Category: Family Health & Hearing

Family Health and Hearing Committee and Information

Community Service/FHH – April 2025

By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193

There is a revised Community Service Report Form for 2025. Changes were made at the National level, so we have revised our information, requirements, and form. The new information and forms will be mailed to each Grange this month.

We are asking each Grange to fill out the Maine Community Service Summary Report and return it to us by August 31, 2025. This can be part of a detailed report or just the form. We need to receive 25% participation of our Subordinate Granges returning the form to receive some additional funding from National Grange to help with our awards at State Session in October.

Even if you are doing a few small projects, a large project, or not doing Community Service in your area, please return the form anyway. Please note the 3/19/25 revised Community Service Summary form and instruction information about the detailed report is enclosed and can be found on the Maine State Grange website under Program Books and Information Page for Community Service: 2024-25 Community Service Revised Pages. You may request the revised form & information or the completely revised book from State Grange. (The form, instruction information page, and judges sheet are the only changes to the book.)

We must hit that 25% to receive the funding necessary to move forward.
Just a friendly reminder the Community Service Reports or folders are due to the director no later than August 31, 2025! Be sure to include the revised Community Service Summary Report and mail to:

Brenda Dyer
9 Marial Ave
Biddeford, ME 04005

Remember your Nomination for Police – Firefighter/EMT – Educator Of The Year 2024-25. You may nominate one individual for each of these three categories using a separate form for each.

We can’t wait to see what new and exciting things you have been working on this year! Congratulations on your CS work, and thank you so much for your support!

Community Service/FHH – March 2025

By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193

Just to update you on the State Community Service Contest. Changes are being made on the State level and will be posted and sent to Granges soon. 

One major change will be no notebooks and the report will be limited to 10 (ten) double sided sheets. This is to be a report of your projects answering specific questions about your project(s) – I will get that off to you by next month and mailed  to the Granges.

I have included a message from the National Community Service co-directors. 

Message from National

The 2025 National Grange Community Service Program is now posted on the National Grange website (nationalgrange.org).

We have found that not all PCs/Laptops/smartphones show the same format but under Community Service, you will find a page with the CS logo describing the 2025 National Grange Community Service Program. 

Also included are the National Grange Community Service Report Form and a “Share Your Project’s Story” Form and Program Ideas. 

In 2025, the focus of Community Service will not be a contest, but a celebration of good works. As such, there will be no judging on the National level. No notebooks are to be taken to National Convention or sent electronically prior to Convention to the community service email address.  

Likewise, “Of the Year” Nominations for Fireman, Teacher and Policeman will not be judged on the National level but can be recognized on the local and State levels.  

We encourage each State to receive the Subordinate Grange reports/notebooks and “Of the Year” nominations in the format that best serves your State.  The option to judge or don’t judge is yours.    As State Director, you have the responsibility to work with your State President and others as necessary to determine what is best for your State and get it communicated to your Subordinate Granges.  

The 2025 National Grange Community Service Report Form must be completed by the State Community Service Director or State President and emailed to communityservice@grange.org 

In order to receive the monetary $250 award from National, States must meet the required 25% of their total Subordinate Granges submitting reports to the State level.

The Report form must be sent to us in the current calendar year.

Please note that the hours expended for Project Sustenance, the newly launched National Grange Program, is to be included on the CS Report Form.  Details for this program can be found on the Project Sustenance page on the National Grange 

Any Subordinate Grange can submit a “Share Your Project’s Story” Form.  

We know there are changes announced here from what some of you had been told previously and we apologize for any inconvenience.  We do trust, however, that you have been making a difference in your communities and now we can finally all move forward together with the 2025 National Grange Community Service Program.

As National Co-Directors, we are committed to helping you be successful.  Please contact us at communityservice@grange.org and we will try our best to assist.  Best wishes.

Bonnie Mitson & Randee Farmer
NG Community Service Co-Directors

Enterprise Grange Happenings

by Marilyn Stinson, Enterprise Grange Lecturer

Enterprise Grange is located in Richmond, Maine

Enterprise Grange meets on the third Tuesday monthly with a potluck supper at 6:00 and a meeting at 7:00. We often have guests and friends at our suppers and usually have our Family Health and Hearing reports and discussions while gathered around our tables.

