State Grange News - Massachusetts State Grange
Transcription
State Grange News - Massachusetts State Grange
State Grange News March, 2012 Volume 53 No.3 The official publication of the Massachusetts State Grange Regional Meetings Coming Up Inside This Issue Chaplain 4 Lecturer 6 Master 3 Meetings 22 Membership Recognition 21 Legislative 13 Youth 11, 14 H&C 11 Agriculture 10 Grange News 17 Directory Changes 21 Coloring Pictures 27,28,29 Ag Day Info 30 ™ During the next couple of months, regional meetings are being held throughout the state. If you have never been to a regional meeting, they can provide a wealth of information about Grange ritual, proper procedure, officers duties, and so much more. It is a great time for Grangers to make connections with other Grangers in their regions. State Master Matthew Johnson will be conducting the question and answer portion of the meeting. Check page 19 for the date of your region’s meeting and additional information. Specials Inside This Issue There is a lot happening this month and the committees have been busy getting out information. There are pages that can be printed out as posters to publicize the Talent/Sign-ASong/Public Speaking/Bake off contests, Ag Day at the State house and Ag Youth Day in May. The Agriculture Committee has also submitted the contest coloring pictures. There are 3 age groups and the pictures are labeled. To print the newsletter without the coloring pages, and the Ag posters, when you go to the printer window, select pages and then put in the number of the pages you want to print. The printer will only print the designated pages. There is a poster for Homesteading workshops in New Braintree. And the Youth committee provided information on upcoming contests. Youth: take note! The Youth Drill team is being started and a rehearsal date has been set. With all this information…. LET’S GET BUSY! LET’S GET GROWING! State Grange News Page 2 From the Editor’s Desk….. Wow! Do we have news this month! Lots of great things coming up! Regional meetings, talent contest, sign-a-song contest, bake-off., Ag Day at the State House, and Ag Youth Day. I had a lot more Granges confirm their meetings this month, and from what I can see, there are some “dynamite” programs out there. Check the listings and set up your Grange visiting schedule now. A special thank you to those who took the time to send their Grange meeting information in. The regional meeting calendar is in this issue. It is important to make an effort to attend your region’s meeting. “ A special thank you to those of you who took the time to send their Grange meeting information in.” Make sure you check out the Youth Program contests listed in this months SGN, as well as information on the Home and Community Committee’s bake off contest. Put the April 29th date on your calendar and attend the State Grange talent contest, sign-a-song contest, and the bake off, which are all held on that day! The Agriculture and Environment Committee has noted upcoming contests and one key change to the display contest. Make sure you put the State Ag Day on your calendar. See you on the Grange circuit! MASSACHUSETTS STATE GRANGE NEWS Massachusetts State Grange Inc. MATTHEW JOHNSON Editor-in-Chief ANN PREST Executive Editor Board of Management Kathleen M. Peterson, Chairman Mary J. Jordan, Vice Chairman Scott Davis Calvin Chase Alicia L. Brazie Randall L. Vaill George Thomas Advertising from Grange affiliates, news items and photos solicited. Deadline is the 15th of each month to the Executive Editor. Advertising rate: $5 per column inch. Email: [email protected] Webmaster: Jason Gregory Website: www.massgrange.org State Grange News Page 3 From the Master’s Office As I sit and write this column, I have just returned from the park with Brett. We were out taking batting practice, fielding ground balls, and shagging flies. We talked on the way over to the softball field about how last year the fields were under several feet of snow and we didn’t know if it would be melted by the time the season started. Today it was fifty degrees, beautiful blue sky, and it’s the middle of February. I could get used to this type of a winter. Since my last column, things have been pretty busy at my desk in Haverhill. It seems that some Granges take this time to plan for the upcoming year and to get their programs in line and prepare for the season ahead. Most of you should have heard that regional meetings are coming back! This is your chance to view the opening and closing of the Grange. In some cases, the draping of the Charter, flag presentation, and balloting for candidates. There will also be a question and answer period when I’ll answer questions. I hope that all Granges send representatives to this important meeting and I strongly encourage new members and officers to attend. I have been a Grange member for 27 years and I am still learning new things all the time. Check the State Grange News and the website for further information and dates. Speaking of the website. Have you had a chance to check it out lately? A big Thank You to Jason Gregory for over-hauling the website. It was indeed a lot of work and there are still a few tweaks to be made. I believe the new layout of the State Grange News and the website show that the Massachusetts State Grange is willing to change with the times and look toward the future. Between now and the next State Grange News, I will have the opportunity to attend the Middlesex County 4-H Program in Westford on February 25th. The State Grange voted at our annual session to donate money to support both the 4-H and the Massachusetts FFA. These two organizations, chock full of youth and enthusiasm, are perfect for us to partner with. They have