1. Art and Diseño

The State Grange News
The official publication of the Massachusetts State Grange
Volume 56, Number 2
February, 2015
Williamstown Grange Helps
10 yr. old With Giving Project
Williamstown Grange was able to help out a 10 year old
girl through a chance meeting with the child’s mother and
an unusual request. Nancy Lescarbeau tells the story to
SGN.
During the first week in December Ellen M. (the family
respectfully requests that their last name not be mentioned) come by my consignment shop, Experienced Attire, to drop off some items. She casually asked "Do you
have a few decent backpacks I could pick up or would
you like to donate them to Cecelia's School "Giving Project?" She explained Cecelia had decided to collect backpacks, put school supplies, health care kits and a stuffed
animal in each and donate them to the Franklin County
DCF office because that's where she and her older brother were adopted from. I could not have been more
pleased. I asked, " You only
want four? How about fortyeight new ones complete with
school supplies and health
kits?" Ellen said , " What do
you mean forty-eight ? Where
are you going to get forty-eight
new ones from? Come on..tell
me.. What's going on?" The
conversation continued where I
explained the National Grange
Foster Care Project.
This story continues on p.14
1
What is your Grange
doing in your
community?
Tell SGN. Williamstown
and Sterling did.
In This Issue
Master’s Desk…………....3
Chaplain…………………..4
Lecturer…………………...6
Youth………..…………… 9
Cooking Corner…..…….25
Grange Tour…………….19
Ag. & Environment……..11
National Grange………...26
MA Granges………...…..14
MDAR……………………23
SGN Information……..…24
Distinguished Grange….23
Thinking of You…….…...28
From the Editor’s Desk
This month I had two Granges that contacted me about their
news being in local publications. This is a very good thing. For
so long Granges have been encouraged to “get out of their
halls.” And some are doing that!
Two Granges are also working at restoring their Grange halls.
It is important that we make an effort to keep our halls looking
nice. It is the first thing the public sees when visiting a hall, or
even just driving by.
Two farm visitation days are now planned. Mark the dates on
the calendar. Especially mark the date for the visit to the UMass
Ag. Learning center to see the research garden that has been
created with the State Grange donation.
I would like to see some Grangers sending in their favorite
recipes for our Grange Cooking Corner. I know that there are a
lot of good cooks out there and that Grangers are always looking for new recipes to bring to potluck suppers.
I know it is only February, but Granges should start gearing up
for membership drives in March and April, as the snow starts to
melt. What can your Grange do in April, the Grange Month?
While the snow covers the ground, use the time to plan.
Happy Valentine’ Day!
MASSACHUSETTS STATE GRANGE NEWS
Massachusetts State Grange Inc.
MATTHEW JOHNSON
Editor-in-Chief
ANN PREST
Executive Editor
Board of Management
Kathleen M. Peterson, Chairman
Scott Davis, Vice Chairman
Calvin Chase
Randall L. Vaill, Jr.
Alicia L. Brazie
George Thomas Deborah K. Goodrich
Advertising from Grange affiliates, news items and photos solicited.
Deadline is the25th of each month to the Executive Editor.
Advertising rate: $5 per column inch.
Email Address of SGN: [email protected]
Webmaster: Jason Gregory
Website: www.massgrange.org
2
From the Master’s Desk
“…..and now we
can see out tree
begin to
blossom,
Continued next page
I received an awesome phone call the other night! I’ve never
been a big fan of the telephone. I’ve been that way ever since I
can remember. Anyway, I’m getting off the subject. The phone
call I received was regarding an informational meeting to be
held for the reorganization of Holliston Grange! The person I
was talking to was telling me about all the interest that the people in the community have in bringing the Grange back. It is definitely exciting! This will help us towards our goals for the year.
Let’s not stop there. Pomona Granges have been charged with
working to organize or reorganize Subordinate Granges in their
jurisdiction. We have been working hard to partner with multiple
organizations and the Grange is bringing a lot to the table. Now,
is the time to sell the Grange and grow our membership and
community presence! I look at the list of organizations that we
have chosen to work side by side with. Massachusetts Ag in the
Classroom, 4-H, FFA, UMass Agricultural Learning Center, Massachusetts Fair Association, Envirothon. We have put ourselves
in an excellent position to be a leading agricultural organization
in the state. We launched our Grange Roots Initiative a little
over a year ago, and we can now see our tree begin to blossom.
Soon, very soon, we will begin to harvest the fruits of our work.
Nothing ever comes easy and we have worked hard to get to
this point. You should all be energized and excited for what the
future holds!
I hope to hear news about Junior Granges looking to be
formed. With the launch of the Junior Plus One program, we
have put ourselves in the excellent position to grow our Junior
Grange. One of our goals this year is to organize/reorganize one
Junior Grange and to have a net gain in Junior membership.
Our Junior Granges have more than doubled in the past three
years and there is no reason to stop now. Let’s keep the Junior
program growing.
There are some great activities coming up from all the committees. Keep an eye on the State Grange News, the calendar
of events on the website, and communications sent to your
Granges. I hope that everyone can attend at least one of these
activities. This will give everyone the time to enjoy the company
of fellow Brothers and Sisters and to make the Grange a strong3
er fraternity. It can only happen with the dedication and commitment of the members.
As I sit typing this column, I have” A League of Their Own”
playing in the background and I am preparing to hunker down
for the snow coming this week. For those of you that like the
snow, enjoy. For those of you, like myself, that aren’t big fans of
the winter, Red Sox opening day is only 71 days away! Think
spring!
I look forward to visiting with you all very soon.
Fraternally,
Matt
“
Chaplain’s Message
When we were small children, we began to go to school to
learn basic things like the alphabet, numbers, counting and
learning to write our names. At school we also learned how to
play with and get along with the other children who were also
just beginning their education. As we progressed through the
grades, we increased our knowledge and learned how to read,
how to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and other important information, such as chemistry, algebra, and political science.
Pushing forward towards graduation we were constantly being
taught new things until we could stand there in cap and gown to
proudly receive that all important diploma.
Every year, there would always be someone who would
say, “I’m never going to use this in my daily life so why do I need
to learn it?” Perhaps we really did not need to know about the reproductive characteristics of an amoeba, or the chemical breakdown of things like aluminum. Perhaps we could get through life
without memorizing the entire multiplication table, or all 50 state
capitols, but, maybe it is a good thing that we did learn these
things. Sometimes, the simple things that were taught in the early years of learning are the things that stick with us the longest.
