This website is both for Grange members in Western Mass and across the State, as well as for the public who is interested in events, programs and projects run by the Granges.
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The Montague Grange will be sponsoring an Election Night Party at their hall in Montague Center. Come one come all.
o Streaming CNN.com video on 10’ projection screen
o Potluck: bring snack, entree or dessert
o BYO beverage
o Children ok -- fun maps and info
o Starts at 6:30, goes till midnight!
o Local poll workers invited
o Bring a comfy pillow or something to sit on if you don’t like the Grange chairs
o Bring a laptop for the stats table -- network should be available
Call 367-9233 or 863-6455 for details or if you’d like to help set up.
June 17th from 3 to 6pm
Plant a seed and face painting for children
Hula hoops by Shenandoah demonstration
Karen’s Dance Studio 4:30 to 5:30
Make a bracelet with Barbara
Farmers, crafters, and producers of locally made items.
Montague Grange #141
Minutes of meeting on September 19, 2007
taken by co-secretary Rebecca Lay
Members present: Mik Muller, David Kaynor, Rebecca Hollingsworth, Chris Mason, Pat Stewart, Eleanor Graves, Rebecca Lay, lydia Ievins, Mary Melonis, Tim Van Egmond, Colleen Sculley
Guests: Chris Martenson, Laurie Dickson
I read the minutes of the June meeting out loud.
After a brief opening, we did introductions around the room. Then, Pat told us how Skunk Hollow got its name. (A long time ago, a kid caught a skunk and put it on a rope and swung it over his head, all over the hollow. That stunk up the whole place pretty well.) More people followed up with their own smelly skunk stories.
Committee Reports:
Mik reported for the Sewer Committee. Basically, the problem can’t be fixed by us alone, so a motion passed to allow the Executive Committee to approve the work to be done (dig out the pipe, replace the piece that’s sunken in, make sure it’s level with the rest of the pipe, fill the hole again) by one of three discussed companies (Renaissance Builders and two others that I didn’t get down--sorry!)--whoever bid the lowest and could get the work done the soonest, assuming it wasn’t going to cost more than $1200.
A motion also passed to empower Mik to call Mark the plumber to clean out the sewer pipe section in the kitchen, provided that it doesn’t cost more than $500.
The Tag Sale Committee: Tim has posters up around town. Discussion of how to get rid of stuff left over after the sale--agreed to leave things out on the side of the road as long as weather permits, and then get it all into the Church’s dumpster by trash pick-up time.
Mary gave a report of the Historical Society’s situation...they moved all of their archives to the upstairs room and are raising money to fix up the room even further. They think it will cost $1500 to insulate and sheetrock the rest of the attic. This does not include painting. We discussed having a quarterly Montague History lecture. David thinks there’s a leak in the roof somewhere. He agrees to look for damage when things are being cleared out for the tag sale. Mary suggests Dupree Roofing in Greenfield if we need to have work done. Mik will call town hall for a building permit for the sheetrocking / insulation work.
Family Dance Committee: Mik will work with Laurie Davidson on a new sign/sandwich board.
Conservation Area Grant Committee: Colleen reports that Mark has done the mowing this year and it looks great! We agree to discuss at the next meeting how much of the grant money to keep for administrative costs. People think that 3-5% is standard.
Montague Center School 2nd graders are studying invasive species--they have field trips to the Meadows scheduled in fall and spring. They will plant native species of trees (dogwoods?) along the riverbank in May.
Communications: two letters from the State Master reminding us to audit our books.
Bills: electric bill is $90--discussion of whether or not this is unusually high. Should we be charging more for rent of the hall? Chris M. agrees to look at the numbers and report back the actual cost of using the hall in different seasons.
Becky agrees to print another copy of the procedures for renters entering/leaving the Grange.
Tim wonders if we could call the Tech school to see if they’d be willing to replace our cracked windows and get storms installed where there aren’t any. Mik agrees to contact them.
Al Ross isn’t going to coordinate the Sawmill River Run on New Year’s Day this coming year. Do we want to take over? Everyone agrees that it is a good fundraiser for the Grange, Fire Dept., and Mt. Grace Land Trust. It’s also a lot of work. David agrees to find out more about responsibilities leading up to the race.
