NAOMI FLETCHER, LECTURER
14685 25.75 Road
Rapid River, MI 49878
Tel: 906-399-2815
Naomi.fletcher54@gmail.com
JULY/AUGUST 2025 GRANGE NEWS
As I write this looking out my front window, a storm has just passed through with more to come. We need the rain, but we certainly don’t need the devastation that comes with too much as my neighbors in the lower peninsula have witnessed this last week. And just when you think the wildlife has found other means of sustenance, a bear (large or small with bandit eyes) has taken out my birdfeeders. Again!
As I write this looking out my front window, a storm has just passed through with more to come. We need the rain, but we certainly don’t need the devastation that comes with too much as my neighbors in the lower peninsula have witnessed this last week. And just when you think the wildlife has found other means of sustenance, a bear (large or small with bandit eyes) has taken out my birdfeeders. Again!
This leads me to my story of perseverance. As the bear continues to seek out easy pickings, he is persevering in his own preservation. But my little story is all about a rock. My father was a rockhound. Definition: one who seeks out rocks to make pretty things with them, like jewelry, bookends, and, in my dad’s case, miniature houses. My dad was witty and wrote small stories. This is the only story I have by
him that I’ve been able to find. Maybe the rest went with him to the Grange above. Anyway, I digress. I was provided the honor to be the student speaker at my local community college during graduation ceremonies. And I carried a marble with me as part of the story. One of the instructors asked me what it was for, and I asked him to just listen.
You see, there were two piles of rocks, one all white pile on the beach. We’ll call them sunstones. The other pile was red up on the shore. We’ll call them garnets. One day a sunstone saw how much fun the red stones were having. People were admiring them, picking them up and letting the sun shine through them. The sunstone for some reason couldn’t have light shine through like the pretty red garnets. People were actually taking them home. But why, asked the sunstone? I’m going to find out.
As fate would have it, one day a wave helped him move off the pile of his buddies about 2” closer to the shore. He saw an opportunity. And after many such waves, and a little help from the wind, and many years of persevering to reach his goal of the red stone pile, he was still only a few feet along on his journey. He waited for the next big wave and gusts of wind until he finally made it to the red stone pile. The red stone pile wasn’t as big as it used to be because of all of those that went home with people. But what he saw to replace them were marbles. TONS of marbles. Different shapes and colors and sizes. Hm. I wonder what that’s all about.
One day, a man came along and saw this little sunstone amongst all the red garnets and marbles, and asked himself why this little white stone is here. I don’t see any other white stones nearby. So this must make this one stone special. The man picked it up and put it in his pocket. To replace the stone, he removed a marble from his pocket and put it on the Sunstone’s place. His trip to the shoreline to look for that special stone was complete. He never ventured further to discover the white pile of stones. He took that sunstone home and turned it into a beautiful piece of jewelry that he gave to his granddaughter. So, the perseverance of that little stone helped him achieve his goal of not only seeing what all the fuss was about with the red garnets, but also to become a beautiful present for someone.
So, my friends, carry marbles in your pocket. Pick up that special stone. Turn it into a special piece, or use it as a worry stone in your pocket. Skip it across a pond, or put it in your garden. But most of all, lose all your marbles. Then you’ll truly be a Rockhound. Because you would have persevered to be the best person you can. But don’t stop at the shoreline. Keep heading toward the beach. Making special decisions, feeding the hungry, helping the fatherless and the widows, and keeping yourself unspotted from the world.
Question of the month: What inspires you to persevere?
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 GRANGE NEWS
CONVENTION IS COMING!
Did I mention Convention is Coming? Hope to see you all there!!!
CONVENTION IS COMING!
CONVENTION IS COMING!
Oh, boy!! And I'm not even ready yet! JUST KIDDING! We have some fun lined up that doesn't require a lot of energy but does include prizes! So put your best duds on and come to Owosso for Michigan State Grange's awesome convention!
Oh, and don't forget to finish up your entries for all the contests on tap. Juniors, Youth, Agriculture, Deaf Awareness and Lecturer's contests were posted in the 2025 Handbook published earlier this year. I'm sure you've all seen it. But have you ever entered anything? I entered what I like to call my "Second Grade Art
Project" and won a red ribbon! Don't think what you do isn't good enough. You never know until you enter!! If you have ideas for contests next year, let me know and we'll include them in the 2026 Handbook. I've dabbled in a few new crafts this last year that are fun, don't take a lot of time, and are nice enough to give as a gift or hang on the wall. Look forward to Diamond Dots and Puzzles for 2026.
One of the fun ideas my resident brainiac came up with is "Let's Make a Deal" at session. I don't know what kind of Deals I can offer, but there will be prizes! BUT, you'll need to pack a few extra things to participate. So, for those of you who have read this far and want to participate, these are the items you'll need. In a quart sized Zip Loc Baggie: 5 coins that equal 75 cents, paperclip, rubber band, mints/candy, a
letter (this is a tricky one), old hotel room key/card, hand sanitizer, button, old brass key, small paint brush, crayon and one mystery (you get to choose-make sure it's original and out of the ordinary-you'll tell a story about it). So, when we have a short break break or two during session, don't be surprised if you hear Let's Make a Deal!
Did I mention Convention is Coming? Hope to see you all there!!!
