We’ve been through this before, but just to be on the safe side…
Ignore (delete) this email. Do not reply to or forward it.
Frankly, this is not something we can control. Be alert and a little suspicious!
Fraudulent Email
Tag: Grange Communication
Fraud Watch- How and When to Report
It’s National Consumer Protection Week, and while AARP works year‑round to help protect people from fraud, this is a good time to talk about how and why to report fraud.
Fraud is widely underreported in this country. Sometimes, people don’t realize that fraud is a crime. Other times, victims don’t report because of undeserved feelings of shame or embarrassment. The lack of a single, centralized reporting system may also deter reporting. Here is some guidance on where you can report.
Your bank: If you recognize a scam right away and it involves your financial institution, contact them immediately. They may be able to stop or reverse transactions, or freeze your account to help prevent additional payments or withdrawals by scammers.
Local law enforcement: Filing a report creates an official record, which may be helpful for future restitution. Reporting also matters because the more people who come forward, the more information law enforcement has to identify patterns and catch criminals.
The feds: You can also report scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. While federal agencies don’t typically follow up on individual cases, these reports help them track trends and better understand the scope of the problem.
Lawmakers: Consider sharing your experience with lawmakers — including local legislators, your state attorney general and Members of Congress. The more they hear directly from constituents about fraud, the more likely they are to take action to address it.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
Share this news!
President’s Perspective – March 2026
Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange Master/President
207 490-1029
Reminder: Dues increase now in effect. As of January 1, 2026, the State quarterly dues have increased to $6.00 per quarter per member. Golden Sheaf members are exempt at the State level.
Insurance information request. We would like to hear from you. One of the resolutions that was passed by the delegates at the 2025 State Grange Session as a resource for Granges searching for insurance. We are asking Subordinate Granges to submit the names and contact information of their insurance agents and carriers, types of insurance the Granges have, such as fire, liability, and other (without disclosure of specific premium costs or coverage information, unless you choose to). We are looking strictly for the names of the companies that provide coverage. Please send your insurance provider’s information to the office.
Promote Your Grange. A display in a front window or a bulletin board on the Grange hall would help us promote ourselves more. We talk about a display in a public area only during Grange Month, but this display would be ongoing year-round. You could list program and other information in your display. Include activities or projects your Grange is involved with as part of your Grange work and include contest information for the different committees of the Grange. (Four 2” boards, an old aluminum storm window, a couple of hinges and a hasp makes a very nice outside bulletin board, using plywood or paneling for a backing if you wish.) It may just spark some interest in someone who wishes to help do something for the Grange or someone who may want to join.
You could also put a board in the hallway, entryway, or on the back of the entry door where the public comes in to wait for suppers, bingo, etc. Once seated, they don’t have the opportunity to look around or read something they see hanging on a wall, unless it is close or big, but while waiting in line, they might be nosy enough to check things out beside them on a wall close by. Use BIG print, keep it neat and attractive, give some details, add some color, and promote all the different activities, benefits, and programs we are involved with in the Grange. (See the various National and State program books for information.) If you don’t have these books handy contact someone who can get them for you and use them. Change things around every so often or add something new so it doesn’t get boring or outdated. The Grange has a lot of great things to offer, have brochures or sheets of information within easy reach, for someone who wishes, to pick one up and take along, (most people are more comfortable checking out information in private) or they can read it there while waiting.
Happy Spring! It will soon be spreading its wonderful colors all around us, and Happy Easter.
Communication Shorts 03-02-2026
By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842
Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!
The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
mainestategrange@gmail.com.
March Bulletin
The deadline for the March Printed Bulletin is March 14. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
Seeking Someone
Do you, your child, or your grandchild have some knowledge of WordPress? (For those unfamiliar, WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that allows users to create, manage, and customize websites without needing advanced coding knowledge. The Maine State Grange Website uses it.) If so, let’s connect and explore some opportunities. I could use a few hours of volunteer help occasionally.
Journals of Proceedings
The 2024 Journal of Proceedings has been received and posted, a summary of State Session held in 2024. Note these are large files with many pages and photos.
Rapid Resource
We’re always seeking resources of potential interest to Grangers and Friends that are not necessarily specific to the Grange. These will be short and easy to digest. As an example, the first concerns finding and tracking scholarships. You can help! Let me know what you think and, by all means, submit ideas and suggestions.
What’s Going On?
St Patrick’s Day and Grange Month programs and events needed now!
Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Surely, there are lots of Grange things happening in Maine.
To Ponder…
“No idea is so antiquated that it was not once modern. No idea is so modern that it will not someday be antiquated.”
attributed to Ellen Glasgow
An Idea for Your Grange
It’s a marriage made in heaven! There’s a consensus that food is an important component of events. How do you make that work for you?
Subscribe!
Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!
Online Directories Available 24-7
Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!
- The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
- The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.
Grange Today! 2-27-2026
Articles in this edition include:
- 2026–2027: A Year of Growth. A Year of Action. A Year for All of Us
- Apply for a Rural Life Initiative grant
- Pioneer Grange launches community food pantry
- View from the Hill
- Adam’s Story: Free rural mental health resources for Grange communities
- Promote National Ag Day with your Grange
- Support the Grange Foundation through the Common Routes Challenge
- Life Line Screening – A New Benefit from the National Grange
- Save the Dates!
