Mill Stream Grange Gets the Word Out!
Tag: Grange Activities
President’s Perspective – March 2025
By Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange President/Master
207 490-1029
Non-members at Meetings
A question has been asked about non-members visiting or sitting in a meeting of the Grange. There are a couple of sections in The National Grange Digest of Laws 2025 edition that deal with this question.
Chapter IV BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE OF THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
4.10.4 Authority of Masters
The Masters of Subordinate and Pomona Granges are answerable to the Master of the State Grange having jurisdiction over said Subordinate or Pomona Granges.
The right to make Rulings, as to Grange Laws and Usage, is vested solely in the Masters of the various Granges of the divisions of the Order.
Chapter XI CODE OF RITUAL, DEGREES, AND REGALIA
Grange Meetings
11.8.11 Non-members may be allowed to observe the opening and closing ceremonies of the fourth degree and all aspects of a business meeting conducted in the fourth degree. Any member may object to the presence of non-members during balloting on candidates or balloting on accepting reinstatement or demits into Grange membership.
State Master/President’s Comments: As a visitor, they would not be allowed to participate in discussions on motions or vote on any issues to come before the Grange. If they are there for a presentation or as a speaker, then that is a different situation. An additional question along the same line is how many times may they visit without becoming a member? There is no specific timeframe outlined in the by-laws, however, as Master/President of the Maine State Grange, my opinion or ruling would be — not more than three (3) visits to check things out. They should not be allowed to visit indefinitely without membership.
Membership numbers. Each Grange is required by the By-Laws of the National Grange to maintain a minimum of 13 members to retain your Grange Charter. It is up to each Grange to keep that minimum, and it is up to you as members to ask others to join your Grange. The Maine State Grange cannot get you Grange members.
A Degree Day with the first Four Degree Ceremonies being fully conferred, will be held on April 27, starting at 1:00 pm at the State Grange building at 146 State Street, Augusta. You must have submitted an application to the local Grange you wish to join or you must have already been given the Official Obligation Ceremony or Official Welcome Ceremony to view the Degrees. The word Degree refers to the level of the Grange, the first Four Degrees are for the Subodinate/Community level with lessons based on Agriculture and the seasons of the year. If you are already a member, you are welcome to attend the degree. We hope to see a good group of candidates again this year and many members too.
Valley Grange Seeks Blanketeers!
On March 22, 2025, volunteers will create blankets for children in need.
Guilford–Valley Grange of Guilford is sponsoring a blanket-making event on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until noon, and volunteers are needed! Organizer Pat Engstrom notes, “no sewing skills are needed. If you can measure, cut a straight line with scissors, or tie a simple knot you can become a ‘blanketeer’ and help support Project Linus. We’ll show you how!”
Project Linus, a non-profit organization, provides homemade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Similar events in previous years have resulted in dozens of blankets being made by a diverse group of volunteers. Engstrom hopes to see the number of blankets made increase.
“We have a great time doing this, and truly just about anyone can help. We create quite a production line, and it sometimes gets quite competitive! It’s exciting to realize we’re providing love in the form of ‘blankies’ representing love, security, warmth, and comfort to kids. We consider them fabric hugs.”
While supplies will be provided, volunteers are encouraged to bring scissors, rulers, and masking tape. Light refreshments will be served.
For additional information, contact Pat Enstrom at 207 564-8290 or visit the Valley Grange Website at http://valleygrange.com. Valley Grange is located at 172 Guilford Center Road, at the corner of Butter Street.
Communication Shorts 3-1-2025
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!
March Bulletin Available Coming Soon!
The March Bulletin deadline is March 14th! Submit those posts and columns now! Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
National Grange Contest Updates
In the most recent issue of Grange Today! (see page 8), National Grange announced a number of changes to contests, including some that are dropped altogether. Directors and Chairs in Maine will be reviewing these to see what impact there might be on Maine Contests.
Grange Month!
Time’s a wastin’! As noted earlier, the National Grange did not release the traditional resources such as sample press releases. If I can help you and your Grange with publicity for the month, let me know! But don’t forget, every month can be Grange Month if we remember to celebrate!
A Favorite Poem
“The codfish lays ten thousand eggs.The homely hen lays one.
THe codfish never cackles to tell you what she's done.
And so we scorn the codfish, while the humble hen we prize,
Which only goes to show you that it pays to advertise!"
Nikhil Sharda
Is your Grange a codfish for a hen? Can we hear some cackling? What’s your news! When’s your next event?
Words for Thirds
We continue to add to the resource pages. Most recently, we’ve added an article describing how to do a “Dictionary Race‘ with the kids when you hand out dictionaries. It’s fun! Everybody wins!
Consider this Idea!
Have you considered planning a spring spruce up for your hall? Make it a community event! Plan the activities so people can choose what to help with… and don’t forget to include a rain date! Make it a cabin fever reliever! Think big! Invite contractors! Take before and after photos!
Think about this!
“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”
Bryant McGill
Online Directory of Granges
Our online directory of Granges has been updated based on the current roster. As time permits, we’ll be adding additional contact information. Our goal is to have at least two contacts available for every active Grange!
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! Visitors to the site consult these directories often.
Highland Lake Grange “protects”
Highland Lake Grange not serves their Westbrook Community, the “protect” those who protect it with “Survival Kits” for their law enforcement officers. Fifty kits containing a lot of goodies were recently delivered to the local officers.
The Survival Kit for Law Enforcement Officers includes:
- Gum -to get you out of sticky situations
- Lifesavers – because you are one!
