The Chaplain’s View – April 2024

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

By Clay Collins, Guest Columnist

I guess there is no such thing as a permanent retirement. Our State Chaplain recently contacted me and asked me to fill in for her this month as she had some other pressing business to take care of. Being a good Granger and a man of my word, I said of course I would be delighted. I hope you enjoy!

“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.”  

Matthew 28:6

As I write this column, it is one day past Easter Sunday. All the Easter eggs are found and candy is devoured, family dinners are finished, and family and friends have gone home.

Now what? Do we go back to what we were doing before Easter with no thought to what the resurrection really means? Think about what Christ endured that last week of His life.

The weight of the cross that He had to carry could represent all of our problems. The crown of thorns could represent our lies, indiscretions, and deceitfulness. He died for our sins. All He asks of us is that we don’t turn our backs to Him.

All He asks of us is that we live our lives for God. When we are faced with people needing help, we need to lend a hand with no expectations of reward. I am sure you can come up with other examples of things you can do to make life better for the unfortunate. Remember, when things look darkest for you, there are others worse off. May we always have compassion for our fellow man.

I leave you with this: Remember that Jesus forgave us our sins! We should try to do the same!

Until we meet again, I continue to pray for good health for you and yours, and remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Don’t forget to thank a veteran for his/her service in the defense of our country and their safe return to their families! Amen

Benediction:
Gracious Father, thank you for your gift of everlasting life. May we be grateful for your gift. “He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:6) Amen. 

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. 
Irish Blessing

Eclipse Day Update

Reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

As we reported last month, millions of Americans will have an opportunity to see a total solar eclipse when the Moon’s shadow will sweep across the nation on April 8. The last time the U.S. saw a total solar eclipse was in 2017. However, this time the path of the eclipse will travel right through the heart of Maine.

Towns from Jackman and Greenville to Millinocket and Houlton are preparing for heavy traffic and thousands of tourists who will travel north to see the first total solar eclipse in Maine since July 1963. This year’s eclipse, 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. It will leave the U.S. through Houlton at 4:41 p.m. EDT. The total eclipse begins roughly 70 minutes after the onset of the partial eclipse.

According to recent news reports, some of those towns are depending upon eclipse tourists to salvage what has otherwise been a dismal snowmobiling season. The expected event turnout has even led to changes in school schedules, as some districts will release students early to allow them to watch it and address traffic safety concerns.

Schools in towns like Houlton and Jackman will be closed entirely. Both are directly centered in this year’s path.

Aside from its path, the major difference this year compared with the eclipse in 2017 is the size of the path of totality and the duration of the eclipse itself. According to NASA, this year’s path will be much larger than in 2017, ranging 108 to 122 miles wide since the Moon is closer to Earth.

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. Totality lasted only 60 seconds in 1963.

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

Do NOT look at the sun/eclipse without protective eyewear! Please remind children – several times – of this!

Jonesboro Indoor Yard Sale

Jonesboro Grange #357 and Roque Bluffs Volunteer Fire Department are conducting a HUGE indoor yard sale during the month of April, daily from 9 am to 6 pm. 

Closed April 8 and 9th – Other dates and times for April will be posted at a later date on our social media pages. (Jonesboro Grange Facebook Page)

Donations may be dropped off on any day we are open. Contact LouAnn Cox at  207-434-2101 for donation drop-off, questions, and more info.

View from the Hill – March 2024

This monthly newsletter written by Burton Eller, National Grange Legislative Director, covers “what’s happening” in Washington on various topics of interest to Grangers.

View Updates

Grange Songbooks Exposed!

As most know, Grange Friend Katherine studies and performs vintage songs of the Grange. After completing exhaustive research, Katherine has published an extensive history of Grange Songbooks and Sheet Music on her website. Where available, links to digital copies are provided, as well as more in-depth information. Like so much of Grange History, there is much color and a few surprises! Did you know, for example, that The Grange Polka was written by Frank Howards and published in 1874 by John Church & Co.?

