Tag: Grange Activities

Maine on tap for a cosmic display

Reprinted with permission from an enewsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

On April 8, millions will have a front row seat when the Moon’s shadow will sweep across the nation in a total solar eclipse. The last time the U.S. saw a total solar eclipse was on Aug. 21, 2017. However, this time the path of the eclipse will travel right through the heart of Maine.

The path in 2017 began in Oregon in the Pacific Northwest and traveled across the country in a southeasterly course until it ended in Charleston, S.C. For this year’s eclipse, the shadow or “path of totality” will begin its North American journey in Mazatlan, Mexico, at 9:51 a.m. MST.

The first Maine town to see the partial eclipse will be Jackman beginning at 2:18 p.m. EDT; and it will leave the U.S. through Houlton at 4:41 p.m. EDT. The total eclipse begins roughly 70 minutes after the partial eclipse begins.

Ultimately, the solar eclipse will leave land at 6:47 p.m. ADT in St. Pierre and Miquelon near Newfoundland. Both the official beginning and end of the eclipse takes place in the waters of the South Pacific and North Atlantic oceans respectively.

Aside from its path, the major difference this year is the size of the path of totality and the duration of the eclipse itself. According to NASA, the path in 2017 ranged from 62 to 71 miles wide and lasted about 2.5 minutes since the Moon was farther away from Earth. This year’s path will be much larger, ranging 108 to 122 miles wide.

That means the duration will be longer at about 4.5 minutes at its peak. When the total eclipse rolls through Houlton, it should last 3 minutes, 21 seconds.

For more information about this year’s total solar eclipse, visit NASA’s website.

Communications Note: Please be sure to visit the safety section of the Nasa Website! Also, will your Grange sponsor some type of event in conjunction with the event? This could range from offering safety information (FHH) to hosting an Eclipse Event, particularly if your Grange is located along the path. If you have an astronomer in your area, a pre-eclipse information program might draw a crowd! Put your thinking caps on!

Community Service/FHH – February 2024

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

Happy February! The daylight is increasing. Seedlings should be planted soon to be ready for community plant sales. Members have been making items for craft fairs, fair displays, and the Big E. Thank you for all your contributions and hard work for the community and Grange.

March is National Reading Month. Please contact Willie Grenier, Ag in the Classroom, to volunteer to Read to the classroom on March 2. Make sure to take pictures of volunteers reading. Before taking pictures of students, make sure it is permissible.

Please make sure you are keeping track of volunteer hours. Please use groups as stated in last month’s column. This is very important!

Family Health and Hearing

February is Black History Month and Heart Healthy Month

  • 20th is Love Your Pet Day
  • 23rd is Banana Bread Day
  • 29th is Leap Year-enjoy the extra day.

March is Women’s History Month, Brain Injury Awareness Month, and Nutrition Month.

  • 2nd is Read Across America Day
  • 6th is National Day of Unplugging
  • 13th is Earmuff Day – Chester Greenwood
  • 21st is National Agriculture Day
  • 30th is National Doctor’s Day

Reminder: Every Grange should be submitting a Community Service Report. This is separate from the notebook.

April is Grange month. Many opportunities for Community Service and celebrating the 150-year anniversary of the Maine State Grange.

Trenton Grange Seeks Vendors

Weekly Farmer’s Market to Open in June

Trenton Grange #550 is seeking vendors for their farmers’ market. Starting on Friday, June 7, 2024, the Grange will be hosting a weekly Farmer’s Market and is currently taking applications from vendors. The Farmer’s Market will be on Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm from June 7, 2024, to October 18, 2024. For more information and an application, please email fotg550@gmail.com or call/text Beth at 207-664-4164. It’s a great location, right at the light in Trenton (1134 Bar Harbor Road)!

Email for an application!

