April is Grange Month - Massachusetts State Grange

The State Grange News
The official publication of the Massachusetts State Grange
Volume 56, Number 4
April, 2015
April is Grange Month
Chesterfield Grange Sees
Ag in the Classroom Program
Chesterfield Grange had a program by Ruth FairmanLeahey, from Ag in the Classroom of the MA. State
Grange at their meeting Friday. Mrs. Leahey had her
green tractor as a "prop" she uses to teach the preschool
children safety on the farm. For example: no running
meant no speeding; look both ways when crossing a railroad track, just to name a few. They, the children, drive in
between obstacles without knocking things down. This is
part of my farm equipment collection she said as he displayed a John Deere Tractor made out of cardboard Steven Emerson who was in charge of the program also did a seed search game using many veggies
and flowers names. Chesterfield Lecturer Susan Kislo also had readings of poems. A raffle was held with the proceeds of $44 being sent to the Heiferf Project.
Chesterfield Grange will meet on April 10 and the program will feature Earth Day.
Ruth Fairman-Leahey,
MA. Ag in the Classroom, showing her
John Deere Tractor to
the group. Her husband Tom Leahey
looking on.
In This Issue
Master’s Desk…………....3
Chaplain…………………..5
Lecturer…………………...5
Youth………..………..… 12
Cooking Corner…..…….19
Grange Tour…………….17
Ag. & Environment…
Jr. Grange………………...4
MA Granges…….
MDAR……………………22
Ag. Education………..…10
Distinguished Grange….
Thinking of You………...21
Home & Community….....4
1
From the Editor’s Desk
Whether you believe it or not, Spring has arrived. April is just
a few hours away. While the Red Sox are getting ready for the
season opener, Grangers are getting ready to welcome Grange
Month. The National Grange has put out publicity materials
online. Read the Lecturer’s column to find more on this.
The Grange Showcase Extravagance is only 2 Sundays away.
Are you getting ready to enter the baking contest? Why not?
Drop cookies are easy to make, and for the cakes, applesauce
has been used to replace the “fats” in the recipes. There are a
lot of great recipes out there with the applesauce as the main ingredient, too. Got a special talent? Let’s see it at the Talent
Show! And here is a chance to sharpen your public speaking
skills!
Two Granges, along with the Mass. State Grange as a cosponsor, are having farm tours in the late spring. Both sound
like a lot of fun.
The picnic at the “Grange Garden” at the Univ. of Mass. Campus is also going to be another fun time. Get your calendars out
and jot down those dates.
Meanwhile, while you’re writing in those date books, look out
the window and watch the snow melt!
Happy Easter!
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: stategrangenews@massgrange.org
Webmaster: Jason Gregory
Website: www.massgrange.org
2
From the Master’s Desk
April is Grange month! What is your Grange planning on doing? There are so many different activities or projects you can
participate in to publicize your Grange. Put a display together for
your local library. Have a public supper or an open meeting and
invite community leaders. This is the month to go over and
above to show your Grange pride!
“This is a great
day out with
multiple
competitions and
a great auction.. “
Did you attend bowling or Ag Day at the State House? The
bowling competition had more teams this year than in years
past. It was a lot of fun even though the pins didn’t want to fall
the way I wanted them to. I am looking forward to a very successful day at the State House. We did a lot of networking last
year and we hope to show our presence and importance again
this year. We have worked hard to partner with different organizations and this will give us a venue to showcase that. Speaking
of partnerships, I had a chance to attend the state FFA convention and the Visual Presentation Day for the 4-H. I continue to
be impressed with the skills of these young men and women. I
am very proud that the State Grange has been able to assist
these two programs. If you have a chance to invite one or both
of these organizations into your hall for a program, I urge you to
take that step!
Mark your calendar, put a star around the date, make your
plans now! April 12th is the Grange Talent Showcase Extravaganza in Easton! This is a great day out with multiple competitions and a great auction to top the day off. It’s a lot of fun. Also,
we are looking to surpass 110 people in attendance. The attendance has increased year after year and only goes to show how
successful this day is.
Continued next page
As I look out my window, I still see a foot of snow in my backyard. My garden is still well under the white blanket, but I am already planning my garden in my mind. I need to get to my shed
so that I can bring out my rototiller to get tuned up. The weather
forecast for the week is calling for temps to be in the 60’s by the
weekend. I can’t wait!
3
From my family to yours, I would like to wish everyone a very
Happy Easter season. I hope to see you all around very soon.