the same ideals as we do, the same belief in community service, and the same roots in agriculture. We would be remiss to just dismiss them and not take advantage of the opportunity “I hope that all Granges send representatives to this important meeting and I strongly encourage new members and officers to attend.” continued next page State Grange News We need to stop out of our halls and meeting places and into the community. We have to find our niche.” Page 4 to work with these organizations. The days of Granges sitting back and waiting for people to come to them are long past. We need to step out of our halls and meeting places and into the community. We have to find our niche. Our place. We hear stories from our 50 plus year members about what the Grange “used to do”. We hear of all the grand deeds the Granges “used to do” as we hear Secretaries read the history of the Grange at 100 year anniversaries. Is that what we want our legacy to be? The Grange has a deep, rich history of agricultural and community involvement. Let us use that history, our ideals and teachings, and become Granges that “DO NOW”! Partner with other organizations. Make meetings enjoyable, entertaining, beneficial, and meaningful. We have made changes at the State Grange level. Recommendations were passed and accepted by the delegate body at State Grange Session to help give Granges the framework and ideas to grow. My Grange is worth the extra effort. Is yours? Fraternally, Matt Chaplain’s Message How much technology is too much? Are we currently using too many of these fascinating new gadgets? Are there simply too many of them at our disposal? Sometimes, the world is so fascinated with the next new item available for our technological yearnings and desires, that it is possible to become bored with the same old thing we have been using for the past two weeks! In addition to that, it is likely that by the time we actually figure out how to use all the functions of these shiny toys, there is a new model available and it has even more bells and whistles than the previous model. Take computers for example. I could choose to purchase a new computer, because the operating system I use is no longer supported by Windows. So, out come all the sale flyers from the Sunday paper and I'm off and running, looking at all the fancy new computers with all of the newest options that are available. I research the different brands that are on sale now, because the brand I had before is no longer available. Then, I State Grange News Page 5 go to the store to purchase one and find that it is currently out of stock. The store clerk tells me that it is due in on the truck next week, but the sale price will not be honored on that item at that time. Of course not, why would it be? So, I ask him where else I could go to get one. I really want that particular one because of all the time I have invested already and I really don't want to start all over again. Then I begin calling the other stores and suddenly I find the exact one I want and drive to the store to get one. Then, after bringing it home it sits on the counter for the day, until I can find a twelve year old who can start it up. So goes the cycle and I'm sure that by now, there are news reports being formed about the newest technology for computers that will make life much easier - and faster. Sending an email to the State Master will be even easier than it has been, except that the function to do that is not supported by my brand new computer - because it is too old! Ugh! "Smart phones" are equally as fast changing. Imagine yourself trying to stay on top of the latest technology of the swiftest evolving piece of technology today. Beginning with Blackberry, techno-savvy consumers have been lining up for decades to be one of the first to have one of these elegant new cell-phones. Not only can I call someone, I can text, send pictures, emails, check the score of the game, record a message, and take notes about the seminar that I'm currently attending, right from the little device in my hand! With these new smart phones, it is possible to perform almost any task, right from the phone. The phones today almost know what you want to do before you do, and the phone is planning the task before being asked to do it. So, now we can text, email, take pictures, send pictures, search the web, post videos to Face Book, listen to music, or even talk directly to someone faster than before on the nicest shiny new phone we've ever had. If only it wasn't so big. And it's so heavy! Then it happens. Here comes the brand new model. It does all the same things and more, and guess what? It's lighter than before. It's smaller and sleeker than before. And what color do you want? Persimmon? No problem! Technologi- “Then, after bringing it home, it sits on the counter for the day, until I can find a twelve year old who can start it up.” continued next page State Grange News “Let’s never forget that the best way to talk with God is down on our knees….we cannot send him an email….texting him is not an option.” Page 6 cal choices are more abundant than ever and it seems there is a never ending supply of something we don't have, but we know we need it. Let's never forget that the best way to talk with God is down on our knees. He doesn't have a computer so we cannot send him an email. He doesn't use one of those smart phones, so texting him is not an option. He does hear us however, and although we may not always recognize his answer, the answer is there if we look for it. And remember - there isn't an app for that! Amen. Fraternally, Randy Belseth From the Lecturer’s Desk PLAN NOW To participate or attend the State Grange Talent Contest April 29th 1:00 PM Boylston Mark your