Tag: Grange Contests

By Melissa Baldwin, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 324-4661

Time is running out to get those registrations for the Northeast Lecturers’ Conference in Norwich CT. The good news is the early bird registration for the conference and hotel has been extended to May 30, 2024. After that, the conference price will be increased by $15 from $30.00 to $45.00 for just the conference. There are meal options that are extra. The hotel is $139.00 per night until May 30, 2024. Then it will increase significantly.

For those who have already registered I will be contacting you soon with additional information for Maine’s portion of the fun.

By Melissa Baldwin, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 324-4661

I am pleased to update you on the upcoming 2024 North East Lecturers Association (NELA) Conference which will be held June 21-23 at the Holiday Inn in Norwich, CT. A North East Lecturers Association Conference has not been held in over five years, so this is an awesome opportunity right here in Connecticut for all Grangers and Want-to-be-Grangers to join together for some great food, fun, education, and relaxation. Our event is open to all and we hope you will consider registering today at https://sites.google.com/view/nelcgrange/home?authuser=2. As Connecticut is hosting this conference for the North East Region this year, we chose to host it at the Holiday Inn in Norwich; the same hotel as Connecticut State Grange Annual Convention. We negotiated the rate down to $139 per night, which is cheaper than if you contact this hotel directly and very reasonable for this shoreline destination right before the July 4^th holiday weekend.

 Fun Night Friday – June 21, 2024

Registration for this conference is only $30 per person for which each registrant can attend all non-meal events, receive a Seven Strong tote bag loaded with gifts from all seven State Granges, and one complimentary Lecturers Program book. Additional Lecturer Program Books will be sold for $10 each. Our registration table will open at 4:00 PM on Friday, June 21st, and we will also be offering an impactful service project for you to support. Dinner is on your own and then we will have our Spirit Night Extravaganza starting at 7:00 PM in the Chelsearose II ballroom with all seven state Spirit Teams parading into the ballroom. There will be a special prize for the most spirited team! All Connecticut State Grange members are asked to wear the color ORANGE, which is our state Grange color for the welcoming ceremony. Following the opening activities, the rest of the evening is set aside for Game Night hosted by NELA President Matt Clark, Judy Doyle and myself. Each state Grange will offer a game to participate in and to win prizes. After the games, North East SHIPmate Kelly Riley will offer Kahoots to play for prizes. And if you still have energy, a complimentary shuttle bus will leave the hotel at 9:00 PM for Mohegan Sun Casino; but you must be back to our hotel on the 2:00 AMshuttle.

Satisfy your Yearning for Learning Saturday – June 22, 2024

You’ll wake up refreshed to start the day at 8:00 AM with a $10 buffet breakfast in Laurel/Rose room. State Grange Lecturers have chosen to subsidize both buffet breakfasts and our buffet pizza lunch so that our conference can be as economical for you as possible.

 At 9:00 AM, we will begin our conference Opening Session the Chelsearose II ballroom with a Call to Order by NELA President Matt Clark, a Roll Call of attendees by State, Pledge of Allegiance, and our keynote presentation by National Grange Foundation Board Chair Joan C. Smith. Following the keynote presentation, at 10:00 AM, Workshop #1 will by focused on “Membership” and hosted by Rhode Island State Grange Lecturer’s Department. At 11:00 AM, Workshop #2 hosted by Massachusetts State Grange Lecturer’s Department focused on “Harnessing AI to Our Advantage, Promoting the Grange in all Media”.

 From 12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM, we will enjoy a Buffet Pizza Party in Chelsearose II for just $10 per person. Following lunch, at 1:00 PM., Workshop #3 hosted by New York State Grange Lecturer’s Department will focus on “How to Market Your Grange”. At 2:00 PM, Workshop #4 hosted by Maine State Grange Lecturer’s Department will be offered on “Community Service”.