Fraternally,
Matt
Junior Grange Corner
The Grange Showcase Extravaganza featuring the talent,
public speaking, sign-a-song and baking contests will be held
April 12th at Easton Grange at 1:30 PM. Please review the
State Program Handbook for rules. Since each department is
responsible to provide their own awards, please advise the following if you have Juniors interested in entering any of the contests:
Talent Contest: State Lecturer
Baking Contest: Home & Community Service Committee
Public Speaking: Junior Director
Sign-a-Song: Junior Director
Home and Community Service
Last reminder: the 2015 Bake-Off will be held at The Grange
Showcase Extravaganza on April 12th at the Oakes Ames Hall in
Easton. Entries will be accepted starting at 1:00p.m. Judging will
begin at 1:30. If you need help getting your entry there please
contact a committee member or ask a friend who is going to
bring it for you
The categories for this year are:
(7) Drop Cookies
Cake (must include applesauce as an ingredient in the recipe)
Juniors: (7) Creative Rice Krispies Treats. Put your own
spin on the original recipe.
Keep your eyes and ears open among your members and your
communities to look for opportunities for Community Service. A
great way to know where we can help is to know what’s going on
around us.
4
Chaplain’s Message
As we are now in the season of Lent, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on a few of the various aspects of the season. I'm sure that many of you are familiar with Lent and Easter,
however I would like to share some of what I discovered as I began to gather my thoughts at the time of writing this message.
There are actually many days that are commonly associated
with Lent, and they include Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. There are others,
depending on what faith community you are a part of, but these
are the more commonly celebrated days.
Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday", is the last day of the pre-Lent
season, which is celebrated as the last day to indulge in those
very things that you intend to "give up" during the 40 days of
Lent. This is most always associated with New Orleans, probably because it is celebrated whole-heartedly in that area with
music, dancing, parades, and feasting. Oh, yeah - lots of feasting!
“Palm Sunday is
very significant..”
Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance and confession.
Those who attend services that day are marked on their forehead with ashes. (Interestingly, it is a custom to prepare the
ashes from the leftover palm branches from Palm Sunday the
previous year.) Maundy Thursday commemorates the day of the
Last Supper, the day in Biblical times on which Jesus taught His
disciples the practice of sharing the Body and Blood of Christ.
This practice remains a widely used ceremony to this day and is
very similar from one denomination to another.
Palm Sunday is very significant as well. This is the day when
Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem on the back of a young
donkey. As related, the people had gathered in the streets and
laid down their clothing and cut branches off palm trees to lay
them down in the streets. Palm Sunday is also considered the
first day of Easter Week or Holy Week. Good Friday commemorates the actual day of the crucifixion, and it is the beginning of
Easter Weekend; a time to prepare for the celebration of Easter.
Continued next page
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days un5
til the celebration of Easter Sunday. Right? Actually, if you count
the days from Ash Wednesday until Easter, there are 46 days.
The general description of Lent contains the term of 40 days for
a reason. The 40 days is associated with the time which Jesus
fasted and endured temptation before his death. It has also
been said that there is a relation to the 40 days of rain, which
Noah had endured. There are 6 Sundays within this period, and
since Sunday is a day of celebration, there is no fasting on that
day. (This is one of the things that I really was not aware of.) It
seems as though we are supposed to give up certain foods
such as particular types of meat, like red meat. Sometimes it is
a good thing to give up other foods that can be "unhealthy" for
one reason or another , like chocolate, or ice cream.
The point is not exactly what is given up for the season of
Lent, but more the fact of giving something up. It is an exercise
in suffering, designed to reproduce the suffering of Jesus in our
own lives. It is symbolic of our love and devotion to the Lord. It
may be a little bit late, but if you haven't already given up something for Lent, why not do it today? Do it for yourself. Do it for
the love of God.
State Grange
Showcase
Extravaganza
April 12th, 2015
North Easton
1:30 PM
Fraternally,
Randy Belseth
From the Lecturer’s Desk
Happy Grange Month! The theme for this year is “Grange
Hands are Joined Together for Success.” Materials for use in
publicizing your Grange events during the month, such as a
Grange month proclamation, posters, sample press releases,
and strategies to recruit new members, can be downloaded from
the National Grange member site:
http://www.grange.org/
membership-sign-up/.
The State Grange Showcase Extravaganza has lived up
to its name in the past few years. This event has proved to be a
large and exciting event with the talent displayed in the areas of
music, dance, variety, public speaking, sign-a-song, and baking
as well as the number of people in the audience. Let’s carry on
that tradition at this year’s event at the Oakes Ames Memorial
Hall, 3 Barrows Street, North Easton on Sunday, April 12th, be6
Continued next page
WANTED!
Photographers
Artists
Sculptors
and
Scrapbookers
Continued next page
ginning at 1:30 p.m. A raffle to benefit the State Travel Fund
and an auction of baked goods will conclude the day. It is guaranteed to be an afternoon of entertainment and fellowship, but it
can only live up to its title of ‘extravaganza’ if we can fill the hall!