I believe that we carry over this same type of learning in
our Grange membership. We must start off slowly, beginning
with the basics and then work towards learning about more complex Grange subjects when we are ready. Just as it would be
highly unlikely that we would begin learning about biology in kindergarten, it is also nearly impossible to understand fully all of
4
Continued next page
“Why do I need
to know that?”
the complexities of Grange parliamentary functions within the
first year or two of membership. These things take time, and
must be absorbed slowly over a lifetime.
At the beginning of our Grange “education”, joining a community Grange and attending the first meeting or two is like
learning the all important alphabet for the first time. After becoming familiar with how things work in a typical meeting, we then
“graduate” to higher levels by taking an office, working on committees, and moving on to membership at the Pomona level. We
continue to learn more and more about the Grange by perhaps
memorizing some of the ritual and participating in degree teams.
Then, when we are ready to move on to a higher level, we begin
to learn about rules, regulations and other intricate parts of the
working mechanism of the Grange itself on a State or National
level.
Most of us will probably never attain the position of High
Priest of Demeter, or any of the elected offices of the National
Grange. Some of us probably would not even be interested in
that type of position. There will always be someone who will say,
“Why do I need to know that?” There will be others who strive to
learn more and more and constantly ask questions about something they don’t understand. There will be some who want to
take on every responsibility head on and fill every office they
can, and still others who would rather just sit by “idly” and answer only when called on.
Regardless of which type of Grange member you are, the
bottom line is that Grange membership is a learning experience.
Sometimes a 50 or 60 year member can learn as much about
the Grange as the new member who is just getting started with
the learning process. Whether you are just starting out, or if you
are ready for the cap and gown, patience and understanding are
all you really need to keep yourself motivated and keep learning
more and more about the great fraternity we call Grange. Keep
studying and asking questions to constantly improve your knowledge so that you will be ready to “graduate” to the next level.
Fraternally,
Randy
5
From the Lecturer’s Desk
Have you been looking for talent within your Grange and
community? There are fellow Brothers and Sisters and nonmembers that excel in the areas of vocal, instrumental, and/or
variety and their talents should be recognized, but sometimes a
little encouragement is needed. Groups and individuals are invited to enter the Talent Contest as part of the State Grange
Showcase Extravaganza on April 12th at the Oakes Ames Memorial Hall, 3 Barrows St., North Easton, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Please note this time is different than I reported last month.
More information can be found on page 26. Please let me know
by March 1st if you or someone you know plan to be in the contest. The Best of Show must be a member of the Grange and
will be invited to perform at the NE Lecturers’ Conference in August and in the Evening of Excellence at the National Grange
Convention in Lincoln, Nebraska in November. The Lecturer’s
Department, Youth, Junior, and Home and Community Service
Committees are looking forward to a good number of participants in the Talent, Public Speaking, Sign-A-Song, and Bake-Off
contests as well as a large audience to cheer them on.
The most recent winner of “Win-A-Program” is Hillside Pomona. Lecturer Nancy Weston’s name was drawn from 20
Granges that submitted reports by January 10th. I look forward
to visiting with members of Hillside in the near future.
At the recent Leaders’ Conference in Portsmouth, NH, the
seven State Lecturers made plans to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the North East Lecturers’ Conference to be held August 3rd – August 5th at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, ME.
The theme for the conference is “100 Years of….” with Massachusetts’s program focusing on agriculture. My Coordinating
Committee would welcome any and all ideas for presenting our
program. Please mark your calendars to join us in commemorating 100 years!
Agricultural Education
Easton Grange’s monthly meetings all focus on agriculture
this year. News releases are sent to the local newspaper inviting the public to attend. I heard a very informative and interesting presentation from Todd Sandstrum, the chairman of Easton’s
Agricultural Commission and co-founder and president of the
6
State Grange
Showcase
Extravaganza
April 12th, 2015
North Easton
1:30 PM
Continued next page
South Shore Great Pumpkin Challenge. Todd spoke on his role
in these organizations, their respective missions, and how the
community can get involved. The Pumpkin Challenge is a family-oriented event, incorporating many activities. Details of the
event can be found on the organization’s Facebook page and a
video can be viewed at http://vp.telvue.com/preview?
id=T01500&video=142924.
“People just
don’t go to
Grange for the
meetings, but for
a good program,
too.”
Continued next page
Let’s Meet….. the Jr. Grange Ambassador
Sarah Jordan, a 7-seven year member of Apple Valley Jr.
Grange, was named Jr. Grange Ambassador at the last State
Session. She is off and running to achieve her goal of visiting
all Jr. Granges as Ambassador, starting with a visit to Southeastern Jr. Grange at the end of December. Sarah says that she also wants to remember to thank the Lecturer in her own Grange
and the ones she visits because it’s a lot of work putting on programs. “People just don’t go to Grange for the meetings, but for
a good program, too.” Sarah’s favorite types of programs are
ones that offer music, information, and field trips.
Even though Sarah is showing her cattle at Hardwick Fair on
the same day of the annual Dunstable Grange Fair, she feels it
is an event that has a great impact on the community. Her fellow Jr. Granges help out in making it a successful day for all.
Many of you knew Sarah at a very young age. She literally
grew up in the Grange as she was born during her mother’s
term as State Master. When asked who has made the greatest
influence on her in the Grange, she said it was a hard question
to answer, “I have grown up in Grange, attending my first meeting at Anawan Grange when I was 23 days old. I understand I
was smiling in a picture taken there, so I know I liked the
Grange from the start!” She finds all members supportive and
encouraging. But, getting to the heart of the question, Sarah
named her parents as having the greatest influence on her. In
addition to providing transportation, Mary and Randy are helpful
and encouraging as Sarah participates in meetings and contests
such as talent, public speaking, sign-a-song, photography, and
writing. For the Jordans, Grange is truly a family affair. Sarah is
a good role model for her younger brother, Sumner, who also is
a member of Apple Valley.
