By Sherry Harriman, Maine State Grange President/Master 207 490-1029
Fellow Grangers, I would like to strongly encourage our Granges and Grangers to do whatever they can to help our southern Grange families and friends. The note below is from National Grange President Chris Hamp.
Brothers and Sisters,
In the past few days, I have received many emails, texts, and phone calls asking how Granges can help with recovery in North Carolina following the devastation left behind in the wake of Hurricane Helene over the weekend.
I encourage Granges at all levels to support your Brothers and Sisters in their time of need, as they, in turn, help their communities recover.
In addition to North Carolina, we have also heard that Goodwill Grange, Virginia, and the surrounding communities received damage and are also in recovery. Goodwill Grange is known by its community for being an internet center, a vital need in rural southwestern Virginia.
We are working with the Virginia State Grange and will disseminate information on how to help Goodwill Grange as soon as it is available.
Please support these Granges and their communities in whatever ways you can.
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!
October Bulletin Deadline
October Bulletin columns and information are due by October 14th. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page.
Fifth Degree Reminder
On October 9, 2024, the Fifth Degree will be offered at Danville Junction Grange at 7:00 p.m. Contact Maynard Chapman at 207 312-5591 for information or to join.
The National Center for Bullying Prevention initiated National Bullying Prevention Month. The campaign is designed to unite communities nationwide through education and awareness. Much attention is rightly given to preventing bullying among kids, but adults can be victims as well.
This year, October 16 has been declared Unity Day. Wearing orange will increase awareness and encourage kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. That sure sounds like something the Grange does! We don’t stop with wearing orange–“we help build community throughout the year.”
In a simple sense, bullying is about power and communication. Our words and actions are important, and words can be powerful, both in a negative and positive way.
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt
I believe that an important aspect of preventing bullying is building resilience and strength in potential victims. “Where you fly makes a difference.” We can start with ourselves, certainly. But a question worthy of discussion is “What is our Grange doing to promote kindness in our Grange and our Community?”
(Family Health And Hearing Committees take note! Can you provide some resources for members? Maybe include some thoughts in your next report?)
Some Resources:
StopBullying.gov: A comprehensive resource from the U.S. government that provides information on recognizing, preventing, and responding to bullying.
The following letter comes from Jimmy Gentry, State Master/President of the North Carolina Grange.
Grange Friends,
Edneyville Grange and the surrounding Hendersonville community was in the path of Hurricane Helene. The aftermath is devastating as many families have lost everything. Clean-up crews have been working tirelessly to restore power, internet, and roads.
Grange members have been reaching out to the NC State Grange Office asking how they can help. We have been in touch with Wendy Henderson, President of Edneyville Grange. She informed us that she has reached out to a local school in Edneyville that is extremely concerned with the well-being of children and parents. They gave her a list of items that would benefit these families.
Jennie Gentry also spoke with high school teachers in Henderson County, friends associated with FFA and 4-H. Their main concern has been making sure students are accounted for and determining their families’ needs. This has been very difficult without the ability to communicate or travel into areas to check on their students, some of whom live in other local hard-hit communities like Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Bat Cave, and Gerton.
Wendy mentioned a great need for several items that schools will need for students and their families. Below is information on how you and your Grange can help.
What to Collect:
New Coats of all sizes
New Sweatshirts of all sizes
Gift cards to Walmart
Drop Off Locations:
NC State Grange Office in Statesville: by Monday, October 14 Address: 1734 Wilkesboro Hwy, Statesville, NC Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm To arrange Saturday or Sunday drop off, or outside of these hours during the week, contact our office: 704-878-0000 or jwgentry@ncgrange.com
Making Cash Donations:
Write a check to Edneyville Grange and mail to: Wendy Henderson 29 Arabian Ln Hendersonville, NC 28792
Write a check to the NC State Grange Disaster Fund with “Edneyville Relief” on the memo line and send to:
Thank you for your willingness to donate these items to support Edneyville and its surrounding communities in Henderson County. We are relieved that our Edneyville Grange members are safe and appreciate Wendy for the information so that we can join together to assist their community in this desperate time of need.
