National Grange Month Events
Tag: Grange Advocacy
Notes from National – March 2023
Are you feeling disconnected from National Grange news?
Each Friday morning, an email arrives – your computer dings, your phone buzzes, a notification pops up on your computer screen. The email is from the National Grange – either the Patrons Chain or the once-a-month View from the Hill. Without fail, that email has come to you for years, and then you notice… it’s not coming anymore. It’s not in your junk or spam folders, you didn’t change your email address… where is it?
Scrolling emails on your phone, it’s really easy to accidentally unsubscribe, mark the email as spam, or remove yourself from our mailing list. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy for the National Grange staff to re-subscribe you. Because of the software used to send these emails, the only way to get back on the weekly email list is to sign up again – staff are unable to do it for you.
That’s why we tried to make it simple for you to get back on our email list! Visit www.nationalgrange.org/comeback to be added back to our mailing list through Constant Contact. On the form, check “Newsletter” to start getting our weekly Patrons Chain and View from the Hill emails again. Checking “General Interest” will also subscribe you to other communications through the National Grange emails. Don’t worry, we promise not to clutter your inbox.
If you haven’t subscribed to the newsletter before, this form will still work for you!
Here’s what you can expect by signing up:
- Each week includes columns from National Grange President Betsy Huber, one of our Department Directors, and information about what’s happening at the National Grange
- The Legislative Department includes two columns a month – one is the “Advocacy Playbook,” which picks a specific issue and helps Grange members know how to get involved; and the last Friday of the month is the “View from the Hill,” which gives a rundown on what’s happening on Capitol Hill and how it affects Grange policy.
So, if you’re feeling a little disconnected from National Grange news and information, be sure to update your subscription to the National Grange’s newsletters!
National Grange Heirloom Program
Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Ritual and Declaration of Purposes. Please share “success stories” about the use of the program with us or if you come up with other innovative ways to incorporate the Program in your Granges. Information and materials are now available on the National Grange Website.
“Notes from National” is based on a monthly email received from the National Grange Communications Department.
Maine Traffic Fatalities Down!
Early figures indicate that traffic fatalities have dropped dramatically in Maine since the start of the year. Compared to this time last year, 12 people have died because of accidents compared to 32 at the same time last year.
According to Lauren Stewart, director of the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety (BHS), 2022 was one of the deadliest years on record when 177 people were killed across the state, including 20 people who were either pedestrians or bicyclists. It was the highest year since 2007 when 183 people died that year.
Stewart said last year’s figure continued a trend that began during the pandemic, especially involving those who speed or drive recklessly. The increase in Maine follows a national trend that saw half of all states experience an increase in fatalities in 2022, according to the December 2022 estimate by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic deaths in the U.S. have been rising steadily since the summer of 2020.
Stewart said contributing factors in the fatal crashes in Maine continue to be unsafe and illegal speeds, reckless driving, alcohol and drug impaired driving and non-use of safety restraints, the latter of which she said was probably the greatest factor.
What can drivers do? BHS offers a few tips to avoid being in a serious crash, including:
- Be courteous and cautious, and slow down;
- Practice defensive driving – staying engaged means being alert;
- Buckle up – being partially ejected almost always leads to serious injury or death;
- Plan ahead – especially if you plan to get impaired;
- Say something – If you see something, call 911. It can save a life.
TIP: Could this be the basis for a Family Health and Hearing Report?
Sew Special at Highland Lake Grange
Maine Senior Farm Share Program
Maine Senior FarmShare, a program that provides eligible older adults the opportunity to receive a share (worth $50) of first-quality, fresh, local produce at no cost directly from local Maine farmers during the growing season, recently received funding to serve more eligible participants and farmers. Help spread the word and find out more here.
Maine Maple Sunday
March 26, 2023 – across the state
Spring is a great time to get out and enjoy the great State of Maine and everything that it has to offer, including Maine maple syrup.
Now in its 40th year, Maine Maple Sunday® is a long-standing tradition where Maine’s maple producers open their doors to their sweet operations for a day of educational demonstrations, Sugarbush tours, fun family activities and samplings of syrup and other great maple products.
Held every year on the fourth Sunday of March, this year’s event is set for March 26, although some sugarhouses are offering events on both Saturday and Sunday. You can view a listing of more than 100 licensed sugarhouses that represent some of the many celebrations and demonstrations happening statewide in honor of Maine’s official sweetener. The listing includes a description of each sugarhouse, what times they will be open and the activities they offer.
Millstream Grange Makes It Happen
Mill Stream Grange members Jill Sampson (l) and Lisa Goucher . 
