Exploring Traditions – August 2023

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

Where do I find a Manual?

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

Recently, there have been some questions regarding sources of information for meetings and rituals. The fundamental source is the Subordinate Grange Manual (SGM). So where do we find one of those?

First, a few words about the SGM. Technically, “Grange Manuals are sold only to Grange units themselves and are never sold to individuals. They must remain the property of the Grange and, as such, should always be accounted for by the Worthy Steward of said Grange.” While that’s true in principle, it is not so much so in practice. If you don’t tell anyone, I’ll share that one of my treasured possessions is an SGM published in 1908 that belonged to a relative. His name is written in the front, and many handwritten notes throughout the book. I guess the rules haven’t been strictly enforced for some time. I occasionally see them offered for sale on eBay.

The SGM contains much of the “ritual” used throughout the Grange: procedures for opening and closing a Grange Meeting, conferring the First Four Degrees, and installing officers. There’s even a Grange Burial Service. I recently had the distinct honor of conducting one!

We can think of the SGM as a procedure manual—the “how to” book focused on the ritualistic aspect of Grange meetings and events. There were some significant changes and additions made to the paperback SGM published it 2013. A few language updates were made, and a number of  “alternate” procedures and ceremonies were added. For example, this edition includes the Welcoming and Obligation Ceremony—streamlined paths to membership approved by National Grange. (Conferral of the Four Degrees is still highly recommended but not required for a new member to become “official” with voting rights, etc.)

Another SGM reality is that copies (pre-2013)can often be found lying around Grange Halls. These older copies remain useful because procedures have not altered significantly. Sometimes, the older editions are useful for their additional detail. For example, when I conducted that burial service, I used an older manual for its rich language and some additional information.

A Grange seeking copies of these older editions can try contacting:

  • Neighboring Granges. Many will have more copies than they need, particularly if they’ve accumulated manuals from closed Granges.
  • The local Grange Deputy. The deputy has contact with those neighboring Granges and is charged with assisting.
  • A State Officer. The State Master/President would be a good place to start.

It might also be possible to find one on eBay or in a used bookstore, but looking “in-house” will likely be most efficient.

The most recent (2013) SGM will be a bit more challenging. Normally, it can be purchased from the National Grange Store, but as of this writing, it shows as “out of stock.” Hopefully, it’ll be available again soon!

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.

Lecturer’s Column – August 2023

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

As the days rush towards October and the State Grange session, it may be time to look over the photos you have taken during the last year and decide which ones you are going to enter into the photo contest. The categories for this year are water, animals, winter, and gardens. All photos must be turned in to the lecturer’s table no later than 2 pm on October 20, 2023. The photography contest is open to all Grangers and Junior Grangers as well as children and grandchildren of Subordinate members. The photographer must select the category for the entry and may enter as many photos in a single category as they wish. Entries, including matting or backing, must be no smaller than 4”x 6” and no larger than 11”x 14”. Frames and glass are NOT permitted.

Also, this year the adult coloring contest is still open for all who find coloring challenging and/or relaxing. All entries must be from an adult coloring book and no smaller than 4”x 6” and no larger than 11”x 14”.

The Art contest for Junior Grangers will also be judged at this time. The mediums that will be judged include oils & acrylics, watercolors, charcoal or pencil, markers or crayons.

The photography, coloring, and junior art contest entries will be judged against each other based on composition and arrangement, presentation, and technique. Junior Grangers’ work will be judged in three age groups: 5 – 7, 8 – 10, and 11 – 14.

View from the Farm – August 2023

Webmaster’s note: The format of this column has changed a bit, with all of the Quill’s Endians participating at various times and in various ways! This month’s column is written by Phil.

She’s an Easy Keeper!

This week, I was reminded of the age-old acronym KISS.  Keep it simple, stupid.  For some time now, my main form of transportation has been misbehaving, and even a short to the mechanic’s shop this week drive provided a massive dose of adrenaline. 

Since my appointment with the mechanic was scheduled three weeks after my phone call, I had time to research, troubleshoot, and possibly save some money by doing some of the work myself.  The more modern the vehicle, the deeper the rabbit hole of sensors and components.  My little Toyota Tacoma is a 1996, and fortunately, still has a fair amount of mechanical, rather than electrical, components.  I should have concentrated on corrosion instead of sensors, it seems.  My research complicated a problem fixed by a professional with WD40.