Grange provides only a few of the activities in which Sarah is
involved. Her name appears regularly on the 7th grade honor
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roll of Central Tree Middle School. She plays the piano and
flute, does jazz and tap dancing, and rides horses. She belongs
to the Blackstone Valley 4-H Dairy Club and shows Holsteins at
local fairs in the summer. She sings in the Junior Choir and participates in the Youth Group at the Rutland Congregational
Church. To round out her activities, she is a Girl Scout Cadette.
The Grange bus trip to Washington, D. C. left a lasting impression on her. History, one of her favorite subjects, surrounded her for three days. Of course, the compliments she received
as ‘hostess’ on the bus are fond memories as well.
During the re-organization of Rutland Grange, one of the new
members credited Sarah for giving a simple clear image of what
the Grange is. In presenting the Jr. Ambassador sash, State Jr.
Director, Kathy Gibson, said the “recipient of this award ‘gets it’”,
referring to Sarah’s understanding of what the Grange is all
about. Sarah sums up her favorite part of being a Grange member, “Even at my age, I get to be a leader, and I have fun doing
it!” Now, that’s what it’s all about!
Update on the Lecturer’s traveling animals…..
Trimble Horse accompanied Worcester
Central Pomona Master, Doug Hall, on oldfashioned hayrides during the holidays. He
wasn’t intimidated by the real-life Percheron
horses from Cornerstone Ranch in Princeton.
Now that there is snow, Trimble is looking forward to a sleigh ride. He will leave Central
Community Grange with a newly-constructed
stall.
Continued next page
8
If your Grange is looking to capture an animal, visit the
meeting section of the News.
My traveling friends and their present hosts are:
 Kelley Cow – Holden Grange
 Saunders Lamb – Upton Grange
 McDowell Llama – Anawan Oakton Grange
 Thompson Turkey – Williamstown Grange
 Grosh Pig – New Braintree Grange
 Trimble Horse – Central Community Grange
 Ireland Duck – Whately Grange
Saunders Lamb invites all to Upton Grange’s meeting on
February 5th. In addition to having a Home & Community/DCF
program, there will be a birthday party for Saunders. As he celebrates his first birthday, he will be renamed Saunders Ram and
will be introduced to Caroline Lamb. Worthy Lecturer will share
information about their namesakes, William Saunders and Caroline Hall. A fun time for all!
Until next time ……
Janet Segur
9
From the Agriculture Education
Coordinator
The Massachusetts State Grange has been sponsoring the 4-H
Ambassador Program for several years. We continue to believe
that it is programs such as these that are helping to develop tomorrow’s world leaders, and the Grange is pleased to be able to
share its resources with the Massachusetts 4-H organization. The
following two paragraphs taken from the 2015 Sponsorship proposal explain the program:
“The mission of the 4-H Youth Development Program is to
help youth develop important life and work skills that will
enable them to become capable, caring and competent
members of our society. Over 25,000 youth participate in
4-H programs including camps, school enrichment, special
interest and 4-H clubs. 2800 of those youth are enrolled in
4-H clubs which meet on an on-going basis with caring
adult volunteers. Research indicates that long term pro
grams, such as 4-H clubs, make the biggest impact on
young people. It is the goal of 4-H staff and volunteers in
Massachusetts to involve as many youth as possible in the
4-H club program.
4-H Ambassadors are recruited from 4-H club members.
The goal of the 4-H Ambassador program is to help 4-H
members develop and practice good communication skills.
They will use these skills to promote 4-H to various community groups and set up promotional exhibits at community
events. Youth receive 4-6 hours of training from 4-H Educators and volunteers to prepare them to be Ambassadors.
Once they become Ambassadors they join a 4-H Ambassadors Club. Leadership is provided by an adult Advisor
whose role is to support the Ambassadors by providing additional training as necessary and to assist them in setting
and reaching goals.”
Our Grange Roots program continues to focus on programs
such as these across the state. As Grangers, each of us can help
to grow the State’s best resource, its young people, by taking an
Continued next page
10
active interest in 4-H and the other youth organizations in Massachusetts.
Fraternally,
Scott Davis
Save the date!
The Grange Roots Picnic at
the Agriculture Learning
Center on the UMASS Amherst Campus, Saturday,
August 1, 2015. Tours of the
Grange gardens and picnic,
corn on the cob, burgers
and hot dogs! Details coming soon!
Agriculture & Environment:
Maple syrup in Massachusetts: A sweet tradition
Guest columnist:
Winton Pitcoff,
Coordinator
Massachusetts
Maple Producers
Association
Continued next page
Every spring, hundreds of sugarmakers around Massachusetts tap trees, gather sap, and boil it down to make maple syrup, the State’s first agricultural crop of the year. While the technology has changed over the years, making the process more
efficient and sustainable, much of the tradition of maple sugaring has remained the same for hundreds of years.
Sap begins to rise in maple trees in early spring, when
nighttime temperatures are still below freezing but daytime temperatures allow for a thaw. Small holes are drilled in the trees
and taps are set – some with metal buckets hung to collect the
sap, others connected to intricate webs of tubing that lead to a
central collection point.
The sap is gathered and brought to a sugarhouse, where
many producers first run it through a reverse osmosis machine
to concentrate it. Sap is usually around 2% sugar, while syrup is
66% sugar, so about 40 gallons of sap must be concentrated to
make one gallon of syrup. Using a reverse osmosis machine allows sugarmakers to remove at least half of the water before
boiling, saving a great deal of fuel and labor.
11
Most of the concentration happens through boiling, in a woodor oil-fired evaporator. When it’s just the right density, the syrup
is filtered and hot-packed in jugs, glass bottles, and drums. Most
of it is sold as syrup, but some is further concentrated and made
into maple candy, maple cream, and maple sugar. All of these
products are made with one ingredient: maple sap, concentrated
to different densities. No other ingredients are ever added to
pure maple products.
As with any crop, maple sugaring is very weather dependent.
Some years the conditions are favorable, and the sap runs for
many weeks, and other seasons yield just a few days where the
conditions are right, and producers make less syrup. Once the
trees start to bud and the nights stay above freezing, the sugaring season is done.
Demand is growing for maple syrup, as consumers learn more
about this versatile ingredient, which can be used in baking and
cooking, as well as as a topping. Maple syrup has no fat, is gluten- and allergen-free, and has fewer calories than many other
sweeteners.
Massachusetts sugarmakers, from hobbyists with just a few
taps in their backyards to farmers with ten thousand or more
taps, steward more than 15,000 acres of forest. Sales of syrup in
Massachusetts amount to several million dollars a year, and the
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“The bottom line
is you need a
plan.”
