Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Patrons of Husbandry

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! From the town crier to social media, the Grange has and continues to play an important role in Maine Communities and beyond.

Join Victoria Huff, past president of the Maine State Grange, and Walter Boomsma, author of the book “Exploring Traditions — Celebrating the Grange Way of Life,” for a lively discussion of the Grange’s contributions.

The program is sponsored and hosted by Waterboro Historical Society on June 1, 2022 starting at 7 pm. It is especially fitting that the WHS meets at the former Waterboro Grange Hall. The hall is now owned by the Society. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. Located at 31 West Road in South Waterboro, it is used for business program meetings of the society and rented out for weddings, parties, and other programs.

All are welcome! It would be great to see some Grangers there!

Visit the Waterboro Historical Society Facebook Page

Exploring Traditions — May 2022

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

by Walter Boomsma

Nature’s Lessons Are There for the Taking

“Brothers and Sisters, my tribute is the seed corn. Have FAITH. Faith in the spring of the year and the springtime of life. Even as little children have faith in their parents, so should we have faith in the Great Provider. We prepare our fields and plant the seed having faith in its resurrection.” (Ceres’ charge to the candidates in the Fourth Degree.)

“I need not prompt you to nurture HOPE. Hope is the heavenly light that gilds our labors. Were we deprived of that source of consolation, life would indeed be dreary. When you see the blossoms open in the early summer, hope is there for the luscious fruit. The labors of the Husbandman and Matron encourage hope at every turn. Let the fruit blossoms be to you an emblem of hope.” (Pomona’s charge to the candidates in the Fourth Degree.)

“Let the flowers be to you an emblem of CHARITY. In kind words and deeds dispense charity, as freely as flowers do their perfume, and as generously as they cover all God’s footstool. Beautiful and adorn your homes with flowers. The home that is thus made fragrant and cheerful is prepared to be the abode of sweeter affections and more radiant virtues.” (Flora’s charge to the candidates in the Fourth Degree.)

As spring of 2022 unfolds, these three charges seem to have a special meaning and application for “Husbandmen and Matrons.” Or, perhaps more accurately, for everyone. As I pondered these three chargers, I found myself thinking it would be interesting to have the words on signs or painted rocks placed in our yards.

Even if we do not plant them ourselves, we have faith that seeds will become plants. Faith is not far removed from hope. Spring is perhaps the season of hope. Seeds become plants. Many of those plants develop buds that become flowers. And many of those flowers become fruit. How many times does this simple miracle take place each spring? We’ve come to depend on those miracles. We should also appreciate them.

”Resurrection” is an interesting word that I suspect Ceres chose quite intentionally. It means “rising from the dead” or “restoring to life.” I suppose we could debate whether or not a seed is “alive,” but we plant them in the sure hope that life will result. How amazing it is that all of the instructions and fundamental parts necessary are contained in that little seed.

If a tiny seed can create such life, how much can we create and accomplish?

We can certainly dispense charity. Flora’s suggestion recognizes the miracles we can be if we dispense charity as “freely as flowers do their perfume.” When we make our homes more fragrant and cheerful, we also make the world more fragrant and cheerful—not only with flowers but with the charity evidenced by our kind words and deeds.

“A good Patron places faith in God, nurtures hope, dispenses charity, and is noted for fidelity.” This salutation is included in the Master’s charge to the candidates and drives home previous lessons.

“Let the agate be to you an emblem of FIDELITY. May your principles… be as firmly impressed as the lasting colors in the stone, and may our friendship be as firm as the stone itself.”

Whether you are working in the garden or simply gazing out the window, nature’s lessons are there for the taking. Have faith, nurture hope, dispense charity, and be noted for fidelity. A tiny seed contributes much to our world. You can do the same.


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.

Jonesboro Grange “Touch a Truck”

Jonesboro Grange to host 2nd annual Touch-A-Truck event will be held on June 18, 2022 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Jonesboro Elementary School parking lot. THere will be excavators, Dump trucks, cement trucks, 18 Wheeler trucks, Fire Engines and MORE! No admission charge for families. 

Popcorn, plastic kids hard hats, balloons, bounce house, face painting, lawn games – all by donation! Donations given to Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Dept. 

Lunch will be for sale! Purchase a raffle ticket to win a brand new 6 burner gas grill and grilling gift basket just in time for Father’s Day. Proceeds benefit Jonesboro Grange #357 as they continue to serve the community. 

Check out this event on Facebook!

Jonesboro Grange News

Jonesboro Grange is located in Jonesboro Maine

Check out this fun-filled newsletter to discover what’s happening at the Jonesboro Grange, including their Crush Cancer Weekend June 24-26, 2022. Member news includes the fact that member Rebekah Hodgson has been selected to represent Maine in the 2022 Mrs. International Pageant held in Tennessee in July. You’ll also want to check out members wearing their Kentucky Derby hats at the conclusion of the recent Jonesboro Craft Fair.

Highland Lake Grange Flags Cemetery

Topsham Grange Recognition

Merton Ricker of Lisbon was recently recognized for his 75-year membership in the Grange. Merton has held many offices within Topsham Grange #37, Pine Tree Grange, Sagadahoc Pomona, and Maine State Grange. He is seen here with Topsham Grange President, Michael Labbe.
 

Grange Store by Monroe Classics

By Mike at Monroe Classic

The “That’s The Grange Way” poster” has been re-stocked and awaiting your Grange Events, and we have ceramic mugs with the That’s The Grange Way message/ slogan available for immediate shipment.

Visit our website to order your Grange items including jewelry, regalia, promotional items, and more. The Grange Store by Monroe is here to accept and ship your orders.

Our main website features other promotional items, including screen printed and embroidered apparel, award, signs and more at www.monroeclassic.com.