I was flabbergasted when, after a harrowing drive to the mechanic shop on Wednesday, they called with a fix mere hours later.  Thank God for knowledgeable professionals.  Mechanics are a mystery to me.  I lack the patience for discovery and the mechanical sense that clicks so easily in their minds.

It is that “click” that sets an individual apart in any field.  Sometimes, creatures just intuit a skill.  Cows as well as humans.  True in fields of pasture as well as mechanical fields.  Ariel is like that.  She is just three and on her first lactation as a dairy cow, a novice in her career.   Yet, she is the essence of a dairy cow…she embodies it.

Born from Pippin, of whom I wrote three weeks ago; and sired by Hughbert, the mellowest bull we have ever had, Ariel has been eager to please and unwilling to make a fuss from day one.  She goes about her business with class and skill, no matter what you ask of her.

She calved last fall when we had too much milk and were trying to sell a few cows to even out the supply-demand cycle.  We felt we had to list her for sale along with some other difficult choices.  We are glad no one bought her. 

She raised three veal calves for a few months and then willingly came into the milking parlor to provide you all with dairy products.  This would not be an easy transition for many cows.  She would melt into a larger herd, but is all too happy to be treated to royal care here at Quill’s End, where we can seek her and her wonderful, willing personality out and value the ease she provides us. 

Old-timers would call her an “easy keeper” and I am beginning to understand just what that understated metaphor means, thanks to Ariel.

Heather and Phil Retberg and their three children run Quill’s End Farm, a 105-acre property in Penobscot that they bought in 2004. They use rotational grazing on their fifteen open acres and are renovating thirty more acres from woods to pasture to increase grazing for their pigs, grass-fed cattle, lambs, laying hens, and goats. Heather is Vice President of Halcyon Grange #345 and writes a newsletter for their farm’s buying club of farmers in her area and has generously permitted us to share some of their columns with Grangers. Visit the Quill’s End Farm Facebook Page for more information.

Communications Column – August 2023

An Annual Potpourri and Update

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

As we approach the end of another Grange year, making this month’s column a bit of potpourri that includes a few updates and thoughts about our ongoing communication efforts seems appropriate.

As a director, it’s that time of year when, as a director, I have the opportunity to write an annual report. I get to think about the past year’s accomplishments and look ahead to the following year. While it’s work, it’s good work well worth doing. I challenge each Grange to consider a similar effort. Written reports force discipline and accountability. Can you at least list the programs and projects your Grange has completed? (The Grange Year is fiscal and runs from October 1, 2022, until September 30, 2023.) If you create a year-end summary or report, send it to me so I can post it on the website!

Additionally, each committee, director, and certain elected officers publish a Program Book for the upcoming year. These books serve as a resource for members and their local Granges. I’ll be making some significant changes to the MSG Website Handbook to reflect the major changes that have been made to the site.

Of course, both activities are completed in anticipation of this year’s State Convention held on October 20-21, 2023. This will be the 150th time delegates from Granges around Maine have met to look back and ahead. This year I’ve created a graphic celebrating that anniversary using the theme “A Road to the Future.” You’ll also find the traditional page on the site offering many details regarding the convention, such as the preliminary schedule, local hotel information, FAQs, and a material packet.

Keeping the website valuable and relevant requires your help! We typically receive over 20,000 views yearly, which doesn’t count posts sent to subscribers. (Subscribers receive posts by email once daily.)  I’ll share more about this in my annual report. Please consider using the site to promote your Grange’s programs and activities. Both Grangers and non-Grangers visit the site. Many of those who aren’t members are seeking information. One of the most visited pages is the director of Granges. Please make sure it includes your most current contact information!

In addition to information about Granges, the site also carries information of interest to members. For example, I recently posted information about the Maine Referendum Questions on the ballot this fall. At least one Grange will be sponsoring an informational meeting for their community. I also received a “tip” that a local news outlet published an article, “Saving the Halls and Granges that House so Much of our Heritage.” A link to the article has been posted on the site. And, by the way, the article notes that it relied on the Maine State Grange Website for historical and background information! If you see an article that interests other Grangers, please send me at least a link.