 At 3:00 PM, for those who pre-registered, we will offer a complimentary tour of U.S. Coast Guard Academy. We will carpool about 20 minutes to the academy and the first stop is the gift shop. Following an opportunity to purchase souvenirs, we will then participate in a one-hour tour.

At 6:30 PM, we will head back to the Chelsearose II ballroom for our Celebratory Banquet and Entertainment. This banquet costs $45 and you will have three menu choices (pork, pasta or fish). We will hold a Gift Baskets drawing and an opportunity drawing after dinner and then have some fun entertainment. And if you still have energy, you can leave the hotel at 9:00 PM for an optional complimentary bus trip to Mohegan Sun Casino.

 “Send-off Sunday” – June 23, 2024

Today our final day together begins at 7:00 AM with our $10 Buffet breakfast in the Laurel/Rose room.  At 8:45 AM, we will offer an optional worship service by Charles Dimmick, Connecticut State Grange Chaplain. Our first workshop will be at 9:30 AM hosted by New Hampshire State Grange Lecturer’s Department on the “Heirloom Program”. At 10:30 AM, Workshop #6 hosted by Vermont State Grange Lecturer’s Department will be offered on “GRIT”.  At 11:30 AM, we will offer some closing remarks and then pass the gavel from Connecticut to the New York State Grange Lecturer, who will be hosting the 2026 NELA Conference in New York. We promise to have you out of the hotel and on your way by 12 noon.

By Melissa Baldwin, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 324-4661

Planning for the Northeast Lecturers Conference is in full swing. This year’s conference will be hosted by Connecticut. Dates for the conference are planned for Friday evening, June 21, through Sunday, June 23, at noon. The conference will take place at the Holiday Inn in Norwich, CT.  More information will come as soon as plans are finalized. Everyone is welcome to attend. This year’s theme is 7 STRONG.

In other news, the program that was given out at the state session is the official program for this year. Thanks to past Lecturer Margaret Morse. If your grange did not receive your packets, they will be mailed out soon. Feel free to email me with any questions at missybaldwin99@yahoo.com or by phone 207-651-0063

By Melissa Baldwin, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 324-4661

Adult Photo Contest Winners

Category: Animals
1^st place: Paula Roberts – Willow Grange #366
2^nd place: Terry LaCombe – Hudson Grange #457
3^rd place: Kathy Gowen – Highland Lake Grange #87

Category: Gardens
1^st place: Kathy Gowen – Highland Lake Grange #87
2^nd place: Laurie McBurnie – Willow Grange #366
3^rd place: Marilyn Stinson – Enterprise Grange #48

Category: Water
1^st place: Kathy Gowen – Highland Lake Grange #87
2^nd place: Laurie McBurnie – Willow Grange #366
3^rd place: Norma Meserve – Danville Jct. Grange #65

Category: Winter
1^st place: Norma Meserve – Danville Jct. #65
2^nd place: Laurie McBurnie – Willow Grange #366
3^rd place: Terry LaCombe – Hudson Grange #457

Best in Show: Paula Roberts – Willow Grange # 366
People’s Choice: Terry LaCombe – Hudson Grange #457

Adult Coloring Winners

1^st place: Terry Wilson – Bangor Grange #372
2^nd place: Tim Wilson – Bangor Grange #372

Junior Art

Age Group 5-7: 
1^st place: Laura Coffin

Age Group 8 – 10 
1^st place: John Coffin
2^nd place: Mary Coffin

Age Group 11 – 14
1^st place Edith Coffin

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

I would like to thank all those who attended the Lecturer’s Conference on September 30. During the conference, poetry, skit writing, and book club awards were announced. After the certificates were presented, the Lecturer’s Program was reviewed, and a lively discussion ensued.

I would also like to thank Manchester Grange for allowing the use of their hall.

