Exploring Traditions – September 2023

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

Where do I find a Manual? (Part Two)

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

Last month, I briefly covered the contents and use of the Subordinate/Community Grange Manual. Several questions triggered a bit more research on my part. While I haven’t seen an official announcement, apparently, a new edition (Forty-seventh, 2022) has been approved and released. I’ve not yet seen any announcement but have been able to piece a few things together.

The 2023 Manual is available in two ways. You can (at least as of this writing) download a free PDF copy from the National Grange Store. (I’ll provide the link at the end of this article.) You can also order a printed copy from the National Grange Store for $15. plus shipping. Note, however, that both of these will be 8½  x 11 (letter-sized). If you order the printed copy from National, it will come in a looseleaf notebook. If you download the PDF, it will print 8½ x 11. It is set up for two-sided printing—the entire manual is 80 pages. I printed one and spiral-bound it—it looks about 3/8” thick.

The good news is that the print is large and easy to read. Also, using the PDF, you can print just the pages you need. The bad news is that a smaller, perfect-bound edition is no longer available. This will obviously be a problem when performing rituals and ceremonies that require walking around and standing in different places while speaking (reading) a part. I’m still thinking about that. The larger size and print will be great when working from a station—much easier to see and read, and if you do use a looseleaf edition (either by purchasing or making it yourself), you’ll love it.

For those who are technically inclined, the PDF can certainly be added to a tablet or laptop. I haven’t checked on this, but I think it could be made available on a Kindle! There are, of course, PDF reader apps available for smartphones—I’m not sure how practical that would be from a size perspective.

You may know that, at least in theory, manuals are not sold to individuals—only to Granges. The official policy is that they can be loaned to individuals, but the steward is responsible for ensuring copies are returned to the Grange. As a publisher, I can tell you that controlling digital copies (which includes PDFs) is a huge challenge in general. I’m not sure how this will work with Grange Manuals, but I did want to make you aware of the “rules.”

Questions come up most often regarding some of the “new” items such as alternative opening and closing, welcoming ceremony, obligation ceremony, etc. These alternatives tend to be shorter and use more contemporary language. They were introduced in the previous edition (Forty-sixth, 2013) and remain present in this new edition. The vocabulary deserves some attention. Let’s see if we can simplify it using the newest edition.

The “traditional” Opening, Order of Business, and Closing of the Grange is found on pages 5 – 7.

An “alternate” Opening, Order of Business, and Closing of the Grange is found on pages 8 – 9. This alternate opening is sometimes used (or a version of it, at the master’s discretion) for what are commonly called “open meetings.”(It omits the “taking up” of the word.)

Both versions include welcoming guests, but the procedure for that is given separately on page 70. Okay so far? There is a large section starting on page 11 with the traditional version presented with English and Spanish side by side.

Membership potentially involves three sections: Obligation Ceremony (page 44), Welcoming Ceremony (page 47), and Ritual of Degrees (page 15). The manual makes it clear that of upon completion of the Obligation Ceremony, members are “considered Patrons and eligible to participate in all the benefits of the Order.” It is not clearly stated that the Welcoming Ceremony achieves that result.

The “traditional” Installation (of officers) Ceremony starts on page 57. The “alternate” Installation of Officers Ceremony starts on page 65. Since the traditional version requires a “team,” more and more Granges are opting to adopt the alternate version for a “do it yourself” approach. The Manual notes that “Any Master, Past Master, or Fifth Degree member may install officers.” In either case, the installation instructions will be extremely helpful in both deciding and executing the installation.

There’s much more in the manual, more than can be reviewed here. One of my favorite reviews of my book included, “It answered questions I didn’t know I had.” The same can be said of the Subordinate Grange Manual. At times, the manual covers what may appear to be minute details. But it also leaves us with this closing paragraph:

“Attend to every duty promptly, and keep constantly before the minds of the members the important fact that the great object and crowning glory of our organization is to ‘educate and elevate the American Farmer and improve the quality of life in rural communities.’”

