Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
-> Do your Holiday Shopping at a Grange Holiday Craft Fair. Here’s a list of the ones we’ve heard about!
If your Grange is distributing dictionaries to schools or may be interested in doing so, please see this post and fill out the form!
I have written previously challenging members to realize that the Grange was created to create change. In fact, it could be said that the Grange has a history and tradition of causing change.
But what about changing the Grange itself?
We tend to see a bit of a disconnect here. For an organization that was formed to cause change, we tend to resist changing the organization itself. That wasn’t always the case. During the Grange’s growth years, many changes were made. So how is it that these years, when growth is the exception, we seem to be more focused on preservation? Could there be a correlation?
For starters, in order for change to take place, someone has to decide it’s their responsibility to worry about whether or not the change is necessary and potentially positive. One of the changes to consider is whether or not we’ve been too protective of the status quo and keeping things the way they’ve always been. No, I’m not suggesting change for the sake of change, but I am suggesting that it might be time for an organization with success in growth and permanence based in large part on change to consider how we’ve ended up with so much resistance to change.
While this article isn’t about change management, a basic premise is that change requires leadership. As noted, “someone has to decide it’s their responsibility.” We tend to think that the Grange was founded “all it once” when, in fact, many changes were made by the founders and early leaders during those formative years.
What if those leaders resisted making the necessary changes to create the explosive growth of the earliest Grange? We might, for example, still have separate degrees for men and women. It would also be very difficult for those associated with the business of alcohol to become part of the Grange. There would be no “National Grange,” the official “Patrons of Husbandry” would apply (technically, it still does) and the term “Grange” would more accurately apply to local halls.
There were undoubtedly some thorny debates many years ago. One was about adopting the term “Granger” to apply to members. Many argued against it. “The Grange is a place, not a person!” I suspect it would have been extremely interesting to sit in Grange meetings and listen to some of those discussions.
One problem with a fraternal organization is that it’s easy to become a bystander and simply enjoy the fraternity. It’s harder to become a leader who sees and acts on other priorities, such as keeping the organization relevant and exciting. A fraternity without clear purpose and relevance is ultimately doomed to non-existence.
It won’t be a debate, but this might be a great time of year for a lecturer’s program that includes a discussion of how much a family’s holiday traditions have changed over the years. Then, contrast that with how much your local Grange’s traditions have changed over the years. Or perhaps more appropriately, how much your local Grange’s traditions need to change.
When I was a young adult, everyone gathered at “Mom’s” house for at least part of the holiday. Mom made sure there was a filled stocking hanging on the wall for everyone–even the occasional girlfriends of the unmarried. (Sometimes, names on the stockings had to be switched at the last minute.) As the family grew, it became increasingly difficult to find room to hang them. She held out as long as she could but eventually admitted it was time to rethink that tradition. Truthfully, I think she was ready for a couple of years, but it took a while for her to work up the courage to announce the change. She’d been dropping some hints, and no doubt would have been thrilled if someone else had suggested it. It’s easier to be a bystander than a leader.
It’s easy to leave things as they are, but things rarely stay the way they are, especially when left alone. Other forces are at work. Mom’s Christmas budget was certainly a factor. It was a fun tradition, but I think she enjoyed it the most.
We survived the change. The family wasn’t destroyed, and no one suffered permanent psychological damage from not finding a stocking. Most importantly, we almost unconsciously realized that the stocking tradition was ultimately about inclusion. We didn’t need stockings to make everyone feel welcome to the holiday celebrations.
Sometimes, we lose sight of what we are actually trying to keep.
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.
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! Phil writes this month’s column.
While Heather and I were in our food access talk at the MOFGA farmer-to-farmer conference, one of our fellow presenters uttered a phrase that I think is not often uttered. They missed 2020. Specifically, they missed the mutual aid and feelings of togetherness that the pandemic fostered.
The statement has steeped for a week: they missed 2020. It reminded me of the eight months that were March through November 2020. You might recall that Quill’s End had some fortuitous “coincidences” that allowed us to step up our production and pivot quickly to meet a rapid increase in demand at the farm. We had four heifers calve in early April, and our piglet producer had some hogs from the previous fall that we acquired that did not require six months to finish. This allowed us to have a more stable and plentiful supply for community members who remembered we existed, and our farm store became a convenient way to shop in an era of extreme caution and increased attention to health.
