Tag: Grange Activities

Parkman Grange Announces Spring Programs

Parkman Grange is located in Parkman, Maine

The Parkman Grange will be starting their spring program with their 9th annual Daddy Daughter Dance on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 6-8 PM. Young ladies are invited to come with their Daddy or an important adult in their life. DJ Steve Boddy will be spinning tunes and having dance contests, games, and giving away prizes. Keepsake photos will be taken to remember the evening. Light refreshments will be served. The cost is $5.00 per person and tickets will be available at the door.

The Mother’s Day Tea will be on Saturday, May 13, 2023, 10 AM to noon. The Guest of Honor this year is Kylee Coburn. She is always friendly and helpful to everyone who enters the town office. She also organized the very successful Parkman Bicentennial Celebration last year. The cost is $5.00 per person. Reservations are required for this very popular event and can be made by calling Sue at 207 277-3942.

 Minnie Bridge Scholarship applications are now available at the Parkman Town Office.  This $500 scholarship is for second-year higher education students in the SAD 4 area. The deadline is July 14, 2023.

The Parkman Grange is located at the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Road. For more information about the Grange and its programs, please call Sue Manchester at 207 277-3942

Lecturer’s Column – March 2023

By Margaret Morse, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 439-0413

Poets and Poetry

Have you ever written a poem, why not? This year how about trying your hand at writing one or more and entering them into the contest? Poems can express feelings, paint verbal pictures or entertain. Entries to the Poetry writing contest sponsored by the Lecturer’s Department can follow any poetic form. This year the three specific categories are: FAMILY, WEATHER, and CAMPING. There is also an “OTHER” category which can include any subject. Also, any poem that you might be required to write for a class or workshop may be entered. This contest is open to all subordinate and junior members and includes children and grandchildren of subordinate members. So hopefully, with your help, my inbox or mailbox will be stuffed with entries that are due by September 1, 2023

Membership Moments – March 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

If you have read the recent column by our State Master, you would notice that everything she stressed in her goal-setting article pertains to attracting new members and encouraging our present membership. As mentioned in previous columns, everything you do INSIDE of your Grange is noticed OUTSIDE by the community.

Goal setting is very important. There are words and phrases she used in the goal-setting process that are very strong yet very workable and obtainable. Awareness of the operations and members of your Grange will lead to changes and improvements necessary for growth. Think when you have your vehicle inspected. Sure, it runs fine with no problems (that you are aware of, anyways), but it doesn’t hurt to do maintenance work. You may find there are hidden things; not so important now, but can lead to bigger problems. The same thing applies when you go for your annual physical at the doctor’s office. An assessment of the overall performance of your Grange is needed and changes; no matter how small, will lead to a stronger, organized Grange. The community will notice.

Good leaders are essential. We all have unique talents and blended together, it makes a hearty “soup”. When you have the ingredients, it makes it easier to assign roles based on each member’s specialty. It takes a good leader to organize this talent into a winning team. Don’t be afraid to become a leader! You can make a big difference. Have faith and trust in your membership to help. The rewards are certainly beneficial to you and your Grange. Go outside the box and take the step. You have your Grange family to support you!  I certainly was afraid and told myself I couldn’t be a leader, however, my Grange friends and Grange family felt different. With their support and my trust in them, I took the step and am glad that I did!  Thank you all for that little push and love. Be not afraid.

 We all joined the Grange for various reasons; mainly for agricultural and community service purposes. We have created new friendships and bonds with other Grangers; we can use our skills and talents to help others. Personally, I have learned much about myself and my abilities since joining the Grange in 1985. Grange has made me a better person (not that I wasn’t before) and taught me new skills and toned up on some lesser-used ones. Family has always been important to me and my Grange family has always been accepting of me, no matter if I make mistakes or embarrass myself (which has been done). They pick me up when I am down; they just don’t laugh and turn away. Who wouldn’t want a family as supportive and loving?