We voted to hire Gary Turn for snow removal.
Collected $5.70 for the Floral Fund
Last but not least, Eleanor installed David as Master.
Montague Grange receives federal help to restore wildlife habitat on the Conservation Area
United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Massachusetts State Office
451 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002
413-253-4350, fax 413-253-4375 www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov
Helping People Help the Land
USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
NEWS RELEASE
Issued jointly with the Montague Grange
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2007
CONTACT: Diane Baedeker Petit Colleen Sculley Jill Liske-Clark
USDA-NRCS Montague Grange MassWildlife
413-253-4371, 413-367-0006, 508-389-6306
Montague Grange receives federal help to restore wildlife habitat on the Montague Wildlife Management Area
Public invited to walk the site on Saturday, May 26 at 10:00 am
The Montague Grange in Montague, Mass. will receive nearly $10,600 in federal costshare assistance to restore important wildlife habitat on the state-owned Montague Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Montague Center. As part of the project the Montague Grange is sponsoring a public walk at the Sawmill River Access Area on Saturday, May 26th at 10:00 am to discuss the details of the habitat restoration project.
Those interested in attending should meet at the entry gate at the end of North Street. There is very limited parking on North Street; drivers are encouraged to park at the town common and walk to the entry gate.
The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the agency’s Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). WHIP funds will allow the Grange to mow and brush hog the field during a three-year period to reduce the amount of invasive plants and improve the overall quality of grasslands habitat. The Montague Grange will implement the project in partnership with MassWildlife, which owns the WMA, and NRCS.
The work will be done on the Access Area where 35 acres of grasslands and old fields are being invaded by non-native plants, including multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, Japanese knotweed and bush honeysuckle.
The invasive plants degrade the quality of the grassland habitat making them unsuitable nesting habitat for bobolinks, savannah sparrows and other grassland-dependent birds experiencing population declines throughout New England. The restoration work will also ensure easier access for outdoor enthusiasts who use the WMA for fishing, hunting, hiking, bird watching and wildlife viewing.
"Members of the Montague Grange are thrilled to receive this WHIP grant so we can restore these old fields for critical wildlife habitat while also providing opportunities for our community to experience the scenic beauty of our rural heritage," said Chris Mason, Steward of the Grange. "By working with MassWildlife and NRCS to restore these old fields, which were first established and then maintained by Montague farmers, the Grange honors our traditional role of supporting rural agriculture while fulfilling our newer role as a community service organization for all residents in Montague."
“MassWildlife has long viewed the restoration and maintenance of habitat as critical to the many creatures dependant on available and suitable habitat. Invasive species pose one of the greatest threats to the native biodiversity of Massachusetts, “said Jill Liske-Clark, MassWildlife’s Upland Habitat Coordinator. “These kinds of projects create valuable partnerships with groups such as the Montague Grange who share common concerns about wildlife and wildlife habitat and make it possible for partners to accomplish their habitat management goals.”
Liske-Clark noted that the project on the Montague WMA is one of a number of ongoing statewide grassland habitat maintenance and restoration projects on MassWildlife lands. “NRCS is pleased to partner with the Montague Grange and MassWildlife to restore this important habitat and protect a natural resource that’s so important to Montague and surrounding communities,” said Christine Clarke, Massachusetts State Conservationist for NRCS. “This project is one great example of the $1.1 million in WHIP projects that will be implemented cooperatively with state and local partners across Massachusetts this year.” Through WHIP, NRCS provides technical and cost-share assistance to landowners to protect or restore valuable ecosystems and wildlife habitat on their property. Landowners may receive up to 75 percent of installation costs for conservation practices. For more information on the WHIP program, visit www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip.html.
Fellow Grangers,
As much for myself as for you all, here’s a list of items that came up at tonight’s meeting, (which was really awesome, BTW). Here’s what I can remember in no particular order:
--Brochure was approved with a few very minor corrections, including the addition of a line about the Montague Clean Energy Campaign. Someone (Tim?) suggested that he might be able to get a good deal on color copies. It was voted that I can go ahead and print out "as many as I can get away with" at work. I’ll pick up a ream of nice paper and see what I can do.