calendar: Lecturer’s Conference July 30th thru Aug. 2nd Rivier College Nashua, NH If the winter continues with the gentle touch we’ve witnessed over the last few months, then March will surely come in as a lamb. Looking forward to the official arrival of the spring season brings thoughts of increased outdoor activities – yard work, gardening, long walks or hikes, visiting neighboring Granges, and participating in events sponsored by the State Grange. There is nothing more heartwarming to a Lecturer than having a large attendance to join in his/her program. Quarterly reports from Subordinate Lecturers and monthly reports from Pomona Lecturers show the fine programming that exists across Massachusetts. Thank you for getting those reports to me in a timely manner. I also appreciate receiving the detailed program ideas that can be passed along to other Lecturers through my quarterly bulletins. Have you planned to enter the State Talent Contest on April 29th? Since there is no limit on the number of people in an act, do you want to ask someone to join you? Please let me know in which category you will be entering. Prizes will be awarded for adults, juniors up to age 9 and juniors ages 10 and over in three categories: vocal, instrumental, and variety. In addition to performers, I look forward to many people in the audience at the Boylston Town House, 599 Main Street, Boylston. (Please note: address incorrect in last month’s issue.) State Grange News Page 7 Let’s Meet….. the Lecturer of Laurel Grange #161 Jacalyn Carter especially loves being Lecturer. Her favorite programs are the ones that make you think “outside the box.” In her seventh year as Lecturer, she continues to provide opportunities to stimulate that kind of thinking in her fellow members. Spending time with her husband, Peter, and their 4-yearold son, George, reading books, and working as an afterschool teacher at the YWCA of Newburyport are among Jackie’s favorite things to do. To complete the lists of favorites, she says she wears any color except yellow and pink, eats any kind of beans, and anticipates the excitement of Halloween each year. In addition to her involvement in the Subordinate Grange, Jackie is also on the Executive Committee of Heritage Pomona and serves on the State Home and Community Service Committee. In commenting on the personal impact of the Grange, Jackie concludes, “I have enjoyed what the Grange has taught me.” Update on the Lecturer’s traveling animals….. I caught up with Woody Woodchuck in Whately at a Connecticut Valley Pomona meeting. He was enjoying the interesting information about the butterflies at the Magic Wings Conservatory until, the speaker, Kathy Fiore, introduced OJ, the lizard that resides at the conservatory. I’m not sure who was more afraid of the face-to-face encounter – OJ or Woody! Gordie Ram continues his trek around the Central Area. Most recently, he played “Apples to Apples” at Central Community Grange and was presented a Junior Grange member pin at Central Community Jr. Grange. Looking ahead ….. Grange month is just around the corner. Congratulations to those Granges that annually invite the public into their halls as part of a Grange month activity! National Grange designates April as a time “to promote the Grange in your community, to encourage people to think about the Grange as a community-oriented organization, and to invite non-members to join in our efforts. It is also a time to revitalize an interest in the Grange among those members who may not be attending Now that Woody and Gordie have been found, we wonder what Bessie Cow and Dutch Bunny are up to. Continued next page State Grange News Page 8 meetings on a regular basis.” This year, National Grange urges Subordinate Granges to hold an open house and award ceremony. Lecturers can play a key role in planning such an event. The Community Citizen Award is presented by a Subordinate/Community Grange to a nonmember, individual or group in your community for his/her/their outstanding achievements in your community. Similarly, a Pomona Grange can present the Award for Public Service to a member or non-member, following the same criteria. These awards are available from National Grange Headquarters, 1616 H Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006-4999 or on-line at nationalgrange.org. Presenting membership awards for years of service would make an appropriate addition to your event. Of course, top off the awards ceremony with a good program, incorporating some of the elements of RIME: recreation, information, music, and entertainment. My Lecturer’s Coordinating Committee will be meeting this month to work on the Massachusetts program to be presented at the NE Lecturers’ Conference at Rivier College in Nashua, NH. The conference will be held July 30th – August 2nd. The theme is “Beyond the Earth.” I welcome any ideas or suggestions as well as volunteers to participate in our program on the planets. More information will be available next month. Until next time….. Janet Segur Woody the wood chuck isn’t quite sure about OJ the lizard. He’s never seen a lizard before. “Hey, wait a minute….I didn’t say I wanted to hold him!” State Grange News Page 9 State Grange News Page 10 Agricultural and Environment The Agricultural and Environment Committee has lots of news to share with you. As there are only six members on the committee we will be using the State Grange News and website to distribute information as much as possible. See ALERT box for NEW information on Exhibit contest. The coloring, drawing, and photo contests will continue unchanged. Coloring sheets can be found in this issue and on the website. Please make sure that each entry has the child’s name, age, and sponsoring