Exploring Traditions – February 2024

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

What is “ample form?” (Part two)

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

“By command of the Worthy Master/President, I proclaim this Grange opened in ample form for promoting the welfare of our country and of mankind, and for advancing the interests, elevating the characters, and increasing the influence of all Patrons of Husbandry, by properly transacting our business and by exemplifying our principles in Faith, in Hope, in Charity and with Fidelity.”

Overseer’s Declaration, opening the Grange

I’m pleased to announce that, as described last month, we took our meeting on the road, and the consensus at the time was that we opened in “ample form.” (Read that story here.) Maybe, however, we opened in “due form.”

I’m also pleased to announce that the question raised about ample form aroused some curiosity in the mind of John Lowry, Master of Porter Grange. As most know, the structure and ritual of the Grange are based largely on Masonry, and John decided to see what they had to say about it. He’s agreed to share some of his findings.

“In the Masons, A lodge is opened and closed by its Master ‘in due form,’ meaning according to the ancient usage and customs, the laws and rituals of its Grand Lodge. When the Grand Master opens and closes a Grand Lodge (or a particular lodge) he is said to do so in ‘ample form.’ In some jurisdictions, the Grand Master will shorten the common ritual to save time, but his power and authority are “ample” to accomplish his purpose, regardless of the manner in which he does it.”

John further notes that there appears to be some distinction based on who is performing the opening, and seniority plays a role.

According to the Encyclopedia Masonica: “When the Grand Master is present at the opening or closing of the Grand Lodge, it is said to be opened or closed “in ample form.” Any ceremony performed by the Grand Master is said to be done “in ample form;” when performed by the Deputy, it is said to be “in due form;” and by any other temporarily presiding officer, it is “in form.”

And you thought the Grange Ritual could be complicated!

John further notes that the Grange was less interested in hierarchies having only seven degrees, whereas the Masons have 33. It would appear that some of the language was “appropriated” for the Grange, thus unintentionally raising the difference between “ample form” and “due form.”

In a related way, it is interesting to note that in the Grange Ritual, the Overseer acts based on the “command of the Worthy Master.” We could raise the question of whether or not the Overseer has the authority to proclaim a meeting “open in ample form” absent the command of the Master.

If we choose to further wordsmith this, in modern usage, “ample” suggests more than enough, while “due” implies sufficient. If, for example, the overseer fills in for the master in the Grange, the overseer (or some other officer) might be described as having lawfully sufficient powers to conduct the meeting.

I suspect–hope, actually–not too many people will lay awake tonight thinking or worrying about this, but it is interesting. One of the precepts of these columns is that our Rituals and “Grange Way of life” deserve thought and attention. Quoting John, “Ritual for its own sake is boring and meaningless.”

In retrospect, if precision were required, I speculate the meeting we held at Emilio Estates was opened in due form.

What do you think? Why not leave a comment? Click the “Leave a comment” link in the upper left column of this post!

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.

View from the Farm – February 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.

From Melting Heart to Skeptic to Squealsome

In the recent past, I wrote a series of missives that featured our dairy cows, and brought you a glimpse of their characters and dispositions.  Many of the cows inherit their dams’ looks, personalities, and intelligence.  It is not uncommon for us to mistakenly call a cow by their mother’s name or do a double take to be sure at whom we’re looking.

Our latest round of calves from Pippin, Ariel, and Emily are no exception to the observation, and minutes in their presence can take me back to when Pip and Ariel were calves (we did not know Emily as a calf.)

Time will tell whether they grow into more of their mother’s attributes, but for now, the basics are certainly showing through.  An entry into their pen will most likely yield a quick response from Pippin’s calf, and a heart-melting face that demands a good scritching.  Pippin had that same presence as a calf.  

Out of curiosity, Ariel’s calf will approach me, but, like Ariel, she’ll not demand.  She will quietly, patiently wait.  I hope she will get Ariel’s quiet sweetness, and her keen mind.  You don’t really need to show Ariel twice.

Emily’s calf?  She needs other engagements in order to tolerate me.  Pet her during breakfast, sure, but afterwards…why?  Emily is fairly new to Quill’s End, and has taken her time warming to my care.  She is still a skeptic.  I figured it was a nurture, not nature phenomenon.  Now I’m not so sure.  Is skepticism a genetic trait?   I am sure that I’d like to end the skepticism in her progeny.

It really is a blessing to work with the cows generation after generation.  It is something I do not get to do with the hogs we raise.  We do not keep sows, but buy in piglets.

Our last four batches of piglets have come from Emma and Trent Quinby of Spring Tide Farmstead.  Avid porcine advocates, they wax eloquent about the sows from whence our piglets come.  I get to hear about the particular personality traits that have been passed on to the piglets.  I have yet to ask about one particular piglet in our winter-spring batch.  In 20+ years of raising hogs, I’ve never had one that squeals from the moment I arrive to feed until the moment his mouth is too full to vocalize.

That little guy loves his vittles.  His excitement at mealtime is truly enviable.  He has been thinking about mealtime since mealtime, and one more second is one too many.  I have to smile while feeding this guy, and at the quiet that my efforts produce. 

