Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
National Award Received for Community Service Project
With great delight, Master Jill Sampson presented our Junior Grangers with a FIRST PLACE medal for their National Junior Grange Community Service Project entry, a “Coastal Cleanup” of Vienna’s own Mill Stream. The prize was announced at the Awards Night during the National Grange in November. Congratulations Juniors! We’re very proud of you!
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Mill Stream Grange in Vienna has a dynamic duo of Junior Grangers! If you’ve been following recent posts, you may have noticed them.
Natalie Heck recently received the Passion to Progress Award, bestowed through the Maine Academic Scholarship Pageant and presented by Rosie Haibon, USA Ambassador Miss. The award is based on her essay regarding volunteering at the Mount Vernon Food Bank this past year. Natalie also earned the Crossroads Leadership Volunteer Service Award for completing 50+ hours of community service during her reign as 2025 Miss Western Maine Pre-Teen.
We were pleased to recently feature her as a guest columnist with her award-winning Passion to Progress Essay.
Natalie’s sister Caroline is equally ambitious and community service-minded. Caroline is working on an outreach program to raise awareness of the importance of childhood literacy. The project includes building and placing a Little Free Library TM at the Mill Stream Grange Hall. Her outreach includes designing a bookmark with statistics and facts about the importance of reading to children. These will be printed and shared locally through her Girl Scout Troop and Service Unit, in the pre-K classrooms at Mount Vernon and Cape Cod Hill elementary schools, and in Mill Stream’s Words for Thirds.
She has already collected 203 books, a mix of board books, picture books, early chapter books, and middle-grade novels, all donated by the local community. If you’d like to support Caroline’s outreach program, contact her Mom, Kirstine Heck, or visit the Vienna, Maine, Mill Stream Grange Facebook Group.
Both girls demonstrate the value and power that come from collaborating with like-minded organizations. Energy creates energy. We are grateful and proud of their efforts and accomplishments.
A third Junior Granger, Sam Hanley, recently became an adult member and will surely continue to support his friends and the community. Earlier this summer, these Junior Grangers and another friend organized a Coastal Clean-Up that brought people together to clean the banks of the Mill Stream, which gives the Grange its name. They know how much fun Community Service can be! Maybe we should all find some kids to hang around with!
By Mill Stream Junior Granger Natalie Heck
My Girl Scout troop, 2096, makes birthday bags every year for Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday. This is a project we have been doing for eight years. We make birthday bags for people who don’t have enough money to have a nice birthday party for a loved one. We put cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, candles, paper plates, and napkins in the bags. Then we take them to the food bank. The people who volunteer at the food bank say that their customers really appreciate the birthday bags. It makes me happy to know that maybe a little girl or boy is having a nice birthday when they might not have been able to otherwise. This project inspired me to volunteer in person.
On March 15, 2025, I spent my morning working in the food bank at the First Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Maine. The food bank serves my neighbors here in Vienna and Mount Vernon, as well as the surrounding communities. My mama helped me reach out to food bank volunteers and get permission to come in and help. We arrived at 8:00AM and helped carry all the fresh food into the building that had been donated by Hannaford. I helped sort fruits and vegetables and baked goods onto tables, and some canned goods onto shelves. When the food bank opened, I helped people find what they needed and packed it into bags for them.
In between customers, I interacted with the other volunteers and talked about my pageant experience. I helped make toiletry bags, and split bulk toilet paper packages into smaller bundles. At one point, I saw one of our Girl Scout birthday bags go home with a family. I felt really proud that I was helping people, and that I knew our kits were being taken.
I completed over fifty hours of community service this year, but this was my favorite because I felt active in my community. I was sad that so many people need help but felt happy that I was able to make a difference. I think the Mount Vernon Food Bank is very important to the people in this area. A lot of the community seems to rely on it.
I would like to be able to give my time to work there again in the future. My whole Girl Scout troop is going to volunteer at the food bank in November to help with Thanksgiving boxes, and I hope to be able to help independently again soon.
Natalie Heck is an active Junior 1+ Granger from Mill Stream Grange in Vienna. She recently received the Passion to Progress Award for this essay, which describes her volunteering experience at the Mount Vernon Food Bank. While it focuses on her work with her Girl Scout Troop, she and her sister, Caroline, are amazing Junior 1+ Grangers who certainly have a passion for progress in community service.