President’s Perspective – February 2024

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

The password ciphers were sent to the Grange Secretaries when the December Quarterly Report Forms were mailed. The keys to the password will only be mailed to the master’s when all dues are paid up to date, including the December 2023 Quarter. If you have not received your key, check with your secretary or our office to confirm your dues are paid in full. Sharon did tell me recently that not all dues are up to date. 

I must remind everyone of your Obligation to the Grange you took when you joined. It states in part, “ I will not knowingly wrong or defraud a brother or sister of the Order or allow it to be done by another if within my power to prevent it. I will endeavor to be a true and faithful Patron of Husbandry… Should I knowingly or willfully violate this pledge, I will invoke upon myself suspension or expulsion from the Order.”  I have had several calls from members in different areas to complain about the use of profanity during meetings and public events. There is no place in the Grange for the use of foul language, no matter what you feel the circumstances are. Whether in a meeting or around the kitchen, whether guests, new members, or non-members are present or not, it is not acceptable behavior. Maybe you normally talk that way; you feel it is just words, but it is offensive to others.  If you feel the need to talk like that, I would suggest you go to the bar or sporting event where you will fit right in. But even those places have rules and limits, and even those places where that talk is common, you would be asked to leave! I am sorry if you are offended by this message, but it needed to be said. Sadly, those who do the cursing won’t be the ones to acknowledge.    

After four years off, the Northeast Leaders Conference held in January was a big success, with 87 enthusiastic members attending. Introductions by State Masters/Presidents of those attending from their respective states. Maine was represented by Mike Griffin, MSG Overseer; Missy Baldwin, MSG Lecturer; Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service & Family Health & Hearing Director; Brenda’s husband, Joe Fallo; and me. The Northeast State Masters/Presidents & Overseers/Vice Presidents (the Northeast Connection group) and New England Grange Building Trustees. Everyone attending could sit in on whichever meeting or break-out group they chose. 

The State Lecturers made plans for the Northeast Lecturers Conference, to be held June 21 – 23 at the Holiday Inn in Norwich, CT. This event is for all, not just Lecturers. Let’s support our State Lecturers and plan to attend. Details will be forthcoming.

The State Youth Directors started their plans for the NE Youth Conference hosted in NY July 19 – 21. I will share details when available.

 The NE Chaplains group decided to return to the Regional Church Sunday, similar to the ones in the past. This year, it will be held on July 27 at the VT Grange Camp, with family activities, games, and a potluck lunch. All are invited. Plans will be finalized soon.

The State Junior Directors and interested members met to discuss the craft for display at the Big-E in Sept at the New England Grange Building. The Junior craft for 2024 will be Crayola Model Magic.  The craft for 2025 will be Egg Carton Craft.

The Community Service, Family Activities, Women’s Activities, and others met as a large group, having good discussions on activities for their states and ideas all could try. Agriculture, Membership, Information/IT, and others also met during the weekend.

As the weekend progressed, interesting and helpful workshops were presented to the entire group: Harnessing AI to Our Advantage, Promoting the Grange in all Media, Leadership and Conflict Resolution, and Grant Writing.

Castine Granger Honored

Basil Clements receives his eighty-year certificate

“That’s a lot of years,” Basil said when he received his certificate from Maine State Grange Communications Director Walter Boomsma in a “sort of” Grange Meeting held at Emilio Estates in Corinth. While distance has prevented active involvement, Basil speaks of his Grange membership every day, and his room is decorated with certificates and Grange memorabilia.

Front Row: RN Breanna, Basil Clements
Back Row: Walter Boomsma, with Valley Grange Members Janice Boomsma, Mary Annis, and Jim Annis

The “sort of” meeting was attended by a support team from Valley Grange, several of Basil’s nurses and Emilio staff, a niece and her husband, and at least one resident of Emilio Estates. Boomsma explained that since circumstances have put some distance between Basil and his home Grange in Castine, Valley Grange has adopted him. “But we aren’t charging you dues.” Basil noted proudly that, as a Golden Sheaf (fifty-year) member, he hasn’t paid dues for some years but recalled when he did pay them, they charge was $1.25 per year. He also wasn’t sure when he last attended a meeting.