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.

Lecturer’s Column – February 2024

By Melissa Baldwin, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 324-4661

Planning for the Northeast Lecturers Conference is in full swing. This year’s conference will be hosted by Connecticut. Dates for the conference are planned for Friday evening, June 21, through Sunday, June 23, at noon. The conference will take place at the Holiday Inn in Norwich, CT.  More information will come as soon as plans are finalized. Everyone is welcome to attend. This year’s theme is 7 STRONG.

In other news, the program that was given out at the state session is the official program for this year. Thanks to past Lecturer Margaret Morse. If your grange did not receive your packets, they will be mailed out soon. Feel free to email me with any questions at missybaldwin99@yahoo.com or by phone 207-651-0063

Membership Moments – February 2024

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Some of you who read my columns may be thinking that I may be on some Cloud 9 somewhere with the way I explain how to gain membership. You may think, “That does not apply to my Grange,” “We are too small and do not have community events,” or “What he says does not seem realistic,” or the worst one of all, “We are not interested in gaining new members because we are fine.” Which word, however, appears in each of the above-quoted sentences? Ah, yes, did you find it!! The word NOT!!!! A negative connotation. Negative energy. How do you know the suggestions and hints will not work? If you do not try, they certainly will not work! We all can and must continue to keep our Granges active. New membership is a priority for all organizations. The Grange has much to offer, so let us build on changes and improvements.

The information provided to you is basic and realistic to all Granges and other organizations for that matter. Such information contains the building blocks and principles needed to build a strong organization and needs to be maintained and updated according to your needs without losing the identity of the original basic rules.

Yes, there are Granges in Maine that are not interested in adding new membership. The majority of those have closed due to such, however, there remains a few who want to keep things the way they have always done without outside interference. The Grange is more than just “our” organization. It belongs to everyone who comes through the doors, those whose lives have been changed because of something the Grange has done for them, those who have attended suppers, bingo, and yard sales, and to those who will be our successors who will keep the Granges active and touching lives in their communities for a good cause. Remember to inform others about joining the Grange when talking to them that it applies to ages five and up. Explain the Junior Grange and its function to them. The Grange is a family organization, so advertise it as such.

Ag Committee Report – February 2024

By Roberta Meserve, MSG Ag Director
(207) 998-3857

Do you know a high school senior who plans to continue their education in an Agricultural-related field? We have a scholarship just for them; please help them connect to it. Information and applications were recently sent to all Granges in the state (ask your secretary), or find them on the MSG Website under program books and information.

Last year, five Maine students were each awarded $500 to help with their costs. Please consider donating to our scholarship fund so we can continue to help worthy students.

The committee will participate in Ag Day at the State Legislature on March 19, 2024, and is asking for fudge that day for those visiting our table. If you have fudge to give, contact State Grange Headquarters or an Ag Committee Member for more information or to arrange pick up.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

The days are getting noticeably longer; can playing in the dirt be far away?

Mill Stream Grange Gives Words

On February 1st, Mill Stream Grange members Lisa Goucher and Jill Sampson presented dictionaries to the two 3rd-grade classes at the Cape Cod Hill Elementary School. It was a lively group with much discussion about the different information included in the dictionaries. Sign language and the longest word were favorites with the students. 

Did you know the longest word in the dictionary has over 1900 letters in it!?

On January 31, Lisa Goucher (back row middle) and Jill Sampson (back on right) of Mill Stream Grange presented dictionaries to Mrs. Watkins’s third-grade class at the Mt. Vernon Elementary School. After discussing the page on sign language, the students stood to sign their own names to the class. All the students were very enthusiastic about the different information available in the dictionary. 

“Words for Thirds” is a signature program for the Grange. It provides third graders with their own student dictionary. To learn more, watch this short video!

Parkman Grange News!

By Susan Manchester, Master/President

Parkman Grange is located in Parkman!

The Parkman Grange would like to thank you all for your continuing support. Since reorganizing in 2010, we have made some changes while maintaining popular events, including the town meeting luncheon, the Mother’s Day Tea, and the Hunter’s Supper. We have added the Minnie Bridge Scholarship fund, giving away over $12,000 in scholarships to local students. The Daddy Daughter Dance, which will be on Saturday, April 13th this year, is a fun time for all, with DJ Steve Boddy getting the crowd up, dancing, and playing party games. We also started the Pre-K book program, giving away books to encourage young readers. Our Christmas party is always well attended; Santa and Mrs Claus come and give out presents and take pictures with the kids. Eight tables are set up with crafts to make for gifts to give to family and friends. Our biggest program is the SAD 4 Santa Project, which provides winter coats, boots, and toys to local kids. In addition, each month, we give a $100-$200 donation to locals who are facing a difficult time or could use a little help.

We meet at the Grange Hall on the first Tuesday of each month at 5 PM, starting in April. Meetings are casual and usually last about an hour. If you are new to the area or would like to make a difference in our town, we invite you to attend a meeting.

