President’s Perspective – November 2022

By Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange President/Master
207 490-1029

Dec 3, 2022 — 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. we will have an Instruction meeting for Ritualistic Floor Work at State Grange HQ, 146 State St., Augusta. (weather permitting) 

Everyone is invited to attend. Those attending will be practicing the work, by volunteer, also switching around it will not just be State Officers and Deputies.  We will cover:

  • Opening & Closing  (Opening the Bible, Presenting the Flag, Introducing Honored Guests)
  • How to properly make the Salutation
  • Balloting procedure
  • Election procedure
  • How to handle Motions and following through
  • The State Secretary will cover reporting, records, funds, and ordering certificates
  • Other suggested Grange business and discussion  

I will also be holding this same workshop/meeting around the State starting in the spring, please invite me to your area or Grange, I would prefer a Saturday meeting during the day but could accommodate an evening if requested.  

Welcome to our 8 new State Grange members who received the 6th degree at our recent State Grange Session. Thank you to the Delegates and Members that attended. I thought the discussions were productive, and I appreciate your participation, input, and respect shown for each other during that part of the meeting. Thank you Bob for moderating. A lot of awards were presented, the Juniors participated, a heartfelt Memorial Service held, very interesting speakers Ann Bercher our National Grange Rep., and Nancy McBrady from the Dept of Agriculture, re-elected Nate Pennell to the Executive Committee and wonderful banquet and luncheon provided. I would like to hear from you what you thought of the schedule and the facilities (yes, I know everyone was cold). Personally, I like it there and plan returning there again next year. There is a lot less work to do to set up for the meeting, degree and sales room plus the price at the previous facility was seven times as much. 

A BIG thank-you to ALL who stepped up to fill in or help out in any way, it was once again a great show of teamwork and helped make a very successful session.  Officers, Deputies, Department Directors, and Committees, thank you for your continued work during the past years, and I am looking forward to working together once again. Thank you to the tellers for election and the Master’s Address committee. Marilyn Stinson and Terry LaCombe-Stevens have stepped down as Co-Junior Directors we sincerely appreciate your years of dedication and hard work to the Junior Grange program, Betty Young will be our new Junior Director. 

The new Department Program Books and Annual Reports were given to the Delegates for your Grange. If you did not have delegates at the session, you may download the programs and reports from the web under “Program Books” or if you want a printed copy, email the office or myself and we will send them to you.  You may request all or just select ones. Agriculture, Community Service, Communications/Web, CWA, Junior, and Lecturers.

Parkman Grange Hunter’s Supper

 November 19, 2022 – 4:30 – 6:00 pm

The Parkman Grange will be having a Hunter’s Supper on Saturday, November 19, 2022, from 4:30 to 6:00. The menu is beans, hot dogs, coleslaw, chop suey, Jackie Libby’s famous yeast rolls, desserts, and beverages.  The meal is by cash donation to the MSAD 4 Santa Project, which provides warm winter coats, boots, and toys to local kids. Gun raffle winners will be picked at 6 PM, followed by a pie auction to benefit the PCSS Class of 2023.  The Grange is located at the corner of State Highway 150 and North Dexter Road.  For more info, call Sue Manchester 277-3942.

St George Grange Christmas Craft Fair

40th Annual St. George Grange Christmas Fair Saturday, December 3, 2022

present boxes arranged on floor under decorated christmas tree
Photo by Marko Klaric on Pexels.com

The 40th Annual St George Grange Craft Fair will be held Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 9 am-2 pm and will include crafts, baked goods, jams, relish, fudge raffles, and more! It’s a big day!

Lunch starts at 11 am and will include homemade soups, biscuits, hot dogs, and drinks. Free coffee & mulled cider will be served. A live nativity, then a public supper starting at 5 pm.

Spend the day with us!

St George Grange is located at 32 Wiley’s Corner Road in St George. Contact Tammy Willey for more information.

Family Game Night at St George Grange

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

family of four walking at the street
Photo by Emma Bauso on Pexels.com

Family Game Night at St. George Grange. Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 6 pm-8 pm. Lots of fun games for all ages. Cards, cribbage, Janga, Go Fish, Battle Ship, Checkers, Operation, and many more.

Free refreshments!

St. George Grange is located at 32 Wiley’s Corner Road in St. George. For more information, contact Tammy Willey.

November Events

Here’s a reminder that there are some really cool things happening in November! If your event is missing let us know!

  • November 3, 2022, Special Program on Hawaii at Highland Lake Grange, 7 pm. FMI Dave Gowen at gowenfrm@gwi.net or 207-536-0038
  • November 5, 2022, Cards for Vets, 9 -11 am at Ocean View Grange. Write a card or draw a picture to send to our Vets. Contact Larry at 207 372-8075 for more information.
  • November 11, 2022, application deadline for MSAD #4 Santa Project sponsored by Parkman Grange. Call Sue Manchester for more information at 207 277-3942. MSAD #4 includes Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford Parkman, Sangerville and Wellington.
  • November 12, 2022, Drive-up, take-out Turkey Supper at Highland Lake Grange.
  • November 14, 2022, MSG Bulletin Deadline — columns and posts are due.
  • November 17, 2022, Annual Turkey Bowling Contest at Highland Lake Grange at 7 pm. Intrigued? Join us! FMI Dave Gowen at gowenfrm@gwi.net or 207-536-0038 (What is it with Highland Lake Grange and Turkeys?!)
  • November 19, 2022, Junior Grange Virtual Meeting at 10 am. Contact Junior Director for more information.
  • November 19, 2022, White Rock Grange Craft Fair from 9 am – 2 pm. White Rock Grange Facebook Page has more information.
  • November 23, 2022, Jonesboro Grange Wreath Order Deadline. Ordering Information
  • November 26, 2022, Christmas Craft Fair at Ocean View Grange in Port Clyde. Contact Larry at 207 372-8075 for more information.

Degree Days…

The following note was distributed during the 149th Annual MSG Convention.

I am Maynard Chapman and I am the Chief Deputy of the Maine State Grange. Also, I am the Deputy for Androscoggin County and as such have been getting volunteers to work the four degrees on candidates for the last ten or so years. We have done the degrees twice a year, in April and September, and have had candidates from all over the state.

I would really like to be able to start doing the degree work at the State headquarters in Augusta on a Sunday afternoon in April and September to start at 1:30 pm and finish at about 4:30 pm. In order to do this, I will need people to take the officer’s stations and either memorize or read the parts.

If you, or someone you know, can help us out by taking a part in one, or more, of the four degrees, please speak to me at the State Session or call me at home at 207-312-5591. We will plan to do the next one on April 23, 2023, at State headquarters in Augusta.

Contest Winners Announced!

The Community Service Committee (Christine Corliss, Cassandra Corless, and Victoria Huff) announced contest winners during the 149th Annual Maine State Grange Convention.

Community Service Contest Winners

  1. Highland Lake Grange #87
  2. Jonesboro Grange #357
  3. Enterprise Grange #48
  4. Valley Grange #144

Firefighter/EMT of the Year

Phil Roberts, nominated by Jonesboro Grange #357

Teacher of the Year

Morgan Swan, nominated by Jonesboro Grange #357

Granger of the Year

John Cox Jr.

Previous Grangers of the Year

2020-21, Rebekah Hodgson
2019-20, Walter Boomsma
2018-19, Ann Burns
2017-18, Victoria Huff

Family Health and Hearing Contest

Highland Lake Grange #87


Note that information and entry forms for 2022-23 are available on the Program Books and Information Page.