Membership Moments – April 2025

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

This is a busy month for all Granges. April is Grange month, so there will be many activities going on at various times throughout the State of Maine. Open houses, giving membership certificates for longevity and degree days are happening. As you may have heard, there will be a degree day at 1 pm on Sunday, April 27, at State Grange Headquarters in Augusta performed by Androscoggin Pomona. If you have any candidates (including those who have been obligated but have not viewed the degrees), please bring them. This may be the only degree day scheduled. Last year was a success, so let’s attend and meet seasoned and new friends. I am pleased to hear positive things concerning Granges having taken in new members recently. Is your Grange one of those?

I will remind all Granges to please read the membership columns at your meetings. Please assign or volunteer a member to do that task. It is important that the information contained in the columns reach all members so that all of us know what is happening. Pomona Masters/Presidents, since all of you are part of the State Membership Committee, I would like you to place a bigger emphasis on increasing membership for Subordinate/Community and Pomona Granges. The more we all emphasize increasing membership as a priority in our Granges, the more likely it is to happen. There are many who would join if we just asked or shared information with them. Members of all ages are
welcomed with younger members especially needed. Who is going to take over when we have passed? Do you have youth in your Grange? I am not talking about young at heart, seasoned members, but those who are 14 to 35 years old. Not many of us do, which is scary. However, we CAN attract members if we put our minds to it. I have proposed to my own Grange a membership competition, the winner to receive a cash prize. What are your ideas? Please share them!!! Let’s all work together to rebuild our membership base.

Chaplain’s View – April 2025

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

In Everything We Do…

“In him we live and move and have our being…For we too are his offsprings”

Acts 17:28

We thank you, Lord, who gave us sight and sense to

smell the flowers,
hear the wind,
feel the waters in our hands,
sleep with the night and wake with the sun,
stand upon the star,
sing your praise,
hear your voice.

“Blessed and praised be the Lord, from whom comes all the good that we speak and think and do.”

Saint Thomas of Avila

Let us forever be grateful!

Fraud Watch- Avoiding Fake Tax Preparers

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

April 15 is almost here, and many Americans are realizing that their plans to do their own taxes this year didn’t work out. If you’re one of them and looking for some last-minute help, here’s what to look out for to avoid fraudulent tax preparers.

Pay attention to payment and promises. Tax scammers may ask for payment in cash up-front or ask to be paid a percentage of your return. Some might also promise a large return before they even see your paperwork. These are all red flags. No one can guarantee you a return nor should anyone be paid in advance or more than a standard fee.

Another warning sign is someone who avoids filling out their tax preparer ID or refuses to sign your return. Anyone who isn’t willing to identify themselves on your tax forms or asks you to sign your tax return before it’s completed shouldn’t be trusted.

Tax season can be stressful, but resources are available at IRS.gov to help you find a reliable and safe professional to help you through it.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

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.

Maine Senior Farmshare Program

Reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has announced that enrollment is open for the 2025 Maine Senior FarmShare Program (MSFP). This program connects Maine farmers with eligible older adults to provide access to fresh, unprocessed, locally grown fruits, vegetables, culinary herbs and honey. Participants receive a $50 share of Maine-grown produce throughout the growing season by signing up directly with a participating farm or an enrolled Maine farmers’ market.

Enrollment is first-come, first-served while funds remain available.
Participants must be Maine residents aged 60 years or older or 18 years or older for disabled adults living in a housing facility with congregate dining. The income eligibility guidelines are listed on the DACF MSFP website.

Mainers who meet the eligibility criteria can sign up with a participating farm or Farmer’s market. The Maine Senior FarmShare Program also allows seniors to have others, including farmers, act on their behalf. The participants and proxy must sign the proxy form before the proxy performs any actions on the participant’s behalf. These authorized representatives, or proxies, can do the following at any point during the season:
• apply for certification;
• shop at a farmers’ markets or farm stands;
• pick up eligible foods from a participating farmer or authorized agent;
• receive deliveries.

To learn more about the Senior FarmShare program, visit their website. You can also email seniorfarmshare.agr@maine.gov or call (207)287-3491.

Terry loves the Grange!

