Membership Moments – January 2024

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

This weekend (Jan 12-14) is the Northeast Leader’s Conference. Due to my own Grange and Pomona commitments. I was unable to attend. However, the Co-Director of the New Hampshire State Grange Membership Committee called and asked if I could send some concerns, thoughts, and ideas. As the initial thoughts were being put on paper, even more ideas started flowing. It was then realized that some of the suggestions required cooperation from all Granges and their members. We need new members, and we need all of us to take part. You will be notified when the results and decisions from the Leader’s conference concerning membership issues become available.

The first step in our new journey was mentioned in last month’s column. Please have someone read the Membership column from the Bulletin or the website so all can receive valuable information. It is very important that ALL members know what is going on, not only in Membership but also from the other committees. The column provides tips on adding new members and how to maintain them. I am also looking for additional committee members. The agenda is easy and fun. Also, all past columns are on the website. Please refer to the website for Grange events, State Committee and officer’s columns. You can also learn about traditions. It is a valuable tool for all members, and you are all encouraged to check it out.

Remember, keep your Grange Halls busy and active. Keep doing community events. Keep up the good work, and stay safe!!!

The Chaplain’s View – January 2024

By Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

As we look back on 2023, let us go forward, focusing on the positive in our lives and learning from the negative.  There have always been trials and tribulations; it’s how we handle them that will define us.

      A wise man looks ahead, controls his temper, learns to listen, and delights himself not only in the Lord but also in helping others.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:1-2

CWA Report – January 2024

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

Committee on Women’s Activities

Happy New Year!!

I had a very enjoyable holiday week.  My younger sister came up from Florida, and my younger brother also came for a visit. I don’t get to see them often, so it was wonderful to get to spend time with them. Nothing better than good food and time with family.

If you do not have a copy of the new booklet, please let me know so that I can get one to you. (The CWA Program Book is also available on the Program Books and Information Page.)

Wow! What crazy weather we have been having. It doesn’t even seem like winter with all of the wind and rain.

Please be safe and stay healthy.

Community Service/FHH – January 2024

By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193

Happy New Year! As we start the 2024 year, brainstorm all the community service projects that are possible. There is not a project that is too small. Think about all the ways your community is supported by you and your Grange.

Please keep track of hours per project. The hours should be broken down by Grange members and non-Grange members in the following categories: Juniors, Youth, and Adult. These are reported to the National Grange. 

Also include any organizations and their involvement (hours, support, etc.)

Start thinking about nominating Granger, Firefighter, EMT, Police, Educator of the year.

Family Health and Hearing

  • January 9,  National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
  • January 28,  National Lego Day
  • February  3,  Feed the Birds Day
  • February  4,  Thank you, Mail Person Day
  • February  20, Love Your Pet Day

This is the celebration of MSG’s 150th anniversary. Start planning now to celebrate Grange during April, which is Grange Month. Open meetings, Grange history, Degree Day, Variety Show, and Remember When programs are a few suggestions but the opportunities are endless—also a great time to present membership certificates. 

Enjoy the season and remember Spring is coming.

The Patrons Chain 1-12-2024


Articles in this edition include:

  • Embrace challenges with a growth mindset 
  • What’s your communication style?
  • Advocacy Playbook: High-Speed Internet for ALL
  • Grange Foundation’s Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
  • Register for National Grange/Rural Minds introduction to the “Rural Mental Health Resilience” program
  • Junior Jibber-Jabber
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-In
  • Grange Member Benefit: Lenovo
  • Grange Supply Store: Grange Songbook Package

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

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Patrons Chain

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.

Clyde Russell Scholarship Fund Deadline Approaches

Reprinted with permission from a newsletter from Stacy Guerin, Maine State Senator, District 4.

The Clyde Russell Scholarship Fund (CRSF) offers financial awards to Maine graduating high school seniors to attend higher education institutions. The CRSF was created by the Maine Education Association through a trust established by the late Audrey Lewis, who served as president in 1958. The Fund was named after Clyde Russell, who served as Executive Director for over two decades.

There are two categories of awards as follows:

  • Awards of up to $2,000 for graduating high school seniors who will attend a Maine Community College;
  • Awards of up to $10,000 for graduating high school seniors who will attend a four-year college.

The applications will be available on CRSF’s website until Jan. 31, 2024; and the deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2024. The entire application must be received by CRSF via their P.O. Box no later than Feb. 1, 2024. Please allow 5-7 days for mail delivery to meet the Feb. 1 deadline.

President’s Perspective – January 2024

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

The following 36 Granges have provided their updated membership list to us; thank you very much!  Ammadamast, Arbutus, Bangor, Bauneg Beg, Chelsea, Community, Dirigo, Fairview, Golden Harvest, Hudson, Jonesboro, Knox Station, Lakeside, Maple Grove, Merriconeag, Mt. Etna, Mystic Valley, North Jay, North Scarboro, Oak Hill, Ocean View, Old Town Riverside, Parkman, Perry, Pleasant River, Saco, Seaside, South Sangerville, St. George, Topsham, Tranquility, Valley, Wayside, White Rock, Willow and Winthrop. Where are the rest of you?

There are several Organizations in the State that give out Grants for a variety of reasons to deserving requests, including for building repairs and upgrades. Grant funds or donations may be made by check through the Maine Grange Foundation, Inc., on behalf of a Subordinate (Community), Pomona (County), or State Grange. When a Grange is applying for a Grant for funds, regardless of the group or individual you are applying to, the applying Grange must fill in your portion of the application request as best you can. Provide your Grange Name and Number, your contact info, and as much detailed information as possible as requested on the application. Be sure to include your contact person, your board members, your EIN number, and your signatures, and be observant of any special requirements, deadlines, or submission dates on the application.  Contact the provider directly if you have questions.

The State Grange Secretary will provide the applying Grange with the needed documents and information requested (to the best of our knowledge) on the application needed to move the request forward. After the Maine Grange Foundation, Inc. portion of the grant application is completed, it will be sent or emailed back to the applying Grange to complete, and you must submit it to the funding/grant group or individual. 

The grant/donation check will be deposited and held until it clears in the Maine Grange Foundation, Inc. account, noting the Grange Name and Number it belongs to and the amount. A receipt and tax deductible form from the Maine Grange Foundation, Inc. will be returned to the contributor; please provide their information and address.  After the donation or grant check clears, the donation will be withdrawn by bank check (the only persons allowed to access the Foundation account are designated officers and legal signers) and sent to the Secretary of the appropriate Grange. If multiple donations are made, they may be held in the account and sent as one large sum, or each one sent to the Grange. Please let us know your preference in writing. 

Have a very safe and uneventful winter, everyone.  Remember your neighbors who may need a hand.

Trenton Grange Plans Ahead!

Check out a year’s worth of Community Potluck Dinners and Bazaars. You have dozens of opportunities!

You can also visit the Trenton Grange Website!

Table Of Contents
  1. Trenton Grange Community Potluck Information
  2. Trenton Grange Community Bazaar Information

Trenton Grange Community Potluck Information

Trent Grange 2024 Potluck Dinners

Trenton Grange Community Bazaar Information

Trenton Grange 2024 Bazaar Flyer

The Patrons Chain 1-05-2024


Articles in this edition include:

  • You’re part of the team! Let’s row together 
  • Don’t resolve to get more members in 2024
  • Grange Heirloom for January
  • Fellowship First Friday
  • Distinguished Grange applications are available
  • Grange Spotlight: Burns Grange donates 20,000th Dictionary
  • 4 Tips to Mind Your Mental Health in 2024
  • Grange Member Benefit: Lenovo
  • Grange Supply Store: Orientation Kit 

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

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Patrons Chain

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 mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above.

Grange Heirloom — January 2024

Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.

Use the icons below to share this Grange Heirloom on social media and help others understand what the Grange stands for! If this heirloom has a particular meaning for you, click the “leave a comment” link at the left and share your comment with us!

For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.