The following members placed in the individual categories:
Poetry Awards:
Family: Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382
Weather: Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382
Camping: Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382
Other: 1st Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382
2nd Barbara Strout, Excelsior Grange #5
Skits:
Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382
Book Reading Club:
Top readers based on Number of Books and Pages
1st Books & pages -Norma Meserve, Danville Jct. Grange #65 (227 books/60065 pages)
2nd Books & pages – Margaret Henderson, Dirigo Grange #96 (160 books/48167 pages)
3rd Books – Melissa Baldwin, Hollis Grange #132 (148 books)
3rd Pages – Gay Anderson, Mill Stream Grange #574 (42456 pages)
Other members who sent in book reading club list were acknowledged and will receive a certificate.
Alexander #304 – Catherine Oakes, Carlo Oakes Jr.
Bangor #372 – Emily Parsons
Bauneg Beg #382 – Richard Harriman Jr.
Enterprise #48 – Isebel Stinson
Hollis #132 – Vicki Huff
Hudson # 457 – Sylvia Crosman
John F. Hill #393 – Cassandra Corliss, Leslie Guy
Lakeside #63 – Gail Butterfield
Millstream #574 – Linda Staton, Judy Dunn, Paul Lavender, Debbie Lavender, Allen Harville, Kristen Thompson, Louise Kilpone, Lisa Goucher, Peg Lang, Ellie Andrews
Waterford #479 – Ellie Waterman
Willow #366 – Laurie McBurnie
Others who were acknowledged were Lecturers who sent in Lecturer reports. They also will receive a certificate.
Hudson #457 – Darlene Miles
North Scarborough # 495 – Martha Varney
Willow #366 – Paula Roberts

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 p.m. 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 must be 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 Granger’s work will be judged in three age groups: 5 – 7, 8 – 10, and 11 – 14.

The photos will be judged during the afternoon of October 20, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded, as well as Best in Show. Also, again this year, a people’s choice will be awarded based on members’ voting.

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.

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

2023 – 2024 THEME

Any theme should set the tone for the year, so after much contemplation, I have chosen to use “MANY HANDS …” as the theme. You may notice that the phrase is left open-ended; it is done so on purpose so that each Grange can complete the statement the way that fits them best.

When the majority of us look around our halls our hands are getting older and need more assistance to complete those projects that only a few years ago we could do ourselves.

Most of us would like to add younger hands by adding new members to our rosters, but sometimes it seems impossible to do. Another way for us to get things done may be to partner with other community organizations. We, as Grangers need to be visible in our communities, we need to be more than the building down the street. So let us put our MANY HANDS to work for the good of the order and our communities.

Looking ahead, I am working on scheduling the annual State Lecturer’s conference at the end of September, date and place to be determined. When plans have been solidified, letters will be sent out to each Grange.

Deadlines to submit entries for the following National and State contests are September 1, 2023. For complete rules, search the National or State Grange Websites.

National Grange:

• Virtual Photography Contest – Categories: Farm Machinery, Potluck Activity, Gardens, Grange Family
• Garden Design Contest

State Grange:

• Poetry – Categories: Family, Weather, Camping, Other
• Skits
• Book reading- Number of books and Number of pages

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

Download a copy of the Lecturers’ Newsletter containing lots of program helps!

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

Book Reading Contest

Did you know that approximately 1700 books are published daily? These books, from history to science fiction and biographies to children’s books, hit the shelves of bookstores and libraries soon after. So, no matter what your favorite genre is, there are plenty of new titles to choose from each month.

The book reading contest is easy to enter. It is open to all Subordinate Grange and Junior Grange members, children, and grandchildren of Subordinate members. All that is required to enter is a list of all the books you have read since September 2, 2022, including the title, author, and number of pages.

Each entry must include your name, Grange, including number, address, total number of books, and the total number of pages read. Juniors should include their age as of September 1. Students may include books read for class. Awards will be given for both most books and pages read. New this year is an optional section that asks you to recommend a book from your list. If you choose to recommend a book, you should include your name, the book title, the author, and the genre. Then write a short summary of the book and tell why you recommend it. All recommendations received will be printed and given to all members who entered the book reading contest.

All entries must be received by September 2023.