Category: Events

Sagadahoc Pomona News

By Marilyn Stinson

Sagadahoc Pomona held their May meeting at Topsham Grange where Lecturer Sharon had an interesting program for her agriculture report. What do elephants and fireflies have in common? They are both “keystones” for our environment. We learned how to help reduce the light pollution that is harming our ecosystem.

Marilyn has been saying that she would rather Enterprise Grange (in Richmond) get a red or white ribbon for the exhibits they earn at the fair than a blue one, because there is no competition. Well, we also learned that Merriconeag (in Harpswell) is having secret meetings to come up with the best exhibit with the Poultry Theme that MAAF has given all Granges to use.

Ta Da!! A friendly challenge is accepted. It will be fun to see how the different Granges in our state respond to the second year of the Maine Fair Association directing our common theme.

Monmouth Fair is the first and has to be set up before June 24th, which is our meeting date. Pittston is second in July, then Windsor, Topsham, and Litchfield for the fairs in our area.

Sagadahoc will have a Memorial program and Elections on June 24th, no meeting in July, and our picnic at James Mitchell Park on the ocean in Harpswell on August 29th. See you then!

June Grange Events

Every Monday, at 7 PM, St George Grange hosts Music Night. Enjoy live music, bring a musical instrument and play, or get up and sing.
Every Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM, Kennebec Valley Grange hosts a flea market that fills two floors. Details here or call Diane Pinkham at 207 314-5135 FMI.

  • Elections of Officers
  • June 6, 2026, MSG Yard Sale at Manchester Grange, 9 AM – 1 PM. For table rental, 207 213-0371, For event info, 207 583-7211.
  • June 13, 2026, St George Grange Public Supper, 5 pm. FMI
  • June 13, 2026, Winthrop Grange Bean Supper, 4- 6 pm, FMI contact gwamme@gmail.com.
  • June 14, 2026, Dairy Goat Class at Evening Star Grange starts at 11 am. $20, FMI contact fullmooncreamery@gmail.com.
  • June 14, 2026, MSG Bulletin Deadline
  • June 19, 2026, Victor Grange in Fairfield hosts a free senior lunch, 11 AM – 1 PM.

When submitting an event, please include:

  1. Date it’s being held
  2. Start and end times
  3. What type of event (public supper, craft fair, etc.)
  4. Where it’s being held (include town, please)
  5. Who to contact for additional information (phone number, email address, or both)
  6. Any cost information, including “by donation.”

Memorial Day, 2025

Enjoy this holiday weekend. But don’t forget to remember.

“Having fun honors them. They died so we could.”

Walter Boomsma, Memorials, Monuments, and Memories

flowers on a tombstone
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Pride at Ocean View Grange

by Larry Bailey, Master

It is an understatement to say that our Monday night meeting was both a great experience and, more than that, a very sad and moving Grange matter. The matter that was so moving was the Draping of the Charter for our Sister Loa Lee Blake. Our team performed a very professional Ceremony.  Loa Lee was an extremely talented person. She was an accomplished musician – piano and organ player, singer, member of many clubs and orders. Loa Lee was a very active, lively lady. She is missed by many of her relatives, friends, and fellow Grangers.  

The item that was so uplifting was the surprise visit from two officers from the Maine State Grange who drove all the way here from Norway, Maine, to visit us. The two visitors were Sister Christine Hebert, the Maine State Grange Chaplain, and Sister Linda Allen, Oxford Pomona Deputy. Both are members of the Norway Grange. I made a phone call to Sister Hebert, whose Grange recently held a Charter Draping ceremony, to ask about proper procedures. She was a great help. They just wanted to take the ride to see our Grange in action. They both said, after the meeting, that they were very impressed with our Grange… specifically the Grange building, the members who were there, the proper procedure for Draping the Charter, and the large number of projects we were involved in. All of us at the Grange should feel proud that we were applauded by senior Grange officers.

A few of the other items discussed were:

  • The damaged side door on the 1st floor will be replaced by Trip today. It is underway.
  • Sister Gillie moved to donate $150 to the Maine Children’s Home and House in the Woods. Both are Grange Charities, which will split the donation. The vote approved the donation.
  • There is a leak in the water tank piping that needs to be looked at.
  • The 1st floor was cleaned, and the cleaner did a very good job of it.

