Tag: Grange Communication

Communication Shorts 03-28-2026

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com.

April Bulletin

Items for the printed April Bulletin must be submitted by the end of the day, April 14. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

2026 State Session

You may want to note that the State Session is scheduled for October 30-31 at the Black Bear Inn, Orono! Mark your calendar!

Website Outages

Hopefully, the worst is over! Supposedly, the site has been moved to new servers, but we did have another 20-minute outage on Thursday. We’re continuing to monitor and will keep everyone posted. If improvements don’t happen soon, I will initiate the process of finding a new provider. It’s a big job that I’m hoping to avoid!

What’s Going On?

Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Surely, there are lots of Grange things happening in Maine. We also love photos and reports of events that have happened.

To Ponder…

“April is a promise that May is bound to keep.”

Hal Borland

An Idea for Your Grange

Cribbage seems to be catching on! Could your Grange sponsor a Cribbage Club? It could be a regular informal gathering, or maybe even include a tournament.

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.

Grange Today! 3-27-2026

The Newsletter of the National Grange

Articles in this edition include:

  • National Grange Awards $40,000 to make Direct Community Impact
  • Addressing the Rising Alzheimer’s Crisis in Rural America
  • Congratulations to our winners!
  • View from the Hill
  • Opinion: Women’s Health Progress Must Reach Rural America
  • Grange Month is Around the Corner
  • Rural Minds Launches New Farmer Mental Health Resilience Program
  • Grange Store Notice
  • Walk More to Stress Less: Get Moving to Improve Well-Being
  • Recipes from the Heartland
  • Member Benefit: Choice Hotels
  • Grange Store: Membership Pins

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!

Read the Current Issue

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.

Fraud Watch- Free Event!

Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Scams are everywhere today—from fake texts and emails to nonstop phone calls—and the damage is devastating. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost as much as $196 billion to financial fraud in 2024, with older adults losing as much as $81.5 billion.

This April, AARP is mounting a nationwide Fraud Prevention Month, through which volunteers across the country will host hundreds of free local events that offer practical ways to stay informed, safe, and connected. Many sites will also offer free, safe document shredding to help prevent identity theft.

You can also join us from the comfort of your home on April 15 for a special fraud prevention broadcast on RFD‑TV and online, or pick up the phone for a nationwide Tele‑Town Hall with AARP fraud experts on April 30. Learn more at aarp.org/fraudsafety.

Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.

More Topic Resources

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

AARP Fraud Watch Network

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out the AARP online form or email me@aarp.org.

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Legislative Sentiments

Maine Legislative Sentiments are highly regarded, formal recognitions used by the Maine Legislature to honor significant individual, civic, or organizational accomplishments. These sentiments act as official, bipartisan commendations, often presented on the floor to highlight milestones, such as 30 years of educational leadership or exceptional community service, marking them as sincere expressions of appreciation. Often, these sentiments receive unanimous support, reflecting a moment of unity in a sometimes divided political landscape.

For those Granges who celebrate Community Citizens, consider contacting your local Senator or Representative and asking if they might sponsor a Legislative Sentiment for your honoree. Sometimes they will even attend your event to present it–if you invite them!

Find your Senator or Representative by clicking here!

Fraud Watch- “We’ll buy your home…”

Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

If you own a home, you’ve probably received a solicitation saying, “We want to buy your house.” The offer may sound appealing, but it’s often not in your best interest.

These sell‑your‑home schemes often target older homeowners who are likely to have significant home equity. The bad actors search public records for foreclosure filings, divorces, or recent deaths to identify homeowners who may be under financial or emotional stress.

They frequently rely on high‑pressure sales tactics and misleading claims—including misrepresenting the value of your home, exaggerating market conditions to create a false sense of urgency, or even suggesting you may owe back taxes.

Even promises to buy homes “as is” can be misleading. In some cases, buyers later back out of that pledge and demand repairs before completing the sale, leaving the seller responsible for costly fixes after all.

If you’re thinking about working with a “We Buy Homes” company, know the true value of your home, understand what you’re signing, and get legal advice before moving forward.

More Topic Resources

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

AARP Fraud Watch Network

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out the AARP online form or email me@aarp.org.

Share this news!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

MSG Website Outages

Maine State Grange Communications

We are aware that the MSG Website has recently experienced outages lasting from a few minutes to half an hour. Most seem to be happening overnight and early in the morning.

Our website host has announced a scheduled period of server updates between March 20 at 12:00 AM Eastern time and March 20 at 7:00 AM Eastern time. During this time, we may experience a brief loss of connectivity to our website hosting and associated services as our environment is being moved.

Hopefully, this move will resolve these temporary outages. We will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary. Our apologies for any inconvenience, and thanks for your patience!

Communication Shorts 03-16-2026

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com.

