The Dictionary Project recently recognized Valley Grange‘s Words for Thirds Project in their “Word of the Day” newsletter. The Word of the Day was “excel.” We strive to do so, and we encourage our students to do the same.
By the way, the dictionaries for this year are arriving today! Dictionary Days are coming soon to Brownville, Harmony, Piscataquis Community, Ridgeview, and SeDoMoCha Elementary Schools.
Featuring fresh baked goods, coffee, mulled cider, homemade jelly, jam, fudge, and canned goods. Lunch will be available: soup with biscuit, hot dogs, nd drinks. For information regarding table rentals, call 207 372-6424.
There will also be a public supper at 5 pm.
St George Grange is located at 32 Wiley’s Corner Road in St George, Maine.
There will be roasted turkey, vegetables, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread, cranberry sauce, and cake. The cost is $10.00 per person. Please have the exact price for the meal(s) you want. No substitutions, no pre-orders, you drive up, pay, and receive your meal.
The Grange is located on the corner of Route 302 and Hardy Road in Westbrook.
Our October Meeting has been rescheduled to October 10, 2025, due to a conflict with the MSG Convention. Potluck at 6 pm, meeting at 7 pm. Grange Bees are Mary and Jim. Walter & Janice were elected delegates to the State Convention in Orono.
Sandwich Makings
A highlight of our September Meeting was the jars of PB & J that appeared as people arrived! We’ve delivered these to Bangor Savings Bank for their annual drive. You can also donate directly to any Branch before 9/30.
Dictionary Days
Members approved the purchase of dictionaries for this year’s program. We’ll be scheduling presentations and deliveries starting in mid-October. We need team members for these–it’s mostly a matter of carrying things and then helping the kids find words in their new dictionaries. Stay tuned for the schedule and consider lending a hand! Presentations are only about 45 minutes and will be held in Brownville, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, and Harmony. We’re checking with Athens and the Amish School in Corinth.
Blistered Finger Knitters Knote!
We deliver hats and mittens in conjunction with Dictionary Presentations. If you have completed items, we’d appreciate receiving them by October 15, although we collect year-round. Contact any member to arrange delivery! Thanks! Keep those kneedles clicking!
Grange Gossip
Walter continues to help the Abbot Historical Society with gravestone cleaning. We have a couple of weeks left this year… Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the old village cemetery across from the Town Hall is where and when. It’s easy and fun! Supplies and instruction are included.
Mary Annis is selling raffle tickets to benefit the DUV. She will humbly admit she made the first prize Afghan.
Pat and Steve will be doing some traveling soon… we wish them a safe trip to Texas and will miss them. When they return, Pat will be busy getting ready for Craft Fairs.
The Guilford Register Magazine September Issue featured an article by Walter, “Sticker! Sticker!” It’s about some kids at an Amish Farmstand in Corinth. The October Issue will include a story about the Dover Foxcroft Kiwanis Auction.
Area Grange Events
South Sangerville Grange is holding a Bean Hole Bean Supper on October 25, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. More information is available here.
Remember, Valley Grange is happy to publicize your event, but we have to know about it! Submit it to the MSG Website and it’ll get state-wide publicity!
Valley Grange Contacts and Resources:
(Click names to send email.) Jim Annis, Master/President – 207 564-0820 (home) Mary Annis, Secretary – 207 564-0820 (home) Walter Boomsma, Program Director/Treasurer – 207 343-1842 (cell) Janice Boomsma, Chaplain – 207 343-1496 (cell)
Valley Grange Hall’s GPS Address is 172 Guilford Center Road, Guilford. (Do not send mail here!) The Hall is located at the corner of Guilford Center Road and Butter Street.
Every Monday, Summer Music Monday at St George Grange, 7 – 9 pm. Free! See post FMI. Every Tuesday, Coffee on the Porch at Vassalboro Grange, 8:30 am – 10 am. See post FMI.
October 5, 2025, Cider Pressing at Vassalboro Grange, 12 pm. See post FMI.
October 8, 2025, Fifth Degree Conferral at Danville Junction Grange. See post FMI.
October 11, 2025, Summer Public Supper at St George Grange, 5 pm. See post FMI.
October 11, 2025, Art/Antiques/Craft/Flea Market at Ocean View Grange in Port Clyde. See post FMI.
October 11, 2025, Turkey Supper at Highland Lake Grange in Westboro. Details TBA.
October 12, 2025, Philosophy Table at Vassalboro Grange, 5 – 7 pm. See post FMI
October 17-18, 2025, MSG 151st Annual Convention opens at 11 am on Friday.
October 18, 2025, Open Mic Night at Vassalboro Grange, 7 – 9 pm. See post FMI
October 18, 2025, Bean Supper at Ocean View Grange, 5 – 7 pm. Veterans eat free! See post FMI.
October 25, 2025, Penobscot Pomona meets at Old Town Riverside Grange at 11 am. FMI Call Master Sanda Moon at 207 827-3698.
October 25, 2025, South Sangerville Bean Supper, 4:30 – 6:00 pm. See post FMI.
As of today, there are 371 public schools in Maine (according to The Dictionary Project website). Of those, only 16 have a Dictionary Project Sponsor so far this year. That’s slightly over 4%.
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 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!
Oct 25, 2025, South Sangerville Grange will host a Bean Hole Bean Supper from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. It includes beans, hot dogs, ham, mac&cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, rolls, biscuits, and corn bread. Deserts include pies (raspberry, blueberry, apple, chocolate cream, along with ice cream. Drinks are coffee, water, and apple cider. $10 minimum donation.
South Sangerville Grange is located at 25 Grange Road in South Sangerville, Maine.
Vassalboro Grange is located at 351 Main Street in East Vassalboro, Maine
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: Vassalboro Grange has been recently awarded a grant with a membership bonus! Have you thought about becoming a Grange Member? If you join before Sept 18th, 2025, our Grange receives additional funding for each member signed up.  FMI Holly weidnerholly@gmail.com
CAPOEIRA EVENT: Saturday, Sept 13, 10 am-3 pm Demo/lesson in Brazilian martial art dance. Fun for many ages and abilities. FMI Molly Holliman molswald@aol.com
PHILOSOPHY TABLE: Sunday, Sept 14, 5 pm-7 pm. Potluck & Discussion of a philosophy topic. This month, featuring Eric Austin’s Town Line article “Why humans and AI might be more alike than we care to admit!” FMI Matthew matthew.freytag@maine.edu
OPEN MIC & COFFEE HOUSE: Saturday, Sept 20th, 7-9 pm Come to enjoy, and if you like, come to play/perform. FMI Kala kwistar11@gmail.com
RECURRING WEEKLY EVENTS:
COFFEE ON THE PORCH: Tuesdays 8:30 am-10 am. It is exactly what it sounds like. FMI Marada 207-316-5321 maradacook@gmail.com This event will welcome a new host for the 2026 season… might that be you? Reach out to me… if someone (or several someones) takes on this event, I will start something new for the Grange.
ART BY JACKSON GREGORY: Displayed in the community room/dining hall, open concurrently with other events. FMI jackson@jacksongregory.com
DON’T BLINK! OCTOBER EVENTS ARE COMING:
Stay tuned for cider pressing week of 9/29 and/or 10/5, Folk Band Concert 10/10, Library Fundraiser event 10/25, along with our usual assortment of community-led, neighbor-rejoining, hall tromping fun!