Continued next page
state boasts the highest percentage of its maple crop sold direct
from farmers to consumers of any maple-producing state, putting
more money into the pockets of farmers and helping to keep
those farms alive. For most, maple syrup is a secondary crop,
often helping to sustain dairy and crop farms. Many sugarhouses
have restaurants, serving pancake breakfasts on weekends during the sugaring season.
Sugarhouses with steam billowing out of the cupola on the
roof are a familiar sight in Massachusetts during February,
March and April, and many sugarmakers welcome visitors who
want to see maple syrup being made and learn about the tradition of sugaring.
You can find a directory of sugarhouses on the Massachusetts
Maple Producers Association website – www.massmaple.org.
Find one near you and visit a sugarhouse this spring, and bring
home some of Massachusetts’ sweetest crop.
From the Youth Committee
The next meeting of the Massachusetts State Grange
Youth Leadership Association will be held on Sunday, March 1st,
at 2:00 at the New Braintree Grange located in the Congregational Church on the Corner of Hardwick and Oakham Rds. in
New Braintree. It will be our Election of Officers, and refreshments will be served following the meeting.
The Massachusetts State Grange Youth Committee has a
new Facebook page, please check it out, and "like it". Information regarding activities and meetings will be posted periodically. The Bowling Tournament will be held on March 15th, at
the Bayberry Lanes in Spencer, information will be sent out
soon. The Extravaganza will be held on April 12th at 1:30, at the
Easton Grange Hall. We hope many youth will consider entering
the Talent, Sign-a-Song, or Public Speaking Contest.
Please remember to consider nominating our Brothers
and Sisters for any of our contests, including Outstanding
Granger, Outstanding Young Adult, Mentor, etc. It's not too early
to begin considering some applicants.
Hope to see you at the next Youth Association meeting.
Fraternally,
LuAnn Belseth and Tracee Perkins
Co-Youth Directors
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Williamstown Grange Helps with
Students DCF Project.
Continued from page 1
I had dragged my feet back in August and didn't complete Williamstown Grange's donations. Because I hadn't heard from the
office I always dealt with, I planned to contact the Franklin
County office, anyway. I thought "Sweet..half my work is done
here.. All I've got to do is put them all together and deliver the
backpacks." Over the next couple weeks we created a plan and
on December 29th Ellen and 3 children: Devon 15, Cecelia 10,
Gina 7, and I, set up our production lines and completed the 48
backpacks in 1 1/2 hours. Start to finish!
Devon said he would report his time to
the Boy Scouts as community service
hours. Cecelia had already reported at
her class presentation on December 12th
that the Williamstown Grange #366 had
come through to help exceed her expectations and Gina had to go through her
stuffed animals and relinquish quite a few
for the project. On December 30th, Ellen,
Cecelia, and I went to Greenfield to deliver the cargo. Craig, the father/husband
even got in on the deal. He put the backpacks in large garbage bags, carried
them all downstairs through the garage
and loaded up the vehicle. Their other
son (Gina's twin brother) helped by keeping himself occupied. The Greenfield Recorder covered the event and had it the
newspaper the next day. What a way to
start the new year! I couldn't be more
proud of this lovely, young lady and her
family and I'm also proud to call them my
friends.
For full article visit: http://
www.recorder.com/home/15017632-95/
former-franklin-county-foster-child-givesback.
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By 1906, this building had served as a
town hall and school. It was then cut in
half, and both buildings moved 200
yards east of the site. The buildings
served as dwellings until 1922, when 29
Central St. was purchased by the Odd
Fellows, Masconnomet Lodge. Rowley
Grange purchased the building in the
mid 1960’s.
Local architect, D. Jaquith,
created this rendering of the proposed restored hall. The cupola,
which existed on the first building, is being reintroduced. The
plan includes a handicap ramp
up the east side of the building.
The group is seeking grants to
assist with this project. Fundraising suppers are held 6 times
a year with proceeds going to
community service and upkeep
of the hall.
Rowley Grange Works Towards
Hall Restoration.
For the past 2 years Rowley Grange has been working to restore the Grange Hall to its previous outside appearance of the
1900’s.
Much work has been done on the inside of the hall during the
last 10 years. The hall has a meeting hall upstairs, a salad
kitchen and cooking kitchen downstairs, and a dining room that
seats 55 people. Two years ago, the furnace had to be replaced
and the chimney repointed.
Called the Rowley Grange Community Hall, the building is
within the town’s historical district.
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Sterling Grange Makes
Meetinghouse News in Quest
for New Members
Editor’s Note: Recently an article appeared in the Sterling
Meetinghouse News on Sterling Grange. The article was by
Danielle Ray and appeared under the headline of “Sterling Shirley Grange Seeking New Members.” Since that time, the
Grange voted to change its name to Sterling Grange. The
article is the type of article that all Granges need, to make
people aware that Grange exists in their community. For the
purpose of this article, I have used excerpts from the original
article by Danielle Ray. If you wish to see the full article, go
to: http://www.sterlingmeetinghousenews.com/back%
20issues/121314reducedSterlingMeetinghouseNews.pdf
Sterling Grange #53 President Janet Segur of Rutland
and her fellow Grange members are dedicated to spreading
the word about the history of the Grange, what they stand
for and do today, and their mission going forward.
“The Grange is an organization actively dedicated to
meeting the needs of its members, community, and the nation,” says Janet. She first became aware of the Grange at a
young age, growing up on a dairy farm in Rutland. Her family belonged to the Holden Grange. “My three older siblings
were able to join much earlier,” Janet says. “When I turned
14, I was very eager to join and be able to go along with the
rest of the family.”
Today, as a member, Janet enjoys seeing how people
benefit by the Grange’s community service projects. Shebecame more involved in the Grange when her husband
served as a General Deputy in the central region, representing the Massachusetts State Grange President. They both
became semi-involved with this Grange chapter in 2008,
when both Sterling Grange and Shirley Grange were having
difficulty with low attendance and loss of members. At that
time the two chapters merged into Sterling-Shirley Grange.
Since Sterling owned it own hall, all meeting of the newly
formed Grange met at the Sterling Grange Hall.
