Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
-> October 18-19, 150th Annual Maine State Grange Session will be held in Auburn, Maine. More information available here.
Please be patient while we attempt to sort out an issue with subscriptions! In the meantime, we will be manually sending a weekly summary of posts.
By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director
A Mishmash of Reminders
As we begin a new Grange Year, it seems fitting that we revisit a few critical points regarding posting news and events.
We respect copyrights! We can only post or include information that has not been copyrighted by someone else. Listing the copyright owner is not sufficient. Written permission of the owner is required. As a writer, I can make this complicated because it’s a potentially complicated topic. It may suffice to say that where the website and Bulletin are concerned, we will maintain a conservative policy. Violations can get expensive! This applies to articles, photos, and artwork. For example, if the local newspaper writes an article about your Grange, we cannot simply repost it on the website. We can, however, report it and post a link to it. The rule of thumb we apply is “When in doubt, don’t.”
Photographs have implications as well. A general rule of thumb is that the photographer may use a photo taken at a public event, but this, too, can get complicated when we try to define a “public event.” (I’ve had some interesting discussions with folks “in the know” who suggest that a Grange meeting might not be considered a public event.) As many know, I am particularly obsessive on this point when it comes to minors. The Communications Department will not accept photos of children (under 18 years of age) without written permission of a parent or guardian. Again, this can get complicated. There is some additional information in the MSG Communications Handbook.
For example, quite a few years ago, a mom submitted a photo of her daughter accepting an award, asking if we would publish it, and we did, identifying the child. Shortly after that, I received an email from the estranged child’s father, objecting to the photograph primarily because the Mom had used her maiden name as the child’s last name, which was incorrect. I resolved the issue by removing the post because I gently refused to get dragged into the argument.
Much of this can be avoided with common sense and common courtesy, but that’s not always enough. Thanks to my work in schools, I have an appreciation for the fact that common sense may not be sufficient. I occasionally hear, “Oh, they’re Grangers, so it’s okay.” Grangers deserve the same treatment we give non-Grangers!
With all this said, it is certainly not my intention to discourage the submission of news, events, etc. Quite the contrary! Approximately 400 people visit the website every week. Those visitors to our site most often use “resources pages”—the program books and information page is consistently near the top of the pages visited. But directories are used, and the Grange Events Page is popular. These pages are very dependent on Granges submitting the information. We can’t post what we don’t know! Remember, we offer statewide publicity at no cost to you! It’s extremely easy to share event posts on social media from the site. It doesn’t work the other way around! Tell us what you’re doing and keep information about your Grange current and accurate!
By the way, we increasingly depend on “AI” (artificial intelligence) for proofreading and editing, but it is far from perfect! One thing it doesn’t handle well is the word “Grange.” As a reminder, the word should always be capitalized! Note, too, that many visitors to our site are not Grangers, so we want to beware of using Grange speak—terms that non-members might not recognize. I remember a Dictionary Day with third-graders. I accidentally mentioned Grange deputies, and the hands went up with questions. “Do they carry a gun? What does their badge look like?” It did capture their interest, but I don’t think I’ll make that mistake again. Try to explain what a Grange Deputy is to a nine-year-old.
You know, that’s not bad advice. More than half (54%) of Americans between the ages of 16 and 74 read below the equivalent of a sixth-grade level, according to a piece published in 2022 by APM Research Lab. Keep it simple, and make sure it’s complete. Some years ago, I was accosted by someone who insisted, “Everyone knows where the Grange Hall is…” I’m reasonably sure she wasn’t right, but I replied, “Well, it still doesn’t hurt to remind them!”
► FACT: The most frequently visited page in the last twelve months was the Directory of Granges. People are looking for Granges!
By Margaret Henderson, Director
Committee on Women’s Activities
207 948-2762
So thankful I am not in the Southern States. My younger sister is in Florida. She called me and said she is in a safe shelter and will call me when she is able to return to her home. Keep praying for everyone’s safety.
I am hoping to get the entries back from Eastern States before State Grange so that I can return them to the ladies that entered them. I look forward to seeing many of you at State Grange. Please stay safe and stay healthy.
Photo by David Colby Young
Brenda Foss and Kathleen Mead took their Fifth Degree Court of Pomona @ the monthly meeting of Androscoggin Pomona Grange #1 held at Danville Junction Grange #65 of Auburn, Maine. They both plan on taking their Sixth Degree next week to be held in Auburn, Maine, and Kathleen plans on going to National Grange in Nov to take her Seventh Degree.
Articles in this edition include:
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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.
By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director
For many Granges, the fall season includes a Words for Thirds Dictionary Program. (“Words for Thirds” is the phrase coined by the Grange to represent participation in The Dictionary Project.)
Your Communications Department is working on some additional resources for Granges that are providing dictionaries to local schools. In anticipation of releasing these resources, it would be helpful to know which Granges in Maine plan on holding dictionary days during the Grange Year 2024-25.
