Calderwood Engineering has done a structural Inspection of the Grange Hall on Alexander Reed Road, and determined we need cellar work done for supports, etc., We also need to clean the attic for electrical work to be done. After paying for the posts, lumber, and wiring, we can’t afford the labor to do the moving work, and there are very few of us to get the labor done as quickly as we need.
A Work Bee will be held at the hall on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. We are hoping for help at any time during that time period. We can’t pay, but we can feed a crew and have games and crafts for kids whose parents are helping. Two of us have “Safe Gathering” background checks and experience helping kids have fun.
Grange is the original equal opportunity organization with women and teens being able to vote and hold an office since our founding over 150 years ago. Women also share in the labor of the Grange just as men share with cooking and cleaning.
Coming events include Awards Day for Community Citizens of Dresden and Richmond, the ART FEST by the Kennebec, Red Cross Blood Drive, Historical Talks, displays celebrating Richmond’s Bicentennial monthly until September, and Music Jams through the summer months.
Please help as you are able. FMI call 207-380-3369 or 207-380-3901.
Roque Bluffs/Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Dept & Jonesboro Grange are sponsoring a HUGE indoor yard sale at Jonesboro Grange. Look for the sign that we’re open, and come find a treasure! The sale will be open for ten days!
Funds split between the Roque Bluffs/Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Dept & Jonesboro Grange #357
Contact LouAnn Cox at 434-2131 or 263-3209 and arrange to drop off item donations.
Item drop-off times are March 1, 3, & 4. Clothing in good condition with no stains, rips, or holes accepted. Furniture, kitchenware, small appliances, toys in good condition, books, etc., are gladly accepted and appreciated! Contact LouAnn Cox at 434-2131 or 263-3209 and arrange to drop off item donations.
Gleaned from an email written by Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director
Visit www.nationalgrange.org/grange-month-2023 to access and download graphics, headers, calendars, press release templates, and more for your Granges to use. We will be celebrating Grange Spirit Week from April 16-22, and I hope you all join in! Who knows, there may be some prizes to come for your participation… There are likely to be more events added, so please stay tuned!
Virtual Fly-in Planned for April
We will be holding the Virtual Legislative “Fly-In” on April 26th. There will be more information and registration for this coming soon.
Canva “Zoom-Torial
Make plans to join the 2022 Communication Fellows and me on March 29 as we dive into “Canva 201.” We will be going a little more in-depth on a few things that Canva can offer. If you missed our first Canva Zoom-torial in January, you can access it here: https://youtu.be/xNGwn8hsR_o. If you have questions or an aspect of Canva you would like us to be sure to hit, please let me know.
March National Grange Events
MARCH 2023 – ALL TIMES EASTERN March 1: GRANGE FOUNDATION MN-IOOO CLUB 8:30 P.M. (ZOOM ) Connect: bit.lv/FoundationZoom March 14: MEMBERSHIP MATTERS (ZOOM) 8:30 P.M. Open to all! Connect: bit.lv/mml867 Contact abrozana@nationalgrange.org for more information. March 19: JUNIOR JIBBER-JABBER (ZOOM) 9:00 P.M. Connect: bit.lv/jibberjabberZoom Join National Junior Grange and Youth Development Director Samantha Wilkins for updates about the National Junior Grange Department. Contact Junior@nationalgrange.org for more information. March 29: COMMUNICATIONS ZOOM-TORIAL (ZOOM )8:30 P.M. Connect: bit.ly/GrangeZoom “Canva 201” – Using some of the more in-depth or technologically challenging areas of canva.com. Questions? Email pvonada@nationalgrange.org
National Grange Heirloom Program
Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Ritual and Declaration of Purposes. Please share “success stories” about the use of the program with us or if you come up with other innovative ways to incorporate the Program in your Granges. Information and materials are now available on the National Grange Website.
“Notes from National” is based on a monthly email received from the National Grange Communications Department.
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!
February Bulletin
The February Bulletin is complete and available for download and printing. Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.