The State Master issued a challenge of surpassing the 110 in
attendance last year. Can we do it?
Last year the number of PATRON Awards presented at
State Session doubled from the year before. I would love to
recognize even more Grangers who show Passion, Activity, Tradition, Recruitment, Originality, and Networking. The criteria
and documentation form (due August 1st) is located on page 23..
Does spring inspire your artistic talents? Last year the
Junior entries outnumbered the Adults in the Art Contest. Entries are due by September 15th and will be displayed at State
Session in October. Share your talents by creating art work in
one or more of these categories: oils and acrylics, watercolors,
pencil or charcoal drawing, pastels, 3-dimensional sculpture,
and scrapbook page. Guidelines can be found on page 20..
Lecturers, your March quarterly reports are now due. If it
is postmarked by April 10th, your Grange will be entered into a
drawing to “Win-A-Program”
Let’s Meet….. a State Executive Committee Member
Calvin Coolidge Chase, Jr. is no stranger on all levels of the
Grange. His favorite part of the Grange is training and encouraging young members to hold office. He was awarded ‘Mentor
of the Year’ for his guidance and inspiration to Apple Valley Jr.
Grangers and the Youth of Dunstable Grange. Even though,
Cal is not an officer in his Subordinate Grange presently, he has
held several offices during his 45-year membership. Being Lecturer for two years and seeing a multitude of programs, he determined his favorite type of program involves role-playing. He
is currently Treasurer of Minuteman Pomona. Six years as
State Master and delegate to the National Grange generated involvement at the highest level for Cal and his wife, Linda. He
played the role of First Mystagogue in the conferral of the Seventh Degree, and Linda served as National Ceres and Flora.
Cal credits Past State Chaplain Truman Cahill and Deputy
Norman Briggs and his wife Ruth as having a great influence on
him. He was impressed with Truman’s command of the ritual as
an Installing Officer and was inspired with Norman and Ruth’s
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active visitations around the state.
The town of Dunstable is positively impacted by the efforts of
Cal’s Grange. He notes sponsorship of roadside clean-up, two
annual scholarships, and an annual fair, “I get a great lift from
the fair and seeing the young kids enjoying themselves. I also
feel we are educating the townspeople about good produce and
great competition.”
Cal and Linda have three sons and five grandchildren. After
48 years on the job, he retired as a design engineer. Being active in the Boy Scouts, his church, and the town, Cal combines
his fervor for youth and service. In his spare time, he enjoys
woodworking, gardening, hunting, fishing, and being outside.
The beauty of Hawaii left a lasting impression on Cal who considers the state never too hot or too cold.
Update on the Lecturer’s traveling animals…..
New Braintree Grange and its ‘captured’ animals (one at a
time) have been on the move this past winter. Grosh Pig attended the Vermont Grazing and Livestock Conference, a meeting of
the Rainbow Girls, Winter Green-up Grass-fed Grazing Conference, and the Homesteading Workshop, but was reluctant to try
kombucha, despite learning of its health benefits from Joan
Walker and Casey Kane. Kelley Cow attended the Harvest New England Seminar in Sturbridge. She paid a
visit to the UMASS booth to check out information on the
partnership with the State Grange.
Continued next page
8
My traveling friends and their present hosts are:







Kelley Cow – New Braintree Grange
Saunders Ram & Caroline Lamb – Upton Grange
McDowell Llama – Anawan Oakton Grange
Thompson Turkey – Williamstown Grange
Grosh Pig – Ponkapoag Grange
Trimble Horse – Holden Grange
Ireland Duck – Whately Grange
McDowell is still enjoying his original host Grange, but
would love to see some visitors at Anawan-Oakton Grange on
April 14th for a health and safety night. Upton Grange, Saunders, and Caroline invite all to a Patriot’s Day Program at the
VFW Hall on April 16th.
Looking Ahead ……
The North East Lecturers’ Conference will be held at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine, August 3rd – 5th. We will be
celebrating our 100th Anniversary! Seven complete programs
centering around the theme of “100 Years of …”, several workshops from which you can choose, and lots of fun are being
planned. The conference schedule and registration forms will
be mailed by the end of the month. I hope many Massachusetts Granges will be represented this year!
Until next time ……
Janet Segur
Bake Off Entries Wanted!
Adult category:
Drop Cookie (7)
Cake, must have applesauce in ingredients
Junior category:
Creative Rice Krispie Treats
For the State Grange Showcase Extravaganza
April 12th, 2015
at Oaks Ames Memorial Hall
3 Barrows St., North Easton
9
Spend the Whole Day in Pioneer Valley
Grange Roots Picnic!
