Category: Grange News

Read All About It!

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

Elizabeth Walztoni wrote an excellent article about Maine Granges, published in the Bangor Daily News yesterday (August 4, 2024).

Once town centers of agriculture, these public spaces haven’t quite disappeared

(If you read news online, you are probably familiar with paywalls—but try it! I think BDN will allow a limited number of free reads. This article is definitely a very positive one that’s worth reading!)

I’ve always said, “It’s easier to make news than it is to write press releases!”

What’s your Grange doing?

Communication Shorts 07-15-2024

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!

July Bulletin Is Available!

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

State Session Page is Available

A page dedicated to the 2024 State Session is now available with preliminary information. This will be a work in progress!

National Grange Digest Is Available on this Site

We have made the 2024 National Grange Digest available directly from the MSG Website. It is listed in the National Grange Section of the Program Books and Information Page. This booklet will answer many of your questions regarding Grange Law and Practice.

Scholarship Information/Application Available

The Educational Aid and Howes Nurses Scholarship information and application is now available on the Program Books and Information Page or this direct link. Note that the deadline for application is September 15, 2024.

New Links Available

We’ve added two new links to the site. One for “Troopons” and one for Maine Fair Information and Dates.

Consider this Idea!

Check out the Senior Circle being hosted by Victor Grange! It’s a fairly simple way to get folks into your hall!

Think about this!

“Doing things is not the same as getting things done.”

Jared Silver

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!

Senior Circles at Victor Grange

August 16, 2024, 11 am

Senior Circle – a potluck for Seniors to get together with others for socializing, networking and a game or two. Held on the 3rd Friday of the month at 11 am. . FMI Deb 207-453-4844 or Sherri 207-815-0615. Victor Grange 144 Oakland Rd Fairfield Center. No Charge.

New Maine Members!

According to Good Day! magazine, the following Maine Granges took in the following (more than fifty!) new members.

Bauneg Beg #382
Pam Gerry

Cambridge Valley #582
Gail A. Watson

Fairview #342
Mika Levitt
Nicole Vera

Jonesboro #357
Janice Philbrook

Merriconeag #425
Jim Alexander
Jan Davis
Abigail Hight
Will Hight
Elizabeth Manning

North Jay #10
Angelia Courchesney

Norway #45
Dennis Fenney
Jeffrey K. Windom

Saco #53
Pamely Beckley

South Sangerville #335
Warren Nuite

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 Slegona
Cheryl Wienges
Karen Womer

Trenton #550
Robert Alison
Greg Askires
Joanna Dotts
Lynn Gregonel
Bing Miller
Teryn Miller
Mary Turner
Cecila Zaveskotis

Union Harvest #591
Deborah Bailey
Beatrice Martin
Jeffrey Todd

Victor #49
Margaret Blair
William Blair
Donald Green
Joyce Green
Samuel Green
Adam Lerette
Joe Robles
Lisa Robles
Richard Tompkins
Sherry Tompkins
Mark Williamson
Sabrina Williamson

Winthrop #209
Robert Faucher

Reporters Wanted!

Stick figure press

No worries! It’s not THAT difficult!

With all the great Grange events around the state this summer, we should be able to show our communities the opportunities the Grange offers and how successful our programs and events are!

You won’t earn cash, but you will get credit. Consider yourself appointed as a reporter for the Maine State Website.

Smartphone photos are welcome for posting. Send them by email to webmaster@mainestategrange.org. Include at least a few details–think of it as captioning your photo so we know what it’s about. Remember the “who, what, where, when” basics.

We’ll try to keep this simple but here are a few guidelines.

  • Photos of children require the written permission of a parent or guardian to publish. A form is available here. The fact that the child is with a parent is not sufficient.
  • Courtesy and respect are important! Even with adults, explain that you’d like the photo posted on the website.
  • One of the common rules of press/media photography is “no feet! When taking a posed photo of a group, move in close and try to shoot above the waist. Time permitting, we’ll crop and edit if needed.
  • Additional information is available in the MSG Communications Handbook.
MSG Communications Department

Of course, written stories without photos work, too! We’re here to help! Send us what you have and we’ll write, edit, and let you know if we need additional information. Let’s show off the Grange!