Speaking of links, I receive daily reports of links on the site that have stopped working. This happens for many reasons, and nearly all of it is beyond my control. Thankfully, most are links in older posts to items that have either been moved or deleted. Please understand that it would be extremely time-consuming to investigate all of these. Let me know if something is missing that is important, and I’ll try to research it. (You can also do so. If you find it, please let me know!)

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a theme here. Communication is about more than just getting information! It’s about giving information too! I received an email recently asking why a particular Grange’s Facebook Page wasn’t listed on the website. The answer was easy: I didn’t know they had one! I occasionally get questions about events at local Granges and know nothing about them! Using the online directory, I refer the inquirer to someone from that Grange, but wouldn’t it be great if the information was readily available on the site? We can’t share what we don’t have or tell what we don’t know!

► FACT: During the first week in August, there were 513 emails delivered to website subscribers. (The most subscribers get is one email per day.) A big advantage for subscribers is that they don’t have to remember to check the website and can choose which posts they are going to read entirely.

Email the MSG Webmaster
Subscribe to the Website

CWA Report – August 2023

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

Committee on Women’s Activities

The tomato plants are giving us some nice tomatoes. It is wonderful to have fresh produce.

Everything is ready for the conference. A big thank you to Sister Sherry and Brother Richard for setting up the tables and chairs. It is greatly appreciated. I am so excited about seeing all the entries. It does my heart good to see how you are all blessed with these talents.

Next month I will post a list of all the winners.

Hope that everyone is healthy and safe.

Membership Moments – August 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Is everyone having a good summer? Rainy and warm. State Session is soon upon us. I am wishing that you send delegates to represent your Grange. I have received no responses for my requests for your thoughts on getting new members.

Everyone should be busy with their gardens and fair displays. My Grange is a small group, but we always try to go public at the local fairs with a fair booth. The public looks forward to seeing these displays, and the agricultural fairs are screaming for more Granges to participate. As an agricultural organization, it is our duty to showcase these fairs and to support farming in Maine. It is a great publicity offering and a chance to talk to people about Grange and its activities.

Again, I will highlight some ways to get new membership.

  • Be an active Grange by meeting regularly and participating in community events. Have active committees.
  • Be open and prepared to accept new members. We can’t meet with no quorum or members.
  • Be diverse. Allow all members to contribute. Do not be a one-person show. Elect good leaders.
  • Learn the floor work and your part as an officer. Reading is fine, but do it clearly without hesitations.
  • Publicize your events in local free papers, cable, social media, or the area newspaper.
  • Have an open house for the community with a free lunch or snacks. Honor citizens with an award for volunteerism, helping your Grange, or any other special honor they have done to help the community.
  • Wear your Grange apparel out in public.
  • Visit other Granges/Pomonas. Invite others to visit your Grange. The pandemic hurt this but start again.
  • Smile! Smile! Smile!

Communication Shorts 8-8-2023

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Send us your ideas and thoughts!

The 2022 Journal of Proceedings is now available!

The Journal of Proceedings is, in short, the minutes of (in this case) the 2022 149th Maine State Grange Convention. It is of particular importance to those who will be delegates to this year’s convention, as you’ll likely want to compare what happened last year in anticipation of this year’s convention. You can download the 2022 Journal of Proceedings for viewing–it’s a lot of pages to print! The Journal will also be available from the Program Books and Information Page.

August Bulletin Reminder

The August Bulletin deadline is August 14, 2023. Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page. The August Bulletin is in the works!

Very Important Roster Reminder!

 You saw it first in Master Sherry’s August Column, but please remember that your Grange’s current information is needed for the 2024 printed roster. A printed form requesting the information was sent to all secretaries, but you can also send it by email to MSG Secretary Sharon.* The information required includes:

  • Meeting day and time
  • The physical address of your hall
  • Names, addresses, and phone numbers of Master/President and Secretary. (Email addresses are great as well.

*Please copy the webmaster so we can keep the online directory as accurate as possible.

Resolutions Are Due!

If your Subordinate or Pomona Grange prepared a resolution this year, remember that it must be submitted to headquarters by August 15, 2023.

