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Maine State Grange Bulletin Maine State Grange

146 State Street

Augusta Maine 04330

http://mainestateGrange.org

NOVEMBER 2017 ISSUE

The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they

signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.

Sydney J. Harris

Note: The views and opinions expressed in contributed articles are those of the

author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Grange.

Highlights for Secretaries to Read In this section, we’ll try to help secretaries by providing a very short synopsis of each article. Try

just reading just this highlights section during “communications” and offer the Bulletin to

those interested in more information. “The Bulletin contains the following information…” Then

post on the Bulletin Board or make copies so members can read the sections of interest.

• Master’s Memo— “The Grange Way”

• Past Master’s Memo--- Thanks!

• Agriculture Report— Help needed at Ag Trade Show in January

• Communications Column— Your reader doesn’t know much!

• Community Service/FHH Corner— Community Service and FHH Packets available

• CWA Report— Baking contest changed to muffins

• Fundraising Committee—

• Junior Report—

• Lecturer’s Column— Lecturer’s Program Book, photo contest winners

• Legislative Report— Report on Resolutions

• Secretary’s Corner— Roster information needed, future secretaries’ workshops

• Youth Report—

• Exploring Traditions— All is secure!

• View from the Farm— All about power…

• Helping Future Leaders with Educational Aid— Scholarship winners announced

• Amazon Smile Program— Do your Holiday Shopping!

• But wait, there’s more! — Some articles you may have missed

Master’s Memo By Sherry Harriman, Master

"The Grange Way" is the newly announced theme by National Master

Betsy Huber in Spokane at the very successful National convention. As our

Grange year begins once again, I can only stress the importance of following

our obligation, lessons, and precepts in all our Grange work. Our Grange, communities, state, and

nation need our ideals and support, as a group, in order to continue to grow. Setting our personal is-

sues aside is the only way to accomplish this goal. We can each have an opinion, but each should be

willing to listen and hear other opinions as well.

The ideas that each of you starts in your own Granges as a Grassroots organization have been

presented on the floor to the National Grange as a resolution. Each is assigned to a committee, the

committee discusses it, makes a recommendation then it is brought in front of the whole delegate

body for more discussion and action. It is the same valuable process that we use in our own Granges.

Many of the 142 resolutions will be sent on to the Legislature for action.

I would like to congratulate Bangor Grange for receiving second place for Community Service

and the Gowen family for Grange Legacy Family Recognition.

I will keep this article short as I know I am pushing the deadline. I had more to say but the in-

formation is being sent home by mail. So, until next time. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your

families.

Past Master’s Memo By Rick Grotton

It has been a pleasure being your leader for the last couple of years. I

have learned much and have matured. Since there are some other opportuni-

ties for me, it was best to step down now as I would not have had the time to

fully devote to being the State Master. This would not have been fair to the Order or its membership

should I have stayed another term. I want to thank you all for your support and help during my term

and ask that you give that same support and help to our new Master. Sister Sherry is a great and ex-

perienced leader and there is no doubt she will do a great job.

Published by Maine State Grange

Walter Boomsma, Editor

Submit articles and info to: Walter@MaineStateGrange.org

Master Sherry Harriman 490-1029

Overseer Mike Griffin 318-0460

Lecturer Margaret Morse 439-0413

Chaplain Gladys Chapman 998-3857

Secretary Sharon Morton 485-6197

Chief Deputy Maynard Chapman 998-5331

Agricultural Director Karen Gagne 592-6980

Agricultural Education Director TBA

Communications Director Walter Boomsma 343-1842

Community Service/FHH Director Christine Corliss 457-6265

CWA Director Karen Flagg 225-2328

Fundraising Chairman Norma Meserve 998-2586

Junior Director TBA

Legislative Director James Annis 564-0820

Youth Director Terry LaCombe Stevens 356 2492

Historian Stanley Howe 824-2291

Address for bulletin submissions only:

17 River Road Abbot ME 04406

Deadline is the 15th of the month!

