Why I love the Grange is the feeling of belonging. It really is the definition of family.
Phil Roberts, Jonesboro Grange #357
Phil loves the Grange!
Communication Shorts 4-19-2025
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!
April Bulletin Available!
We’re a couple of days behind schedule, sorry! Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
Scholarships Are a Hot Item
Our scholarship page continues to get hit pretty hard, and some deadlines are approaching!
Degree Day, April 27, 2025
Have you made your arrangements? Don’t forget to work with Maynard Chapman (207) 312-5591 if you have questions or are bringing candidates.
Consider this Idea!
What member (or friend) has some skills you can tap to create an event or program? For example, how about a Bike Maintenance and Repair Workshop? Potential participants are invited to learn the basics of bike repair, maintenance, and pre-ride safety checks from seasoned cyclists with experience.
Think about this!
“Then you have to remember to be thankful; but in May one simply can’t help being thankful that they are alive, if for nothing else.”
L. M. Montgomery
Online Directories Available 24-7
- 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.
- The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
Exploring Traditions – April, 2025
Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life
Which Tool Shall We Use?
By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist
“The spade we use when we wish to penetrate deeper into the soil than we can with the plow. It thus becomes the emblem of thoroughness. Whatsover you attempt to do, strive to do it well.” These are the words spoken by the master to the candidates during the First Degree, the degree of preparation. The master is, of course, describing the implements of the first degree—the ax, plow, harrow, and spade.
Each implement serves a different purpose when working the soil. And each implement represents a different application to what might be considered the Grange Way of Life.
The ax is “used to cut away obstructions…” and as we think about the repeated blows sometimes necessary to cut through the hardest wood we are reminded that “repeated trials surmount every difficulty.”
The plow is used to “break up the ground…” and might represent how we “prepare the mind for growth…” by plowing through the “heavy soil of ignorance.”
The harrow pulverizes the soil and covers the seed. In the instruction, the master suggests this is “emblematic of that course of study and observation necessary for you fully to understand…”
And the spade is used to “penetrate deeper,” suggesting the need for thoroughness. These implements are not just about the soil; they are about our minds and our work.
Grange language can be most interesting. When degrees are discussed there seems to be some diversity of vocabulary. We sometimes ask, “Have you received the degrees?” But I’ve also heard “Have you taken the degrees?” Less frequently the question is, “Have you been through the degrees?”
As a writer, I think words are important—including how we describe the degrees. If we turn to the degrees themselves, the most frequent word used to describe them is “instructed.” (Just prior to the portion of the first degree referred to here, the assistant steward says to the master, “…our brothers and sisters are prepared to receive your instruction.”) The degrees are not meant to be a passive activity. As candidates, we are instructed and we learn. Is it odd that we don’t say, “I’ve learned the degrees?”
The master’s use of these implements is very instructive and includes a lesson we should learn. When faced with life’s challenges, is it not logical that we might best begin by remembering that sometimes we need determination and a desire to keep trying. And early on we need to do some research, get some facts, and “plow through” our own ignorance. When we do so, we shouldn’t just skim the surface. Our goal should be to fully understand. So much so that we grab our spades and dig deep, making sure we are thorough in our quest.
Here’s an idea that might take a while to catch on… during our meetings when we discuss an idea or a problem, could someone suggest we use the implements of the First Degree during our discussion? Should we be using an ax, plow, harrow, or spade? All four are necessary. All four contribute.
Maybe a member will call out, “Hey! I’ve been instructed in the First Degree! I think we should use a spade here. Let’s make sure we’re being thorough and do this well!”
And perhaps before the meeting is over, we’ll remember the Lecturer’s instruction, “…while occupied in the work of preparing your lands for the seed, have faith in God’s promise that seedtime and harvest shall never fail…”
This month’s column was originally published in the book “Exploring Traditions—Celebrating the Grange Way of Life.”
Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-seventh edition of the 2023 Subordinate Grange Manual or the most recent edition of the Pomona Grange Manual. The views and opinions expressed in “Exploring Traditions” are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine and policy of the Grange. Information about the book “Exploring Traditions—Celebrating the Grange Way of Life” can be found at http://abbotvillagepress.com, on Mr. Boomsma’s Amazon Author Page, or by contacting the author.
Free Summer Courses
Qualified high school students can earn up to 18 credits over the course of their high school career with a maximum of 12 credits per academic year.
The University of Maine’s Early College summer course registration is still open with over 75 tuition-free online courses available to high school students. All Early College classes carry UMaine credit and meet the general education requirements of UMaine.
Qualified high school students can earn up to 18 credits over the course of their high school career with a maximum of 12 credits per academic year. Most courses are held online while some are held at UMaine Orono. Wilderness oriented courses are held at the Tanglewood and Greenland Point 4H Camps.
Courses run from May 12 to August 15 over five sessions. Students and parents can visit the program’s website to learn more about the program and eligibility. Those who are ready to apply can do so directly via the Early College portal here. Applications are due one week prior to course start dates (May 5 for first session courses).
Fraud Watch- TSA Deadlines and Real ID Scams
The deadline is coming – in fact, it’s almost here. Beginning May 7, 2025, airline passengers need an enhanced driver’s license, known as Real ID, or a passport to board a plane. This change is based on a recommendation of the 9/11 Commission as a way to improve airline safety. Beware — anytime there is a deadline there will also be scams.
Most Real ID scams will likely be phishing attempts that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as your state DMV or the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Be wary of emails, texts or phone calls claiming to be from these agencies — or another state agency — and never click on links. These government offices will not contact you about Real ID. It is an optional license and is up to each individual to obtain it on their own.
For more information about obtaining a Real ID, contact your state or local DMV office or visit dhs.gov/real-id.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
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.
Communications Column – April 2025
By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director
Whazup?
Ironically, our Grange fiscal year starts in the fall but for many Granges, their program year starts in the spring! If you attend this year’s Degree Day, you’ll also discover that conferring the First Degree takes place on a farm in the springtime. April is traditionally celebrated as Grange Month. So maybe it does all start here.
One way we find out is by answering the question “Whazup?” For those uninitiated in contemporary contractions and lingo, the question facing us is “What’s up in your Grange?” We could further complicate it by creating a series of questions:
- What has happened (projects, programs, celebrations) in your Grange recently?
- What is going to happen (projects, programs, celebrations) in your Grange in the future?
“Inquiring minds want to know…” is a phrase attributed to the tabloid newspaper “The National Enquirer” in the 1970s. In its original form, it was spelled enquiring, making it a catchy slogan that reflects the value of a curious mind that wants to know as much as possible.
Some of you will remember when the Maine State Grange published a bit of a print tabloid newspaper. Most Granges had a correspondent who submitted a version of whazup in their Grange. Sometimes the results were a bit “gossipy” but generally included short summaries of recent meetings and activities. It worked because it was informal and simple. It worked because it kept members around the state feeling connected.
As we spring into a new year, it’s tempting to suggest every Grange needs a correspondent—someone who is at least informally interested in proactively answering those whazup questions. The MSG Website is committed to serving, sharing, and connecting local Granges. That also means local Granges need to connect with us! Inquiring minds DO want to know (including mine!). We don’t need to formalize a program, we just need a few people who are willing to share whazup in our Granges.
There are many ways to do this. You can, for example, submit basic information about your events using the submit tab on the website. The advantage of this route is that the form will ensure you provide all the required information. (How many times have I seen events listed on social media with no location given?) Submitting to the site accomplishes a lot of things! If the event is in the future, it gets listed on the MSG Events Calendar. We’ll also create a post for you. Those posts stay on the site, get emailed to our website subscribers, and are easily shared on social media by anyone who subscribes to or visits the site. If you have a flyer for your event, attach it to an email and send it to webmaster@mainestategrange.org. We’ll take it from there!
If you volunteer to do this for your Grange, you might find the MSG Communications Handbook helpful! That handbook includes information that will help you communicate, publicize, and advertise your Grange. There are tips submitted by Granges and lists of major and weekly newspapers. Lots of helpful information!
