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 email address is mainestategrange@gmail.com.
By Clay Collins, Guest Columnist
207 837-0564
“A woman from Samaria came to the well to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink,’ (For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to Him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria? Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’ The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?”
John 4:7-11
I apologize for such a long scripture this month, but it said volumes to me. This was the scripture we heard in church this week (third Sunday in Lent). I took the middle part of it. The full scripture lesson is John 4:5–42.
Naturally, we, as good grangers and Christians, would think nothing of giving the stranger a drink of water, but in those days, the Jews and Samaritans were total opposites from one another. It would be very strange for the two of them to even be sitting in the same area, much less talking to each other, especially a man and a single woman.
The woman was correct in saying that Jesus had nothing to draw water, and that the well was very deep. Jesus was not talking about water from the well that we drink. He was talking about the living water that only God Himself provides us. That is what God feeds our soul with to help us understand the teachings of Jesus and God.
The ”Living Water” that comes from God is what sustains us so that we may do good here on earth. We need to drink it in so that we can continue to do God’s work.
Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”
Benediction: “Gracious Father, continue to give us the living water. Amen.”
Thought for the month:
“May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.” [Irish Blessing]
While Chaplain Christine is burdened with technology challenges, she has invited Past MSG Chaplain Clay to share some spiritual thoughts with our Grange Flock.
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March 21-22, 2026
The Maine Maple Producers Association has announced the 43rd annual Maine Maple Sunday weekend. Set for March 21-22, sugar houses across the state will offer events, games, activities, sugarbush tours, music and much more.
Over 100 sugar houses, farms and orchards are participating in this year’s Maple Sunday weekend at locations across the state. This is a great way to celebrate our Maine maple producers while enjoying a sweet treat!
Some locations will be open for activities on both Saturday and Sunday while others will only be open one day so be sure to double check with each sugarhouse before heading out! For a list of participating locations, visit the Maine Maple Producers Association website.
By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director
How do you view fundraising on behalf of your Grange?
In a recent post, Seth Godin challenges us to wonder why we often use the word “donation” and how that might affect the value of what’s “given.”
That’s worthy of thought. Too often, fundraisers approach with an almost apologetic tone. But the best fundraising provides an opportunity. We can readily see this with public suppers. We’re offering our supporters an opportunity to have a great meal at an affordable price. Supporting the Grange is at least secondary, if it’s even a factor.
The approach focuses on what the donor gets, not what the fundraiser receives. It might be a subtle shift. If you’ve ever sold a raffle ticket to someone who wasn’t interested in winning, you’ve seen it in action.
By the way, the same thinking applies to recruiting members.
by Larry Bailey, Master/President
Spring is near (I think) and the Ocean View Grange is coming alive. I would love to see our Farmers Market program reopen. People who have veggies, fruits, bread, meat, pies, cookies, flowers, and any kind of farm/home/garden products to sell should join the Farmers Market at the Grange. This is how it works…There is no cost to you. You come to the Grange parking area, set up your table and/or tent, and display your products. You decide the days(s) and the opening and closing times for yourself. The only thing the Grange provides is the space for you to set up.
If you are interested, please contact me via the Facebook message area or email larrybailey@roadrunner.com -207-372-8075
Vassalboro Grange not only recently added fifteen new members, but those members are also working hard to “get our Grange back on track.” They recently received a National Grange Rural Life Initiative Grant to help. Master/President Holly Weidner notes that a current challenge is “to keep up with all the reporting of our work.”
That work includes updating their bylaws and electing a full slate of officers. We can definitely add Vassalboro Grange #322 to the list of exciting Granges! Stay tuned. There’s more to come!
We’ve been through this before, but just to be on the safe side…
Ignore (delete) this email. Do not reply to or forward it.
Frankly, this is not something we can control. Be alert and a little suspicious!
It’s National Consumer Protection Week, and while AARP works year‑round to help protect people from fraud, this is a good time to talk about how and why to report fraud.