That was a transition year for the other farmer as well, as they decided to offer a vegetable CSA as a response to the pandemic. Once the seeds were in the ground, they had someone volunteer to pay for two shares. One for them, one to give away. They publicized the free share and had five more donated. The work then was to find the need. There were more donors than willing recipients.
Despite the tension, guarded nature, and anxiety that COVID-19 produced, it also engendered mutual aid and community care. Our farming colleague shared that they miss the concern, heightened awareness of others, and generosity that came with that shared experience. Times of difficulty bring out the best in our humanity. Times of fear bring us to our neighbors. Times of visible need produce generosity.
More “normal” times have mostly returned us to convenience, and now they must put in more time to raise money for the CSA shares that go to those in need or lose farm income to provide for the increasing needs themselves.
At Quill’s End, we saw people in 2020 and 2021 that we don’t see at the farm anymore. Farm shopping isn’t as convenient as town shopping. Life has returned us to our busy selves, and somehow, without the six-foot distancing, we see each other and converse less.
The pandemic certainly was awful and has left an imprint on our society that will take time to overcome, but we can move forward still with the same concern for others, principles of mutual aid, and the generosity of spirit that came with it. Isn’t it great that now we can do it with a hug?
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.
We recently received thank-you notes from our third-graders in Brownville. Most include hand-drawn pictures–unfortunately, with the colored construction paper, they don’t scan well, but here are a few summarized.
“Thank you for everything. I had a lot of fun. You make me laf!”
“Thank you for the Dictionary. My favorite part was the word game.”
“Thank you for everything. You are so nuns. We love you!” [I think “nuns” was supposed to be “fun.”]
“Mr. Boomsma Thank you. I love love when we try to find the word even though I didn’t win I still tried.”
“My favorite part was the sticks.” [We talk about the staves or staffs–farmers’ tools.]
“Thank you for everything you [?] for keeping our cugrey [community?] safe.“
“Thank you for the dictionary. Now I know lots about the periodic table of the elements. You are the best.” [No, I did not make this one up. It’s in the dictionary!]
“Dear Mr. Boomsma, You are a kind man. Thank you for letting us play the dictionary game of finding the words in the dictionary. Good job. You’re working hard.”
“Thank you for the dictionary and showing us the farmers’ tools.”
“Ok the longest word is hard. I can’t read the word.” [According to the dictionary, the longest word has 1909 letters in it!]
“Thank you for showing us the dictionary and farmer tools. The dictionary was amazing! The tools were great! I hope you come back to our school!”
I think one class had a little help with this one:
If you come to our Musical Celebration of Rural Life on Friday, November 17, 2023, you’ll get a chance to read some of these for yourself!
By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915
It was great seeing many of my Grange family at the State Session. I always look to meet new delegates at the State Session. If you have never been to the State Grange Session, then you have missed a wonderful opportunity to mingle with others across this great State of Maine. You do not have to be a Sixth Degree member to attend. Hopefully, we will see you there next year.
The State Membership Committee wishes to expand, so we will need your help. If anyone is interested, please contact me. Or, if you just want to be an informer, that would be fine. Don’t run away until I explain. Membership needs more attention everywhere. I am looking for people who will spread information to others at their Community and Pomona Grange meetings. The rules are simple.
First, the primary duty would be to read my columns at your meetings. Each month, a different topic will be mentioned for you to share. That way, everyone will pick up some ideas and hopefully offer their own suggestions. Educating and communicating is the key. The columns can be found on the Maine State Grange website or with your secretary, who will have a copy of the bulletin.
Second, encourage membership in your Grange.
Third, you are not required to attend meetings, conferences, or events. No travel other than attending your meetings is required. No reports need to be written. All that will be asked of you will be to share the methods of gaining and maintaining membership as provided by the columns.
Easy, yes! Do it for the Good of the Order. Do it for your Grange. Make a game out of the request. Challenge your members to see who can bring in the most members during a time period. Everyone has a competitive streak, so keep score and award the winner at the end of the period. Encourage your Lecturer to have a Membership program. If you really want to get involved more, then form a Membership committee at your Grange and compete with other Granges in your Pomona.