“So we brought a meeting to you,” Boomsma explained, conducting some of the opening and closing ritual, including the familiar Grange Salutation. During the meeting, Basil’s nurse, Breanna Bowman, was also presented with a special Certificate of Appreciation for her assistance with the meeting preparations and support. “You demonstrate Grange Values, and we are now considering you an ‘almost’ Granger.”

In good Grange fashion, the event included some socializing. When the event ended, Boomsma noted, “We’re Grangers. This is what we do. We take care of our communities, and we take care of each other.”

Those who would like to send Basil a card of congratulations may do so by addressing it to Basil Clements, Emilio Estates, 65 W Corinth Road,
Corinth, ME 04427. He first joined the Grange on March 20, 1943 and will begin his 81st year soon!

  • David and niece Linda
  • Walter and Basil enjoy a moment
  • The Valley Grange Team with Breanna and Basil
  • Walter, Nurses
  • Basil’s 80 Year Certificate

Mill Stream Grange Gives!

Mill Stream Grange Master Judy Dunn (r) presents the annual Christmas donation to the Food Bank. Accepting, on the left, is member Rosie Baker, who is a volunteer at the Mt. Vernon Area Food Bank.

Communication Shorts 02-01-2024

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!

February Bulletin Coming Soon!

The deadline for the February Bulletin is Valentine’s Day! Remember, the past few Bulletins are available for downloading and printing on the Program Books and Information Page. We also do occasionally accept “guest posts” on topics of interest to Grangers. See the guidelines!

National Grange Email Addresses

Please note there is no “general” email address for National Grange–you’ll need to decide who to address your concerns and questions to! There is a Directory of National Officers and a Directory of Paid Staff on the National Grange Website.

Don’t Forget This!

Do you have news to share about your Grange? A summary of a past event? Advertising of a future event? These are exciting and fun ways to attract new members. Submit the details for a website post and event calendar listing! This is not difficult, and you get lots of free publicity!

USDA Assistance for Severe Weather

If your farm suffers losses in this severe winter weather, you might qualify for USDA’s disaster assistance programs. Also, a reminder: if you have crop insurance, contact your agency within 72 hours if you suffer losses in this severe winter weather. (Compliments of UMaine Extension)

Online Directory of Granges

Yay! The online directory of Granges is updated! This round of updates was based on the most recent Roster. The contact person and information may be the master or the secretary. (It’s a long story.) Please check your Grange’s listing and email the webmaster if anything needs to be changed!

Ideas for Granges

Just because you’ve closed your hall for the winter, you don’t have to close your Grange! You can meet virtually, at someone’s home, or at a restaurant. It’s a great time of the year to “think spring” and plan some activities and events when the weather improves! Grange Month is two months away!

Thought for You…

The man who moves a mountain begins by moving small stones.

Confucius

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

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 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!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

February Events

There’s no reason to get Cabin Fever–here are some Grange Events around the state for you.

  • February 1, 2024, Piscataquis Pomona Meeting at 7 pm at Valley Grange Hall. Contact Bill Bemis FMI.
  • February 2, 2024, Community Potluck Supper at Trenton Grange, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., 1134 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton. For more information, see this post or visit the Trenton Grange Website.
  • February 3-4, 2024, Community Bazaar (crafts, farmers’ market, yard sale…) at Trenton Grange from 9 am until 2 pm both days. For more information, see this post or visit the Trenton Grange Website.
  • February 7, 2024, Join the National Grange and Rural Minds for an introduction to the Rural Mental Health Resilience Program. Register at http://grange.biz/RMHR
  • February 14, 2024, Deadline for the MSG Bulletin
  • February 17, 2024, Junior Grange Meeting at Danville Grange. Contact Director Betty Young for more information.

What’s your Grange doing? Don’t forget to submit your events!

