Category: Exciting Granges

Community Service Awards at Enterprise Grange

Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 3:00 pm.

Community Citizen Awards for the Richmond area, including Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Dresden, as well as Richmond, Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 3:00 pm at Enterprise Grange Hall, 15 Alexander Reed Road, Richmond.

Citizens of these towns are invited to submit nominations to Enterprise, and we will make the final decision based on the applications and verify whether the candidates are willing to accept the awards. Except during the COVID years, we have presented the awards for over 20 years. We have tried different days and times and have found that Sunday afternoons work well for our area. Late enough for Sunday-morning church attendees and early enough for Sunday-evening service attendees. And usually, friends and families of the recipients are able to attend, and those attending are invited to share their stories of those receiving the award.

Light refreshments and fellowship follow. We usually end about 4:30.
Community Citizen Awards are a National Grange program, and Grangers are not eligible to receive the award unless it is for a group, such as the Food Pantry, and the members are part of that group.

Enterprise is undergoing electrical updates in the hall, and it should be completed to showcase the improvements and how much brighter our meeting hall is now. We still have work to do on scraping and painting, but taking it one step at a time is getting the work done.

Come join us!!

Changes at Enterprise Grange

Submitted by Marilyn Stinson

Enterprise Grange is located at 15 Alexander Reed Road in Richmond, Maine.

Enterprise Grange #48 has changed its meeting nights. It is now the third Tuesday of each month (except October, due to the State Session). Public Pot Luck Supper at 6:00, meeting at 7:00.

Our January meeting was close to February, and we held a candle-lighting ceremony to observe Four Chaplains Day with veterans reading the four paragraphs and Master CJ lighting the candles. As I researched the program and learned that the priest, two Protestant pastors, and a rabbi went down with the ship, praying and singing hymns, I wondered which hymns would be central to their different faiths. I settled on Faith of Our Fathers.

Enterprise Grange Public Super

Submitted by Marilyn Stinson

Enterprise Grange is located at 15 Alexander Reed Road in Richmond, Maine.

Public Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner

Saturday, March 14, 2026, 5:OO PM – 7:00 PM

Corned beef OR ham, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, rolls, desserts, beverages, home made pickled beets. Served buffet style, but we will assist anyone; takeout available without the coffee.

Only $18.00 (cheaper than most restaurants and no tip), Seniors 65+ only $15.00, Family rates.
Reservations or FMI – Marilyn at 207-308-3901. Gluten-free dessert option.

Kennebec Valley Grange Flea Market and More!

Every Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM, Kennebec Valley Grange hosts a flea market on two floors. Seamstress in attendance 10 AM-2 PM. You’ll find baked goods such as whoopie pies, regular pies, and Needhams. (Pies by preorder. Doris 399-1191) There are also baked beans, Dynamites, and haddock chowder available to go, by the pint or quart. Fresh local eggs. We also offer a small lending library of books and magazines on homesteading, cooking, and farming. FMI Diane Pinkham, Master, 314-5135

Kennebeck Valley Grange is located at 560 Main Street in Madison, Maine.

Kennebeck Valley Grange Facebook Group

Some Program Ideas for Granges

Based on the California State Grange Newsletter

A recent issue of the California State Grange included flyers for several programs offered across the state. There were plenty of pancake breakfasts and suppers. A few of the different events are:

  • Class in pressure canning
  • Toddler story time
  • Food and Karaoke
  • Homestead series
  • Sweetheart Dance
  • Grange Community Market
  • Masterpieces and Munchies (a series of fun, painting, and snacking)
  • Square Dance
  • Almond Festival (Remember, it’s California)
  • Fruit Tree Sale
  • Cowboy Poetry and Music Show
  • Zucchini Grand Prix (growing contest) and Harvest Festival
  • Amateur Radio Club
  • Sobriety Support Group
  • Mana and Munchies (includes a number of activities)
  • Monthly Flea Market
  • Grange Game Night

Many of these are not one-time events. Consistency matters.

What have you got planned? Remember to submit your event!

Fairview Grange Makes Plans!

By Rick Watson, Master of Fairview Grange #342

Fairview Grange is located at 826 Village Road in Smithfield.

Fairview Grange members got together recently for the monthly meeting. We had 15 members present, which was a great turnout for below-zero temps and freshly cleared driveways of 12” or more a day prior. Hot coffee and fresh brownies on the counter. Our first meeting since the holidays, and it was nice to get together again.

We quickly took care of our Grange business, and we remain well-financed and full of optimism for our Grange and our Community. Thankfully, we have a steady income stream from our Grange rentals, allowing us to keep moving forward.

The bulk of time spent was on 2026 activities, which include the Skowhegan State Fair display, Hunter Safety Class on August 12 and 22, Hunter’s Breakfast on November 7th, April 11th Vintage Snowmobile Show, and a plan to celebrate our Nation’s 250th birthday with events held at our Grange and on our Lakes in Town.

None of this happens without the enthusiasm and commitment of our members. I thank the long-time members who have seen the highs and lows and have hung in there, as well as our new members who bring fresh perspectives and ideas, all in support of our Grange and Community. Thank you!

Fairview Grange Facebook Page

The Clauses Visit Mill Stream

Santa and Mrs. Claus visited Mill Stream Grange on Sat., Dec. 13, for a community children’s party. While there, Santa presented kids’ books to Caroline Heck, Girl Scout, and Junior Granger for her Little Free Library project located at the Grange. 

Mill Stream Serves Food Bank

“And you shall have some pie!”

Mill Stream Grange members (l-r) Jill Sampson, Rosie Baker, and Debbie Lavender presented the Grange’s annual Thanksgiving donation of cranberry sauce and makings for pumpkin pies to the Mt. Vernon area food bank on Saturday, November 15. 

Santa Is Coming to Vienna

No cost! Free to any and all. Our Juniors are going to help with crafts, the treats are all homemade, and it’s a really lovely, old-fashioned little party.

Getting the Words Out!

by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

As of today, there are 371 public schools in Maine (according to The Dictionary Project website). Of those, only 27 have a Dictionary Project Sponsor so far this year. That’s slightly over 7%.

The good news is that it’s still early in the year, and we can do better! If you have been sponsoring in the past, it’s time to start working on this year’s effort.

If you haven’t been a sponsor, this is a good year to start. For a list of unsponsored schools, visit the Dictionary Project Website. Remember, we have many great resources available on our MSG Words for Thirds Resource Page. We’ll even provide you with your Grange’s very own logo!

There are also Rotary, Kiwanis, and Elks Clubs that sponsor schools in Maine. One possibility might be to partner with a local civic organization in your area, particularly if you’re concerned about the cost and effort involved. There are several dictionaries available to choose from. All come in cases of 24 at a cost of around $100 per case, including shipping. Obviously, much depends on school size, but you can start a powerful community service with a minimum investment!

If you doubt the power of this program, check out this short news story about a Valley Grange “Dictionary Day” at Ridgeview Elementary School in Dexter.

If you have questions or would like some help. Let me know! We’re Grangers. We help each other. And let us know about your Words for Thirds Project!

MSG Words for Thirds Resources