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“…..dedicated to
spreading the word
about the history of
the Grange, what
they stand for and
do today, and their
mission going
forward.”
Continued next page
Continued next page
About three years ago, Janet and her husband Don, became affiliate members of the Sterling-Shirley Grange, in addition to their longstanding membership in the Holden
Grange.
Last year Janet became president of the Grange and the
group decided to change their name to Sterling Grange.
The Sterling Grange presently has two key missions,
which are to get the Grange name out into the
community and to renovate the Sterling Grange hall, making
it handicap accessible and more user-friendly. Last year the
group made good progress, but there is still a lot to do. As
they work on these goals, they hope to gain new members
as people become aware of the Grange’s mission.
The Grange started fundraising for the hall renovation by
Grange members participating in the Sterling Town Wide
Yard Sale last year. In addition, three fundraising dinners
were held. One of the dinners was followed by a benefit concert in conjunction with the Rittenhouse School of Music and
Art in Sterling, with a performance by the Youth
Ensemble of New England.
Janet has noted that she would like to provide inspiration
and leadership in helping members to accomplish our goals,
as well as encourage and instill teamwork among the members and develop leadership skills, so the Grange can move
forward with new ideas and have new leaders to carry the organization into the future.
In addition to fundraising, Sterling Grange members continue with long standing traditions of donating nonperishable
food and homemade afghans to Loaves & Fishes, and
awarding scholarships to 8th grade girl and boy students at
the Sterling and Shirley middle school graduations . Members also participate in contests sponsored by the State
Grange, such as needlework and photography.
“Attracting new members takes more effort today than it
did 40 years ago when I joined,” says Janet. “It was assumed
that I would join because of my family’s established involvement in the organization. We can’t make any assumptions
today.”
The challenge for the Sterling Grange is to be active in the
community so people see what they are all about. Publicity of
the Grange’s activities and events is key in helping to get the
17
word out, and members need to be active in asking people to
join.
The Sterling Grange meets on the first and third Thursday of
each month, except for January, February, July, and August, at
the hall located at 14 Maple Street in Sterling. To accommodate
members who prefer not to drive at night, the first Thursday
meeting, which includes a pot luck supper, begins at 4 p.m. The
third Thursday meeting begins at 6 p.m.
A spaghetti and meatball dinner fundraiser will be held on Saturday, February 21, at the First Church in Sterling, 6 Meetinghouse Hill Road, Sterling, at 5:30 p.m., immediately followed by
a concert by the New England Youth Ensemble. Proceeds from
the dinner and donations from the concert will benefit the
Grange building renovations.
All Sterling Grange #53 meetings are open to the public.
Save the date …… June 27, 2015
You are cordially invited on an
Stops include:
Diemand Family Farm
Songline Emu Farm
Barstow’s Dairy Farm & Store
UMASS Agricultural Learning Center
Atkins Farms
Bus departs
8:00 a.m.
more information
next month
Sponsored by Holden Grange & Massachusetts State Grange
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Get That Reservation In Now!
MASSACHUSETTS STATE GRANGE
Penn Dutch Country
APRIL 19, 2015 - APRIL 21, 2015
Registration Form
Name_____________________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Telephone number __________________________________________________
Email address ______________________________________________________
Room type: please circle your choice
Single
$547.00 p/p
Double
$442.00 p/p
Triple
$414.00 p/p
Quad
$400.00 p/p
1st payment of $150 due NOW
Payment due as of $150 due February 1, 2015
Balance due March 15, 2015
Checks should be made payable to Massachusetts State Grange
Mail to:
Janet E. Horne
701 Prentice Street
Holliston, MA 01746
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13
Please join Dunstable Grange for a local farm tour.
On Sunday, May 17th at 9:00 a.m. meet at the Tully Farm for a tour then promptly at 10
a.m. board a bus to Shaw Farm in Dracut. We will have a tour of the milk processing
plant and farm and an opportunity to shop in the farm store. We will again board the
bus and head to Jordan Farm in Rutland for a tour of the farm and digester that provides electricity. We will then visit the Massachusetts State Grange Library/Museum in
Rutland. After a pizza dinner we will return to the Tully Farm. There will be a nominal
cost for pizza.
Please RSVP to Linda at 978-649-7184 or [email protected] by May 7th.
This event is sponsored by Dunstable Grange and the Massachusetts State Grange.
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20
Massachusetts 4-H
2013-2014 Ambassador Program Report
The goal of the Massachusetts 4-H Ambassador Program is
to teach 4-H members important communication skills and to
assist the members in using these skills to promote the 4-H program. Ambassadors serve an important role in the 4-H program
and enable 4-H members to develop and practice leadership
and public speaking skills.
During this program year 4-H had 77 active Ambassadors
throughout the state. In several counties Ambassadors formed
4-H clubs and worked with an adult staff member or 4-H volunteer. In other counties 4-H Educators and Program Assistants
worked with the Ambassadors in a less formal way.
Ambassadors have conducted many activities this year to
help promote the 4-H program or help other in need. Ambassadors:
 Led a workshop at one of the Mass. Ag in the Classroom
conferences
 Set up and staffed 4-H informational exhibits at 4-H
fairs, other fairs, Tractor Supply Stores and community
events
 Spoke at the annual State Grange meeting
 Served as Master of Ceremonies at 4-H awards programs
 Taped promotional spots on Bear Country radio and
WHAI; these spots aired a total of 400 times
 Recorded PSA’s at the Mansfield Cable TV station
 Assisted with Operation Military Kids events by conducting activities with children, writing letters to deployed soldiers, etc.
 Taught workshops at 4-H Winter Workshop events including Livestock Jeopardy and How to do a 4-H Visual
Presentation
 Marched along with the 4-H Fife and Drum Corps in the
First Night Parade in Boston
 Led many community service activities including making
hospice pillows and collecting and donating items to the
“Kids in Need” program
Continued next page
21


Assisted 4-H club leaders by teaching younger members
and coordinating community service projects
Assisted Educators at county 4-H events by serving as
judges, working in food booths and providing general assistance as needed
We appreciate the support of
the Massachusetts State Grange.
The financial support has enabled us to purchase
needed supplies and resources for the Ambassador activities.
4-H’ers prepare in the staging area for the First Night Parade in
Boston. 4-H Ambassadors and the Middlesex 4-H Fife and
Drum Corp marched in the parade to promote 4-H and ring in
the New Year!’