On the introductory page, Katherine reminds us of one song that proclaimed the motto of the the Patrons was “Plow Deep.”

Bold monopoly and faction we’ll ever keep at bay
“Plow deep’s” the motto of the Patrons!
And dishonesty shall tremble when farmers clear the way,
“Plow deep’s” the motto of the Patrons!

George Cooper

Like many of the lessons of the Grange, a motto proclaimed in our early history and still applicable today!

We are grateful to Katherine for “plowing deep” and providing this labor of love. Not only do we learn a lot about Grange music, but her complete history provides insights into how the Grange worked many years ago.

The detailed History of Grange Songbooks and Sheet Music

Contact Katherine
Katherine’s Website
Katherine’s Fac

ebook Page

Communication Shorts 03-24-2024

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!

Happy Anniversary to Whom?

We’ve had a request for information regarding any 150th Anniversary Celebrations being planned. If it’s your Grange’s Year, let us know!

Save This Idea!

It’s too late for this year, but the town of Falmouth, Maine, is sponsoring an April Stools Day event (that’s not a typo). Volunteers will clear the Falmouth Community Park trails for spring (with special attention to dog waste). Trash bags and gloves will be available for participants. The event will have a party atmosphere and fun prizes.

Grange Rideshare–New England Lecturers’ Conference

We have at least one person seeking a ride to the NELC in June who is willing to share expenses. The conference is June 21-23 in Norwich, CT. If you are going and have some room, let’s see if we can create some connections!

Submit Events! Be “findable”

The MSG website is easy to find and gets a lot of use! In the last seven days, 132 people visited the site after searching on Google. It really does make sense to submit your events and make sure your information is correct in the online directory! We especially need working email addresses that are checked regularly!

Submit News! Be “famous”

Submitting news can be as simple as a photo and “cutline.” A cutline is a brief description–longer than a caption–to accompany the photo. Let’s prove that the Grange is alive and well in Maine! (Photos should be submitted as an attachment to an email.) We get inquiries from people looking for active Granges!

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!

April Events

(Before we leave March, don’t forget this weekend [March 23-24, 2024], is Maine Maple Weekend!) April is Grange Month, with celebrations throughout the month. Here’s some we know about!

  • April 2, 2024, Open Mic Night at Trenton Grange. Doors open at 5:30 pm, and the event is from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. $5 donation cover. Trenton Grange Website.
  • April 2, 2024, Piscataquis Pomona Meeting at Valley Grange Hall. Contact Bill Bemis FMI. (Note different day of the month.)
  • April 5, 2024, Community Potluck Supper at Trenton Grange, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., 1134 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton. For more information, see this post or visit the Trenton Grange Website.
  • April 6, 2024, Benton Grange Craft Fair and Flea Market, 9 am until 2 pm. Call 207 453-4796 for information.
  • April 6-7, 2024, Community Bazaar (crafts, farmers’ market, yard sale…) at Trenton Grange from 9 am until 2 pm both days. For more information, see this post or visit the Trenton Grange Website.
  • April 8, 2024, Solar Eclipse Day Are you safe?
  • April 13, 2024, Kennebec Valley Grange Take-out Dinner, starting at noon. For more information, see this post.
  • April 13, 2024, Parkman Grange Daddy Daughter Dance starting at 6 pm, see this post!
  • April 14, 2024, Deadline for the MSG Bulletin
  • April 14, 2024, Cumberland Pomona Degree Day at North Scarborough Grange starting at 1:00 pm. Contact Yvonne Johnson FMI. (603 506-1374)

The Patrons Chain 3-22-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • Recap of the Virtual Legislative Fly-In
  • Grange Month materials available
  • Youth & Junior Director honored, thanked for service
  • Photo spotlight: Leadership Team takes to Capitol Hill
  • This week: Rural Minds and National Grange present webinar
  • Duplicate Charter Application now available
  • Grange Supply Store: Digital Downloads – vintage cookbooks
  • Grange Supply Store: 4th Degree Pin
  • Grange Member Benefit: Budget Rental Cars 

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!

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Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.