Category: Events

Androscoggin Grange Chili Contest!

Androscoggin Grange Pancake Breakfast!

Come on out to visit our Androscoggin Grange #8 and have a delicious breakfast from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on September 14, 2024, before the Greene Village Day Parade starts! The cost is $8.00 per person. Androscoggin Grange #8 is located at 99 Main Street, Greene, ME 04236.

Please contact: Rebecca Brooke at 207-653-2111 or androscoggin8grange@gmail.com for more information

Parkman Grange Awards Scholarships

The Parkman Grange awarded six MSAD#4-area college students Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarships of $500 each for the 2024-25 school year. Winners this year include Anna Zimmerman, Guilford, a Psychology major at the University of Maine at Farmington; Cadence Clukey, Abbot, a Counseling major at Grand Canyon University; Emma Calnan, Parkman, a Nursing major at Husson University; Elizabeth Kendall, Guilford, an Education major at the University of Maine at Farmington; Kendall Kimball, Parkman, an Interdisciplinary Global Studies major at the University of South Florida; and, Hannah Dow, Guilford, an Education major at University of the University of Maine at Presque Isle. 

Minnie Welts Bridge was a lifelong Parkman resident, a teacher, and a Grange member. She passed away in 2011 at the age of 102. Since then, the Parkman Grange has awarded a total of $18,000 in scholarships in her memory.

Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarships are funded entirely by donations. Donations may be made to Parkman Grange at PO Box 114, Guilford, ME 04443. Note Scholarship Fund on the memo line.

The six 2024 recipients will be celebrated at a Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarship Supper on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., at the Grange Hall on the corner of St Hwy 150 and North Dexter Rd. The Supper will include pork loin, potatoes, salads, and dessert, and it is by donation. All proceeds will go to the Scholarship Fund for future awards.

Fourth Annual Wild Blueberry Weekend

Whether you’re from Maine or enjoying a Maine getaway, mark your calendar for this (wild) new Maine tradition.  Tour wild blueberry farms, pick (and nibble) wild blueberries at select locations, or try a new-to-you wild blueberry dish or drink.

Wild Blueberry Weekend is happening this summer in Maine (rain or shine)—how wild you get is totally up to you.  Be sure to map out your adventure online here.

August 3-4, 2024

Maine Open Farm Day

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Maine’s Open Farm Day is a statewide event started by Maine farmers and supporters in 1989. For more than 30 years, this premier agritourism event has been a way to raise awareness about farms and their importance to Maine. It is an opportunity to connect visitors to Maine farms so they may learn and see firsthand the care and effort to produce quality Maine farm products and ingredients year-round. Each site is different and offers visitors a chance to meet farmers and learn more about the role of farms across Maine.

Maine’s Open Farm Day allows visitors to explore host farms throughout the State on the fourth Sunday in July, rain or shine. Please visit RealMaine.com to learn more about this special invitation to see Maine agriculture where it happens, get tips for a good visit, and find a list of participating farms.

Senior Circles at Victor Grange

August 16, 2024, 11 am

Senior Circle – a potluck for Seniors to get together with others for socializing, networking and a game or two. Held on the 3rd Friday of the month at 11 am. . FMI Deb 207-453-4844 or Sherri 207-815-0615. Victor Grange 144 Oakland Rd Fairfield Center. No Charge.

Reporters Wanted!

Stick figure press

No worries! It’s not THAT difficult!

With all the great Grange events around the state this summer, we should be able to show our communities the opportunities the Grange offers and how successful our programs and events are!

You won’t earn cash, but you will get credit. Consider yourself appointed as a reporter for the Maine State Website.

Smartphone photos are welcome for posting. Send them by email to webmaster@mainestategrange.org. Include at least a few details–think of it as captioning your photo so we know what it’s about. Remember the “who, what, where, when” basics.

We’ll try to keep this simple but here are a few guidelines.

