Notes from National – October 2023

  • Please subscribe to the National Grange’s Good Day! Magazine. Just $16 a year gets you access to our print or digital subscription. Learn more about the magazine at http://www.nationalgrange.org/goodday or the digital issue at http://www.issuu.com/grangegoodday. The October issue is in mailboxes across the country, and additional copies are available through the Grange Store.
  • Subscribe to the Patrons Chain and View from the Hill at http://www.nationalgrange.org/subscribe. These newsletters are released every Friday, containing information about National Grange programs, events, and more.
  • Are there topics you would like to see covered in a future Zoom from a National Grange staff member or department director or officer? Please let us know! We’re always working to ensure our topics are in line with what our members want or need to hear from us.
  • Many National Grange events have been recorded and archived – if there’s something you missed and would like to see, please visit the National Grange YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/nationalgrange. 
  • Follow National Grange on Social Media! We’re on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and more!

We hope to see you “at” some of our Events!

“Notes from National” is based on a monthly email received from the National Grange Communications Department.

Membership Moments – October 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Brothers and Sisters, for many months now, this column has been giving to you ways to approach gaining new members. Hopefully, this advice has worked well with your Grange.  Just remember the following:

There is no “I” in Grange or in team. No one should be a dictator or make rules based on their own ideas. This causes animosity and disrespect. Everyone has a duty, and all members are important no matter the office held. WE are the Grange, and our ideas need to be heard and discussed. Otherwise, we will be losing more Granges.

Be active. Plan events and help your community. Let people know you are alive and well.

Let the committees do their work. If you are the Master/President of your Grange, please do not give committees an agenda. Let them come up with ideas to present at meetings. The Master/President is a facilitator, not the ruler. This applies to all levels of the Grange. Do not overstep your authority. “My way or the highway” is absolutely unacceptable and should be avoided. Anyone who rules this way does not have the interest of the Grange in mind. Let all members become involved. Not all of us are leaders and those who do lead need to do it for the  Good of the Order (GOTO), not because they say so.

We need to develop new leaders and inform them of the rituals and traditions of the Grange.

Stay positive. Keep doing your good works.

Help one another. Teach your new members and welcome them. Answer their questions.

Visit other Granges and work with them. The days of visitation and mentoring have faded and need to be revived. Share with other members your successes, and if a Grange is struggling, it is the duty of the Pomona to help them. It seems like Granges are “doing their own thing” and do not visit or attend State Grange. We need every one of you to keep us alive.

Resolutions are an important part of the Grange procedure. Instruct members on how important it is to come up with resolutions and how to write them. Confer with your Deputy on instructions for floor work and other procedures. It is their duty to help you.

Major changes are happening to us, and we need to keep up and change too. We are severely lacking youth and younger members. Focus on bringing them in as members.

Remember, each and every member is vital to our Grange growth, and membership should be your major priority. Bring ’em in, feed ’em, teach ’em, and enjoy your meetings. It is what a good Grange member is expected to do.

President’s Perspective – October 2023

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

I want to say a huge THANK-YOU to the Secretaries who have already made the corrections and updates and returned their lists to me for the new database. 

In addition to updating the instructional guidelines, roster, state session & budget and other items I work on, I have worked on getting a new database completed. I typed in all the information for our 82 Granges, 2,359  names, addresses, and other information into a more user-friendly format that can be accessed without the internet. The basic information has been compiled, and copies sent to the Grange Secretaries for corrections, additions, and deletions. Yes, I can hear the grumbles but it needed to be done. if I am spending this much time putting it back together from older versions provided by the State Secretary, your assistance is greatly appreciated. Each of you, as an individual member can help by checking your information, is your name spelled correctly, is your address up to date, if not, then please correct whatever may be required.  I am most interested in the date you joined the Grange, and the Granges you have belonged to, many of the dates or previous membership in a different Grange (because of closure or consolidation) are not listed. Some are listed as Golden Sheaf members (50 years of continuous membership) but do not list the date of joining or where. Most Granges exempt all Golden Sheaf (50-year) members from paying dues to their respective Granges and the Maine State Grange does not charge dues on any Golden Sheaf members but the Maine State Grange must still pay dues to National on them.  Golden Sheaf membership attained before Jan 1, 2001, the Maine State Grange does not pay dues to National Grange on those members. Golden Sheaf membership attained after Jan 1, 2001, the Maine State Grange must pay dues to National Grange on those members. 