Link to the 2023 Manual on the national Site

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.

Communications Column – September 2023

Updates Continued

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Can you tolerate a little more information about the mechanics of communication and the website? For those who are suspicious or even hateful of technology, you’ll love this!

Some will recall about a year ago, the Maine State Grange was “hacked” by someone in Turkey (we think). A lot was involved in fixing the hack, including the need to rebuild much of the site after correcting the damage that was done.

A year later, Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director, by sheer luck, stumbled on to a post attributed to the Maine State Grange Website. It clearly was not something we’d posted.

After some investigation, it appears to have been made during that hack a year ago. These hackers are both smart and sneaky. They obviously back-dated the post to 2016 in the hopes it would escape notice. It did! It’s now been removed.

Several things can be learned from this. First, one can’t be too careful. A healthy degree of suspicion and mistrust is necessary when using the Internet in general and social media in particular!

Second, back when the breach happened, a lot of history was both lost and deleted. Understand that as part of ongoing maintenance, I continue to delete history as my time permits. This accomplishes a number of things–most importantly, it keeps the site current and makes it much more manageable.

To create perspective, as of this writing, there are over 1,000 posts on the site, some dating back to 2016. While they can be interesting, they really do have little value. My ultimate goal is to keep posts and pictures limited to the past three years. This seems to be more than sufficient. This will be a reduction of approximately 25%. That also represents a huge reduction in server space and the potential for erroneous, outdated information.

Certainly, if you have any questions about this, I’ll be happy to try and answer them, either in a future column, comment, or email.

This is certainly not meant to discourage anyone from submitting events, news, etc. If anything, it means there’s room for more! As Dean Martin used to say, “Keep those cards and letters coming in!”

► FACT: During the first week in August, there were 513 emails delivered to website subscribers. (The most subscribers get is one email per day.) A big advantage for subscribers is that they don’t have to remember to check the website and can choose which posts they are going to read entirely.

Email the MSG Webmaster
Subscribe to the Website

We’re Back! FOR REAL!

Remember the old song, “Like a rubber ball, I’ll come bouncing back to you?”

I am truly sorry that it took longer than expected–and longer than it should have. It’s been frustrating, an education, and–frankly–expensive in terms of both time and money. That’s the limit of my whining.

For those nerdy Grangers, we have a few loose ends. Most won’t be apparent, but one that involves our friend Google. People searching for the site using Google may not find it for a while–it’s hard to tell how long, but at least a few days. The good news is that historically, not many visitors come from “googling” the site.

From a more practical perspective, I do have a backlog of columns and posts to handle. Again, the good news is I’ve been working on the Bulletin, so it’s mostly a matter of now posting from the Bulletin–exactly the opposite of my usual procedure. Barring something unforeseen, I should be caught up by the weekend. This could mean subscribers will be seeing more than the usual number of posts over the next few days.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know!

Feel free to join me in a little happy dance!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

We’re Back!

Since my confidence level is, at the moment, relatively low, I will add that I’m not sure we’ll remain back. The current solution has been labeled “temporary.”

UPDATE: I’m reminded of the line in Jurrasic Park, “We’ve spared no expense,” but the good news is the fixes should be permanent by Monday at the absolute latest.

I am “gathering rosebuds where I may, ” catching up with posts, etc., and also continuing to work on a more permanent solution. Your continued patience is appreciated!

One thing I’ve learned that you might find interesting! When we experience website issues, I can still contact website subscribers by email. Those who are subscribers know that because you received an email explaining that the site was down. Some who are not subscribers emailed me asking what was going on.

So you can see there’s an advantage to all of us for you to subscribe. A couple of important facts about subscribing:

  • We do not share your email address with anyone, and the only email you receive will be an occasional summary of website posts.
  • Except for very rare emergency situations, you will not receive more than one email per day.
  • Subscribing is free, and you remain in control of your subscription. You can easily “unsubscribe” at any time.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

New Ventures Maine – Free Courses

Reprinted from an e-newsletter by Stacey Guerin, Maine State Senator, District 4

New Ventures Maine, a statewide program of the University of Maine at Augusta that has helped Maine residents venture in new directions for over 40 years through tuition-free programs for career, business, and financial education, has announced its next set of fall classes and workshops.