Maine participates in the National Grange Junior 1+ Program. If your Subordinate Grange has Junior 1+ members, please advise Maine State Grange.
By Beth Morse, VSG Fall Festival Director
802 388-2653
Maine Grangers are invited to join us at the VT Grange Center (located at 308 West St, Brookfield, VT 05036) for our annual Fall Festival on Sept 5th, 6th & 7th.
Like many fairs, we give Grangers the opportunity to showcase the quality products they produce. (Forms are listed at the end of this post.)
Here is a copy of our schedule of activities for the weekend:
Friday:
Saturday:
Cribbage Contest
Checkers Contest
Hula Hoop Contest
Horseshoe Contest
Cornhole Contest
Selfie Photo Booth
Pumpkin Checkers
Pumpkin Ring Toss
Frying Pan Throwing
Rolling Pin Throwing
There will be sign-up forms available for each contest.
Sunday
Festival Registration (Meals and accommodations)
Festival Information (Contest Categories)
Festival Entry Form
Vermont State Grange Website
The National Grange is thrilled to announce Rebekah Hodgson as the new Junior Grange Director. A dedicated Jonesboro Grange #357 member in Jonesboro, Maine, Hodgson brings a deep appreciation of Grange values and a passion for community service to her new role. Rebekah’s journey with the Grange began with her grandparents, Helen and Edward Brooks, who
were active members of Robbinston Grange in Robbinston, Maine. Her own involvement took root about six years ago when she joined Jonesboro
Grange to help save it from closure, inspired by her father’s determination to preserve its legacy.
Since then, Rebekah has been an enthusiastic advocate for Grange activities, making her mark through projects like the Crush Cancer Lobster Crawl 5k, Candyland, the free 10,000 Easter Egg Hunt, and Grinch at the Grange.
Outside of her work with the Grange, Rebekah is a K3 preschool teacher and K4 preschool assistant, a Girl Scout leader, and a licensed commercial lobster
fisher—a skill she’s honed since age 10. She currently lives in Illinois with her husband Garrett, an active duty Coast Guard Chief, and their two children, Jase
(7) and Kennedy (5). Her family shares her passion for the outdoors and community engagement.
As Junior Grange Director, Rebekah has ambitious plans for the year ahead. She aims to foster stronger bonds between Junior and more senior members,
spark interest in new Junior Grange chapters, and deepen young members’ love for the Grange through creative, engaging programming. Inspired by her
connection to the ocean, she plans to incorporate aquatic-themed activities into Junior programming, especially at this year’s National Convention aboard
the Carnival Horizon.
Rebekah’s vision for the Junior department centers on empowering young members to be future leaders of the Grange. “Junior members are the voice
of tomorrow,” she said. “By utilizing their energy, passion, and eagerness to learn, they can create meaningful change and preserve the traditions
that connect us all.”
Her advice to those hoping to engage more young people in the Grange? “Find out what interests them and incorporate that into your Junior Grange! Show them the joy and sense of family that comes with being part of the Grange through welcoming, free events and fun-filled meetings.”
National Grange President Christine Hamp is confident that Hodgson’s creativity, leadership, and dedication will inspire the next generation of Grange members, ensuring the organization’s legacy continues to thrive.
“Rebekah’s engaging energy and excitement are exactly what we need to create meaningful experiences for our youngest members,” said Hamp. “I can’t wait to see the positive impact she and her team bring to our Junior Grange Program.”
Hodgson will be assisted by the Junior Advisory Team, consisting of Emily Hartsell (NC), Makayla Piers (RI), and Gayle Reyburn (PA). Email junior@nationalgrange.org for more information.
By Betty Young
207 786-2120
Terry LaCombe Stevens,
207 356-2492
Co-directors
It seems hard to believe that we have almost finished another year of Junior Grange. We look forward to seeing all of you at State Grange. We hope to meet our plus-one members. Stop by our table and purchase a ticket to win one of our fabulous prizes. Our Junior Grange Convention Schedule is:
Thursday, October 17TH
Rest/committee meeting for 2024/2025 to discuss Program Book. We are gathering national information, Big E, and state contests before we print them. We are in hopes of making a one-sheet page to follow throughout the year. We also are going to wait until after the Junior Director is appointed to finalize our 2025 year. Thursday night is not mandatory but we would be delighted if you would like to join us. Send Co-Director Terry dates your Grange would like to host Juniors. We will meet quarterly.