Did you know that if you have hearing loss and need aids if you have an Apple iPad, you can get earbuds and listen through your phone? The background noises are minimized, and there is less discomfort for older people struggling with something new.

Cliff demonstrated his new hearing aids with their tiny antenna. What a blessing. We’ve also discussed diabetes emergencies and problems after tick bites. Guests join in the discussions. This is after we’ve eaten, so no problems with queasy stomachs during the meal.

March is MS Awareness month, and we will have a guest sharing her story of her life with the disease on March 18, 2025. We love to have other Grangers join us!

We are at 15 Alexander Reed Road in Richmond. If you use a GPS, please enter 14 Alexander Reed because 15 will direct you to an empty field about 1/4 mile away. We are in town, the street across from the fire station. For more information, ontact Marilyn Stinson at 207.737-2611 and leave a message on her landline, please.

Community Service/FHH – February 2025

By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193

I am still waiting on information from National Grange on the updated changes to the Community Service Program. National Grange stated it is posted on the website, but I have not found anything. The Community Service Committee realizes that the books you submit are your yearbooks, and your Grange keeps them for open houses and anniversary celebrations. Keep working on your projects, make your notebooks and it will be much easier to pick the projects to submit. There are so many Community Service Projects that can be done this time of year.

Family Health and Hearing

This is a great time of the year to enjoy indoor and outdoor family time. Outdoor festivals, sliding parties, skating, making snow people, animals or sculptors, hockey games, basketball, making crafts, playing games, working on Grange contests, and enjoying a movie are just a few suggestions.

Please make sure you are hydrated, staying rested, and eating healthy.
Make sure you are bundled up properly for school, work, or just running errands. It is important to take care of yourself and your loved ones. Most of all, enjoy the many things in life that make memories and keep us safe and healthy.

I will update you as soon as I receive the information. Happy February!

Keeping ME Warm!

by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

Our state is in for some bitterly cold temperatures early next week. In some areas, wind chill factors will reach 20 – 30 degrees below zero. Stay safe!

If your Grange plans to open your hall as a warming center, PLEASE let us know. You can use the submit information tab on the website or send me an email. I will get the information posted quickly in a “Facebook Friendly” way that will make it easy for the information to be shared.

At a minimum, include your Grange’s name, location (street address and/or directions), and any details such as the hours open, etc.

Thanks!

Community Service/FHH – January 2025

By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193

Happy 2025! Attending the 2025 Northeast Leaders Conference was very informative and educational. There are some changes being made to the Community Service Notebooks for this year.

  • Notebooks will be a maximum of ten pages. This means five sheets of paper double-sided.
  • Pages 1&2 Grange picture and Grange #, brief description of Community Service
  • Pages 3&4, 5&6 will include the top three projects
  • Pages 7&8, 9 are included if needed
  • Page 10 should be a summary page.

Remember, only five pages total. Use both sides. Less pages is fine. Use both sides. Judging is on content, not appearance.

The National Grange Community Service Project is Conservation. More information, including ideas for projects, will be coming soon!

Community Service/FHH – December 2024

By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193

Happy December! There are many ways to help out the Community during this Holiday Season. Make sure you document the planning, actual service, time spent (members and nonmembers), who was involved in the project, pictures, thank you notes, etc. This is what is needed for the notebook report. Also, document on end of year report. These are two separate Community Service reports.

FH&H: Fall leaves us, and winter begins. With temperatures fluctuating and socializing increasing, please dress accordingly and be aware of the environment. It is a great time of year, but if you don’t feel well, stay home and take care of yourself. It is the season for colds, flu, Covid, and respiratory issues. Make sure you are up to date with shots.

This is also a great time to spend or connect with family and friends and make great memories!

Keep your head, hands, and feet warm and dry. This will help keep body temperature steady and keep you comfortable.

Merry Christmas & Happy 2025!

Food Banks Gearing Up

Reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

Because so many Granges support food banks, this should be of interest!