22
New England Agricultural Marketing
Conference & Trade Show
Set for February 25 and 26 in Sturbridge, MA
The 5th biennial Harvest New England Agricultural Marketing
Conference & Trade Show is once again coming to Sturbridge,
MA February 25th and 26th, 2015.
The theme of the 2015 conference is Direct Marketing to Diversified Wholesale, Finding What Works. Attendees will experience nearly 30 workshops on topics such as retail and wholesale marketing, agri-tourism, business planning and more. An all
day workshop for New England Farmers’ Market Managers will
be held on Wednesday, February 25th. Don’t forget the trade
show with a large variety of agricultural suppliers and vendors!
New for 2015 will be the concurrent meeting of the Massachusetts Association of Agricultural Commissions, sponsoring a series of workshops targeted for Agricultural Commission members in the region. Also new is the SNAP Resource Center-one
stop shopping where farmers and market managers can complete their USDA application to accept SNAP benefits and obtain
low cost wireless equipment to process SNAP payments.
Thursday’s keynote speaker is Nancy Clark, owner and president of Drive Brand Studio, a marketing agency in North Conway, New Hampshire. Clark will engage attendees with her talk
on The Power of Millennial Thinking. This fast paced session will
explain why and how the power of millennial thinking can have a
positive impact on a farm’s business. Clark will also lead a workshop entitled The Art of Fearless Storytelling.
Early
Bird
registration
is
now
open.
Go
to
www.harvestnewengland.org for more information. Program details and lodging options are also available at this site.
Distinguished Grange Things to
Do or Plan This Month.
1.
Got computer savy members: Update your Grange information in the National Grange Membership Database.
2. Host a Youth or Junior Grange Activity.
3. Participate in a Grange Month Open House/Activity in April.
23
Getting your News in SGN
The SGN is always looking for news from the Granges. To
get your Granges’ news in the newsletter it may be sent to the
editor at: Ann Prest, 836 Haverhill Street, Rowley, MA 01969 or
emailed to: [email protected].
Don’t know what to write? What has your Grange and its
members been up to recently? Tell us who, what, where, why
and how as they pertain to your event or project. Think your story is not “big” enough for the SGN? Think again. Many little stories make up a good newsletter. Don’t be afraid to let people
know what you have been doing or will be doing, no matter how
small or how big. Are your Grange members busy helping out
other organizations? We like to hear about that too! We need
to let people know that we do get out of the hall ounce in a while
and assist others.
Getting the news to me is easy. It can be mailed to me via the
US post office. My address is listed above. If there is more than
2 pages and photos, make sure that you have the correct
amount of postage on the envelope.
It can be sent electronically by several methods. One is to
write the news directly into an email. Another is to write it in
Word or other word processing program and attach it to an
email. Still another is to provide me information about an article
that appeared in your local paper or online news. Photos can
be attached to an email. Don’t know how? Don’t laugh when I
tell you to locate a kid 10 years or older. They’ve been working
with technology since birth and are usually glad to show off their
skills.
If you plan to use a photo with children in it, we must have
permission slips filled out by the parents. These can be sent to
the State Grange Secretary. However, if the picture is taken inside a school where the students are enrolled, then check with
the principal or the classroom teacher to see if there are any “no
photos allowed” forms on any of the students. Because you are
doing something for the school, this is considered publicity not
only for the Grange, but especially the school.
See you in the News!
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24
Grange Cooking Corner
Submit your recipe to the SGN by
mail: Ann Prest, 836 Haverhill St., Rowley, MA 01969
or email: [email protected]
Tomato Soup Cake (this cake does not use eggs)
1 c sugar
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 teas baking powder
1 teas soda
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 teas cinnamon
½ teas clove
1 teas nutmeg
2 c flour
¾ c raisins, boiled
Preheat oven to 350°. In large mixing bowl cream together butter and butter. Mix soda directly into can of soup. (it will foam
up) Add cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, baking powder and flour to
creamed mixture. Add soup. Mix well. Boil raisins for 1 to 2
minutes with enough water just to cover. Drain about ½ the
water, and add to batter. Pour batter into well greased and
floured pan (a tube pan works nicely). Bake for 50 minutes until
cake tester comes out clean.
American Chop Suey
1 lb lean ground beef
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 med. onion, chopped
3 c uncooked pasta bows
2 Tbsp olive oil
pepper & salt to taste
Optional: serve with grated cheese sprinkled on top.
In a fry pan, saute onions in oil till translucent. Add crumbled
ground beef. Cook until beef is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Stir in can of tomato soup. Add about 1/2 cup water is
sauce looks too thick to your liking. Let simmer on low. Prepare
bow pasta according to package directions. Drain. Pour sauce
mixture over. Serve hot. For a more saucier soup, use 2 cans
of tomato soup. Use salt and pepper to taste.
19
25
National Grange News
Lawsuit filed dismissed by Superior Court
Editor’s note: this is a press release sent out from National
Grange by Bryan Marchefsky, Communications Manager of the
National Grange.
Thursday, January 15, 2015, Judge Brown in Sacramento Superior Court granted our summary judgment motion and dismissing the lawsuit filed by Bob McFarland.
The claim against the National Grange, Edward Luttrell, and
two Californians, which sought unspecified damages, was for:
1st for defamation, 2nd for public disclosure of private facts, 3rd
for intrusion, 4th for intentional interference with contractual relations, 5th for intentional interference with prospective business
relations and 6th for infliction of emotional distress.
The result of this ruling is that it removes this one lawsuit from
the actions between the National Grange and Mr. McFarland.
Other recent rulings include:
Presiding Judge Haight granted the reorganized California
State Grange intervention in the suit filed by the National
Grange in Sacramento Superior Court.
Presiding Judge Haight granted the consolidation of a suit
filed in Butte County against the reorganized California State
Grange, Ed Komski, Master, and Lillian Booth, Secretary by Mr.
McFarland, with the suit filed by the National Grange in Sacramento Superior Court.
Judge William B. Shubb denied the motion by Mr. McFarland
to reschedule (to delay) the trademark trial set for October of
2015 in Federal Court.