September and October is the time of new Grange year beginnings with installations, setting goals and making plans for the coming year. This is the time of year for year end wrap-ups such as your annual audit, reports to be submitted and evaluate your goals, what was successful and what was lacking. There are very few Installations Teams or Installing Officers traveling, so I encourage each Grange to do their own Installation. There is an Alternative Installation Ceremony (half the words) in the new Manual which can be read with one or two people in charge and working with the members present.

Congratulations to all the Officers and members, I wish you much success for the coming year. 

Public Lunch in Madison, Maine!

Kennebec Valley Grange is providing a “take out lunch” on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from noon until 2:00 p.m. The menu includes ham, baked beans, a variety of casseroles, biscuits, and apple crisp with real whipped cream for dessert. The cost is $10. This is their annual fundraiser to benefit the Carroll Dean Memorial Agricultural Scholarship Fund.

For additional information, contact Diane Pinkham at 207 314-5135.

The Kennebec Valley Grange Hall is located at 560 Main Street (Rt. 148) in Madison, Maine .

CWA Report – October 2023

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

Committee on Women’s Activities

The fall colors were beautiful until the wind and rain took them away. I had received a list of winners from the Big E, and the next day, I received another email that said to disregard that list; it was the wrong one. So, I am still waiting for the updated list and the entries to come back. I am hoping they will be here before State Grange so that I can get them back to the people who entered them. I am looking forward to seeing many of you at State Grange.

Fraternal Concern – Wesley Ryder

It becomes my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Wes Ryder on October 7, 2023. Wes was a past Master of both Stevens Mills and Danville Junction Granges and served as a Maine State Grange Deputy. Wes was also known for his poetry and description of the Grange as a place for Friends, Family, Food, and Fun.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation in his honor to the Danville Junction Grange #65 Scholarship Fund can do so by sending it to 48 Pond Road, Raymond, ME 04071.

A private burial service will be held at Mt Auburn Cemetery. Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives, and a full obituary is available here. You can also sign the guest book with your message and memories.

When I spoke to Glenys, she shared, “Grange has always been a huge part of Wes’s life.  He was born into a Grange family, and when he joined at fourteen, he became very active at both the Subordinate and Pomona levels.  Later, he enjoyed being a deputy of the Maine State Grange.  He loved going to Lecturer’s Conferences and state conventions.  His proudest moment, however, was when he received his 70-year Membership Certificate!”

Cards for Glenys can be sent to Glenys Ryder, 1267 Old Danville Road,
Auburn, ME 04210.

Exploring Traditions – October 2023

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

It’s Not in the Manual…

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

Many of our Grange Traditions aren’t covered in the Manuals we often refer to for help with the Ritual. But they are no less important.

I recently called attention to one that happens during many Grange Meetings when the Master asks, “Are any members in sickness or distress?” Typically, the Chaplain reaches for a box of cards, and when the answer is affirmative, one is passed around for members to sign.

Like many traditions and rituals, this part of the meeting can become almost automatic. Occasionally, we ought to stop and remember this portion of our meeting strongly reflects our fraternal nature in a very visible manner. A fraternity demonstrates friendship and mutual support within a group. Sending a card does that.

A hospice nurse recently did some listening and some research. She has a 94-year-old patient who “talks about the Grange and his 70+ year membership on a daily basis.” She found me through the Maine State Grange Website and wondered if the Grange might “have some information” or be willing to reach out to him. (His circumstances are such that he is separated from his family and Grange.) I immediately thought of our Chaplain and her box of cards. Then I realized we could start a card shower for him.

When I finally went off autopilot, I decided to write to him and send him a copy of my book, “Exploring Traditions.” I also leveraged my position as Communications Director to “get the word out” that we had a brother in “distress.” Let me share with you the email his angelic hospice nurse sent.

