Valley Grange Wants Five Minutes

During their recent celebration of community, Valley Grange named Roger Ricker Community Citizen of the Year. Roger passed away last December but left behind a legacy of constant and lifelong support for his community.

After honoring Roger, Valley Grange Program Director Walter Boomsma challenged attendees to consider the impact of spending just five minutes a day in support of their communities. A five-minute video provided examples of the Guilford Grange’s programs and supporters. Boomsma noted, “If you buy a raffle ticket from us, you’re also buying a dictionary for a third grader.”

“We are restarting some of our programs suspended due to COVID. You don’t have to be a member to help and support us. When we asked people to ‘Sock it to us’ with donations to help provide socks to kids throughout the county, we received support from as far away as Pennsylvania and West Virginia.”

He also pointed out that five minutes a day isn’t much. “But it adds up. If there are 2,000 people in your community and just half (we’ll excuse young kids and people over 80) of them give five minutes per day, that equates to having nearly thirteen people working full time, making your community stronger. Based on the average salary in Maine, that’s worth over $700,000 to your community. Just five minutes every day. Of course, the ultimate value is not in dollars and cents. It’s in the difference you will make in individual’s lives.”

Just Five Minutes.

Save the Date!

You’re invited to a wonderful celebration planned for our community. This is a special event that will bring us all together to celebrate our achievements, share our stories, and strengthen the bonds that unite us. It’s a great chance for us to come together and show our support for one another. We’ll start with a potluck supper (bring a casserole or dessert to share). Our program will include recognition of our community citizen of the year and include mention of folks who have supported and contributed to our great way of life. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Let’s Clean!

We are looking for helping hands…

Friday, May 12, 2023

starting at 2:00 pm

for a wide variety of tasks and projects… all designed to prepare our hall for our big community celebration coming soon! Inside tasks will include sweeping, dusting, wiping, rearranging, and setting up chairs… outside tasks will include raking and pruning… maybe some painting if the weather’s right!

Bring your favorite tools and labor-saving devices. Come any time after 2:00 pm… or before if you can see what needs doing and don’t mind working alone! Better yet, bring a friend! Many hands make work light.

For more information call Walter at 207 343-1842 or Mary at 207 564-0820.

Remembering Betty Van Dyke…

Betty Van Dyke receives the first copy of “Exploring Traditions” from Author Walter Boomsma

…It becomes my sad duty to inform you of the death of our Worthy Sister Betty Van Dyke on April 8, 2023… “Seen through the eyes of faith, we remember our sister not as one dead–she has only gone on before us the gates of the Grange Above, where dwells the Great Master of us all.”

In dedicating my book to her, I noted, “I came to appreciate both her knowledge of Grang teachings and her commitment to what I later understood to be the Grange way of life. Anyone who knows Betty will understand that we didn’t always agree, but Betty truly practices the Grange Motto… In essentials unity; in non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.” I shall certainly miss her energy and enthusiasm for the Grange and for life. On behalf of the members of Valley Grange and the many Grangers around the state who knew and loved her, “We give thanks for the good example and friendship of our sister Betty who has finished her course and now rests from her labors…” and we offer our sincerest sympathy to all who loved her.

Family and friends may visit from 1 PM until the time of the funeral service at 2 PM Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft. The complete obituary and access to the tribute wall are available here.

February Meeting Postponed

Due to the winter weather advisory and school cancelations, tonight’s meeting is postponed until next week. We’ll meet on Friday, February 24, 2023, for a potluck supper at 6 pm and meet at 7 pm. Please try to attend! We have lots to discuss and attend to!

Valley Grange Completes Dictionary Days!

We provided a personal dictionary to every third grader in the area… represented by four school districts and five schools. Enjoy this short video showing a few highlights of this year’s program.

Valley Granger Receives National Award

Abbot Resident Walter Boomsma was recognized at the 156th Annual National Grange Convention in Reno, Nevada as a Cultivator of the Year by the National Grange Membership and Leadership Development Department. Boomsma is a member of Valley Grange of Guilford and serves as program director. He also serves as the Maine State Grange Communications Director. He was one of four individuals recognized from North Carolina, Connecticut, Montana, and Maine.

