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.
Please forgive the last-minute notice and invitation, but we at Norway Grange 45 want to ensure we don’t exclude anyone from our draping of the Charter this coming Saturday, February 14, in honor of our long-standing, now-at-peace Grange sister, Ethel Lacourse. She led the good fight and lasted 95 years. We will honor her memory with a noon meal, with the ceremony commencing at 1 pm.
Please join us. Even if you’re unable to attend, please send us a written remembrance, and someone will read it in your proxy. Thank you, good brothers and sisters.
For more information, please contact Tina Thurston at 207 515 2361 or email us at norwaygrange45@gmail.com
Please let us know if you can come.
Norway Grange is located at 15 Whitman Street in Norway, Maine.
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.
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!
by Maia Zewert, Editor Lincoln County News Submitted by Laurie McBurnie
It’s not often a teacher walks out of a student of the month assembly with an award, but such was the case at Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro on Monday, Dec. 22.
Kali Martin (right), a special education resource room teacher at Medomak Valley High School, accepts the Maine State Grange Educator of the Year Award from Maine State Grange Secretary and Willow Grange Master Sharon Morton on Monday, Dec. 22. Members of Willow Grange 366 in Jefferson nominated Martin for the award, which she was presented during the student of the month assembly. (Paula Roberts photo)
In front of a gymnasium full of MVHS students, faculty, and staff, members of Willow Grange 366 in Jefferson surprised special education resource room teacher Kali Martin with the Maine State Grange Educator of the Year Award.
“I’m just completely blown away,” Martin said after the presentation. “I had no idea this was coming.”
Willow Grange member Paula Roberts introduced the award during the assembly, describing the recipient without initially naming them.
“This teacher saw a need in the Medomak community and acted on it to make a difference here at Medomak and beyond,” Roberts said. “And she has involved her students and the student body to show them, although community service can be hard work, it is extremely rewarding.”
Roberts also quoted MVHS Principal Linda Dolloff Pease, who said Martin “is appreciated and well-loved and plays a big role in the positive culture of the school.”
Members of Willow Grange No. 366 in Jefferson flank Maine State Grange Educator of the Year Kali Martin after a presentation at Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro on Monday, Dec. 22. The Willow Grange members nominated Martin for the award, which they surprised her with during a student of the month assembly. From left: Mary Jane McLoon, Deborah Willette, Sharon Morton, Kali Martin, Henry Morton, Knox Zaccadelli, Laurie McBurnie, and Paula Roberts. (Maia Zewert photo)
When she was revealed as the recipient of the Maine State Grange Educator of the Year Award, Martin immediately received a standing ovation from all in attendance. As Martin joined the presenters, Roberts listed Martin’s many accomplishments during her time working at the high school, including initiating a weekend backpack program to provide students in need with food, preparing food for the annual Empty Bowl Supper, and helping to start a free clothing program for students in need.
Martin also started the Medomak Valley Soul Food Pantry, which serves over 300 families, Roberts said. She applied for and received a grant to purchase an industrial-sized freezer for the pantry and also collects food from Hannaford and arranges deliveries from Good Shepherd Food Pantry to keep it stocked.
“She has gone above and beyond her teaching duties,” Roberts said. “Kali has given unselfishly of her time and resources to support Medomak students and the community.”
In addition, Martin is involved with the school’s student council, participates in Treat Tuesdays, and “is known for her root beer floats for the entire staff,” Roberts said.
“Kali Martin has the biggest heart ever and it shows here in the many ways that Paula Roberts outlined in her presentation,” Pease said. “She is an advocate for young people in addition to being aware of staff needs and having a little fun!”
Maine State Grange Secretary and Willow Grange President Sharon Morton presented Martin with the award. In addition, Martin was presented a $100 donation from Maine State Grange Treasurer and Willow Grange Secretary Laurie McBurnie to support the food pantry.
“Having such a supportive administration and having the support of the community to keep the pantry going has just been such a huge blessing,” Martin said. “It’s just grown … and it helps our families get what they need.”
For more information or to make a donation to the Medomak Valley Soul Food Pantry, email Martin at kali_martin@rsu40.org.
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.Â
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.
The artwork is by Larry Bailey, Master of the St George Grange.
“Thank you for your sacrifice, your bravery, and the example you set. We are forever thankful for you.”
Grangers in Maine
World War I, known at the time as “The Great War,” officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles in France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice – or temporary cessation of hostilities – between Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926; but it wasn’t until May 1938 when an official act was passed establishing every Nov. 11 “Armistice Day” to honor veterans of World War I. A law in 1954 officially changed it to Veterans Day.
In 1968, the holiday was changed to the last Monday in October; but President Gerald Ford signed legislation that reestablished Veterans Day to Nov. 11 after backlash from the public. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to Nov. 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date but also helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
The above history is reprinted with permission from an enewsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin, District 4.
