens May 1
  • Climate change is shifting how and when we prepare our gardens
  • SHIPmates applications open for second class 
  • Be part of the Grange Story – apply for the Communication Fellows
  • Grange Supply Store: People, Pride & Progress
  • Grange Member Benefit: Lenovo

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!


Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent. For example, the last Friday of the month is usually a View from the Hill week, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

Communication Shorts 04-16-2024

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!

April Bulletin Available

The April Bulletin is now available for downloading and printing! You can find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

Staying Safe

Just another reminder not to automatically respond to email or text messages that “don’t sound right.”

National 9-1-1 Education Month

April is being observed as National 9-1-1 Education Month, an observance designed to ensure that the public is ready to access help during emergencies.

NHTSA: National 911 Program and Know 911

This is also an excellent time to make sure you know the 911 address for your Grange Hall–it’s usually also the GPS address. Post in around the hall so if there’s an emergency, you can provide it to the dispatcher!

Consider this Idea!

Discussion Groups! We recently learned of a local Council on Aging sponsoring General Quarters!, a monthly roundtable discussion group focusing on military topics. What a great name! But almost any topic could work. It wouldn’t have to include a formalized program–just an opportunity for people to come together and discuss a mutually interesting topic. Gardening, cooking, reading… use your hall!

Fraternal Announcement

Since some may have participated in a card shower for Basil Clement, it is my sad duty to inform you that he passed away on Easter Sunday, just 21 days short of his 95th birthday. His niece and hospice nurse have both expressed much appreciation to the Grange for making his final days happy and for providing companionship.

Bangor Savings Bank Community Matters More 2024

Recipients of the Community Matters More Grants have been announced! See the list here!

Submit Events! Be “findable”

The MSG website is easy to find and gets a lot of use! In the last seven days, 132 people visited the site after searching on Google. It really does make sense to submit your events and make sure your information is correct in the online directory! We especially need working email addresses that are checked regularly!

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!

The Patrons Chain 4-12-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • Join the conversation for Grange Spirit Week
  • Recognize and thank your members during Grange Month
  • Introducing The Grange Hall podcast
  • Service Project Opportunity: Collect Eclipse Glasses
  • Join Membership Matters this week
  • NC Youth named first recipient of the Ernestine “Ernie” Keiser Memorial Scholarship
  • FCC Announces Reduced ACP Support Amounts for May
  • Rural Students’ Access to High-Speed Internet Is in Jeopardy as Resources Recede
  • SHIPmates applications open for second class
  • Be part of the Grange Story – apply for the Communication Fellows
  • Grange Supply Store: Guidelines for Grange Leaders
  • Grange Member Benefit: Harvest Hosts 

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!


Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent. For example, the last Friday of the month is usually a View from the Hill week, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

The Patrons Chain 4-5-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • Happy Grange Month!
  • National Grange President in the Media
  • Tonight: Fellowship First Friday
  • April Heirloom
  • Solving the Puzzle webinar
  • Grange Spotlight: Mile Branch Grange’s Duck Drop
  • SHIPmates applications open for second class
  • Be part of the Grange Story – apply for the Communication Fellows
  • Celebrate Bethlehem Grange’s 150th Anniversary
  • Grange Supply Store: Junior Grange enamel pins
  • Grange Member Benefit: Choice Hotels

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!


Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent. For example, the last Friday of the month is usually a View from the Hill week, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.