Exploring Traditions – January 2024

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

What is “ample form?”

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

“By command of the Worthy Master/President, I proclaim this Grange opened in ample form for promoting the welfare of our country and of mankind, and for advancing the interests, elevating the characters, and increasing the influence of all Patrons of Husbandry, by properly transacting our business and by exemplifying our principles in Faith, in Hope, in Charity and with Fidelity.”

Overseer’s Declaration, opening the Grange

A few of us are soon to engage in an event that will have great meaning. A short description is that we will be honoring a Grange member who is completing his eightieth year of Grange Membership. Since he’s currently confined to a hospice facility, we will be visiting him there. He loves his Grange Membership. His bed is surrounded with certificates and Grange memorabilia.

Either by default or self-appointment, I am in charge of this event. My goal is to do something “meaningful and memorable.” Since I know he’s not been able to participate in meetings for some time, I thought we might bring a meeting to him. Or at least something resembling a meeting. Those attending have agreed to wear sashes; that’s a start.

My Grange instincts went into high gear, and I remembered the basic requirements of a meeting. That’s the nature and part of the value of ritual. “I’ll need a flag… a Bible…”

During these considerations, I keep hearing the words of the Overseer opening a Fourth Degree meeting. “In ample form.” We won’t be conducting official business at this meeting—we’ll be honoring a man who has lived the Grange Way of Life for nearly 80 years.

“Ample form” is mentioned more than once in the opening by both the Master/President and Overseer, but the overseer uses a different phrase when closing.

By command of the Worthy Master/President, I proclaim this Grange duly closed until again lawfully opened, in Faith, in Hope, in Charity, and with Fidelity.

Overseers Declaration, closing the Grange

Hmmm! Those who know me well are probably chuckling at the realization that I’m overthinking this. But at the same time, there is value in thinking about what can be habitual and ritual. Truthfully, I’d never noticed the difference in wording. So now I’m wondering if there’s a difference between “ample form” and “legally opened.”

For our upcoming event, I’ve decided we will open in ample form. I haven’t fully decided what that means yet, but I suspect it will include the Grange Salutation and some of the opening and closing rituals. We’re not expecting any Grange Police and I don’t think it will matter to our guest of honor if we’re not “lawfully opened.”

Lest there be confusion, I am not devaluing the ritual. If anything, this is a plea for perspective. It’s also a plea for critical thinking. We should conduct business lawfully. But what constitutes ample form if we’re committing to “…promoting the welfare of our country and of mankind, and for advancing the interests, elevating the characters, and increasing the influence of all Patrons of Husbandry, and by exemplifying our principles in Faith, in Hope, in Charity, and with Fidelity.”

See what I did there?

Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-sixth edition of the 2013 Subordinate Grange Manual or the most recent edition of the Pomona Grange Manual. The views and opinions expressed in “Exploring Traditions” are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine and policy of the Grange. Information about the book “Exploring Traditions—Celebrating the Grange Way of Life” can be found at http://abbotvillagepress.com, on Mr. Boomsma’s Amazon Author Page, or by contacting the author.

Communication Shorts 01-15-2024

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!

January Bulletin Available!

The January Bulletin is complete and available for downloading and printing on the Program Books and Information Page.

Trenton Grange has a great new website!

In case you missed it in the links, you may want to check out the Trenton Grange Website–it’s awesome!

Don’t Forget!

Don’t forget to submit the details for a website post and event calendar listing! This is not difficult, and you get lots of free publicity!

National Grange Roster Available

The 2024 National Grange Roster is now available for download. It lists all National and State Grange Officers with contact information.

Ideas for Granges

Swap or trade programs are becoming increasingly popular. I’ve recently seen events for musicians, readers (books), cooks (recipes), and even spices! Bringing people together with a purpose sounds like a great cabin-fever reliever!

Thought for You…

“A year from now, you may wish you had started today.”

Karen Lamb

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

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!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website