Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
Androscoggin Pomona Grange #1 will be offering the first Four Degrees at Danville Jct. Grange #65 in Auburn on Sunday, April 24, 2022, starting at 4 PM. At this point, we have candidates from three different Granges and expect more.
We are also looking for people to be the officers for these degrees. If you or someone you know can help us on that day please call Maynard Chapman at (207) 312-5591.
On May 30, 2022, Memorial Day, at 3:00 pm at the bandstand in Ft. Allen Park on the Eastern Prom, Munjoy Hill, Portland, Mr. Brian Dewan will be giving a performance singing “Songs of the Patrons of Husbandry” and “Songs of Land & Sea,” accompanied by accordion and autoharp.
Some decades ago my family belonged to the Grange and 4-H and I was an officer in the Future Farmers of America. So I have a long-time appreciation of the music and the struggle.
I have heard Mr. Dewan, an “old” friend, perform and when he told me he was going to be passing through Portland after performing Down-east Memorial Day weekend for the Greenhorns it occurred to me the opportunity for this entertainment should be available to some Grange members in Southern Maine, as well as some of my neighbors who appreciate this kind of music.
Would you be so kind as to circulate this invitation in some fashion to your local membership?
Attendees might want to bring a blanket or lawn chair as there is no built-in seating around the bandstand. If a hot day perhaps also a water bottle.
Article by R. John Wuesthoff
Webmaster’s note: With sincere appreciation to an anonymous benefactor, this event is being offered at no cost! Grangers! Since there are nearly two months until the concert, there’s time to purchase and wear Grange T-shirts (if your Grange doesn’t already have them)! Show your Grange pride and support! Bring friends! Spread the word to your members and other Granges.
“I don’t sing because I’m happy; I’m happy because I sing.”
William James
Remember that the Grange emblem is a registered trademark, so the full Grange emblem should always include the (R) symbol. Many publications and other locations only have the old TM included, which is no longer correct. To ensure that our trademark is protected, it’s important to get this updated on websites, social media, program guides, and more. Meanwhile, the Grange Youth and Junior Grange logos are only trademarked by the Grange, so only have the TM options. The current logos are available here.
As a reminder, the “Raised Right Here” theme lasts through 2023, so if you didn’t think about using the theme in this year’s Grange Month programming, be sure to start thinking about it for 2023!
The Grange Heirloom Program is underway–just in time for Grange Month! Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Ritual and Declaration of Purposes. Please share “success stories” about the use of the program with us, or if you come up with other innovative ways to incorporate the Program in your Granges. Information and materials are now available on the National Grange Website.
Want to see your new members recognized in Good Day Magazine? Anyone who has not been recognized as a new member in the past year can be included. Use this link to share the news. The deadlines for each issue are:
156th National Grange Session is scheduled for November 15-19, 2022 in Sparks, NV
Now is the time! This annual event happens on the fourth Sunday in July (7/24/2022 this year). There is no fee to join promotions, but you must opt-in via Real Maine.
The sign-up steps differ for those who currently have a listing and those who don’t. Please, start here:
For those who do not have an account or member listing
by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director
As most of you know, I operate Abbot Village Press providing “books, blogs, and education.” The Zoom meeting platform has become an important tool for us!
For this reason, I recently received notice from Zoom Video Communications that included:
…As a result, effective on April 1, 2022, the purchase of video-conferencing and audio-conferencing services by residential and business customers with a sold to address in Maine will be subject to the Maine Service Provider Tax. Maine Revenue Services set the Service Provider Tax rate, which is 6%, and will adjust the percentage as needed.
With the disclaimer that I am not a tax advisor, I can share that the state of Maine does provide an exemption for a number of different kinds of organizations and institutions, such as hospitals, schools, churches and libraries, etc. Obviously, personal accounts will not qualify for the exemption, but your Grange or other organization (including historical societies which appear to be eligible) might. To explore and apply, visit: https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-use-service-provider-tax/tax-exempt-organizations
For most organizations, the savings would not be significant, but most people I know do enjoy avoiding paying taxes!
Want to learn about a Grange with ambition? You’ve got to read this article written by Vanessa Paolella of the Sun Journal. The Androscoggin Grange located in Greene, Maine has kicked off what has to be one of the most ambitious Grange fundraising projects in some time! And, as if to both encourage and show the possibilities, the article also reports on the recent successes of Victor Grange in Fairfield. Is a trend developing?
Check out what Androscoggin Grange Master Patricia Lehoux has to say about their future plans. They are not just hoping people will donate; they are already planning events that will allow their community to enjoy helping.
Julia Cody recently joined Androscoggin Grange and has set up a “Go Fund Me” page encouraging donations from anyone who would like to help keep this “beacon of unity, liberty, and charity” glowing.
Jonesboro Grange, in collaboration with the Jonesboro Union Church, offers a weekend of baskets and breakfast! The Easter Basket Festival funs from Friday, April 8, 2022 (4 pm-7 pm) through Saturday, April 9, 2022 (9 am – 3 pm) at the Jonesboro Grange Hall. Purchase tickets to win over 50 Easter Baskets–a 50/50 raffle will be included!
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Happens on Saturday, April 9, 2022 (9 am-noon) at the Chandler River Community Center. Bring your camera to capture a photo with the Easter Bunny! (Photographers will also be available.)
Proceeds benefit the upkeep of two historic buildings: the Jonesboro Union Church and the Jonesboro Grange Hall.
For more information contact jonesborogrange357@gmail.com.
The Parkman Grange is announcing plans to award 2022 Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarships to one or more deserving SAD 4 residents continuing their education beyond high school. If and when there will be a 2022 Memorial Grange Supper is yet to be determined. The last two Suppers were canceled because of the pandemic. The Grange last awarded $500 scholarships to David Hession and Bailey Woodard, both of Parkman, in 2020. No applications were received in 2021.
This is a call for qualified applicants for the 2022 Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarships. Applicants must be SAD 4 residents, must have successfully completed at least one term of post-high school education, and be enrolled for the upcoming term. Application packages may be picked up at any of the Parkman, Guilford, Sangerville, Abbot, Cambridge, and Wellington Town Offices. Completed applications must be submitted by June 30, 2022, with no exceptions. Winners will be announced in August.
Minnie Bridge (1909-2011) was a lifelong resident of Parkman, a retired schoolteacher, and a life member of the Parkman Grange. In her memory, the Grange established the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund, originally to benefit deserving Parkman students continuing their education beyond high school. Due to a lack of Parkman applicants last year, the Grange has decided to expand eligibility to include all SAD 4 residents.
The Grange annually awards one or more scholarships funded through donations and the proceeds from an annual supper in Minnie’s name. To date, the Grange has awarded $12,000 in scholarships. For more information contact Sue Manchester, 277-3942.
Due to a scheduling conflict, the April Spring Challenge Meeting will be held on April 9, 2022, at Enterprise Grange from 9 am until 2 pm. This is an “in-person” meeting! For more information, contact one of the Junior Directors.