Tag: Grange Heritage

From the Deacon’s Bench – October 2023

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“And He saith unto them, ‘Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?’ Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”     

Matthew 9:26

Friends! Have you ever taken the time to determine just who your friends really are? Who are your rainy-day friends? Who are your casual friends? Who are your good friends? The ones who are there for you when they are needed no matter what the problem or situation?

These are just a few questions to help you put your friends into the right perspective. Not all friends are alike! There are friends from work or school who are more casual acquaintances than friends. There are those friends that would drop everything and come running (literally) if you should need help of any kind. Then there are those friends that will stick by you when all of the other friends have long gone.

We must cherish all of our friends, as they each have a purpose in our lives. God would not have given us the friends that we have if there were not a purpose to it. It has been said that friends are like a fine wine; both add comfort to a significant situation. For if it weren’t for good friends, how would we be able to cope with our day-to-day lives?

Friends are a gift from God that we cannot overlook. I am thankful every day for all of my dear friends, for without them, I could not appreciate the true gifts from God. Thank you one and all for being my very dear friends. Remember, always, “Life has many gifts – take time to unwrap them all”!

Until the next time, I continue to pray for good health for you and yours, and remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Don’t forget to thank a Veteran for his/her service in the defense of our country and pray for their safe return to their families!

Benediction: “Gracious Father, thank you for our friends for without them, life would not be worth living. Help us to realize that our friends are really a true and loving gift from You. We give our thanks in Thy holy name. Amen. ”  

Thought for the month:

May your neighbors respect you,
Troubles neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you.

An Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity

Exploring Traditions – October 2023

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

It’s Not in the Manual…

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

Many of our Grange Traditions aren’t covered in the Manuals we often refer to for help with the Ritual. But they are no less important.

I recently called attention to one that happens during many Grange Meetings when the Master asks, “Are any members in sickness or distress?” Typically, the Chaplain reaches for a box of cards, and when the answer is affirmative, one is passed around for members to sign.

Like many traditions and rituals, this part of the meeting can become almost automatic. Occasionally, we ought to stop and remember this portion of our meeting strongly reflects our fraternal nature in a very visible manner. A fraternity demonstrates friendship and mutual support within a group. Sending a card does that.

A hospice nurse recently did some listening and some research. She has a 94-year-old patient who “talks about the Grange and his 70+ year membership on a daily basis.” She found me through the Maine State Grange Website and wondered if the Grange might “have some information” or be willing to reach out to him. (His circumstances are such that he is separated from his family and Grange.) I immediately thought of our Chaplain and her box of cards. Then I realized we could start a card shower for him.

When I finally went off autopilot, I decided to write to him and send him a copy of my book, “Exploring Traditions.” I also leveraged my position as Communications Director to “get the word out” that we had a brother in “distress.” Let me share with you the email his angelic hospice nurse sent.

I cannot thank you enough! I had the pleasure of personally delivering the book and letter to him! Along with it was a handwritten card from the National Grange! He loved these gifts! Our team (social workers, chaplains, volunteers, nurses) now get to sit with him and read a section of your book to him with each visit! He so much appreciates all of this! Thank you again! 

One (Grange) team helps another (Hospice) team. Or maybe those two teams become one team that demonstrates friendship and mutual support. I hope, for a moment, you can picture that nurse sitting next to our brother’s bed, reading about the Grange Way of Life to him. Perhaps his eyes are closed and there’s a smile on his face as he remembers seventy years of meetings, programs… and being a Granger.

“As we in form thus enclose you within a sacred circle, so does this Grange in the name of our noble and beneficent Order pledge to you a pure friendship, enduring through life to shield you from harm… let us ever hold fast and firm our obligations of Fidelity.”

from the Altar Circle conducted during the Fourth Degree

So be it.

Original Valley Grange Article
“Got a Stamp?” Post on MSG Website

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.

Grange Heirloom — October 2023

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.

Got a Stamp?

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

One of the “rituals” we follow during our Valley Grange Meetings is probably not unfamiliar to many Grangers. When the WM asks, “Is any member in sickness or distress?” the Chaplain reaches for a box of greeting cards. If there’s a report, a card is passed around for all to sign. Sometimes, it happens when the WM calls for “Suggestions for the good of the Order,” and someone reports a success or happy event, suggesting we acknowledge it with a card.

It’s a pretty cool ritual that represents our fraternal nature. It can also become a community service and an important aspect of “communicating” with members and Grange friends.

I was recently contacted by a hospice nurse who is caring for a 94-year-old man in assisted living. He’s a long way from home, unfortunately, and his nurse reports that he “talks about the Grange and his 70+ year membership on a daily basis.” She wonders if “if this friend could possibly get visitations or
information from the Grange mailed to him on a regular basis.”

