Communication Shorts 10-5-2024

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!

October Bulletin Deadline

October Bulletin columns and information are due by October 14th. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page.

Fifth Degree Reminder

On October 9, 2024, the Fifth Degree will be offered at Danville Junction Grange at 7:00 p.m. Contact Maynard Chapman at 207 312-5591 for information or to join.

State Session Is Happening Soon

Remember, complete information is available right here on the website!

Have You Ordered Dictionaries?

For most Granges, it’s “Words for Thirds” season! Look for some exciting news about this program here in Maine!

Annual Reports and Program Books

Those we’ve received are listed on the 2024 State Session page. We’ll be adding them to the Program Books and Information Page soon.

Consider this Idea!

Always have some kind of handout available at every event–even if it’s just a simple business card listing your meeting schedule.

Think about this

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” 

Henry David Thoreau

Submit Dates

We’re opening the 2025 Website Event Calendar. Don’t forget to submit your dates!

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!

Election Day Information

Reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

Earlier this week, Maine’s Department of the Secretary of State released information regarding the upcoming election on Nov. 5, 2024. The announcement provided details on voter registration, absentee voting and an informational guide on referendum questions that are on this year’s ballot.

Uniformed and overseas voters began receiving ballots on Sept. 19 in accordance with federal law that requires these ballots be sent at least 45 days prior to Election Day. Qualifying voters include spouses and dependents away from their Maine voting residence by reason of active duty or service of the member, and U.S. citizens currently living outside the U.S. and whose residence before leaving the U.S. was in Maine.

Anyone who recently deployed or may otherwise qualify to receive an early ballot and didn’t request to receive one can do so here.

Maine allows same-day voter registration, meaning Mainers may register to vote and cast their ballot on Election Day. However, anyone who wishes to use the state’s online voter registration service must do so before Oct. 16. Automatic voter registration during Bureau of Motor Vehicle transactions is available through Tuesday, Oct. 29. After those deadlines, registrations must be done in person at the voter’s municipality.

The Department said in-person absentee voting begins in towns and cities around the state on Oct. 7. Absentee ballots to be filled out at home and sent back may also be requested by contacting local town or city clerks or by the state’s online portal. Absentee voting ends the Thursday before Election Day, which for this year is Oct. 31.

Finally, the Department said the Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election, a non-partisan resource that can help inform voters about Maine’s five referendum questions appearing on the ballot this year, is available online. Copies of the guide are also printed and distributed to municipal offices and public libraries throughout the state.

Webmaster’s Note: The guide offered in the last paragraph is a very thorough explanation of the referendum questions, fiscal impacts, etc.

Grange Heirloom — October 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.

National Bullying Prevention Month

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

The National Center for Bullying Prevention initiated National Bullying Prevention Month. The campaign is designed to unite communities nationwide through education and awareness. Much attention is rightly given to preventing bullying among kids, but adults can be victims as well.

Uniy Day Icon

This year, October 16 has been declared Unity Day. Wearing orange will increase awareness and encourage kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. That sure sounds like something the Grange does! We don’t stop with wearing orange–“we help build community throughout the year.”

In a simple sense, bullying is about power and communication. Our words and actions are important, and words can be powerful, both in a negative and positive way.

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt

I believe that an important aspect of preventing bullying is building resilience and strength in potential victims. “Where you fly makes a difference.” We can start with ourselves, certainly. But a question worthy of discussion is “What is our Grange doing to promote kindness in our Grange and our Community?”

    (Family Health And Hearing Committees take note! Can you provide some resources for members? Maybe include some thoughts in your next report?)

    Some Resources:

    StopBullying.gov: A comprehensive resource from the U.S. government that provides information on recognizing, preventing, and responding to bullying.

    PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center: Offers resources for students, parents, and educators, including toolkits and educational materials.

    The Trevor Project: Focuses on LGBTQ+ youth, providing support and resources to prevent bullying and promote mental health.

    National Bullying Prevention Month: An annual campaign in October that raises awareness and encourages communities to take action against bullying.

    Stomp Out Bullying: Provides resources, support, and information for students and parents to address bullying and cyberbullying.

    There are also some mental health resources on my website.

    Helping in North Carolina

    The following letter comes from Jimmy Gentry, State Master/President of the North Carolina Grange.

    Grange Friends,

    Edneyville Grange and the surrounding Hendersonville community was in the path of Hurricane Helene. The aftermath is devastating as many families have lost everything. Clean-up crews have been working tirelessly to restore power, internet, and roads.

    Grange members have been reaching out to the NC State Grange Office asking how they can help. We have been in touch with Wendy Henderson, President of Edneyville Grange. She informed us that she has reached out to a local school in Edneyville that is extremely concerned with the well-being of children and parents. They gave her a list of items that would benefit these families.

    Jennie Gentry also spoke with high school teachers in Henderson County, friends associated with FFA and 4-H. Their main concern has been making sure students are accounted for and determining their families’ needs. This has been very difficult without the ability to communicate or travel into areas to check on their students, some of whom live in other local hard-hit communities like Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Bat Cave, and Gerton.

    Wendy mentioned a great need for several items that schools will need for students and their families. Below is information on how you and your Grange can help.

    What to Collect:

    • New Coats of all sizes
    • New Sweatshirts of all sizes
    • Gift cards to Walmart

    Drop Off Locations:

    NC State Grange Office in Statesville: by Monday, October 14
    Address:   1734 Wilkesboro Hwy, Statesville, NC
    Hours:    Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
    To arrange Saturday or Sunday drop off, or outside of these hours during the week, contact our office: 704-878-0000 or jwgentry@ncgrange.com

    Making Cash Donations:

    Write a check to Edneyville Grange and mail to:
    Wendy Henderson
    29 Arabian Ln 
    Hendersonville, NC 28792

    Write a check to the NC State Grange Disaster Fund with “Edneyville Relief” on the memo line and send to:

    NC Grange
    1734 Wilkesboro Hwy
    Statesville NC 28625

    Thank you for your willingness to donate these items to support Edneyville and its surrounding communities in Henderson County. We are relieved that our Edneyville Grange members are safe and appreciate Wendy for the information so that we can join together to assist their community in this desperate time of need. 

    Please contact the Grange Office with any questions. 

    Sincerely,

    Jimmy Gentry
    President, North Carolina Grange

    Grange Today! 9-27-2024

    The Newsletter of the National Grange

    Articles in this edition include:

    • NC Grange to host 1st annual Farmer Appreciation Day
    • Presidential Perspective
    •  Rural Americans are at risk for cardiovascular disease
    • Grange Foundation seeks Board of Directors Candidates
    • Order new Grange gear
    • View from the Hill
    • Free suicide prevention course available for rural veterinarians, farm workers
    • Register for National Grange Convention
    • Grange Member Benefit: Lenovo
    •  Grange Store: Vintage Grange Hall Dedication Plaques

    Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!

    Read THE Current Issue
    Subscribe to Grange Today!

    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.

    Fifth Degree Offered at Danville Junction Grange

    Danville Junction Grange is located at 15 Grange Street, Auburn, ME

    Androscoggin Pomona #1 will celebrate the lessons of the Fifth Degree on Wednesday, October 9th at 7:00 pm. To join as a candidate or participate, contact Maynard Chapman at 207 312-5591.