Communication Shorts 04-16-2024

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Send us your ideas and thoughts!

April Bulletin Available

The April Bulletin is now available for downloading and printing! You can find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

Staying Safe

Just another reminder not to automatically respond to email or text messages that “don’t sound right.”

National 9-1-1 Education Month

April is being observed as National 9-1-1 Education Month, an observance designed to ensure that the public is ready to access help during emergencies.

NHTSA: National 911 Program and Know 911

This is also an excellent time to make sure you know the 911 address for your Grange Hall–it’s usually also the GPS address. Post in around the hall so if there’s an emergency, you can provide it to the dispatcher!

Consider this Idea!

Discussion Groups! We recently learned of a local Council on Aging sponsoring General Quarters!, a monthly roundtable discussion group focusing on military topics. What a great name! But almost any topic could work. It wouldn’t have to include a formalized program–just an opportunity for people to come together and discuss a mutually interesting topic. Gardening, cooking, reading… use your hall!

Fraternal Announcement

Since some may have participated in a card shower for Basil Clement, it is my sad duty to inform you that he passed away on Easter Sunday, just 21 days short of his 95th birthday. His niece and hospice nurse have both expressed much appreciation to the Grange for making his final days happy and for providing companionship.

Bangor Savings Bank Community Matters More 2024

Recipients of the Community Matters More Grants have been announced! See the list here!

Submit Events! Be “findable”

The MSG website is easy to find and gets a lot of use! In the last seven days, 132 people visited the site after searching on Google. It really does make sense to submit your events and make sure your information is correct in the online directory! We especially need working email addresses that are checked regularly!

Submit News! Be “famous”

Submitting news can be as simple as a photo and “cutline.” A cutline is a brief description–longer than a caption–to accompany the photo. Let’s prove that the Grange is alive and well in Maine! (Photos should be submitted as an attachment to an email.) We get inquiries from people looking for active Granges!

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!

Exploring Traditions – April 2024

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

What is a Patron of Husbandry?

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

“…I will endeavor to be a true and faithful Patron of Husbandry, perform the duties enjoined in this order and aid others in the performance of the same…”

Obligation from the First Degree

Until insurance regulations required us to remove a wood stove, the foyer of our Grange hall included a non-working woodstove with several chairs around it. One day, during a quick stop, I found my companion sitting in one of the chairs, staring into space.

He explained that he was visualizing a scene from a century earlier. He pictured a few farmers sitting there, absorbing the warmth and discussing their challenges. I joined him in his reverie as we speculated the topics of conversation.

While the past is behind us, sometimes it’s worthy of a visit. When we consider those early members, we should consider how difficult their lives were as farmers and as early organizers of the Patrons of Husbandry. Consciously or not, they didn’t focus on the low-hanging fruit in their farming practice and in growing the Grange.

Those familiar with Grange History will know that the term “Granger” was a relatively new term introduced amid some significant controversy. From the beginning, members were (and still are) Patrons of Husbandry. Those who fought against adopting the term “Granger” pointed out that the “Grange” was a building. Patrons of Husbandry went to the building (Grange) to meet.

Viewed in the frame of Grange vocabulary, that makes sense. A grange was (in the historical sense) “an outlying farm with the barns belonging to a monastery or feudal lord.” (Cambridge Dictionary) Small wonder that we have members who serve as masters, stewards, and gatekeepers.

We can debate the value of the changing vocabulary, but the bigger question might be what is a “true and faithful Patron of Husbandry?” What is a new member agreeing to? The answer is found in the entire obligation and Degrees, but we don’t include that in the membership application.

What are the duties of a Patron of Husbandry?

When I explain this to third graders, we look up the words in their new dictionaries. The keywords in the definitions are “support” and “agriculture.” Kids are usually quite literal, and that works for them. Adults may want to know, “What’s the fine print?” For the most part, the answers are found in the degree work. But you don’t get to experience that until you’ve decided to join.

Ultimately, we all develop our answers to the question. I remember one third grader who visited the Grange Hall. She explained to her young friend that Grangers lived there and read a lot because we like books. Maybe that was close enough.

Pull up a chair next to the virtual woodstove. Someone who knows little about the Grange has joined us. He asked, “What do I have to do if I become a member?”

That might be more important than “What do I get if I become a member?”

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.

Community Service/FHH – April 2024

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

The unplanned community service activities are bountiful. Helping the community during the last few storms and power outages are endless. Congratulations!!!

April is Grange Month. Have an open meeting, invite the community to participate, and discuss the advantages of being a member!

May is Community Service Month. Choose a new community project. 

April 

  • Grange Month – Follow the National Grange theme. Picture and advertisement needed as proof.