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Why not make it a full day?! Pioneer Valley has so much to offer, why not head out for the Grange Picnic early and take in
some of the wonders of the region! Right around the corner from
UMASS are some of the best destinations in Massachusetts.
Have you ever seen the view from the top of Mt. Sugarloaf? How
about hanging out with the butterflies inside the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in South Deerfield? Perhaps you would enjoy
the fragrances of Yankee Candle in Deerfield or Kringle Candle in
Bernardston. Or, after the picnic enjoy fine dining at Wiggins Tavern in Northampton. Have you ever seen the stage coach that
once served central Massachusetts now housed at the Hadley
Farm Museum? The list could go on, there is so much to see and
do in Pioneer Valley!
Make your plans now, and be sure to save time and appetite to
join fellow Grangers from across the State at the UMASS Agriculture Learning Center on the Amherst Campus, Sat., August 1,
2015, at 11 A.M. Tours of the Grange gardens will highlight the
day – be sure to attend to learn about the work being done to
help you attract valuable pollinators to your gardens. Discover
new ideas for container and small-plot gardens. Enjoy a day in
the middle of Pioneer Valley on the beautiful UMASS Campus.
A picnic lunch will be provided! The menu includes corn on the
cob, hot dogs and burgers, potato salad, dessert and beverages.
The cost is $5.00 per person, $10 for a family of two or more.
Folks are asked to bring their own lawn chairs or
picnic blankets.
Reservations are a must! Please help us plan by contacting Deb or Brad Goodrich, 2 Duffy Road,
Boylston,MA 01505-1108, dkgood_99@hotmail.com,
checks should be made out to the Massachusetts
State Grange. Payment must be received by July 25th.
The UMASS Agriculture Learning Center is at 911
North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA, on the northerly
side of campus. Plenty of parking is available. Dress
for the weather and bring plenty of sunscreen along.
See you there!
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Upton Grange to Give Outstanding
Citizen Award.
April is National Grange Month. Upton Grange recognizes an
outstanding Upton citizen each year. Last year Barbara Burke
was named Upton’s Outstanding Citizen of 2014. This year Upton Grange will honor Donald “Doug” Keniston as the 2015 Citizen of the Year. On Thursday, April 16, the Upton Grange will
present Mr. Keniston his award and also honor all Upton Veterans in attendance. The celebration will be held at the Upton
VFW Hall at 7:00 pm. Upton Grange will also hold a short
“Patriot’s Day” Program. Patriot’s; Day is a Massachusetts state
holiday on the third Monday of April. The day commemorates
the American Revolutionary battles fought near Boston in 1775
and was a major step in the independence of the United States.
Paul Revere is one of our first patriots, but all veterans are Patriots of the USA! All veterans and their families are welcome.
Free refreshments will be served.
Holden Grange Gives Dictionaries
Holden Grange members, Carolyn Hastings & Merryl Havens,
presenting dictionaries to the third graders at Davis Hill School
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From the Youth Committee
The Bowling Tournament was a great success, adding three
more teams than last year. Thanks to all who participated and
sent donations and diapers for DCF.
The winners were:
Pomona- 1st place-Heritage Pomona
Subordinates-1st place-Upton
2nd place-Holden
3rd place-Central Community
Juniors-1st place-Upton Jr.
2nd place-North Orange Jr. team 1
3rd place-North Orange Jr. team 2
Pomona:High Triple Male-Matthew Johnson
High Triple Female-Brett Johnson
High Single Male-Peter Carter
High Single Female-Lisa Johnson
Subordinate:High Triple Male-Ken Paulson
High Triple Female-Jessica Goodfield
High Single Male-David Ames
High Single Female-Kim Packard
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Continued next page
We hope to see everyone at the Extravaganza on April
12th. Please consider entering the Public Speaking or Sign a
Song as well as the Talent Contest. All rules can be found in the
handbook. The Mini-Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday,
May 9th at the Cedarland Fun Center located on 888 Boston
Road in Haverhill.
.
The next meeting of the Massachusetts State Grange Youth
Leadership Association will be held on Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00
at the Rowley Grange Hall. We hope to see a lot of participation
in the various activities. Happy Spring!
Fraternally,
LuAnn Belseth and Tracee Perkins,Youth Co-Directors
Jennifer Goodrich, Youth Committee3 Attachments
North Orange: OTOH Gearing Up
For Packaging Event in May
Operation Touch of Home (OTOH), a community service projects of North Orange Grange is gearing up for its 16th Care
Packaging event for members of the military stationed overseas.
The event will take place on May 16th. OTOH is currently collecting names and addresses to send packages to, as well as
accepting donations. For more information, or to make a referral, please visit operationtouchofhome.blogspot.com, email:
operationtouchofhome@gmail.com or on Facebook at:
facebook.com/operationtouchofhome
13
Friends Meet at
Gould’s Sugarhouse
Old Friends met at the Gould’s Sugarhouse in Shelburne,
MA. for pancakes and maple syrup on March 19, 2015.
