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…

Membership Moments – July 2024

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

This year is the 150th anniversary of the Maine State Grange and some of the earliest numbered Granges. What a wonderful way to attract new members! I have attended a couple of anniversary celebrations, which were well-received and provided much history. Let’s advertise this important event to the public through social media, television, radio, and newspapers or by holding open houses to invite the community to see your hall.

Plan a community celebration, contact your local PBS television station to attend, and advertise in the local newspaper. There are many, many people who would enjoy a walk through your history and how your Grange has survived for 150 years. News media thrives on such content and would be very interested in publishing your information.  PBS has a show called “Maine Life,” which covers everything about day-to-day living in our beautiful state. They would surely be interested in televising the Grange anniversaries as they are a part of Maine life and have been for 150 years. This is a big chance to show off your successes and hard work and to educate others on how important Grange has been in Maine history and how it has affected the people of Maine. From Eliot to Presque Isle, from Fryeburg and Wilson’s Mills to Alexander and Perry and in between (especially along the entire coast), the Grange covered most of our State at one time. Even today, although we have fewer Granges, the traditions and rituals are mainly the same as 150 years ago, and some of these Granges are doing extremely well by being active and serving their communities. Our Halls signify a safe place for people to gather and were always considered the centerpiece or hotspot of rural communities.

Please continue to attract members as our future depends on it.  Have fun!

View from the Farm – July 2024

Webmaster’s note: The format of this column includes all of the Quill’s Endians participating at various times and in various ways! Phil writes this month’s column.

Peak Summer

With Independence Day upon us, high summer kicked into gear for everyone around here.  Our lives become richer with the busyness.  Opportunities for leisure and play abound right alongside work.  Reconnecting with family from near and far becomes easier with the outdoor temperature and nature in full summer garb.  

We also get so many great reasons to complain.  The traffic, the lines, the entitlement.  No lack of complaints makes for no lull in conversations.  And the heat!  We northerners can wax eloquently about our near death, 85-degree discomfort with glee for hours.  Oh, the misery! 

Full swing summer puts Quill’s End Farm into 5th gear.  We got somewhere to be, and we aren’t there yet.  For the first time in twenty years, even though we are grazing more cows than ever before, the pasture got ahead of us.  Benjamin took an acre of it and made hay.

I dream of a time when we can put up all of our own hay.  The problem is, I want all of the hay to be as good as the pasture.  High legume content, desirable species hay growing on fertile ground.  That means that after you pick up your hay, you lay down compost to more than replace what you took, thereby improving soil. 

On Friday, after a late night hay gathering, we spread that acre with four-year old compost that looks like topsoil.  Satisfaction.  Benjamin also spread younger, nubblier compost on next year’s garden plot which will soon get plowed and cover cropped.  It made a hot July day extra satisfying. 

As predicted, we then received multiple showers and downpours to help everything along.  This also helped my state of mind, as taking hay from a pasture mid-season is no light thing.  I dread the possibility of feeding hay in late August should the weather turn dry and the pastures slow down too much to keep up with the cows.

As your homes and lives fill up with friends and families, we pray for ease, relaxation, and fantastic meals.  Our pork, dairy and veggies are ready to impress your company.  Whether grilling or crockpotting, we’ve got something exquisite to fill your plates while your loved ones fill your heart.

Heather and Phil Retberg and their three children run Quill’s End Farm, a 105-acre property in Penobscot that they bought in 2004. They use rotational grazing on their fifteen open acres and are renovating thirty more acres from woods to pasture to increase grazing for their pigs, grass-fed cattle, lambs, laying hens, and goats. Heather is Vice President of Halcyon Grange #345 and writes a newsletter for their farm’s buying club of farmers in her area and has generously permitted us to share some of their columns with Grangers. Visit the Quill’s End Farm Facebook Page for more information.

