Membership Moments – June 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

How did your elections go? Did you acknowledge new members as officers? Were they willing to accept the office? Election time is a big deal for Granges everywhere. It signifies a time of change where fresh ideas and new leadership are incorporated. Enthusiasm is heightened as we are looking toward the new Grange year. It is important that these changes occur. It represents a new cycle of leadership and, many times, a jolt to a once lethargic group. As we all know, a thing called “burnout” happens; many of us have felt it and decided to pass the leadership duties to others in the hope (and trust) that the Grange prospers.  Change is a good thing most of the time. It just depends on how you apply those changes. The former leaders must pass their knowledge to their successors and be a good mentors to encourage good changes in our Granges. To the former leaders; “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  

Just as the seasons change are welcomed by most of us geographically, change in leadership is just as welcome in our Granges. After a few days of rain, we are looking forward to the sun shining again and welcoming that change, just as we welcome rain after a stretch of sunny days. Change brings out fresh perspectives and keeps us encouraged with new ideas. Do not let your Grange get into a rut, make changes and take a different path. Otherwise, the results could be less than good. Open the windows and let the fresh air in; reflect on how that change of air feels. The same applies to leadership. Everyone deserves to have a chance to show their leadership skills, especially for the GOTO (Good of the Order). I haven’t used that acronym in ages, but it seems appropriate for this column.

The important thing is to introduce your new members to leadership positions or committees. Maybe they are not ready, that’s fine. Do not force them but DO NOT overlook them! Membership is our lifeblood, and every now and then, a “transfusion” is required and necessary. Most of you know what I am talking about. When things start to get “stale,” liven it up, try new things, and welcome the changes. Think outside the box. Any change, no matter how small or large will do wonders a majority of the time. If each of us introduces new ways and new ideas, be ready to explain how these changes are good for the Grange and not for the individual. We are a family, and these changes affect all of us. The family that changes together grows together.  Happy changes to all!!!

CWA Report – June 2023

By Margaret Henderson, Director
Committee on Women’s Activities
207 948-2762

Committee on Women’s Activities

Another busy month. Helped with the Grange yard sale and food sale last weekend. There were lots of people who stopped by and supported us.

Got the tomatoes planted last week in between the raindrops. Hopefully, we will see the sun soon.

Just a reminder that entries for the contests are due at Headquarters on August 14th. I will be there at 9 am to accept them. If you can not make it that day, call me or the office to set up a time so that someone will be there to check your items in so that they can be judged.

Judging will be done on Friday the 18th, and the conference will be on Saturday the 19th at 9 am. Baking entries will be accepted Saturday morning at 8:30.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Election Day – June 13, 2023

Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and this world.

Sharon Salzberg

For many Maine cities and towns, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, is an election day to decide municipal races, school budgets, and other local matters. Please exercise your right to vote! Your vote matters!

Find out where to vote

Education Aid Makes Major Criteria Change to Scholarships

Both the Educational Aid Scholarship and Howes Nurses Scholarship are available to ALL college students. It is no longer necessary to be a Grange Member to qualify. The trustees are asking for help from local Granges with “getting the word out” to students and colleges.

Download this appeal letter and Donation form
Download Scholarship Information and Application

Freeport Grange–Help Wanted!

The Freeport Harraseeket Grange #9 is putting on a Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast from 7 am until 10 am and is making a special offer to other Granges in the area. If members would help with the breakfast, the Freeport Grange is offering a chance to get a free breakfast, and an opportunity to watch the Freeport Parade which starts around 10 am. For more information or to volunteer, send an email to freeportgrange@gmail.com.

St George Grange Kicks Off Music Mondays

MUSIC MONDAYS at St. George Grange located at 32 Wileys Corner Road, St George, ME. Live music every Monday at 7 pm. Enjoy the music, or you can join in. Bring an instrument and play with others. Do you have a good singing voice? Join us to sing, play, or just sit and enjoy a variety of live music. Music Mondays will happen weekly until October.

