November Ballot Questions

MSG Communications Department

Let’s not forget that in November, in addition to elections, Mainers will be asked to vote on some ballot initiatives! The MSG Communications Department is providing them here for your consideration and research before voting. Note Question 3 regarding the restoration of “Historic Community Buildings.” Also, Question 5 will not include pictures of the new flag or the one it will replace.

Below is the order of the initiatives as they will appear on the ballot:

QUESTION 1: An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures, Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?

QUESTION 2: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization, Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing?

QUESTION 3: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings, Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources?

QUESTION 4: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation, Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions?

QUESTION 5: An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag, Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State?

More information about upcoming elections is available at https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html. More information about citizen initiatives is available at https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/citizens/index.html.

“The most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen.”

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Valley Grange Welcomes New Members

Valley Grange is located in Guilford, Maine

Valley Grange is pleased to introduce and welcome our three newest members. Although they’ve been members for a few months, the recent “Obligation Ceremony” makes it official. The ceremony is actually quite mutual, with new members pledging to the organization and the organization making pledges to the members. The last step is called a “Friendship Circle,” during which all join hands and commit to the spirit of the 150+ year-old fraternal organization.

L-R New members Joyce Flanders from Dover Foxcroft, Elaina Fortier, and Matthew Fortier from Guilford.

“As we in form thus enclose you within a sacred circle, so does this Grange in the name of our noble and beneficent Order pledge to you a pure friendship, enduring through life to shield you from harm.”

Program Director Walter Boomsma notes that the Grange is uniquely positioned to provide connection, particularly after COVID created a lack of it. “We’re about a lot more than a face on a screen or a post on social media. Our potluck suppers are a great opportunity to ‘break bread together’ and be together in person, in spirit, and in conversation. In some ways, the work we do to strengthen our communities and rural living is a bonus.”

The ceremony was conducted by Valley Grange Master Jim Annis and Program Director Walter Boomsma.

The Valley Grange Hall is located at 172 Guilford Center Road on the corner of Butter Street but the Grange is more accurately described as “in the community,” For information about participating and joining visit the Valley Grange Website or Facebook Page. Better yet, talk to a member or join us for supper!

Why the Grange

by Walter Boomsma

The following article was written in the spring of 2009 as part of a National Grange Essay Contest… and it won second place! It seems even more true today than it did fifteen years ago.

One of my greater pleasures in life is attempting to explain the origins and purpose of this organization called “the Grange” to excited third graders as part of our “Words for Thirds” program. I start by attempting to determine what they already know and I’ll always remember the young girl who waved her hand enthusiastically and announced “I was born there.”

It took a little thinking to realize she’d heard me say “LaGrange” – one of the small, rural communities here in Maine. Her answer was certainly amusing, but it was also insightful and telling. Like the organization she was learning about she was proud of her roots and heritage.  She announced her connection and kinship to LaGrange just as enthusiastically as I announce my connection to the Grange.

That sense of connection attracts people to rural, small-town America. But even small towns are experiencing a “social disconnect” as things like regional school systems and “social networking” using the Internet change the traditional model of community. We now have cell phones, PDAs and computers to stay “connected” with people – in many cases people we only rarely see and certainly can’t touch.

But beneath all the communicating, we still want to see people – to touch and be touched – and to feel a part of something. People will claim their families are going “in a million different directions” but not really consider why. Some of it has to be the search for connections and belonging. One reason every community needs a Grange is that folks are searching hard for a sense community and geographic boundaries no longer provide it. Being from “LaGrange” is not enough. Being from “the Grange” offers more.

The Grange, with its fundamental principles and practices, is one place the entire family can not only be together but also feel a connection to other like-minded people and families. The rich heritage of the Grange as an organization with shared values and missions is relevant today. One hundred years ago it was about farmers coming together and overcoming rural isolation. Today, it is about a larger and redefined community, but it is still about coming together and overcoming isolation.

In a 1986 study, psychologists McMillan and Chavis identified the four elements required for a “sense of community”: 1) membership, 2) influence, 3) fulfillment of needs, and 4) shared emotional connection. An in-depth study isn’t required to see how an active Grange contributes to those elements and builds a sense of community. From potluck suppers to community service projects, Grange members and friends feel a sense of kinship and demonstrate a cooperative spirit.