150th Maine State Grange Convention

This is the first part of a “coming soon” webpage we’re working on that will contain everything you wanted to know (and more!) about this year’s convention. Save the date!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

President’s Perspective – August 2023

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

RESOLUTIONS are due in the office on August 15, 2023. Any resolutions received or submitted after the August 15th  deadline date will not be considered at this year’s 2023 Annual State Session. Resolutions are printed and then mailed back to each Grange. This all takes time.  

Just like elections, Granges are required to install their officers usually in September or as soon as practicable after elections. There are not many installation teams traveling the state to perform the ceremony. The Installation Ceremony may be handled by each Grange on their own. There is an official alternative Installation of Officers printed in the new manual that can easily be followed by your members with one person taking charge, all participating or just a few. This alternative ceremony contains half the words as the original one, which is also in the manual.  

Grange Committees are appointed by the Master/President-elect (whether newly elected or re-elected) and are responsible for asking the people to be involved. The Committees are responsible for organizing and implementing their programs in Subordinate, Pomona, and State Granges. Each level has more responsibilities and activities for the membership. If you would like to serve on a committee, please contact the Master/President of your Subordinate or Pomona Grange.  The State level is also looking for members to get involved with Committees and being Deputies, this being an election year, some officers, deputies, and committees may change.

This is a good time to remind you that your Grange Secretary’s and Treasurer’s books are to be audited at least once a year, and carrying that out close to installation is the perfect time to get it done.  The Executive Committee and/or the Finance Committee of your Grange are the ones to carry out the audit.  Written records should be kept for all accounts in the Grange, receipts and expenditures. 

Maine State Grange By-Laws:  Article XXI – Subordinate Officers and Their Duties
Section 8.1  It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee of each Subordinate Grange to see that the books of the Secretary and Treasurer and any other funds of the Grange are audited at the end of the fiscal year.      

You will need the  Secretary’s Records and Secretary’s Order Book.  This is the 5×7 book the Secretary writes what bills have come into the Grange and need to be paid with an amount listed. This record book also includes donations made to whom, etc. You will need the Treasurer’s books, checkbook, bank statements, savings book, etc., and receipt book (for funds received from the Secretary).  You compare the Secretary’s minutes and Order Book with the Treasurer’s checkbook and statements for receipts and expenditures.  All items should match between the Secretary and the Treasurer.  All Committees of the Grange that handle funds, such as CWA, Lecturer, Chaplain, Bingo, Dinner, Fund Raising, etc., should also be keeping written records of receipts and expenditures to have audited at the end of the Grange year.

Another reminder, 28 Subordinate and 7 Pomona Granges have provided your 2024 Roster information.  Even if there were no changes, a report needs to be sent, either the printed form or typed in an email.  During the order of business, the Master asks, “Have the reports to the Pomona and State Granges been duly and promptly made?” This includes this request for information. You may not have every committee in your Grange, but we still need the information you have, especially the meeting day & time, the address of your meeting hall, the Master and Secretary’s names, addresses, and phone numbers. Something I did notice on the ones I have received, several of the Granges have changed their meeting day and/or time. That is a By-law change and there is a proper procedure to make those changes correctly, then the change must be submitted for approval by MSG.  The Article, Section, and Sub-section numbers/letters must be stated in the by-law change request, the current information completely written out then the requested change completely written out. All your members must receive a copy of the proposed change(s), and it will be voted on as a motion at a subsequent meeting from when it is first introduced.  After the affirmative vote of the Grange, the same old and new printed information is sent to the State Master for approval. It will take effect after I sign it.

The 150th Annual State Grange Session is Oct. 20 & 21 at the Auburn Masonic Hall located at 1021 Turner St, Auburn.  Please note this is a Friday and Saturday event. Anyone may attend the session. Letters about the session will be going out next week to the Granges, which will include the Delegate Registration form, schedule, meal information, and hotel info. All information will be posted on the website. Resolutions will be sent after the 15th of August.

