Christmas Craft Fair at White Rock Grange

Saturday, November 18, 2023,
9 am – 2 pm

White Rock Grange and Friendship Club
33&34 Wilson Road
Gorham Maine

Join dozens of crafters this holiday season. All items are handcrafted: candles, ornaments, home decor, wreaths, jewelry, handbags, crochet animals & knitted items, and much more! Raffle for themed gift baskets. Check the event out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/2027697437587563

Valley Grange Gives Words and More!

Third graders at Brownville Elementary School received lots of words recently in the form of brand-new dictionaries from Valley Grange. The students learned a little bit about Valley Grange, farming, and agriculture, not to mention how to use a dictionary. Since there is a lot more than words in their books, we even said “Hello” to each other using sign language.

Valley Grange #144 is located in Guilford, Maine.

The Dictionary Project is designed to aid third-grade teachers with their goal of seeing all their students leave at the end of the year as good writers, active readers, and creative thinkers. The dictionary is for the student to keep, take it into the fourth grade, and use it throughout his or her entire school career. “The kids become really engaged,” Valley Grange Program Director “Mr. Boomsma” notes. “I think they like the idea that people in the community care about them and, as we explain, they own the dictionary and all the words in it.”

“We also get to talk about the staves as farmer’s tools and how the Grange uses them as reminders of the qualities we should strive for in our classrooms and communities.”

The Valley Grange Program extends across four districts and five schools. This is our 24th year and we’ve given out close to 4,000 dictionaries since starting the program. Additional Dictionary Days are being scheduled at SeDoMoCha Elementary in Dover Foxcroft, PCES in Guilford, Harmony Elementary, and Ridgeview Elementary in Dexter.

Some Membership Wows!

The most recent Grange Membership Year runs from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.

According to the Membership Annual Report, 19 Granges in Maine had net gains that year, taking in some 75 members.

The top three membership gains were:

  • First: Huntoon Hill Grange #398, located in Wiscasset, showed a net gain of 16 members. According to the 2022-23 Roster, Russell Marr is the Master/President.
  • Second: Jonesboro Grange #357, located in Jonesboro, showed a net gain of 10 members. According to the 2022-23 Roster, John Cox Jr. is the Master/President.
  • Third: Trenton Grange # 550, located in Trenton, showed a net gain of 9 members. According to the 2022-23 Roster, Peter Lazas is the Master/President.

Congratulations and well done! Wow!

Are you aware of any “Wows” (new members, funds raised, successful events, other accomplishments) we should announce? Send a few details!

Public Lunch in Madison, Maine!

Kennebec Valley Grange is providing a “take out lunch” on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from noon until 2:00 p.m. The menu includes ham, baked beans, a variety of casseroles, biscuits, and apple crisp with real whipped cream for dessert. The cost is $10. This is their annual fundraiser to benefit the Carroll Dean Memorial Agricultural Scholarship Fund.

For additional information, contact Diane Pinkham at 207 314-5135.

The Kennebec Valley Grange Hall is located at 560 Main Street (Rt. 148) in Madison, Maine .

Parkman Grange Kicks Off Santa Project

Santa Project Helps MSAD 4 Families in Need

The Parkman Grange is again helping out Santa to make Christmas special for MSAD 4 area kids with the Santa Project.  This program provides warm winter coats, boots, and a toy to local kids, from newborns to high school seniors whose families could use a little help this holiday season.  Applications can be picked up at the following town offices: Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, and Sangerville and at the Parkman Grange on the porch. They are also available through the schools.  The application deadline is November 11, 2023. Distribution will be on Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 10 AM to noon. The Parkman Grange is located at the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Road. 

 If you would like to help out, donation checks can be made out to Parkman Grange, memo line Santa Project, and sent to PO Box 114, Guilford, ME 04443.

Save the date: December 9, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. Parkman Grange hosts a kids’ Christmas party. Santa will be there with simple crafts to make for gifts. There will be cookies, cocoa, and lots of fun for all!

Additional information is available from Sue Manchester, Parkman Grange Master, at 207 717-6248.

East Madison Grange Mythical Market

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Join us for a mythical market at the most magical time of the year! The Witches Faire will take place on Sunday, October 29th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the East Madison Grange, right by Wesserrunsett Lake.  There will be herbal products, jewelry, unique crafts, tarot and astrology readings, and more! Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and free admission is free.  FMI email team@gardensofasgard.com, message or call 716-6441.

St George Grange October Public Supper

Public Supper at St. George Grange 32 Wileys Corner Road in St. George, ME, on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 5 pm.
Enjoy lots of homemade food with Grange members, family, and friends. All welcome! We have public suppers on the second Saturday of each month until October.

Winthrop Grange Scarecrow Festival

little girl in halloween costume posing with pumpkin man
Photo by Toni Canaj on Pexels.com

Winthrop Grange is sponsoring a Scarecrow Contest that involves families, kids, businesses, not-for-profits, churches, etc. There is an entry fee of $5.00 per scarecrow. Entry forms are available at businesses throughout the area. Set up will take place from September 30 -October 7 at assigned locations on Main Street. Final judging takes place on October 21 during Mystic Fest. Winners will be announced on October 22, and cash prizes will be awarded.

For more information, text Dot StHilaire at 207 242-7251 or email her at Dotsthilaire7@yahoo.com.

Help Wanted!

Enterprise Grange is hosting a discussion of the eight referendum questions that will be on the ballot in November. The discussion will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has agreed to attend and explain the voting process and speak in support of approving the first four referendum questions with a yes vote. Since Enterprise Grange is well-known for presenting both sides of issues, we’d like to continue to do so.

We are, therefore, seeking a person or person from the Richmond area who can speak authoritatively, with facts and figures, in support of a “no” vote on these questions. This is open to everyone from any area, not just Sagadahoc County. If you think you qualify, please contact Marilyn Stinson at 207-737-2611.