Again this year, Valley Grange is supporting Bangor Savings Bank’s annual Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive! During the month of September, we’ll be collecting and donating jars of peanut butter and jelly. All donations will be distributed to local food insecurity programs in our communities—from food pantries to backpack programs to local shelters, and more. The PB&J Drive is all about coming together to spread kindness and make a difference in our communities.
Since 2012, the Bangor Savings Bank Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive has collected more than 120,000 jars and donated them to local food insecurity programs. That’s over 100,000 children, families, and individuals impacted by your donations! In over 12 years, BSB employees, customers, and communities helped provide the equivalent of nearly 2 million peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for those experiencing food insecurity.
Donating a jar can make a big difference to a neighbor in need. Peanut butter, a protein-rich food item, is too often in short supply and in high demand at local food insecurity programs. By donating jars, you’re helping to provide a simple yet impactful meal option for those in need. And with school back in session, let’s support our local schools and backpack programs by donating a jar of peanut butter or jelly to the PB&J Drive!
Jars can be brought to our Valley Grange meeting on Friday, September 20th, dropped off at the hall anytime (there’s a tote on the porch), or given to any member.1 If it’s more convenient, just drop them off at any branch. (Tell ’em Valley Grange sent you!) If you have any questions or need some help, contact Community Service Chair Mary Annis or Program Director Walter Boomsma. You can also visit the Valley Grange Website or Facebook Page. Spread the word! (Pun intended.)
By the way, this is a “two-fer” opportunity! For each donation received, Bangor Savings Bank will donate one additional jar of peanut butter or jelly to local food insecurity programs!
Note that this program is conducted throughout Bangor Savings Bank’s service area, and anyone–Grange or individual–can participate! Just take your donation to an local branch. ↩︎
On August 20th, members of Highland Lake Grange No. 87 presented the Grange’s 2024 Community Service Award to Jim Farrell, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the City of Westbrook over his lifetime, specifically his role in founding Westbrook Volunteer Rescue in 1969 (along with Frank Donahue). Grange member and former Westbrook police officer, firefighter, and mayor Mike Sanphy and Ronald Jones, former deputy chief of Westbrook EMS, spoke on Jim’s achievements. Many members of Jim’s family and friends attended the ceremony (including two of Frank’s children), which was held at Jim’s residence at Stroudwater Lodge Assisted Living Center. Refreshments and fellowship followed the ceremony. The Grange thanks the Westbrook Historical Society’s Bucket Brigade for creating an excellent slide show.
Dave Gowen, Master of Highland Lake Grange shares a happy moment with Jim Farrell
Congratulations, Jim!
Jim Farrell responds with appreciation.
The Westbrook Historical Society’s Bucket Brigade focreated an excellent slide show.
The Ocean View Grange No.463 in Martinsville, Maine, was formed in 1906 and completed building the Grange Hall in 1909. Since then, our Grange has been a major contributor to our community and serves as a venue for all types of family, community, and special occasions. We are working to restore the Grange structure and integrity so that we may continue to help and provide for our friends and neighbors. Some of the programs, services, and opportunities we provide are:
1. Road Clean-up—We adopt a road each year, and our members walk the route, picking up trash along the way, to keep St George beautiful. All residents of St George benefit from this task.
2. Flag Day—Each year, Grange members meet at a local cemetery to place new American flags on the graves of our fallen servicemen and women. This event benefits the families and participants as it instills honor and pride in those who served us.
3. Heat Fund—We raise funds throughout the year via suppers, donations, etc., to provide fuel for St George residents who are unable to pay for fuel oil or other fuels for the winter. A few winters ago, we provided over $8,000 to supply fuel for those who needed it. This helps not only those who get the fuel but enhances the neighborly feeling of all St George residents, knowing we care for our neighbors.
4. Annual Donations—We raise food, supplies, etc., for the local Humane Society at our Christmas meeting, or, in some years, we adopt a local family and provide them with Christmas presents. The families or critters all benefit. In addition, we purchase and deliver a large number of personal items for the veterans at the Togus Veterans Hospital.
5. Facilities Donation—We donate the use of the Grange Hall at no cost for various Community programs, such as the library’s authors’ speaking series, the annual free string quartet presentation, fund-raisers for ill or needy people, Georges River Land Trust…etc. The Town citizens all benefit.