  • Photos of children require the written permission of a parent or guardian to publish. A form is available here. The fact that the child is with a parent is not sufficient.
  • Courtesy and respect are important! Even with adults, explain that you’d like the photo posted on the website.
  • One of the common rules of press/media photography is “no feet! When taking a posed photo of a group, move in close and try to shoot above the waist. Time permitting, we’ll crop and edit if needed.
  • Additional information is available in the MSG Communications Handbook.
MSG Communications Department

Of course, written stories without photos work, too! We’re here to help! Send us what you have and we’ll write, edit, and let you know if we need additional information. Let’s show off the Grange!

The codfish lays ten thousand eggs,
The homely hen lays one.
The codfish never cackles
To tell you what she's done.
And so we scorn the codfish,
While the humble hen we prize,
Which only goes to show you
That it pays to advertise.

1st Annual Northeast Chaplains’ Worship Service

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Lunch at 12 noon, followed by worship service at 1:30 pm.

Vermont Grange Center
308 West Street
Brookfield VT

RSVP for Saturday Lunch to Ruth Hovey-Sicely of the Vermont State Grange. Reservations must be made by July 8, 2024.

Stay the weekend at the Grange Center!

  • Camper hookups and cabins are available
  • Meals available courtesy of Vermont State Grange

For reservations, contact Ruth Hovey-Sicely 802 223-7961 by July 8.

July Events

  • July 5, 2024, Trenton Grange Farmers Market, 3 pm – 6 pm. 1134 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton. Vendors contact Beth Warner at 207 664-4164 or zeppa@ aol.com. Free admission. (Vendor/booth fee).
  • July 5, 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.
  • July 6-7, 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.
  • July 11, 2024, Blood Drive at Harraseeket Grange in Freeport, 12 – 5 pm.
  • July 12, 2024, Parkman Grange’s Minnie Bridge Scholarship Deadline. See this post.
  • July 12, 2024, Trenton Grange Farmers Market, 3 pm – 6 pm. 1134 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton. Vendors contact Beth Warner at 207 664-4164 or zeppa@ aol.com. Free admission. (Vendor/booth fee).
  • July 13, 2024, Excelsior Grange Anniversary Celebration includes a yard sale, activities for kids, public supper, and contra dance! See this post.
  • July 13, 2024, St George Grange Community Supper at 5 pm. Adults $10, Children $5, under 10 free. For more information see this post.
  • July 14, 2024, Deadline for the MSG Bulletin
  • July 19, 2024, Trenton Grange Farmers Market, 3 pm – 6 pm. 1134 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton. Vendors contact Beth Warner at 207 664-4164 or zeppa@ aol.com. Free admission. (Vendor/booth fee).
  • July 19-21, 2024, NE Youth Conference in New York.
  • July 20, 2024, Jonesboro Grange Luau and Craft Show. For more information, see this post.
  • July 20, 2024, Wayside Grange Variety Show featuring Timberdoodle. Doors open at 6:30 pm. More information at Wayside Grange & Theatre’s Facebook Page.
  • July 20, 2024, Junior Grange Meeting at Enterprise Grange. Contact Director Betty Young for more information.
  • July 26, 2024, Trenton Grange Farmers Market, 3 pm – 6 pm. 1134 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton. Vendors contact Beth Warner at 207 664-4164 or zeppa@ aol.com. Free admission. (Vendor/booth fee).
  • July 27, 2024, Regional Church Sunday at the Vermont Grange Camp.

What’s happening at your Grange? Submit your event for publishing on the Maine State Grange Website! It’s not much of a party unless you invite people!

Soil Your Undies Challenge

As seen on the USDA website.

This is just too funny and too creative not to share! The USDA in Montana has developed a fun way to test the fertility and health of your soil. “Just bury a pair of cotton underwear around June and dig it back up after at least 60 days. It’s the quick and dirty way to test the microbial activity in your soil. The more the underwear is deteriorated, the healthier your soil!” Complete instructions are available here. There’s even a guide for judging the results.

I could see this adopted as a local Grange Promotion, with results being brought to the hall for judging. It would certainly be fun to create a certificate of accomplishment for the winner and a great way to generate curiosity about the Grange!