So please join me in bringing new membership to life. Remember, it only takes a spark. My contact information is included when the column is put on the website. I am hoping you hear for you to help bring our Grange membership swinging in an upward direction. I cannot do it myself; we need each and every one of us to work together. After all, we are family!!!
Off to National Grange in Niagara Falls next week. Any membership info I can find from the National Director will be passed on in future columns. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
By Betty Young
Terry LaCombe
MSG Junior Co-Directors
We are excited to share current Junior Director news with all. Terry LaCombe will be added as the Co Junior Director for the 2023/24 Grange Year. Marilyn Stinson has agreed to stay on our committee but is very active with her local Grange. We have parents who will continue as members and two longtime
members of Grange who will help when they can. Co-Director Betty Young and Terry are inviting Grange Members (who must be willing and able to pass a background check) who would like to work with our children. Please let us know. Junior Grangers live around Maine and may be unable to attend all meetings, and we are willing to visit you and your Grange. This is an excellent opportunity for grandparents to give parents a break or for parents to join other parents. Your “Plus One” Junior Grangers deserve a day at your
Grange that is just for them. Let us know if you are interested in joining us. A reminder that Junior Grangers(Plus Ones) are also invited to participate in many State and National Grange Contests.
If you haven’t received your Junior Grange Program Book by January 1st and you have Plus One Grangers, PLEASE contact Terry at terryllacombe@gmail.com or call/ text me at 207 356 2492. Betty can be reached but does not “hang out” with her phone or iPad, although she appears to be using them more.
We look forward to “Growing Junior Grange” this year and preserving Grange for years to come. Do your part as “Many hands make light work,“ apparently. Youth will find time to help with a specific task if you ask, and it doesn’t take all day, so engage your youth family as well. Please do what you can and let us know if we can help in any way.
Our next meeting is December 16th in Danville at 11 am and is a Christmas Craft. Call or email for more information or to share your Junior’s Holiday Craft if you cannot attend.
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By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193
I am excited to be the Community Service Director. My name is Brenda Dyer. I have been in Grange since I was a Junior Granger. I have been involved at all levels and presently serving as Master of Saco Grange #53, Lecturer of York Pomona #14, and Community Service Director at Maine State Grange. With the participation of Granges, members, and the community, we can help our communities in many ways.
Congratulations to the winners of the Community Service Notebook
Congratulations to the Family, Health & Hearing winner–Highland Lake Grange #87
November and December are great community service months. Election Day – driving voters to the polls and or to the town hall to absentee vote, helping candidates to pick up signs after election day; Veterans Day – honor the veterans in the community, veterans’ luncheon, thank veterans for their service; Thanksgiving – spend time with family, friends, and neighbors; make a list of things to be thankful for and share it with others. The possibilities are endless.
Family Health and Hearing Contest
November is also Diabetes Awareness Month. What is your A1C?
December is a Grange Holiday Season – display what it is to be in Grange not only during the holidays but all year round.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas
By Margaret Henderson, Director
Committee on Women’s Activities
207 948-2762
It was nice to see many of you at State Grange.
I got the entries back from the “Big E” a few days before State Grange so I was able to get everything back to the people who entered them. We had several winners. They were Class B Doilies 3rd place Nancy Gowen; Class C Embroidery 1st Gail Butterfield; Class F Counted Cross Stitch 3rd Sharon Morton; Class G Adult Garment 3rd Laurie McBurnie; Class I Quilted Wall Hanging 2nd Kathy Gowen; Class J Stuffed Toy 2nd Karen McCarrick; Class K Baby Afghan 3rd Ellie Collins; Best in Show Gail Butterfield. That is awesome!!
So proud of everyone who participates in these contests. You all do amazing work!
The other highlight of the State Session was to present $3,161.50 to Brother Richard Harriman from donations to House in the Woods. There was also $2,790.50 raised for Home for Little Wanderers, and my car was full of hats, mittens, and toys for them. Amanda was very pleased to accept these donations—many thanks to all of the Granges that donated to these charities.
I hope that everyone will have a Happy Thanksgiving.
The artwork is by Larry Bailey, Master of the St George Grange. The Grange invites all to celebrate our Veterans by joining the St George Odd Fellows on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 5 pm until sold out. This will be a sit-down Bean Supper at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Saint George Lodge #132, 7 Elementary School Road, Tenants Harbor, Maine 04860. Takeout will be available. Veterans eat free! Others by donation.