Dairy Goat School at Evening Star Grange

Submitted by Wendy Carr

June 14, 2026 at 11 am
Evening Star Grange
31 Old Union Road
Washington, ME

For more information, contact fullmooncreamery@gmail.com

Degree Day Success

Five candidates from three Granges enjoyed experiencing the Four Degrees on Sunday, April 26, 2026. While we don’t have all the specific names and numbers yet, we should thank Androscoggin Pomona for making the day happen and Manchester Grange for serving as host.

Photo of candidates by David Colby Young

If we lacked quantity, we made up for it with quality. Quality not in the sense of a flawless delivery, but quality in the sense of “a good time was had by all.” It even seemed appropriate that the sun shone brightly on the backs of the harvest marchers.

I wish more people could hear the language of the degrees, it really is beautiful.

(Overheard)

With rare exception, most of those participating as officers relied on manuals or “cheat sheets.” Even those who have the language memorized are finding that the infrequency of Degree Days leads to forgetfulness. (Age has nothing to do with it, right?)

The ice cream store next to the Manchester Grange was nearly gridlocked as we experienced one of the warmest spring days this year. This led to speculation that ice cream, rather than apples, might be appropriate at the end of the Fourth Degree.

MSG Yard Sale

The Maine State Grange will hold its annual Yard Sale at Manchester Grange on Saturday, June 6, from 9 am to 1 pm. Along with traditional yard sale treasures, there will also be crafts, raffles, food for sale, and much more. To rent tables, call 207-213-0371. For more event information, call 207-583-7211.

Manchester Grange is located at 953 Western Avenue in Manchester, Maine.

Wild Fibers at Evening Star Grange

Evening Star Grange is located at 31 Old Union Road in Washington, Maine.

On May 3, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 pm, Evening Star Grange will host a Wild Fibers from around the World presentation by Linda Cortwright.

As the editor of Wild Fibers, Linda Cortright has traveled the world to some of the most remote regions on the planet, from the Russian Arctic to the High Himalayas. She will be giving a special presentation featuring stunning pictures and unimaginable tales, highlighting the role natural fibers play in both culture and commerce. Wild Fibers is often called the National Geographic of the fiber industry, focusing on indigenous communities and their ability to adapt in the modern world. 

Suggested donation is $20. For more information, contact Mildred at 207 975-5671.

Valley Grange to Celebrate Community

Valley Grange is located at 172 Guilford Center Road in Guilford, Maine

Guilford—Valley Grange has announced its annual Celebration of Community, to be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Guilford Grange Hall. The event includes honoring the local organization’s Community Citizen(s) of the Year. This year, the Grange will honor the Recovery Wellness Center based in Sangerville. The event celebrates the strength of rural communities with a community potluck supper at 5:30 pm, followed by a program featuring a presentation of certificates of recognition at 7:00 pm. The program includes an opportunity for guests to share testimonials and appreciation.

Program Director Walter Boomsma noted in announcing the celebration, “We always try to honor people or organizations who have their boots on the ground and give of themselves to strengthen and build our communities.  These too often unsung heroes are a lifeline for our communities. The event itself brings neighbors and friends together. Even the meal demonstrates the strength and value of our communities, as the communities prepare the potluck supper by bringing dishes to share.”

The Recovery Wellness Community Center in Sangerville, Maine, located at 20 Douty Hill Road, is a community-driven, non-profit center founded in 2024 to support individuals affected by addiction. It provides a safe, sober space offering free services including peer support, All Recovery meetings, Narcan training, and career exploration.

“The Center provides many sources and resources,” Boomsma notes. “But it also proves a supportive community place for those dealing with substance abuse and addiction recovery in both traditional and non-traditional ways.”

Community Service Chair Mary Annis adds, “This is always such a great evening as we enjoy the chance to connect with each other, share a great meal, and celebrate our rural lives. So many people benefit from the Recovery Wellness Center’s work. The center is peer-led and focused on community-driven support. This is a chance to thank the organization and its people in person and maybe shake hands and give a hug.”

Additional information about the event is available at http://valleygrange.com and on the Valley Grange Facebook page.

Parkman Grange Mothers’ Day Tea

Submitted by Susan Manchester, Master

The Parkman Grange is pleased to announce that their 24th annual Mother’s Day Tea will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10 am to noon.  This has become a spring tradition bringing together friends and family after a long winter. 

This year, the guest of honor is Katie Landry; she and her husband have 9 children.  This popular event includes live entertainment, sing-alongs, lots of door prizes, tea sandwiches and desserts, tea and coffee, and a 50/50 raffle.  The local scout troop will be servers. 

The Grange is keeping the admission price at $5; children under 5 are free. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Sue Manchester, 207-717-6248. The Parkman Grange is located on the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Road.