Vernon Elementary School kids practice their sign language 
Cape Cod School kids get into their new dictionaries 
Front (l-r) Debbie Lavender (Treas.), Karla Arceneaux (Lect.), Laurie Cunningham (Chap.), David Varney (Stew.), Judy Dunn (Master), Ellie Andrews (pianist), Jill Sampson (Sec.), Ingrid Grenon (Gate.), Kristin Thompson (Ex. Com.) Back row (l-r) Paul Lavender (Ass’t. Stew.), Louise Kilponen (Flora), Barbara Gilman (L.A.S.), Allan Harville (Overseer), Marie Gajarski (Pom.), Lisa Goucher (Ceres), Richard Thompson (Ex. Comm.) Missing from photo: Rosemary Baker, Joe Lopez, Linda Stanton
Mill Stream Grange members Jill Sampson and Lisa Goucher presented dictionaries to the third graders at the Mt. Vernon Elementary School in January, and the Cape Cod Hill Elementary School in February. This was the first year since 2019 that an in-house presentation was allowed at the schools. It was a fun time at both schools, with very excited students and teachers. The students especially liked learning how to spell their names using the sign language pictures in the dictionary.
Jonesboro Grange Easter Celebration
Easter Basket Festival – March 31, 2023
Free 4,000 Easter Egg Hunt – April 1, 2023
Jonesboro Grange #357 will host a free 4,000 Egg hunt and Easter Basket Festival in Jonesboro, Maine. The Easter Basket Festival will be March 31 from 4-7 pm and April 1 from 9 am – 5 pm at the Jonesboro Grange on Route 1, Jonesboro. The 4,000 Easter Egg Hunt is April 1 from 11 am – 1 pm located at the Jonesboro Town Office. Free photos with the Easter Bunny! Jonesboro Grange is a 501(C)8 non-profit volunteer organization.
Tickets are required for Basket Festival and can be purchased at the door. Pre-registration is not required for the Festival. The Egg Hunt is free, and donations are appreciated.
Please visit the Jonesboro Grange Facebook Page for more information about the Jonesboro Grange and upcoming events.
From the Deacon’s Bench – March 2023
By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
I Peter 1:3
“And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen.”
Luke 24:5-6
“It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”
Romans 4:24-25
As I sit here staring at a semi-blank computer screen, I can’t help but wonder what the disciples were thinking (and feeling) as they watched their Lord being placed on the cross. They probably were thinking that they were next to be put to death.
I can’t imagine what I would be thinking at that moment. Jesus knew God had a plan for Him and for us. We saw what God’s plan for Jesus was, and what a glorious plan it was. It not only showed us that there is truly life after death, but God’s plans are the ultimate!
We should not try to second guess God, but instead, thank Him every day for what He has done for us. Try it. It doesn’t have to be a long-winded, church preacher-style prayer. Just a simple “Thank you, God” is a good start. Then after a while, you can add what you are thanking Him for. Then you might add a blessing for your family, friends, co-workers, etc. Once you get the hang of it, you probably won’t want to stop. Then, and only then, will you have a church preacher-style prayer!
Remember this, you are all my friends (some I have known forever, and some I haven’t met yet), and I love you all and keep you in my heart, always.
God loves us all!!
One more thing before I sign off: HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY. The only day of the year when EVERYBODY is Irish!
Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”
Benediction: “Gracious Father of us all, help us to realize that we are all your children who need help now and then. Help us to know when to ask for it when we need it, and if possible, give it when we are able. Amen.”
Thought for the month:
May good luck be your friend in whatever you do and may trouble be always a stranger to you.
An Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity
Legislative Report — March 2023
By Linda Weston, Legislative Director
207-852-5795
The First Regular Session of the 131st Maine Legislature convened on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. Statutory adjournment is June 21, 2023.
When a request for a bill is filed, it is assigned a Legislative Request (L.R.) number that is used to track the request until it is assigned/printed as a Legislative Document (L.D.).
There were numerous Legislative Request (L.R.) request submitted this session, and not all will become Legislative Documents (L.D.) and not all LDs will become Law. It is interesting to see the titles of what have been submitted. Two links below – first shows you list by names of Titles by Legislator and second List by Index/Broad Subject.
The Preliminary List by Legislator Preliminary List of Working Titles Submitted by Legislators by Cloture, Sorted by Sponsor Name
Another List of LR s – is sorted by Index/Broad Subject. Preliminary List of Working Titles Submitted by Legislators By Cloture, Sorted by Broad Subject
If you want to know if a request was received and accepted and given a LD number – go to this Page Advanced Search – https://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/advancedsearch.asp?error=The+LR+number+range+is+invalid%2E
In the field “LR Type” put in number of LR number and in the “to” below it same number if you are only looking up that One LR, you could do a range of LRs. Click search –
If it has been assigned an LD number it will bring you to the LD – click on LD number (Example note LR 1856 became LD 517) – click on LD 517 link it will take you to the Status page. If the LR number brings up nothing – then the request most likely was not accepted.
From the Status page you can look up Actions, who Sponsors and Co-Sponsors are, what Committee it has been assigned to if it has, hearings that may have been set and other information.
LR 1856 became LD 517 An Act to Allow Maine Families to Deduct Vehicle Excise Taxes on State Income Tax Returns and has been assigned to Taxation Committee, no hearings set as of this writing.
Suggest you look over the lists of Titles – and look up any you would like to have more information on. Feel free to contact me if you have questions.