--We’ll have a walkabout on Sunday, April 22 (is this date right?) at 11am to distribute the brochures to all the neighbors in Montague Center, as well as drop off brochures in the other villages.
--Clean up day is April 21. We’ll work on clearing out the cloakroom and spiffing it up in preparation for the variety show the following day. Other projects might include building some shelves in the big closet.
--Tracy Turn benefit variety show is on Sunday, April 22, at 6:30 pm.
--A bike fix up day is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 14, time TBD. Rebecca is leading the charge on this. I offered to bring my bike stand. I can’t remember what this is promoting, but I remember it being a good cause.
--We had a long discussion of what to do about the floor. Lydia, Rebecca, and Chris Mason had a breakout session after the meeting where they realized that experimenting on a corner of the floor isn’t practical, as the corners and sides still have butcher block wax on them. I looks like that stuff will need to be sanded off before tung oil could be applied, but all agreed that a more expert opinion is needed.
--Chris and Colleen reported that we got the grant for the conservation area mowing. (WOOHOO!!!) They still have to work out the details of the mowing schedule with the state and then check in with Mark Girard to figure out if that works for him and Jeff(?). It was determined that the deal with the state would not preclude more frequent mowing of the paths.
--Mik and Eleanor are working on getting the fire department involved in the Memorial Day celebration.
--Mik recorded the meeting on his mp3 recorder, and will put the audio file up on the web site.
--There may be an Easter egg hunt, but I can’t remember who was going to prod that along. (I’ll be away this weekend, so unfortunately won’t be able to help or attend.)
--Chris Mason and Tim Van Egmond reported on the New England Wind Fund project for Montague, which I believe is called the Montague Clean Energy Campaign. We voted to endorse/support/sponsor this worthy project which has the potential to bring in revenue to the town dedicated for energy conservation and alternative/sustainable energy products, such as solar arrays.
--We’re planning to open the hall on May Day (Sunday, May 5 this year) for whatever needs to happen indoors. Rebecca offered to organize and call a dance that evening.
--Mik reported that the oven is in good working order, but needs some replacement drip pans.
--Chris Mason did a terrific job on diverting water from the sump drain up a hose and out the window. We need to figure out whether or not the plumber fixed the blocked drain before we pay them the $500 or so dollars that they billed us to do it.
--I noticed some members of the ad hoc lock committee conferring on the possibility of taking another stab at fixing the broken left front door hardware, but I don’t know what conclusion they came to.
--The chair committee reported that the antique dealer was only interested in one of the chairs,as the others would cost her more to fix than she could get for them. She collected a small pile of things for which she would pay $50, if we wished to sell them. Jamie Berger of the Rendezvous bar in TF wasn’t interested in the chairs either, but might be interested in the big pew thing.
--There was a lengthy discussion on adjusting the ritual during meetings. It was voted to continue to conduct meetings at ease, and to conduct the next meeting as an experiment in the abbreviated form described in the little book Mik got from the national grange. We will be getting inspected at the next meeting, and we can consult with the deputy Fred Bardwell on what our policy should be going forward. It was noted that given the precipitous decline in membership, it is unlikely that the state or national grange would stand in the way of any changes we thought were necessary or desirable.
--At the end of the meeting, I said that it would be great if somebody wrote up some notes from the meeting, lest we all forget what we talked about.
Well, that’s all I can think of for now. If there are errors and/or omissions, speak up!
In Faith, Hope, and Charity, and respectfully submitted with Fidelity,
2006
September 20: What I did this Summer Vacation - Catching up
October 4: MCTV - What is Public Access TV - Bring your own camera too!
November 1: Internet Uncovered - How it works
December 6: Holiday Program - Sing along and snacks - Kern Hattan donations accepted
2007
January 3: Haiku-Palooza / Two lines are all that you get / The third line is yours
February 7: Tea Cup Auction - Bring stuff and take stuff home!
