From the Deacon’s Bench – February 2023

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“Jesus said, ‘you have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘you shall not kill; whosoever kills shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to council, and whoever says, ‘you fool!’, shall be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first to be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; truly I say to you, you will never get out until you pay the last penny .’” 

Matthew 5:21-26

 

We made it through the first month of the New Year with, I hope, few scrapes, bruises, and little pain. I trust you all are weathering the cold and snow with the grace of God (or doing the best that you can!).

The Bible message is a tad long this month, but I thought it was appropriate. I think this time of year, we tend to get a little ‘testy’ as we sometimes have to stay inside (where it is warm and cozy) with little to no contact with friends and/or neighbors. We tend to forget that we have friends that care for us.

Try not to turn our backs on our friends. If we know of anyone in need of help or assistance of any kind, please offer it. If you are the one in need of such assistance, please accept any and all help that might be offered. Lest we forget, we are all God’s children, and we cannot survive without each other’s help.

 Please remember that we ALL need a helping hand at some time or another. If you are able, help someone else. If you are the one in need, accept it willingly. There is no shame in needing help!

God loves us all!!

 Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Benediction: “Gracious Father of us all, help us to realize that we are all your children who need help now and then. Help us to know when to ask for it when we need it, and if possible, give it when we are able. Amen.”

Thought for the month:
May the sun shine, all day long,
Everything go right, and nothing wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you,
And may all the wishes you wish come true.

An Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity

CWA Report – February 2023

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

Committee on Women’s Activities

Warm winter Greetings!!

What a crazy winter we have been having! Thank goodness there are only six weeks left of winter.

I had some meat and veggies given to me by some nice friends. So for the last couple of days, I have been cooking.

Making casseroles, meatloaf, and other comfort foods and sharing them with my grandsons and my neighbors. I feel really blessed that I can do this. A little kindness goes a very long way. All of these people really appreciate this.

The best part is that I really enjoy cooking. My Mom and Gram started teaching me when I was six on an old wood cook stove! They also taught me how to sew on an old Singer treadle sewing machine. Wonderful memories!!

I hope that you are all staying warm, safe, and healthy. Take care everyone.

President’s Perspective – February 2023

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

March 11, 2023. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. You are all invited to attend an Instruction / Information meeting at Norway Grange #45, 15 Whitman St., Norway  (weather permitting). Norway Grange will provide lunch at noon, their Subordinate meeting will be at 1:00, and the instruction meeting will start at 2:00 pm.  Contact Christine Hebert, Master (207-595-6007 or mail: christinehebert@outlook.com)  to let her know how many will be attending the lunch.  Weather cancelation date will be March 18, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. 

Everyone is invited to attend. Those attending will be the ones practicing the work, by volunteer, also switching around–it will not just be State Officers and Deputies.  We will cover the following:

  • Ritualistic floor work, opening & closing  (opening the Bible, presenting the flag, introducing honored guests)
  • How to properly make the Salutation
  • Balloting procedure
  • Election procedure
  • How to handle motions and following through
  • The State Secretary will cover reporting, records, funds, and ordering certificates
  • Other suggested Grange business and discussion 

I will also be holding this same workshop/meeting around the State starting in the spring, please invite me to your area or Grange, I would prefer a Saturday meeting during the day but could accommodate an evening if requested.  

  • Instruction/Information: Arbutus has invited us to come on Apr 22 (tentative date)
  • Instruction/Information: Jonesboro would like us to come in warmer weather
  • Instruction/Information: Granite in Searsport is having us on June 13 at 1:00 pm.

April 23 Degree Day 1:30pm at Maine State Grange HQ, 146 State Street Augusta. All Four Degrees will be conferred.  Let Maynard Chapman, Chief Deputy (207-312-9661 or email him at mgcgmc@fairpoint.net) know if you have candidates. The candidates should bring their applications for membership with them.

With spring comes reopening. It’s almost time to get back in the swing of in-person meetings.

Spring is also clean-up time outside and inside for our own yards, but this should also include our halls.  Get the lawn raked up, clip the grass and bushes around the steps and foundation, pick up the branches and trash lying around, get the tattered plastic off the windows, and maybe even wash the reachable ones.  Get some new plants in the window boxes and garden.   Repaint your sign, the steps, railings, and even the door.  We all need an occasional facelift. 

It doesn’t feel like it, but here we are a little over a month away from Grange Month, a time of year we honor our community members and promote our Grange. Congratulations to those who have made plans for something special at this time.  You can plan your event honoring your community later in the year. Nothing says it can only be done in April, honoring someone special or a special activity can happen anytime, it’s the result that really matters. You can buy or make up your own certificates, plaques, etc. for honoring an individual or group or items may be purchased from National Grange.  Whether you order on your own or from National Grange, remember to allow lots of time to get the items back, especially if you are getting it by mail or shipped.   We have lots of informational brochures as handouts in your halls available on request at the office. 