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Agriculture Committee Report By Karen Hatch Gagne, Director

The Agricultural Committee wishes to thank all Grangers who supported our table at the State Grange Session in support

of our Agricultural Scholarships. Our committee meets this week to put our calendar and plans together for the 2018 year.

We are looking for assistance in covering of our Maine State Grange booth at the Agricultural Trade Show booth from

January 9-11, 2018. If you are willing to sit at the booth during that time frame (9-5 Tuesday, 9-7 Wednesday and 9-3 Thurs-

day) please call me 592-6980 or email me Karen.h.gagne@mine.edu. This booth is representative of all Granges in our state

and we appreciate your support.

The Ag Committee wants to congratulate Pam and Bryan Wells the 2017 Outstanding Tree Farmers of the year. Their commitment to collabora-

tion with other organizations to preserve our plants, woods, and fields is demonstrated through words and actions in their community-oriented

Demonstration Tree Farm.

The Ag Committee met today and will have the updated 2018 Ag Scholarship Application available in January. We will also have the newly

revised guidelines for the 2018 Maine Agricultural Enterprise Award available and sent to all Granges after the New Year. We are encouraging all

Granges to nominate families for the award in 2018.

The Agricultural Committee with lots of help from additional Grangers prepared and served the Maine Ag in the Classroom Annual meeting

banquet and many thanks to all who served and/or made pies for this event in spite of the fact we were without power!

Communications Column By Walter Boomsma, Director

In my very little spare time, I’ve been reading an excellent book about writing. One sentence I encountered recently kept

me awake for a while. “Your readers don’t know anything.” That’s very good advice to those of us who are trying to com-

municate. And it is excellent advice to those of us who are involved in organizations that have their own language and vocab-

ulary.

I think this goes beyond the five w’s that should be included in every press release to include making sure we explain things that may seem

commonplace to us, but not to our readers who “don’t know anything.” What does it mean, for example, when we describe the Grange as a ‘fraternal’

organization?” Our readers might not know. (Fraternal comes from the word “fraternus” meaning brother. One dictionary defines it as “of or be-

ing a society associated in brotherly union, as for mutual aid or benefit.”)

We shouldn’t be condescending, certainly. But in our communication, it does make sense to consider the real possibility our reader or listener

doesn’t know much.

I’m pleased to announce that much of the Grange year-end activity required of your Communications Department is nearing completion. We

have updated the officer list on the Bulletin sidebar and website, revised the ODD Directory (listing all current officers, directors, and deputies), and

posted all program books that have been made available. There’s still some “under the hood” stuff to do, but most people won’t notice it—and don’t

need to anyway!

Let me remind folks that for the most part, I don’t generate what’s communicated, I am very dependent on others. I cannot share what I don’t

know or don’t have. I wish every Granger in Maine would consider him/herself a reporter. A goal for this year is to increase the number of posts

(stories) about Granges that are succeeding either with membership increases or events that are successful. No story is too small for our website. You

don’t have to be an award-winning writer—we can use a photo and tell the story in a caption of a few sentences—that’s called a “cutline” in the me-

dia business.

While no story is too small for the website another reality is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to capture the attention of traditional me-

dia. Even my local reporters are telling me they are covering fewer and fewer events in person. I received some criticism during State Convention for

“not having the television people there.” Please understand, media presence at events is getting more and more difficult to achieve. I attempted to

explain to my critic that simply holding a convention isn’t newsworthy. I’m not sure I succeeded, so let me remind everyone that it is much easier

and effective to make news than it is to write press releases.

The media business is changing in many ways and it’s truly a mixed bag. While the Internet makes sharing information and news relatively

easy, traditional media is struggling to find its role in a digital world. I can attest that some reporters subscribe to the Maine State Grange website as a

source of news tips and leads. If you want to attract the media, telling your story on it might be a great way to start!

Community Service/FHH Corner By Christine Corliss, Director

Community Service Corner

I would like to congratulate all of the State Elected Officers have a great two years. The newest community service packet is available

online. If you know your CS Director does not have internet access, please feel free to contact me and I will send one out to you. Thank you to eve-

ryone who submitted Activity Sheets and or books again this year. It was great to reach 25% again. Let’s move forward and put the Granges name

out there even more in the next two years.