Communications Column – February 2024

Considering Communications Hygiene

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

“Bad noise crowds out good signal.”

Seth Godin

The concept of “communications hygiene” deserves some attention. Seth Godin is certainly not the first person to introduce it, but as usual, he gets our attention in his opening statement, “Attention is scarce.”(You can read the complete blog post here.)

Just how scarce is attention? I could offer the number of unanswered emails in my sent box. I know a few people who appear to no longer be checking their email. When technology made it easy (and basically free) to send an email, it didn’t take long for a lot of people to take advantage. One result of that is the amount of “bad noise” we get. I intentionally do not count, but I would estimate that I receive 200-300 email messages daily. Most of them are “noise” of little value.

I also don’t count how many times the telephones ring daily. Voice mail handles most of it–or at least the lack of messages filters out the “noise.”

Shall we talk about text messages? They are on the rise–several organizations I’m familiar with are now texting instead of emailing. For most people, texting creates a sense of urgency. Urgency is, however, different than importance.

Hygiene is about maintaining health and often involves cleanliness. Let’s take a look at the health of our communication systems and attempts. We may need to “clean things up.” As communicators (we all are), it’s important to remember that “attention is scarce” and may be getting scarcer.

First, what can we do to get attention? It’s become necessary to think twice about how we communicate. I can tell you with assurance that leaving a message for me on social media (Facebook) is the worst way to get my attention. But I know people who apparently live on social media, and it’s the best or at least fastest way to get their attention! So, it might make sense to consider what platform or media best suits the message you are sending. When initiating communication, it is important to think about the receiver’s preferences.

Second, can we at least not contribute to the “noise?” I have a friend who loves to forward emails. Admittedly, they’re usually relevant to my interests, but I’ve also often already received them from the original sender or someone else. I find myself instinctively clicking “delete” when I see his name in the “from” field. Remember, given the volume of emails I’m receiving, you only have a second or two to get my attention.

Third, we can use technology to our benefit–this could be an entire topic by itself. Most email programs have filters we can use, and we’re starting to see the same with phone calls and text messages. It’s important to realize that we each are dealing with huge volumes of communication and make sure we are prioritizing our attention in return. I have another friend who usually takes a few days to reply to my email. He keeps them as “unread” until he has time to think about his reply. If I have a question that needs a more immediate response, I make that clear in my email–or text him accordingly. This goes back to thinking about the receiver’s preferences.

It wasn’t so long ago that we didn’t have the options and choices that we do today. Instead of debating “good or bad,” that energy should go to choosing how we communicate thoughtfully and wisely.

► FACT: During the first week of February 2024, nearly 90% of website visitors were first-time visitors!

Subscribe to The Maine State Grange Website!

Caution Reminder

MSG Communications Department

This is just a quick reminder to be cautious when you’re online. Predators are many, and they can sometimes be quite subtle and believable.

But they aren’t always smart. Here’s an example of what is probably a phishing attempt. Note the sense of urgency as a sign that something isn’t right. (“Don’t think, hurry up and do this.”)

I’ve marked up two additional red flags that should be obvious and tell us not to reply and simply click “delete.”

Example of a bogus email.

Maine on tap for a cosmic display

Reprinted with permission from an enewsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

On April 8, millions will have a front row seat when the Moon’s shadow will sweep across the nation in a total solar eclipse. The last time the U.S. saw a total solar eclipse was on Aug. 21, 2017. However, this time the path of the eclipse will travel right through the heart of Maine.

The path in 2017 began in Oregon in the Pacific Northwest and traveled across the country in a southeasterly course until it ended in Charleston, S.C. For this year’s eclipse, the shadow or “path of totality” will begin its North American journey in Mazatlan, Mexico, at 9:51 a.m. MST.

The first Maine town to see the partial eclipse will be Jackman beginning at 2:18 p.m. EDT; and it will leave the U.S. through Houlton at 4:41 p.m. EDT. The total eclipse begins roughly 70 minutes after the partial eclipse begins.

Ultimately, the solar eclipse will leave land at 6:47 p.m. ADT in St. Pierre and Miquelon near Newfoundland. Both the official beginning and end of the eclipse takes place in the waters of the South Pacific and North Atlantic oceans respectively.

Aside from its path, the major difference this year is the size of the path of totality and the duration of the eclipse itself. According to NASA, the path in 2017 ranged from 62 to 71 miles wide and lasted about 2.5 minutes since the Moon was farther away from Earth. This year’s path will be much larger, ranging 108 to 122 miles wide.

That means the duration will be longer at about 4.5 minutes at its peak. When the total eclipse rolls through Houlton, it should last 3 minutes, 21 seconds.

For more information about this year’s total solar eclipse, visit NASA’s website.

Communications Note: Please be sure to visit the safety section of the Nasa Website! Also, will your Grange sponsor some type of event in conjunction with the event? This could range from offering safety information (FHH) to hosting an Eclipse Event, particularly if your Grange is located along the path. If you have an astronomer in your area, a pre-eclipse information program might draw a crowd! Put your thinking caps on!