Miss Cow and Miss Mouse had visited the Massachusetts
State Grange Session from 2005-2011 when their “Moms”
were Pomona and Ceres of the State Grange. After being
friends for ten years they still try to see each other once a year
at the Gould's Sugarhouse. You really do make a lot of nice
friends in the Grange!
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.
14
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 lechase491@verizon.net by May 7th.
This event is sponsored by Dunstable Grange and the Massachusetts State Grange.
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Saturday, June 27, 2015
8:00 a.m. - Bus departs Holden Senior Center, 1130 Main St., Holden
Please arrive by 7:45 a.m.
Experience Massachusetts agriculture at:
 Diemand Farm – This multi-generational small family business raises grass-fed
beef, free range chickens and turkeys which are sources for products sold at the
farm or catered parties.
 Songline Emu Farm –While touring DeeDee Mares’ family farm, we will meet her mob of
emu which produces the oils, meat, leather, and eggs sold at the on-site farm store.
 Barstow’s Longview Farm –The sixth generation of the Barstow family, Steven and David,
promote agricultural sustainability with a robotic milker and an anaerobic digester. Enjoy lunch
on your own in the Stor e & B aker y. barstow slongview far m .com /stor e/lu nch/
 University of Massachusetts Agricultural Learning Center – In 2013, the Amherst campus launched a new hands-on learning center. Tour of the facility includes the Pollinator & Herb Garden and the Urban/Community Garden, features supported by funding from the
Massachusetts State Grange.
Atkins Farm – Shop for produce grown locally, seasonal items, gift baskets,
flowers, candy, baked goods, and more. Get a sneak preview of what is available
by visiting http://www.atkinsfarms.com/.
4:45 p.m. Bus returns to Holden Senior Center.
Cost: $10 (includes bus driver gratuity), payable to Holden Grange at the time of reservation.
There will be walking required. Please wear sensible shoes.
Reservations are due by June 1st to:
Louise Jordan, 51 Muschopauge Rd., Rutland, MA 01543
For more information, call 508-886-4037 or email holdengrange78@gmail.com.
Sponsored by Holden Grange & Massachusetts State Grange
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Get Your Reservation in Today!!!
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
Due now!
Checks should be made payable to Massachusetts State Grange
Mail to:
Janet E. Horne
701 Prentice Street
Holliston, MA 01746
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ROPS Program Available
The Massachusetts Rollover Protective Structure Program
(ROPS) is a PILOT Program designed to assist farmers in installing rollbars by offering a rebate of 70% of costs up to $865.
With the help of the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine &
Health, MDAR is pleased to introduce a Tractor Rollbar Rebate
Program for Massachusetts. This Pilot Program has limited
funds, but we hope to assist in retrofitting 28 to 35 tractors with
rollbars in 2015. Participants in the ROPS program will be chosen in a first come first served manner.
For Massachusetts Farmers: All participants must apply online at www.ropsr4u.com or by calling the ROPS Hotline (1-877
-ROPS-R4U or 1-877-767-7748). ROPS Hotline staff will provide estimated costs as well as sources for purchasing certified
ROPS. Prior to ordering, participants must call for Preapproval. Pre-approval is required to ensure funds are available. We do not guarantee the rebate until approval is given.
This effectively helps us to track how much money is spent,
promised out, got left, etc. Once Pre-approval is given, the participant may order the ROPS and then must re-contact the
ROPS Hotline staff (within a day or two) to confirm where they
ordered and what the estimated price is.
Contacts: Barbara Bayes - ROPS Hotline (1-877-ROPS-R4U
or 1-877-767-7748), bbayes@nycamh.com, Bob Rondeau,
MDAR, 617-626-1804, robert.rondeau@state.ma.us.
Learn to Farm Scholarships Announced
Now in its 13th year and licensed as a private occupational
school, The Farm School’s year long Learn to Farm program
provides practical training in forestry, carpentry, homesteading,
mechanics, business planning, marketing, animal husbandry
and commercial organic vegetable production and turns out
graduates who go on to success in a wide variety of careers
(including farming!).
And now is the time to check out the year-long program and
apply, as they have just announced new scholarships that will
ensure
all
can
attend,
regardless
of
means:
www.farmschool.org/learntofarm.