Family, Health & Hearing

Thank you to everyone who submitted to the Family, Health & Hearing Contest, it was great to see the entries doubled. It is great to read all of

the fun and informative topics Grangers are getting out there. Let’s keep up the good work. November is National Epilepsy Month, Prematurity

Awareness Month, the third Thursday of November is American Smoke Out Day, November 12 -18 is Mouth Cancer Awareness Week. Let’s bring

awareness to those in need.

CWA Report By Karen Flagg, Director

I have been asked to be the CWA Director for another term and was absolutely delighted to accept the position.

The Penny March for House in the Woods at State Session came to the grand total of $1,360.00. You should all congrat-

ulate yourselves for a job well done.

For those that were not at the state session, the baking contest has been changed to muffins instead of pie. You may use your own recipe and

when having them judged, please put four of them on a disposable plate with the label in a plastic baggie taped to the underside with the information

showing.

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I am working on filling the positions on the committee but am going to try something different by having the members have assigned areas/dis-

tricts. As usual, if you have any questions, please feel free to call me and if I am not home I will get back to you ASAP.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Karen L Flagg

3 Jeanie Drive

Leeds, ME 04263

207-524-2011

Lecturer’s Column By Margaret Morse, Lecturer

Since Thanksgiving is quickly approaching I began to think how putting together your turkey dinner and a lecturer’s pro-

gram are similar. First, you look around for the perfect turkey (theme), then you decide what side dishes (readings, skits,

games) complement the turkey and finally you decide on dessert (closing thought). When you have finished all your prepara-

tions, you can enjoy your guests.

Each Subordinate Grange and Pomona has been given a copy of the 2017 - 2018 Lecturer's Program Book, which outlines the contests for the

coming year. Once you receive this please read it carefully, changes have been made to the categories in the writing and photo contests. A candlelight

ceremony contest has also been added. As lecturers, I hope that you promote participation in these contests.

I want to thank the Lecturer’s Committee Members for all the hard work they did during the state session. I also want to welcome Sister Darlene

Miles of Hudson Grange # 457 to the Lecturer’s Committee.

The Subordinate Grange winners in the Photo Contest are as follows:

Animals and Other Creatures

• 1st Tracy Small of Danville Junction # 65

• 2nd Karen Gagne of Danville Junction #65

• 3rd Laurie McBurnie of Meenagha # 555

Buildings & Other Structures

• 1st Isabelle Stinson of Enterprise # 48

• 2nd Steven Haycock of Danville Junction #65

• 3rd Dale Burnell of Danville Junction #65

Nature & Scenery

• 1st Merton Ricker of Topsham # 37

• 2nd Holly Welch of Maple Grove # 148

• 3rd Steven Haycock of Danville Junction #65

Grange

• 1st Marilyn Stinson of Enterprise #48

• 2nd Karen Gagne of Danville Junction #65

• 3rd Steven Haycock of Danville Junction #65

Other

• 1st Merton Ricker of Topsham #37

• 2nd Laurie McBurnie of Meenagha # 555

• 3rd Norma Meserve of Danville Junction #65

People

• 1st Judy Meserve of Chelsea # 215

• 2nd Sandra Moon of Old Town Riverside # 273

• 3rd Laurie McBurnie of Meenagha #555

Best in Show

Merton Ricker of Topsham Grange # 37

The Junior Photo winners in the Photo Contest are as follows. All entries were awarded 1st place.

• 5-9, Animals, Elijah Benn

• 5-9, Structure, Rowen O’Hanlon

• 5-9, Nature, William Stinson-Barone

• 5-9, Other, Carter Pike

• 5-9, People, Halley Pike

• 10-14, Animals, Isaac Benn

Legislative Report By Jim Annis, Director

What a convention, huh? Plenty of camaraderie was had by all. Lots of work accomplished. And we have some new state

officers. Although the voting process for elective offices was dragged out, things did go smoothly.

