Membership Moments – February 2024

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Some of you who read my columns may be thinking that I may be on some Cloud 9 somewhere with the way I explain how to gain membership. You may think, “That does not apply to my Grange,” “We are too small and do not have community events,” or “What he says does not seem realistic,” or the worst one of all, “We are not interested in gaining new members because we are fine.” Which word, however, appears in each of the above-quoted sentences? Ah, yes, did you find it!! The word NOT!!!! A negative connotation. Negative energy. How do you know the suggestions and hints will not work? If you do not try, they certainly will not work! We all can and must continue to keep our Granges active. New membership is a priority for all organizations. The Grange has much to offer, so let us build on changes and improvements.

The information provided to you is basic and realistic to all Granges and other organizations for that matter. Such information contains the building blocks and principles needed to build a strong organization and needs to be maintained and updated according to your needs without losing the identity of the original basic rules.

Yes, there are Granges in Maine that are not interested in adding new membership. The majority of those have closed due to such, however, there remains a few who want to keep things the way they have always done without outside interference. The Grange is more than just “our” organization. It belongs to everyone who comes through the doors, those whose lives have been changed because of something the Grange has done for them, those who have attended suppers, bingo, and yard sales, and to those who will be our successors who will keep the Granges active and touching lives in their communities for a good cause. Remember to inform others about joining the Grange when talking to them that it applies to ages five and up. Explain the Junior Grange and its function to them. The Grange is a family organization, so advertise it as such.

Ag Committee Report – February 2024

By Roberta Meserve, MSG Ag Director
(207) 998-3857

Do you know a high school senior who plans to continue their education in an Agricultural-related field? We have a scholarship just for them; please help them connect to it. Information and applications were recently sent to all Granges in the state (ask your secretary), or find them on the MSG Website under program books and information.

Last year, five Maine students were each awarded $500 to help with their costs. Please consider donating to our scholarship fund so we can continue to help worthy students.

The committee will participate in Ag Day at the State Legislature on March 19, 2024, and is asking for fudge that day for those visiting our table. If you have fudge to give, contact State Grange Headquarters or an Ag Committee Member for more information or to arrange pick up.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

The days are getting noticeably longer; can playing in the dirt be far away?

Mill Stream Grange Gives Words

On February 1st, Mill Stream Grange members Lisa Goucher and Jill Sampson presented dictionaries to the two 3rd-grade classes at the Cape Cod Hill Elementary School. It was a lively group with much discussion about the different information included in the dictionaries. Sign language and the longest word were favorites with the students. 

Did you know the longest word in the dictionary has over 1900 letters in it!?

On January 31, Lisa Goucher (back row middle) and Jill Sampson (back on right) of Mill Stream Grange presented dictionaries to Mrs. Watkins’s third-grade class at the Mt. Vernon Elementary School. After discussing the page on sign language, the students stood to sign their own names to the class. All the students were very enthusiastic about the different information available in the dictionary. 

“Words for Thirds” is a signature program for the Grange. It provides third graders with their own student dictionary. To learn more, watch this short video!

Parkman Grange News!

By Susan Manchester, Master/President

Parkman Grange is located in Parkman!

The Parkman Grange would like to thank you all for your continuing support. Since reorganizing in 2010, we have made some changes while maintaining popular events, including the town meeting luncheon, the Mother’s Day Tea, and the Hunter’s Supper. We have added the Minnie Bridge Scholarship fund, giving away over $12,000 in scholarships to local students. The Daddy Daughter Dance, which will be on Saturday, April 13th this year, is a fun time for all, with DJ Steve Boddy getting the crowd up, dancing, and playing party games. We also started the Pre-K book program, giving away books to encourage young readers. Our Christmas party is always well attended; Santa and Mrs Claus come and give out presents and take pictures with the kids. Eight tables are set up with crafts to make for gifts to give to family and friends. Our biggest program is the SAD 4 Santa Project, which provides winter coats, boots, and toys to local kids. In addition, each month, we give a $100-$200 donation to locals who are facing a difficult time or could use a little help.

