MARY ANN ROCCO
145 Beadle Lake Drive
Battle Creek, MI 49014

​​Tel: 269-209-6640

​​Email: roccomaryann@yahoo.com
​
THE DICTIONARY PROJECT

"The Dictionary Project" started in South Carolina. The purpose of the project is to put dictionaries into the hands of third graders. These dictionaries are theirs to keep. The organizers of this project are well organized, and have structured the project to make it a success with a minimum of effort. The website includes sample letters, suggestions for labeling the dictionaries, press releases... in short they have thought of everything you need to make the project a success. You may even send for samples of the dictionaries that are offered for sale. Since the current school year is at an end you will have plenty of time to collect information on you school, ordering the dictionaries and make presentation to the school.

There are four things to recommend this project:

GOOD PURPOSE — The Grange has always supported the advancement of education

MEDIUM EXPENSE — The dictionaries are available at a reasonable cost. The books are sold in case lots.

MINIMUM EFFORT — The instructions are very complete. All the thinking work has been done for you. And it would take very few people to finish the project. A small committee could handle it easily.

GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS — This project would make a very newsworthy story for print or radio.

Please consider this project. If you are interested please contact:

http://www.dictionaryproject.org  or

Mary L. French
P.O. Box #1845
Charleston SC 29402
COMMUNITY SERVICE
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 GRANGE NEWS

As Summer is coming to an end and Fall is right around the corner, colored leaves, picking apples and pumpkins will be here before we know it.

​Hopefully you have completed your Community Service Report or are working on completing it.
If you are having trouble completing your Community Service Report booklet, you can still fill out the
Community Service Summary Report Form and submit it as your Community Service Report without a
booklet.

​All nominations for the VIP Award, Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter/EMT and Teacher of
the Year nominates, along with your Community Service Report are due to me by September10th. You
may mail all your nominations and your Community Service Report in the same package.

​I have tried to pass along information in pervious Grange Newsletters as a guide and have mailed
out your registration form along with the guidelines for your report. Your Community Service letter and
Nominations forms have also been posted on the Michigan Grange website. If you have any questions
at all please give me a call or email me.

​Remember your Community Service Report and Award Nominations need to be to me in Battle Creek by :
  • September 10th, 2024 to be judged.
  • Mary Ann Rocco
  • 145 Beadle Lake Drive, Battle Creek, Michigan 49014
(Just a little note, when mailing your materials please put Drive on the address. There is also Beadle
Lake Road and a Beadle Lake in the same zip code.)
​
269 209-6640
​roccomaryann@yahoo.com
​
With the start the new Grange calendar year, lets try and find a new Community Service Project to
do in your community this year.
​
Enjoy the remaining days of summer, and I’ll see you in Charlevoix at the Michigan State Grange
convention.
​
The Power of a Smile
Smiling: It’s free, it takes little effort, and it can help you and others feel better. Here are just
a few reasons to put on a happy face:
​
Melts away stress. Cracking a smile releases chemicals in your brain that boost your mood. Smiling also relieves physical symptoms of stress by lowering your heart rate and blood pressure, as well as relaxing tension in your muscles.
​
Solves problems. A simple smile can be the key to conflict resolution. Let’s say you need to talk to a store manager or call to reschedule an appointment. Approaching with a smile starts the conversation on a positive note, even on the phone, since your smile can be heard in your voice.
​
Boosts your career. Research show that smiling while working increases productivity. Your smile also makes you seem more confident and approachable, raising your chances of being promoted and building good relationships with your co-workers.
​
Lifts others up. When someone smiles at you, you probably smile back. Give others the same mood lift by initiating a smile with strangers and people you know. This small act can make a big difference in someone’s day.
​
Gives you a facelift. Don’t worry about laugh lines; smiling actually mak3s you look younger by lifting the muscles in your face. In general, people who smile are seen as more attractive and friendlier that those who don’t.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 GRANGE NEWS

The Michigan State Grange Session has come to a close once again. I would like to thank all our Grangers who helped to promote Community Service in their communities during this year.

This year the Michigan State Grange had a Community Service project. Chris Johnston contacted Illinois, Indiana and Ohio State Granges, and invited them to take up a collection of needed items for the survivors of Helene. Chris Johnston collected all materials and delivered them to North Carolina. 

Granges, let’s all think about one new project/service we can do this next year for your community. 

We have 22 subordinate Granges and 9 Granges submitted Community Service Reports with a total of 25,220 service hours with 2 Granges not submitting any service hours.
Congratulations to Everyone!!!!

Thank you to all Granges for promoting Community Service and taking the time to complete a report and submitting it to me.  

2024 Michigan State Grange Community Service Winners 

40 members and over
1st Place - Fredonia Grange #1713 
2nd Place - Burns Grange #160
3rd Place - Pittsfield Union #882

Under 40 Members
1st Place - Community Grange #1675 
2nd Place - Studley Grange #1174
3rd Place - Barnard Grange #689 

The National Grange requests our 1st through 4th place winners. Based on total number of points from the judging. Following are the Granges recognized as the top winners. 

1st Place - Fredonia Grange #1713
2nd Place  - Burns Grange #160
3rd Place -  Community Grange #1675
4th Place  - Studley Grange #1174
 
2024 Very Important Patron
 There were no nominees this year.
***Next Years Community Service Reports will be due on Sunday, September 10th, 2025.

 Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas Everyone.