Lecturer's Corner

The Grange Lecturer is responsible for planning and presenting educational and entertaining programs during Grange meetings. This page contains information about Grange contests sponsored by the Lecturer’s Department and resources for Grange Lecturers.

If you have any questions regarding the programs and contests listed below, please contact the State Grange Lecturer or a member of the Lecturer’s Coordinating Committee:

Lecturer:

Kristin Paulson (508-282-0769) - kep4grange@gmail.com

Committee Members:

Patricia Thomas (781-828-0669) - pbobkothomas@gmail.com

Merryl Havens (508-243-9220) - merrylhavens@yahoo.com

Ruth Ellen Henry (413-773-7466) - ruthieh@comcast.net

Dusti Defresne (413-834-8881) - dustidgrange@gmail.com

Susan Rotellini (978-663-6319) - susanrotellini@verizon.net

Janet Segur (508-886-2341) - jsegur55@gmail.com

Rebecca Ingram (978-319-9720) - ringram0922@comcast.net

Resources for Grange Lecturers:

Program Resources:

The State and National Granges provide program resources to help Grange Lecturers plan their programs. Download the State and National Program Resources information for topic and program planning ideas.

Agriculture Education is a major focus of the Massachusetts State Grange. Local Granges are encouraged to hold programs to educate their local communities on topics such as home gardening and protecting pollinators. Download the State Grange’s Agriculture Education Planning and Resource document for ideas and tools to help plan your Grange’s program.

Program Ideas:

Contest Information:

State Talent Contest – There will be four classes in the State Talent Contest, held during the Grange Showcase Extravaganza: 1] Vocal, 2] Instrumental, 3] Variety Act, and 4] Vocal / Instrumental Combo.

Participants do not have to be Grange members to participate in the State Contest. However, the Representative to the National Grange Evening of Excellence must be a Grange member.
There is no restriction on the number of persons taking part.
Taped accompaniment for vocal acts must be instrumental with only minor additional background voice. No taped accompaniment for instrumental acts.
The act should be at least 2 minutes long, but no longer than 6 minutes. After allowing for a one minute Grace Period (at 7 minutes), two points per minute or portion thereof will be deducted from the total points or all performances going overtime.
Scorecard: The following scorecard will be used:
- Stage Presence - 15 points
- Appropriateness of Dress or Costume - 5 points
- Preparation and Skill of Presentation - 60 points
- Suitability of Number - 15 points
- Audience Appeal - 5 points
- Total Points 100 points
Cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded.
The act deemed to be the representative to the National Grange Evening of Excellence will also represent Massachusetts in the NE Regional Talent Showcase, if held.
A person chosen to be the representative to the National Grange Evening of Excellence shall not be eligible to represent Massachusetts for the next three years.

Photography Contest – There are six categories in the Photography Contest: a) Agriculture b) Animals c) Flowers d) Landscape e) Patriot f) People.

The criteria for judging: a) Composition and arrangement, b) Interest, c) Presentation and d) Technique. Prizes for first, second, and third place winners in each category will be cash and ribbons.

Participants do not have to be Grange members; however; the “Best of Show” entry which will be sent to National Grange for judging must have been taken by a Grange member.

Rules:

Only original, non-copyrighted prints are accepted for judging.
Photographer must select the category for his/her entry.
A photograph may be entered in only one category. Participants may enter all categories using different photographs.
Participants may only enter one photo per category.
Entries must have been taken between September 1st and August 31st of the contest year.
Print may be made by a commercial process, but must have been taken by the entrant personally.
Any photo editing must be noted on back of entry.
Simple mat board or firm backing is required for all photographs. (No frames)
Size of entry, including matting or backing, must not be smaller than 5” x 5” or larger than 11” x 14”.
No labels, titles, or captions should be on the front of each entry.
A copy of the entry form below must be on back of each entry.

Please include the following information on all photography entries:
Name: ___________________________________________
Complete Address: ____________________________________
Telephone Number: ___________________________________
Grange Name and Number: _______________________ Member ___ Non-member ___
Category: Photographer must select category that applies:
____ Agriculture ____Landscape
____ Animals ____ Patriotic
____ Flowers ____ People
How Photo was Edited ____________________________________________________
Division: _____ Adult _____ Junior 5-9 _____ Junior 10-14 (Jr. Birthday as of Jan. 1st) _________________

Art Contest – There will be four categories: 1) Animals, 2) Flowers, 3) Landscape and 4) People in the following mediums: a) Oils and Acrylics; b) Watercolors; c) Charcoal or Pencil Drawing, d) Pastels. Artists may enter any or all of the three categories using the same medium.