Grange on the back. Remember it is open to non-members as well, so encourage children who don’t belong to Grange to enter. Although we will not be selecting a specific project as we have in the past, we will be supporting Heifer Project. The raffle is back and Marjorie Shea is spearheading this endeavor. Tickets will be available from Deputies and our committee. Donations will also be accepted. Information on the Gladiolas Bulb sale will be coming in the April SGN Our BIG endeavor this year is to sponsor an Ag Youth Day at the University of Massachusetts South Deerfield Research Farm on May 12. The day will start at 9:30 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. It is open to all Youth between the ages of 10 and 20. Participants will split into 4 groups and rotate through 4 workshops consisting of Animal I.D., Animal care, planting and tractor wars. We are doing this in collaboration with the Massachusetts FFA and 4-H. A copy of the poster is in this SGN and we ask for any help advertising this project. An important date coming up is April 3, which will be AG day at the Statehouse. This is the day that we get to show and tell our legislators how important Agriculture is in our state. Check the last page of this newsletter for schedule of that day. Contact Mary Jordan and she can have a nametag preprinted for you. We will also be having a booth at the Mass 4-H Blue Ribbon calf sale on May 24. Watch for updates and more news next month. Peter Carter State Agriculture and Environment Committee All A & E committee contests can be found on pages 2 & 3 of the Massachusetts State Grange Program handbook. ALERT We have changed our Ag exhibit contest. We love to see Granges continue to display exhibits in public places, however, we want to have bragging contests at State Session. Keep track of what your Grange’s agricultural activities are throughout the year and tell us about them in a display at State Session. State Grange News Page 11 Massachusetts Youth Drill Team Rehearsal A rehearsal of the Massachusetts Youth Drill Team will be held on March 18, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Dunstable Town Hall, Main Street in Dunstable. ANYONE that is in the youth group of 14-35 years of age, that would like to join, please come that day. The competition will be in July at the North East Youth Conference. Any questions please call or email Lisa Johnson at 978-372-8845 or [email protected]. This is a great opportunity for new youth members to know other youth and have a fun time. From the Home & Community Service Director “I would like to invite you to participate in the bake-off contest on Sunday, April 29th at the Boylston Town House. It is open to Grange members and non-members. … Adults - a yeast bread and a coffee cake; Juniors - frosted yellow cupcakes.” continued next page Happy March! Spring is right around the corner and many Grange activities are quickly approaching. I would like to invite you to participate in the bake-off contest on Sunday, April 29th at the Boylston Town House. It is open to Grange members and non-members. The contest begins at 1:00 and we request that you have your entries there by 12:30. Categories are: Adults - a yeast bread and a coffee cake; Juniors - frosted yellow cupcakes. Please refer to the program handbook for rules and a copy of the entry form. The judging will take place during the talent, sign-a-song and public speaking contests. The winners will be announced after the other contests have concluded and all entries will then be auctioned off to benefit Grange projects. If you do not want your entry to be auctioned, please notify us in advance and pick it up before the auction begins. I encourage you to support the other contests as well, but if you are unable to attend and still want to enter the bake-off, please contact a committee member in your area and we will find a way to get your entry picked up. I am also looking for 2-3 people that would be interested in judging the bake-off entries. A background in food judging is preferable, but not necessarily required. Please contact me if you are interested at: [email protected] or 978-249-9425. The Go To Church Sunday has been scheduled for Sunday, May 6th at the All Saints Church in West Newbury. Please mark your calendars. I would love to have a large Grange turn- State Grange News Page 12 out for this year's event. More details will be coming soon regarding the time of the service, the luncheon and entertainment. Your Granges will be receiving the Community Service Report information packets soon. Please be sure to look them over and start getting your time and projects listed. National Grange requires at least 25% participation by Granges for our state to be eligible for prize money. Your Grange does not have to make a fancy notebook to participate. All we really need is the report form filled out for it to count. I would like to see a much higher number of Granges participate this year. Fraternally, Jessica Gale-Tanner Operation Touch of Home The photo was sent to us with a thank you note from the Lt .Col. of an Air Force Rescue Squadron based in Western Afghanistan. Operation Touch of Home, a community service project started by North Orange Grange in 2007, will be having its 10th care packaging event on Saturday, April 14th. We are seeking names and addresses of service personnel stationed overseas. If you know of someone that would appreciate a care package, visit: www.operationtouchofhome.blogspot.com to download a copy of the soldier referral form and send it to us no later than Friday, April 6th. The blog has a list of suggested supply donations for anyone interested in donating items for the packages. Monetary donations can be