I am a 4th Generation Granger, who used to benefit from the sewing contest and my great grandfather served on the Maine State Grange Executive Committee. I will never forget the year my great-grandmother made dresses, for me and all my cousins. Another fond memory was going to Grange with grandparents, and after singing for the Lecturer’s Program, having to go down stairs and wait. Oh the fun of laughing at the “old people.” Needless to say, my grandchildren are 6th generation and have enjoyed JR Grange activities. I can travel the USA and visit many different states with Grangers. I have made many lasting relationships. I love attending meetings and visiting friends, new, old, far or near. I have plenty of opportunity to relax at a meeting, participate, or find out rules to be competitive. My entire family is welcomed or I can enjoy my extended family. The Grange has changed a bit over the years but my memories of the Grange have not.

Terry LaCombe, Hudson Grange #457/Tranquility Grange #344

Tammy loves the Grange!

I love the Grange because, it reminds me how important community is and how important we are to our town.

Tammy Willey, St. George Grange #421

Grange Heirloom — April 2025

Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.

Use the icons below to share this Grange Heirloom on social media and help others understand what the Grange stands for! If this heirloom has a particular meaning for you, click the “leave a comment” link at the left and share your comment with us!

For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.

Fifth Degree Date Correction

Correction of date for Sagadahoc Pomona 5th Degree. It will be on Wednesday, April 30th, at Enterprise Grange, 15 Alexander Reed Road, Richmond, ME. Enterprise Grange is located across from the town library and Fire Department.
Potluck supper at 6:00 pm. meeting at 7 pm. Candidates from other Pomonas are welcome if you bring your application signed by your Subordinate Master/President. For more information, contact Marilyn Stinson (207) 737-2611.

Fraud Watch- 2024 Fraud Totals

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

All too often, victims of fraud are repeatedly deceived by the same criminals regarding the same scheme. Or, once victimized, some are that much more vulnerable to new scams.

Fraud reached unprecedented levels in 2024, with a staggering $12.5 billion lost, a shocking increase of 25% over 2023. The number of reports remained stable from 2023 to 2024, but the percentage of reporters who had money stolen jumped from 27% to 38%.

Key Takeaways:

  • Impostor scams continue to rise, with criminals impersonating trusted individuals, companies, or government agencies to deceive victims.
  • 1 in 5 victims of impostor scams had money stolen from them, with an average loss of about $800 per person.
  • Many scams were tied to gift card purchases or cryptocurrency, with a total of $2.95 billion being stolen from consumers across the country.

Email remained the most popular method for criminals to reach their victims, with a 25% increase in its use compared to last year.

These numbers are shocking, but the true extent of fraud is likely much higher, as a significant amount of fraud goes unreported. Last October, the FTC factored in underreporting from 2023, estimating that the $10.4 billion in losses reported to the agency that year was more like $158.3 billion.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

More Topic Resources

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.

President’s Perspective – April 2025

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

Highlights of State Session

Here we are in April. Do you realize the State Grange Session is only six months away, Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18? Black Bear Inn, 4 Godfrey Drive, Orono. You are responsible for your own room reservations (207-866-7120) use code Maine State Grange Group for special rate. I do not have meal prices yet but more information will be coming when it becomes available.

Here is an early preview. Friday, we will open in the 6th Degree at 11:00 a.m. (yes eleven), lower to the Fourth Degree; introduce National Rep. Kathy Gibson, Lady Assistant Steward of the National Grange; cover general business and State Master’s Annual Address. At noon, a paid lunch will be available downstairs. 1:30 p.m. is the Memorial Service; followed by Nat Rep; 3:00 p.m. begin resolutions. We close at 5 p.m. 6 p.m. The Banquet Buffet downstairs, tickets are purchased in advance. This year’s theme “Home Grown Roots For Bountiful Harvest.”Awards upstairs after banquet.

On Saturday at 8:30 a.m. we open in the Fourth Degree. 9:00 a.m. is acceptance of budget; full elections of officers, resolutions and reports mixed in with elections. Noon-paid lunch is available downstairs. 1:30 call back to order. 1:45 Conferral of the Sixth Degree and Installation of Officers, business continues as needed.

