By the Book —   a message from Chris Hamp, National President

I want to remind each of you and ask that you make it a priority to remind your membership of our long-standing and unwavering non-partisan policy, which has been part of our Order since day one. Our Constitution, Declaration of Purposes, and Bylaws clearly state that the Grange is not, and must never become, a partisan or party organization and this must be reflected in all we do. This applies to every publication at every level, oral reports at Grange meetings, social media posts made in the name of the Grange, and any other communication. I ask that you carefully review and ensure that all communications are free of partisan comments, endorsements, or implications. When we drift into comments about people and parties rather than focusing on issues, we erode the very bonds of unity built by our non-partisan approach. Our strength lies in being a trusted, non-partisan voice for rural America, and it is vital that we preserve that trust through our words and actions. That unity is what makes the Grange one of the few remaining places where civil dialogue across differences can thrive – and it is essential we protect it.

CHAPTER I – CONSTITUTION OF THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY

1.12.1 Denominational religious or partisan political matters shall not be the subject of discussions in the work of the Order, and no religious or political tests for membership shall be applied.

CHAPTER II – DECLARATION OF PURPOSES OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE OF THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY

2.5.1 We emphatically and sincerely assert the oft-repeated truth taught in our Constitutional Law, that the Grange — National, State, Pomona or Subordinate — is not a partisan or party organization.

CHAPTER X – CODE OF ALL GRANGES 10.1.4 No Grange of the various divisions of the Order shall use or allow to be used any name, insignia or mark of the Order in a manner which could indicate support, approval or opposition of any candidate for political office or any partisan political position.

MSG President Sherry requested that we post and publish this important message!

President’s Perspective – September 2025

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

The full election of officers for the Maine State Grange will take place on Saturday, October 18.

Any Grange member in good standing may be elected to a State Office. Your dues must be paid up to date in your own Subordinate Grange and Pomona Grange.

During the election process, one of the voting delegates must present the name of the prospective person for that particular office. You may not present your own name, and there will be no speeches or campaigning. The voting delegates then vote on their choice, by written ballot, from the names presented, or by writing another name on the ballot; the majority of the ballots cast elects the officer. If your name is presented for an office, you may decline without giving a reason if you choose to.

Who may vote at the Annual State Grange Session?

The Delegates are those members selected by the vote of their Subordinate or Pomona Granges to represent their Grange and vote on issues and elections. The Grange dues must be paid up to date at the time of the State session in order for your delegates to be entitled to vote. Each Grange may send two members as delegates and may select two alternates as well. The names of the two delegates and two alternates must be registered with the State Grange Secretary on a form provided. No other persons may be substituted to vote as delegates if they are not on the registration form. (Emergency changes may be made by phone or email prior to opening of the session.) A member may only represent one Subordinate Grange and/or one Pomona Grange.

Custodial Accounts held by Maine State Grange

We are holding funds for several Granges with our State Grange accounts. Also, several Granges have merged over the past few years, and the NET proceeds from the sale of the closed property are held in a “Custodial Account” on behalf of the consolidated Grange for their use for repairs and upgrades to their present hall and property. To get these funds for use, you must submit written estimates from a contractor, on their letterhead or billing invoice: describing the work to be done, listing materials, estimated hours, and terms of the contract – including deposit amount, payment expectations, and expected work dates, etc. This written estimate and information must be sent to the Maine State Grange office, either by email or standard mail, for my review and acceptance. Then it will be passed on to the State Treasurer for issue of the check(s). The check(s) will be made out to the contractor and mailed to the Secretary of the Grange or other designated person of the Grange. Upon completion of the work, the payment request must go through the Maine State Grange in the same manner. Each time you need more funds for repairs or work to be done, the same process must be followed. If these funds are in a CD, there may be a fee to withdraw funds before the maturity date of the CD.    Net Proceeds: After the sale of property there are charges taken out of the gross or total sale price: Realtor Commission(s) vary according to the contract; State closing costs; Attorney fees for deed transfers and other pertinent paperwork; State Corporation fees; insurance coverage; utilities, if applicable and any other costs associated with the property before and after the final sale. The Maine State Grange does not use your money except as it is associated with the property. Maine State Grange does not charge a custodial fee – even though we could. We are not trying to keep you from your funds, but ensuring they are used as intended and in accordance with the By-Laws of the National and State Granges.

Valley Grange September Meeting to include PB &J

Friday, September 19, 2025
A potluck supper will take place at 6:00 pm. Our meeting follows at 7 pm

Valley Grange is located at 172 Guilford Center Road in Guilford, Maine.

No, we won’t be having sandwiches for supper. Again this year, we are supporting Bangor Savings Bank’s PB & J Drive. Since 2012, the Bangor Savings Bank Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive has collected more than 146,000 jars and donated them to local food insecurity programs. That’s nearly 2.5 million peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for children, families, and individuals. That’s the power of community!

Please bring your donations to the meeting on Friday, September 19th, or drop them off at the Hall. Note that we must receive donations by September 25th. You can also drop off donations at any Bangor Savings Branch until September 30th. Tell ’em we sent you!

Communication Shorts 9-1-2025

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!

September Bulletin

Deadline for this month’s Bulletin is September 14th. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

An Annual Report?

