Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277
Going forward in the new year, let us remember to be kind to one another, spreading love, joy, happiness, and faith. Let us have faith enough so we can hope for anything we want. Why not hope for kindness, joy, happiness, and love?
Being kind to one another is showing love.
“And now abideth faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love.”
I Corinthians 13:13
By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director
Making it Work
How providential that I recently received this email from Larry Bailey, Master of Ocean View Grange:
FYI – The dictionaries for the Ocean View Grange “WORDS FOR THIRDS” project have been ordered. There are two third-grade classes to whom we will distribute the books. The students have always seemed excited and grateful for getting the dictionaries. I was very surprised to see that response when we first gave out the dictionaries given that we live in an electronics and internet-based world.
Larry’s email was sent to members—I was copied. Communication creates involvement and allows people to feel engaged even if they are not directly participating. As another example, we recently completed Valley Grange’s “Dictionary Day” Words for Thirds Program. One of those days received front-page coverage in a weekly newspaper. As a direct result, a woman located some distance away sought out and called our secretary, explaining how much a dictionary meant to her as a child. She also mailed a $100 donation to us to support the program. She wanted to be part of what we were doing.
Words for Thirds is a program with a huge potential impact, particularly when we think about the communication aspect. What child doesn’t enjoy a gift? One reason I strongly urge an in-school presentation is that we are delivering more than dictionaries. We are delivering interest and care for our kids. Our organization and its members care about our third graders and their learning opportunities. I love telling the story of a high school student who saw and recognized me. She approached me to share that. I admitted she had an advantage because I did not recognize her. She explained, “I just want you to know that I still have the dictionary you and the Grange gave me when I was in third grade.”
Gifts are a form of communication. The impacts of the gift and the things we do (and don’t do) are yet another form of communication. It’s trite but true that sometimes what we do shouts so loud people can’t hear what we say. One of the things to love about Words for Thirds is it shouts and does a lot of good things loudly!
► FACT: We currently have sixteen Granges here in Maine participating in or interested in Words for Thirds!
By Margaret Henderson, Director
Committee on Women’s Activities
207 948-2762
It has been brought to my attention that the measurements for the clock in the wooden craft project are incorrect. They should be 12 inches wide and 15 inches in height. Please read this at your meetings so that everyone has the correct information. I know that a lot of Granges close for the winter so I will make sure to mention this again in the spring.
I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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!
Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277
Happy New Year to you and your families.
Let us reflect not only on our accomplishments of last year but also on the things we fell short on. Did we do our best? We should do all things in the name of Jesus; after all, we are his disciples and should seek his guidance. The Bible tells us that if we ask, we shall receive if it’s according to his will.
Here are a couple of verses to reflect on:
“Be delighted in the Lord. Then He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him to help you do it, and He will.”
Psalms 37:4-5, The Living Bible
“Now teach me good judgment as well as knowledge. For your laws are my guide.“
Psalms 119:66, The Living Bible
Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.
Use the icons below to share this Grange Heirloom on social media and help others understand what the Grange stands for! If this heirloom has a particular meaning for you, click the “leave a comment” link at the left and share your comment with us!
For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.
While the Grange calls it “Words for Thirds,” many organizations and businesses are involved in The Dictionary Project. Heather Rank of the Fargo-Moorhead Rotary Club provided a wonderful video demonstrating their efforts. We think it’s great that a kid does the interviews! It gets a little noisy in places, so you may want to turn on closed captioning.
If your Grange is not involved in Words for Thirds, you miss a huge opportunity! There are so many benefits, and it’s fun! Check out our pages of resources to help. Let us know if you’re interested or have any questions. The third-graders in your community are waiting!
We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.
Henry Allen Ironside
Best wishes for a happy and thankful Thanksgiving!
The Thanksgiving Reader is a fun activity about gratitude, family, and possibility. It was created several years ago by Seth Godin to”bring people together to not only celebrate the end of the harvest but to look one in another in the eye and share something magical.” It’s absolutely free, simple and easy! Check it out!
Valley Grange is proud to have handed out close to 250 dictionaries to third-graders this year. That puts us well over 4,000 since starting the program several decades ago. Enjoy some photos of this year’s program.
Dictionary Days are fun because learning is fun!
If your Grange is interested in starting a Words for Thirds Dictionary Program, complete the form below. No obligation!