mailed to: Operation Touch of Home, 93 Royalston Road, Orange, MA 01364-9633. Please make checks payable to: Operation Touch of Home. E-mail [email protected] with any questions or comments. Thank you for your help in making this project a success! State Grange News Page 13 Legislative Up-date “...Agriculture Day on April 3rd….I….. Encourage Granges to send a youth member as this is an ideal opportunity for them to learn about the legislative process in MA.” continued next page Happy March! I want to start this month’s column with advertisements for two upcoming legislative events that I believe our members should consider being involved in. At this point you should have received the letter about Agriculture Day on April 3rd. I want to take a moment to again encourage all Granges to send representatives. I would also strongly encourage Granges to send a youth member, as this is an ideal opportunity for them to learn about the legislative process in Massachusetts. This event is the perfect opportunity for each of our members to advocate for agriculture in Massachusetts directly with your legislators. This is your chance to make a difference but also to sample the “Tastes of Massachusetts.” I encourage every Grange to send a representative to this great event. Also, National Grange’s Annual Legislative Fly in Washington, DC is May 14- 16. This is another great opportunity to advocate on behalf of the Grange with your legislators. More information on this event can be found at http://www.nationalgrange.org/legislative-fly-in-2012/. This month I want to ask the question, what does your Grange advocate for? We have policy books that dictate what the National Grange and State Grange stand for, but what does your Grange stand for? As we approach Grange month in April, this may be something to consider, because it is a tool you can use to increase your membership. The history of our organization shows us that we have been most successful when we stand for something, whether it was fairer prices on the railroad or for the vote for women. As a nonpartisan organization we are able to advocate for commonsense ideas that are for the betterment of our communities. People want to join organizations that share their values and what is a better value than standing up for our communities? In a practical sense this means staying involved in your community, especially legislatively. Pay attention to what is going on in your community and if there is something that your Grange feels strongly about, talk about it in your community. Not only does it get the name of your Grange in to the community but it also shows that you State Grange News Page 14 care about the community and gives people another reason to join your Grange. I still encourage all Granges to email me the names and email addresses of their legislative chair. I will be sending out a bi-monthly e-newsletter and encourage all Granges to get involved. Until next month, Christopher Szkutak Legislative Director Hello from the Youth Committee “Fun in the Snow” was recently held on Sunday, February 12th at the Blackmer Farm in Orange, MA. Although there was no snow and it was VERY cold and windy, we had a great time! About 35 youth and adults spent the afternoon together going on a scavenger hunt and tractor ride, having hot dogs and s’mores and just being able to socialize with friends. MANY thanks to the entire Blackmer family for hosting us again this year and cooking us lunch and taking us for a tractor ride among many other things. We really appreciate your hospitality and friendship. It was a great day! Our next event is the Sign-a-Song and Public Speaking contests which are held in conjunction with the Talent Contest and Bake-Off. It will be held on Sunday, April 29th at 1:00 pm at the Boylston Town House. Please let us know if you would like to sign-up to participate in either contest or would like more information. We would love to have a large number of participants this year!! We are here to help you if you need ideas or encouragement. The rules for both contests can be found in the MA State Grange Program handbook and are also printed below: “Our next even is the Sign-A-Song and Public Speaking contests…..in conjunction with the Talent Contest and Bake -off….Sunday, April 29th” Public Speaking Contest: This outstanding program helps to build leadership and self-confidence in all those who participate by developing a skill that is important both in and out of the Grange. There are three contests: continued next page State Grange News Page 15 PREPARED SPEECH: Time limit is 4-7 minutes, on a topic of the speaker’s choice. An impromptu question on the speaker’s subject will also be asked at the end of the speech. The contestant must provide three copies of an outline of their speech of their speech two weeks prior to the state contest. Copies must be sent to the Youth Directors. State winners must agree to represent the State at the Northeast Regional Youth Conference. No props or costumes. ELEVATOR SPEECH: You are to answer the question “What is the Grange” for someone you have just met in a restaurant, elevator, etc. Time limit is 90 seconds. State winners must agree to represent the state at the Northeast Regional Youth Conference. Each of these contests is open to all Grange members and have three age categories: Category 1 – 14-19 years old Category 2 – 20-29 years old Category 3 – 30 + years old AWARD: State winners receive certificates and cash prizes. Regional winners receive cash prizes and also the Oliver Hudson Kelly Public Speaking Ruby award from National Grange. All regional contests are judged for a chance to showcase at National Session. DEADLINE: Those members wishing to participate must