Valley Grange gives ‘Words for Thirds’ to PCES youngsters

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    GUILFORD — For the 12th consecutive year, Valley Grange of Guilford put “Words for Thirds” into the hands of Piscataquis Community Elementary School (PCES) on Dictionary Day.
    More than 50 youngsters gathered at the Grange Hall Monday afternoon for a presentation that included a short appreciation talk from 6th-graders Olivia Riitano and Taylor Marson, who explained the value of the dictionaries to the youngsters. “We got our dictionaries three years ago,” said Riitano, “and I think it really helped us.”

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    CIVIL WAR MEMORIES — “Captain Jack” Battick and “Miss Mary” Annis explain what life was like during the Civil War era at Valley Grange Dictionary Day on Oct. 7. More than 50 PCES third-graders received dictionaries from the local Grange. Battick is shown demonstrating a bosun’s mate whistle.

    Even in today’s digital age, a dictionary is still considered a powerful reference tool, said Walter Boomsma, Valley Grange’s program director and a substitute teacher. “We have the newest version, and it’s much better because it has a lot more content,” Boomsma said.
    The Grange has distributed more than 1,200 dictionaries over the life of the program, Boomsma said. “We also include SAD 41, SAD 68 and home-schooled students,” he added.
    Monday’s program also included a presentation on Civil War regalia by “Captain Jack” Battick and “Miss Mary” Annis. Battick wore an 1860s-era Navy captain’s uniform while Annis, the Valley Grange secretary, was dressed in a typical “going out to tea” dress.
    Battick explained the insignia on his uniform and demonstrated a bosun’s mate whistle, used to summon sailors before electric public address systems. But most kids were fascinated by Battick’s ceremonial sword. “Did you fight with it?” one youngster asked. Battick laughed. “No, I served in a submarine. We used torpedoes.”

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    WORDS FOR THIRDS — Mary and Jim Annis of Valley Grange are shown placing stickers on new dictionaries for third-graders at Piscataquis Community Elementary School. This was the 12th year that Valley Grange has held Dictionary Day for SAD 4 students.

    “Miss Mary” raised a few eyebrows by explaining that “proper young ladies” back then wore hoop skirts and layers of clothing. “It was fashionable to be ‘wide’ back then. Now, everyone wants to look thin,” she said. Also, back in those days, ladies “never let anyone see their ankles or elbows.”
    Boomsma also gave the youngsters a quick history of the Grange and its role in creating the rural free delivery (RFD) service in the 1870s.