Current information and details are available on the 2025 151st Convention Page,

Utilities at Grange Halls

Recently I was trying to pay a power bill for a closed Grange and to change another power bill over to MSG for a recently closed Grange to continue with payments. It was quite a challenge to accomplish both. Neither my name nor Maine State Grange was on the service, so the employees could not help me at all (which is not their fault). It was very frustrating on my part, even though I had the account numbers. One account had been set up on line as autopay by a person who is uncooperative and no longer a member, the bank account was closed but the bill kept adding up. The other was a standard set up many years ago, the bills kept up to date, by a member who was recently deceased. One utility asked to have the former person let them know the name and billing address for the new contact, then the new contact had to call in to say they would accept the new bills, but it was still a problem to get it resolved even after I did all that was asked. I mention this to you so you won’t run into a problem with your utilities at some point in the future. Whose name and address is associated with your Grange utility accounts or is it just the name of the Grange on the bills, maybe sent to the Secretary? Should a second contact be added or at least confirm who is on your Grange utility accounts, who can get information and also make changes, or even turn the utility off if needed?

Promoting Your Grange

As we are all involved in promoting Grange membership and growth, we should be advertising ourselves. The name and number of a Grange should be on the building or on the sign at the road AND should include the day and time of the meetings. This way someone passing by or visiting the area will know when you meet.

A display in a front window or a bulletin board on the Grange hall would help us promote ourselves more. We talk about a display in a public area only during Grange Month, but this display would be ongoing year-round. You could list programs and other information in your display. Include activities or projects your Grange is involved with as part of your Grange work, and include contest information for the different committees of the Grange. (Four 2” boards, an old aluminum storm window, a couple of hinges, and a hasp make a very nice outside bulletin board, using plywood or paneling for backing if you wish). It may just spark some interest in someone who wishes to help do something for the Grange, or someone may want to join.

You could also put a board in the hallway, entryway, or on the back of the entry door where the public comes in to wait for suppers, bingo, etc. Once seated, they don’t have the opportunity to look around or read something they see hanging on a wall unless it is close or big, but while waiting in line, they might be nosy enough to be checking things out beside them on a wall close by. Use BIG print, keep it neat and attractive, give some details, add some color, and promote all the different activities, benefits, and programs we are involved with in the Grange. (See the various National and State program books for information.) If you don’t have these books handy, contact someone who can get them for you and use them. Change things around occasionally or add something new so it doesn’t get boring or outdated. The Grange has a lot of great things to offer. Have brochures or sheets of information within easy reach for someone who wishes to pick one up and take it along (most people are more comfortable checking out information in private), or they can read it there while waiting.

Another reason for your display is to remind current members what is happening. You may be surprised by what is available. A lot of halls have a nice bulletin board in the meeting room; be sure to utilize this for your members and visitors who attend. They may have been out when a certain communication came in and did not know about something; it doesn’t have to be the letter itself, but a name and date of event or activity. If they want to know more about it, they can ask. It is surprising how many people do not know or have overlooked something they could have taken part in. We can’t promote membership growth if we don’t promote Grange in Grange.

Helpful Hints From Hallmark® either for display board or standard size paper.
Less is More * A little clip art is snazzy—too much makes a mess. * One or two lettering styles complement the mood of your project—too many different fonts look confusing. * Pack your punch into fewer words and short sentences.

Follow the “Rules of Threes” *Arrange graphic elements in groups of three for the best visual balance. * For example, three photos printed on one page are more interesting than two or four. Oddly enough, the human eye prefers odd-numbered images. * Feature only three ideas in your message. The human mind easily grasps concepts in sets of three.

Think “Z” *the eye travels in a Z-pattern from the top to the bottom of the page. *Put the most important stuff at the top to grab your reader’s attention. *Build the reader’s interest through the middle, then drive your point home with a dominant element at the bottom of the page.

Finishing Touches *Enclose a photo or some colorful, shaped confetti. Seal special invitations with old-fashioned sealing wax. *Decorate a special scrapbook page with leftover sheets. *Creating a poem, award, or certificate? Present it with a flourish: Roll it up scroll-style. Tie it with a satin ribbon, gold cord, or strand of raffia. Be creative.