Regarding the two resolutions that the Legislative Committee was responsible for, I want to thank the brothers and sisters

who helped the committee move them along successfully.

The first resolution, United States Constitution which, as resolved, stated that Congress shall make no law that applies to

Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States. This resolution will be sent on

to National Grange for their approval as voted by the membership.

The sixth resolution was resolved that further Legislatures be seated alphabetically. I failed to mention one important thing. This resolution

won’t be submitted to the Maine State Legislature to become a bill until 2019.

Please let me explain. The members of the Maine Legislature are elected for a two-year term. During the first year, bills are submitted and pre-

sented to the various committees for action. Some bills are approved, some aren’t, and some are carried over into the second year to be worked on.

During the second year, the carried over bills are worked on along with any emergency bills. No new bills are to be submitted.

2018 will be the second year of the current term. Therefore, the Grange State Legislature resolution cannot be offered as a bill until 2019 during

the first session of a new term. In December of 2018 I will ask a local legislator to submit this resolution as a bill to be acted upon by the Maine Leg-

islature.

Nature looks dead in winter because her life is gathered into her heart. She withers the plant down to the root that she may grow it up again fairer and stronger. She calls her family together within her inmost home to prepare them for being scattered abroad upon the face of the earth.

~Hugh Macmillan

Secretary’s Corner By Sharon Morton, Secretary

It has been a busy here at State Grange Headquarters as we are transitioning to new officers. I would like to

welcome, Sherry Harriman, Master; Adrian (Mike) Griffin, Overseer; Steven Haycock, Steward; Richard (Rick)

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Grotton, Assistant Steward; Gladys Chapman, Chaplain; Victoria (Vicki) Huff, Treasurer; Henry Morton, Gatekeeper; Christine Hebert, Ceres; and

Steven Verrill and James Owens, Executive Committee Members of the Maine State Grange.

PLEASE READ AS THIS IS IMPORTANT!

Roster time is right around the corner and I have some Roster Information that I need to receive to make the information complete. I am listing

the following Pomona Granges and Subordinate Granges that I have not received. You may email the following information to me at mainestate-

grange@myfairpoint.net. This year I am asking for our Subordinate Granges physical address; contact person and number; meeting day and time;

whether or not you have early refreshments or a supper (pot luck or paid); the name, address, telephone number and email address of the following:

Master, Lecturer, Secretary and CWA Chairperson. Here are the names of the Pomona and Subordinate Granges: Androscoggin Pomona 1; Turner

23; West Minot 42; Deering 535; Cumberland & Oxford Union Pomona 21; Paugus 540; Porter 569; Excelsior Pomona 5; North Jay 10; Wilson 321;

Greenwood 363; Schoodic 420; Hancock Pomona 13; Castine 250; Rumford115; Ashland 247; Cambridge 582; East Sangerville 177; Garland 76; St.

Albans 114; Wayside 590; Merriconeag 425; West Bath Seaside 592; Kennebec Valley 128; Mt. Philip 545; Waldo Pomona 12; Branch Mills 336;

Seven Star 73; Alexander 304; Arlington 528 and York Pomona 14.

I am looking forward to receiving this information as information from last year’s Roster could be incorrect.

Membership lists are being updated and being forwarded to Secretaries for updating. I thank you all for your cooperation in getting this daunt-

less task completed.

I, with the State Master, will be planning Secretary Workshops in the coming year. We plan to have these workshops around the State, so all

secretaries have the opportunity to attend. More to come once plans are final.

I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving.

Exploring Traditions--Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life By Walter Boomsma

As part of my work with our school, I recently chaperoned a group of honor music students on a bit

of a “field trip.” They took part in a long day that culminated with a truly amazing concert. There were

some twenty schools represented—middle school age kids. My job was basically to keep the kids safe

and make sure they had a good time. For various reasons, I was in contact with our school principal sev-

eral times throughout the day, most often by text message.

How does this relate to the Grange Way of Life? The experience demonstrated that as we adopt the

“Grange Way” it can, in fact, become a way of life. We follow it and it follows us. I realized it after the

concert was over and each student had, as instructed, “checked out” with me by bringing a parent to

meet me before leaving. After the last one left, I texted to the principal, “All is secure. Every student has

checked out with a parent.” At least I didn’t call her “Worthy Master.”

