Not only does the spring issue of Victor Grange’s newsletter list all their meetings and events, but there’s also some exciting news in this issue! You’ll want to read it! You’ll learn how Victor received an AED (automated external defibrillator) and maybe wonder just how many Granges in Maine have one. You’ll meet seven relatively new members who have finally been officially recognized. Where did 100 new chairs come from? (And what’s special about some of the ones being replaced.)
Victor Grange describes itself as “The Grange built by the community, for the community to fill the needs of the community.”
Supper will be served from 5:30 — 7:00 or until the food runs out, so come early. Our upstairs hall will be turned into a social center and game room so you can visit with your neighbors, play a game, build a puzzle… have some good old-fashioned fun! This is a celebration of community–a gathering of friends, neighbors, and strangers., (You won’t be a stranger for long!) All are welcome! We have a Busy Box and Book Bin for kids! If you have a favorite board game, bring that along and challenge others.
If you’d like to help with the supper, call Mary at 564-0820 or Janice at 343-1842. If you’d like to help us spread the word, download and print this flyer/invitation. Give it friends, post it where you can!
This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Stearns, State Representative for District 119.
Due to multiple detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Maine and New England, Maine Animal Health Officials announced an advisory recommending cancellation or postponement of competitions, exhibitions, shows, swaps, or other in-person events encouraging the gathering or comingling of domestic fowl or poultry.
Advisory: The risk for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) remains high, and bird owners are advised to keep birds indoors to prevent the spread of this disease. The trends observed with past North American HPAI outbreaks are that we often see a reprieve in the summer months. This is because summer is when the virus present on the landscape (outdoors) is degraded by sunlight and heat. Animal Health Officials from the six New England States recommend that all competitions, exhibitions, shows, swaps, or other in-person events encouraging the gathering or comingling of domestic fowl or poultry be postponed until July 1, 2022, or later.
“The best way to prevent spread of HPAI from infected poultry to healthy poultry is to avoid unnecessary mixing of groups of domestic birds,” said Maine State Veterinarian Dr. Michele Walsh. “With the risk of HPAI considered high in Maine, we are confident that a smart tactic to control the spread of HPAI is to recommend canceling or postponing poultry events through July 1, 2022, and re-evaluating the HPAI threat to domestic poultry and pet birds at that time.”
For a complete snapshot of HPAI in Maine, the state’s response, a list of frequently asked questions, and additional HPAI resources, visit maine.gov/dacf/hpai
To report sick poultry or unusual domestic bird deaths, call the USDA’s toll-free sick bird hotline at 1-866-536-7593.
To report a strange-acting or dead wild bird, call the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife at 207-287-8000.
Put together this cute and crafty “chill pills” gift for the office or teachers’ lounge
Ask local restaurants, bakeries, shops, or spas to partner with you to provide teachers with a free item or small gift card
Draw and write chalk messages on the sidewalks outside the school*
Visit the staff parking lot and clean car windows during the school day; leave a note under the wiper*
Write a letter to the editor of local newspapers
*Communicate with school administration and get permission, especially for anything you’d like to do on school property. If you’ve got a really neat idea, add it as a comment here.
Join Windham Blue Seal and November’s Harvest in this event to discuss raising chicks, how to raise chicks, and common problems. Choosing a breed, where to buy, and how many. Getting ready for your chicks: what supplies do you need to get started, shelter, nesting boxes, and more. White Rock Grange is located at 33 Wilson Road, Gorham ME. For more information, visit the White Rock Grange Facebook Page.
This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by UMaine Extension
Many organizations and community groups rely on volunteers like you for a variety of food events for fundraising, fellowship, food pantries, or other services to the community. But cooking for a crowd is tricky! How do you store all that food? When is the food completely cooked? How long can you leave food on the buffet table? Now there is a workshop on Safe Food Handling designed specifically for Volunteers.
This class meets the Good Shepherd Food Bank food safety training requirements.
Loyal website visitors and subscribers with a great memory will perhaps remember a post a while ago regarding Starling Hall located in Fayette, Maine. That post told the “wonderful story of a former Grange Hall because of a group of dedicated volunteers.” In summary, the hall was acquired by the town and a group of volunteers in 2015 formed “Friends of Starling Hall” (FOSH) as a 501(3)C. Their efforts are described as “uniting history and purpose–restoring a treasured former Grange hall for use as a community center.”Since then, much progress has been made toward restoring the hall to its former glory.
In order to keep the project moving forward, FOSH is currently seeking federal funding to supplement their local fundraising efforts. Certainly, Grangers understand the importance of “uniting history and purpose” and appreciate the value of maintaining heritage and history. You will enjoy the video below!
On Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10 AM, Katherine will offer a 50-minute online performance of Vintage Grange Songs as part of the New England Folk Festival, which is happening on Zoom. As the program notes say, “Founded shortly after the Civil War, the Grange has a rich heritage of songs celebrating agriculture and advocating for farming communities. Katherine Rhoda sings from vintage Grange songbooks.”
Regional Leadership Conferences are coming up soon… National Grange Convention registration will be opening soon… 2022 Communications applications are now open–any and all ages welcome!
National Grange Virtual Photo Contest
A recent mailing from National Grange Lecturer Ann Bercher summarized the rules, clarified the deadline (June 30, 2022) and outlined submission guidelines. (A copy is available on the MSG Website.)
Grange in Action Program
The Grange in Action Program invites Granges to submit a one-page summary of at least three events/activities no later than September 25, 2022, for recognition at the 2022 National Convention. (Rules and instructions are available on the MSG Website.)
Grange Supply Store Note
Effective May 1, 2022, any Grange Supply Store “rush” orders that require expedited arrival (7 days or fewer from time of order) will have a $25.00 expedition fee added to the order and the shipping fee. This includes any seals, certificates, and membership recognition applications.
National Grange Heirloom Program
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.
New Member Recognition in Good Day Magazine
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:
April 30, 2022
June 30, 2022
August 30, 2022
November 30, 2022
156th National Grange Session is scheduled for November 15-19, 2022 in Sparks, NV