It’s the end of the Grange Year. Certain State Officers and Directors are expected to file an annual report of their activities and accomplishments. (We’ll be publishing them on the site as they are received.) Have you considered putting one together for your Grange? You can think of your communities as your stockholders. Let them know what you have done this year!

Dates and Deadlines

Fall is coming. Some might say it’s already here. With the start of another Grange Fiscal Year, essential dates and deadlines abound! ODDs Note: Annual Reports and Program Books are due soon!

Annual Purge Continues

We’re removing dated information from the website. This includes documents, posts, and photos. While some things are considered timeless, a general policy is to remove items that are more than two years old.

Think About This!

“The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.”

Richard Bach

An Idea for Your Grange

It’s time to start thinking about Words for Thirds! And it’s not too early to think about Holiday Craft Fairs.

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!

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.

Don’t Count On It!

Reprinted from Brain leaks and musings by “Mr. Boomsma”

Here’s a short message for kids and parents everywhere. Things don’t always happen the way they’re supposed to. Let me explain.

I recently stopped for a school bus. That’s not big news. It is an example of things happening the way they should. I was facing the bus and could see past it, noticing that the cars behind it had also stopped exactly as they should.

The lights flashed, the stop sign on the bus opened, and the safety arm across the front of the bus swung wide.

Four or five kids got off the bus. They ranged in size from tiny ones with outsized backpacks to some older ones. They came around the front of the bus. So far, so good.

Some ran, some walked in front of the bus and across the highway.

When they started across my lane, I started yelling at them even though there was no way they could hear me. They didn’t stop or even pause to look up and down the road. Fortunately, everything was working the way it should. Well, almost everything. I think the kids were supposed to look both ways.

Safety shouldn’t be delegated; it should be shared.

“Mr. Boomsma”

Sometimes, things don’t work the way they should. I can think of several ways that might have been the case. Several days later, there was a headline from a distant state where someone didn’t stop for a school bus, and a child was injured.

If we want kids to feel and be safe, we need to involve them in the process. It wouldn’t be so bad for them to learn they have some responsibility for staying safe. A few seconds’ pause to look up and down the road is just plain smart.

At the start of the school year, parents should consider meeting the bus and ensuring their kids do this. I’d be happy if the bus driver kept the window open and told the kids to stop and look — at least until they got into the habit. It’s been a few years since I’ve attended a school bus safety program, but I’d be thrilled if crossing in front of the bus was part of that curriculum. Safety shouldn’t be delegated; it should be shared.

cute diverse children near school bus
Photo by Mary Taylor on Pexels.com

Make this part of your Family Health and Hearing Program?!

Winthrop Grange Flea Market

September 13, 2025

person standing in front of brown crate
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Pexels.com

Winthrop Grange is having a flea market on September 13, 2025, from 8 to 2. Tables are available outside for $10 and inside for $15. Contact Kathy at 207-500-9864 if interested.

Winthrop Grange is located at 598 Old Lewiston Road in Winthrop, Maine.

Trenton Grange Bean Suppah

Fraud Watch- Natural Disaster Scams

MSG Communications Resources Logo
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Following extreme weather events, dubious contractors and outright scammers descend on affected communities, offering quick, cheap fixes. They canvas neighborhoods in search of “work” that they may or may not even attempt to do—often, specifically targeting older homeowners.

Before any disaster, it’s a good idea to call your insurance company to clarify your coverage and ask any questions you might have. Investigate before hiring a contractor and check the vehicle of any contractor who arrives unsolicited for a business name, phone number, and their state contractor license number. You can also look businesses up on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other consumer review sites to double check.

Not everyone who shows up after a storm is there to help you rebuild. Take your time, ask questions, and know that you are not alone.

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.

Pesticide Disposal

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

Maine residents looking to get rid of pesticides can take advantage of the Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program, a joint initiative of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) and Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The program aims to safeguard Maine’s natural resources and prevent agricultural pollution by promoting the safe and proper disposal of outdated, unused or unwanted pesticides.

Homeowners and family-owned farms are encouraged to bring their unwanted pesticides to one of several collection sites around the state. Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, disinfectants and similar products used in agricultural production or around the home.

Programs typically take place once a year in October. Pre-registration is required and collections are held at four sites across the state in Portland, Augusta, Bangor and Presque Isle. Event dates, times and locations are subject to change; and only registered participants will be notified of this information upon acceptance into the program. Registrants may apply at any time but will typically be contacted about the program in August and September. The program only accepts pesticides and spray adjuvants – a list of more than 11,000 registered products can be accessed here. For more information about the program’s drop-off locations or instructions on how to register, visit BPC’s webpage

Resources for Seniors

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

The five Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in Maine serve as “one-stop-shops” to answer questions from older adults, individuals with disabilities and their care partners about a wide range of in-home, community-based, and institutional services.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are experts at answering questions about in-home care services and other types of long-term support. Maine’s five AAAs are also Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) that:

  • provide information and assistance to individuals needing either public or private long-term care resources;
  • serve professionals seeking assistance on behalf of their clients’ long-term care needs;
  • serve individuals planning for their future long-term care needs;
  • serve as the entry point to publicly-administered long-term supports including those funded under Medicaid, the Older Americans Act and state-funded programs.

Maine’s Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) are designed to serve all older adults, people with disabilities and their care partners who have long-term care community or program needs. To see which center serves your area, visit the Office of Aging and Disability Services’ website.