- Chocolate kisses – to show you are appreciated
- Starburst – for an extra burst of energy
- Pencil – to keep you sharp, focused and for writing tickets
- Kit Kat – for when you need a break
- Snickers – to remind you to keep your humor
- Smarties- to give you wisdom for those split minute decisions
- Tootsie Roll – to help you roll with the punches
- Peppermint Patty – to help you keep your cool
- Doves – the symbol of peace, freedom and love
- Mounds- for the mounds of courage you show
- Candy Coins – you don’t get paid enough
“Thank you for all you do from Highland Lake Grange #87”
NOTE: This is an idea worth (shhhh!) “stealing” as a way of protecting and serving your community and its resources. Well done, HIghland Lake Grange!
Chelsea Grange Gets Lift!
submitted by Linda Weston
The Chelsea Grange Hall on Route 226 on February 20th got a new Stair Climber System (from MAC) installed to our second floor (and stage) from a grant awarded by Lifelong Communities/AARP/AFC! And a big THANK YOU to Grange Member Marion Bowman on all her efforts on this grant.
Pictures of the work efforts of Maine Accessibilities Corp (MAC). They did a GREAT job !!!!
We are hoping to do more community work with the increased access to this space. Lots of ideas discussed at our last meeting.
Stayed tuned for future use of the Chelsea Grange #215!
Coming Soon! Degree Day 2025!
What a great way to end Grange Month–a celebration of membership and Grange Tradition that includes the ritual of the First Four Degrees!
This should be on the calendar of every Grange in the state as a potential activity! To keep things manageable, select someone in your Grange (usually the Master/President) to organize a “carpool” to MSG Headquarters on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Remember, the Degrees aren’t just for new members! When these days were more common, it was not unusual for a group to join whoever had the biggest vehicle for a trip to the hosting Grange and an opportunity to discover (or rediscover) what the Grange Way of Life is all about.
While a “reservation” isn’t required, it will facilitate planning if we can have some idea of how many are attending. But first we need to get the word out!
We have two posters/flyers available for you! Downloading is easy-peasy. Just click the link!
- 2025 Degree Day Print Flyer is the best one for printing as it can be done in B&W and doesn’t use much ink!
- 2025 Degree Day Digital Flyer is “prettier” and is best distributed as an attachment to an email.
Both are also available in the Communications Section of the Program Books and Information Page.
Since it’s already close to the end of February, there’s not much planning time left! Print and distribute flyers (especially to new members) and see what you can put together!
Additional information is available from Chief Deputy Maynard Chapman. Send him an email, or call and leave a message at 207 312-5591. It wouldn’t hurt, certainly, to ask him what you can do to help!
Enterprise Grange Happenings
by Marilyn Stinson, Enterprise Grange Lecturer
Enterprise Grange meets on the third Tuesday monthly with a potluck supper at 6:00 and a meeting at 7:00. We often have guests and friends at our suppers and usually have our Family Health and Hearing reports and discussions while gathered around our tables.
Did you know that if you have hearing loss and need aids if you have an Apple iPad, you can get earbuds and listen through your phone? The background noises are minimized, and there is less discomfort for older people struggling with something new.
Cliff demonstrated his new hearing aids with their tiny antenna. What a blessing. We’ve also discussed diabetes emergencies and problems after tick bites. Guests join in the discussions. This is after we’ve eaten, so no problems with queasy stomachs during the meal.
March is MS Awareness month, and we will have a guest sharing her story of her life with the disease on March 18, 2025. We love to have other Grangers join us!
We are at 15 Alexander Reed Road in Richmond. If you use a GPS, please enter 14 Alexander Reed because 15 will direct you to an empty field about 1/4 mile away. We are in town, the street across from the fire station. For more information, ontact Marilyn Stinson at 207.737-2611 and leave a message on her landline, please.
Ocean View Grange Spreads More than Dictionaries
When Ocean View Master Larry Bailey reported on their successful Dictionary Day, even he may not have realized the full impact. He subsequently received an email from one of the teachers with an invitation to attend a “Community Meeting” at the school hosted by the third grade. One of the items on the agenda was a “quick thank you for your dictionary donations.”
Obviously, he went!
He was happy to report, “I admit I was genuinely impressed by what I saw and felt. The energy and excitement were palpable, the kids were clearly happy to be part of the program, and the teachers handled the huge crowd perfectly. The young speakers/announcers were great, the music was certainly upbeat and well done. I was especially taken with the videos some of the students filmed. They were classics and made me laugh…especially the one number one winner. Creative is an understatement for all of them.”
School District Superintendent Mike replied, in part, “…thanks again to the entire Grange for supporting our 3rd graders and school! The students and teachers once again did a wonderful job running the community meeting. It’s incredible to see the work our students and staff are doing, often in partnership with community organizations like the Grange!”
These partnerships can indeed be incredible. They connect our Granges with our schools and communities in powerful ways with results that make a difference. Check out the Words for Thirds Resource Page. There’s still time to set up a Dictionary Day for a school near you during Grange Month (April), but you’ll need to get started soon. We’re here to help!
Communication Shorts 2-15-2025
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!
February Bulletin Is Available!
The February Bulletin is now available! Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
Scholarship Updates
We have finished updating the Maine State Grange Scholarship Page! You can always add or change information by contacting us, but we won’t be nagging you for a while.
Online Directory of Granges
Our online directory of Granges has been updated based on the current roster. As time permits, we’ll be adding additional contact information. Our goal is to have at least two contacts available for every active Grange!
Words for Thirds
Congratulations to Ocean View Grange — what a fantastic success story goes with their recent Words for Thirds Project!
Consider this Idea!
At least one Grange in Maine has had great success with using a “sign up” system for keeping their hall plowed. They number storms and people with plows pick which storm number they will handle.
Think about this!
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
Edith Sitwell
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! Visitors to the site consult these directories often.