Category: Exciting Granges

Mill Stream Grange Visits School

Kindergartners Start Farming

Recently, Mill Stream Grange members Jill Sampson, Lisa Goucher, and Paula Hanley visited teacher Melanie Hall’s kindergarten class at Mt. Vernon Elementary School to share information about the Grange and farming.  Each child was given a new book titled “Farming” by Gail Gibbons, a coloring book on farming, and animal stickers. Jill read “Farming” to the students, then Lisa and Paula helped each of them to plant sunflower seeds, which were placed on the windowsill in the sun.  

Mt Vernon Kinders had fun learning
Jill reads to future farmers.
Jill reads to future farmers
The farmers’ tools and future crops

Farming by Gail Gibbons is a popular nonfiction children’s book that uses clear, colorful illustrations and diagrams to explain the year-round work on a farm, from planting and harvesting crops to caring for animals and dealing with seasonal changes. An updated edition includes new safety equipment and procedures, making it an engaging and educational resource for young readers (ages 4-8) about agriculture, tractors, and where food comes from. It is available from Amazon.

What’s not to love about Jill’s apron? “Romaine Calm and Carrot On.”

Highland Lake Grange Places Flags

Submitted by Dave Gowen

On May 16, 2026, eight members of Highland Lake Grange placed American flags on veterans’ graves at Highland Lake Cemetery for Memorial Day. The Grange has been placing flags for over ten years. Grange markers (made by the members) were placed next to the graves of past members of the Grange.

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.

Mill Stream Grange Honors Vets

Grange Members with Flags
Mill Stream Grange members (l-r) Karen Locke, Kirsten Heck, Jill Sampson, Debbie Lavender, Allan Harville and Natalie Heck placed over 100 flags at three area cemeteries to honor Veterans, including several Revolutionary War soldiers.  Member Paul Lavender took the photo.

Natalie Heck contributes joyfully
Grangers serve

This is the sort of community service that brings Grangers together and demonstrates purpose. Congratulations and thanks to Mill Stream Grange #574!

Community Service Night at Highland Lake Grange

Busy night at Highland Lake Grange. 37 people turned out, including Grange members and guests, to celebrate this year’s Community Citizen Award recipient: Suzanne Joyce. We also recognized six members of Highland Lake Grange for their dedication and membership over many decades. Maine State Grange Assistant Steward, Membership Director, and Past Master/President Rick Grotton presented the certificates with the assistance of Judy Meserve, Maine State Grange Ceres, and Jim Meserve, Maine State Grange Executive Committee. It was a wonderful evening of celebration, conversation, laughter and, of course, food!

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

Mill Stream Grange Officers

1st row: Lecturer Kirsten Heck, Treasurer Debbie Lavender, Overseer Allan Harville, Master Jill Sampson, Chaplain Judy Dunn, Lady Assistant Steward Barbara Gilman.
 
2nd row: Pianist Ellie Andrews, Assistant Steward Paul Lavender, Flora Paula Hanley, Steward  David Varney, Gatekeeper Ingrid Grenon, Pomona Bonnie Gilman, Ceres Lisa Goucher. Missing from photo, Secretary Laurie Cunningham.

Mill Stream Grange Happenings

Mill Stream Grange’s youngest and oldest members together on Grange Sunday, April 26 at the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. On the left is Junior member Natalie Heck, age 11 (almost 12), and on the right is Beverly Wight Smith, 95 years.
Photo of Kirsten Heck and Jill Sampson
Kirsten Heck (l) of Mill Stream Grange experienced the Four Degrees at the recent Degree Day at Manchester Grange. Shown with her is Master Jill Sampson

Visiting Other Granges Fun

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

We’ve had several requests for information about visiting other Granges, so we’re reviewing some of the resources available. Part of the challenge is that there are multiple databases and sources that do not always connect.

Plans and people change. If you plan to visit another Grange event or meeting, a best practice is to contact that Grange beforehand. The online Directory of Granges is a good source of contact information. If you have difficulty reaching someone, I’ll try to help!

The Website Event Calendar lists Grange events (not regular meetings) that we know about. We’re totally dependent on Granges submitting their information and many don’t. (Click the blue link to it on the website.)

The online Directory of Granges is recently updated. It does not list meeting dates, but has contact information. I’d strongly suggest using this to confirm any meetings or events you are planning to attend. (Click the blue link to it on the website.)

The Printed Roster Book should be available from your Grange Secretary. It has by far the most information, but it may be outdated as plans and people change.

Subordinate/Community Grange Links are listed in a sidebar on the MSG website.

A Website Subscription will help you stay informed about the events we are told about as we learn of them.  (Click the blue link to sign up on the website.)

Remember, the Grange is a fraternal organization! If the word didn’t have any conotation, I’d say, “Let’s fraternize!”

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.