I think it’s interesting that National Grange has adopted “The Grange Way” as a theme for a theme and I am anxious to see how that theme

translates into practice, partly because of the challenges we face as a collection of individuals, trying to live the Grange Way. A strength of the

Grange is also a weakness. As a grassroots organization, we take on many different forms and interests. Do we have an identity crisis?

What is the Grange Way? I confess I’m tempted to set up a survey on the website and ask that question. I suspect we’d get some interesting

answers!

National Communications Director Amanda Brozana Rios revealed her new tattoo at the Maine State Grange Convention. On the inside of her

forearm you ‘ll find the familiar, “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, freedom, In all things, charity.” I think that bit of ink represents a strong

commitment to the Grange Way of life and I congratulate Amanda for quite literally making it part of her.

While it makes sense to adopt new themes, and occasionally change our focus, for an organization such as ours, we do well when we consider

what has worked for 150 years.

I think it’s funny that I ended my school assignment with an automatic announcement, “All is secure.” I think it would be great if we found

ourselves reciting the Grange slogan more often. When we find ourselves disagreeing regarding a course of action during a Grange Meeting, some-

one needs to stand up and remind us, “In essentials, unity… in non-essentials, freedom… in all things charity.” Is it necessary (essential) that we

agree on everything? Can we allow individuality? How do we demonstrate charity (love) as we go about being Granges and Grangers?

You can bet you’ll be hearing more from me on this topic… but for now, “All is secure.”

The Grange Way: in essentials, unity; in non-essentials, freedom; in all things charity.

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Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-sixth edition of the 2013 Subordinate Grange Manual. The views and opinions expressed in “Ex-

ploring Traditions” are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine and policy of the Grange.

View from the Farm By Heather Retberg

Power. Is yours on again? Is it out? Is it up? Power. Does it flow from people upward or from the top downward? Did

we really just shift it downward toward people? Did we do that?!!

This week, many of us have been consumed with conversations about power of all sorts--electric power, political power

and, please let's not leave food power off the list. After postponing the pork pick-up because of that mighty, roaring, destruc-

tive wind, Phil did make it up to Herring Brothers on Thursday to fill the freezers (all nicely powered up) with bacon and ham and pork chops and

sausage and ribs--every kind of good, delectable pork to keep us well fueled through these coming winter months.

On Halloween, Governor LePage signed the amended food sovereignty bill into law, which became effective immediately. With that action, the

state of Maine became the first state in the country to recognize the shift in power away from food monopolies and regulatory agencies to people in

towns at town meetings. Every town in Maine can now adopt local food ordinances governing the "direct producer-to-consumer transaction of food

and food products". With one more likely major battle to come on the food sovereignty front, the very best thing we can do in Maine to protect this

is to have so many towns and cities as possible adopt the Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance, expanding the zone of food sover-

eignty. When the next battle comes, the fabric of people power over our food will be stronger and more resilient. Meanwhile, here's a brief report

that ran in Lewiston's Sun Journal this past week announcing the amended law's passage. Here's to saying 'yes'! Yes to feeding ourselves. Yes to

determining how we do that in our communities. Yes to greater food self-sufficiency.

The foundation of food sovereignty has now been laid in Maine. We can grow our own food. We can feed each other.

http://www.sunjournal.com/food-sovereignty-and-saying-yes-new-state-law-starts-wednesday/

As to electric power...we-e-ll, rural electrification is still a grand idea, isn't it?! With so many without refrigeration this week, we've been put-

ting in some extra kitchen time to process milk. We are well stocked up with cheeses, yogurts, milk and all things porcine.

Hope you are all again enjoying more ease in your daily doings with restored power.

Hope we will all enjoy more ease in our food exchanges with restored people power, too.