I cannot thank you enough! I had the pleasure of personally delivering the book and letter to him! Along with it was a handwritten card from the National Grange! He loved these gifts! Our team (social workers, chaplains, volunteers, nurses) now get to sit with him and read a section of your book to him with each visit! He so much appreciates all of this! Thank you again! 

One (Grange) team helps another (Hospice) team. Or maybe those two teams become one team that demonstrates friendship and mutual support. I hope, for a moment, you can picture that nurse sitting next to our brother’s bed, reading about the Grange Way of Life to him. Perhaps his eyes are closed and there’s a smile on his face as he remembers seventy years of meetings, programs… and being a Granger.

“As we in form thus enclose you within a sacred circle, so does this Grange in the name of our noble and beneficent Order pledge to you a pure friendship, enduring through life to shield you from harm… let us ever hold fast and firm our obligations of Fidelity.”

from the Altar Circle conducted during the Fourth Degree

So be it.

Original Valley Grange Article
“Got a Stamp?” Post on MSG Website

Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-seventh edition of the 2023 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.

Parkman Grange Kicks Off Santa Project

Santa Project Helps MSAD 4 Families in Need

The Parkman Grange is again helping out Santa to make Christmas special for MSAD 4 area kids with the Santa Project.  This program provides warm winter coats, boots, and a toy to local kids, from newborns to high school seniors whose families could use a little help this holiday season.  Applications can be picked up at the following town offices: Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, and Sangerville and at the Parkman Grange on the porch. They are also available through the schools.  The application deadline is November 11, 2023. Distribution will be on Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 10 AM to noon. The Parkman Grange is located at the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Road. 

 If you would like to help out, donation checks can be made out to Parkman Grange, memo line Santa Project, and sent to PO Box 114, Guilford, ME 04443.

Save the date: December 9, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. Parkman Grange hosts a kids’ Christmas party. Santa will be there with simple crafts to make for gifts. There will be cookies, cocoa, and lots of fun for all!

Additional information is available from Sue Manchester, Parkman Grange Master, at 207 717-6248.

Lecturer’s Column – October 2023

By Margaret Morse, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 439-0413

I would like to thank all those who attended the Lecturer’s Conference on September 30. During the conference, poetry, skit writing, and book club awards were announced. After the certificates were presented, the Lecturer’s Program was reviewed, and a lively discussion ensued.

I would also like to thank Manchester Grange for allowing the use of their hall.

The following members placed in the individual categories:
Poetry Awards:
Family: Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382
Weather: Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382
Camping: Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382
Other: 1st Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382
2nd Barbara Strout, Excelsior Grange #5
Skits:
Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382
Book Reading Club:
Top readers based on Number of Books and Pages
1st Books & pages -Norma Meserve, Danville Jct. Grange #65 (227 books/60065 pages)
2nd Books & pages – Margaret Henderson, Dirigo Grange #96 (160 books/48167 pages)
3rd Books – Melissa Baldwin, Hollis Grange #132 (148 books)
3rd Pages – Gay Anderson, Mill Stream Grange #574 (42456 pages)
Other members who sent in book reading club list were acknowledged and will receive a certificate.
Alexander #304 – Catherine Oakes, Carlo Oakes Jr.
Bangor #372 – Emily Parsons
Bauneg Beg #382 – Richard Harriman Jr.
Enterprise #48 – Isebel Stinson
Hollis #132 – Vicki Huff
Hudson # 457 – Sylvia Crosman
John F. Hill #393 – Cassandra Corliss, Leslie Guy
Lakeside #63 – Gail Butterfield
Millstream #574 – Linda Staton, Judy Dunn, Paul Lavender, Debbie Lavender, Allen Harville, Kristen Thompson, Louise Kilpone, Lisa Goucher, Peg Lang, Ellie Andrews
Waterford #479 – Ellie Waterman
Willow #366 – Laurie McBurnie
Others who were acknowledged were Lecturers who sent in Lecturer reports. They also will receive a certificate.
Hudson #457 – Darlene Miles
North Scarborough # 495 – Martha Varney
Willow #366 – Paula Roberts