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.

1st Annual Northeast Chaplains’ Worship Service

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Lunch at 12 noon, followed by worship service at 1:30 pm.

Vermont Grange Center
308 West Street
Brookfield VT

RSVP for Saturday Lunch to Ruth Hovey-Sicely of the Vermont State Grange. Reservations must be made by July 8, 2024.

Stay the weekend at the Grange Center!

  • Camper hookups and cabins are available
  • Meals available courtesy of Vermont State Grange

For reservations, contact Ruth Hovey-Sicely 802 223-7961 by July 8.

Notes from National – June 2024

  • Register for the 158th National Grange Convention in Bettendorf, Iowa, November 12-16, 2024. Information and registration links can be found at http://www.nationalgrange.org/158thconvention. Early Bird Registration will close on July 31, so if you want a discount on your registration fee, jump in now!
  • 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 July issue is out at the printer now, but we might still be able to get your name on the list.!
  • We are also looking for people to submit their Grange’s news so we can feature them in the Grange Today! newsletter or in Good Day! magazine.
  • The National Grange has a new podcast called “The Grange Hall,” which releases a new episode every other Wednesday. Listen 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.
  • 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 align 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 on 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.
  • 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.

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

Excelsior Grange Anniversary Day

Spend the whole day celebrating! — July 13, 2024

More information?

Visit the Excelsior Grange Facebook Page!

Visit Page

Communication Shorts 06-16-2024

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!

June Bulletin Is Available!

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

Junior Grange Meeting Schedule

There have been several changes to the Junior Grange Meeting Schedule. Please make sure you have the most recent information!

National Grange Digest Is Available on this Site

We have made the 2024 National Grange Digest available directly from the MSG Website. It is listed in the National Grange Section of the Program Books and Information Page. This booklet will answer many of your questions regarding Grange Law and Practice.

Scholarship Information/Application Available

The Educational Aid and Howes Nurses Scholarship information and application is now available on the Program Books and Information Page or this direct link. Note that the deadline for application is September 15, 2024.

Trenton Grange Hosts Weekly Farmers’ Market

Every Friday, from June 7 through October 4, 2024, Trenton Grange Farmers Market, 3 pm – 6 pm. 1134 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton. Vendors contact Beth Warner at 207 664-4164 or zeppa@ aol.com. Free admission. (Vendor/booth fee).

Grange Today?

As a reminder, this new publication replaces Patrons Chain and View from the Hill.

New Links Available

We’ve added two new links to the site. One for “TroopOns” and one for Maine Fair Information and Dates.

Consider this Idea!

Do you have a printed list of the programs your Grange offers?

Think about this!

“If you don’t help with the milking, you’ll forget the cows names.”

Amish Proverb

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!

Fraternal Concern — Rolf Staples, Sr.

Submitted by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

It is my sad duty to inform you that Rolf Staples Sr. passed away on June 10, 2024, following a long illness. Rolf was a member of Bangor Grange and Old Town Grange, where he held numerous offices, including Master/President.

Rolf served as Deputy of the North Penobscot Pomona from 2006 to 2009 and on the Maine State Grange Membership Committee. He led numerous Degree Days and an Officer Installation Team. He and his wife Anne supported Granges in the area, including the Piscataquis Pomona. Rolf’s knowledge and understanding of “the Grange Way” was deep, and he truly loved the Grange. When Rolf said, “for the good of the Order,” you could trust it.

Cards of condolence and encouragement should be mailed to Anne Staples, 487 Grandview Avenue, Apt 202, Bangor, ME 04401

A service is scheduled on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 1:00 pm, at the Essex Street Baptist Church in Bangor. A complete obituary is available here.

May the example of our Brother inspire us to persevere and
when we are called to lay down our implements here on earth, may we be reunited with all our Brothers and Sisters who have labored in His glorious cause. May we enter the Paradise not made with hands, eternal in the heavens and receive that welcome plaudit: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We remember our Brother not as one dead – but as one gone on before us through the gates, where dwells the Great Master of us all.

Adapted from the Subordinate Grange Manual, 2023