Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
The degree day was held as a special meeting of Androscoggin Pomona at the State Grange headquarters in Augusta. There were 27 candidates from the following Granges: Danville 1, Excelsior 1, Mill Stream 1, Farmington 1, Androscoggin 8, Cambridge Valley 1, St. George 2, Victor 2, and Merriconeag 10. There were 66 present.
Here are some may events around the state–don’t forget to submit yours!
Highland Lake Grange Is Having a Busy Spring
Highland Lake Grange is donating supplies, can tabs and food to Ronald McDonald House in Portland today. Items were donated by Grange members and by the Grange itself.
Also this week, the Grange received a Citizens Award from the Westbrook Police Department for its work raising funds for the Westbrook K9 department in 2023.
Next up is a donation of personal care items for Windham Food Panty.
This is not a fundraiser—it’s a fun raiser! The purpose is to celebrate our communities and way of life. We’ll also honor some special community citizens—the Piscataquis County 911 Dispatchers! Here are some ways you can help support this fundraiser.
In a recent blog post, Seth Godin noted that ideas that spread win and because of technology and the changes in media, ideas that spread “horizontally” spread the fastest and farthest. Yelling from the rooftops doesn’t work so well. Telling a neighbor or friend does.
By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915
This year is the 150th anniversary of the Maine State Grange and many of the earlier established Granges, which were organized in 1874. I attended the 150th anniversary of Excelsior #5, the earliest of the surviving Granges. It was a great celebration with music, awards, a history presentation, a great meal (of course!!), and a wonderful attendance of both Grange members and non-members. Attendees were amazed to see the history of the Grange in that area and the changes that happened over the years.
Hopefully, all Granges will have a tribute to the 150th Maine State Grange anniversary, as well as those who also will be celebrating this year. It is a great milestone; one we are proud of and willing to share with our communities. Advertise and be proud; let the word out and invite the public to celebrate with you. This is one of the best ways to attract new members! Plan your event with a neighboring Grange or with your Pomona. Don’t miss out on new membership; take action and open those doors!!!
I am excited to hear of the results of the two degree days in April. Remember, make sure all your members who are new or only had an obligation ceremony receive a chance to see the full degrees to enhance their knowledge of lessons and symbolism. The next one is April 21, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Maine State Grange Headquarters in Augusta and presented by Androscoggin Pomona.
By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director
Remember “Booster Nights?” I’m not sure there ever was a clear definition or description, but it would probably be fair to describe it as a recruiting effort to “boost” membership with an open house-themed meeting or program.
I’m not aware of any data, but I suspect you won’t find too many people who joined the Grange after attending a Booster Night in recent years–for one thing, they’ve gone out of fashion. But remembering them raises a question. In our efforts to grow our Granges, what are we boosting?
People join the Grange and maintain their membership for various reasons, which can be very diverse and individualistic. I haven’t kept track, but the most common explanation I’ve heard for joining is family tradition—”my parents and grandparents were members.” In “my” Grange, we have a few members who pay their dues but aren’t involved, don’t attend meetings, but maintain their membership status. No criticism is implied. It’s just a fact.
Does that mean we should be contacting all of our current members’ relatives?
If we are promoting the Grange, maybe so. In a somewhat desperate sense, any reason for joining is acceptable, right?
But the more important question arises. What are we boosting? Or, in a larger way, what are we communicating?
Within the context, it might be time to think about what the Grange does in addition to what it is.
It’s probably time to dust off the “Why I love the Grange” survey. If you read some of the reasons, you won’t see many, “I love the Grange because it is an organization with a long history and agricultural roots…” Most of the answers reflect what the Grange does and how those current members actually benefit. Those answers tell us what we should be communicating if we want to attract new members. We should be looking for “like-minded” people.
Many members mention “family” in explaining why they love the Grange. So, a simple example of what that might mean is we should include “family-friendly” when promoting events. (And we’d better mean it. Valley Grange has an “activity tote” and “book tote” that visiting kids are encouraged to use—and they get to take one home. If they bring it back, they can trade it for another or just keep it.)
In addition to “family-friendly,” it might make sense to use the word “community” when promoting your Grange’s activity. While not always aware of it on a conscious level, many people are searching for a sense of belonging to something. Maybe your “public supper” should be a “community supper.” It sounds too simple and almost trite, but words can mean a lot. I once had someone admit they would be more likely to attend a “Grange Program” than a “Grange Meeting.” Meetings are for members. Programs are for everyone.
What is your Grange doing these days? Boost that because your Grange is what it does.
► FACT: The website currently has 862 posts and 20 pages! That’s a lot of information!
Happy Anniversary, Harraseeket Grange!
Jonesboro Grange #357 and Roque Bluffs Volunteer Fire Department are conducting a HUGE indoor yard sale during the month of April, daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
Closed April 8 and 9th – Other dates and times for April will be posted at a later date on our social media pages. (Jonesboro Grange Facebook Page)
Donations may be dropped off on any day we are open. Contact LouAnn Cox at 207-434-2101 for donation drop-off, questions, and more info.
(Before we leave March, don’t forget this weekend [March 23-24, 2024], is Maine Maple Weekend!) April is Grange Month, with celebrations throughout the month. Here’s some we know about!
The Parkman Grange has a busy spring planned, starting with its Daddy Daughter Dance on Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 6-8 PM. Young ladies are invited to attend with their dad or an important person in their life. D.J. Steve Boddy will spin tunes and have fun dance games with prizes. Light refreshments will be available. A keepsake photo will be taken to remember this special night. Admission is $5 per person at the door.
The popular Mother’s Day Tea will be on May 11, 2024 from 10 to noon. Kelly Brasier is the guest of honor. Tea sandwiches, sweets, and beverages will be served. Live entertainment and lots of door prizes make this a special occasion which has become a spring tradition for family and friends. Admission is $5 per person, under 5 free. Reservations are required at 207-717-6248.
Applications for the Minnie Bridge Scholarship are available at the Parkman Town Office or anytime on the bulletin board on the porch of Grange Hall. These $500 scholarships are for SAD #4 area, second-year higher education students. The deadline is July 12, 2024.
The Parkman Grange meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 5 PM at the Grange Hall. If you are interested in these and other community-based events, come join them; you don’t need to be a Parkman resident. The hall is located on the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Road in Parkman