The following are a few phrases that will help you in your endeavors to strengthen your Grange: 

  • Respect others.
  •  Give respect and others will respect you.
  •  Keep active and you will grow.
  • Cooperate with others and respect their opinions.
  • Be aware of the needs of your community and your Grange.
  •  Speak up with suggestions and ideas. Become a leader!
  •  Attend other’s Grange meetings and talk to members of other Granges.
  • Form bonds and friendships.
  • Work together for a common cause.
  • Keep visible!
  • Welcome the community into your Hall.

    Enterprise Grange Seeks Volunteers

    Saturday, March 18, 2023 — 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

    Calderwood Engineering has done a structural Inspection of the Grange Hall on Alexander Reed Road, and determined we need cellar work done for supports, etc., We also need to clean the attic for electrical work to be done. After paying for the posts, lumber, and wiring, we can’t afford the labor to do the moving work, and there are very few of us to get the labor done as quickly as we need.

    A Work Bee will be held at the hall on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. We are hoping for help at any time during that time period. We can’t pay, but we can feed a crew and have games and crafts for kids whose parents are helping. Two of us have “Safe Gathering” background checks and experience helping kids have fun.

    Grange is the original equal opportunity organization with women and teens being able to vote and hold an office since our founding over 150 years ago. Women also share in the labor of the Grange just as men share with cooking and cleaning.

    Coming events include Awards Day for Community Citizens of Dresden and Richmond, the ART FEST by the Kennebec, Red Cross Blood Drive, Historical Talks, displays celebrating Richmond’s Bicentennial monthly until September, and Music Jams through the summer months.

    Please help as you are able. FMI call 207-380-3369 or 207-380-3901.

    Visit the Enterprise Grange Facebook Page

    CWA Report – March 2023

    By Margaret Henderson, Director
    Committee on Women’s Activities
    207 948-2762

    Committee on Women’s Activities

    Warm winter Greetings!!

    Well, March came in like a lion, so hopefully, it will go out like a lamb. We got a foot of snow here last weekend, and the weather app says we have another foot arriving on Tuesday and Wednesday! I guess that we are getting our winter all in one month. Oh well, the pleasure of living in Maine! If you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will change! I am sure this will make the snowmobilers happy.

    I am hoping that many of you are working on entries for the contests. It is a good thing to do on a cold or snowy day.

    I want to wish all of you a very blessed Easter.  I hope everyone stays healthy and safe.

    President’s Perspective – March 2023

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

    I participated in the annual informative and helpful State Presidents/Masters Conference via zoom on February 17 and 18. Discussions, Presentations, and Workshops included: Show and Tell– Sharing personal Grange “ephemera“ (memorabilia); National Convention Reimagined—and Better than Ever!; Communications Dept.; It’s Not Your Property; Discover Your Website; Why Can’t We Just Get Along?; Juniors + Youth = Growth; Membership Department and Wrap-up. Much of the information covered can be found on the National Grange website which will require the annual password to access some of the information and much of the information is also provided in the web posts sent from National. I will be sharing some of it from time to time with you.

    GOALS.  From time to time, I have mentioned goal setting for your Granges. Here are some of my general goals that should be applied in our Granges as well.

    **  Strengthen and improve the Granges we already have, increasing membership and increasing the number of active Granges.  Working to improve its individual members and the good of all.  Including community concerns, family and good ritualistic work for opening and degree.  Working together as one unit showing mutual concern and respect for others. Providing programs and projects that keep in step with our changing world and the interests of our members. 

    **  Improve leadership skills of the Leaders and the members.  Provide workshops on what is required as a Grange Leader, goal setting, how and what to plan for activities and programs including but not limited to fun things, on the local and state level. Give basic guidelines and suggestions to our Granges for program planning and development. Provide, print and distribute leadership & resource materials and training for all Grangers. Continue with good ritualistic work. Assist in developing programs, contests and activities specifically needed and designed for their individual  Granges.

