Membership Moments – February 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of the prospective new member. As we look back at the meetings we have all been to, there are times when we might not have wanted to be there or want to leave early. We have attended many meetings but think of the person who is attending their first Grange meeting. We all know that first impressions are very important so if they are observing negative, boring or an unorganized meeting flow, they are more than likely to not come back. Meet in full form at your stations whenever you meet at your hall. Sitting around a table discussing business should not be happening when you have guests, your Deputy, or non-members present. Your Master should conduct an orderly, progressive flow to the meeting. Reports from committees tell the new member what you are doing in your community; lack thereof results in a boring meeting and probably an inactive grange. Why would they want to join if you do nothing? The majority of us want to be involved, to make a difference in our community and for ourselves. We care about others and want to make life better for all. We do positive things without asking for anything in return. We show our love in many ways. That is what a new member wants to achieve. That is what most of us wanted when we joined. We make a difference to many and enjoy working with our Brothers and Sisters for the Good of the Order. When a non-member sees our work, feels our positive energy, and happy workers, of course, most will want to be part of the action. Didn’t you? I did and still do.

In summary, just keep working, keep active, and have fun. Have orderly meetings and always greet and acknowledge guests whether they are members or not. If you follow protocol, then your Grange is ready for the next step which is to keep them coming back.

Exploring Traditions – February 2023

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

by Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

Suspensions and Expulsions

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

“Should I knowingly or willfully violate this pledge, I will invoke upon myself suspension or expulsion from the Order.”

(The candidate’s pledge during the First Degree.)

That’s some pretty strong language when we think about it. We are agreeing that if we “knowingly or willfully” violate the preceding pledge we’ll leave the Order. I confess I wonder how often it happens. I can think of one instance that is at least similar. Due to age and physical limitations, a long-time member chose not to renew her membership. She explained that she could no longer attend meetings and would be unable to contribute the way she believed a member should. On the one hand, we have to respect that. On the other hand, we didn’t want to lose her.

That happened at least a decade ago. We’re still in touch and I occasionally tell her she’s more supportive than some of our paid members. She’s always interested in what we’re doing as a Grange, she offers encouragement, and frequently supports our fundraising. As I read the pledge, I don’t think she’s knowingly or willfully violated any aspect of it. In that sense, she’s not an example.

But she is an example of someone who has set standards for herself—standards that are higher than what she pledged many years ago during the First Degree.

Recently, during a somewhat intense conversation with another Granger, I raised this question. “What would happen if we made it harder to become and remain a member?” It just might be worthy of consideration. Groucho Marx once observed that he did not want to join any club that would have him as a member. There’s some disagreement about the circumstances, but one credible version is that he offered it to explain why he was resigning from a club he had joined but was not participating in the activities. Why be a member?

Some years ago, I belonged to an organization with very specific requirements that included meeting attendance and participation in community service—measured in hours. It was not always easy to be a member, but it was always rewarding and brought a sense of pride.

I’m not proposing we institute similar requirements. But I am suggesting that we individually consider the standards we are setting for ourselves as members. Grange membership should be seen as a privilege, not a right.

Since we have, thankfully, some Degree Days scheduled in the near future, they can also serve as a day of renewal. Consider attending and observing. Listen carefully to the pledges and instructions—regardless of how long you’ve been a member. Pay less attention to the performance and more attention to the content. Questions to consider include:

  • Am I practicing and reaping the benefits of the Grange Way of Life?
  • Do I deserve to be called a Granger?
  • Regardless of my limitations, how can I best serve my Order and community?

By the way, the original language of the First Degree pledge included something that has since been removed. “Should I knowingly or willfully violate this pledge, I will invoke upon myself suspension or expulsion from the Order, and thus be disgraced among those who were my brothers and sisters..” (1987 Subordinate Grange Manual)

The requirements of continued Grange membership are not so demanding, really. So, you probably don’t have to and shouldn’t suspend or expulse yourself. But it might be time for a renewal that involves more than writing a check for dues.