Grange Today! 7-14-2024

The Newsletter of the National Grange

Articles in this edition include:

  • Regional Conferences provide education, fun, networking
  • FCC seeks feedback about Affordable Connectivity
  • Minnesota holds State Grange picnic
  • Rochambeau Festival Remembers a
  • Revolutionary War Hero
  • California Grange collaborates with Local FFA
  • Be a “Grange in Action” this year
  • Eagle Point Grange presents award
  • Grange Store & Benefits

Upcoming Deadlines:

  • July 31 – Early Bird Registration for 158th Annual National Grange Convention nationalgrange.org/158thconvention
  • August 1 – Distinguished Grange Applications Due nationalgrange.org/distinguished/
  • September 1 – Applications/Entries due for most National Grange Contests

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Grange Today!

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.

Exploring Traditions – July, 2024

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

When Useless Things Aren’t

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

I briefly considered taking a sabbatical from writing this column during a summer road trip that spans two months. Then it occurred to me that I might find a connection between the trip and the columns. Plus, I can justify writing about the trip I’m so looking forward to!

Occasionally, I allow myself to speculate on the differences between the “Grange Way of Life” during the formative years of the organization and today. It’s easy to see the differences, but it’s fun and valuable to identify the similarities. An important value of tradition and ritual is familiarity. When we attend a Grange Meeting, we probably park in the same place each time. Our predecessors likely stabled their horses accordingly.

While it wasn’t totally intentional, this summer’s road trip is about tradition. We’ll spend a week among the Amish in Ohio, where we last visited nearly forty years ago. I’ve been warned to expect a lot of change, so I plan to look for things that haven’t changed much. Since the Amish accept change hesitantly and deliberately, what better place to look?

The ultimate objective of the trip is Scott, Michigan–the home of Tillers International. Here I will spend four days learning how to train and drive a team of oxen. Why?

If you’ll permit a digression, many years ago, I was part of a team of Grangers who answered the phones at a PBS telethon. Viewers were invited to call with questions as well as donations. We wrote down the questions and handed them to the celebrity hosts for on-air replies. The program running during the telethon featured classical music including some Italian Opera. During one of my calls, the caller asked, “Why is that guy singing in Italian?” When I showed the question to Rick Tyler, he grabbed the paper and walked towards the camera. I remember it as if it was yesterday. He stood in front of the camera and read the question, then explained, “He’s singing in Italian because he can, Rose.”

At the time, I found it funny. After laughing, I realized it was also insightful. Sometimes we need to do things just because we can–that’s enough of a reason.

In my early explanations of why I was attending this workshop, I often joked, “It may be one of the most useless things I’ve ever done.” I suppose I could just say, “Because I can.” Do we really have to have a reason for everything we do?

Maybe, instead of seeking memorable experiences, we could seek experiences (even ones that seem useless) and then see if they become memorable and useful.

My friends, the person who has been speaking to you is that worst of enemies to progress—ignorance, attended by his companions, sloth and superstition. Give them no heed if you hope to advance.

Assistant Steward to candidates during the First Degree

The Grange Way of Life goes beyond being open to experiences and learning. If we are to progress and grow, we must abandon ignorance, sloth (laziness), and superstition (commonly seen as fear of the unknown). While it’s not limited to vacations, they can be a great time to try something different and, maybe even a little bit crazy.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

They are waiting patiently.

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 – July 2024

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

A writer’s choice, an editor’s decision

Sometimes the question is more important than the answer!

A colleague who writes fiction posted a question in our writer’s forum. His forthcoming book includes a character who uses some bigoted slurs and language. The author was rightfully concerned about the effect the language might have on readers and how he should handle it.

Ironically, as I reviewed a website post on the same day, I faced the decision of whether or not to delete an adjective that, while not offensive, could be considered discriminatory.

Writing and editing are more art than science. This is one reason I don’t fear AI (artificial intelligence), but that would be a digression.

To my writing colleague, I suggested that we writers must not become so obsessed with the fear of offending someone that we forget the ultimate purpose of writing.

As an editor, I focus on the fact anything that appears on the website or in the Bulletin reflects on the Grange as an organization. Offending people is not in our best interest.

In both cases, there can be some hard decisions as we strive to find the delicate balance. The standard for a fictional novel will be different from the standard for publications representing an organization. And while communication, by its nature, is never perfectly done, we have to try to create understanding. “Free speech” does not equate to “irresponsible speech.”