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Grange Cooking Corner
Submit your recipe to the SGN by
mail: Ann Prest, 836 Haverhill St., Rowley, MA 01969
or email: stategrangenews@massgrange.org
Cheese Broccoli Bake
1 10oz pkg frozen chopped broccoli
1 can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
2 cups (about 12 oz) chopped ham
½ cup soft, torn bread crumbs
½ c sour cream
1 TBsP butter,
melted
2 c cooked rice
Heat oven to 350°F. Cook broccoli according to package directions; drain. Combine soup and sour cream. Stir in broccoli,
ham and rice. Spoon into 1 1/2 quart casserole. Combine bread
crumbs and butter; sprinkle over casserole. Bake 30 to 35
minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Velveeta® Cheeseburger Mac One Skillet Meal
1 lb ground beef
2¾ cups water
1/3 cup ketchup
1 to 2 teas onion powder
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
¾ pound (12 oz) Velveeta cheese, cubed
Brown meat in large skillet, drain.
Stir in water, ketchup and onion powder. Bring to a boil. Stir in
macaroni. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Simmer 8 to 10
minutes, or until macaroni is tender.
Add Velveeta; stir until melted.
Makes 4 to 6 servings
The kids who are into cheese and/or cheese burgers love this.
Cooks love it too….only 1 pan to wash!
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Art Contest
There will be seven categories: a) Oils and Acrylics; b) Watercolors; c) Charcoal or Pencil
Drawing, d) Pastels, e) Stained Glass, f) 3-Dimensional Sculptures (such as, but not limited to, wood carving, papier-mâché, plaster, metal), and g) Scrapbook Page.
The criteria for judging the art entries are: a) How well the artist used the medium selected; b) Craftsmanship and skill; c) Composition, presentation of subject; d) Originality; and
e) Theme and its treatment.
Prizes for first, second, and third place winners in each category will be cash and ribbons.
As with Photography Contest, there will only be two divisions of Junior exhibitors.
Rules:
This contest is open to both Grange members and non-members. Non-members must
be sponsored by a Subordinate Grange.
All entries must be the original work of the exhibitor. No purchased, prepared page for
scrapbook.
All entries must be completed between Sept. 1st and Aug. 31st of the contest year.
Age for Junior contestants will be as of January 1st.
Entries are judged according to the medium used.
Charcoal and pencil entries must have been treated for permanency to stop smudging.
Nude entries will not be accepted.
Size for all classes: Artwork must not exceed 24” x 36” including the frame. There is
no minimum size, as miniatures will be accepted in all categories.
All entries must be framed or have a firm backing, or be self-standing for the 3-D sculp
ture category, so that they can be displayed properly.
Computer enhancement of artwork and/or art generated by using computer printers is not
permitted.
Entry form:
Name: ______________________________________Phone # ____________________
Complete Address: ______________________________________________________
Grange Name and #: _____________________________ Member __ Non-member __
Category: Artist must select the category that applies:
____Oils and Acrylics
____ Charcoal or Pencil ____ Watercolors
_____ Stained Glass
Division: ____ Adult
____ Pastels
_____ 3-D Sculpture _____ Scrapbook Page
______Junior 5-9
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____ Junior 10-14
Welcome to our New Members
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.
Membership Recognitions
Rita Joseph
197 Viking Drive
Plymouth, MA 02360
( has been in hospital, now at home)
25 years
Jennifer L. Tully
Dunstable #31
50 years
Ann Prest
Rowley #204
55 years
Donald Carlson
Betty Ann Degon
Wayne R. Jordan
Fredrick Warren
Shirley Warren
Worthy Special Deputy Gerald Simmons passed away on March 22.
Memorial donations may be made to
the Dunstable Rural Land Trust
c/o David Tully 1070 Main St, Dunstable, MA 01827
Ware #164
Holden #78
Holden #78
Holden #78
Holden #78
60 years
Betty Dorward
Holden #78
Donald Dorward
Holden #78
Sarah Handy
Holden #78
Gordon White
Holden #78
Cards may be sent to:
David Simmons
PO Box 144
Dunstable, MA 01827
70 years
Jessie Dickinson
Whately #414
Marjorie Babb
Whately #414
Jerry and Linda Simmons
124 Dalton Rd
Chelmsford, MA 01824
Whately Grange Invite
April 23 at 7:30 P.M. Whately Grange will
be honoring Jim LaSalle, our long-time
Treasurer, Past Master and flower deliverer
for State Grange meetings. All are welcome
to attend, especially those in the State
Grange Family.
Snow Made It So….
North Orange Grange has had to make
some changes to its programs for April.
They are not as they are printed in the
book. Correct programming is listed in this
edition of SGN under confirmed meetings.
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Harold and Joan Simmons
726 Main Street
Dunstable, MA 01827
Nancy Benevento
P.O. Box 93, Paine Ave.,
Prides Crossing, MA 01965
(confined to home)
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.
lecturer@massgrange.org
508-886-2341
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Confirmed April Grange Meetings
April 11 - Mayflower North Pomona #40
Norwell Grange Hall, 142 Main St.
