Category: Events

Highland Lake Grange “After Action” Report

Highland Lake Grange is pleased to report a very successful night of World War II local history! 42 attendees and Grange members enjoyed Ken Moody’s wonderful program on four US Army Air Corps flyers from Duck Pond Road:  Wesley Dearborn, Harold Lewis, Frederick Gowen, and Leonard Emery. We are very excited about raising $400 for the Westbrook Veterans Relief Fund. 

Thanks to everyone who attended, and a big thank you to Ken for all of his research and work over many years. Thanks to Ken, the devotion of these men to their country during World War II will not be forgotten.

Mike Sanphy, President of Westbrook Historical Society and member of the Grange, stated that the Society does have plans to record this program so it can be viewed more widely.

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Victor Grange Is at It Again!

Victor Grange is located in Fairfield Maine

Remember the post about removing the chairs so the floors could be sanded? They need to go back!

Well, the floors are finished and are “hardening up.”

Members started yesterday cleaning up the dust that is left from the sanding.

Wednesday, August 3, 2022, is the big moving day when the chairs go back! We are hoping to get another big crew so that it won’t take too long. Again, many hands make less work.  

The floors look great, and we can’t wait to share the new look. Please contact Barb Bailey with any questions or concerns. Call 207 453-9476 or email baileybarb196@gmail.com

Parkman Grange hosting “Daddy-Daughter Dance!”

The Parkman Grange will be hosting a Daddy Daughter Dance on Friday, August 12, 2022, from  6-8 PM.  Young ladies 13 and under are invited to come with their dad or an important adult in their life if their dad is unable to attend.  Admission is $5 per person at the door.  DJ Steve Brody will be spinning tunes and having dance contests, including the twist, funky chicken, and freestyle.  Light refreshments will be served, door prizes given away, and a keepsake photo taken to remember the evening. Put on your dancing shoes and come enjoy a fun time!

Parkman Grange is located at the corner of State HWY 150 and North Dexter Road.  For more info, call Sue Manchester 207 277-3942

Grange Makes Front Page Headlines

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

Some may recall that Vicki Huff and I were invited to speak at the Waterboro Maine Historical Society–headquartered in a former Grange Hall. Coverage of the event made the front page of The Reporter— “Your Community Newspaper” in the Waterboro area. It is always fitting and appropriate to see the words “Grange” and “community” together.

When I talked with Cynthia Matthews, the reporter who wrote the story, it was also rewarding that she was familiar with Porter Gange and some of its activities. Too often, the local Grange is the best-kept secret in an area–not only from the media but also from the people who might be interested in joining or supporting it.

The media business has changed dramatically over the past decade or two. We no longer see local reporters showing up at events or chasing down stories. (In this case, Matthews didn’t attend, but asked a friend to take photos, and she subsequently did her interviews by telephone.) I know many people are intimidated by the idea of writing articles for the media, but it’s not that difficult to develop relationships with reporters and editors. We can help them with “tips” and simply let them know what’s going on at the Grange.

Don’t forget, there’s a Communications Handbook available for free on the MSG Website. It lists a number of daily and weekly newspapers throughout Maine and lots of tips and tactics for getting your news and events published. If you’re having an event, make sure you publicize it! Don’t have a party and forget to invite people!

Read the entire article in The Reporter

Highland Lake Grange Presents

Tragedy In The Skies: Four Flyers from Duck Pond Road in World War Two

Grange member and local historian Ken Moody tells the stories of four young men who joined the Army Air Corps during World War Two. Lifelong friends, they all heeded the call of duty and left the safety of their Westbrook homes to fly into unknown dangers.

Each one of them would experience disaster, not returning to base after separate fateful missions, all within nine months of each other. Two of them would make the ultimate sacrifice for their country, never returning home. The impact on the Duck Pond neighborhood was immeasurable. 

Ken’s research brings to life their service with intriguing detail and passion: Cadet Wesley C. Dearborn; Sergeant Harold C. Lewis; Sergeant Frederick W. Gowen, and 1st Lt. Leonard Emery.

Saturday, August 13th at 7 pm

Highland Lake Grange, 9 Hardy Road, Westbrook. The Grange is accessible, program on first floor.

Admission free. Donations accepted. All donations will benefit Westbrook Veterans Relief Fund (operated by Westbrook Veteran Services Office). 

Refreshments provided.

FMI: 536-0038 or gowenfrm@gwi.net

News from Ocean View Grange

Ocean View Grange is located in Martinsville, Maine

by Larry Bailey, Master/President

Grange member Ryan’s idea about serving a Strawberry Palooza of Strawberries and Cream was a success. We ran out of strawberries and whipped cream at 2 pm…, two hours before the advertised closing time. 

We served 92 cups of strawberries and cream and grossed $610. The net after expenses of $146 was $464.  Many of the folks who stopped in had never been in a Grange before and I gave tours of our meeting room. That went over well and, we may get a new member or two out of it.

We need to thank the following who worked to make the event both a financial and, just as important, a public relations success:

  • Ryan Aponte
  • Nancy Fagley
  • Joss Coggeshall
  • Dan Anderson (Ryan’s stepfather)
  • Pat Deussing (Ryan’s mother)
  • Bill Swittlinger 
  • Diane Bailey

Thanks to all of our members who helped and those members who came in to have a taste.

Webmaster’s Note: I highlighted the part about tours of the meeting room… what a great idea when having events!

Coming up in July…

  • July 9, 2022, Seaside Grange Rummage and Bake Sale, 9 am-noon. Email Seasidegrange@gmail.com for more information.
  • July 9, 2022, St George Grange Public Supper, 5 pm at St George Grange Wiley’s Corner. Call 372-8904 or 372-6768 for more information.
  • July 11, 2022, Piscataquis Pomona Fun and Fundraiser at 5 pm. Contact Pomona Overseer Walter Boomsma for further information.
  • July 14, 2022, MSG Bulletin Deadline — columns and posts are due.

This information is from the Conferences and Dates Page. We do our best to list conferences, regional events, state meetings, Pomona meetings, and local Grange events with dates and links to information! Please remember, we can’t post what we don’t know.