I should certainly hope so. I’m going to put a copy of my book, Exploring Traditions, in the mail to him today. Since I know the Valley Grange Chaplain quite well, I suspect she’ll get a card in the mail before we meet. There’s a post on the Valley Grange Website encouraging others to reach out.

Does your Grange have members that you haven’t seen in a while? How do you communicate with them?

“As we in form thus enclose you within a sacred circle, so does this Grange in the name of our noble and beneficent Order pledge to you a pure friendship, enduring through life to shield you from harm… let us ever hold fast and firm our obligations of Fidelity.”

Quoted from the Altar Circle Ritual conducted when admitting new members

Christmas is Coming!

I know you didn’t want to be reminded… maybe I should change the headline to, “It’s not just for Christmas anymore!” Back in 2021, I put together a video that was a bit of a retrospective look at Granges around the state during the previous year and a holiday wish. We (MSG) have a YouTube Channel where we host a few videos–most are resources for Grangers. This makes it possible to “embed” these videos on the website. Just recently, this comment on the video was posted:

Congrats from a Granger in Michigan on an excellent presentation. I’m a 54 year member who has real appreciation for our history. Your video does a great job relating our heritage and still presents today’s Grange in a positive light. To my Maine Grange Brothers and Sisters keep up the good work.

Tom Smith

Tom’s comment demonstrates several things–including the fact that things on the Internet stick around forever. That’s good news and bad news. But it also demonstrates that good work gets recognized. Sometimes, it may take a while!

Grange Heirloom — September 2023

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.

Exploring Traditions – September 2023

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

Where do I find a Manual? (Part Two)

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

Last month, I briefly covered the contents and use of the Subordinate/Community Grange Manual. Several questions triggered a bit more research on my part. While I haven’t seen an official announcement, apparently, a new edition (Forty-seventh, 2022) has been approved and released. I’ve not yet seen any announcement but have been able to piece a few things together.

The 2023 Manual is available in two ways. You can (at least as of this writing) download a free PDF copy from the National Grange Store. (I’ll provide the link at the end of this article.) You can also order a printed copy from the National Grange Store for $15. plus shipping. Note, however, that both of these will be 8½  x 11 (letter-sized). If you order the printed copy from National, it will come in a looseleaf notebook. If you download the PDF, it will print 8½ x 11. It is set up for two-sided printing—the entire manual is 80 pages. I printed one and spiral-bound it—it looks about 3/8” thick.

The good news is that the print is large and easy to read. Also, using the PDF, you can print just the pages you need. The bad news is that a smaller, perfect-bound edition is no longer available. This will obviously be a problem when performing rituals and ceremonies that require walking around and standing in different places while speaking (reading) a part. I’m still thinking about that. The larger size and print will be great when working from a station—much easier to see and read, and if you do use a looseleaf edition (either by purchasing or making it yourself), you’ll love it.

For those who are technically inclined, the PDF can certainly be added to a tablet or laptop. I haven’t checked on this, but I think it could be made available on a Kindle! There are, of course, PDF reader apps available for smartphones—I’m not sure how practical that would be from a size perspective.

You may know that, at least in theory, manuals are not sold to individuals—only to Granges. The official policy is that they can be loaned to individuals, but the steward is responsible for ensuring copies are returned to the Grange. As a publisher, I can tell you that controlling digital copies (which includes PDFs) is a huge challenge in general. I’m not sure how this will work with Grange Manuals, but I did want to make you aware of the “rules.”

Questions come up most often regarding some of the “new” items such as alternative opening and closing, welcoming ceremony, obligation ceremony, etc. These alternatives tend to be shorter and use more contemporary language. They were introduced in the previous edition (Forty-sixth, 2013) and remain present in this new edition. The vocabulary deserves some attention. Let’s see if we can simplify it using the newest edition.

The “traditional” Opening, Order of Business, and Closing of the Grange is found on pages 5 – 7.

An “alternate” Opening, Order of Business, and Closing of the Grange is found on pages 8 – 9. This alternate opening is sometimes used (or a version of it, at the master’s discretion) for what are commonly called “open meetings.”(It omits the “taking up” of the word.)

Both versions include welcoming guests, but the procedure for that is given separately on page 70. Okay so far? There is a large section starting on page 11 with the traditional version presented with English and Spanish side by side.

Membership potentially involves three sections: Obligation Ceremony (page 44), Welcoming Ceremony (page 47), and Ritual of Degrees (page 15). The manual makes it clear that of upon completion of the Obligation Ceremony, members are “considered Patrons and eligible to participate in all the benefits of the Order.” It is not clearly stated that the Welcoming Ceremony achieves that result.

The “traditional” Installation (of officers) Ceremony starts on page 57. The “alternate” Installation of Officers Ceremony starts on page 65. Since the traditional version requires a “team,” more and more Granges are opting to adopt the alternate version for a “do it yourself” approach. The Manual notes that “Any Master, Past Master, or Fifth Degree member may install officers.” In either case, the installation instructions will be extremely helpful in both deciding and executing the installation.