March 7: Planning Your Garden - Layouts and plants to use
April 4: Silly Paper Tricks - Practical paper objects
May 2: Resolutions for State Session - bring your ideas (eg; e-Voting Machines)
June 6: Great Falls Discovery Center
July TBD: Picnic with Guiding Star - Lawn games & more. (Contact us to confirm date)
August TBD: Picnic (Contact us to confirm date)
DEGREE DAY - Fall date to be determined.
At the June meeting of the Montague Grange we had a "Haiku-Polooza" as the lecture. Attendees were given a slip of paper with the first two lines of a haiku and were asked to complete the poem.
A Haiku is a Japanese poem consisting of only three lines, containing respectively five, seven, and five syllables. The genre appeared in the 16th century, and was popularized by the poet Basho in the 17th century. Spare to the point of starkness, haiku traditionally take an image from the natural world (eg the flight of a crane) and leave it suspended in the mind, like a raindrop at the tip of a leaf, so that its subtle allusions may work on the imagination. The Japanese term haiku is a compound, formed from hai ’amusement’ and ku ’sentence, verse’. It is first recorded in English at the end of the 19th century. A hokku was originally the opening half-line of a linked series of haiku, but the term is now used synonymously with haiku. Haiku should not be confused with tanka, which denotes a five-line Japanese poem of five, seven, five, seven, and five syllables respectively (it is a compound of Japanese tan ’short’ and ka ’song’).
Here, then, are the Haiku completed by the attendees of the Montague Grange, June 7th, 2006:
---------------------------
Cheap thrills, amusements
The park glows red and yellow
Firefly eyes, green lights
Cheap thrills, amusements
The park glows red and yellow
Who is that fellow?
Cheap thrills, amusements
The park glows red and yellow
All have a good time
Cheap thrills, amusements
The park glows red and yellow
All have a great time
Cheap thrills, amusements
The park glows red and yellow
They do not sell beer
Cheap thrills, amusements
The park glows red and yellow
In boys and girls eyes
Cheap thrills, amusements
The park glows red and yellow
Screaming, we plunge down
Cheap thrills, amusements
The park glows red and yellow
Ferris wheel spinning
---------------------------
Cold sausage, warm beer
The pizza boy is knocking
Perhaps he wants it
Cold sausage, warm beer
The pizza boy is knocking
I’m Domino Pizza calling
Cold sausage, warm beer
The pizza boy is knocking
His socks do not match
Cold sausage, warm beer
The pizza boy is knocking
Waiting for his money
Cold sausage, warm beer
The pizza boy is knocking
.. up the dairy maid
Cold sausage, warm beer
The pizza boy is knocking
Welcome to my home
Cold sausage, warm beer
The pizza boy is knocking
Got any money?
Cold sausage, warm beer
The pizza boy is knocking
Pepto Bismol, please!
---------------------------
The phone rings nearby
I roll over and answer
In deep froggy croaks
The phone rings nearby
I roll over and answer
Hoping to hear from you
The phone rings nearby
I roll over and answer
Don’t disturb me I’m busy
The phone rings nearby
I roll over and answer
Midnight, wrong number
The phone rings nearby
I roll over and answer
They do not sell beer
The phone rings nearby
I roll over and answer
Public phones are cool
The phone rings nearby
I roll over and answer
Not now you dummy
---------------------------
Tall person, Sashay!
You rumble past us, smiling
As short dancers gape
Tall person, Sashay!
You rumble past us, smiling
Then trip on your toes
Tall person, Sashay!
You rumble past us, smiling
Are you wearing stilts?
Tall person, Sashay!
You rumble past us, smiling
Do se do your partner
Tall person, Sashay!
You rumble past us, smiling
To the wild music
Tall person, Sashay!
You rumble past us, smiling
Into the distance
Tall person, Sashay!
You rumble past us, smiling
The child just keeps up
Tall person, Sashay!
You rumble past us, smiling
Reach end, sashay back
The Easter Egg Hunt yesterday was a success! We had about a dozen kids show up, most from the neighborhood. Next year we’ll make sure there’s more publicity. Here are some photos:
- Thu, Oct 30, 2008, 10:38 A