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.

Communications Column – February 2023

Actions Communicate!

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Actions speak louder than words, and often communicate messages that words simply cannot. Showing someone you care is one of the best ways to demonstrate your feelings.

A simple act of kindness, such as a hug, can communicate love, appreciation, and understanding. It can also show others we care about their feelings and value them as individuals. Similarly, body language is also a powerful method of communicating. Making eye contact, replicating postures and gestures, and body movements such as crossing your arms can say a lot about how someone is feeling or what they are thinking. Ultimately, actions can be a more powerful form of communication than words alone.

But, like words, actions are subject to misinterpretation. Thanks in a large part to COVID, Touching and physical proximity are being questioned and challenged. The handshake was originally about open, weaponless hands and grasping each other in a ritual of mutuality. There are now those who think the ritual should be abandoned in the interest of public health. You’ll know you’ve met one when they cringe in horror and disapproval at the extension of your proffered hand.

Which side of that particular debate you are on is less significant than the recognition that there is a debate. “One man’s pleasure is another man’s pain.” Not everyone wants to be touched. But some of us do want to make that contact and connection. Another way of looking at this is with the consideration that what we’ve always accepted as a “universal language” may no longer be so universal.

So we hopefully become much more aware of our own behavior and what it might be communicating. We also try to become more aware of others’ potential understanding (or misunderstanding) of that behavior.

If you haven’t yet seen it, there’s an interesting parallel for the Grange. Many of our practices we see as protecting and even increasing the fraternal nature that has served us well. But how do others see it? We sometimes lose our balance. What we see as “fraternal” others may see as exclusionary.

Car buying was different some years ago. I recall one particularly difficult negotiation. The salesman was dutifully doing the “let me see if my manager will approve… just initial here to demonstrate your sincerity.” The poor guy was actually sweating from the numerous trips he made to the back office. After one, he said, “Well, at least you can see how hard I’m working for you” I rather directly corrected him. “What I can see is that every time you say it’s the best deal, it isn’t. Here’s what I want. If  you come back with a counteroffer, I’ll just leave so we both stop wasting time.” That’s exactly what happened. I stood up, shook his hand, and walked out the door. Actions communicate. The salesman ended up chasing me through the parking lot to announce that the sales manager had finally agreed. Sometimes you have to cut through the ritual to get the result. The next time I bought a vehicle there, things went much more smoothly.

Does what we do as an organization (or individual) communicate what we say we believe and value? Or, if we can step outside of ourselves and our world, do others see what we believe and value in the things we do and don’t do? It’s a question we need to be asking.

► FACT: Your MSG website was viewed over 1600 times during January 2023–if you aren’t submitting your events and news, you are missing an opportunity!

Tell us why you love the Grange!

View from the Farm – February 2023

Webmaster’s note: The format of this column has changed a bit with all of the Quill’s Endians participating at various times and in various ways!

During the course of “winter,” I’ve been thinking of trees.  Specifically, our tiny maple bush.  We have about 20 sugar maples that are in a grove that is readily accessible, and we tap them every year for syrup.  We typically make about 6 gallons of syrup.  It is a system of convenience.  We heat with wood; so we boil down sap on the wood stove.  March here smells delicious, as the humidity rises in the house with sweetening sap that is headed to syrupy decadence.

The question these last few years is…when to tap the trees?  There have been years when we have waited too long, and March nights don’t bring the freezing weather that drops the sap back down.  We want 20-degree nights and 40-degree days.  That weather makes the sap run during the warmth of the day.  

This particular “winter,”  I’ve thought of these maples since January.  Not just, “is the sap running?”, but also we have no snow cover.  What does this mean for the ecosystem that is accustomed to a gradual thaw in March and April, when the accumulated precipitation slowly saturates the trees as they awaken for the year? 