Offered at no cost to all Maine adults, the program includes in-person and online options as well as one-on-one coaching. They offer one-day programs and course-length classes that encourage and empower those thinking about making a change to take the next step towards financial security, a new career or even a new business.

With topics ranging from job searches, resume strategies and money management to career choices, interviewing and building confidence, the classes and workshops are easy to enroll in and some can even be taken at your own pace. For more information about course offerings and how to sign up, as well as success stories and other resources, please visit their website.

Secretary Helps – September 2023

By Sharon Morton
MSG Secretary
207 485-6197

Wow, where has summer gone?  I have enjoyed my summer camping, between the rain drops, and traveling to our Granges to help our State Master/President, Sherry, with informational meetings.  I hope that if you need more information regarding Grange procedure you will contact us here at State Grange Headquarters and we will be more than happy to help you. 

Table Of Contents
  1. Reminders
  2. Quarterly Dues
  3. State Grange Session
  4. Delegate Credential
  5. Membership Recognition Form
  6. Database
  7. Roster Information
  8. And finally….

Reminders

                Our office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 2 pm.  Please feel free to contact us by phone or email: mainestategrange@myfairpoint.net (Headquarters); sharriman@twc.com (Sherry’s) and grangenut@netscape.net (Sharon’s)  Our phone numbers are 207-623-3421 or 1-800-464-3421 (Headquarters); 207-490-1029 (home) or 207-432-6386 (cell) Sherry’s) and 207-485-6197 (cell) (Sharon’s).

Quarterly Dues

                State Grange is a month and a half away, and Community/Subordinate Quarterly dues must be paid in full to be entitled to have delegates for the session.  All quarterly dues include the following quarters: December 2022, March 2023, June 2023, and September 2023.  There are Community/Subordinate Granges that I have not received all reports (which includes September 2023)/  Letters will be mailed to those Granges that are in arrears.

State Grange Session

                This year, our registration area will be up and running for registration to begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 20th.  The Registration Committee will check you in and give you your delegate packet.  Please do not help yourself to try and help the committee that only confuses and makes for a stressful situation.  Please be patient as the State Session does not begin until 1:00 p.m.  The correct and easiest way to check in at the registration desk is to give your name and the Grange and/or Pomona you will be representing.  If you are a double delegate, you would state who you are and who you are representing a Subordinate Grange, as well as the  Pomona Grange.

Delegate Credential

                As your Grange elects your new slate of officers, you will then vote on who your delegate(s) to the State Grange Annual Session will be.  Please complete the form that was included in one of the mailings relating to the State Session.  This form is easy to complete. If your Master is unable to attend, but you have someone who will be coming to State Session, please send them as your delegate.  Your Grange is entitled to two delegates, and if you have two members who may be coming, they can be your delegates and in case one or both of your delegates are unable to attend you may have two alternates.   I would like your delegate credential FORM NO LATER THAT THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 9TH so that I can get name tags and material for Session ready, but they can be brought to State Session.  NO CREDENTIALS WILL BE ISSUED UNLESS ALL QUARTERLY DUES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. ( I LEAVE STATE HEADQUARTERS ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19TH SO I WILL PICK UP THE MAIL THAT DAY)  ALL QUARTERLY DUES NOT RECEIVED WILL BE PAYABLE UPON REQUEST AT THE REGISTRATION DESK AND IF THE DUES ARE NOT ABLE TO BE PAID, I AM UNABLE TO ISSUE DELEGATE CREDENTIALS.   NO CREDENTIALS WILL BE CHANGED UNLESS THE PERSON IS LISTED ON THE DELEGATE CREDENTIAL AS AN ALTERNATE.  PLEASE NOTE YOU CAN ONLY REPRESENT ONE SUBORDINATE/COMMUNITY GRANGE.  IF YOU ARE REPESENTING YOUR SUBORDINATE/COMMUNITY GRANGE YOU CAN ALSO REPRESENT YOUR POMONA GRANGE.