Fraud is widely underreported in this country. Sometimes, people don’t realize that fraud is a crime. Other times, victims don’t report because of undeserved feelings of shame or embarrassment. The lack of a single, centralized reporting system may also deter reporting. Here is some guidance on where you can report.
Your bank: If you recognize a scam right away and it involves your financial institution, contact them immediately. They may be able to stop or reverse transactions, or freeze your account to help prevent additional payments or withdrawals by scammers.
Local law enforcement: Filing a report creates an official record, which may be helpful for future restitution. Reporting also matters because the more people who come forward, the more information law enforcement has to identify patterns and catch criminals.
The feds: You can also report scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. While federal agencies don’t typically follow up on individual cases, these reports help them track trends and better understand the scope of the problem.
Lawmakers: Consider sharing your experience with lawmakers — including local legislators, your state attorney general and Members of Congress. The more they hear directly from constituents about fraud, the more likely they are to take action to address it.
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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Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.
Use the icons below to share this Grange Heirloom on social media and help others understand what the Grange stands for! If this heirloom has a particular meaning for you, click the “leave a comment” link at the left and share your comment with us!
For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.
March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness of the current state of research on multiple sclerosis, including new ways to diagnose and treat the condition.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. MS damages or destroys the protective covering (known as myelin) surrounding the nerves of the CNS and can potentially injure the nerves as well. This damage causes reduced communication between the brain and nerve pathways. Common MS symptoms include visual problems, overwhelming fatigue, difficulty with balance and coordination, depression and cognitive issues, and various levels of impaired mobility. The prevalence of multiple sclerosis is estimated at nearly one million people nationwide and most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. Researchers continue to learn more as they look for both a cause and a cure.
To learn more about MS and available support options for you or a loved one, please visit the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Web site.
Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange Master/President
207 490-1029
Reminder: Dues increase now in effect. As of January 1, 2026, the State quarterly dues have increased to $6.00 per quarter per member. Golden Sheaf members are exempt at the State level.
Insurance information request. We would like to hear from you. One of the resolutions that was passed by the delegates at the 2025 State Grange Session as a resource for Granges searching for insurance. We are asking Subordinate Granges to submit the names and contact information of their insurance agents and carriers, types of insurance the Granges have, such as fire, liability, and other (without disclosure of specific premium costs or coverage information, unless you choose to). We are looking strictly for the names of the companies that provide coverage. Please send your insurance provider’s information to the office.
Promote Your Grange. A display in a front window or a bulletin board on the Grange hall would help us promote ourselves more. We talk about a display in a public area only during Grange Month, but this display would be ongoing year-round. You could list program and other information in your display. Include activities or projects your Grange is involved with as part of your Grange work and include contest information for the different committees of the Grange. (Four 2” boards, an old aluminum storm window, a couple of hinges and a hasp makes a very nice outside bulletin board, using plywood or paneling for a backing if you wish.) It may just spark some interest in someone who wishes to help do something for the Grange or someone who may want to join.
You could also put a board in the hallway, entryway, or on the back of the entry door where the public comes in to wait for suppers, bingo, etc. Once seated, they don’t have the opportunity to look around or read something they see hanging on a wall, unless it is close or big, but while waiting in line, they might be nosy enough to check things out beside them on a wall close by. Use BIG print, keep it neat and attractive, give some details, add some color, and promote all the different activities, benefits, and programs we are involved with in the Grange. (See the various National and State program books for information.) If you don’t have these books handy contact someone who can get them for you and use them. Change things around every so often or add something new so it doesn’t get boring or outdated. The Grange has a lot of great things to offer, have brochures or sheets of information within easy reach, for someone who wishes, to pick one up and take along, (most people are more comfortable checking out information in private) or they can read it there while waiting.
Happy Spring! It will soon be spreading its wonderful colors all around us, and Happy Easter.