12:00 Noon Lunch - Hanover hosts
1:30 PM Business meeting
Home and Community
April 1 - Hanover Grange #206
Norwell Grange Hall, 142 Main St. Norwell
7:30 PM program: 7/11 Game.
April 2 - Weymouth Grange #387
345 Ralph Talbot St. So. Weymouth
7:30 PM TBA
April 13 - Holden Grange #78
Senior Center, 1130 Main St., Holden
7:00 PM Getting Acquainted with our
Community: Stewart’s Chocolates
April 2 - Sterling Grange
Grange Hall, 14 Maple St.
4:00 PM Agriculture Education Night, Scott Davis to speak. Pot luck supper
April 14 - North Orange Grange
Community Church of North Orange &
Tully, 48 Main St., Orangw
7:30 PM Athol Health Agent, Deb Karan to
present program on Food Safety
April 6 - Mayflower Past Masters Assoc.
12:30 PM – Meet at Ted’s for Lunch
If you wich to join us please let Rita know
(508) 830-1964
All are welcome. Please join us!
April 15 - Rowley Grange #204
Grange Hall, 29 Central St.
7:30 PM Music Night
April 7 - Norwell Grange #410
Norwell Grange Hall, 142 Main St.
7:30 PM Agriculture Night
April 16 - Upton Grange
VFW Hall, 15 Milford St., Upton
7:00 PM Patriot’s Day Program and
presentation of 2015 Citizen of the Year
Award.
April 7 - Central Community Grange #22
Boylston Town House
599 Main St., Boylston
6:00 PM Soup, Chowder & Chili Challenge
April 16 - Sterling Grange #53
Rittenhouse House School of Music & Art
96 Kendall Hill Rd., Sterling
6:00 PM program by Connie Drexler.
April 8 - Worcester Central Pomona #7
Holden Senior Center, 11130 Main St.
7:30 PM State Officers” Night. State
Overseer to speak, presentation of DCF
donations, Wachusett Meadow Wildlife
Sanctuary
April 20 - Beverly Grange #306
Hastings House, 14 Oak St.,
Beverly Farms
7:00 PM Meeting, Program by Dottie and
Russell Carr
April 10 - Franklin-Worcester Pomona
Orthodox Congregational Church of
Petersham, 21 North Maine St., Petersham
7:30 PM International Agriculture program
With Lynn Amsden
April 21 - Central Community Grange #22
Boylston Town House
599 Main St., Boylston
7:30 PM Installation of Officers
April 11- Heritage Pomona #2
Laurel Grange Hall
21 Garden Street, West Newbury
3:30 PM - Business Meeting
Time to Get the Garden Ready
April 21- Norwell Grange #410
Norwell Grange Hall 142 Main St., Norwell
7:30 PM Spring is Here! Inspection
Continued next page
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Confirmed April Grange Meetings continued
April 27 - Holden Grange #78
Senior Center, 1130 Main St.
7:00 PM Open House, Presentation of
Community Citizen Award. Program by
harpist Roberta Swett
April 28 - North Orange
Community Church of North Orange & Tully,
48 Main St., Orange
Unconfirmed March Grange Meetings
April 1
Shelburne Grange #68
Fellowship Hall, 17 Little Mohawk Rd
7:00 PM Talent Night (no foolin’)
April 9
Whately State Grange #414
Town Hall, 194 Chestnut Plain Rd.
7:30 PM Community Service Award
April 2
Bradford Grange #238
St. James Church Hall
121 Washington St. Groveland
Berkshire North Pomona #6
@ Pittsfield Masonic Temple
116 South St.
7:30 PM Grange Month Celebration
Acushnet Grange #285
Grange Hall, 1121 North Main St.
7:30 PM TBA
New Braintree Grange #170
New Braintree Cong. Church
Corner of Hardwick & Oakham Rd
7:30 PM Fashion Show
April 4
Sippican PomonaGrange #31
@ East Freetown
4:30 PM Business Meeting
6:30 Supper
7:00 PM Easter Bonnet Parade
Williamsburg Grange #225
Grange & Community Hall
10 Main St.
7:00 PM Official Visit & Shooting Laws
April 6
West Stockbridge Grange #246
Grange Hall, 5 Swamp Rd.
7:30 PM Reg. Meeting
April 7
Guiding Star Grange #1
Grange Hall, Greenfield
7:00 PM Looking Toward Spring
Charlton Grange #92
Grange Hall, 10 Main St., Rte 31
7:30 PM Corner Stone Quilters
Petersham Grange #95
Cong. Church, 21 North Main St.
7:30 PM Neighbors Night
Dixieland Band
April 8
Uxbridge Grange #200
VFW Hall, Douglas Rd., Uxbridge
7:30 PM Youth Night
Rochester Grange #257
Grange Hall, 2 Hartley Rd.
