Communications Column – March 2024

Website Updates = Communication Hygiene

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

“Bad noise crowds out good signal.”

Seth Godin

I left the Seth Godin Quote from last month because, to a large extent, we’ll be continuing the theme of “Communications Hygiene” with some recent accomplishments and ongoing efforts.

I’ve finally completed the review of Subordinate/Pomona Websites, Facebook Pages, and Groups. This annual review aims to ensure we are putting our best face forward and abiding by Grange Policy. It is not one of the most fun things I do, but it is one of the more important.

Overall, the results were positive, but there were a few issues. One website simply wasn’t working. One Facebook Group contained almost entirely spam posts promoting at least questionable work-at-home schemes. I have attempted to contact those Granges with an “FYI” email. In a few cases, I deemed removing the link from the MSG website necessary.

As a reminder, whenever an online presence is created, at least two people should be capable of accessing it and committed to maintaining it. This is especially true of social media pages and groups.

Also, as a reminder, if your Grange does have a social media presence, you should still submit your news and information to the MSG website. Once it’s posted there (usually within 24 hours of receipt), sharing it on social media is easy. The buttons at the bottom of every post make it just a matter of a few mouse clicks or screen taps.

You are undoubtedly aware of the increased applications of AI (artificial intelligence). Part of keeping our best face forward has always been grammar-checking, spell-checking, and minor line editing. We’ve been relying on AI for help with this for some time and will continue to do so. You may find it reassuring that I sometimes win arguments with the AI.

I bet I could make your eyes glaze over if I went into detail about our subscription issue. I will continue to maintain the list and send occasional lists of posted items, but it may be a while before we can automate it again. Stay tuned!

In anticipation of needing to make significant changes to get the subscription feature back online, I continue to purge old information from the site. We’re down below 1,000 posts–at one time, there were over 4,000! As a general rule (there will be some exceptions), information will be limited to the last two years. The data shows that older information is rarely viewed, and a streamlined site will be more efficient and much easier to manage. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

► FACT: During the first weeks of March, our “scholarship information” page has moved to the third position as “most viewed.” It’s that time of year!

Subscribe to The Maine State Grange Website!

Don’t You Believe This!

Here we go again, with another warning! Yesterday, I received an email that looked like it was from a Granger I know. “She” asked if I shopped at Amazon. It didn’t sound like her, but I replied that I do.

This morning I received a reply:

Glad! I’ve been trying to purchase a $150 Amazon E-Gift card by email, but it says they are having issues charging my card. I contacted my bank and they told me it would take a couple of days to get it sorted. I intend to buy it for my Friend of mine who is diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma cancer, It’s her birthday today. Can you purchase it from your end for me, I am just trying to put a smile on her face in this trying times. I’ll send you a check regarding the refund later. Here is her email (XXXXXX@comcast.net )and have it ordered From Me. Please and the message space, write Happy birthday Dear Kathie, Stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Eph. 6:10, Let me know once you order it and send me the confirmation once it’s done.

Both emails I received come from an email address that I identify as the Granger’s. The style of writing and the number of errors, particularly in the second email, aroused my suspicion. While I don’t know this Granger extremely well, from previous email correspondence, this is not at all like her. The other red flag is the urgency. If this were legitimate, I’d expect a phone call–not an email.

I will call the Granger at a more reasonable hour. In the interim, if you receive a similar email, you might consider doing the same. It’s likely that someone has hacked her email account. She did hold a state office in the past, and it’s likely that the person sending these emails has access to her contact list.

This is not my favorite part of being Communications Director. Unfortunately, the digital world is complex and filled with hazards. Don’t be discouraged. Just be careful.

The Chaplain’s View – March 2024

By Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

Grange month is the perfect time to celebrate our heritage. After all, we hold a pattern that’s issued from the ancient Garden of Eden. As we start our seedlings for our gardens, plant a little extra so we can give to others when we reap what we have sown. Let us be thankful for the sunlight that invigorates all life, making possible its growth, and for rain that enriches and freshens the earth.

“Hurt not the earth or the sea or the trees…”

Revelation 7:3

CWA Report – March 2024

By Margaret Henderson, Director
Committee on Women’s Activities
207 948-2762

Committee on Women’s Activities

Happy Easter! Spring is just around the corner!

I hope that many of you have been working on entries for the contests.

I can’t wait to see them. Please don’t forget that your entries must be at State Grange Headquarters before August 20th in order to be logged in to be judged on August 23rd. The Conference will be on August 24th.  You may contact me or call Headquarters to make sure that someone will be there to accept your entries.

My Grange is getting ready for some events. We just hosted “Freedom Follies.”  A fun night of music and the talents of local people. A pancake breakfast, some bake sales, and maybe some other Community happenings.

Hope that everyone is staying healthy and safe.

Grange Heirloom — March 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.

The Patrons Chain 3-08-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • Speak LIke a “CHAMP” by Christine Hamp
  • March Heirloom
  • Where can I find? by Philip Vonada
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-in
  • Opinion: Your Grange’s Position by Walter Bommsma
  • Grange Month materials are available
  • Save the Date: Rural Minds and National Grange to present webinar
  • Commentary: Who Benefits from Daylight Savings Time
  • Grange Supply Store: Seven-Sided Patches
  • Grange Member Benefit: Avis

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.