Hopefully, editors exist to improve communication. Ultimately, it’s not an exact science because the reader contributes much to the process of the words used by the writer. If you’ve ever been misunderstood, you know what that means.

My intent here is not to start a political discussion but rather to create an awareness that society is increasingly sensitive to word choices. Writers and speakers do well to be considerate and can unintentionally cause problems when they are not.

Here’s a simple example. Have you noticed that when I refer to the head of a committee, I use the term “chair” instead of “chairman?” It’s just a simple example of “gender neutrality.” Another example from the news is changing “policemen” to “police officers.” Occupations are gender-neutral and should be referred to accordingly.

I can offer another example of how word choice can be important. This was actually a few years ago, before the heightened sensitivity. Someone only slightly familiar with the Grange explained, “When I see events listed, I assume a meeting is for members only, but a program can be attended by anyone.”

Isn’t that interesting?

“ I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant”

Alan Greenspan

With a little focus and by working together, we can decrease the chances of that happening.

► FACT: The third most visited post in the past seven days was the list of new members! People are hungry for good news from Granges!

Find the button representing how and where you want to share a post.
Tell us why you love the grange
Submit an Event or News

President’s Perspective – July 2024

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

Richard and I had a good time as part of the Maine group that attended the NE Lecturers Conference in CT. A variety of workshops were presented, activities, entertainment, tours, food, and friends.

The 150th Anniversary was a success, with about 55 Grangers and 10 Juniors attending. Thank you for coming, and thanks to all who helped in any way: cleaning, changing light bulbs, setting up tables, bringing food, setting up, taking part in the program, clearing away, and saving me some goodies. Thank you, Juniors, for weeding and sprucing up the memorial garden as a Community Service activity. It was a very casual afternoon with lots of visiting, reminiscing, hugs, and a wide variety of yummy, yummy sweets & snacks! Everything was done downstairs throughout the house (the chairlift was out of order). Souvenir 150th booklets were printed for our guests to take, listing all 593 Maine Granges, when they were organized & closure dates; all State Officers & dates they served; Annual State Sessions dates & places; National Sessions in Maine; and Maine Grangers who served as National Grange Officers; and assorted moments in State Grange history. Special 150th pads of paper were also passed out.  I would like to do the same thing in the north or Downeast.

There were posters, memorabilia, assorted photo albums, and other unique items to look at. The attendees participated in a meet the officers scavenger hunt to fill in a questionnaire with the name of a different officer for each question. Richard and I were very disappointed we couldn’t be there because we had been exposed to Covid on Wednesday.

Mike Griffin was MC for the program which consisted of a welcome by Darrell Huff, Moments in History by Missy Baldwin., membership information by Sharon Morton. Jim Owens. talked about the officers albums he has custody of, the Juniors performed a song, the officer questionnaire was reviewed with much laughter, several folks gave some of their experiences, door prizes were drawn and “It’s A Good Thing To Be A Granger” was sung by all. Thanks for making the day a success.

Since we are already in the middle of July, it’s time to start mentioning the State Grange session. One final reminder: You have less than one month to get your resolutions into the office by August 15 by standard mail and/or email. Resolutions must be read and voted on in your Grange before submitting them to the State for consideration.  

The 150th Annual State Grange Session is Oct. 18 & 19 at the Auburn Masonic Hall, 1021 Turner St, Auburn. Delegate registration, full schedule, meal, and motel information will be sent to the Granges soon. The Residence Inn (207-777-3400) in Auburn has agreed to give us a discount this year. You must ask for the Maine State Grange Annual Session group rate.

Friday, October 18 – 1:00 p.m. opening & business. 2:00 State Master’s Address.  2:45 Memorial Service,  3:45  Resolutions and National Grange Rep. guest speaker,  6:00 p.m. Banquet by Pine Cone Eastern Star Chapter here in the Masonic Hall – tickets purchased in advance. Awards will be presented upstairs after the banquet:  Junior Presentation, Community Service, Family Health & Hearing, Membership, Educational Aid and Howe’s Nurses Scholarships, CWA and other awards.