May

  • Set up and complete a new project in May. Send in a write-up and pictures with the Family, Health, and Hearing Reports.

Reminder:

  • Coups for Troops

Happy Spring!

Valley Grange Celebrates Community

Ways to support the celebration…

Valley Grange is located in Guilford Maine

This is not a fundraiser—it’s a fun raiser! The purpose is to celebrate our communities and way of life. We’ll also honor some special community citizens—the Piscataquis County 911 Dispatchers! Here are some ways you can help support this fundraiser.

  • Attend the potluck supper, meeting, or both!
  • Bring people with you to the potluck supper, meeting, or both. Create a carpool!
  • If you truly can’t attend, drop off a dish for the potluck supper. We can also use rolls, butter, drinks…
  • Call some friends and tell them about it. Encourage them to come.
  • Download and print some flyers then post them around your community–stores, banks, town offices, hair salons…
  • Visit the Valley Grange Facebook Page and share the event.
  • Tell your local fire firefighters, EMS, LEOs, etc. about it. They appreciate our dispatchers too!
  • Invite any local, county, state, and federal politicians you can think of! They usually love things like this! If they can’t attend, ask them to endorse and promote the event!
  • Write a letter to the editor of local publications sharing your appreciation for our dispatchers and mention Community Night.
  • Think spring and hope for great weather.
  • If you have any questions or ideas regarding the event, contact Walter Boomsma, Program Director.
  • If you’d like to help with the potluck supper and have questions, contact Mary Annis or Janice Boomsma.

In a recent blog post, Seth Godin noted that ideas that spread win and because of technology and the changes in media, ideas that spread “horizontally” spread the fastest and farthest. Yelling from the rooftops doesn’t work so well. Telling a neighbor or friend does.

Membership Moments – April 2024

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

This year is the 150th anniversary of the Maine State Grange and many of the earlier established Granges, which were organized in 1874. I attended the 150th anniversary of Excelsior #5, the earliest of the surviving Granges. It was a great celebration with music, awards, a history presentation, a great meal (of course!!), and a wonderful attendance of both Grange members and non-members. Attendees were amazed to see the history of the Grange in that area and the changes that happened over the years.

 Hopefully, all Granges will have a tribute to the 150th Maine State Grange anniversary, as well as those who also will be celebrating this year. It is a great milestone; one we are proud of and willing to share with our communities. Advertise and be proud; let the word out and invite the public to celebrate with you. This is one of the best ways to attract new members! Plan your event with a neighboring Grange or with your Pomona. Don’t miss out on new membership; take action and open those doors!!!

I am excited to hear of the results of the two degree days in April. Remember, make sure all your members who are new or only had an obligation ceremony receive a chance to see the full degrees to enhance their knowledge of lessons and symbolism. The next one is April 21, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Maine State Grange Headquarters in Augusta and presented by Androscoggin Pomona.

Communications Column – April 2024

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Remember “Booster Nights?” I’m not sure there ever was a clear definition or description, but it would probably be fair to describe it as a recruiting effort to “boost” membership with an open house-themed meeting or program.

I’m not aware of any data, but I suspect you won’t find too many people who joined the Grange after attending a Booster Night in recent years–for one thing, they’ve gone out of fashion. But remembering them raises a question. In our efforts to grow our Granges, what are we boosting?

People join the Grange and maintain their membership for various reasons, which can be very diverse and individualistic. I haven’t kept track, but the most common explanation I’ve heard for joining is family tradition—”my parents and grandparents were members.” In “my” Grange, we have a few members who pay their dues but aren’t involved, don’t attend meetings, but maintain their membership status. No criticism is implied. It’s just a fact.

Does that mean we should be contacting all of our current members’ relatives?

If we are promoting the Grange, maybe so. In a somewhat desperate sense, any reason for joining is acceptable, right?

But the more important question arises. What are we boosting? Or, in a larger way, what are we communicating?

Within the context, it might be time to think about what the Grange does in addition to what it is.

It’s probably time to dust off the “Why I love the Grange” survey. If you read some of the reasons, you won’t see many, “I love the Grange because it is an organization with a long history and agricultural roots…” Most of the answers reflect what the Grange does and how those current members actually benefit. Those answers tell us what we should be communicating if we want to attract new members. We should be looking for “like-minded” people.

Many members mention “family” in explaining why they love the Grange. So, a simple example of what that might mean is we should include “family-friendly” when promoting events. (And we’d better mean it. Valley Grange has an “activity tote” and “book tote” that visiting kids are encouraged to use—and they get to take one home. If they bring it back, they can trade it for another or just keep it.)