To view the entire legal document written in legalese, go to:
http://www.nationalgrange.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/
MinuteOrder_MSJ_TR_Affirmed.pdf
Regarding the Health Insurance Deadline - February 15
The National Grange recently released information on the Affordable Health Care Act. For people who do not have insurance or want to change their coverage you are reminded that
the DECISION DEADLINE is FEBRUARY 15. Sign up for
health insurance or pay tax levies for no insurance.
26
Continued next page
The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) requires most people
have health insurance coverage or pay a fee to the federal government. Options for coverage are private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or Children's Health Insurance Program
(CHIP).
If you already have insurance or acquired insurance
in 2014, you do not have to re-enroll. If you do not have health
insurance after February 15, 2015, you will be subject to a penalty of either, 1) 2% of your income or, 2) $325 per adult and
$162.50 per child, whichever is higher for 2015.
For those who did not have health insurance coverage during
2014, you will be assessed a penalty fee with your 2014 federal
tax return. You'll pay the higher of 1% of income or $95 per person and 47.50 per child. The fee is set to increase every
year. You might be eligible for an exemption from the fee if affordable health plans were not available to you, if you had only
a short gap in coverage, or other possible exemptions might apply.
Assistance is available for Grangers that will help them with
the decision process. The Health Insurance Marketplace is a
way to find health coverage that might fit your budget and meet
your needs. You can connect to Marketplace by phone at 1-800
-318-2596 or online at Healthcare.gov. Many communities have
organizations and individuals that can help you apply, choose a
plan, and answer questions. A list of help in your local area can
be found at: https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/ or by calling 1-800
-318-2596.
You are encouraged to ask your local Grange Youth members
to help you and others in your community navigate these web
sites. This activity will qualify them for the Gold Seal for the
Caroline Hall Achievement Award. Just have them get a letter
of verification from a member of their subordinate Grange stating their work with the program.
Fraternally,
Edward Luttrell
National Grange President
This information is part of a 4 part email sent out in late January. For the complete set contact: Bryan at (202) 628-3507 ext.
114 OR email: bmarchefsky @nationalgrange.org
27
Welcome to our New Members
Tamara Castagnaro Petersham #95
Jeremiah Wallock
Petersham #95
Kate Morreale
Petersham #95
Eliza Luce
Upton #125
Tonya Luce
Upton #125
Phil Lapan
Williamsburg #225
Levi Smith
Williamsburg #225
Julian Vaill
Ware #164
Paula Farrell West Stockbridge #246
Kalia Lygate Driggs
Guiding Star #1
Martin Lygate Driggs Guiding Star #1
Cassandra Mark
Guiding Star #1
Paul Mark
Guiding Star #1
Judy Robillard
Rowley #204
Jacob Tully
Dunstable #31
Thinking of You
Please take time during these months to
send a card or make a call, just to let
know they are thought of.
Mark your calendar
Youth Association - March 1st New Braintree Grange
Ag Day at the State House March 31st
Big Three - April 26th
@ Chesterfield, 4 PM
Membership Recognitions
25 years
50 years
Shirley MacKenzie
Dracut #216
Grange Extravaganza April 12th @ North Easton
75 years
Carolyn Cody
Westport #181
May 17th - Farm Tour Day
Ag. Tour of Western MA
June 27th
80 Years
Edmond Beaulieu
Westport #181
Grange Roots Picnic at the
Agriculture Learning Center on
the UMASS Amherst Campus,
Saturday, August 1, 2015.
In Memoriam
Dorothea A. Miller Stockbridge #295
Harriet Culver
Williamsburg #225
Stanley Juda
Ware #164
Enid Hulse
Ware #164
Viola Araujo
Anawan-Oakton #221
Paul Staples
Dunstable #31
Leo Dumont
Dunstable #31
State Level Needlework, Craft
and Quilt Judging:
August 30th
28
The Grange Showcase Extravaganza
Sunday, April 12, 2015
-
1:30 p.m.
Oakes Ames Memorial Hall
3 Barrows St., North Easton
You are cordially invited to enter or be entertained by these contests:
Talent  Public Speaking  Sign-A-Song  Bake-Off
Talent
Categories
Vocal
Instrumental
Variety

any number of people in the act

two to six minutes long

cash prizes and ribbons awarded in
each category for:
 Adults
 Juniors – ages 5 - 9
 Juniors – ages 10 - 14
Please notify the State Lecturer if
you are planning to enter and/or
Contact the Youth, Junior, and Home and Community Service Committees for more details on
their contests.
have questions.
[email protected]
508-886-2341
29
30
31
Confirmed February Grange Meetings
Feb. 9 - Holden Grange #78
Senior Center, 1130 Main St., Holden
7:00 PM Picnic. Speaker on the Wachsett
Rail Trail (Snow date: Feb. 23)
Feb. 3 - Norwell Grange #410
Norwell Grange Hall, 142 Main St.
7:30 PM Let’s Play Bingo
Feb. 4 - Hanover Grange #206
Norwell Grange Hall, 142 Main St., Norwell
7:30 PM Of House & Home - Then & Now
Feb. 17 - Central Community Grange #22
Boylston Town House
599 Main St., Boylston
7:30 PM Grange of Yesteryear
Feb. 5 - Weymouth Grange #387
345 Ralph Talbot St. So. Weymouth
7:30 PM Honor our Presidents
Feb. 14 - Heritage Pomona #2
Laurel Grange Hall
21 Garden Street, West Newbury
3:30 PM - Meeting
My Funny Valentine
Chicken Dinner
Feb. 3 - Central Community Grange #22
Boylston Town House
599 Main St., Boylston
7:30 PM business meeting
Feb. 4 - Rowley Grange #204
Winter meeting place:
Rowley Public Library, Main St.
7:30 PM Community Gardens
Feb. 14 - Mayflower North Pomona #40
Norwell Grange Hall, 142 Main St., Norwell
NOTE: Change of Meeting place
12:00 PM Lunch - Weymouth Hosts
For reservations call Richard Merrill,
(781) 878-0892
1:30 PM Business meeting
Valentine Program
Feb. 5 - Upton Grange # 125
Upton Grange Hall, 26 School St., Upton
7:30 PM meeting
Home & Community Service, DCF project
Feb. 16 - Beverly Grange #306
No Meeting
Feb. 6 - Mayflower Past Masters Assoc.
12:30 PM Meet for lunch at Ted’s Place
641 Washington St., Whitman
Please call Rita Joseph (508) 830-1964
If you would like to come.