There’s much more in the manual, more than can be reviewed here. One of my favorite reviews of my book included, “It answered questions I didn’t know I had.” The same can be said of the Subordinate Grange Manual. At times, the manual covers what may appear to be minute details. But it also leaves us with this closing paragraph:

“Attend to every duty promptly, and keep constantly before the minds of the members the important fact that the great object and crowning glory of our organization is to ‘educate and elevate the American Farmer and improve the quality of life in rural communities.’”

Link to the 2023 Manual on the national Site

Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-sixth edition of the 2013 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.

From the Deacon’s Bench – September 2023

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”      

Ephesians 5:15-16

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord, your God, who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

September has finally come, and so far, it brings with it some good weather! As we look back on the summer, or what was supposed to be summer, some might be thinking that the Lord had forsaken us. Believe me, He hasn’t forsaken us. He does have a plan for us all, but we have to believe in it and do our part.

We need to follow His law and treat our family, neighbors, and even strangers with love and respect. Remember the following:

We came naked,
We will go naked.
We arrived weak, 
We will leave weak.
We came without money and things,
We will leave without money and things.
Our first bath? Someone washed us,
Our last bath? Someone will wash us.

This is life!! We all need someone in our lives to help us with some things. We can’t do many things by ourselves. We all need help from time to time.

So why so much malice, so much envy, so much hate, so much resentment, and so much selfishness?

Be kind to everyone you come in contact with and do good deeds. Remember, we all have a limited time on planet Earth, don’t waste it in uselessness!

Until the next time, I continue to pray for good health for you and yours, and remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Don’t forget to thank a Veteran for his/her service in the defense of our country and pray for their safe return to their families!

Benediction: “Gracious Father of us all help us to remember that life is short –live it. Love is rare – grab it. Anger is bad – dump it. Fear is awful – face it. Memories are sweet – cherish them. Amen.”  

Thought for the month:

May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.

An Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity

Tunes at Tranquility

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

Like many Granges, Tranquility Grange is located in a somewhat “off the beaten path” rural area. Janice and I allowed the GPS to lead the way to through Lincolnville, Maine. While Grange Halls typically have some unique features, there’s always a comforting sense of familiarity when visiting. It’s not just the building itself; it’s also the people and the fraternal friendliness.

Despite those predictable features, Janice and I found ourselves surprised during our recent visit. No doubt this was because we were there for some “Sweet, Savory, and Song.” The sweet and savory included an opportunity to nibble on some very cosmopolitan finger foods. The song included a lively program of Grange music performed by Katherine Rhoda. Katherine’s program included her voice accompanied by keyboard, Marxophone and violin-guitar (play-by-number American fretless zither sold door to door in the early 1900s), Harpeleik, accordion… and a few I can’t remember the names of!

This program (it’s really much more than a concert) specifically featured Grange songs and shared some of the background and history of the Grange itself. Katherine’s knowledge of music is diverse and deep. But Grangers will quickly respect and admire her knowledge of the Grange. Her historical approach to the program clarified the Grange’s purpose and commitment to change, especially in the earliest days. There were moments when the audience wanted to find a pitchfork and start a march protesting or supporting something.

There were moments when the audience wanted to find a pitchfork and start a march protesting or supporting something.

Walter Boomsma
Katherine is an entertainer, a historian, a storyteller, and more.

One particularly memorable song told the story of Lucy, a young woman who wanted to marry a farmer and had us chuckling. (No spoiler alert-you have to hear it.) Her parents were not supportive because her future husband was… a Granger!

This performance was a joint venture supported by Tranquility Grange and the Lincolnville Historical Society. An even more ambitious goal is the preservation of the hall itself. Erected in 1908, the hall is listed on the National Register, and many members of the Historical Society have joined the Grange. This recent concert is evidence of the determination to preserve the hall, the Grange organization itself, and the history of the ongoing contributions.

Katherine explains, “My hope is that sharing this music and history helps in some small way to cultivate community and to build upon the Grange history of working together for the common good, in keeping with the Grange motto ‘In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity’” She ended her performance by explaining the origins of the Grange Motto and asking the audience to repeat that motto with her not once, but twice.

While the concert ended, working together for the common good to cultivate community continues. In some ways, it may just be getting started.

What I find fun/rewarding about playing in Grange halls is uplifting and celebrating the Grange history of rural people working together for the common good, connecting with folks who are actively involved in their communities, and continuing my own education.

Katherine Rhoda

Katherine has two upcoming concerts scheduled:

  • September 12, 2023, at 7 p.m. at the Conway Historical Society in Conway, NH
  • October 22, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the Arundel Historical Society in Arundel, ME

For information about upcoming concerts, visit Katherine’s Website or Facebook Page!