Maine Forest Service Survey

Help Shape Maine’s Forest Education

green grass on forest
Photo by Rudolf Jakkel on Pexels.com

The Maine Forest Service is dedicated to understanding and meeting our communities’ needs regarding forest resources, management, protection, and health. To help achieve this, we’ve developed an educational interest survey tailored to Maine residents and all those interested in our state’s forests. Your input is invaluable in shaping our programs and initiatives. Completing this 34-question survey, which should only take 10 to 20 minutes, will provide crucial insights into topics like woodland management, fire protection, community forestry, and preferred methods of receiving information and education. The survey is open now and will remain online until Friday, March 15, at 5:00 PM. We appreciate your participation in helping us serve you better. Thank you for being part of our efforts!   

Complete the Survey

Benton Grange Craft Fair and Flea Market

April 6, 2024, 9 am until 2 pm
May 4, 2024, 9 am until 2 pm

Benton Grange is holding a Craft Fair and Fle Market from 9 am – 2 pm on April 6 and May 4, 2024. For additional information or questions, call 207 453-4796.

Benton Grange #458 is located at the corner of River Road and School Drive in Benton, Maine.

Jonesboro Grange Easter Basket Festival

March 22- 24, 2024

Jonesboro Grange announces affordable family fun with a reasonably priced Easter Basket Festival!

Click to enlarge

Festival includes :

  • Free Easter Egg Hunt for ages 12 and under with 7,000+ Eggs on March 23rd1
  • Free Photos with the Easter Bunny
  • $50 Door Prize
  • 50/50 Raffle
  1. The rain date is March 24. Please bring your own collection basket, employ your eggs, and return them to our egg boxes for reuse! ↩︎

Come buy tickets to try and win fun and unique Easter Baskets! 

  • 25 (1 sheet of tickets/$0.40 per ticket) for $10 
  • 50 (2 sheets/$0.30 per ticket) for $15 
  • 75 (3 sheets/$0.26 per ticket) for $20 
  • 125 (5 sheets/$0.20 per ticket) for $25

The drawing of winning tickets will be live-streamed on Facebook at 2:30 pm.

Visit us on Facebook at Jonesboro Grange #357 or email Jonesborogrange357@gmail.com with questions! 

Jonesboro Grange Hall is located at 746 US Route 1 in Jonesboro, Maine.

President’s Perspective – March 2024

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

HAPPY 150TH ANNIVERSARY. “Six months after the first Subordinate Grange was organized in Maine, twenty men met in Lewiston at the GAR Hall on April 21, 1874, to found the Maine State Grange. Seventeen of the twenty were Masters of Subordinate Granges in Maine; one was a Subordinate Secretary. Also present was the Master of the New Hampshire State Grange, Dudley T. Chase, and a General Deputy of the National Grange, O.D. Hinkley.  Nelson Ham of Lewiston was elected State Master at this session.

In December 1874, the State Grange met for its first Annual Session in Lewiston. By this time, the organization had grown from 18 to 64 Granges with about 2000 members.”

(Excerpt From A Fair Field And No Favor—A Concise History of the Maine State Grange by Stanley Howe)

The first Grange in Maine, Eastern Star #1 in Hampden, was organized October 20, 1873. Six of those 18 early organized Granges are still continuing their positive impact in their communities. 

  • Excelsior #5 in Poland organized 3/5/1874
  • Androscoggin #8 in Greene organized 3/24/1874
  • Harraseeket #9 in Freeport organized 3/24/1874
  • North Jay #10 in North Jay organized 3/27/1874
  • Farmington #11 (N. Farmington) in West Farmington organized 4/3/1874
  • Somerset #18 in Norridgewock organized 4/20/1874

HAPPY 150TH ANNIVERSARY to each of you, we wish you continued success.

The following Degree Days have been set up, and they will be conferring all 4 Degrees on the same day. (The word Degree refers to a level of the Grange, the first Four Degrees brings you into Subordinate or Community membership.)  Degree Days are open to all candidates who must have been voted into membership in a Subordinate Grange to receive the degrees. Please bring the application for membership with you.  If you have already received the Obligation Ceremony or the Welcome Ceremony, you are welcome to come and view these instructive beautiful degrees, or any current members are eligible to attend. Current members will be required to provide the annual password that you are entitled to receive from your Subordinate Master if your dues are up to date.

  • April 14 at North Scarboro Grange; 74 County Rd., Scarborough. Contact Mike Griffin, Master, for information and to let him know how many will be coming. Meeting starting at 1:00pm.
  • April 21 at State Grange HQ, 146 State Street, Augusta. Contact Maynard Chapman, Chief Deputy, for information and to let him know how many will be coming.  Meeting starting at 1:00pm.

While on the subject of membership eligibility. As the prospective candidate/member, you must submit an application with a fee to a Subordinate Grange, the application must be voted on by the membership in a regular meeting with a quorum present, then you must receive the conferral of the 4 Degrees, the Obligation Ceremony or the Welcome Ceremony to become a member.  Only then are you entitled to vote on issues, elections or business in that Grange. You are able to visit a Grange meeting, but to have a vote in the business you must become a member by one of the prescribed methods above found in the Grange Manual.  Maine uses the ballot box with balls and cubes for membership applications.