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

Communication Shorts 2-5-2023

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!

February Bulletin

The deadline for the February Bulletin is February 14, 2023–that’s only nine days away! Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

Didja Notice?

We’ve added a “subscribe” menu item–if you aren’t receiving email from us, check it out!

Congratulations!

Congratulations, Mr. Walter Boomsma, on receiving the Cultivator Award. Happy to read about it in the Jan 2023 issue of the Good Day. Well deserved.
Ed and Jane McCall
Bingham Grange #237

Grange Month Is Coming!

What’s the plan? How will your Grange celebrate? Don’t forget to submit your plans and events to the website!

Pine Grove Grange #233, Brewer

We’ve had an inquiry regarding this Grange… from a woman in Oregon who has some information (dues receipts, diaries, etc.) that might be of interest to a historical society or museum. We’re suggesting the Brewer Historical Society. If you have any information that might help, email Mary Gobet or let me know!

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

Ideas for Granges

Is it too early to start planning spring cleaning at the Grange?

Thought for You…

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.”

Joseph Addison

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!

Do You Have FOMO?

“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

Grange Heirloom — February 2023

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.

Ocean View Grange News

Ocean View Grange is located at 435 Port Clyde Road in St George Maine

By Larry Bailey, Master

Because of the really cold weather, we have some time to think about and plan for our upcoming year. You, as Grange members, can help our Grange by providing all of us with ideas and suggestions relating to:

Suppers etc. – Should we plan suppers? lunches? or brunches this year? While I find that the Bean Suppers are so characteristic of Granges all over, it might be good to change things up a bit. It is my opinion that, while we make some money at such activities, it is not the money that makes us do it. The real community gatherings and family friendship we see at these functions are worth more than money.

Community Help – I hope we can get back on the Road Clean-up program this year. It is one of those labors of love in which we can all participate. Why does this matter? Well, we help clean up the community roads, we get some good exercise while doing it, and we enjoy all the company of our fellow members and friends who come out to help.  The question is…what else is there that we can lend our services to help our community. Think about it.

Let us plan to get back to upkeeping/repairing the Grange. We can, finish the paint job, clean the windows, and, one day, we can get someone in a hazmat suit to clean the attic at the Grange. Our windows need some attention; Let’s look at them and decide what needs to be done.

Would it be prudent to buy an inexpensive lawn mower and rotate members to mow our grass? Just food for thought?

We need to restart the Words for Thirds Program. I have a box of dictionaries here. If anyone is interested in helping with this, just let me know.

It was suggested by one of our members last year that we print the article entitled – “Maine History Trail – Ocean View Grange, Martinsville Maine” and distribute it to every visitor to our Grange. It provides a good history of the Ocean View Grange and might help with membership recruiting. We will need someone to be in charge of this.

What do we do with the Stair Lift? It has been a dismal failure since we bought it. Do we just dump it? Do we move our meetings to the first floor? Do we buy a new Stair Lift? This is an item for discussion. We will need a Grange member to look into this.

Bathroom toilet. Much like the Stair Lift and the kitchen sink, the leaky bathroom toilet is a failure and needs repair or replacement.

What other programs can we provide? For example, I would be willing to put on a watercolor painting class. What can you provide? Cooking class, Poetry session, etc, provide help with PC’s electronic problems, dance lessons, etc.?

These are just a few items that occurred to me. I know you have some thoughts and ideas too. Don’t think that one, two, or three members should jump in to do all of the repairs and upgrades for the foregoing. This is a group effort, and everybody needs to lend a hand and come up with thoughts and solutions. Let’s all join together and make our Grange a better, safer, and happier place than it has been!!!

Larry also distributed an Ocean View Grange Roster, requesting members make sure their information is accurate and updated.. There are some great ideas on this list. I’m sure Ocean View won’t mind if some other Granges “steal” them!