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!

Read THE Current Issue
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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.

President’s Perspective – February 2024

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

The password ciphers were sent to the Grange Secretaries when the December Quarterly Report Forms were mailed. The keys to the password will only be mailed to the master’s when all dues are paid up to date, including the December 2023 Quarter. If you have not received your key, check with your secretary or our office to confirm your dues are paid in full. Sharon did tell me recently that not all dues are up to date. 

I must remind everyone of your Obligation to the Grange you took when you joined. It states in part, “ I will not knowingly wrong or defraud a brother or sister of the Order or allow it to be done by another if within my power to prevent it. I will endeavor to be a true and faithful Patron of Husbandry… Should I knowingly or willfully violate this pledge, I will invoke upon myself suspension or expulsion from the Order.”  I have had several calls from members in different areas to complain about the use of profanity during meetings and public events. There is no place in the Grange for the use of foul language, no matter what you feel the circumstances are. Whether in a meeting or around the kitchen, whether guests, new members, or non-members are present or not, it is not acceptable behavior. Maybe you normally talk that way; you feel it is just words, but it is offensive to others.  If you feel the need to talk like that, I would suggest you go to the bar or sporting event where you will fit right in. But even those places have rules and limits, and even those places where that talk is common, you would be asked to leave! I am sorry if you are offended by this message, but it needed to be said. Sadly, those who do the cursing won’t be the ones to acknowledge.    

After four years off, the Northeast Leaders Conference held in January was a big success, with 87 enthusiastic members attending. Introductions by State Masters/Presidents of those attending from their respective states. Maine was represented by Mike Griffin, MSG Overseer; Missy Baldwin, MSG Lecturer; Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service & Family Health & Hearing Director; Brenda’s husband, Joe Fallo; and me. The Northeast State Masters/Presidents & Overseers/Vice Presidents (the Northeast Connection group) and New England Grange Building Trustees. Everyone attending could sit in on whichever meeting or break-out group they chose. 

The State Lecturers made plans for the Northeast Lecturers Conference, to be held June 21 – 23 at the Holiday Inn in Norwich, CT. This event is for all, not just Lecturers. Let’s support our State Lecturers and plan to attend. Details will be forthcoming.

The State Youth Directors started their plans for the NE Youth Conference hosted in NY July 19 – 21. I will share details when available.

 The NE Chaplains group decided to return to the Regional Church Sunday, similar to the ones in the past. This year, it will be held on July 27 at the VT Grange Camp, with family activities, games, and a potluck lunch. All are invited. Plans will be finalized soon.

The State Junior Directors and interested members met to discuss the craft for display at the Big-E in Sept at the New England Grange Building. The Junior craft for 2024 will be Crayola Model Magic.  The craft for 2025 will be Egg Carton Craft.

The Community Service, Family Activities, Women’s Activities, and others met as a large group, having good discussions on activities for their states and ideas all could try. Agriculture, Membership, Information/IT, and others also met during the weekend.

As the weekend progressed, interesting and helpful workshops were presented to the entire group: Harnessing AI to Our Advantage, Promoting the Grange in all Media, Leadership and Conflict Resolution, and Grant Writing.

Castine Granger Honored

Basil Clements receives his eighty-year certificate

“That’s a lot of years,” Basil said when he received his certificate from Maine State Grange Communications Director Walter Boomsma in a “sort of” Grange Meeting held at Emilio Estates in Corinth. While distance has prevented active involvement, Basil speaks of his Grange membership every day, and his room is decorated with certificates and Grange memorabilia.

Front Row: RN Breanna, Basil Clements
Back Row: Walter Boomsma, with Valley Grange Members Janice Boomsma, Mary Annis, and Jim Annis

The “sort of” meeting was attended by a support team from Valley Grange, several of Basil’s nurses and Emilio staff, a niece and her husband, and at least one resident of Emilio Estates. Boomsma explained that since circumstances have put some distance between Basil and his home Grange in Castine, Valley Grange has adopted him. “But we aren’t charging you dues.” Basil noted proudly that, as a Golden Sheaf (fifty-year) member, he hasn’t paid dues for some years but recalled when he did pay them, they charge was $1.25 per year. He also wasn’t sure when he last attended a meeting.