There are several important factors that distinguish the Grange from other civic and community organizations. The family orientation is one notable exception. Grange families find occasions when they don’t go in a million directions. Another is the diversity of programming and interests. The Grange offers social, political, economic, and educational benefits to all. You can’t be born there, but you can belong.

Almost Got Me!

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

Well, it wasn’t that close! Fortunately, I follow my own advice which includes “Think before you click.” By sheer coincidence, shortly after sending three emails, I received this one.

I’ve given you the advantage of highlighting the issues.

  • The subject of the email is wrong! If it was legitimate, the subject should have been “Unsuccessful Mail Delivery Report.” Oops!
  • The “from” email address isn’t legitimate and doesn’t make sense.
  • People (or bots) send email. Servers do not.

In what might be a strange irony, I am the “Mail Administrator” for the mainestategrange.org email. So, there’s very little about this email that makes sense–if we think about it. In fact, I’ve had issues with unsuccessful deliveries and the notices look nothing like this.

I’m confessing “they almost got me” as a reminder that bad people are getting more creative, but fortunately not much smarter. They don’t have to be smart–if they can hook (that’s why it’s called “phishing”) one or two people, they’re ahead of the game. Don’t get caught.

Think before you click!

Communication Shorts 09-15-2024

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!

September Bulletin Available

The September Bulletin is available. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page.

Vaccinations at Big E

Our undercover reporter tells us that 200 COVID and/or flu vaccinations were administered at the booth in front of the New England Grage Building. The program continues through September 29th. For more information see this post.

Monroe Grange Store Reminder

As noted in this month’s Exploring Traditions Column, flags and holders are available from the Monroe Grange Store. Many Grange-related products available—even the hard-to-find stuff! They can help with fundraising programs, custom-printed apparel, promotional items, awards, signs, and banners. Check out the Grange Store!

State Session Page Updated

A page dedicated to the 2024 State Session has a “packet of information” that includes the forms necessary to reserve meals. It even includes deadlines for reserving and submitting information! This page is currently getting lots of visits!

Officers and Directors Note!

Annual reports and program books are coming due.

Consider this Idea!

Think about “rebranding” your potluck into a community event. Encourage residents to meet and greet each other and build the community. Welcome, children so it’s a family event. Request participants bring food, hot or cold, to share. Make available bottled water, paper goods, cups, tables, games, and music. Include activities like face painting, corn hole, drawing, and dancing.

Think about this!

Doing things is not the same as getting things done!”

Jared Silver

Submit News! Be “famous”

Submitting news can be as simple as a photo and “cutline.” A cutline is a brief description–longer than a caption–to accompany the photo. Let’s prove that the Grange is alive and well in Maine! (Photos should be submitted as an attachment to an email.) We get inquiries from people looking for active Granges!

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!

Exploring Traditions – September, 2024

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

Abandoning Traditions

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

A tradition I haven’t abandoned is keeping an eye and ear out for community service opportunities. I also have some appreciation for burial traditions, so it was quite natural that I jumped at the chance to join a restoration project undertaken by the Abbot Historical Society. Volunteers are meeting for a couple of hours each week to clean and restore the stones in Abbot’s oldest cemetery. It’s a fun project—one where you can immediately see the results of your work. It makes you think. It makes you feel good.

My first “assignment” included an almost illegible stone that read simply, “Baby.” When I told my friend Jack what I’d done, he replied, “Everyone does their best to make life work… Keeping gravestones clean is a nice reminder of how the system works. Not a bad spiritual exercise.”

Before and after. Interestingly, some markers show signs of silver paint, others green. The marker reads “Grange No 329” across the top and includes the sheaf, sickle, and “P of H” binding the sheaf.

I’m always a “flag holder straightener” and it didn’t take long to notice there were many opportunities. While doing that, I noticed many short holders without flags. I didn’t count, but in the section I was working in, there were a lot of them! A closer look revealed that they were all Grange flag holders! On the one hand, it wasn’t a surprise. At one time, Abbot had a very active Grange (#329—right on the holder). The surprise was how many there were! Since these were custom-made with the Grange number, one might assume that Abbot Grange maintained a tradition of providing one whenever a member passed. I have tried to visualize blue Grange flags flying. Since this cemetery is right across from the town hall, on the main highway through town, what an amazing display it must have been.