In addition to “family-friendly,” it might make sense to use the word “community” when promoting your Grange’s activity. While not always aware of it on a conscious level, many people are searching for a sense of belonging to something. Maybe your “public supper” should be a “community supper.” It sounds too simple and almost trite, but words can mean a lot. I once had someone admit they would be more likely to attend a “Grange Program” than a “Grange Meeting.” Meetings are for members. Programs are for everyone.

What is your Grange doing these days? Boost that because your Grange is what it does.

Tell us why you love the grange
Submit an Event or News

► FACT: The website currently has 862 posts and 20 pages! That’s a lot of information!

Promoting Maine Farm Products

Reprinted with permission from an enewsletter published by UMaine Extension

Real Maine offers statewide promotions (print, radio, web, and news stories) to encourage visitors to meet participating members and support Maine agriculture year-round. There is no fee for farms to join Real Maine or the voluntary promotional opportunities. Members can refer to DACF’s agritourism resources to help their event planning. More information here.

Maine’s Open Farm Day happens, rain or shine, on the fourth Sunday in July. Save the date: The 35th event will occur on July 28, 2024.

View from the Farm – April 2024

Webmaster’s note: The format of this column includes all of the Quill’s Endians participating at various times and in various ways! Phil writes this month’s column.

Hanging on and letting go…

As humans, we want to hold on to the good things: A perfect day.  A good hearty laugh.  A job well done.  Satisfaction.  A great meal. Love.

And yet, as humans, we also hold that all good things come to an end.

I had to let one good thing come to an end last week.  As far as things go, a Toyota Tacoma with 356,000 miles on it is at its scheduled end.  Perhaps beyond it, since it came to Quill’s End uninspectable several years ago.  Alexander got it back on the road, and for 50,000 miles, it served me well.  It also served as a great memory, as it was passed onto us by someone we loved, whose time came to an early end.

Now, I vacillate over this little truck’s future.  I want to think that it can continue on with the right fix.  I want to take it for granted and have it last forever, to hold on to the good thing.  I want to know that I’ll still think of my friend while driving down the road, and smile at his relentless kindness.

But for now, I’ll pass it twice a day, still buried in the mud from its last attempt to bring water to the hogs in the lower field, its frame cracked from the force of trying to separate it from the suction of the saturated soil.

Can I take consolation from a search for my next Tacoma?  The excitement of the possibility of another good thing?  Perhaps another story, another memory can accompany me as I drive and work.

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

President’s Perspective – April 2024

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

Richard asked me to say “thank you” for the cards, calls, prayers and words of encouragement after his recent colon surgery. He is mending well, getting about more and more and eating whatever takes his fancy  and appreciates your support.

State of Maine Corporation Fillings: The State Grange office has been printing and sending the annual corporation forms for your Granges. Granges are required by law to be incorporated. These forms are to be made out and returned with the $35 filing fee to the Secretary of State, which is a State of Maine Government Agency. Please be sure to send the form and fee together to the proper address.

Reading and Adopting Minutes: Records from the meeting are required to be read aloud at least one time during the meeting which must be open in full form to adopt them. The previous minutes are to be read as the third order of business and may be adopted at that time or read for reference. The records may be read and adopted at the end of the current meeting, just before closing, but must be read and adopted during the business of the Grange one place or the other in the order of business. You may read both previous and current during the order of business where prescribed.

Election of Officers:  Full elections are required in each Grange and yes, we use paper ballots for each officer.  After election the reelected or newly elected Master will appoint and give the names of the committee chairmen to the Secretary asap after election, so the Subordinate or Pomona Secretary can provide the info to the office. I have included written procedure to follow for election. 

Resolutions:  These are due by Aug 15 to the Maine State Grange office by email or standard mail. Resolutions must have a title on the resolution provided by the Grange presenting them; we cannot give it a title, and the entire resolution must be written out in full. If you use initials in your resolution, the words must also be written out.  The resolution must be voted on & supported by the Grange to be submitted to the State Grange.

Spring in Maine, even with the surprises Mother Nature throws our way,  its nice to see the green shoots of the jonquils, daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths, the variety of colors in the crocus beds and patches of green grass showing up here and there, even though those little shoots may still be shivering during the chilly nights, and buried under more than a foot of snow, the sun is warming them more and more. With spring comes reopening. Spring is also clean-up time outside and inside for our own yards, but this should also include our Grange halls.  Get the gravel raked off the lawns, pick up the branches and trash lying around, clip the grass and bushes around the steps and foundation, get the tattered plastic off the windows, and maybe even wash the reachable ones.  In another month, 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, and get ready to provide a welcoming place for your neighbors to come and trade seeds, and starter plants, and get gardening advice.