“So we brought a meeting to you,” Boomsma explained, conducting some of the opening and closing ritual, including the familiar Grange Salutation. During the meeting, Basil’s nurse, Breanna Bowman, was also presented with a special Certificate of Appreciation for her assistance with the meeting preparations and support. “You demonstrate Grange Values, and we are now considering you an ‘almost’ Granger.”

In good Grange fashion, the event included some socializing. When the event ended, Boomsma noted, “We’re Grangers. This is what we do. We take care of our communities, and we take care of each other.”

Those who would like to send Basil a card of congratulations may do so by addressing it to Basil Clements, Emilio Estates, 65 W Corinth Road,
Corinth, ME 04427. He first joined the Grange on March 20, 1943 and will begin his 81st year soon!

  • David and niece Linda
  • Walter and Basil enjoy a moment
  • The Valley Grange Team with Breanna and Basil
  • Walter, Nurses
  • Basil’s 80 Year Certificate

Grange Heirloom — February 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.

Community Matters More

Bangor Savings Bank has announced its annual Community Matters More voting. It’s that time of year when folks get to help decide how to distribute over $140,000 to nonprofit organizations in Maine and New Hampshire. Grants are awarded through the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation.

You can choose up to five nonprofits that positively impact your community or write in eligible nonprofits of your choice.

It’s also the time of year when some Granges will organize a campaign to be written in as a potential recipient. There are some important criteria you should recognize. First, in order to vote, you must be a resident of Maine or New Hampshire.

Second, the organization you vote for must be an eligible non-profit- a 501(c)3. As a reminder, local Granges (and the Grange in general) do not usually meet this criteria. For a brief explanation, read this article.

If you write in an organization that isn’t eligible, you are just wasting a vote. However, you certainly are encouraged to vote! Help a deserving organization! Voting takes place until February 29, 2024!

Click here to vote

Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship fund was established in 2023 by friends and family of Ernestine “Ernie” Keiser. Ernie was a long-time Grange member in Virginia and a charter member of Beach Community Grange #958, VA, which was chartered in 1959. She was very supportive of the Youth program at the local, state, and national levels. Ernie was a firm believer in the importance of education, and her family and friends desired to continue her legacy by establishing this scholarship program. The value of the scholarship is $1,000.

Scholarship Requirements

  • Applicant must be a Grange member in good standing with a minimum of one year of membership.
  • Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors or continuing two-year community college, four-year college/university, or postsecondary vocational school students attending an accredited school. Students pursuing graduate degrees or higher vocational certifications are also eligible to apply.
  • Scholarship is available to full-time or part-time students.
  • An applicant is eligible to apply for the scholarship each year; however, if selected, will only be eligible to receive it a maximum of two times.
  • Two (2) – Recommendation Letters are required. The writers of the letters of recommendation must be unrelated to the applicant.
  • One letter from a member of the applicant’s Community (local) Grange. It may be an officer or member of the Community Grange.
  • One letter from a teacher/guidance counselor/mentor. The letter should be on school letterhead or organizational letterhead, if applicable.
  • Essay – The applicant may use one of the prompts below for their essay. The limit is a maximum of 500 words, or the equivalent of two pages, typed and double-spaced.

How to apply

  • Paper applications must be typed, printed, and signed.
  • A checklist of the required application materials for a complete application is included.
  • Applications may be emailed to ngfb@grange.org and must be received by March 1.
  • Mailed applications must be received by March 1 and should be mailed to:

National Grange Foundation Board
Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o Joan Smith, Chair
39 Clubhouse Road
Rotonda West, FL 33947

Information and Application

The Patrons Chain 2-2-2024


Articles in this edition include:

  • The Presidential Perspective
  • Fellowship First Friday
  • Meet the National Grange Community Service Team
  • Grange Heirloom for February
  • Have you joined The Birthday Club?
  • Grant money still available for raising awareness about ACP
  • Grange Foundation’s Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
  • Last Chance: Register for National Grange/Rural Minds introduction to “Rural Mental Health Resilience” program
  • Rural Minds Receives National Advocacy Award
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-In
  • Making Mountaintop Removal Renewable
  • Grange Strong Fundraiser
  • Grange Supply Store: Seven-Sided Patch
  • Grange Member Benefit: Start Hearing

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

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Patrons Chain

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.