6. Farmers Market – Four years ago, we started a weekly farmers’ market at our Grange. There is no charge, and anyone who wants to sell their produce can set up a table. It has been a huge success, and the folks in town love it.
7. The Grange Hall is one of the few venues used for birthdays, family gatherings, wedding receptions, memorial services, bean suppers, flea markets, art shows, etc.
During the last heating season, the program provided fuel assistance benefits to approximately 51,000 households, which was 22% above projections. MaineHousing said the program should serve a similar amount of households this year; and if demand is higher, a waitlist similar to the process implemented this past spring will be used.
Maine’s HEAP program, also referred to as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is administered by MaineHousing in collaboration with Maine’s community action agencies and ProsperityME. The grant provides funding for fuel assistance benefits and other critical programs such as the Emergency Crisis Intervention Program for households about to run out of fuel, the Central Heating Improvement Program that repairs or replaces faulty furnaces, and the Weatherization Program to improve home efficiency.
During the past several years, MaineHousing and its partners have made changes to the program to reduce barriers for applicants. A new software platform is being implemented that will further streamline the application process and improve the online application function. The benefit determination method has also been redesigned to ensure that a larger benefit is allocated to households that need it most – those with the lowest income and the greatest energy burden.
With its limited funding, the HEAP program is not an emergency heating assistance program but rather a supplement that is usually provided to a household’s fuel vendor for use at some point during the year. Most applicants are required to have a meeting with a community action agency or partner as part of the application process, and it’s important to note that these meetings are often scheduled several weeks out from the time of application.
So, at least in theory, I recently learned how to work with an oxen team. I’d been saying that I was going to learn to drive oxen. Among my many discoveries was that working with oxen is more about communicating with them than driving them.
I heard one of my instructors say more than once. “You’re confusing them. They don’t know what you want them to do!” Staying focused on communicating was a bigger challenge than it might seem. And at times, it was funny. Mostly though, it was frustrating!
In brief, trained oxen receive information from the teamster in three ways. The first is (or at least should be) spatial—the body position of the teamster. Second is the “goad” or stick and where and how they are touched. The third is verbal. There is some indication that they hear vowels best. So “whoooooa” works better than “whoa.” The best example of confusing them was when I’d say, “Whoa!” but keep walking. (In my mind, it made sense because I wanted to get in front of them. In their bovine minds, I was sending mixed signals.)
Instructor Rob is a school teacher. We had lots of fun making comparisons. I finally reminded myself of the comment, “What you’re doing shouts louder than what you’re saying.” You don’t have to work with kids for long before you realize “Do as I say and not as I do” doesn’t work well.
While a 2,000+ pound ox doesn’t engage in what we call “higher levels of reasoning,” the basics are the same. That said, two of the teams I worked with were extremely well-trained. One team of Devons would stand and let me walk some distance away. I could then raise my goad and call, “Right here, boys,” and they would walk to me and stop with their heads on either side.
We students had to learn a bit about herd instinct and survival from predators. Rob occasionally reminded us that building trust with the beasts was important. “You may have to convince them you’re not trying to kill them.”
Here’s an interesting comparison. My Ram pickup truck weighs about the same as a large pair of oxen. During Road Trip 2024, I drove that truck over 3,600 miles, mostly by pushing pedals, turning the wheel, and flipping switches. (I’m purposely omitting occasional arguments with the voice feature of the GPS.) The truck doesn’t have a mind of its own or any instincts. It just does what you tell it to do.
Oxen require a bit more understanding and communication than my truck or your car. You can’t just drive them. One of the things I found challenging is the amount of attention required with oxen, particularly when pulling something. There is no cruise control!
Of course, all analogies break down if you press them, but in addition to the joy of working with these large animals, it was great to be reminded of some of the basic truths about effective communication. I’m still processing, but a few important lessons can be learned.
Don’t send mixed messages! If you say “whoa,” stop moving. If you invite someone to attend your Grange, make sure your invitation is positive and complete.
Use multiple communication strategies! Oxen expect to be told and shown by position and the goad. With humans, say it, write it, demonstrate it. If you invite someone to attend your Grange, offer to give them a ride. Send an email or postcard reminder.