    **  Identify key individuals to assist with specific activities, programs, projects, rides, and other.  Utilizing key people for their skills and knowledge to assist with training others, in a variety of subjects.  Identifying these key people in a resource list for all to refer to, on local and state levels.

    **  More cooperation and people support is needed for the Junior Granger Leaders and Members, so they don’t feel so alone at the meetings and activities. Subordinate members work more closely with Juniors on all activities to make Juniors and Subordinate members more familiar with each other as a group and as individuals which will help make the transition between Junior and Subordinate easier, if they already know each other.  Give mutual respect to each other

    Scam Alert–again!

    We’ve reported this in the past, but here’s a reminder. Here’s an example of an email sent recently that you should ignore and delete.

    Several things should raise your suspicion. One is the need for discretion, and another is the no-calls request.

    To put in highly technical perspective, “it just doesn’t sound right.”

    Just ignore it; delete it. If you are concerned, contact Sherry directly, not by replying to this bogus email. There’s also a similar message occasionally being sent by text message to cell phones. They are not connected to the website in any way, and there’s very little I can do beyond issuing an occasional reminder that folks need to be “on guard.”

    Another increasingly common scam is an email with an overdue invoice included or attached. Again, think before you you act. It’s the price we pay for technology–similar to the junk mail that arrives in our snail mailbox! It too is annoying, but we don’t need to regret lobbying for RFD years ago, right? And I don’t think we’re going to give up our mailboxes!

    Life has its woes so be on your toes!

    Bernard Kelvin Clive

    Grange Month News!

    Visit www.nationalgrange.org/grange-month-2023 to access and download graphics, headers, calendars, press release templates, and more for your Granges to use. Note Grange Spirit Week is scheduled from April 16-22–Each day is designated to a specific theme or topic and National Grange has scheduled evening Zoom Events.

    Jonesboro Grange Multi-day Yard Sale Scheduled

    Roque Bluffs/Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Dept & Jonesboro Grange are sponsoring a HUGE indoor yard sale at Jonesboro Grange. Look for the sign that we’re open, and come find a treasure! The sale will be open for ten days!

    Funds split between the Roque Bluffs/Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Dept & Jonesboro Grange #357

    Contact LouAnn Cox at 434-2131 or 263-3209 and arrange to drop off item donations. 

    Item drop-off times are March 1, 3, & 4. Clothing in good condition with no stains, rips, or holes accepted. Furniture, kitchenware, small appliances, toys in good condition, books, etc., are gladly accepted and appreciated! Contact LouAnn Cox at 434-2131 or 263-3209 and arrange to drop off item donations. 

    Event Reminders

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

    March 11, 2023. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. You are all invited to attend an Instruction / Information meeting at Norway Grange #45, 15 Whitman St., Norway  (weather permitting). Norway Grange will provide lunch at noon, their Subordinate meeting will be at 1:00, and the Instruction meeting will start at 2:00 pm.  Contact Christine Hebert, Master (207-595-6007 or christinehebert@outlook.com)  to let her know how many will attend the lunch.  Weather cancelation date will be March 18 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  

    Everyone is invited to attend. Those attending will be the ones practicing the work, by volunteer, also switching around–it will not just be State Officers and Deputies.  We will cover:

    • Ritualistic Floor Work, opening & closing  (opening the Bible, presenting the flag, introducing honored guests).
    • How to properly make the Salutation.
    • Balloting procedure.
    • Election procedure.
    • How to handle Motions and following through.
    • The State Secretary will cover reporting, records, funds, and ordering certificates.
    • Other suggested Grange business and discussion.  

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    April 23 Degree Day 1:30 pm at Maine State Grange HQ, 146 State Street Augusta. All 4 degrees will be conferred.  Let Maynard Chapman, Chief Deputy (207-312-9661 or email him at mgcgmc@fairpoint.net) if you have candidates. The candidates should bring their application for membership with them.