I want to remind you, the State Grange office does have an answering machine to leave questions, requests, and information at 207-623-3421. Please leave a clear name, phone number, and brief message, to return your calls.  We are in the office a couple of days a week.  We also have an email address that is on our outgoing message:  mainestategrange@myfairpoint.net. My cell & home phone and Sharon’s numbers are both on the outgoing message, also.  Our personal numbers, home, and email addresses are in the roster that each Grange Secretary received.  The State Grange Website is valuable and can provide information, the webmaster is very helpful, however, some of your questions should be directed to the State Grange Secretary or me personally by email or phone. Until we can be together again, take care of yourselves.   

Quick Tip – Pomona Meetings

Cool Idea
Share your ideas with other Granges!

by Walter Boomsma

Ask the Subordinate/Community Granges in your area to have an agenda item on their regular monthly meetings to discuss who from their Granges would be attending next month’s Pomona Meeting. The goal would be for each Grange to “send” at least two members to each Pomona Meeting as representatives. Since, for example,  Piscataquis Pomona has six member Granges, there would be some assurance of at least twelve people at each Pomona Meeting in addition to those who attend regularly! By rotating the responsibility, there would also be more diversity at Pomona Meetings.

Communication Shorts 2-5-2023

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!

February Bulletin

The deadline for the February Bulletin is February 14, 2023–that’s only nine days away! Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

Didja Notice?

We’ve added a “subscribe” menu item–if you aren’t receiving email from us, check it out!

Congratulations!

Congratulations, Mr. Walter Boomsma, on receiving the Cultivator Award. Happy to read about it in the Jan 2023 issue of the Good Day. Well deserved.
Ed and Jane McCall
Bingham Grange #237

Grange Month Is Coming!

What’s the plan? How will your Grange celebrate? Don’t forget to submit your plans and events to the website!

Pine Grove Grange #233, Brewer

We’ve had an inquiry regarding this Grange… from a woman in Oregon who has some information (dues receipts, diaries, etc.) that might be of interest to a historical society or museum. We’re suggesting the Brewer Historical Society. If you have any information that might help, email Mary Gobet or let me know!

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

Ideas for Granges

Is it too early to start planning spring cleaning at the Grange?

Thought for You…

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.”

Joseph Addison

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!

Do You Have FOMO?

“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

Grange Heirloom — February 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 – January 2023

Grange Month 2023

Gleaned from an email written by Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director

“I am working on Grange Month materials, though many of last year’s materials are still good, too, as we are in year 2 of the “Raised Right Here” theme. Make plans now to join us for “Grange Spirit Week” which will be held April 16-22nd, with a Zoom program in the works for EVERY night that week, but more on that soon! (April 16th also happens to be the founding date of Fredonia Grange #1, NY, which will celebrate its 155th birthday that day!).”

Social Media Calendar Available

Are you looking to add some spice to your Grange’s Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter pages? Check out our 2023 downloadable Social Media Calendar, which lists various “holidays” about which you can make posts or celebrations. Also included on the calendar are recurring National Grange meetings, holidays, events, and more. Feel free to pass this on to your Grange’s Lecturer, Secretary, social director, or anyone who helps plan events or activities for your Grange.

National Roster Available

The National Grange Roster lists, among other things, information about National Leadership and each state Grange with contact information. Download the National Grange Roster

Facebook Page Zoom-torial Recorded

As a reminder, Phil Vonado, National Grange Communications Director, led a Zoom-torial on “How to Create a Facebook Page,” which also included some information on the free design website Canva, as well as how to create a Facebook Event. This video is now available on the National Grange YouTube channel and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/-F3iqXyN5Lo. (We’ll be adding this link/video to the Grange Resources Page.)

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.

Communication Shorts 1-16-2023

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!

January Bulletin

The January Bulletin is now available! Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

Didja Notice?

We’ve added a “subscribe” menu item–if you aren’t receiving email from us, check it out!

Got a Minute? Got a Pie? Got a Meal?

It seems ironic that after encouraging you to enjoy a minute listening to the podcast “Dropping by the with a Pie” posted by Plain Values Magazine, MSG CWA Directory Margaret Henderson reported dropping by a neighbor’s with a meal.

Grange Month Is Coming!

Even without counting on your fingers, you know Grange Month starts in just over two months! What’s the plan? How will your Grange celebrate? Don’t forget to submit your plans and events to the website!

Website Report

In case you missed it in my Communications Column, your MSG website was viewed over 1500 times during December 2022–and over 20,000 times during the entire calendar year 2022.

A Few Thank You’s

Special thanks this month to Marilyn Stinson for sharing some of our posts on her Facebook Feed! To Michelene Decrow, Barry Tracy, and Dave Gowen for their recent support and feedback on the website. Golly, this could get long… to all of you who support and contribute to the site!

