Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
The Maine State Grange Office is located at
36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330
The office is open Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:30 am until 1:30 pm
The email address is mainestategrange@gmail.com.
For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.
Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the achievements of America’s workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being.
Before it became a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized initially by individual states. New York was the first state to introduce a bill recognizing Labor Day, but Oregon was the first to actually pass a law in 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating the holiday.
By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday and Congress passed an act on June 28, 1894, making the first Monday in September of each year the legal holiday. For many, the three-day holiday weekend marks the unofficial end of summer as public schools and colleges return to class.
As food and product recalls continue to make headlines, criminals are following suit. They send texts, emails, or other messages claiming that a product you purchased has been recalled and that you’re entitled to a refund or free replacement.
The message may look legitimate, appearing to come from a retailer or manufacturer you trust. It urges you to act quickly and click a link to claim a refund or verify your account. But in reality, the link takes you to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials and personal or financial information.
If you receive a message like this, don’t click. Instead, go directly to the company’s official website or app to verify the recall and check your account. You can also confirm recalls through the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which maintain lists of recalled products at fda.gov/safety/recalls and cpsc.gov/recalls.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
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By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director
I’m working on a fully updated Communications Handbook to introduce for the 2026-27 Grange year. The business of communication continues to change rapidly, and it’s time to ensure the handbook meets the needs of our Granges and Grangers.
Like it or not, we must embrace technology. Studies show that over 80% of Maine citizens own a smartphone. Device ownership tracks closely with age demographics. In Maine households, roughly 93% of householders aged 15 to 34 own a smartphone, compared to only 49% of householders aged 65 or older.
If we are to remain relevant to our communities, our communication to those communities (and with each other) must also be relevant. We face a real challenge here. Our handbook will attempt to be a relevant resource. (I do love alliteration!) The current handbook shows how to format a press release document. The new handbook will address sending emails.
What would be helpful? If you have some thoughts, you can easily comment on this post. (Look to the left and click “Leave a Comment.”) Or, if you’d prefer, email me. My ambitious goal is to have this available at our State Convention in October, so don’t delay!
We’ve got some, but we want more! What does your Grange do that works? I’m looking for creative ways we communicate internally (among members) and externally (with the public). Again, you can leave a comment or send an email.
The current handbook is available on the site for viewing and downloading: 2025-2026 Communications Handbook. It’s worth a look! And your ideas and tips are worthy considering for the updated version!
We’re Grangers; we help each other.
For 2026, the Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is inviting organizations, communities, farms, nonprofits, municipalities, and event organizers to submit public fall events for possible inclusion in Maine’s Weekly Foliage Reports.
DACF is looking for more activities that give residents and visitors another reason to get out and experience autumn in Maine, including:
Events should take place during Maine’s fall foliage reporting season, generally mid-September through mid-October, and must be open to the public.
DACF will review events based on timing, location, relevance to the foliage season, and available space. Submitted information may be edited for length, clarity, and style.
The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety (BHS) announced last week that Maine law enforcement will participate in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over High Visibility Enforcement Campaign.” Usually held in mid-August through Labor Day, which is September 7 this year, the campaign kicked off in earnest on August 19.
According to BHS, Maine State Police, county sheriff’s offices and local law enforcement will be participating in the three-week effort. Nine fatalities involving blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 grams per milliliter (the state’s legal limit) or greater were recorded in Maine over the past three summer campaigns.
There were 162 fatal crashes in the state in 2025, of which 27 involved alcohol or drug impairment, according to state data. In all, 173 people died on Maine’s roadways last year, and 29 of those were due to operating under the influence.
This data and program could be the basis of a Family Health and Hearing Report and, if promoted, qualify as Community Service.
September 17, 2026, 6:00 pm
Meet Maine’s Attorney General, Aaron Frey, and learn about scams, frauds, and consumer protection. This one-hour program will begin at 6:00 pm on September 17 and last about an hour, ending with a question-and-answer session. Hosted by our House Representatives for Districts 52 and 98, which cover Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Durham, Lisbon, Perkins Island Township, Pownal, and Richmond.
The Grange is non-partisan but works to keep people informed about what is happening around us.
FMI: Marilyn Stinson Enterprise Grange #48 is located at 15 Alexander Reed Road, Richmond, Maine.
By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842
Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!
The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
mainestategrange@gmail.com. For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.
The deadline for the September Bulletin is September 14, 2026. Janice and I are traveling in September and I’ll have limited availability–early submissions would be great! Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
We now have a specific form for submitting events on the site, and it’s being used! You’ll be hearing more about it…
It’s the season of contest deadlines! Many are listed on the Grange Events Calendar. We’re also starting the countdown to State Session. Have you elected delegates and made your plans to attend?
Maine has some of the best agricultural fairs in New England. If you want to know more about Maine’s great agricultural fairs, go to the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs website for the latest news and information.
Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Try the new form. We’ve added more months to the online event calendar. You’re planning ahead, right?
“If people stop going to the circus, the clowns go home.
Seth Godin
I recently saw a video of “move-in day” at a college. The students who were already there were lined up holding welcome signs, jumping up and down, reaching out… could the gatekeeper (or greeter, if you prefer) organize something like that at your next event?
Visit the 152nd State Convention Webpage!
Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!
Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!
Articles in this edition include:
Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!
Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.
Check out this story by WABI TV5. Another historic curtain has been restored and preserved, this one hangs at the Victor Grange Hall in Fairview, Maine. (Click the text link, not the photo!)
The aftermath of natural disasters is stressful, overwhelming, and anxiety-provoking. These emotions are what fraud criminals thrive on. They may show up in your neighborhood with a work truck and claim they can help with your damage and ask for payment upfront, only to never return. They may seek to impersonate utility companies, offering quick reconnection for an upfront fee. Or they impersonate FEMA or an insurance adjustor. The common denominator involves paying for something on the spot.
FEMA agents never seek payment when providing post-disaster support. As tempting as it may be to cut to the front of the line on getting your electricity back or make a deal with a construction company right away, give yourself time to pause and think about the scenario before committing.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
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