Membership Recognition Form

                Please use the current Membership Application Form which is on our website.  If you are unable to print this form, I will more than gladly mail you copies of the newest form, which includes the newest prices for the 25-year certificate, Golden Sheaf certificate, 75-year Diamond Certificate and folder, 80-year letter and 85-year letter in a folder with letter from National President which are now $12.00 each.  ALL checks for Golden Sheaf certificates and up are made out to the National Grange with the correct shipping and handling which is indicated on the back of the application form.  Many secretaries are having a hard time with the requests for certificates for 50 years and above as their records do not reflect that date and Grange to which the member belonged.  I see this happening more and more often as a Grange closes and consolidates with another.  Please do not hesitate to contact me at Headquarters as there are means to check for that information.  It is very helpful if they (the member) remember when they joined and where they joined, and if they, in their Grange journey, changed Granges along the way.   

Database

                As you are aware, the Company that held our database has been unable to provide us with a working membership database.  The State Master and I decided that this need was great, and Sherry has undertaken the task of creating a user-friendly database for our State Grange.  She has worked many hours using what membership information that I have had on file and an older copy of our membership database.  Now, your help is needed.  Upon getting the information compiled, she will be sending a membership list with your members.  Please have your members or you yourself, check the information, making sure everything is spelled correctly (name, address (mailing), email; telephone number), and most importantly, the date they joined the grange.    Remember Golden Sheaf members (50 years of continuous membership is indicated by a Y and would indicate Golden Sheaf membership before January 1, 2001 and the Maine State Grange does not pay dues to National Grange on those members.  YN indicates Golden Sheaf membership after January 1, 2001 and the Maine State Grange pays quarterly dues to National Grange on those members.  So please take the time to correct and complete the membership list of your Grange.  If you have a current updated membership list, please feel free to email or mail it.   I thank Sherry for her due diligence in completing this long-needed database.

Roster Information

                The list of officers of your Grange that is sent to headquarters to make up the State Roster is perhaps the most important report of all.  The information furnished on these lists become the connecting link between all Granges, National Grange, Subordinate/Community, Pomona, and State Granges across the land.  This information is used to compile a listing of the Master, Lecturer, Secretary, and Women’s Activities Chairman.  Therefore, it is very important that the names, addresses, zip code,  telephone numbers, and emails (if available) are correct, complete, properly spelled, and legible. 

                During the year, if any of these officers or their information changes, please notify Headquarters as soon as possible.  Please if you have not furnished your roster information by sending it with September 2023 dues report or emailing to mainestategrange@myfairpoint.net  even if nothing has changed. 

And finally….

                I wish to thank all the Grange Secretaries across the great State of Maine for your dedication and devotion to the order.  We all realize that this group performs far beyond the “call of duty”.  I would like each one of you to know that it is greatly appreciated.

                Hope to see you all at State Session.  Until then enjoy the rest of summer!

EP Rock at Victor Grange in Fairfield

“Elvis” will be in the building on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Victor Grange. Victor Grange is offering a public supper from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. and a lively performance by Elvis Impersonator Don Boudreau at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for supper and $10 for the performance ($20 for both).

Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Lafayette Cancer Center in Brewer, The Priscilla Rebekah Lodge #69, Sterling Rebekah Lodge #95, and Victor Grange #49.

Victor Grange September Newsletter

Victor Grange is located in Fairfield, Maine

Victor Grange of Fairfield has released its September Newsletter using an all-new method. While it’s not so easy for Barb Bailey, editor, it is fairly user-friendly for members and others. An email is sent to members containing a link to the newsletter hosted on Google Drive. We’re pleased to be able to share it with you!

