National Bullying Prevention Month

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

The National Center for Bullying Prevention initiated National Bullying Prevention Month. The campaign is designed to unite communities nationwide through education and awareness. Much attention is rightly given to preventing bullying among kids, but adults can be victims as well.

Uniy Day Icon

This year, October 16 has been declared Unity Day. Wearing orange will increase awareness and encourage kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. That sure sounds like something the Grange does! We don’t stop with wearing orange–“we help build community throughout the year.”

In a simple sense, bullying is about power and communication. Our words and actions are important, and words can be powerful, both in a negative and positive way.

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt

I believe that an important aspect of preventing bullying is building resilience and strength in potential victims. “Where you fly makes a difference.” We can start with ourselves, certainly. But a question worthy of discussion is “What is our Grange doing to promote kindness in our Grange and our Community?”

    (Family Health And Hearing Committees take note! Can you provide some resources for members? Maybe include some thoughts in your next report?)

    Some Resources:

    StopBullying.gov: A comprehensive resource from the U.S. government that provides information on recognizing, preventing, and responding to bullying.

    PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center: Offers resources for students, parents, and educators, including toolkits and educational materials.

    The Trevor Project: Focuses on LGBTQ+ youth, providing support and resources to prevent bullying and promote mental health.

    National Bullying Prevention Month: An annual campaign in October that raises awareness and encourages communities to take action against bullying.

    Stomp Out Bullying: Provides resources, support, and information for students and parents to address bullying and cyberbullying.

    There are also some mental health resources on my website.

    Helping in North Carolina

    The following letter comes from Jimmy Gentry, State Master/President of the North Carolina Grange.

    Grange Friends,

    Edneyville Grange and the surrounding Hendersonville community was in the path of Hurricane Helene. The aftermath is devastating as many families have lost everything. Clean-up crews have been working tirelessly to restore power, internet, and roads.

    Grange members have been reaching out to the NC State Grange Office asking how they can help. We have been in touch with Wendy Henderson, President of Edneyville Grange. She informed us that she has reached out to a local school in Edneyville that is extremely concerned with the well-being of children and parents. They gave her a list of items that would benefit these families.

    Jennie Gentry also spoke with high school teachers in Henderson County, friends associated with FFA and 4-H. Their main concern has been making sure students are accounted for and determining their families’ needs. This has been very difficult without the ability to communicate or travel into areas to check on their students, some of whom live in other local hard-hit communities like Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Bat Cave, and Gerton.

    Wendy mentioned a great need for several items that schools will need for students and their families. Below is information on how you and your Grange can help.

    What to Collect:

    • New Coats of all sizes
    • New Sweatshirts of all sizes
    • Gift cards to Walmart

    Drop Off Locations:

    NC State Grange Office in Statesville: by Monday, October 14
    Address:   1734 Wilkesboro Hwy, Statesville, NC
    Hours:    Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
    To arrange Saturday or Sunday drop off, or outside of these hours during the week, contact our office: 704-878-0000 or jwgentry@ncgrange.com

    Making Cash Donations:

    Write a check to Edneyville Grange and mail to:
    Wendy Henderson
    29 Arabian Ln 
    Hendersonville, NC 28792

    Write a check to the NC State Grange Disaster Fund with “Edneyville Relief” on the memo line and send to:

    NC Grange
    1734 Wilkesboro Hwy
    Statesville NC 28625

    Thank you for your willingness to donate these items to support Edneyville and its surrounding communities in Henderson County. We are relieved that our Edneyville Grange members are safe and appreciate Wendy for the information so that we can join together to assist their community in this desperate time of need. 

    Please contact the Grange Office with any questions. 

    Sincerely,

    Jimmy Gentry
    President, North Carolina Grange

    Grange Today! 9-27-2024

    The Newsletter of the National Grange

    Articles in this edition include:

    • NC Grange to host 1st annual Farmer Appreciation Day
    • Presidential Perspective
    •  Rural Americans are at risk for cardiovascular disease
    • Grange Foundation seeks Board of Directors Candidates
    • Order new Grange gear
    • View from the Hill
    • Free suicide prevention course available for rural veterinarians, farm workers
    • Register for National Grange Convention
    • Grange Member Benefit: Lenovo
    •  Grange Store: Vintage Grange Hall Dedication Plaques

    Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!

    Read THE Current Issue
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    Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.