Also, you may submit one entry for this category: 3-Dimensional Sculptures (such as, but not limited to, wood carving, papier-mâché, plaster, and metal).

The criteria for judging: 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.

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, except a kit is allowed for the sun catcher.
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. Participants may only enter one photo per category.
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 of entry, including matting or backing, must not be smaller than 5” x 5” or larger than 11” x 14”. 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 sculpture category, so that they can be displayed properly.
Computer enhancement of artwork and/or art generated by using computer printers is not permitted.
A copy of the entry form below must be on the back of each entry or on the bottom of sculptures.

Please include the following information on all art entries:
Name: ___________________________________
Complete Address: ____________________________________
Telephone Number: ________________________
Grange Name and Number: __________________ Member ___ Non-member ___
Artist must select the medium that applies:
____ Oils and Acrylics ____ Charcoal or Pencil ____ Watercolors ____ Pastels
Category: ____ Animals ____ Flowers ____ Landscape
____ People ____ 3-D Sculpture
Division: ____ Adult ______Junior 5-9 ____ Junior 10-14 (Jr. Birthday as of Jan. 1st)______________

Creative Writing Contest (entries due by September 15th of the Contest Year)

All divisions are open to both Grange members and non-members who are sponsored by a Subordinate Grange. There are 4 Age Divisions: Adults: 22 yrs & up, Youth: 14 - 21 years, and Juniors: 10 to 14yrs or 5 to 9 yrs, as of January 1st of the contest year. Label the back of entry with the creator’s name, Grange or sponsoring-Grange, Junior age category (if applicable).

Poetry - The Adult poem must have at least 4 lines in each stanza, with a minimum of 4 stanzas and a maximum of 8 stanzas. Criteria for judging: theme, creativity, composition

2023 – Topic: “The Joys in my Life”

For Juniors: The Junior poems have a minimum of 8 lines and a maximum of 12 lines in length.

2023 – Topic: "My best friend"

Essay - The Adult prescribed page limits are no more than three 8 ½” X 11” pages, double spaced. Criteria for judging: depiction of theme, supporting details, organization, word choice.

2023 – Topic: “I’m a Grange because…”

For Juniors: The prescribed page limit is a minimum of one 8 ½ by 11 page, double spaced.

2023 – Topic: “When I grow up, I want to_______”

Complete Program
ANYONE may create a complete program on any topic. Criteria for judging: creativity, interesting theme-related material, varied components to engage the audience.

Must be your original work (gather information and put it in your own words)
Be mindful of copyrighted material (give credit appropriately when using a poem, quote, etc.)
Include all elements of PRIME (in any order)
- Participation (involve your Grange and/or Junior Grange members in the program)
- Recreation (games, jokes, activity, humorous skit, exercise, etc.)
- Inspiration (uplifting poems, stories, speakers, quotations, etc.)
- Music (can be sung, instrumental, recorded, etc.)
- Education (factual or informative material, speakers, visual presentations, etc.)
Must be 20 - 35 minutes in length

Create-a-Recipe - Include a minimum of 8 ingredients and a minimum of 6 steps for preparation. Criteria for judging: depiction of theme, creativity, organization

2023 – Topic: “Growing my Grange”

For Juniors: Include a minimum of 5 ingredients and a minimum of 3 steps for
preparation.

2023 – Topic: “Being a Good Student”

Create-a-Card - Size of cards will be no larger than 5 ½ x 8 ½. One card per category per person. Must be made by person submitting the card. Criteria for judging: Creativity, Composition, and Eye Appeal.

Categories:

Handmade (drawn by hand or cut and pasted with materials found in the home rather than commercially prepared)
Hand-stamped and/or decorated (with materials from craft stores)

Adult Subjects: a) Congratulations b) Veterans’ Day

Junior Subjects: a) Happy Valentine’s Day b) Thank you

Report Forms:

Grange Lecturers should file quarterly and reports to the State Lecturer which provide information about the programs and events happening in their Grange.