Unfortunately, the tradition and Grange are gone. But at least part of it remains, and I’ve decided to “restore” every marker with some cleaning and painting. Like the stones, this is definitely a long-range project and “not a bad spiritual (and Grange) exercise.”

I’m reminded of another Grange sign that must have existed for a while. Frankly, I’m still kicking myself for not buying this when I saw it. It was a slightly rusted green and white sign that probably was made to hang on a barn that declared Grange Membership. I don’t recall the exact wording, but it was something like, “This is a Grange Farm.”

In life and death, as the song proclaims, “It’s a good thing to be a Granger.” Traditions such as these served as a visual reminder of the Grange Way of Life.

Of course, traditions change. We could probably have an interesting discussion (lecturer’s program?) about the burial customs. Tillers International (where I learned to communicate with oxen) is offering a workshop during which students will build their own caskets in anticipation of an environmentally friendly burial. Until needed, it serves as a bookcase.

If, as Jack suggests, “Everyone does their best to make life work,” a reasonable question might be how the Grange supports that. Perhaps some of our traditions and ritual do so and maintaining them is “a nice reminder of how the system works.” I have always valued our connection with the earth—the biggest system we live in.

We may abandon some of the Grange’s traditional practices for many reasons, but we should do so thoughtfully and deliberately. A word that comes to mind is “legacy,” defined as something handed down from the past. Flag holders and farm signs are simple reminders of our legacy. These flag holders are reminders of a time when everyone knew what the Grange was and what it was about. I know that painting and making them more visible isn’t enough to preserve the memory and meaning, but it may trigger people’s interest. Besides, it’s not a bad spiritual exercise.

(Grange flag holders (slightly different) and flags are still available through the Monroe Classics Grange Store.)

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.

Parkman Grange Scholarship Supper Celebrates Students

The Parkman Grange awarded six MSAD#4-area college students Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarships of $500 each for the 2024-25 school year. Winners this year include Anna Zimmerman, Guilford, a Psychology major at the University of Maine at Farmington; Cadence Clukey, Abbot, a Counseling major at Grand Canyon University; Emma Calnan, Parkman, a Nursing major at Husson University; Elizabeth Kendall, Guilford, an Education major at the University of Maine at Farmington; Kendall Kimball, Parkman, an Interdisciplinary Global Studies major at the University of South Florida; and, Hannah Dow, Guilford, an Education major at University of the University of Maine at Presque Isle. 

Parkman Grange Master Susan Manchester was joined by recipients Emma Calnan and Hannah Dow (l-r) took a break from their studies to share their career plans.

The six 2024 recipients were celebrated at a Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarship Supper on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Attendees enjoyed pork loin, potatoes, salads, and assorted desserts. All proceeds will go to the Scholarship Fund for future awards. Donations may be made to Parkman Grange at PO Box 114, Guilford, ME 04443. Note Scholarship Fund on the memo line.

Minnie Welts Bridge was a lifelong Parkman resident, a teacher, and a Grange member. She passed away in 2011 at the age of 102. Since then, the Parkman Grange has awarded a total of $18,000 in scholarships in her memory.

View from the Farm – September 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.

Pull Up a Stump

Bruce Springsteen’s song Glory Days, though catchy, has always rubbed me a little sideways.  As someone who lives in the present, it is hard for me to comprehend longing for the past. 

However, I came to understand how that can be circumstantial.  Every week for nearly a decade, on my way to Tuesday deliveries at the old grammar school in Deer Isle, I’ve dropped in on Garfield Eaton.  He bought two gallons of milk for himself every week.  Upon my arrival, Garfield would instruct me to “pull up a stump,” and for 15 minutes, we’d talk, mostly about farming, always about how it used to be, and sometimes of what was to come.
 

An agriculturist by nature, he was suspicious of human institutions and painted a fair picture of the past he recalled and yearned for.  He knew what he’d like to have, but also knew that time, his glory days, was past.  His physical labor was what he’d had to offer, and he no longer was able. 
 

Garfield suffered a “widow maker” heart attack when he was 42 years old and was on disability for the rest of his life, a life that he mostly lived alone.
 

