Quick Tip — Community Events!

Cool Idea

One of the software providers for our website recently blogged some ideas for community events that will draw people in.

  1. Game night
  2. Food festival
  3. Farmers market
  4. Community cleanup
  5. Arts and crafts exhibit
  6. Seasonal or holiday events
  7. Marathons
  8. Wellness and fitness
  9. Movie night
  10. Hobbies and how-to workshops
  11. Swap meets
  12. Guides and tours
  13. Sports
  14. Talent show
  15. Unique, community oriented festivals

What are you going to do this summer? Don’t forget to submit your events to the MSG website calendar!

Danville Junction Grange Yard Sale

Saturday, May 25, 2024 – 9:00 am until 1:00 pm

Attic treasures, books, RADA cutlery, baked goods, beans and chili (to go), pick your prize raffle, 50/50, plants and more.

Tables are available for rent, $20 each. For more information or to rent a table, contact Maynard Chapman at 207 312-5591.

Danville Junction Grange is located at 15 Grange Street, right off Route 202 in Danville.

The Patrons Chain 5-10-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • Massachusetts Agriculture in Action Expo Showcased State’s Vibrant Farming Community
  • Member Satisfaction Survey
  • Presidential Prompt
  • National Convention Registration is Open
  • Grange’s Affordable Connectivity Program grant effort ends
  • Coming Soon… Grange Today!
  • Programming Notes
  • Analysis: The Myth of Rural Voters’ Power in the House of Representatives
  • Register for the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference
  • Grange Supply Store: Emblem Patches
  • Grange Member Benefit: Nationwide Pet Insurance 

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!


Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent. For example, the last Friday of the month is usually a View from the Hill week, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

Valley Grange to Honor Community and County Dispatchers

Valley Grange is located at 172 Guilford Center Road in Guilford, Maine

Guilford—Valley Grange in Guilford has announced their annual Celebration of Community, which will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Guilford Grange Hall. The event includes honoring one or more Community Citizen(s) of the Year. This year, the Grange will honor the Piscataquis County Emergency Dispatchers. The event celebrates the strength of rural communities with a potluck supper at 5:30 pm, followed by a program featuring a presentation of certificates of recognition at 7:00 pm. The program includes an opportunity for guests to share testimonials and appreciation.

Program Director Walter Boomsma noted in announcing the celebration, “We always try to honor people who have their boots on the ground and give of themselves to strengthen and build our communities. These too often unsung heroes are a lifeline for our communities. The event itself brings neighbors and friends together. Even the meal demonstrates the strength and value of our communities. In the truest sense, the communities prepare the potluck supper by bringing dishes to share.”

911 dispatchers are the vital link between individuals in distress and the emergency services they desperately need. Their ability to gather crucial information, provide life-saving instructions, and coordinate emergency response teams makes them invaluable assets to their communities. They embody compassion, professionalism, and resilience, serving as the first responders in every emergency call. They work behind the scenes, gathering crucial information, providing life-saving instructions, and coordinating emergency response. Valley Grange is honored to offer this opportunity to recognize their compassion, professionalism, and resilience.

“When you think about it,” Boomsma noted, “every citizen and visitor benefits from the work these people do daily. This is a chance to thank them in person and maybe shake hands and give a hug.” Community Service Chair Mary Annis adds, “This is always such a great evening as we enjoy the chance to connect with each other, share a great meal, and celebrate our rural lives.”

Additional information about the event is available at http://valleygrange.com and on the Valley Grange Facebook page.

Valley Grange Event

The Patrons Chain 5-3-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • Western Region Leaders’ Conference is #GrangeStrong
  • Member Satisfaction Survey
  • National Convention Registration is Open
  • Tonight: Fellowship First Friday
  • May Grange Heirloom
  • Coming Soon… Grange Today!
  • Rural Minds Webinar: Managing Tardive Dyskinesia in Rural America
  • Grange Hall Podcast: Episode 1
  • Grange Supply Store: Good Day! magazine
  • Grange Member Benefit: Lenovo 

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!


Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent. For example, the last Friday of the month is usually a View from the Hill week, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

St George Grange Community Suppers

St George Grange #421 is located at Wiley’s Corner in St George, Maine

Come enjoy a variety of homemade food, freshly baked bread, biscuits, desserts, coffee, and cold drinks with neighbors, friends, and family.

Adults $10.00 Children $5.00 (Under 10 yrs. Free)

Cooked food donations for our suppers welcome (Casseroles, salads, desserts, etc.)

Our first supper is May 11, 2024, at 5 pm. We will be having monthly suppers now through October 2024.

Another Scam Alert!

I’m still working on this one… an email came through the website containing the following:

I am having my party in May, I want it to be held at your venue, with 50 guests invited. I’m flexible with the date. Before we proceed with our request, please
answer the following question below;

  1. Do you accept credit cards or check payment?
  2. Can you work with our official band performing for the event regarding payment to them?

Those with a dose of caution will immediately note several red flags:

  • No venue is given–where do they intend to have it?
  • No information is offered about the host or the nature of the party.
  • The only questions are regarding payment. No questions regarding the facilities?
  • While I didn’t include it, the end of the email suggested urgency due to the fast-approaching date.

Mostly out of curiosity, I replied to the email requesting more information, noting that the Grange does not assume financial responsibility for providers at events. I’ll be surprised if I hear from “Kirk” again.

I’ve shared this to alert Granges who are renting their halls to be cautious when making financial arrangements. Doing your diligence is the mark of a good steward!

May Events

Here are some may events around the state–don’t forget to submit yours!

  • May 3, 2024, Community Potluck Supper at Trenton Grange, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., 1134 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton. For more information, see this post or visit the Trenton Grange Website.
  • May 4-5, 2024, Community Bazaar (crafts, farmers’ market, yard sale…) at Trenton Grange from 9 am until 2 pm both days. For more information, see this post or visit the Trenton Grange Website.
  • May 5, 2024, Benton Grange Craft Fair and Flea Market, 9 am until 2 pm. Call 207 453-4796 for information.
  • May 7, 2024, Open Mic Night at Trenton Grange. Doors open at 5:30 pm, and the event is from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. $5 donation cover. Trenton Grange Website.
  • May 11, 2024, Parkman Grange’s Mothers’ Day Tea starting at 10 am. Reservations are required. See this post.
  • May 14, 2024, Deadline for the MSG Bulletin
  • May 17, 2024, Valley Grange Community Celebration with potluck supper at 6 p.m. and Celebration at 7 p.m. Visit the Valley Grange Website FMI.
  • May 18, 2024, Junior Grange Meeting at Enterprise Grange. Contact Director Betty Young for more information.
  • May 25-26, 2024, Community Bazaar (crafts, farmers’ market, yard sale…) at Trenton Grange from 9 am until 2 pm both days. For more information, see this post or visit the Trenton Grange Website.

The Patrons Chain 4-19-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • Two Grange members seated on national advisory groups
  • Using the Reaching Rural Surgical Seniors program
  • Introducing The Grange Hall podcast
  • Middle Branch Grange seeks support after fire
  • Join the Lecturer’s Forum
  • Save the Date: Registration Opens May 1
  • Climate change is shifting how and when we prepare our gardens
  • SHIPmates applications open for second class 
  • Be part of the Grange Story – apply for the Communication Fellows
  • Grange Supply Store: People, Pride & Progress
  • Grange Member Benefit: Lenovo

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!


Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent. For example, the last Friday of the month is usually a View from the Hill week, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.