inform the State Youth Directors of their intention to participate in the contest at least two weeks prior to the State Contest. continued next page IMPROMPTU SPEECH: Participants will draw two topics, select their choice of the two and return the other one. Competition will be held at the State and Regional levels – You need not have participated in a state competition in order to participate in the Regional Conference. Your response must be at least 1 minute long but less than 7 minutes. State Grange News Page 16 STATE SIGN-A-SONG CONTEST The Sign-a-Song contest promotes the use of non-verbal skills of communication. This contest will be held in conjunction with the Public Speaking contest. Please note there are new categories and rules. Novice – one who is beginning to learn sign language, has had no more than three sign language classes and has entered the Sign-a-Song Contest no more than two years. Hobbyist – one who signs on an occasional basis and strictly for fun. One who has entered the Sign-a-Song Contest more than two years. Group – two or more people signing and may include up to two Junior Grange members. RULES: Open to any Subordinate Grange member, who has been a member for at least 1 year. (Separate contest for Juniors) The participants must provide three copies of the words to their song two weeks prior to the contest. Participants must furnish their own music. A cassette and a CD player will be available. Anyone who is a professional instructor or receives money for signing, may not enter. Signers use total communication techniques: Sign language, facial expressions, mouthing words for lip reading, finger spelling if appropriate and body movement. Props and costumes are not allowed. Only one song may be signed during the competitive performance. Medleys are not allowed. Participants must sign their own name and song title. Participants must inform the audience and judges what type of sign language they will be using (Pidgen, ASL, ESL, etc.). State winners must agree to represent the state at the Regional Youth Conference. PRE-REGISTER: Those members wishing to participate must let the State Youth Directors know of their intention at least two weeks prior to the Contest. continued next page State Grange News Page 17 AWARDS: State winners receive recognition. We have been asked to have a team of youth put on the First Degree at State Session this year. We have a few offices left to fill. Please contact LuAnn or Tracee if you would like to take part in the degree with us. We hope you are all enjoying this very mild winter!! Fraternally, LuAnn Belseth & Tracee Perkins, Co-Directors Rebecca Ingram & April Rose Carter New Braintree Grange News “The big news coming from New Braintree Grange is that we’ve created a Homesteading Workshop series to be held monthly.” Submitted by Kerry Metcalf The March 14th meeting of New Braintree Grange will feature a short Maple Syrup program and we will be beginning degrees. We meet at the New Braintree Congregational Church, Hardwick and Oakham Roads in New Braintree. Our meetings start at 7:30 PM. The big news coming from New Braintree Grange is that we've created a Homesteading Workshop series to be held monthly. We're going back to our roots with such topics as Bee Keeping, Preserving the Harvest, Soap Making, Bread Making, etc. March 21st the workshop will be Seed Starting and will be from 7 PM to 9 PM. See our flyer on page 00 of this issue of SGN. There will be more items to share in the next couple of months as New Braintree plans a Spring Dinner, and Citizens Award. Already in the planning stages is our 2nd Annual Grange Day Pig Roast. New Braintree Grange is growing fastI believe 9 new members and counting since September! (Editor’s note: Way to Go New Braintree!) Card Shower Requested Patrons, Please surprise General Deputy, James Martin, with a card shower to celebrate his 75th birthday on March 10, 2012. Send your card to: Mr. James D. Martin Jr. P.O. Box 45, Cummington, MA 01026 - 004 Thank you, Michael Martin State Grange News Page 18 State Grange News Page 19 A letter to all members: You’ve heard them mentioned in minutes and records of years gone by. There have been rumors about how much they can help and improve understanding of ritual and its’ importance in our Order. I am pleased to announce that regional meetings are returning! This is a perfect time for everyone, new members to 80 year members, to observe the ritual of the Grange and learn or re-learn your offices. Massachusetts has always prided itself in the exemplification of its’ ritual and it’s time to remind ourselves of that fact. This is a perfect time to view the ritual and to ask questions. I encourage everyone to attend. Please see the schedule below for a regional meeting in your area and the proposed agenda. Agendas may be slightly different depending on region. March 8th 7:30 pm Pittsfield Western Area March 24th 9 am Charlton Central Area April 1st 1 pm South Middleboro Southeast Area Rt. 28, Wareham St. A sandwich luncheon will be available. April 21st 9 am Groton April 23rd 7:30 pm Williamsburg Northeast Area Western Area Agenda: Opening of the Grange Draping of the charter, Balloting for candidates, Voting, Flag Presentation Closing of the Grange Question and answer period with the State Master. For more information, please contact the respective area General Deputy. Fraternally, Matthew Johnson Master- Massachusetts State Grange “This is a perfect time for everyone, new members to 80 year members, to observe the ritual of the Grange and learn or relearn your offices.” State Grange News Page 20 Thank You I would like to thank everyone for their kind expressions of sympathy on the death of Bill. One of his last requests