We still have close to one hundred Granges in Maine. There should be (and probably are) more events than those listed on the calendar. That’s a great place to start—easy peasy! At least send the basics! We don’t list “regular” meetings—with the exception of Pomona Meetings—but if your regular meeting includes a special program, that qualifies! When in doubt, share it! The more advanced notice you give, the more we can help.
Inquiring minds do want to know. When we recently promoted Valley Grange’s Blanketeering event, we had people come from miles away and produce a record number of blankets. It works. Help us prove it by sharing whazup at your Grange.
The News Is Where You Find It. If you wonder how the Amish (who tend to shun technology and the Internet) stay connected around the country, check out this article.
► FACT: Did you know that the MSG Communications Handbook includes a list of daily and weekly newspapers in Maine with contact information?
View from the Farm – April 2025
Webmaster’s note: The format of this column includes all of the Quill’s Endians participating at various times and in various ways! Phil writes this month’s column.
Winter Dairy Farming
Winter dairy farming makes for a horrible workout routine. Short bursts of activity are often followed by longer bursts of “rest.”
Winter chore time includes twice-a-day cleaning of the main area of the barn that houses the cows. We push the bedding and manure into a pile by the door and then shovel it into a pile outside the door where it can be accessed by a tractor. All well and good–gets a body moving and warmed right up.
Then, we water and feed the cows. While they are all bellied up to the feeders, we brush them clean. You can imagine this takes a bit of doing in the winter. Then we wash their udders and begin milking.
All that activity before milking is enough to work up a sweat in the coldest weather. The (lack of) activity during milking is enough of a slowdown to cool you off.
Hauling hay is an even worse workout. Our hay suppliers are around half an hour away. We drive the half hour, load a truck for half an hour, then sit and drive home for half an hour, and then unload for half an hour–a physical therapist’s nightmare.
This is all to say, by April, we are watching that sweet grass pretty closely. The sooner we have 5 or 6 inches in the fields, the sooner we can liberate the cows, stop pushing manure, and stop hauling hay. We can start just walking the cows about to do their jobs.
We love cows of grass! We love cows pooping on grass, where our labor is not needed for clean up. We love cows eating grass where our hauling labor is not needed. Here is to the coming of spring and retiring, well, seasonally retiring anyways, the winter shovel.
Heather and Phil Retberg and their three children run Quill’s End Farm, a 105-acre property in Penobscot that they bought in 2004. They use rotational grazing on their fifteen open acres and are renovating thirty more acres from woods to pasture to increase grazing for their pigs, grass-fed cattle, lambs, laying hens, and goats. Quill’s Endians are members of Halcyon Grange and publish a newsletter for their farm’s buying club of farmers in her area and generously permit us to share some of their columns with Grangers. Visit the Quill’s End Farm Facebook Page for more information.
CWA Report – April 2025
By Margaret Henderson, Director
Committee on Women’s Activities
207 948-2762
Happy Spring! If the old saying “April showers bring May flowers “ is true, there should be many this year. I hope that it starts to warm up soon.
The Grange yard sale will be held on June 7. Hope to see many of you there.
Good news! We will be able to sell food at State Grange this year. I am hoping to have fudge, brownies, cookies, and other snacks.
Entries for the contests need to be at Headquarters by Tuesday, August 19.
I will be there from 9 to 2 on that day. If you can not bring them that day, let me know so that we can make arrangements to meet and ensure that your entries are logged in and judged.
I hope that you will all have a blessed Easter with your families.
Mill Stream Grange Celebrates Grange Month
On Sunday, April 6, members of Mill Stream Grange attended the Vienna Baptist Church for the annual Church Sunday during Grange Month. The Congregation warmly welcomed the group for the service. After the service, Grangers and church members enjoyed refreshments at Mill Stream.
Danville Junction Grange Open House
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Danville Junction Grange is located at 15 Grange Street, Danville, Maine. (Off Routes 202/100 in the Auburn area.)