We meet at the Grange Hall on the first Tuesday of each month at 5 PM, starting in April. Meetings are casual and usually last about an hour. If you are new to the area or would like to make a difference in our town, we invite you to attend a meeting.

Communications Column – February 2024

Considering Communications Hygiene

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

“Bad noise crowds out good signal.”

Seth Godin

The concept of “communications hygiene” deserves some attention. Seth Godin is certainly not the first person to introduce it, but as usual, he gets our attention in his opening statement, “Attention is scarce.”(You can read the complete blog post here.)

Just how scarce is attention? I could offer the number of unanswered emails in my sent box. I know a few people who appear to no longer be checking their email. When technology made it easy (and basically free) to send an email, it didn’t take long for a lot of people to take advantage. One result of that is the amount of “bad noise” we get. I intentionally do not count, but I would estimate that I receive 200-300 email messages daily. Most of them are “noise” of little value.

I also don’t count how many times the telephones ring daily. Voice mail handles most of it–or at least the lack of messages filters out the “noise.”

Shall we talk about text messages? They are on the rise–several organizations I’m familiar with are now texting instead of emailing. For most people, texting creates a sense of urgency. Urgency is, however, different than importance.

Hygiene is about maintaining health and often involves cleanliness. Let’s take a look at the health of our communication systems and attempts. We may need to “clean things up.” As communicators (we all are), it’s important to remember that “attention is scarce” and may be getting scarcer.

First, what can we do to get attention? It’s become necessary to think twice about how we communicate. I can tell you with assurance that leaving a message for me on social media (Facebook) is the worst way to get my attention. But I know people who apparently live on social media, and it’s the best or at least fastest way to get their attention! So, it might make sense to consider what platform or media best suits the message you are sending. When initiating communication, it is important to think about the receiver’s preferences.

Second, can we at least not contribute to the “noise?” I have a friend who loves to forward emails. Admittedly, they’re usually relevant to my interests, but I’ve also often already received them from the original sender or someone else. I find myself instinctively clicking “delete” when I see his name in the “from” field. Remember, given the volume of emails I’m receiving, you only have a second or two to get my attention.

Third, we can use technology to our benefit–this could be an entire topic by itself. Most email programs have filters we can use, and we’re starting to see the same with phone calls and text messages. It’s important to realize that we each are dealing with huge volumes of communication and make sure we are prioritizing our attention in return. I have another friend who usually takes a few days to reply to my email. He keeps them as “unread” until he has time to think about his reply. If I have a question that needs a more immediate response, I make that clear in my email–or text him accordingly. This goes back to thinking about the receiver’s preferences.

It wasn’t so long ago that we didn’t have the options and choices that we do today. Instead of debating “good or bad,” that energy should go to choosing how we communicate thoughtfully and wisely.

► FACT: During the first week of February 2024, nearly 90% of website visitors were first-time visitors!

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Caution Reminder

MSG Communications Department

This is just a quick reminder to be cautious when you’re online. Predators are many, and they can sometimes be quite subtle and believable.

But they aren’t always smart. Here’s an example of what is probably a phishing attempt. Note the sense of urgency as a sign that something isn’t right. (“Don’t think, hurry up and do this.”)

I’ve marked up two additional red flags that should be obvious and tell us not to reply and simply click “delete.”

Example of a bogus email.

Maine on tap for a cosmic display

Reprinted with permission from an enewsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

On April 8, millions will have a front row seat when the Moon’s shadow will sweep across the nation in a total solar eclipse. The last time the U.S. saw a total solar eclipse was on Aug. 21, 2017. However, this time the path of the eclipse will travel right through the heart of Maine.

The path in 2017 began in Oregon in the Pacific Northwest and traveled across the country in a southeasterly course until it ended in Charleston, S.C. For this year’s eclipse, the shadow or “path of totality” will begin its North American journey in Mazatlan, Mexico, at 9:51 a.m. MST.