Twenty years ago, we hauled a sled to the trees as we gathered sap.  Today, I lug the buckets to the tarred road, lest I tear up the soft field with my pick-up.

The beautiful thing, the thing we count on, will still happen.  

We used the last of our maple syrup this morning on our pancakes.  Just in time, the weather hearkens the change.  The trees, for all my worry about them, will follow their rhythm, and sap will soon permeate our lives for a short while. We will enjoy the change in the house–the scent of March, and recollect the memories of this annual Spring bounty that sweetens our lives the year round. 

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 given us permission to share some of her columns with Grangers. Visit the Quill’s End Farm Facebook Page for more information.

From the Deacon’s Bench – February 2023

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“Jesus said, ‘you have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘you shall not kill; whosoever kills shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to council, and whoever says, ‘you fool!’, shall be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first to be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; truly I say to you, you will never get out until you pay the last penny .’” 

Matthew 5:21-26

 

We made it through the first month of the New Year with, I hope, few scrapes, bruises, and little pain. I trust you all are weathering the cold and snow with the grace of God (or doing the best that you can!).

The Bible message is a tad long this month, but I thought it was appropriate. I think this time of year, we tend to get a little ‘testy’ as we sometimes have to stay inside (where it is warm and cozy) with little to no contact with friends and/or neighbors. We tend to forget that we have friends that care for us.

Try not to turn our backs on our friends. If we know of anyone in need of help or assistance of any kind, please offer it. If you are the one in need of such assistance, please accept any and all help that might be offered. Lest we forget, we are all God’s children, and we cannot survive without each other’s help.

 Please remember that we ALL need a helping hand at some time or another. If you are able, help someone else. If you are the one in need, accept it willingly. There is no shame in needing help!

God loves us all!!

 Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Benediction: “Gracious Father of us all, help us to realize that we are all your children who need help now and then. Help us to know when to ask for it when we need it, and if possible, give it when we are able. Amen.”

Thought for the month:
May the sun shine, all day long,
Everything go right, and nothing wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you,
And may all the wishes you wish come true.

An Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity

CWA Report – February 2023

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

Committee on Women’s Activities

Warm winter Greetings!!

What a crazy winter we have been having! Thank goodness there are only six weeks left of winter.

I had some meat and veggies given to me by some nice friends. So for the last couple of days, I have been cooking.

Making casseroles, meatloaf, and other comfort foods and sharing them with my grandsons and my neighbors. I feel really blessed that I can do this. A little kindness goes a very long way. All of these people really appreciate this.

The best part is that I really enjoy cooking. My Mom and Gram started teaching me when I was six on an old wood cook stove! They also taught me how to sew on an old Singer treadle sewing machine. Wonderful memories!!

I hope that you are all staying warm, safe, and healthy. Take care everyone.

President’s Perspective – February 2023

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

March 11, 2023. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. You are all invited to attend an Instruction / Information meeting at Norway Grange #45, 15 Whitman St., Norway  (weather permitting). Norway Grange will provide lunch at noon, their Subordinate meeting will be at 1:00, and the instruction meeting will start at 2:00 pm.  Contact Christine Hebert, Master (207-595-6007 or mail: christinehebert@outlook.com)  to let her know how many will be attending the lunch.  Weather cancelation date will be March 18, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. 

Everyone is invited to attend. Those attending will be the ones practicing the work, by volunteer, also switching around–it will not just be State Officers and Deputies.  We will cover the following:

  • Ritualistic floor work, opening & closing  (opening the Bible, presenting the flag, introducing honored guests)
  • How to properly make the Salutation
  • Balloting procedure
  • Election procedure
  • How to handle motions and following through
  • The State Secretary will cover reporting, records, funds, and ordering certificates
  • Other suggested Grange business and discussion 

I will also be holding this same workshop/meeting around the State starting in the spring, please invite me to your area or Grange, I would prefer a Saturday meeting during the day but could accommodate an evening if requested.  