Didja Notice?
We’ve added a “subscribe” menu item–if you aren’t receiving email from us, check it out!
How about a Puzzle Palooza in which teams will race against each other to finish a 750-piece jigsaw puzzle? The first team to complete the puzzle wins a prize.
Thought for You…
“You will never plough a field if you only turn it over in your mind.””
Irish Proverb
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!
Do You Have FOMO?
“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!
On February 18, 2023, Winthrop Grange will sponsor a craft-making fundraiser. Attendees will make a silverware windchime. The $25 fee includes instruction and all materials. Proceeds will benefit Winthrop Grange. The event will be held at the Pond Town Pub, 7 Union Street in Winthrop.
Contact Dot St Hilaire to reserve a spot. Text 207-242-7251 or send an email.
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!
February Bulletin
The deadline for the February Bulletin is February 14, 2023–that’s only nine days away! Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.
Didja Notice?
We’ve added a “subscribe” menu item–if you aren’t receiving email from us, check it out!
Congratulations!
Congratulations, Mr. Walter Boomsma, on receiving the Cultivator Award. Happy to read about it in the Jan 2023 issue of the Good Day. Well deserved. Ed and Jane McCall Bingham Grange #237
We’ve had an inquiry regarding this Grange… from a woman in Oregon who has some information (dues receipts, diaries, etc.) that might be of interest to a historical society or museum. We’re suggesting the Brewer Historical Society. If you have any information that might help, email Mary Gobet or let me know!
Is it too early to start planning spring cleaning at the Grange?
Thought for You…
“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.”
Joseph Addison
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!
Do You Have FOMO?
“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!
Ocean View Grange is located at 435 Port Clyde Road in St George Maine
By Larry Bailey, Master
Because of the really cold weather, we have some time to think about and plan for our upcoming year. You, as Grange members, can help our Grange by providing all of us with ideas and suggestions relating to:
Suppers etc. – Should we plan suppers? lunches? or brunches this year? While I find that the Bean Suppers are so characteristic of Granges all over, it might be good to change things up a bit. It is my opinion that, while we make some money at such activities, it is not the money that makes us do it. The real community gatherings and family friendship we see at these functions are worth more than money.
Community Help – I hope we can get back on the Road Clean-up program this year. It is one of those labors of love in which we can all participate. Why does this matter? Well, we help clean up the community roads, we get some good exercise while doing it, and we enjoy all the company of our fellow members and friends who come out to help. The question is…what else is there that we can lend our services to help our community. Think about it.
Let us plan to get back to upkeeping/repairing the Grange. We can, finish the paint job, clean the windows, and, one day, we can get someone in a hazmat suit to clean the attic at the Grange. Our windows need some attention; Let’s look at them and decide what needs to be done.
Would it be prudent to buy an inexpensive lawn mower and rotate members to mow our grass? Just food for thought?
We need to restart the Words for Thirds Program. I have a box of dictionaries here. If anyone is interested in helping with this, just let me know.
It was suggested by one of our members last year that we print the article entitled – “Maine History Trail – Ocean View Grange, Martinsville Maine” and distribute it to every visitor to our Grange. It provides a good history of the Ocean View Grange and might help with membership recruiting. We will need someone to be in charge of this.
What do we do with the Stair Lift? It has been a dismal failure since we bought it. Do we just dump it? Do we move our meetings to the first floor? Do we buy a new Stair Lift? This is an item for discussion. We will need a Grange member to look into this.
Bathroom toilet. Much like the Stair Lift and the kitchen sink, the leaky bathroom toilet is a failure and needs repair or replacement.
What other programs can we provide? For example, I would be willing to put on a watercolor painting class. What can you provide? Cooking class, Poetry session, etc, provide help with PC’s electronic problems, dance lessons, etc.?
These are just a few items that occurred to me. I know you have some thoughts and ideas too. Don’t think that one, two, or three members should jump in to do all of the repairs and upgrades for the foregoing. This is a group effort, and everybody needs to lend a hand and come up with thoughts and solutions. Let’s all join together and make our Grange a better, safer, and happier place than it has been!!!