All are welcome. Please join us!
Feb. 18 - Norwell Grange #410
Norwell Grange Hall 142 Main St., Norwell
7:30 PM Celebrate our Forefathers!
Feb. 21 - Sterling Grange #53
First Church, 6 Meetinghouse Rd., Sterling
5:30 PM Public Spaghetti & Meatball
Supper. $9 ($5 under age 12) followed by a
concert performed by the Youth Ensemble
of New England. Proceeds to benefit the
Grange Hall Renovation Fund.
Feb. 7 - Sippican Pomona #31
@ Acushnet Grange
1121 North Main St., Acushnet, 3/10 mile
from RT 105
1:00 PM Pot Luck Meal Meeting
2:00 PM 92nd Anniversary
Unconfirmed February Grange Meetings
February 2
West Stockbridge Grange #246
Place to be announced
7:30 PM Regular meeting
February 3 continued
Petersham Grange #95
Cong. Church, 21 North Main St.
7:30 PM Business Meeting
February 4
Shelburne Grange #68
Fellowship Hall, 17 Little Mohawk Rd
7:00 PM Business Meeting
February 3
Guiding Star Grange #1
Grange Hall, Greenfield
6:15 PM Valentine Theme
Charlton Grange #92
Grange Hall, 10 Main St., Rte 31
7:30 PM Being Deaf
Prescott Grange #73
Grange Hall, 12 Park St., Pepperell
7:00 PM Business meetingf
32
Unconfirmed January
February 4 continued
Williamstown Grange #366
Williamstown Rural Land Foundation
at Sheep Hill, 671 Cold Spring Rd.
7:30 PM
February 5
Bradford Grange #238
St. James Church Hall
121 Washington St. Groveland
7:30 PM Business Meeting
February 7
Williamsburg Grange #225
Grange Hall, 10 Main St.
7:00 PM Cider Making
Februay 9
Hope of Hadley Grange #15
First Congregational Church of Hadley, Rtes 9 & 47
7:30 PM Valentines history & trivia
Hinsdale Grange #19
Hinsdale Town Hall, 39 South St.
7:30 PM
February 10
North Orange #86
Community Church of N. Orange &
Tully, 48 Main St., Orange
7:30 PM Health & Fitness
Norfolk Grange # 135
Grange Hall, 28 Rockwood Rd
7:30 PM Business Meeting
Dudley Grange #163
Annual Pound Auction to be held at
Historical Black Tavern, Center Rd
6:30 PM Dinner
Groton Grange #7
Grange Hall, 80 Champney St.,
Holiday Potluck dinner
7:00 PM Agriculture Commission
Uxbridge Grange #200
VFW Hall, Douglas Rd., Uxbridge
7:30 PM H.E.A.R.T.S. night
February 11
New Braintree Grange #170
New Braintree Cong. Church
Corner of Hardwick & Oakham Rd
7:30 PM Sign Language 101
Rochester Grange #257
Grange Hall, 2 Hartley Rd.
7:30 PM Valentines
February 12
Whately State Grange #414
Town Hall, 194 Chestnut Plain Rd.
7:30 PM Bit of Patriotic History
February 12 continued
Berkshire North Pomona #6
@ Williamstown Grange
Williamstown Rural Land Foundation at
Sheep Hill, 671 Cold Spring Rd.
7:30 PM
February 13
Stockbridge Grange #295
Grange Hall, 51 Church St.
7:30 PM Health & Safety Night
Valentine Card Exchange
Chesterfield Grange #83
Senior Center/Grange Hall
Community Center, 400 Main Rd,
7:30 PM Name that President
Boxborough Grange #131
Town Hall, Grange Room
8:00 PM History Night
Dunstable Grange #31
Dunstable Town Hall
8:00 PM Spring Ahead with New You
Laurel Grange #161
21 Garden St., West Newbury
7:30 PM Love is in the Air.
February 14
Central Community Jr. Grange #141
Boylston Town House, 599 Main St.
3:00 PM Craft making, Valentines
Apple Valley Junior Grange # 138
Dunstable Town Hall
4:00 PM Badge Day, Presidents
February 16
Conn. Valley Pomona #19
Annual Day Meeting & Raffle
@ Shelburne Fellowship Hall
17 Little Mohawk Trail.
11:00 AM Business Meeting
12:00 PM Lunch ($8) Calll Gordon Taylor
for reservations (413) 625-6306
Dracut Grange #216
Grange Hall, Bridge St.
7:30 PM Patriotic Night Voice of America
February 18
Prescott Grange #73
Grange Hall, 12 Park St., Pepperell
7:00 PM Game Night
West Boxford #140
Lincoln Hall, 564 Main St., Boxford
7:30 PM Winter Advisory
Ponkapoag Grange Hall #231
Grange Hall, 163 Turnpike St., Canton
7:00 PM Council on Aging Speaker
33
February 18 continued
Shelburne Grange #68
Dinner Out!
Bradford Grange #238
St. James Hall, 121 Washington St.
Groveland
7:30 PM TBA
February 20
Bay Path Pomona Grange #9
Charlton Grange Hall,
10 Main St., RT 31, Charlton Center
7:30 PM Love Letters
South Middleboro Grange #337
6:30 PM Pot Luck Supper at O’Neills
Penny Sale
February 21
Community Grange #382
Grange Hall, 47 North West St.,
Feeding Hills
11:45 AM Regular Meeting
February 23
Berkshire South Pomona #25
@ West Stockbridge Grange Hall
5 Swamp Rd.
7:30 PM Agriculture - Eggs
February 26
Whately Grange #414
Town Hall
7:30 PM Youth Night
February 27
Stockbridge Grange #295
Grange Hall, 51Church Street
7:30 PM
Laurel Grange #161
21 Garden St., West Newbury
7:30 PM Let’s Go to the Library
North Orange Junior #142
Community Church of North Orange
Book Giving Badge
February 24
North Orange #86
Community Church of N. Orange &
Tully, 48 Main St., Orange
7:30 PM Quilting with Nancy Blackmer
Anawan-Oakton Grange #221
Grange Hall, 243 Winthrop St.
7:00 PM Games Night
February 28
Prescott Grange #73
Grange Hall, 12 Park St., Pepperell
4:30 - 6:30 PM Supper