was that he wanted to have a Grange service and he would have been completely overwhelmed at the number of people who attended the wake and participated in the service. The kindness and love from our Grange Family have helped us through our loss. Janet Horne This just in…Breaking News….Dutch is Dutchess! While visiting Ponkapoag Grange, Dutch gave birth to five beautiful bunnies. What a surprise for Lecturer, Patti Thomas, to discover the State Lecturer’s male rabbit friend was really a female! Their foster mother, Patti, has been busy caring for the new family. Now, Duchess and her babies have some food and will be transported in their new basket to Easton Grange. Sister Patti has also initiated a “Name the Babies” activity for the next Granges the rabbits visit. Now that we know that “Dutch” is actually a “Dutchess” the question that remains is….who’s the father? They do have their mother’s smile, did you notice that? State Grange News Page 21 Welcome to our New Member Marlene Stimas West Boxford #140 Membership Recognitions 50 years Stasia Couture Ware #164 55 years Marianna Vorce Boxborough #131 Guy Williams Boxborough #131 Charles Hulse Ware #164 Charles Moulton Jr. Ware #164 65 years Arthur Richardson Ware #164 75 years Lilliam Mitchell Ware #164 Thinking of You….. There are Grangers who could use cards and letters from their Grange family. Please take the time to let them know they are thought of. Sister Gladys Stockwell, of Ware Grange #164 fell and was in an accident, will be in rehab for a while. Cards or calls would be appreciated 10 Mateus Way, Gaithersburg MD 20878-4125 301-216-4409 Gordon Taylor 439 South Shelburne Road, Shelburne, Ma. 01370-9538. (heart attack & stint put in) Directory Changes IN MEMORIAM Robert A. Brown Boxborough #131 William Horne Sudbury #121 Hilda Hatt West Boxford #140 Sarah Leonhard West Boxford #140 James Emery Platt Laurel #161 Clara Richardson Ware #164 Mary Obrien Stockbridge #295 Nancy C. Pease Middlefield #310 Norfolk Pomona Grange #27 will be meeting in various places during the Grange Hall renovation. Check SGN’s Confirmed Grange Meetings listing each month. Change Bradford Grange Master Matthew Johnson 22 Jordan St Haverhill MA 01830-6520 978-372-8845 [email protected] Thank You To our State Grange Family and Friends: Thank you for the cards and calls following the death of our brother-in-law John, in February. It is nice to have so many friends who care. Special Love, Janet and Jim Martin and the Martin Family. State Grange News Page 22 Confirmed Grange Meetings March 1st - Weymouth Grange #387 Meets Weymouth Grange Hall 345 Ralph Talbot St., So. Weymouth 7:30 PM To be announced March 2nd - Mayflower P. M. Association Norwell Grange Hall 142 Main St., Norwell 6:00 PM Covered Dish Supper Hanover hosts 7:30 PM Jean T. Entertains. All Welcome May 10th - Mayflower North Pomona #40 Scituate Grange @ Mt. Hope Hall Clapp Rd. & Cedar St., Scituate 5:30 PM Covered Dish support , Scituate host 7:00 PM Home & Community Night, Guest Speaker March 12th - Abington Grange #57 Abington Grange Hall 833 Washington St., Abington 7:30 PM Surprise Program March 6th - Norwell Grange #410 Norwell Grange Hall 142 Main St., Norwell 7:30 PM Fun & Games March 13th - Scituate Grange #389 Mount Hope Improvement Hall Clapp Rd. & Cedar St. , Scituate 7:30 PM Home & Community Night March 7th - Rowley Grange #204 Meets at Rowley Public Library 141 Main Street, Rowley 7:30 PM Speaker on Herrick Farm March 14th—New Braintree Grange New Braintree Grange #170 New Braintree Congregational Church Hardwick & Oakham Rds, New Braintree 7:30 PM Maple syrup program, beginning degrees March 7th - Shelburne Grange #68 Fellowship Hall 17 Little Mohawk Road, Shelburne 7:00 PM Business meeting Program by Gordon Taylor March 8th - Whately #414 Town Hall, 108 Chestnut Plain Rd. 7:30 PM Installation of officers March 9th– Norfolk Grange #135 Please note location: Federated Church of Norfolk Corner of Main & Union Streets 7:30 PM St. Patrick’s Day observance March 10th - Norfolk Pomona Grange #27 Please note location: Norfolk Senior Center, 28 Medway Branch Rd., Norfolk Noon luncheon, Corned Beef & Cabbage (Contact Patti/George) Penny Sale 1:00 PM Jack Craig: It’s a Great Day for the Irish songs and culture. 1:30 PM Business meeting Wear something green March 13th - Anawan-Oakton #221 Grange Hall Junction of Rts. 44 & 118, Rehoboth 7:30 PM Fun & Games, Ag. Penny sale March 13th - Uxbridge Grange #200 Uxbridge VFW Hall Douglas Road, Uxbridge 7:30 PM Step up night with Code reading Penny Sale March 17th - Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner Norwell Grange Hall 142 Main St., Norwell 6:00 PM open to public Adults: $9 Children: $4.50 Reservations to : Rita Joseph 508-830-1964 OR Richard Merrill 781-878-0892 March 20th - Norwell Grange #410 Norwell Grange Hall 142 Main St., Norwell 7:30 PM Belated St. Patrick’s Day State Grange News Page 15 Confirmed Grange Meetings March 21st - Shelburne Grange #68 Fellowship Hall 17 Little Mohawk Road, Shelburne Field trip leaves hall at 6:45 PM to be at Eddie’s Wheels at 7 PM for tour of facility. March 21st—Rowley Grange #204 Meets at Rowley Library 141 Main St., Rowley 7:30 PM To Be Announced March 22nd - Whately #414 Town Hall, 108 Chestnut Plain Rd. 7:30 PM Educational Aid Night March 24th - Minuteman Pomona # 16 & Apple Valley Jr. Grange Dunstable Town Hall, Main St., Dunstable 12 Noon Pot Luck Lunch 1 PM Apple Valley Jr. Grange presents: “Juniors Got Talent.” March 26th - Norwell Grange #410 Abington Grange #57 Abington Grange Hall 833 Washington St., Abington 7:30 PM Easter Traditions March 27th - Anawan-Oakton #221 Grange Hall Junction of Rts 44 & 118, Rehoboth 7:30 PM Health and Safety