Grange News – Maine State Grange

Valley Grange to Make Fabric Hugs

MSG Website Changes

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

As you know, we’ve faced outages for nearly a month, making the site unavailable. After much frustration, I’ve decided to move the site to a new server and aim to finish by April 30, 2026.

To prepare, I am removing old and outdated posts and pictures. This will smooth the transition and boost efficiency.

This is like moving to a new home. It’s an opportunity to declutter and simplify. For example, we probably don’t need to maintain a post about an event that happened three years ago.

Since most changes are happening behind the scenes, you likely won’t notice many differences right away. However, you may temporarily encounter some broken links or missing photos during the transition. These should be resolved after the move is complete.

My goal is to complete the transition this week. Some cleanup will follow. If you have site issues, please let me know. Timeless documents and resources won’t be affected. For scale, the site’s size will drop by one-third. We’ll have more space in our new home.

We will also have the opportunity to try some new things. One other important benefit is that we’ll also be able to control costs. The offered solution for the outages on our existing server would have increased our annual cost by at least $800. These days, not spending more is a savings!

If you have concerns or questions, please let me know. Your support and patience are appreciated.

We’re packing up and getting ready to move!

Communication Shorts 04-16-2026

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
mainestategrange@gmail.com.

April Bulletin

The April Bulletin is now available for downloading and printing. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Degree Day Reminders

The Androscoggin Pomona Grange Degree Day at Manchester Grange is fast approaching! (This is for the Four Degrees.) If you have candidates attending, please let Norma Meserve know! Also, remember that candidates should bring a completed application. The Sagadahoc Fifth Degree Work has been canceled, although the meeting will be held.

Website Outages

The situation appears to have improved! I will continue to monitor outages. Some fundamental issues with our current provider remain. For the long term, it may be best to move the site to a different server. Stay tuned!

Grange Visiting

We’ve been getting questions from folks interested in visiting Granges other than their own. It’s a great idea! Check out this post for some resources that will help you plan that!

Resource (Secretary’s Form for Minutes)

In a very roundabout way, I recently received the form for recording meeting minutes as a pdf. It’s now available as a resource on our website in the Secretary’s Section. There are actually two versions available. Choose wisely! (I don’t believe either are required-just offered to be helpful.)

What’s Going On?

Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Surely, there are lots of Grange things happening in Maine. We also love photos and reports of events that have happened. What’s your meeting magic?

To Ponder…

“Over the years of grassroots advocacy, I have learned: People want help, but they don’t want structure. People want leadership, but they resent authority.

June Stoyer

An Idea for Your Grange

Mystery rides are surprise outings or trips in which the destination and itinerary are kept hidden from participants until the last moment. See the Grange Visiting short. You could stop for ice cream on the way back!

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.

Wild Fibers at Evening Star Grange

Evening Star Grange is located at 31 Old Union Road in Washington, Maine.

On May 3, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 pm, Evening Star Grange will host a Wild Fibers from around the World presentation by Linda Cortwright.

As the editor of Wild Fibers, Linda Cortright has traveled the world to some of the most remote regions on the planet, from the Russian Arctic to the High Himalayas. She will be giving a special presentation featuring stunning pictures and unimaginable tales, highlighting the role natural fibers play in both culture and commerce. Wild Fibers is often called the National Geographic of the fiber industry, focusing on indigenous communities and their ability to adapt in the modern world.

Suggested donation is $20. For more information, contact Mildred at 207 975-5671.

Grange Today! 4-10-2026

The Newsletter of the National Grange

Articles in this edition include:

The Grange as a Third Space: Reclaiming Community, Learning, and Sustenance
Statement from the National Grange on Altered Logos, Including AI-Generated Logos
Celebrating a 90-year member!
Grange Heirloom for April
Support the Grange Foundation through the Common Routes Challenge
What you need to know about AI scams
Hamp Watch: Where is our National Grange President?
Join us in Broken Arrow
Grange Store Notice
Recipes from the Heartland
Grange Member Benefit: MemberDeals
Grange Store: 50-year Golden Sheaf Pins

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!

Read the Current Issue

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.

Parkman Grange Mothers’ Day Tea

Submitted by Susan Manchester, Master

The Parkman Grange is pleased to announce that their 24th annual Mother’s Day Tea will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10 am to noon. This has become a spring tradition bringing together friends and family after a long winter.

This year, the guest of honor is Katie Landry; she and her husband have 9 children. This popular event includes live entertainment, sing-alongs, lots of door prizes, tea sandwiches and desserts, tea and coffee, and a 50/50 raffle. The local scout troop will be servers.

The Grange is keeping the admission price at $5; children under 5 are free. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Sue Manchester, 207-717-6248. The Parkman Grange is located on the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Road.

Degree Day Reminder!

The Androscoggin Pomona Grange Degree Day at Manchester Grange is fast approaching! If you have candidates attending, please let Norma Meserve know!

Also, remember that candidates should bring a completed application.

Manchester Grange is located at 953 Western Avenue in Manchester, Maine

Fifth Degree Day Change

By Marilyn Stinson
207 380-3901

Enterprise Grange is located at 15 Alexander Reed Road in Richmond, Maine.

Sagadahoc Pomona will NOT be doing the Fifth Degree at Enterprise in Richmond on April 29, 2026.

There will be a regular meeting, and other Grangers are welcome. We will be able to do the New Alternative Welcome Ceremony.

Potluck supper at 6:00, meeting at 7:00.

Valley Grange Seeks Blanketeers

Volunteers will create blankets for children in need

Valley Grange of Guilford is sponsoring a blanket-making event on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until noon, and volunteers are needed! Organizer Pat Engstrom notes, “No sewing skills are needed. If you can measure, cut a straight line with scissors, or tie a simple knot, you can become a ‘blanketeer’ and help support Project Linus. We’ll show you how!”

Project Linus, a non-profit organization, provides handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Last year’s event resulted in more than 100 blankets being completed. Since the need isn’t decreasing, Engstrom hopes to see the number of blankets made increase again this year.

“We have a great time doing this, and truly just about anyone can help. We create quite a production line, and it sometimes gets quite competitive! It’s exciting to realize we’re providing love in the form of ‘blankies’ that represent security, warmth, and comfort for kids. We consider them fabric hugs.”

While supplies will be provided, volunteers are encouraged to bring scissors, rulers, and masking tape. Light refreshments will be served.

For additional information, contact Pat Enstrom at 564-8290 or visit the Valley Grange Website at http://valleygrange.com. Valley Grange is located at 172 Guilford Center Road, at the corner of Butter Street.