With the holidays upon us, many food pantries across the state are gearing up to meet the demand of families that need food assistance. Those needs have become more pronounced the past few years as many families continue to grapple with higher food costs that began a dramatic upward climb in 2021.

According to data from the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, the nonprofit and its 600 food assistance partners delivered 39 million meals to Mainers in hunger last year. That’s the highest number in the organization’s history and well ahead of their goal of 33 million meals by 2025 that was established in their 2015 Strategic Plan. It shows demand is not slowing down anytime soon.

And unfortunately, supply has not kept pace. Food banks across the country are also reporting shortages as higher grocery costs contributing to that demand may also mean less donations from families that may have donated in the past but are now struggling themselves. Additionally, inflation also limits the impact cash donations have in covering food that is more expensive to buy.

Maine’s institutions of higher education are also providing resources for students facing food insecurity. A joint study published by the University of Maine and Husson University in 2021 estimated that 42% of college students were worried about having enough money for food. The study, Food Insecurity in Maine Higher Education, also found that 35% of students surveyed across 24 campuses in Maine ended up skipping meals and 13% went without eating for one or two days.

In April of last year, Husson began a food and hygiene pantry to serve such students in need. In doing so, Husson joined other campuses like Southern Maine Community College and the University of Maine’s flagship and Farmington campuses, all of which have had food pantries for years.

As we approach the holidays, Maine’s food banks will be grateful for any donations to help those most in need. To assist a food pantry near you, the state’s Department of Agriculture’s Resource Development Division has a map that lists all of the state’s food assistance programs under the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program. Good Shepherd also provides a list of its 600 food assistance partners here.

Community Service/FHH – November 2024

By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193

The Community Service Committee would like to thank all Grangers (Community Service Chairperson, committee members, individuals, and groups) and non-Grange members (groups, citizens and individuals) for their hours of community service and supporting the Grange.

Community Service Notebooks
These notebooks are a report of the Community Service Projects usually one to two pages (three if absolutely needed) for each project. The 1-2 pages will describe the project, planning involved, advertising for project, pictures of project, recognition and thank you.

Ten notebooks were submitted. A certificate of participation recognition was presented to each Grange. Monetary awards were given to the first four places.

10. Willow Grange #366
9. Evening Star Grange #83
8. Hudson Grange #457
7. Valley Grange #144
6. Maple Grove #148
5. Jonesboro Grange #357
4. Saco Grange #53, $50.00
3. Highland Lake Grange #87, $150.00
2. Lakeside Grange #63, $200.00
1. Enterprise Grange #48,$250.00 (Enterprise Grange Notebook goes on to National Grange, representing Maine State Grange.)

Marilyn Stinson of Enterprise Grange was selected as Granger of the Year. Granger of the Year chooses a cause to receive a $100 donation. Marilyn selected the Home for Little Wanderers.

Highland Lake Grange #87 was awarded $50 as the winner of the FH&H Contest.

For a complete report, see the 2023-24 Community Service Annual Report of winners.

Thank you all for participating in the Community Service Programs! Congratulations to all participating Granges and winners!

Coping With Election Day Stress

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

These links all lead to articles on the JED Foundation Website.

A friend recently announced that she plans to keep her son home from school on November 5 (Election Day) and the day after. She is taking the days off from work. They will “hunker down” until she deems it safe to “come out.” Sadly, I find it difficult to challenge her plan. This is an intense election year.

As the day approaches, it seems appropriate to offer some resources to help us manage through these difficult times. The resources listed below come from the JED Foundation, which has existed for 25 years and has a well-documented track record. I originally developed an interest in JED because it specializes in protecting the emotional health and preventing suicide of teens and young adults. They offer excellent programs and materials in partnership with schools, colleges, and parents. In short, I am comfortable and confident in recommending these resources.

Using mental health resources is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, accessing tools and information indicates strength and builds it. One of the things to like about the JED Website is that it is engaging and extremely easy to navigate. Most of these resources are equally applicable and valuable to older folk!

Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you, doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.

Lisa Olivera