Let’s not forget that in November, in addition to elections, Mainers will be asked to vote on some ballot initiatives! The MSG Communications Department is providing them here for your consideration and research before voting. Note Question 3 regarding the restoration of “Historic Community Buildings.” Also, Question 5 will not include pictures of the new flag or the one it will replace.
Below is the order of the initiatives as they will appear on the ballot:
QUESTION 1: An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures, Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?
QUESTION 2: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization, Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing?
QUESTION 3: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings, Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources?
QUESTION 4: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation, Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions?
QUESTION 5: An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag, Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State?
Valley Grange is pleased to introduce and welcome our three newest members. Although they’ve been members for a few months, the recent “Obligation Ceremony” makes it official. The ceremony is actually quite mutual, with new members pledging to the organization and the organization making pledges to the members. The last step is called a “Friendship Circle,” during which all join hands and commit to the spirit of the 150+ year-old fraternal organization.
L-R New members Joyce Flanders from Dover Foxcroft, Elaina Fortier, and Matthew Fortier from Guilford.
“As we in form thus enclose you within a sacred circle, so does this Grange in the name of our noble and beneficent Order pledge to you a pure friendship, enduring through life to shield you from harm.”
Program Director Walter Boomsma notes that the Grange is uniquely positioned to provide connection, particularly after COVID created a lack of it. “We’re about a lot more than a face on a screen or a post on social media. Our potluck suppers are a great opportunity to ‘break bread together’ and be together in person, in spirit, and in conversation. In some ways, the work we do to strengthen our communities and rural living is a bonus.”
The ceremony was conducted by Valley Grange Master Jim Annis and Program Director Walter Boomsma.
The Valley Grange Hall is located at 172 Guilford Center Road on the corner of Butter Street but the Grange is more accurately described as “in the community,” For information about participating and joining visit the Valley Grange Website or Facebook Page. Better yet, talk to a member or join us for supper!
Well, it wasn’t that close! Fortunately, I follow my own advice which includes “Think before you click.” By sheer coincidence, shortly after sending three emails, I received this one.
I’ve given you the advantage of highlighting the issues.
The subject of the email is wrong! If it was legitimate, the subject should have been “Unsuccessful Mail Delivery Report.” Oops!
The “from” email address isn’t legitimate and doesn’t make sense.
People (or bots) send email. Servers do not.
In what might be a strange irony, I am the “Mail Administrator” for the mainestategrange.org email. So, there’s very little about this email that makes sense–if we think about it. In fact, I’ve had issues with unsuccessful deliveries and the notices look nothing like this.
I’m confessing “they almost got me” as a reminder that bad people are getting more creative, but fortunately not much smarter. They don’t have to be smart–if they can hook (that’s why it’s called “phishing”) one or two people, they’re ahead of the game. Don’t get caught.
Our undercover reporter tells us that 200 COVID and/or flu vaccinations were administered at the booth in front of the New England Grage Building. The program continues through September 29th. For more information see this post.
Monroe Grange Store Reminder
As noted in this month’s Exploring Traditions Column, flags and holders are available from the Monroe Grange Store. Many Grange-related products available—even the hard-to-find stuff! They can help with fundraising programs, custom-printed apparel, promotional items, awards, signs, and banners.Check out the Grange Store!
State Session Page Updated
A page dedicated to the 2024 State Session has a “packet of information” that includes the forms necessary to reserve meals. It even includes deadlines for reserving and submitting information! This page is currently getting lots of visits!
Officers and Directors Note!
Annual reports and program books are coming due.
Consider this Idea!
Think about “rebranding” your potluck into a community event. Encourage residents to meet and greet each other and build the community. Welcome, children so it’s a family event. Request participants bring food, hot or cold, to share. Make available bottled water, paper goods, cups, tables, games, and music. Include activities like face painting, corn hole, drawing, and dancing.
Think about this!
Doing things is not the same as getting things done!”
Jared Silver
Submit News! Be “famous”
Submitting news can be as simple as a photo and “cutline.” A cutline is a brief description–longer than a caption–to accompany the photo. Let’s prove that the Grange is alive and well in Maine! (Photos should be submitted as an attachment to an email.) We get inquiries from people looking for active Granges!
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!