Speak the language of the listener! With oxen, “Come here!” is not the same as “Right here!” If you invite someone to attend your Grange, be aware of using “Grange Speak.” “We’ll open in full form” is not the same as “We start at…” Remember, nuances are important. Are you inviting your friend to a meeting or a program?
Use the listener’s name freely! To make a team of oxen turn sharp left one to slow down and perhaps to stop completely—it’s like driving a bulldozer. You’ll need to tell one ox, “Haw!” and the other, “Whoa!” (The goad and your body position are important. Use multiple communication strategies!) “Walter, I’d like you to come to our Grange…” sounds different than “I’d like you to come to our Grange. Actually, it is different!
I’m trying to resist the temptation to suggest that we invite people to join the herd. I may not be able to resist the temptation to make a comparison to being yoked into a team.
► FACT: The events page on the website continues to be one of the most frequently visited pages on the site! Are you submitting your programs and events?
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By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director (207) 608-9193
As the Grange year ends, remember to send reports to the appropriate directors. A letter with the forms, dated June 7, 2024, was sent to every Grange. The forms are in the Community Service Packet and the Grange website.
The Community Service meeting/workshop scheduled for August 24 following the CWA conference has been postponed.
I would like to thank Bauneg Beg Grange #382, Knox Station Grange #579, Ammadamast Grange #379, Kennebec Valley Grange #128, South Sangerville Grange#335, and York Pomona #14 for submitting the Community Service Report.
I have received one entry form for Granger of the Year. There have not been any entries for police, firefighter/EMT, or educator of the year. These are important people in our community, so we should recognize them.
I have not received any Community Service Notebooks. Remember, the deadline for these is September 1. Please allow 7 to 10 days for USPS to deliver.
CORRECTION:
My address is 9 MARIAL Avenue, not MARIEL Avenue. This will delay me receiving your notebook and or mail.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you. I look forward to more reports, entries for police, firefighter/EMT, educator of the year, Granger of the year, and Community Service Notebooks.
By Margaret Henderson, Director Committee on Women’s Activities 207 948-2762
Committee on Women’s Activities
I can’t wait to see all of your entries for the contests. You all do such amazing work! It is a pleasure to be able to see all of the wonderful things that everyone makes.
It is also that time of year for donations to fund prize money for the winners in the contests, Home for Little Wanderers and House in the Woods.
I did plant two tomato plants. They are both loaded with tomatoes, just waiting for them to ripen.
Next month I will list all of the winners from the contests.
The Parkman Grange awarded six MSAD#4-area college students Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarships of $500 each for the 2024-25 school year. Winners this year include Anna Zimmerman, Guilford, a Psychology major at the University of Maine at Farmington; Cadence Clukey, Abbot, a Counseling major at Grand Canyon University; Emma Calnan, Parkman, a Nursing major at Husson University; Elizabeth Kendall, Guilford, an Education major at the University of Maine at Farmington; Kendall Kimball, Parkman, an Interdisciplinary Global Studies major at the University of South Florida; and, Hannah Dow, Guilford, an Education major at University of the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Minnie Welts Bridge was a lifelong Parkman resident, a teacher, and a Grange member. She passed away in 2011 at the age of 102. Since then, the Parkman Grange has awarded a total of $18,000 in scholarships in her memory.
Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarships are funded entirely by donations. Donations may be made to Parkman Grange at PO Box 114, Guilford, ME 04443. Note Scholarship Fund on the memo line.
The six 2024 recipients will be celebrated at a Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarship Supper on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., at the Grange Hall on the corner of St Hwy 150 and North Dexter Rd. The Supper will include pork loin, potatoes, salads, and dessert, and it is by donation. All proceeds will go to the Scholarship Fund for future awards.
“Know this: God has imprinted God’s image within you, and nothing you do and nothing that happens to you can erase this beauty, which is with you even when you ignore or betray it.”
Meister Eckhart
This statement is from “Meister Eckhart’s Book of Light & Darkness,”a collection of meditations arranged by Jon M. Sweeney and Mark S Burrows.
Meister Eckhart lived from 1260 to 1328 during the Holy Roman Empire. He was a German theologian, philosopher, mystic, and member of the Dominican Order. His sermons encouraged people to “do good.” During the Inquisition, he was tried for heresy but died before the verdict was delivered.