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

Ideas for Granges

Maybe it’s time to shift some of our thinking from what our community needs to what it wants. They might be the same, but thinking about wants creates a different slant. How about every Granger asking at least one person, “What would make our community a happier place?” and reporting the answers at the next Grange Meeting?

Thought for You…

“While we are living in the present, we must celebrate life every day, knowing that we are becoming history with every work, every action, every deed.”

Mattie Stepanek

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!

Do You Have FOMO?

“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

Exploring Traditions – January 2023

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

by Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

Hornblowing and Wordsmithing

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

I’m willing to risk being accused of blatant self-promotion. Years ago someone suggested, “If you don’t toot your own horn, no one else will.” I am going to let you in on a little secret—and maybe solicit your help! And wait until you hear my rationalization for what might be some horn blowing.

I’m in the process of formatting another book about the Grange Way of Life. Now, before you get too excited, let me hasten to say that formatting and editing are slow, time-consuming work. But at least it’s written. I haven’t set a hard deadline for it becoming available—is spring vague enough? (Grange Month is April, right?)

My working title is “Reflections on the Grange Way of Life.” Or maybe “Reflecting on the Grange Way of Life.” See why it’s called a working title? Many might be surprised to learn that determining a book’s title is often one of the last steps in publication. Part of the reason for that is books often change during the various stages of writing.

The title is not the only thing that’s in the works, although the book is mostly written at least at the draft stage. It currently looks like there will be some fifty to sixty “chapters” – most based on columns written over the years. In that sense, it will resemble my previous book, Exploring Traditions—Celebrating the Grange Way of Life, published five years ago. While this sequel will explore Grange traditions, Rituals, and heritage, it’s also intended to dive a bit into the present and future, giving meaning to the past.

I’m not married to including “reflections” or “reflecting” in the title, but it feels like an appropriate description of the content. Yes, I’ve used a thesaurus. “Thoughts on the Grange Way of Life,” feels different. “Exploring Traditions, Book 2” doesn’t work and feels lazy. Welcome to the mind of a writer.

Assuming these are, in fact, reflections, I’m tempted to abandon the custom of having numbered chapters. Instead, there will be numbered reflections. For example, you might discover Reflection Seven—Work is Prayer. Bear in mind these reflections do not need to be read in order, but books do require some degree of structure.

So, what do you think? I’ll take your input on the title and how to label the chapters/reflections.

Are you ready for the rationalization? This might be an example of making a slight change to a tradition (how we identify the parts of a book) in the interest of better serving our purpose. Notice that our potential change keeps purpose foremost. We’re going to explore Grange traditions, Rituals and heritage in terms of today and tomorrow, making sure we don’t lose the meaning of the past. Should we do that with chapters or reflections? True wordsmiths are going to look up the definition of chapter and then use a thesaurus. We could get analysis paralysis and stop the progress of the book.

Change is hard. Humans like predictability—that’s an important value of tradition and ritual. “The same” gives us a sense of comfort and security. But change can also have value.

Would you rather read a chapter or a reflection? “It doesn’t matter” is not an acceptable answer. In survey terms, this is called “forced distribution.” For this question, I must make a decision. If you’d like to help, send me an email with your thoughts.

When we transition to the Grange and encounter a question, the process should be the same. We stay focused on the desired outcome. Then, we’re going to think about it. We’re going to think about it because we care about it. Maybe we’ll change, maybe we won’t. But we can’t go wrong using the process.

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.

Membership Moments – January 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

HMMM…No, I’m not thinking or pondering in awe over anything in particular; I am reintroducing you to a new acronym. Help Make Membership Matter. Yes, another acronym. Just like GOTO (remember that?) it is an important message for all of us. It is up to each of us to bring in new members; to expand our family for future generations. In order to keep our organization strong, we always need to add new members; to teach them our traditions, to introduce them to the world of agriculture; make them aware of our lessons and how to apply them. To keep the blood of the Grange circulating and its heart beating strong, it takes new ideas, fresh faces, and new projects. It is easier than one may think. The Good of the Order (GOTO) is in everyone’s hands. Yours, mine, and every member of this organization.

Do you remember why you joined the Grange? I certainly remember why I joined and it changed me for the better and set me on a great path. Would you be able to apply your own reasons for joining to others? Pay it forward. Certainly, you will have some rejections, however, there are people out there just waiting to be asked. Push aside the “nos” and keep going. May the rejections only make you stronger in your efforts. Invite others to sit in a meeting and observe. Give them the opportunity to decide for themselves. If you invite them, make it like you are selling a home or a car. First impressions are important. Invite others to a picnic or an open meeting first so that they can meet the membership in a casual, non-threatening atmosphere. When they attend an actual meeting, they will not feel isolated because they have already met the membership. Pay attention to them, explaining why we do what we do and the symbolism. Once a non-member is comfortable with the surroundings, they will be ready to join. Sound easy? It may, but it does take work and effort.

I wish all a happy, safe, and productive new year. HMMM…