7:30 PM 109th Anniversary
April 10
Chesterfield Grange #83
Senior Center/Grange Hall
Community Center, 400 Main Rd,
7:30 PM Earth Day
Franklin-Worcester Pomona #4
Congregational Church, 21 North Main.
St., Petersham
Stockbridge Grange #295
Grange Hall, 51 Church St.
7:30 PM Conservation
Boxborough Grange #131
Town Hall, Grange Room
7:30 PM Community Service
Laurel Grange #161
21 Garden St., West Newbury
7:30 PM 127th Anniversary
April 11
Central Community Jr. Grange #141
Boylston Town House, 599 Main St.
3:00 PM Guest speaker on Children’s
Gardens. Planting Flowers
Norfolk Pomona Grange #27
Norfolk Grange Hall, 28 Rockwood Rd.,
12:00 Luncheon
1:00 PM Cooking Seasonal Garden
1:30 PM business meeting
April 13
Hope of Hadley Grange #15
First Congregational Church of Hadley,
Rtes 9 & 47
7:30 PM Share Antique bottles
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April 13 continued
Hinsdale Grange #19
Hinsdale Town Hall, 39 South St.
7:30 PM Good Citizen Award
April 14
North Orange Grange #86
Community Church of N. Orange & Tully, 48 Main St., Orange
7:30 PM Seed Starting
Norfolk Grange # 135
Grange Hall, 28 Rockwood Rd
7:30 PM Clean & Green
Dudley Grange #163
Dudley Grange Hall, Center Rd
7:00 PM Dudley: Young America
Groton Grange #7
Grange Hall, 80 Champney St.,
7:00 PM Business Meeting
Anawan-Oakton Grange #221
Grange Hall, 243 Winthrop St.
7:00 PM Health & Safety Night
April 15
Prescott Grange #73
Grange Hall, 12 Park St., Pepperell
7:00 PM Tax Day
West Boxford #140
Lincoln Hall, 564 Main St., Boxford
7:30 PM Agricultural Night
Shelburne Grange #68
Fellowship Hall, 17 Little Mohawk Rd.
7:00 PM “What’s My Line
April 16
Bradford Grange #238
St. James Hall, 121 Washington St.
Groveland
7:30 PM TBA
April 17
Ponkapoag Grange Hall #231
Grange Hall, 163 Turnpike St., Canton
7:00 PM Baby Shower for My
Brother’s Keeper
South Middleboro Grange #337
7:30 PM Celebrating National Grange
Month
Unconfirmed April Grange Meetings, continued
April 17 continued
Dunstable Grange #31
Dunstable Town Hall
8:00 PM Pomona Visitation
April 23
Whately Grange #414
Town Hall
7:30 PM 75th Anniversary
Pittsfield Grange #14
Pittsfield Masonic Temple,
116 South St, Pittsfield
7:30 PM 3rd & 4th Degrees
April 24
Stockbridge Grange #295
Grange Hall, 51Church Street
7:30 PM Agriculture Night
Bay Path Pomona Grange #9
@ Charlton Grange Hall, 10 Main St.
7:30 PM Mystery Foods
Laurel Grange #161
21 Garden St., West Newbury
7:30 PM “Poets”
April 18
Community Grange #382
Grange Hall, 47 North West St.,
Feeding Hills
11:45 AM Lunch, Regular Meeting
April 26
Big Three @ Hillside Pomona
In Chesterfield
April 19
Apple Valley Junior Grange # 138
Dunstable Town Hall
4:00 PM Earth Day
North Orange Junior #142
Community Church of North Orange
Book Giving Badge
April 27
Berkshire South Pomona #25
@ Stockbridge Grange Hall
51 Church St.
7:30 PM Conservation, Invasive Bugs
and Weeds
Connecticut Vallley Pomona # 19
Host: Williamsburg Grange
7:00 PM Italy
Bedford Grange #283
First Church of Christ, Congregational
25 The Great Rd, Bedford
8:00 PM Maple sugaring
April 28
Anawan-Oakton Grange #221
Grange Hall, 243 Winthrop St.
7:00 PM Earth Day Program
North Orange Grange #86
Community Church of N. Orange & Tully, 48 Main St., Orange
7:30 PM Ag in the Classroom
April 20
Ware Grange #164
Grange Hall, 297 Belchertown Rd.
7:00 PM Hobby & Crafts
Dracut Grange #216
Grange Hall, Bridge St.
7:30 PM Happy Birthday
The State Master is looking for volunteers to serve on a 150th Anniversary
Committee of the State Grange. If you are interested, let him know.
Volunteers are needed for many different types of activities.
Don’t hesitate, step up to the plate!
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