  • Instruction/Information: Arbutus has invited us to come on Apr 22 (tentative date)
  • Instruction/Information: Jonesboro would like us to come in warmer weather
  • Instruction/Information: Granite in Searsport is having us on June 13 at 1:00 pm.

April 23 Degree Day 1:30pm at Maine State Grange HQ, 146 State Street Augusta. All Four Degrees will be conferred.  Let Maynard Chapman, Chief Deputy (207-312-9661 or email him at mgcgmc@fairpoint.net) know if you have candidates. The candidates should bring their applications for membership with them.

With spring comes reopening. It’s almost time to get back in the swing of in-person meetings.

Spring is also clean-up time outside and inside for our own yards, but this should also include our halls.  Get the lawn raked up, clip the grass and bushes around the steps and foundation, pick up the branches and trash lying around, get the tattered plastic off the windows, and maybe even wash the reachable ones.  Get some new plants in the window boxes and garden.   Repaint your sign, the steps, railings, and even the door.  We all need an occasional facelift. 

It doesn’t feel like it, but here we are a little over a month away from Grange Month, a time of year we honor our community members and promote our Grange. Congratulations to those who have made plans for something special at this time.  You can plan your event honoring your community later in the year. Nothing says it can only be done in April, honoring someone special or a special activity can happen anytime, it’s the result that really matters. You can buy or make up your own certificates, plaques, etc. for honoring an individual or group or items may be purchased from National Grange.  Whether you order on your own or from National Grange, remember to allow lots of time to get the items back, especially if you are getting it by mail or shipped.   We have lots of informational brochures as handouts in your halls available on request at the office. 

I want to remind you, the State Grange office does have an answering machine to leave questions, requests, and information at 207-623-3421. Please leave a clear name, phone number, and brief message, to return your calls.  We are in the office a couple of days a week.  We also have an email address that is on our outgoing message:  mainestategrange@myfairpoint.net. My cell & home phone and Sharon’s numbers are both on the outgoing message, also.  Our personal numbers, home, and email addresses are in the roster that each Grange Secretary received.  The State Grange Website is valuable and can provide information, the webmaster is very helpful, however, some of your questions should be directed to the State Grange Secretary or me personally by email or phone. Until we can be together again, take care of yourselves.   

Quick Tip – Pomona Meetings

Cool Idea
Share your ideas with other Granges!

by Walter Boomsma

Ask the Subordinate/Community Granges in your area to have an agenda item on their regular monthly meetings to discuss who from their Granges would be attending next month’s Pomona Meeting. The goal would be for each Grange to “send” at least two members to each Pomona Meeting as representatives. Since, for example,  Piscataquis Pomona has six member Granges, there would be some assurance of at least twelve people at each Pomona Meeting in addition to those who attend regularly! By rotating the responsibility, there would also be more diversity at Pomona Meetings.

Winthrop Grange Crafting

On February 18, 2023, Winthrop Grange will sponsor a craft-making fundraiser. Attendees will make a silverware windchime. The $25 fee includes instruction and all materials. Proceeds will benefit Winthrop Grange. The event will be held at the Pond Town Pub, 7 Union Street in Winthrop.

Contact Dot St Hilaire to reserve a spot. Text 207-242-7251 or send an email.

2021 Annual Agricultural Statistics

Reprinted with permission from a UMaine Extension e-newsletter.

From farm operators across the region who participated in the voluntary surveys NASS conducted throughout the year.

It has a wealth of information about each New England state’s agriculture.

Some Maine Statistics

  • Average Farm Real Estate Value per Acre $2,600
  • Cash Rents of Cropland (per acre) $60 ($24 – $125)
  • Price of Hay (per ton) $158
  • Av. Yield Hay (per acre) 1.91 tons
  • Av. Price Sweet Corn $5.10 / dozen Av. Price Maple Syrup $38.60 / gallon
Get the Report