Category: Educational Aid

Amazon Smile Becomes Amazon Frown

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

Amazon recently announced that they are “winding down” the Amazon Smiles Program. In short, that means they are discontinuing it, effective February 20, 2023.

According to their announcement, over 1 million organizations were participating. “Amazon can have a more significant and lasting impact if we invest in specific areas and focus our philanthropic efforts in the communities where our employees live and work.”

That’s actually logical. The program’s benefit to Maine State Grange was minimal, so it’s not a huge loss. Any money received was paid to the Maine Grange Foundation and, I believe, earmarked for scholarships.

If you have been using the program, any purchases made before February 20, 2023, will still accrue a benefit. I’m sharing this so those making significant purchases from Amazon will consider doing so before that deadline!

Amazon has also announced it will provide a “one-time payment” based on three months of purchases during 2022.

One way Granges can generate support is by creating an “Amazon Wish List,” allowing others to make purchases for the Grange. I know Jonesboro Grange has done this quite successfully. I believe the process is not difficult for those familiar with Amazon. Perhaps I’ll try to put a few basic instructions and suggestions together in the near future. Let me know if you’re interested or would like to help!

Now let’s turn that frown upside down!

2022 Parkman Grange Scholarship Awardees Announced

The Parkman Grange is pleased to announce its 2022 Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarship winners. They are Mercy Harper, Sangerville, a Criminal Justice major at Husson University, and Eben Cooley, Parkman, a Marine Engineering Technology major at Maine Maritime Academy. Both will receive awards of $500. Although the Grange normally announces and awards winners at the Annual Scholarship Supper, this year the awards will be presented at the Parkman Grange Bean Supper on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in conjunction with the Parkman Bicentennial Celebration. The Supper runs from 4:00 to 5:30 or when the food runs out. The meal is by donation. Please come and enjoy the good food and good fun.

Minnie Bridge (1909-2011) was a lifelong resident of Parkman, a retired schoolteacher, and a life member of the Parkman Grange. In her memory, the Grange established the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit deserving Parkman students continuing their education beyond high school.  The Grange annually awards one or more scholarships funded through donations and the proceeds from an annual Supper in Minnie’s name. Last year, at the height of the Pandemic, there were no applicants and no awards made. This year applications were opened to all residents of MSAD#4. With these new awards, the Grange has awarded $13,000 since 2012.

Note that the next big Parkman Grange event will be the annual Daddy-Daughter Dance at the Grange Hall on Friday, August 12, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. All Daddies, with their young ladies, age 13 and under, are invited. DJ Steve Boddy will be spinning the tunes. There will be dance contests, door prizes, light refreshments, and a keepsake photo. Young ladies whose dads are unable to come are encouraged to come with an important adult in their life.  The cost is $5 per person, at the door. Plans are being discussed for a mother-son and/or family dance in the future.

Both the Supper and the Dance are at the Grange Hall located at the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Rd. For more information about these or any other Parkman Grange events, please contact Sue Manchester at 277-3942.

BioME Scholarships Available

MSG Comm Department Logo
This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Stearns, State Representative for District 119.

The BioME Scholarship Program offers an opportunity for high school graduates, undergraduate and graduate students in the field of life sciences to realize and accomplish their academic goals. This program is available for Maine residents or students enrolled in Maine academic institutions only.

All four scholarship applications are now OPEN, and we would greatly appreciate your help in sharing this opportunity with your colleagues, friends, and families! Please note that application deadlines for the Academic Scholarship and Summer Internship Award are both in March.

BioME Academic Scholarship ($4,000)
Applications Open: February 1, 2022 – March 25, 2022

BioME Summer Internship Award ($4,000)
For undergraduate and graduate students who are interning at an unpaid or minimally funded internship with a Maine employer. Funding to cover costs associated with internship and additional room and board. Applications Open: February 1, 2022 – March 18, 2022

BioME Seed Grant (up to $5,000)

For undergraduate and graduate students conducting original life sciences research. Funding to cover costs associated with research-related expenses. Applications rolling. Reviewed on a quarterly basis.

BioME Travel/Conference Award (up to $2,000) 

For undergraduate and graduate students who have had their research accepted for presentation at a professional life sciences conference. Funding to cover costs associated with attendance. Applications rolling. Reviewed on a quarterly basis. Apply up to 90 days before or after attending the event.

For more information, please visit their website at BioME Scholarship Program: Awards & Grants (biomaine.org)

Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship now open

MSG Comm Department Logo
This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Davis, State Senator for District 4.

The Maine Legislature annually recognizes one student from each county who is currently pursuing or planning to pursue education at a two- or four-year degree-granting Maine college or technical school. Through the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), these awards are given to Maine resident high school seniors or full- or part-time post-secondary students accepted to or enrolled in accredited Maine colleges for graduate or undergraduate degrees.

The 2022-2023 application cycle is now open and scholarship applications are being accepted until the deadline of May 1, 2022. Scholarship awards of $1,000 will be given to one student in each of Maine’s counties (16 total). Only complete applications will be considered, which should include the following:

  • A completed 2022-2023 Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship application
  • An essay (make sure the applicant’s name appears on all pages)
  • Submission of transcripts, recommendations, and a 2022-2023 Student Aid Report (SAR)
  • College students should include both college and high school transcripts
  • All transcripts should also indicate graduation date or anticipated graduation date
  • A copy of a high school diploma or equivalent

Recipients selected from applications submitted by the May 1, 2022 deadline will be selected and notified in the fall. Notifications are not sent to those applicants not selected. It’s important that students submit the 2022-2023 free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time to receive the Student Aid Report (SAR) back from the federal government. The SAR with Expected Family Contribution (EFC), income information, and the number of family members must be sent to FAME and postmarked by the deadline during the application period.