Friday, Oct. 20 — 1:00 p.m. opening & business. 2:00 State Master’s Address.  2:45 Memorial Service,  3:45  Resolutions and National Grange Rep. guest speaker,  6:00 p.m. Banquet by Pine Cone Eastern Star Chapter here in the Masonic Hall – tickets $16.00 purchased in advance. Awards will be presented upstairs after the banquet:  Junior Presentation, Community Service, Family Health & Hearing, Membership, Educational Aid and Howe’s Nurses Scholarships, and others.

Saturday, Oct 21 — 9:00 a.m. opening, acceptance of budget, full election of officer(s), resolutions and reports mixed in with elections as needed & installation of officers.
12:00 Ag Luncheon – tickets $10.00 purchased in advance.
1:30 Call back to order – business continues.
Conferral of the Sixth Degree will be at 2:30 p.m.   ($10 fee for 6th Degree candidates) (must have had the 5th Degree or 5th Degree Obligation to take the 6th Degree)

Fair Season is in full swing, and I hope you get a chance to attend a few of them, there are lots of things to see and do.  Here are some of the results of the Grange exhibits I have heard about so far:

Ossipee Valley Fair:
1st Maple Grove 148
2nd Waterford 479
3rd Saco 53
Monmouth Fair:
1st Winthrop 209
2nd Waterford 479
3rd Enterprise 48
Pittston Fair:
1st Enterprise 48
2nd Chelsea 215
Maine State Junior Grange received 1st Place award also.

Congratulations and compliments to all who put together these wonderful displays, thank you for your hard work. We are looking forward to seeing more this summer. Thank you, judges!

Grange Heirloom — August 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.

Notes from National – August 2023

Did you catch August 4’s Patrons Chain? Being fair/festival season, we have a MEGA DEAL on the Grange Comic Books – they’re FREE (you just pay shipping). Contact Loretta to order packs to give out at your events.

Contest deadlines for many National Grange contests are approaching! Due by September 1st are: Cape of Honor (Juniors), Garden Design Contest (Lecturer), GRANGE Youth Pillar Project (Youth), Grange in Action (Programs/Membership), Grassroots Advocacy Award (Legislative), Horizon Leadership Ambassador/Young Patron applications (Youth), John Trimble Youth Legislative Experience (Youth), Junior Mentor Award (Youth), National Junior Grange Ambassador applications (Juniors), Publicity Item (Communications), Quilt Block Contest (Lecturer), State Junior Director Reports (Juniors), Virtual Photo Contest (Lecturer), Weather Watcher Challenge (Lecturer), Wib & June Justi Community Service Award (Youth/Community Service), Youth Membership Recruitment Award (Youth/Membership), Youth Officer Council applications (Youth), and the Youth Officer T-Shirt Design (Youth). That’s a lot! More information on all of these can be found in the Contest Guide or in the Junior & Youth Program Handbooks.

The July issue of Good Day! magazine has been sent out to subscribers. This quarterly magazine is just $16/year, including information on what’s happening in Granges around the country, the National Grange, rural America, and so much more! Subscribe here: https://www.nationalgrange.org/good-day-magazine-subscription/ OR our digital editions at http://www.issuu.com/grangegoodday

We also encourage all members to subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter The Patrons Chain. This newsletter includes columns from National Grange Staff & Directors, information on upcoming National Grange events, and updates on what’s happening in rural America and in our nation’s capital in our monthly “View from the Hill” legislative update. Subscribe at http://www.nationalgrange.org/subscribe 

Early Bird registration for National Grange Convention closes on September 4th. This means that on September 5th, the price for registration rises by $5. Information on this year’s Convention and the registration forms can be found at http://grange.biz/Convention157. We encourage ALL members to attend each year’s Convention to experience the work of the Grange, the fellowship, the workshops, and the great work each host committee puts into making the Convention special for the region.

Are there topics you would like to see covered in a future Zoom from a National Grange staff member or department director or officer? Please let us know! We’re always working to ensure our topics are in line with what our members want or need to hear from us.

We hope to see you “at” some of our August Events!

National Grange Heirloom Program

Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Ritual and Declaration of Purposes. Please share “success stories” about the use of the program with us or if you come up with other innovative ways to incorporate the Program in your Granges. Information and materials are now available on the National Grange Website.

“Notes from National” is based on a monthly email received from the National Grange Communications Department.