Night March 27th - Uxbridge Grange #200 Uxbridge VFW Hall Douglas Road, Uxbridge 7:30 PM Deaf Activities and Hearing Awareness Meeting Place Change for Acushnet Grange Please note location Grange Hall, 121 Main St., Acushnet As meetings can be cancelled due to weather, poor traveling conditions, or illness, It is always a wise idea to check with a Grange to make sure it is meeting that night. If you don’t know who to contact, call your own Grange’s Master or Secretary. They have a State Directory and can give you the phone number of the Master, Lecturer, or Secretary of the Grange you wish to visit. As a general rule, the SGN does not publish a contact number or email unless that information is supplied. Unconfirmed Grange Meetings March 1st Upton Grange #125 Upton Grange Hall, Corner of School & Warren St., Upton 7:30 PM Agricultural Night March 2nd Franklin Worcester Pomona #4 Congregational Church, 21 North Main St., Petersham 7:30 PM Cake Decorating March 2nd Pittsfield Grange #14 Pittsfield Masonic Temple, 116 South St. 7:30 PM Farm Bureau Speaker March 3rd Williamsburg Grange #225 Grange & Community Hall, Main St. 6:00 PM Pot Luck Supper 7:00 PM Community Service Award & Meet the Candidates State Grange News Page 24 Unconfirmed Grange Meetings continued March 6th Petersham Grange #95 Congregation Church , 21 North Main St. 7:30 PM Agricultural Program Dartmouth Grange #162 Patrons Hall, 1133 Fisher Rd 7:30 PM Dartmouth Grange Birthday Cemtral Community Grange #22 Boylston Town House, 599 Main St. Boylston 6:00 PM Grange Chef Challenge Guiding Star Grange #1 Grange Hall, 401 Chapman St., Greenfield 7:00 PM Sterling-Shirley #53 Sterling Grange Hall, 15 Maple St. 1:00 PM Winter Memories by Everyone Charlton Grange #92 Grange Hall, Route 31, Charlton 7:30 PM Program in charge of Joyce Parent March 7th Montague Grange #141 Grange Hall, Main St., Montague Center 7:00 PM Seed Swap Williamstown #366 671 Cold Spring Rd. (Sheep Hill) Williamstown 6:30 PM Covered Dish Supper 7:30 Legislative Night March 8th Worcester-Norfolk Pomona #10 Upton Grange Hall, Corner of School & Warren St., Upton 7:30 PM Youth & Educational Aid Night Middlefield #310 Town Hall, 188 Skyline Trail 7:30 Business Meeting Note: check with an officer of Middleboro before attending March 9th Laurel Grange #161 Grange Hall, 21 Garden St, W. Newbury 7:30 PM 1st & 2nd degrees March 9th Boxborough #131 Boxborough Town Hall, Grange Room, 29 Middle Rd. 8:00 PM 126 Anniversary, Open Meeting Dunstable #31 Dunstable Town Hall, Main St. 8:00 PM 3rd & 4th degrees, Chesterfield Grange #83 Senior Center/ Grange Hall, 400 Main St. 7:30 PM Agriculture and Environmental Swansea Oakhill-Seekonk #148 Grange Hall, 65 Milford St., Swansea 7:30 PM Spring Birds Return March 10th Heritage Pomona #2 Laurel Grange Hall, Garden St., W. Newbury 3:30 PM Giant Penny Sale March 12th Hope Grange of Hadley #15 First Congregational Church Routes 9 & 47 Middle St., Hadley 6:30 PM Corned Beef & Cabbage Supper Hinsdale Grange #19 Town Hall, 39 South St. 7:30 PM St. Patricks Day Program Holden Grange #78 Holden Town Hall, 1196 Main St. 7:30 PM Visit to a 3rd World Country March 13th Groton #7 Grange Hall, 12 Park St., Pepperell] 7:00 PM Birthday Night North Orange Grange #86 Community Church of N. Orange & Tully 48 Main St., Orange 7:30 PM Open meeting—Farm SchoolCommunity Service Award Dudley Grange #163 Grange Hall, Center Rd., Dudley 7:30 Luck-O-the-Irish Night Green Thumb Plant Swap State Grange News Page 25 Unconfirmed Grange Meetings continued March 14th Rochester Grange #257 Grange Hall, 205 Hartley Rd. 7:30 PM Chief Dispatcher of Rochester F. D. Worcester Central Pomona #7 Boylston Town House, 599 Main St. 7:30 PM Alternative Energy March 15th Upton Grange #125 Grange Hall, Cor. School & Warren St., Upton 7:30 PM St. Patrick’s Day, Open Meeting March 16th South Middleboro Grange #337 Note Time and Place: 6:30 PM Pot Luck , Penny Sale & meeting at Ginny Decker’s, Neck Rd, Rochester Bay Path Pomona #9 Charlton Grange Hall, Rt. 31, Charlton Center 7:30 PM Irish Music & Poetry Night March 17th Community of Feeding Hills #382 Community Grange Hall, 47 North West St., Feeding Hills 11:45 AM Regular meeting March 19th Beverly Grange #306 Hastings House, 14 Oak St. (Rt. 127) Beverly 7:30 PM Regular meeting Dracut Grange # 216 Grange Hall, Bridge St. 7:30 PM Less Stress Ware #164 Grange Hall, 297 Belchertown Rd., (Rt. 9) 7:00 PM Game Night March 20th Central Community Grange #22 Boylston Town House, 599 Main St. 7:30 PM Election of officers Sterling-Shirley #53 Sterling Grange Hall, 15 Maple St. 1:00 PM Welcome Spring March 21st West Boxford #140 Lincoln Hall, Corner of Main & Washington 7:30 Children’s & Home Garden Ponkapoag Grange #231 Grange Hall, 163 Turnpike St., Canton 7:30 PM State Lecturer Visits March 22nd Middlefield Grange #310 Town Hall, 188 Skyline Trail 6:30 PM Spring Fling Supper March 23rd Laurel Grange #161 Grange Hall, 21 Garden St. W. Newbury 7:30 PM 3rd & 4th degrees Highland Grange #48 Stanton Hall, 26 Russell St., Huntington 7:00 PM St. Patrick’s Night March 26th Bedford Grange # 283 First Church of Christ, 25 The Great Rd. 8:00 PM Green Sash Night Connecticut Valley Pomona #19 @ Montague Grange Hall, Main St., Montague Center 7:45 PM Exotic Wood & Products. March 27th Southwick #46 Grange Building (behind Best Auto Repair) 580R College Highway 7:00 PM meeting North Orange Grange #86 Community Church of N. Orange & Tully 48 Main St., Orange 7:30 PM Maple Syrup Meeting March 28th Rowley Grange Public Supper Grange Hall, 29 Central St., Rowley Seating @ 5 & 6, serving till 7 PM Turkey Pie Reservations: 978-948-7288 March 31st Prescott Grange Monthly Supper Grange Hall, 12 Park St., Pepperell 5-7:00 PM