Saturday, October 19– 9:00 a.m. opening, acceptance of budget, election of officer(s), resolutions and reports mixed in with election as needed & installation of officers, 12:00 Ag Luncheon – tickets purchased in advance. 1:30 Call back to order – business continues. Saturday Oct 19 — 2:30 p.m. Conferral of the Sixth Degree($10 fee for 6th Degree candidates) (must have had the 5th Degree or 5th Degree Obligation to take the 6th Degree).

Junior Report — July 2024

By Betty Young
207 786-2120
Terry LaCombe Stevens,
207 356-2492
Co-directors

Maine State Junior Grange met at Headquarters in Augusta during the Sesquicentennial Celebration. It was a busy day of birdhouse crafting, pizza, chocolate, singing, and working on the Jr Garden. Thank you to our Junior Grange Alumnus William for the chocolate and helping supervise. (We have an open spot at camp if you are available.) We plan on continuing the
garden work in September.

We had planned on meeting at Tranquility Grange in July, but members will go to Enterprise. Members who are able to volunteer at Enterprise Grange on July 20th should contact Junior Committee Member Marilyn Stinson. Enterprise Grange has a fun day planned for the community and would welcome adult and Junior volunteers or game participants.

Highland Lake Grange is hosting the 2024 Junior Grange Overnight Camp on August 3rd-5th! Kathy Gowen is a past Junior Director and does a fantastic job planning and making Junior Grange fun. If you are interested in helping, enrolling a child, or donating to our camp, contact a co-director, Kathy Gowen, or Maine State Grange. Our 2024 Junior Grange camp is free and open to all children.

Next Year, the Maine State Junior Grange has plans to meet quarterly instead of every month and will include a Youth Grange member age14+. They will meet at the same time as the Junior Grange; however, they will have the Youth Grange Program and work with two leaders autonomously. Contact co-director Betty or Terry with any questions, concerns, or comments. We are always looking for new Junior members and committee members. We use Safe Gatherings Background Checks for adults working with our Juniors/Youth. If you would like to host JR/ Youth Grange next year, please contact us. We will help you plan the event and arrange all the details, or you can plan the day. We will enjoy the time at your Grange, with or without new children. Our team would enjoy installing your Jr Plus One(s) and Youth.

Stay cool and safe, and don’t forget to like our Facebook page.

Junior Grangers get some work done and participate in the Sesquicentennial Celebration

New Maine Members!

According to Good Day! magazine, the following Maine Granges took in the following (more than fifty!) new members.

Bauneg Beg #382
Pam Gerry

Cambridge Valley #582
Gail A. Watson

Fairview #342
Mika Levitt
Nicole Vera

Jonesboro #357
Janice Philbrook

Merriconeag #425
Jim Alexander
Jan Davis
Abigail Hight
Will Hight
Elizabeth Manning

North Jay #10
Angelia Courchesney

Norway #45
Dennis Fenney
Jeffrey K. Windom

Saco #53
Pamely Beckley

South Sangerville #335
Warren Nuite

Tranquility #344
Diane Berenzy
Lee Cronin
Dwight Emerson
Wade Graham
Elizabeth Hand
Jany Hardy
Stephen Hardy
DeAnna Hartel
Alan Larson
Sandy Lehman
Diane O’Brien
Robert Olsen
Pat Shannon
Jack Silverio
Susan Silverio
Cyrene Slegona
Cheryl Wienges
Karen Womer

Trenton #550
Robert Alison
Greg Askires
Joanna Dotts
Lynn Gregonel
Bing Miller
Teryn Miller
Mary Turner
Cecila Zaveskotis

Union Harvest #591
Deborah Bailey
Beatrice Martin
Jeffrey Todd

Victor #49
Margaret Blair
William Blair
Donald Green
Joyce Green
Samuel Green
Adam Lerette
Joe Robles
Lisa Robles
Richard Tompkins
Sherry Tompkins
Mark Williamson
Sabrina Williamson

Winthrop #209
Robert Faucher

Grange Heirloom — July 2024

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.