March Bulletin

The March Bulletin is now available! Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Grangers Helping Grangers

As you help us by submitting your news and events, the energy grows! Grange members are contacting other members with questions and suggestions. That’s one of the objectives we have for the MSG website. “We’re Grangers. We help each other.”

Seeking Someone?

Do you, your child, or your grandchild have some knowledge of WordPress? (For those unfamiliar, WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that allows users to create, manage, and customize websites without needing advanced coding knowledge. The Maine State Grange Website uses it.) If so, let’s connect and explore some opportunities. I could use a few hours of volunteer help occasionally.

Rapid Resource

We’re always seeking resources of potential interest to Grangers and Friends that are not necessarily specific to the Grange. These will be short and easy to digest. As an example, the first concerns finding and tracking scholarships. You can help! Let me know what you think and, by all means, submit ideas and suggestions.

What’s Going On?

Last call for Grange Month Events!

Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Surely, there are lots of Grange things happening in Maine.

To Ponder…

“You help people when they need help, not when you are ready to help them.”

James Clear

An Idea for Your Grange

How about a clothing swap offering children’s clothing, work attire, sports wear, seasonal wear, and gently worn shoes? Offer participants a sustainable way to repurpose their clothing within the community.

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.

Communications Column – March 2026

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

AI-generated image

Grangers Helping Grangers

The idea of “Grangers helping Grangers” can take many forms. We often see it within our Granges. For example, a member of Valley Grange recently needed some work completed on their home. It was quite natural for them to ask other members for suggestions. A slightly different version happens in Granges like Ocean View #463 in Port Clyde. They accomplish many of their projects by helping each other with ideas, resources, and expertise. These sorts of things happen both formally and informally, and all it takes is a little communication.

In recent weeks, I’ve had the privilege of seeing examples of it with Grangers helping Grangers in other Granges. For example, a Grange considering a Book Exchange Program (Little Free Library) wants to connect with other Granges that have one. Once again, all it takes is a little communication to make that connection! The odds are pretty good that if a Grange is considering something, another Grange (or someone in it) has at least tried it—and more likely done it.

What we are describing here is the primary focus of the Communications Department and website—supporting local community Granges. The odds are pretty good that if a Grange is considering doing something, another Grange (or someone in it) has at least tried it—and more likely done it. All we have to do is find that resource and connect!

That’s where you come in. It sometimes feels like local Granges are among the best-kept secrets! Tell the world (including the Grange World) what you’re doing!

A recent Rapid Resource on fundraising (included as a bonus article in this issue) challenges the use of the word “donation” in fundraising. Instead of asking for a donation, we can think of ourselves as giving others an opportunity. A similar mindset applies to recruiting members. Instead of asking people to join, give them an opportunity to be part of something.

“A rising tide lifts all boats,” is an idiom that suggests all who participate in improvements benefit. In a simpler sense, Granges can rise together, especially when we realize that collectively we have much to offer. In practical terms, that includes the events we hold and the projects we undertake. Humility is often overvalued. Bragging can be a very effective leadership tool. Of course we must earn the right to brag. We can help each other do that. You’ll probably be amazed at what happens as a result.

FACT: In the past twelve months, nearly 9,000 people have visited the MSG website, an 11% increase over the previous year.

Grange Month at Enterprise Grange

Submitted by Marilyn Stinson

Enterprise Grange is located at 15 Alexander Reed Road in Richmond, Maine.

Enterprise #48 in Richmond will observe Grange Month as usual… Community Citizen Awards will be on Sunday, April 26, at 3:00 pm for Richmond and the surrounding towns. 

Then, on Wednesday, the 29th, they will host Fifth Degree for Sagadahoc Pomona.  Candidates from other Granges are welcome. Sagadahoc Pomona may be looking for help with the Degree work. We’ll start with a potluck supper at 6:00 pm, followed by the meeting and the degree at 7:00 pm.

Note that this has been changed to the Welcome Ceremony instead of the Fifth Degree. All other details remain the same.

For more information, contact Marilyn Stinson by email or at 207-380-3901.

Enterprise Grange Facebook Page

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Grange Today! 3-13-2026

The Newsletter of the National Grange

Articles in this edition include:

  • Celebrating Agricultural Literacy Week: March 16–20, 2026
  • How Urban Hospitals Tap Rural Benefits – and Why It Matters
  • National Grange Releases New Report Examining Diversion of Rural Health Care Dollars to Urban Hospitals
  • Grange Heirloom for March
  • Support the Grange Foundation through the Common Routes Challenge
  • Grange Month is around the corner
  • Grange Store Notice
  • Hamp Watch: Where is our National Grange President?
  • Recipes from the Heartland
  • Grange Member Benefit: HarvestHosts
  • Grange Store: Guidelines for Grange Leaders 

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!

Read the Current Issue

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.