Tag: Lecturer Programs

By Margaret Morse, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 439-0413

Book Reading Contest

Did you know that approximately 1700 books are published daily? These books, from history to science fiction and biographies to children’s books, hit the shelves of bookstores and libraries soon after. So, no matter what your favorite genre is, there are plenty of new titles to choose from each month.

The book reading contest is easy to enter. It is open to all Subordinate Grange and Junior Grange members, children, and grandchildren of Subordinate members. All that is required to enter is a list of all the books you have read since September 2, 2022, including the title, author, and number of pages.

Each entry must include your name, Grange, including number, address, total number of books, and the total number of pages read. Juniors should include their age as of September 1. Students may include books read for class. Awards will be given for both most books and pages read. New this year is an optional section that asks you to recommend a book from your list. If you choose to recommend a book, you should include your name, the book title, the author, and the genre. Then write a short summary of the book and tell why you recommend it. All recommendations received will be printed and given to all members who entered the book reading contest.

All entries must be received by September 2023.

By Margaret Morse, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 439-0413

Skit Writers Wanted!

In the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, TV Variety shows were really popular. Shows such as The Red Skelton Show and Carol Burnett Show entertained all ages. Though they often had celebrity guests, the skits or sketches were the most entertaining and what audiences remember. Writers produced parodies of well know shows and commercials. Skits with characters such as Freddie the Freeloader or everyday situations such as going to the dentist were also the basis for popular skits.

Now it’s your turn to become a skit writer by entering the Skit Writing Contest. Any topic, as long as it is Grange-appropriate, may be used as a theme for your skits. Think about the events that happen daily, work situations, kids playing, and interactions with other people that you might be able to write as a skit.

Lecturers, maybe instead of having someone read a selection pertaining to your program, the information might be turned into a skit that conveys that information in an entertaining way.

The Skit Writing Contest is open to all Subordinate Grange members. Each skit must have a title. The skit must be an original work of the person submitting it. The skits must have at least two characters and be able to be performed in under 10 minutes. Every entry must include the Writer’s name, their Grange, including the number and address. All entries must be received by September 1, 2023.

By Margaret Morse, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 439-0413

Poets and Poetry

Have you ever written a poem, why not? This year how about trying your hand at writing one or more and entering them into the contest? Poems can express feelings, paint verbal pictures or entertain. Entries to the Poetry writing contest sponsored by the Lecturer’s Department can follow any poetic form. This year the three specific categories are: FAMILY, WEATHER, and CAMPING. There is also an “OTHER” category which can include any subject. Also, any poem that you might be required to write for a class or workshop may be entered. This contest is open to all subordinate and junior members and includes children and grandchildren of subordinate members. So hopefully, with your help, my inbox or mailbox will be stuffed with entries that are due by September 1, 2023

By Margaret Morse, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 439-0413

New Category of Winter Photos

Are you the type of person who is always taking pictures? This year one of the categories for the photo contest is WINTER. So, although our state session is almost nine months away, now is the time to take photos for this category. Often when people think of pictures of winter in New England, what first comes to mind is landscapes taken either during or soon after new snow has fallen. However, there are so many other photos that could be taken, such as kids or pets playing in the snow. Photos of people skiing, skating, or involved in other winter sports might also make interesting photos. Just remember that all entries in each category will be judged against each other based on the following: Composition and arrangement, Interest, Presentation, and Technique. So, pick up your camera and see what interesting photos you can take.

By Margaret Morse, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 439-0413

And the winners are…

The winners of the poetry and book reading club were announced on October 1, 2022

1^st place winners in Poetry
Humorous – Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg # 382
Stars – Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg # 382       
Patriotic – Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg # 382 
Other – Barbara Strout, Excelsior # 5

Book Reading Club – Number of Books
1^st – Margaret Henderson (164), Dirigo #98
2^nd -Janet Nolan (147), Mill Stream #574
3^rd – Melissa Baldwin (131) Hollis #132

Book Reading Club – Number of Pages
1^st – Janet Nolan (54,062) Mill Stream #574
2^nd – Margaret Henderson (49,963). Dirigo #98        
3^rd – Gay Anderson (46,141) Mill Stream #574

The winners of the photography, adult coloring and adult art were awarded on October 20, 2022 at State Grange Session.