    Fifth Degree Offered at Danville Junction Grange

    Danville Junction Grange is located at 15 Grange Street, Auburn, ME

    Androscoggin Pomona #1 will celebrate the lessons of the Fifth Degree on Wednesday, October 9th at 7:00 pm. To join as a candidate or participate, contact Maynard Chapman at 207 312-5591.

    October Events in Maine

    • October 4, 2024, Trenton Grange Farmers Market, 3 pm – 6 pm. 1134 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton. Vendors contact Beth Warner at 207 664-4164 or zeppa@ aol.com. Free admission. (Vendor/booth fee).
    • October 4, 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.
    • October 5-6, 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.
    • October 9, 2024, The Fifth Degree will be offered at Danville Junction Grange starting at 7:00 pm. Danville Junction Grange is located in Auburn. For more information contact Maynard Chapman at 207 312-5591.
    • October 10, 2024, Blood Drive at Harraseeket Grange in Freeport, 12 – 5 pm.
    • October 11, 2024, Trenton Grange Farmers Market, 3 pm – 6 pm. 1134 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton. Vendors contact Beth Warner at 207 664-4164 or zeppa@ aol.com. Free admission. (Vendor/booth fee).
    • October 12, 2024, St George Grange Community Supper at 5 pm. Adults $10, Children $5, under 10 free. For more information see this post.
    • October 14, 2024, Deadline for the MSG Bulletin
    • October 18, 2024, Senior Circle at Victor Grange in Fairfield. Potluck lunch at 11 am for Seniors to get together with others for socializing, networking and a game or two. Held the 3rd Friday monthly. FMI Deb 207-453-4844 or Sherri 207-815-0615. No Charge.
    • October 18, 2024, Mystic Valley Grange Rummage and Bake Sale, 9 am until 12 noon. Mystic Valley Grange is located at Route 17 and US Route 2 in East Dixfield. FMI Nancy Farrington 207 623-0395.
    • October 18-19, 2024, Maine State Grange Annual Convention
    • October 26, 2024 Wayside Grange Concert featuring Half Moon Jug Band. Doors open at 6:30 pm. More information at Wayside Grange & Theatre Facebook Page.

    November Ballot Questions

    MSG Communications Department

    Let’s not forget that in November, in addition to elections, Mainers will be asked to vote on some ballot initiatives! The MSG Communications Department is providing them here for your consideration and research before voting. Note Question 3 regarding the restoration of “Historic Community Buildings.” Also, Question 5 will not include pictures of the new flag or the one it will replace.

    Below is the order of the initiatives as they will appear on the ballot:

    QUESTION 1: An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures, Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?

    QUESTION 2: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization, Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing?

    QUESTION 3: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings, Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources?

    QUESTION 4: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation, Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions?

    QUESTION 5: An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag, Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State?

    More information about upcoming elections is available at https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html. More information about citizen initiatives is available at https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/citizens/index.html.

    “The most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen.”

    Unknown

    Valley Grange Welcomes New Members

    Valley Grange is located in Guilford, Maine

    Valley Grange is pleased to introduce and welcome our three newest members. Although they’ve been members for a few months, the recent “Obligation Ceremony” makes it official. The ceremony is actually quite mutual, with new members pledging to the organization and the organization making pledges to the members. The last step is called a “Friendship Circle,” during which all join hands and commit to the spirit of the 150+ year-old fraternal organization.

    L-R New members Joyce Flanders from Dover Foxcroft, Elaina Fortier, and Matthew Fortier from Guilford.

    “As we in form thus enclose you within a sacred circle, so does this Grange in the name of our noble and beneficent Order pledge to you a pure friendship, enduring through life to shield you from harm.”

    Program Director Walter Boomsma notes that the Grange is uniquely positioned to provide connection, particularly after COVID created a lack of it. “We’re about a lot more than a face on a screen or a post on social media. Our potluck suppers are a great opportunity to ‘break bread together’ and be together in person, in spirit, and in conversation. In some ways, the work we do to strengthen our communities and rural living is a bonus.”

    The ceremony was conducted by Valley Grange Master Jim Annis and Program Director Walter Boomsma.

    The Valley Grange Hall is located at 172 Guilford Center Road on the corner of Butter Street but the Grange is more accurately described as “in the community,” For information about participating and joining visit the Valley Grange Website or Facebook Page. Better yet, talk to a member or join us for supper!