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Heather and Phil Retberg together with their three children run Quill's End Farm, a 105-acre property in Penobscot that they bought in 2004. They

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use rotational grazing on their fifteen open acres and are renovating thirty more acres from woods to pasture to increase grazing for their pigs,

grass-fed cattle, lambs, laying hens, and goats. Heather is Master of Halcyon Grange #345 and writes a newsletter for their farm's buying clubs for

farmers in her area and has generously given us permission to share some of her columns with Grangers throughout the state.

Helping Future Leaders with Educational Aid By Glenys Ryder, Past Vice President of the Educational Aide Trustees

At the recent 144th Annual Convention of the Maine State Grange in Skowhegan, the trustees of the Educational Aid

and Howes Nurses Scholarship Fund were proud to award three $700 scholarships to three deserving students. Allison Col-

son of Benton and a member of Benton Grange is studying accounting at Kennebec Valley Community College. Deborah Lancaster of Bucksport is

a member of Old Town Riverside Grange. She is studying nursing at Eastern Maine Community College. Christine Landes of Bethel and a member

of Alder River Grange is working on her MBA with a concentration in public administration at SNHU.

Thanks to all those who made donations to the Scholarship Fund during the state session. It was much appreciated. The cost of an adequate

education is increasing every year, and our funds to help these students are limited. Any donations from individuals, from Granges, or from other

organizations would be so appreciated! The donation of one individual may be small, but collectively, these small donations would mean a great deal

in fulfilling their dreams. Perhaps a Grange might put on a supper or raffle in order to raise money for this needy cause.

Donations may be sent to J. Patrick Elwell, Educational Aid Fund, 136 Quaker Lane, Smithfield, ME 04978.

Amazon Smiles Program For online holiday shopping

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the

same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on

Amazon.com. The difference is that when customers shop on AmazonSmile

(smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of

eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.”

For Grangers and Grange friends, it’s quite easy. Just use this special link to the

Amazon Website: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/34-2041352. (We have a button with

the link readily available in a sidebar on the website.) You’ll know you’ve suc-

ceeded when the upper left corner includes the words “Supporting Maine Grange

Foundation.”

Amazon is already tracking your purchases… they will, at regular intervals,

send the Foundation a donation based on one-half percent of all purchases made us-

ing the Amazon Smile link. It costs you, the shopper, nothing. Other than using the

link, you need to nothing to make this happen. Your shopping habits and purchases

remain confidential–the only thing Amazon sends to the Maine Grange Foundation is money! The only thing you do (other than using the URL) is

shop!

You can also download an Amazon Smiles Program Flyer to post on your bulletin board and distribute to members and friends… the more

shoppers we have, the more money we raise.

But wait, there’s more! A sampling of articles posted on the website…

Remember, the MSG website is your “goto” place for news and information as it becomes available. Some recent articles on the site include:

• Valley Grange to Host Spirit of America Awards… including a group interview on WVII – ABC 7/Fox 22

• Congratulations, Bangor Grange… first place winner of State Community Service Contest, second place of National.

• Mill Stream Grange Holds Work Bee… busy bees are cleaning up at Mill Stream Grange!

• Rural America Needs High Speed Internet… an action alert from National Grange.

• Be a Window Dresser… an interesting community service opportunity at St George Grange

• California Grange Wildfire Relief Efforts… and how we can help

•

Officers and directors, please remember that meeting and conference information must be submitted at least two months ahead to

be printed in the Bulletin. (For example, the Bulletin published in January will include events taking place in March.) Please also re-

member to send us copies of new program books, contest rules, and applications, etc. as they are developed or revised.

PLEASE POST A COPY OF THE BULLETIN TO YOUR GRANGE’S BULLETIN BOARD!

All articles and information must be submitted by the fifteenth of the month. Our goal is then to have the issue assembled, printed and mailed

by the end of that month. (Articles will be posted to the website as received unless otherwise requested.)

All letters or articles submitted for publication must have contents relating to the Grange and may be edited for length and grammar. When

submitting future events, please allow adequate lead time and include all the details such as date, time, Grange (and location) and a contact for

more information. The complete policy is available on the Maine State Grange website.

Best wishes for a meaningful and enjoyable holiday season!