Animals:
1^st Rebekah Hodgson, Jonesboro #357
2^nd Laurie McBurnie, Willow #65
3^rd Karen Hatch Gagne, Danville Jct. #65

Flowers:
1^st Norma Meserve, Danville Jct. #65
2^nd Laurie McBurnie, Willow #65
3^rd Karen Hatch Gagne, Danville Jct. #65

People:
1^st Rebekah Hodgson, Jonesboro #357
2^nd Karen Hatch Gagne, Danville Jct. #65
3^rd Laurie McBurnie, Willow #65

Structures:
1^st Terry LaCombe, Hudson # 457
2^nd Laurie McBurnie, Willow #65
3^rd Marilyn Stinson, Enterprise #48  

Best in Show:
Rebekah Hodgson, Jonesboro #357
People’s Choice:
Laurie McBurnie, Willow # 65

Adult Coloring:
1^st Tim Wilson, Bangor #372
2^nd Terry Wilson, Bangor #372
3^rd Norma Meserve, Danville Jct. #65

Adult Art (oil):
1^st Tina Thurton, Norway #45

By Margaret Morse, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 439-0413

READING AND WRITING CONTEST FAST APPROACHING

The deadline for entries in the poetry and skit writing contests as well as the book reading contest is September 1, 2022. The categories for the poetry writing entries are stars/universe, patriotic, humorous, and other. Poems written in school can be entered, even if they do not fit in a specific category, they can always be entered in the “Other” category.  Skits can be written about any situation as long as they are Grange appropriate. The reading book club for those members who are avid readers should be an easy contest to participate in. Entries must include the title and author of the books as well as the number of pages.  All entries in these three contests will be accepted until September 1. Those sent via email will be accepted as long as they are time stamped by midnight.

STATE LECTURER’S CONFERENCE

The State Lecturer’s Conference will be held on October 1, 2022, from 9:30 to 12:00 at Manchester Grange Hall. The hall is located at 953 Western Avenue in Manchester and is handicapped-accessible. The agenda for the day includes a presentation of winners in the reading and writing contests, a review of the 2022-2023 program, a short workshop, which will include an activity, and a time for discussion.

CONTESTS AT STATE SESSION

.The Lecturer’s Department will again be holding the Photo and Adult Coloring Contests at State Grange. The categories for this year’s photos are People, Animals, Flowers, and Structures. All entries must have been taken after September 1, 2021, and be Grange appropriate. First, second, and third place will be awarded in each photo category as well as a best in show. This year a People’s Choice Award will be given. Members present on Thursday of the state session will have the opportunity to cast one vote for their photo of choice. The entries for the Adult Coloring contest may be of any subject matter as long as it is Grange appropriate. The entries must have been colored after September 1, 2021. The deadline for all entries in these two contests is 1 hour after the opening of the session.

By Margaret Morse, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 439-0413

June is the time of the year when the theme for the next Grange Year (2022 – 2023) is to be announced. Over the last couple of months, I have considered several themes and thought that I had made the decision on which one to use. However, one Sunday morning while in church listening to the scripture reading a verse from Romans caught my attention. Romans 12:16 is “Live in harmony with one another.” To many, the word harmony has to do with music, which is one of the four parts of a good program. While a single vocalist singing acapella is pleasing to the ear, vocalists singing four-part harmony with instrumental accompaniment fills the room and feeds the soul.  Similarly, to Live in Harmony also may mean members working together for the good of the order. Therefore, even though we might not always agree with each other or agree on how certain things are done I hope that this theme will remind us that we all need to live in harmony.

READING AND WRITING CONTESTS

The Skit Writing Contest is open to all subordinate Grange and Junior Grange members as well as children and grandchildren of Subordinate members. All skits must be original work, include at least 2 characters, and take no more than 10 minutes to present the skit. All entries must include the name of the person submitting the skit, and the Grange including its number, home address, and skit title. Junior Grangers or other children must include their age as of August 1.  

The Poetry Writing Contest is also open to all subordinate and Junior Grange members as well as children and grandchildren of Subordinate members. All poems must be original work. All entries must include the name of the person submitting the poem, the category, and the Grange including its number, home address, and poem title. Junior Grangers or other children must include their age as of August 1.   The categories are Stars/the Universe, Patriotic, Humorous, and Other. Poems do not have to follow any specific format.

The Book Reading Club is open to all subordinate Grange and Junior Grange members as well as children and grandchildren of Subordinate members. The entries must include the book title, author, and number of pages. All entries must include the name of the person submitting the book list, the Grange including its number, and home address. Junior Grangers or other children must include their age as of August 1.  

The due date for the Skit Writing Contest and the Poetry Writing Contest has been extended to September 1, 2022. The entries may be sent via email or by snail mail to my home address.

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