According to Amanda Brozana Rios, National Grange Leadership/Membership Director, the Cultivator of the Year award sets out to honor individuals or groups that “put in the work” to grow the Grange through innovative and positive messaging and programming or that found ways to improve not just their local Grange, but to provide “a guiding light for Granges around the nation.” “Each of these individuals helped the Grange in their respective communities and states, but they went far beyond that. Every one of them was responsive to inquiries and provided insight into what individuals coming to Grange are looking for as well as the tools they need to truly engage as Grange members. They give selflessly and promote fearlessly and for that, they are truly deserving of this recognition.”

In making the award, Brozana Rios said as the former National Communications Director, she has worked with Walter for more than a decade. “Over the time I’ve been with National Grange, I’ve come to truly appreciate how much Walter does to connect the outside world with the Grange, be it answering questions of the press or people interested in joining or reviving a Grange, connecting members with resources and benefits they’re entitled to and so much more. He’s a fantastic asset for the Maine State Grange and the Grange as a whole who often points out where we can improve and be more efficient even with our limited resources,” Brozana Rios said.

Boomsma first learned of the award when someone congratulated him on social media. “What did I do?” he asked. Upon learning the specifics, he noted, “For me, the work is the reward, but recognition is still nice!” he admitted. “I enjoy being part of the Grange because of our shared values, including the importance of community, especially in rural areas. The Grange has a lot to offer, including multiple opportunities to strengthen our communities and the individuals in them.” One of his favorite examples is the Valley Grange “Words for Thirds” Dictionary Project. “Valley Grange just completed our twentieth year of giving a dictionary to every third grader in four school districts in our area. In that twenty-year period, we’ve distributed over 3,600 dictionaries to that many kids. That’s a lot of cultivating!”

As the State Communications Director, Boomsma is responsible for maintaining the State Grange Website (http://mainestategrange.org) and producing a monthly printed Bulletin. “The Grange is truly a grassroots organization and the emphasis on local programs is our biggest strength and a significant challenge. That challenge includes making sure we are all connected and working collaboratively. Those were the things that made the Grange successful over 150 years ago. We have amazing technology today and we should be even better at it!”

Valley Grange Receives Award

At the 149th Maine State Convention, Valley Grange was recognized as the fourth-place winner in the 2022 Community Service Program. In presenting the award, Past State Master Vicki Huff noted that Valley Grangers “should not be disappointed with fourth place–the competition was really fierce! The top six entries were separated by a total of four points.

Breakfast for Supper?

Traditions can be great, and that certainly applies to our annual “Breakfast for Supper” program every year. We also have some great treats as members and friends put together a smorgasbord of breakfast dishes that may include an Apple French Toast Casserole… crispy bacon… lots of homemade muffins… an egg casserole or two…there’s always plenty to eat but bring a contribution if you can. And you can even come in your Jammies–we’ll have the hall plenty warm, and the season’s warmth will help.

Guests are welcome but not obligated to stay for our short meeting and Christmas Program starting at 7 pm. We’re usually finished and on our way home by 8:15 pm.

Do plan to join us for a relaxing and fun time! Questions regarding food arrangements can be addressed to Mary (564-0820) or Janice (876-4131). Weather permitting, you can come by car, sleigh, snowmobile, or, if you live close enough, skis and snowshoes! 

Dictionaries and Words Are Coming!

We’re scheduling Dictionary Days… so far we have

  • P.C.E.S. on Thursday, November 17, 2022
  • SeDoMoCha on Wednesday, November 30, 2022
  • Ridgeview Elementary on Monday, November 21, 2022 (drop off only)
  • Brownville Elementary on Friday, November 18, 2022
  • Harmony Elementary on Friday, December 2, 2022

As a reminder, these days are not public events. If you are interested in attending, please contact Walter Boomsma by email or at 207 343-1842.

Kids who receive dictionaries and their families are invited to our Breakfast for Supper on Friday, December 2, 2022. You can come in your jammies!