Mill Stream Grange Gets the Word Out!
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.
Grange Heirloom — March 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.
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!
Highland Lake Grange Serves
Highland Lake Grange provided a place for Westbrook City Councilor Jen Munroe to hold two community meetings to hear from residents of the district she represents (the Highland Lake Grange Hall is located in her district) and address concerns and issues.
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!
Grange Today! 2-28-2025
Articles in this edition include:
- Host a “Fun Day” for your Grange
- Youth Department Updates Deadlines, Adds New Contests.
- View from the Hill
- Commentary: The Definition of Rural
- Grange Store: Grange Socks
- National Grange Program Updates for 2025
- Help Shape Safety Standards for Power Tools – Apply to Join a ULSE Technical Committee
- Grange Store: Grange Jewelry
- Grange Member Benefit: Wyndham Hotels
Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!
Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.
Fraud Watch- Getting Help After a Scam
Dealing with fraud in the aftermath can be fraught – not knowing where or if you should report (you should – it’s a crime), feelings of shame (even though it’s not your fault – blame the perpetrator), and an often-overwhelming emotional toll – let alone the financial impact.
One resource is the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline. Every weekday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST, trained AARP volunteer fraud fighters are helping victims and their families understand what happened, report the crime, and plan next steps to put their lives back together. That number is 1-877-908-3360.
AARP also offers an online small group victim support program to help address the emotional harm fraud victimization causes. These conversations are completely confidential and are a wonderful way to receive support from others. Sign up for a session today at aarp.org/fraudsupport.
Experiencing a scam can be devastating, but it doesn’t have to define you. If you or someone you know has been the victim of fraud, make sure to file a report with local police; among other things, this may be useful in the event restitution becomes possible down the line.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.