I first met him through Ken Rose Farm in North Blue Hill in the early 2000s. Back then, he put his energy into homesteading. He kept a large garden. He kept hogs, sheep, hens, meat birds, and dairy cows. He met Kendall and Flossie Howard at Ken Rose to secure himself a fresh milk supply after he’d discontinued milking.
 

He was always spinning a yarn and dropping off extra produce back then—a five-gallon bucket of this or that for Flossie to can, rutabagas so big there were only a few in a full bucket. Kendall would say to (mid-fifties) Garfield, “Too bad I didn’t meet you sooner… I could have made something out of you.”
 

Garfield stopped crossing the bridge on a regular basis after 2010.  Driving over 35 miles an hour didn’t suit him.  Kendall stopped milking before his death in 2013.  When Garfield heard that Quill’s End would deliver milk, he was sold.  When we met, he found me a solid BS partner.   Often, he’d start our conversations by asking, “What lies are we going to tell today, Phil?”   Our weekly stump sitting became important to us both.  I listened with new ears to tales of glory days. 

The last few months found him nearing his end here, and I’d like to think he was prepared.  As a curmudgeonly-hippie-native of Deer Isle, leaving the appropriate people pissed off was important.  Leaving before the future he envisioned came to his Island was important.  Leaving before he was “a waste of space” was important.

I pray you rest well, Garfield Eaton.

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.

Community Service/FHH – September 2024

By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193

As autumn approaches and a new Grange year begins, I would like to thank the Granges that submitted Community Service Books, Community Service Reports, Family Health & Hearing Reports, Police, Firefighter/EMT and Educator of the Year, and Maine State Grange Community Service Granger of the Year. Winners will be announced at the State Grange Session in October.

The Community Service and Family, Health & Hearing Program will be available at the Maine State Grange Session at the Community Service Table. 

The Family, Health & Hearing suggested topics for September and October are:

September 2024
Classical Music Month
Chicken Month
Baby Safety Month
Self-Improvement Month

October 2024
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
National Diabetes Month
Domestic Violence Month

Start your new books, reports, etc. for the upcoming year. 

Keep up the good work! 

Thank you to all for the phone calls, cards, texts, food, and thoughtfulness to me and my family. Gloria (Mom) loved the Grange and what it stands for. Thank you! 

Membership Moments – September 2024

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

September and October are my favorite months of the year. The warm days and cool nights are refreshing and the colors of the changing foliage (also football games) are my favorites. State Grange session is almost upon us. This is also a great time for Autumn events at your Grange. Also, many of us spend much of our time at various agricultural fairs displaying our crops and handiwork to compete for that elusive blue ribbon and cash to fund our projects.  Publicity runs high in these two months and we should be proud of our products out there for public view. Be proud of displaying your wares and be grateful for the admiration of others who enjoy the result of your hard work throughout the year. I have seen some beautiful displays, and they make me proud to be a Granger. Also, harvest suppers and “trunk or treat” Halloween gatherings are fun for the community and for ourselves.  Keep up the good work, Brothers and Sisters!

Remember, adding new members is a top priority and should be a constant venture. Without water, we and other living things wither up and die; without new members, our Grangers do the same. Membership is our lifeblood, and we should constantly work to increase it. Does your Grange have a membership committee? If not, you should. No matter how small or large your membership is, adding new membership is always needed, just as the blood pumps through our veins and the sunlight helps our plants to grow.

Congratulations to those Granges who were recently mentioned for membership net gains this past year. Please have representation at the State Grange banquet where you will receive your recognition. Keep up the good work, and continue to bring in members!!  How did you come about becoming a member? If you joined other than by family, you were recruited as was I. My life changed for the better immediately as I had a whole new family to meet and to create lasting friendships. Growing and learning were constant and I felt grateful for the changes that I endured (some beyond my control). Early on, I had not envisioned myself as a leader or a public speaker and especially as a State Grange Master (President).  Think of your own experiences. Wouldn’t you want others to feel like you do about Grange? The passion when speaking to others will certainly be noticed and felt by them. Encourage them to visit and invite them to events. Even ask them for their ideas about how to run a particular project or their opinions about an event. Make them welcome and be open to their ideas. Positive energy yields positive results. So, get out there with a smile and a goal to bring in the new members! I hope to see you at the State Grange Session in October.