Kennebec Valley Grange Public Supper

Take Out Only!

Saturday, June 17, 2023

12 pm until 2 pm

A pint of baked beans (3 kinds), two hotdogs (gluten-free or red snappers), cole slaw, brown bread or biscuit, chocolate cake with PB or chocolate frosting–all for just $10.

Kennebec Valley Grange, 60 Main Street, Madison Maine

FMI: Diane Pinkham, 207 314-5135

St George Grange June Public Supper

Public Supper at the St. George Grange 32 Wileys Corner Road in St. George, ME on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 5 pm.
Come enjoy lots of homemade food with Grange members, family and friends. All welcome! We have public suppers the second Saturday of each month now until October.

President’s Perspective – June 2023

By Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange President/Master
207 490-1029

I’m very pleased to announce we cleared over $1,000 at our recent yard sale and fundraiser event on June 3rd, selling lasagna & 3 kinds of baked beans, apple crisp & brownies and Visa gift card raffles. THANK YOU to the many, many helpers, Granges, and individuals who worked diligently cooking, baking, selling tickets, and making donations of food and funds for supplies to help make this a successful day. Thank you very, very much to Norma & Sharon, who helped me with the cooking, and Margaret, Maynard & Gladys, for making the apple crisp.  One of the $100 gift cards was won by someone from BIW, and the other $100 card went to a Grange member from Bingham.

June is the time for the election of officers.  As soon as the election has been held, the elected Master/President selects the Committee Chairs and committee members for their Grange. This should be done right away; no need to wait for the Installation of Officers to get your committees set up. Some of the most common Committees in our Granges are Legislative-Agriculture; Women’s Activities; Youth; Junior; Community Service; Family, Health & Hearing; Membership, and Others. Other Committees may be named as needed that may be specific to your Grange. Special Committees are set up as required for a special event or activity. Please tell your secretary who will be the chairmen, so she/he can report the roster information to the office.

We will be looking for the following information to be provided to us for each Grange:

  • Grange Name and Number; Street Address and Town of Grange Hall;
  • Meeting Day(s) and Time; Supper or Refreshments and Time.  (Maine State Grange By-Laws:  ARTICLE XXII – MEETINGS  Section 1.  The Bylaws of each Subordinate Grange should definitely fix the day and hour of all regular meetings.)

  Plus the following information for Officers and chairman.

  • Master/President: Name; Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
  • Lecturer: Name: Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
  • Secretary: Name: Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
  • CWA Chairman: Name; Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.

We will be sending the 2024 Roster information forms to the Grange Secretaries next week. Please fill them out legibly and return them as soon as possible to the office. If you want to type the information out separately and mail or email it to us, that would be fine also.  I know I am repeating myself again, but remember Resolutions are due in the office by August 15th. Every resolution must have a title already named by the presenting Grange. Any resolutions to make changes to State or National Grange By-Laws must refer to the Article number; Section number; and sub-section number(s) and be written out in full as it currently appears in the State or National By-laws, then the new change written out in full with the change(s) to be made.

Wayside Grange Returns to Hall

“It’s nice to be back in the building,” says Dave Pearson during their first “Open Mic and Sunday Brunch.” Dave also gives us a tour and briefly explains some of the major repairs that have been made over the past year and a half. Public events were canceled in 2020, but behind-the-scenes care and maintenance of our 100-year-old building continued. The north wall has been reinforced, and an entrance has been made on the ground floor for access to the kitchen and dining room. Ellms Construction did the ground preparation, and Lancaster Construction did the wall reinforcement. Grangers are working on finishing the renovation building the roof over the entrance and restoring our dining and kitchen areas.

Wayside Grange and Theatre is located at 851 North Dexter Road (Route 23) in Dexter, Maine. Concerts are planned throughout the summer on the last Saturday of every month through October. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and Concerts begin at 7:00 pm.

Visit the Wayside Grange Facebook Page