Category: Grange News

May Grange Events in Maine

These are the ones we know about! Remember to submit information about your Grange’s events!

  • Every Tuesday, Coffee on the Porch at Vassalboro Grange, 8:30 am – 10 am. See post FMI
  • May 9, 2025, Valley Grange Spring Spruce Up–volunteers needed! 3 pm – 5 pm, FMI see Valley Grange Website
  • May 10, 2025, Mother’s Day Tea at Jonesboro Grange, 11 am. Limited seating, reservations required. See post FMI
  • May 11, 2025, Philosophy Table at Vassalboro Grange, 5 – 7 pm. See post FMI
  • May 14, 2025, MSG Bulletin Deadline
  • May 16, 2025, Valley Grange Community Night Celebration. Potluck Supper at 5:30, Program at 7:00. FMI see website.
  • May 17, 2025, Open Mic Night at Vassalboro Grange, 7 – 9 pm. See post FMI
  • May 18, 2025 Seedling Sale, Farmers Market and Brunch at Vassalboro Grange, 10:30 am – 1 pm. See post FMI.
  • May 23, 2025, Art/Antiques/Craft/Flea Market at Ocean View Grange in Port Clyde. Details TBA
  • May 24, 2025, Community Resource, Bake and Flea Market at Mystic Valley Grange #313, 9 am – 2 pm, Local historical societies, Senior Plus & County Extension Group will be represented. Located on Route 17 in East Dixfield next to the East Dixfield Fire Department. FMI Nancy Farrington, 623-0395.
  • May 24, 2025, Penobscot Pomona meets at Hudson Grange at 11 am. FMI Call Master Sanda Moon at 207 827-3698.
  • May 31, 2025, Contra Dance at Vassalboro Grange, 6 pm – 10 pm. See post FMI

Valley Grange Celebrates Community

Guilford—Valley Grange in Guilford has announced their annual Celebration of Community, which will take place on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Guilford Grange Hall. The event includes honoring the local organization’s Community Citizen(s) of the Year. This year, the Grange will honor Manda Stewart, Executive Director of the Piscataquis Area Community Center. The event celebrates the strength of rural communities with a community 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, as the communities prepare the potluck supper by bringing dishes to share.”

Stewart is an active community leader and dedicated mother of two, whose children enjoy swimming, golf, and dance. She has a passion for water skiing, boating, and reading, and she devotes much of her time to volunteering. Manda serves as the president of the RVCS Boosters in Dexter, is a Kiwanis member, and partners with the Dexter Development Association to support local initiatives.

“She has been unstoppable in her efforts to create a viable community center out of the former Y.M.C.A in Dover-Foxcroft. She is a wearer of many hats and source of boundless energy and doesn’t seem to have the word ‘can’t’ in her vocabulary. Valley Grange is honored to offer this opportunity for our communities to recognize her compassion, professionalism, and resilience,” Boomsma notes.

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. So many people benefit from the work Manda and people like her do daily. This is a chance to thank them in person and maybe shake hands and give a hug.”

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

Communication Shorts 4-19-2025

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!

April Bulletin Available!

We’re a couple of days behind schedule, sorry! Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Scholarships Are a Hot Item

Our scholarship page continues to get hit pretty hard, and some deadlines are approaching!

Degree Day, April 27, 2025

Have you made your arrangements? Don’t forget to work with Maynard Chapman (207) 312-5591 if you have questions or are bringing candidates.

Consider this Idea!

What member (or friend) has some skills you can tap to create an event or program? For example, how about a Bike Maintenance and Repair Workshop? Potential participants are invited to learn the basics of bike repair, maintenance, and pre-ride safety checks from seasoned cyclists with experience.

Think about this!

“Then you have to remember to be thankful; but in May one simply can’t help being thankful that they are alive, if for nothing else.”

 L. M. Montgomery

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • 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 consult these directories often.
  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.

Mill Stream Grange Celebrates Grange Month

Members l-r front row: Ingrid Grenon, Allan Harville, Lisa Goucher, Laurie Cunningham, Judy Dunn, Barbara Gilman. l-r back row: Paul Lavender, David Varney, Bonnie Parlin, Jill Sampson

On Sunday, April 6, members of Mill Stream Grange attended the Vienna Baptist Church for the annual Church Sunday during Grange Month. The Congregation warmly welcomed the group for the service. After the service, Grangers and church members enjoyed refreshments at Mill Stream.

Danville Junction Grange Open House

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Danville Junction Grange is located at 15 Grange Street, Danville, Maine. (Off Routes 202/100 in the Auburn area.)

Fifth Degree Date Correction

Correction of date for Sagadahoc Pomona 5th Degree. It will be on Wednesday, April 30th, at Enterprise Grange, 15 Alexander Reed Road, Richmond, ME. Enterprise Grange is located across from the town library and Fire Department.
Potluck supper at 6:00 pm. meeting at 7 pm. Candidates from other Pomonas are welcome if you bring your application signed by your Subordinate Master/President. For more information, contact Marilyn Stinson (207) 737-2611.

Communication Shorts 3-30-2025

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!

April Bulletin Coming Soon!

The April Bulletin deadline is April 14, 2025. Submit those posts and columns now! Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Scholarships Are a Hot Item

Our scholarship page continues to get hit pretty hard! One reason might be that we’ve arranged for the Ag Scholarships to be listed on the FFA (Future Farmers Association) website!

990 Filing Scams

In the most recent issue of Grange Today! The Connecticut State Master alerted us to scams relative to filing 990s. This is most often handled by State Secretaries, and any questions and concerns should be addressed to MaineStateGrange@my fairpoint.net.

Degree Day, April 27, 2025

Have you made your arrangements? Don’t forget to work with Maynard Chapman (207) 312-5591 if you have questions or are bringing candidates.

State Convention, October 17-18, 2025

A very preliminary page of information is now available on the website….it includes location and general information. This page will grow as additional information becomes available!

Consider this Idea!

Are you thinking of spring cleaning? Would the community help with raking and landscaping? Make it a party! Don’t forget to make sure your 911 address number is visible. It’s also to list some emergency contact phone number, usually with a card in the window of the door.

Think about this!

“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.”

 Albert Einstein

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • 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 consult these directories often.
  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.

Valley Grange Breaks Records!

Find out how in this short video! Sorry you missed this one!

Mill Stream Grange Supports Education

Mill Stream Grange members (back row l-r) Paula Hanley, Lisa Goucher, and Jill Sampson presented dictionaries to the two third-grade classes at Cape Cod Elementary School on March 7.  The students had fun learning about all the different ways to use the dictionary, and each spelled their name using the sign language chart.  The school is very supportive of Mill Stream’s effort and wholeheartedly welcomes us back every year. We’re honored to help support education in our area.

Fifth Degree Offered in Richmond

Sagadahoc Pomona will have our annual Fifth Degree at Enterprise Grange #48, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, with a potluck supper at 6:00 pm and a meeting at 7:00 pm. Candidates from other Pomonas are welcome. Please bring your entry form signed by your master or secretary. For more information, contact Marilyn Stinson at 207-737-2611 or marilynstinson41@gmail.com. Enterprise Grange is located at 15 Alexander Reed Road in Richmond, Maine.