Friday, October 18TH
Breakfast, then head over to set up. PLEASE LET CO Director Terry know if you plan on helping set table and Junior items up. EARLY LUNCH- on our own together downstairs as we will need to take care of our table on shifts. Friday night banquet and late afternoon practice song if Kary feels it is needed. We may have time to rest late afternoon before dinner. Ages 5 to 14 wear red and Youth ages 14 up wear green. (Think about the drill we could do with our color scheme)
Saturday, October 19TH
Breakfast at hotel before our early birds open the table at convention. LUNCH, Ag Luncheon, resolutions continued, and 6th Degree. We will also draw 50/50 and announce Raffle prizes. I’m not sure of the exact time so we will be flexible. Bird House pickup and Art/Photos will need to be taken home. We will all have dinner and a swim party. As you know the swim will be on your own as we don’t have a lifeguard so that we could make it a Junior Grange Event. Dinner will be whatever you all agree on and this will be decided. Friday night at banquet.
Sunday, October 20th
Breakfast and leave for home until our next Junior Grange adventure/meeting. Watch for an email in late November after National Grange Convention.
Banquet tickets closed on October 5th. If you would like to help at our Junior/Youth Grange table or join us for Saturday night’s dinner, please let one of the committee members know. If you are interested in joining or being a Director, contact the State Grange Master/President for details.
Thank you all for the pleasure of being your 2023/2024 Junior Co-Directors.
By Betty Young
207 786-2120
Terry LaCombe Stevens,
207 356-2492
Co-directors
Our juniors recently had a camp at Highland Lake Grange. We were ably hosted by committee member Kathy Gowen, who arranged great activities, including games, a fire pit for roasting hotdogs, and marshmallows for s’mores. We also visited the nearby MSSPA in Windham, a rescue facility primarily for horses. We also made air-dried clay sculptures for the Big-E.
Our display at the Topsham Fair received a perfect score.
IMPORTANT—I need a list of your +1 junior members for my report to National Grange! Please send names either to Sharon or me as soon as possible. If you have junior-age youth (5-14) and want more information, let me know. Thank you.
By Betty Young
207 786-2120
Terry LaCombe Stevens,
207 356-2492
Co-directors
Maine State Junior Grange met at Headquarters in Augusta during the Sesquicentennial Celebration. It was a busy day of birdhouse crafting, pizza, chocolate, singing, and working on the Jr Garden. Thank you to our Junior Grange Alumnus William for the chocolate and helping supervise. (We have an open spot at camp if you are available.) We plan on continuing the
garden work in September.
We had planned on meeting at Tranquility Grange in July, but members will go to Enterprise. Members who are able to volunteer at Enterprise Grange on July 20th should contact Junior Committee Member Marilyn Stinson. Enterprise Grange has a fun day planned for the community and would welcome adult and Junior volunteers or game participants.
Highland Lake Grange is hosting the 2024 Junior Grange Overnight Camp on August 3rd-5th! Kathy Gowen is a past Junior Director and does a fantastic job planning and making Junior Grange fun. If you are interested in helping, enrolling a child, or donating to our camp, contact a co-director, Kathy Gowen, or Maine State Grange. Our 2024 Junior Grange camp is free and open to all children.
Next Year, the Maine State Junior Grange has plans to meet quarterly instead of every month and will include a Youth Grange member age14+. They will meet at the same time as the Junior Grange; however, they will have the Youth Grange Program and work with two leaders autonomously. Contact co-director Betty or Terry with any questions, concerns, or comments. We are always looking for new Junior members and committee members. We use Safe Gatherings Background Checks for adults working with our Juniors/Youth. If you would like to host JR/ Youth Grange next year, please contact us. We will help you plan the event and arrange all the details, or you can plan the day. We will enjoy the time at your Grange, with or without new children. Our team would enjoy installing your Jr Plus One(s) and Youth.
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