The September Issue reports, among other things:

  • The Victor Grange Hall now has Wi-Fi available!
  • Two floors of the hall are now ADA-accessible.
  • They plan to remain open through the winter.
  • Future improvements include installing a generator (to qualify as an emergency shelter), new LED lighting in the kitchen, and a new kitchen floor.
Read the Victor Grange newsletter.

But wait! There’s more! This Grange is so busy they even have their very own online calendar! They are hosting Computer Classes, AA Meetings, Public Suppers, Senior Circle Potlucks…

Check out the Victor Grange Calendar.

CWA Report – September 2023

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

Committee on Women’s Activities

Happy Harvest! Here is a list of the winners from the Needlework contest.

Class A. Afghans, Sherry Appleby
Class B  Doilies, Nancy Gowen
Class C. Embroidery, Gail Butterfield
Class  D 3 Piece Baby Set, no entries
Class E Plastic Canvas, Missy Baldwin
Class F Counted Cross Stitch, Sharon Morton
Class G Adult Garment, Laurie McBurnie
Class H Latch Hook,  Lila Wilkins
Class I  Quilted Wall Hanging, Kathy Gowen
Class J Stuffed Toy, Karen McCarrick
Class K Baby Afghan, Ellie Collins
Class L Children’s Garment, Laurie McBurnie
Class M Table Runners, Lila Wilkins
Class N Miscellaneous, Kathy Gowen
Class O Decorated Item, Norma Meserve
Class P Wooden Item, Kathy Gowen
Class Q Tote Bags, Karen McCurrick

Quilts

Class A Hand Quilted, No entries
Class B Machine Quilted, Rachel Nelson
Class C Hand Tied, Ann Burns
Class D Pieced by entrant, quilted by someone else, Kathy Gowen
Class E Baby Quilt, Ann Burns

Dress-A-Doll, Kathy Gowen
Baking: Chocolate Chip Cookies, Paula Roberts

Class A – K winners were sent to the Big E for New England judging. Thank you to everyone who had entries in these contests. You all do an amazing job! For those of you who got your new booklet at the conference, there was an omission in the recipe for the blueberry cake. There needs to be a teaspoon of vanilla added to the recipe. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make all of this possible. Sherry and Richard for helping get everything set up. Cynthia for helping log-in entries and making coffee. Deb and Laurie for judging the cookies.  All of your help is greatly appreciated.

This 22-piece Plastic Canvas Dollhouse with furniture, including a toilet that the lid opens, a refrigerator with food inside when you open the door, a fireplace on one wall & a grandfather clock, a car, a baby carriage, and a family. The detail in this entry by Missy Baldwin of Hollis Grange was spectacular. Congratulations!

From the Deacon’s Bench – September 2023

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”      

Ephesians 5:15-16

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord, your God, who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

September has finally come, and so far, it brings with it some good weather! As we look back on the summer, or what was supposed to be summer, some might be thinking that the Lord had forsaken us. Believe me, He hasn’t forsaken us. He does have a plan for us all, but we have to believe in it and do our part.

We need to follow His law and treat our family, neighbors, and even strangers with love and respect. Remember the following:

We came naked,
We will go naked.
We arrived weak, 
We will leave weak.
We came without money and things,
We will leave without money and things.
Our first bath? Someone washed us,
Our last bath? Someone will wash us.

This is life!! We all need someone in our lives to help us with some things. We can’t do many things by ourselves. We all need help from time to time.

So why so much malice, so much envy, so much hate, so much resentment, and so much selfishness?

Be kind to everyone you come in contact with and do good deeds. Remember, we all have a limited time on planet Earth, don’t waste it in uselessness!

Until the next time, I continue to pray for good health for you and yours, and remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Don’t forget to thank a Veteran for his/her service in the defense of our country and pray for their safe return to their families!

Benediction: “Gracious Father of us all help us to remember that life is short –live it. Love is rare – grab it. Anger is bad – dump it. Fear is awful – face it. Memories are sweet – cherish them. Amen.”  

Thought for the month:

May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.

An Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity