Communication Shorts 11-16-2024

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

November Bulletin Available

The November Bulletin is now available. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page.

Printable ODD Directory Available

ODD Directory provides a printable list of state officers, directors, and deputies with basic contact information. It can also be found on the Program Books and Information Page.

Missing “stuff?”

As we purge older posts and clean things up, you may occasionally encounter missing photos and broken links. Remember, we only maintain two years of posts both to save space and avoid confusion. If what’s missing seems important, please let us know! Mistakes happen.

Recent Uploads to the Website

We continue to add new information to the site! The Program Books and Information Page now features the MSG Bylaws as Revised at State Session and the words to Veterans of the USA from the 2024 Memorial Service. We’ve also added the 2025 Ag Program Book.

Holiday Craft Fairs?

Many Granges offer holiday craft fairs or “makers markets.” Please submit information about yours! We offer statewide publicity and make it easy for you to share information on Social Media.

Grange History Booklet Added

The 150th Anniversary Booklet is a literal treasure of historical information about Granges in Maine, including a complete list of every Grange that has existed in Maine! Check it out!

Consider this Idea!

If you are having any sort of program event, consider offering tours of your Grange Hall. Many folks are interested in learning more about both the Grange and these buildings.

Songbooks for Singing!

Ellie Collins has some Grange Songbooks that are looking for a good home! If you’re interested, contact her or let us know!

Think about this

“When you think you are too old to do something new remember you will never be younger than you are right now.”

James Clear

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! Visitors to the site consult these directories often.

Exploring Traditions – November, 2024

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

All is secure!

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

If we are inclined to doubt that the Grange is about a way of life, we might simply pay close attention to the things we say and do somewhat automatically. In one of my teaching assignments, I am responsible for “locking up” the building when I finish. This includes “walking the building” to ensure lights are off, and no one remains inside. Once I’m outside, I “report in” by texting the person in charge. I usually text “All is secure.” In my mind, the words “Worthy Master” accompany my message of assurance.

I then call home to report my progress. I’ll admit that I am on occasion tempted to announce at the beginning of the call, “The labors of the day are complete.”

While the language of the Grange can readily become part of our lives, an occasional pause and reminder to make sure we are living the Grange way of life can be worthwhile. The language helps us. “Let us be quiet, peaceful citizens…” I often stop right there. I like the word “peaceful.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “untroubled by conflict, agitation, or commotion” and offers as synonyms “quiet” and “tranquil.” Those are some tall orders in today’s society, which seems filled with conflict, agitation, and commotion.

The way we end our meetings is meant to ensure “all is secure,” but it goes beyond closing the Bible and implement case to include the assurances offered by the Grange Way of Life. We are also reminded that we “place faith in God, nurture hope, dispense charity, and are noted for fidelity.” These are the qualities that drive us to “add dignity to labor, and in our dealings with our fellow men be honest, be just and fear not. We must avoid intemperance in eating, drinking, and language, also in work and recreation, and whatever we do, strive to do well.”

I can imagine leaving a Grange meeting years ago, riding home and unhitching the horse, and achieving another “all is secure” at home and in the barn. The animals are settled in for the night. The labors of the day are complete. All is secure. The farm and home are quiet and tranquil. The world we are in is at peace.

Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-seventh edition of the 2023 Subordinate Grange Manual or the most recent edition of the Pomona Grange Manual. The views and opinions expressed in “Exploring Traditions” are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine and policy of the Grange. Information about the book “Exploring Traditions—Celebrating the Grange Way of Life” can be found at http://abbotvillagepress.com, on Mr. Boomsma’s Amazon Author Page, or by contacting the author.

Communications Column – November 2024

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Accomplishments

Phew! There could be lots to talk about! We’ve experienced what might be considered a “perfect storm” from a communications standpoint. The aftermath of the State Session always generates a lot of changes and updates, plus this year’s Deputy School resulted in some great resources! There are really too many to list here, but you can explore the Program Books and Information Page and see Master Sherry’s “Presidential Perspective” for a list of some of the available materials.

The online officer directory is updated, and the Granges directory is close to current. (Some additional changes may come when the new Roster is released.)

I hope to release the Words for Thirds Resource Pages soon! Ironically, this year, Valley Grange has had a smashing success media-wise with a feature front page above-the-fold article in our local newspaper and onsite television coverage by WABI-TV 5. This coverage has also generated several new subscribers to our TelaGranger Newsletter. I have maintained for a long time that fundraising is much easier when we are relevant and demonstrating our value to our communities. While publicizing fundraising events is important, it’s important to remember that fundraising events are not community service.

A few years ago, it was fashionable to offer career advice such as, “Do what you love, and the money will follow.” I was also tempted to reply, “Not necessarily.” But there is value and truth in passion. In community terms, passionately serving and supporting our communities will open pocketbooks—but that passion and service must be seen!


When the front-page article appeared, a woman from several hundred miles away called our Valley Grange Secretary and related how important a dictionary was to her growing up. She ended her story by asking how to send a donation to support Valley Grange’s efforts to provide kids with a dictionary.

While watching Alyssa Thurlow interview two third graders who had just received their dictionaries, a member of the school administration team whispered to me that he was one of our first “customers” when we started distributing dictionaries over twenty years ago. I think that’s called “making an impact.”

My goals with the coming soon resource pages include encouraging more Granges in Maine to consider starting a Words for Thirds Program. But perhaps more importantly, I hope to provide ideas and tools that will give your program the maximum impact and put your Grange in people’s minds and hearts.

I first learned this poem many years ago.

The codfish lays ten thousand eggs,
The homely hen lays one.
The codfish never cackles
To tell you what she's done.
And so we scorn the codfish,
While the humble hen we prize,
Which only goes to show you
That it pays to advertise.

► FACT: The most frequently visited page in the last twelve months was the Directory of Granges. People are looking for Granges!

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Membership Moments – November 2024

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Please read the membership (and other) columns in the Bulletin at your regular meetings so that all will know what is happening.

Your help is needed to form a strong, viable State Membership Committee with a purpose and goals in mind. Since we are all responsible for increasing our membership in our Granges, I am reaching out to those interested in becoming a State Member-ship Committee member. It cannot be done with a one or two-person committee. Goals need to be set and a structured system set in place. The State Master, the State Membership Director and State Officers are NOT responsible to bring you in new members, they have their own Subordinate and Pomona Granges to work with. The duty of the State Membership Director is to communicate to you when there are degree days or conferences, information from the National Membership Director, announcing and participating in the monthly ZOOM meetings sponsored by the National Director, overseeing the Membership contest, holding workshops and area meetings to provide current membership with tools and suggestions to increase membership and countless other duties. Communication is the BIG key here as the plan is to have a contact in each Pomona that can communicate the ideas to each member of their respective Granges, very simple. The ideas will come from YOU, the member. We need your suggestions, ideas, and thoughts. What do you do to attract members? What makes your Grange successful? What do you want to know? What tools do you need? The Committee needs your ideas as well as the answers to those questions. So, for the good of the order (GOTO). Remember that? Your input is needed. Let’s have fun with this. I do have a number of ideas to get started but I need help!

The Membership Committee challenges each member to get at least one new member. Whether they join your Grange or another is irrelevant. Maybe we should keep count of how many members are responsible bringing in at least one new member. However, that takes contact persons around the state!!!. I will be stressing this challenge to more Granges as I visit.

Are there any new businesses that have arrived in your community or surrounding area? Or even existing ones that could use publicity? What a great way to gain members! Introduce yourself to the owners as a Grange member and ask if there is anything that could be done for them in the community. Invite all business owners to a special Grange celebration honoring the community. Maybe assign each business a table so the community can see what is offered. That makes the Grange an integral part of the community and business growth. People will remember the name “Grange” just by those gestures. It seems like a ton of work to assemble a big event like this. However, it can be done, and with the help of Grange members and others, it will be rewarding. Try it by yourselves or with area Granges.

Ag Committee Report – November 2024

By Roberta Meserve, MSG Ag Director
(207) 998-3857

It’s been a pleasant fall so far in my neighborhood. Hope it lasts a while longer.

Thanks to all who donated prizes to our successful raffle at the State Session and to all who purchased tickets. Special thanks to Bob and Agnes Nelson for their help manning the raffle table.

State headquarters was the location for the annual meeting for Maine Ag in the Classroom. They presented a donation to the committee to cover one Ag Scholarship. Dinner was prepared and served by members of the committee and friends. Thank you, Agnes, for your expertise in getting the meal together, and to all who helped with setup, prep, carrying everything up and down the stairs, and clean up.

When doing your holiday (or anytime) gift buying, remember to shop locally and support Maine agriculture. Consider a CSA purchase, gift card or certificate to a neighborhood greenhouse, farm stand/farmers’ market, or local seed catalog. Check out the every growing number of small shops selling artisan cheeses, soaps, syrups, jams, pickles, and many other items.

Have a thankful and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday.

Community Service/FHH – November 2024

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

The Community Service Committee would like to thank all Grangers (Community Service Chairperson, committee members, individuals, and groups) and non-Grange members (groups, citizens and individuals) for their hours of community service and supporting the Grange.

Community Service Notebooks
These notebooks are a report of the Community Service Projects usually one to two pages (three if absolutely needed) for each project. The 1-2 pages will describe the project, planning involved, advertising for project, pictures of project, recognition and thank you.

Ten notebooks were submitted. A certificate of participation recognition was presented to each Grange. Monetary awards were given to the first four places.

10. Willow Grange #366
9. Evening Star Grange #83
8. Hudson Grange #457
7. Valley Grange #144
6. Maple Grove #148
5. Jonesboro Grange #357
4. Saco Grange #53, $50.00
3. Highland Lake Grange #87, $150.00
2. Lakeside Grange #63, $200.00
1. Enterprise Grange #48,$250.00 (Enterprise Grange Notebook goes on to National Grange, representing Maine State Grange.)

Marilyn Stinson of Enterprise Grange was selected as Granger of the Year. Granger of the Year chooses a cause to receive a $100 donation. Marilyn selected the Home for Little Wanderers.

Highland Lake Grange #87 was awarded $50 as the winner of the FH&H Contest.

For a complete report, see the 2023-24 Community Service Annual Report of winners.

Thank you all for participating in the Community Service Programs! Congratulations to all participating Granges and winners!

Chaplain’s View – November 2024

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

Cultivating a Thankful Heart

(Guest written by Tina Thurston of Norway Grange with the encouragement and guidance of Chaplain Christine Hebert.)

As Grange members, we are not only consistently reminded of our fraternity with each other but also reminded that we are servants of God. Good and faithful servants at that! Constantly challenged to not only build our own strengths and talents but to uplift and foster the strengths and talents of each other.

How then do we do this? What is it, good brother or sister reading this, that sparked your interest and desire to go beyond yourself to make a difference in the world around us?

Although I cannot answer that question for you, I can surmise from my own calling that the answer would have to be God’s knowledge. The knowledge that if we greet the world with unwavering thankfulness, the faith and belief that God is the creator and s/he loves us more than anything- “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if received with Thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” (I Timothy 4:4-5) We can do anything.

Like all Bible quotes, a wealth of implied instruction is there waiting for us to open ourselves to the true beauty of God’s plan for us.

God created everything. Everything is good. Therefore, there is nothing bad, and if we perceive anything as less than good, we know it is not of God, but a distraction away from our path. So, no matter what confronts us, God says to receive it with Thanksgiving. Being thankful is one of the most powerful ways to be. The act of giving thanks is consecrated by the word of God and prayer –
an ability to turn a frown upside down. To be witness to the awesome love our Lord and Savior has for us by doing his will. We are so very fortunate to know the power of a thankful heart and mind. We are so blessed with the abundant love a thankful countenance affords us. No wonder we are told to spread the good news!

As we continue to ponder the great mystery of this thing we call life, I remind you – “With God all things are possible.” (Mathew 19:26)

And most importantly – and I sincerely believe this to be a commandment: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Carry on with a thankful heart, good and faithful servant, carry on!

Note that as requested, the words to Veterans of the USA are available in the Chaplain’s View of the Program Books and Information Page.

President’s Perspective – November 2024

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

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Hug your family and friends. Help someone every day.

Our 150th State Grange Session went well. Thank you to the Officers, Delegates, Members, Deputies, Directors, and Committee members who attended. I appreciate your participation and input during the business and activities. A wonderful banquet & luncheon were shared, awards were presented, Juniors participated, and a heartfelt Memorial Service was held; Barbara Foster was pleased to be with us. We elected Carolyn Van Horn to the Executive Committee and welcomed five new State Grange members who received the Sixth degree.

The new Department Program Books and Annual Reports were given to the Delegates for your Grange. If you did not have delegates at session, you may download the programs and reports from the web under “Program Books” or if you want a printed copy, email or call the office or myself and we will send them to you. You may request all or just select certain ones. Agricultural Scholarship, Educational Aid & Howes Nurses Scholarship requirements and applications can also be found on the website or requested from the office. Grange Enterprise Award information and the application can be found there too or requested.

Deputy School was held on Nov 2 with several State Officers & Committee people also attending. Paperwork was passed out, we covered Opening & Closing — Opening the Bible, Presenting the Flag, Introducing Honored Guests, balloting, and discussed other Grange business.

I would like to do instruction meetings in your areas again this year. Think about setting something up in the spring with me. I would prefer a Saturday meeting during the day but could do an evening if requested. We will be covering the same as above. Everyone is invited to attend.

Contact the office or myself if you would like to have any of the following materials:

  1. Expectations of State Officers and Deputies
  2. Visitation reports — Subordinate and Pomona
  3. Maine State Grange Guidelines, Information, and Instructions.
  4. Hello Worthy Master and Members (information regarding closing/consolidation of Granges)
  5. Maine State Grange Ritual Handbook
  6. Suggestions and Instructions for Grange Procedure
  7. Code Book with instructions on Grange Ritual
  8. Official Obligation Ceremony
  9. New Member Welcoming Ceremony
  10. Official Fifth Degree Obligation Ceremony
  11. By-Laws of the Maine State Grange (newly revised edition)
  12. Officers, Deputies, and Directors List 2025. The complete roster will be available soon. Additional materials are listed in the book.
  13. Maine State Grange Leadership Directory from Webmaster.
  14. Maine Granges, Town, and Contact Brochure (many changes included)
  15. Subordinate/Community Manual Edition 2023 (printed on regular-size Paper)
  16. Manual of Pomona Granges 2017* (printed on regular-size paper)

Grange Today! 11-14-2024

During the National Grange Convention, Grange Today! is being published daily.

The Newsletter of the National Grange

While National Grange continued to publish a daily edition, I realized the “In this Issue” (table of contents) section did not accurately reflect the content of the actual newsletter. Rather than risk confusion, I decided not to post the daily summaries. If you click the “Read the Current Issue” button below, you should have access to all the issues published during the convention. When regular publishing starts, we’ll resume posting the summaries. Thanks for understanding.

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

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Grange Today!

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.

Valley Grange Presents Dictionaries

Watch the story Here!

Please note that there is one correction to the story–The Dictionary Project has actually distributed 37,000,000 dictionaries in total!