So far, we’ve created a list based mainly on what the folks at the Dictionary Project have listed, supplemented by previous website submissions. I think (hope!) it’s incomplete. Those Granges include:
Words for Thirds was once a “signature” community service project for Granges. One of our resources is an article by The Dictionary Project’s Director, Mary French, explaining why it is still relevant today–perhaps even more than it was in the past.
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of this program. Valley Grange has reaped many benefits from providing dictionaries in our area for nearly two decades. This will be our twentieth year! We don’t do it as a fundraiser, but it sure helps us with it!
Enthusiasm and communication are key elements. We’ll help with communication resources! You can help by letting me know about your participation. That includes what challenges you are facing, ideas you may have, etc. Right now, I’m especially interested in learning who is participating or considering it!
Simple! Fill out the form below—don’t forget to press [submit] at the bottom! Thanks for your help and support!
The Witches Faire is a magical makers’ market and community event, with divinators, herbalists, crafters, and artisans vending. We’ll have crystals, ritual items, herbal products, jewelry, and more for sale, along with refreshments and kids’ activities. Sunday, Oct 27, 2024, 10 am-3 pm, at the East Madison Grange Hall. FMI call 716-6441 or email hideandgopeep@gmail.com
By Betty Young
207 786-2120
Terry LaCombe Stevens,
207 356-2492
Co-directors
It seems hard to believe that we have almost finished another year of Junior Grange. We look forward to seeing all of you at State Grange. We hope to meet our plus-one members. Stop by our table and purchase a ticket to win one of our fabulous prizes. Our Junior Grange Convention Schedule is:
Thursday, October 17TH
Rest/committee meeting for 2024/2025 to discuss Program Book. We are gathering national information, Big E, and state contests before we print them. We are in hopes of making a one-sheet page to follow throughout the year. We also are going to wait until after the Junior Director is appointed to finalize our 2025 year. Thursday night is not mandatory but we would be delighted if you would like to join us. Send Co-Director Terry dates your Grange would like to host Juniors. We will meet quarterly.
Friday, October 18TH
Breakfast, then head over to set up. PLEASE LET CO Director Terry know if you plan on helping set table and Junior items up. EARLY LUNCH- on our own together downstairs as we will need to take care of our table on shifts. Friday night banquet and late afternoon practice song if Kary feels it is needed. We may have time to rest late afternoon before dinner. Ages 5 to 14 wear red and Youth ages 14 up wear green. (Think about the drill we could do with our color scheme)
Saturday, October 19TH
Breakfast at hotel before our early birds open the table at convention. LUNCH, Ag Luncheon, resolutions continued, and 6th Degree. We will also draw 50/50 and announce Raffle prizes. I’m not sure of the exact time so we will be flexible. Bird House pickup and Art/Photos will need to be taken home. We will all have dinner and a swim party. As you know the swim will be on your own as we don’t have a lifeguard so that we could make it a Junior Grange Event. Dinner will be whatever you all agree on and this will be decided. Friday night at banquet.
Sunday, October 20th
Breakfast and leave for home until our next Junior Grange adventure/meeting. Watch for an email in late November after National Grange Convention.
Banquet tickets closed on October 5th. If you would like to help at our Junior/Youth Grange table or join us for Saturday night’s dinner, please let one of the committee members know. If you are interested in joining or being a Director, contact the State Grange Master/President for details.
Thank you all for the pleasure of being your 2023/2024 Junior Co-Directors.
Screenshot from Facebook
By Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange President/Master
207 490-1029
Fellow Grangers, I would like to strongly encourage our Granges and Grangers to do whatever they can to help our southern Grange families and friends. The note below is from National Grange President Chris Hamp.
Brothers and Sisters,
In the past few days, I have received many emails, texts, and phone calls asking how Granges can help with recovery in North Carolina following the devastation left behind in the wake of Hurricane Helene over the weekend.
Please see the email sent from Jimmy Gentry, President of NC State Grange, with information on how to support their Granges.
I encourage Granges at all levels to support your Brothers and Sisters in their time of need, as they, in turn, help their communities recover.
In addition to North Carolina, we have also heard that Goodwill Grange, Virginia, and the surrounding communities received damage and are also in recovery. Goodwill Grange is known by its community for being an internet center, a vital need in rural southwestern Virginia.
We are working with the Virginia State Grange and will disseminate information on how to help Goodwill Grange as soon as it is available.
Please support these Granges and their communities in whatever ways you can.
Thank you,
Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277
Now that fall is upon us, it is time that we gather our winter flowers, apples, squashes, pumpkins etc., and put our gardens to bed. For the winter months are fast approaching, and there will soon be snow on the ground.
Let’s remember that under the snow are tiny seeds that, with the sun’s love in the spring, will become the flowers and plants to grace our homes and yards in the next summer.
How thankful we are to live in this glorious country. God Bless.
“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. You will eat the fruits of your labor: Blessings and prosperity will be yours.”
Psalm 128:1,2
“Blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream, It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a fear of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7,8