The first Maine town to see the partial eclipse will be Jackman beginning at 2:18 p.m. EDT; and it will leave the U.S. through Houlton at 4:41 p.m. EDT. The total eclipse begins roughly 70 minutes after the partial eclipse begins.

Ultimately, the solar eclipse will leave land at 6:47 p.m. ADT in St. Pierre and Miquelon near Newfoundland. Both the official beginning and end of the eclipse takes place in the waters of the South Pacific and North Atlantic oceans respectively.

Aside from its path, the major difference this year is the size of the path of totality and the duration of the eclipse itself. According to NASA, the path in 2017 ranged from 62 to 71 miles wide and lasted about 2.5 minutes since the Moon was farther away from Earth. This year’s path will be much larger, ranging 108 to 122 miles wide.

That means the duration will be longer at about 4.5 minutes at its peak. When the total eclipse rolls through Houlton, it should last 3 minutes, 21 seconds.

For more information about this year’s total solar eclipse, visit NASA’s website.

Communications Note: Please be sure to visit the safety section of the Nasa Website! Also, will your Grange sponsor some type of event in conjunction with the event? This could range from offering safety information (FHH) to hosting an Eclipse Event, particularly if your Grange is located along the path. If you have an astronomer in your area, a pre-eclipse information program might draw a crowd! Put your thinking caps on!

Community Service/FHH – February 2024

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

Happy February! The daylight is increasing. Seedlings should be planted soon to be ready for community plant sales. Members have been making items for craft fairs, fair displays, and the Big E. Thank you for all your contributions and hard work for the community and Grange.

March is National Reading Month. Please contact Willie Grenier, Ag in the Classroom, to volunteer to Read to the classroom on March 2. Make sure to take pictures of volunteers reading. Before taking pictures of students, make sure it is permissible.

Please make sure you are keeping track of volunteer hours. Please use groups as stated in last month’s column. This is very important!

Family Health and Hearing

February is Black History Month and Heart Healthy Month

  • 20th is Love Your Pet Day
  • 23rd is Banana Bread Day
  • 29th is Leap Year-enjoy the extra day.

March is Women’s History Month, Brain Injury Awareness Month, and Nutrition Month.

  • 2nd is Read Across America Day
  • 6th is National Day of Unplugging
  • 13th is Earmuff Day – Chester Greenwood
  • 21st is National Agriculture Day
  • 30th is National Doctor’s Day

Reminder: Every Grange should be submitting a Community Service Report. This is separate from the notebook.

April is Grange month. Many opportunities for Community Service and celebrating the 150-year anniversary of the Maine State Grange.

Trenton Grange Seeks Vendors

Weekly Farmer’s Market to Open in June

Trenton Grange #550 is seeking vendors for their farmers’ market. Starting on Friday, June 7, 2024, the Grange will be hosting a weekly Farmer’s Market and is currently taking applications from vendors. The Farmer’s Market will be on Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm from June 7, 2024, to October 18, 2024. For more information and an application, please email fotg550@gmail.com or call/text Beth at 207-664-4164. It’s a great location, right at the light in Trenton (1134 Bar Harbor Road)!

Email for an application!

The Patrons Chain 2-9-2024

Don’t miss the fact that two Granges in Maine are featured in this issue! (Granger celebrates 80 years of membership)

Articles in this edition include:

  • National Grange Building Sold
  • National Lecturer’s Programming Updates
  • NC Grange hosts Southern Farm Show vaccine clinic
  • Grange Strong Fundraiser
  • Happy Chinese New Year! 
  • Grant money still available for raising awareness about ACP
  • Grange Foundation’s Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-In
  • Granger celebrates 80 years of membership
  • Commentary: Broadband Subsidy Enrollment Ends Today; Millions Are at Risk of Losing Internet
  • Grange Supply Store: Seven-Sided Patch
  • Grange Member Benefit: American Income Life Insurance

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

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Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.