- Recipes from the Heartland
- Member Benefit: MemberDeals
- Grange Store: Veteran Recognition Pin
Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!
Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.
Fraud Watch- Travel Scams
Planning a winter escape? Don’t let criminals ruin your trip with bogus deals, fake booking sites, or schemes designed to steal money or personal information.
Scammers create fake vacation rental listings, apply pressure to pay upfront through wire transfers, gift cards, or other hard-to-trace methods. If a host asks you to pay outside the official platform, it’s a scam.
Be cautious of steeply discounted offers and use a credit card whenever possible for added fraud protection. Before booking, verify the company or property. Search the name along with keywords like “scam,” “complaint,” or “review” to see if other travelers have reported issues.
Staying alert and taking a few extra steps can help ensure your winter getaway is safe, fun, and scam-free.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
I Doubt It!
By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director
I wonder if I’ll ever cease to be amazed by the number of scams being run on the Internet and Social Media. I can’t resist sharing this one because it might actually be considered funny.
So “Commander Kirkland” has reached out to “whom it may concern” with what might initially appear troubling news. He informs us “...you and your organization, that the Federal Law Enforcement agencies of the United States of America in conjunction with Interpol, the World Security Council and the United Nations Amnesty International Program, are announcing a series of arrests and investigations concerning various Religious and Social organizations using a psychological torture, and brainwashing technique known as a ‘forgiveness tatoo’.
I’m reminded a bit of the old joke “You know it’s not going to be a good day when you find the Sixty Minute News Team waiting for you at the office.”
By the way, “forgiveness tattoos”(spelled correctly) are a real item readily found on the Internet. I don’t pretend to fully understand their value, but as far as I can see, they aren’t about brainwashing or torture.
“What is the scam?” you ask. I don’t know, I didn’t fall for it. But I suspect the first step was to get me to reply to the email. It’s interesting that a Federal Law Enforcement Commander is using a Gmail address. I’ll admit, I almost did reply out of curiosity.
You can fool some of the people some of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.
Attributed to Abraham Lincoln.
The updated version is
You can fool enough people some of the time to make a decent living.
Unknown
Just don’t be one of those people. And, perhaps more importantly, don’t let these attempts get you down. Think of them as an opportunity to demonstrate how smart you are. Just slow down and think! Wouldn’t you think a high-ranking federal law enforcement official would (among other things):
- know how to spell the “tattoos” he is investigating
- have an email address associated with his agency (and identify it)
No worries. Now, if you see the CNN News Team standing in front of the Grange Hall…
Fraud Watch- Helpline Alert
Government Imposters Rampant
The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) has seen a rise in impostors pretending to be government officials.
Scammers are calling people, making claims like there’s a warrant for their arrest, their identity was used to buy child pornography or launder money, or that the FBI needs their help to catch a thief. These criminals seek to get your money by wire transfer or crypto kiosks. Some even use the real names of FBI agents or sheriffs to appear legitimate when you search online.
Remember that government officials will never contact you unexpectedly to seek payment in any form. If you receive a contact like this, disengage, and if you’re worried there may be a problem, contact the agency at a number or web address you know to be legitimate.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
Communication Shorts 02-15-2026
By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842
Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!
The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
mainestategrange@gmail.com.
February Bulletin
The February Bulletin is now available for download. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
Seeking Someone
Do you, your child, or your grandchild have some knowledge of WordPress? (For those unfamiliar, WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that allows users to create, manage, and customize websites without needing advanced coding knowledge. The Maine State Grange Website uses it.) If so, let’s connect and explore some opportunities. I could use a few hours of volunteer help occasionally.
Rapid Resource
We’re always seeking resources of potential interest to Grangers and Friends that are not necessarily specific to the Grange. These will be short and easy to digest. As an example, the first concerns finding and tracking scholarships. You can help! Let me know what you think and, by all means, submit ideas and suggestions.
National Grange Notes
Remember, applications for National Grange Rural Life Initiative Grants are due by February 28, 2026. (You must submit through the online portal.)
Your Grange Presence
If your Grange has an active website or social media presence, please make sure to let us know! We maintain a list on the site and publicize them as a source of more information.
To ponder…
“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.”
attributed to Abraham LIncoln
An Idea for Your Grange
I recently stumbled upon an organization offering a free “How to Write an Obituary” workshop. It might sound unusual at first, but offering some legacy-planning information could be a valuable service. Hospice workers, funeral directors, financial planners, etc., could be included.
What’s Going On?
St Patrick’s Day and Grange Month programs and events needed now!
Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Surely, there are lots of Grange things happening in Maine.
Subscribe!
Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!
Online Directories Available 24-7
Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!
- The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
- The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.
Grange Today! 2-13-2026
Articles in this edition include:
- Make a strong impression in your grant proposal
- Apply for a Rural Life Initiative grant
- Grange Heirloom for February
- 2026 National Grange Programs now available online
- Support the Grange Foundation through the Common Routes Challenge
- Understanding Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Numbers to Know in 2026
- Apply for the Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
- Hamp Watch: Where is our National Grange President?
- Recipes from the Heartland
- Member Benefit: Aflac
- Grange Store: Veteran Recognition Pin
Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!
Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.