Larry also distributed an Ocean View Grange Roster, requesting members make sure their information is accurate and updated.. There are some great ideas on this list. I’m sure Ocean View won’t mind if some other Granges “steal” them!
Gleaned from an email written by Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director
“I am working on Grange Month materials, though many of last year’s materials are still good, too, as we are in year 2 of the “Raised Right Here” theme. Make plans now to join us for “Grange Spirit Week” which will be held April 16-22nd, with a Zoom program in the works for EVERY night that week, but more on that soon! (April 16th also happens to be the founding date of Fredonia Grange #1, NY, which will celebrate its 155th birthday that day!).”
Social Media Calendar Available
Are you looking to add some spice to your Grange’s Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter pages? Check out our 2023 downloadable Social Media Calendar, which lists various “holidays” about which you can make posts or celebrations. Also included on the calendar are recurring National Grange meetings, holidays, events, and more. Feel free to pass this on to your Grange’s Lecturer, Secretary, social director, or anyone who helps plan events or activities for your Grange.
National Roster Available
The National Grange Roster lists, among other things, information about National Leadership and each state Grange with contact information. Download the National Grange Roster
Facebook Page Zoom-torial Recorded
As a reminder, Phil Vonado, National Grange Communications Director, led a Zoom-torial on “How to Create a Facebook Page,” which also included some information on the free design website Canva, as well as how to create a Facebook Event. This video is now available on the National Grange YouTube channel and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/-F3iqXyN5Lo. (We’ll be adding this link/video to the Grange Resources Page.)
National Grange Heirloom Program
Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Ritual and Declaration of Purposes. Please share “success stories” about the use of the program with us or if you come up with other innovative ways to incorporate the Program in your Granges. Information and materials are now available on the National Grange Website.
“Notes from National” is based on a monthly email received from the National Grange Communications Department.
Sagadahoc Pomona will host the Fifth Degree at Enterprise Grange #48, 15 Alexander Reed Road, Richmond, on April 26, 2023. Pot Luck Supper at 6:00 with host Grange furnishing beverages and dessert and other Granges providing a hot dish or salad. Hall is in town, the street across from the library & firehouse. (15 Alexander Reed Road). We do need help with anyone who knows the parts, please. Meeting at 7:00. If candidates are attending from another Pomona, please remember to have the application signed by the M/P or Sec of your home Grange.
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!
January Bulletin
The January Bulletin is now available! Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.
Didja Notice?
We’ve added a “subscribe” menu item–if you aren’t receiving email from us, check it out!
Got a Minute? Got a Pie? Got a Meal?
It seems ironic that after encouraging you to enjoy a minute listening to the podcast “Dropping by the with a Pie” posted by Plain Values Magazine, MSG CWA Directory Margaret Henderson reported dropping by a neighbor’s with a meal.
Grange Month Is Coming!
Even without counting on your fingers, you know Grange Month starts in just over two months! What’s the plan? How will your Grange celebrate? Don’t forget to submit your plans and events to the website!
Website Report
In case you missed it in my Communications Column, your MSG website was viewed over 1500 times during December 2022–and over 20,000 times during the entire calendar year 2022.
A Few Thank You’s
Special thanks this month to Marilyn Stinson for sharing some of our posts on her Facebook Feed! To Michelene Decrow, Barry Tracy, and Dave Gowen for their recent support and feedback on the website. Golly, this could get long… to all of you who support and contribute to the site!
Maybe it’s time to shift some of our thinking from what our community needs to what it wants. They might be the same, but thinking about wants creates a different slant. How about every Granger asking at least one person, “What would make our community a happier place?” and reporting the answers at the next Grange Meeting?
Thought for You…
“While we are living in the present, we must celebrate life every day, knowing that we are becoming history with every work, every action, every deed.”
Mattie Stepanek
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!
Do You Have FOMO?
“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!
