Category: Grange News

Communication Shorts 3-16-2025

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!

March Bulletin Available!

The March Bulletin deadline is now available. 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.

National Grange Contest Updates

In a recent issue of Grange Today! (see page 8), National Grange announced a number of changes to contests, including some that are dropped altogether. Directors and Chairs in Maine will be reviewing these to see what impact there might be on Maine Contests.

Degree Day, April 27, 2025

It is possible that a few flyers/posters were distributed with an incorrect start time! The correct start time is 1:00 p.m. Sorry for any inconvenience!

State Convention, October 17-18, 2025

You should know that it became necessary to change the dates for MSG State Session due to conflicting events at UMaine. Make sure your calendars are correct!

Consider this Idea!

How about a “swap meet?” These are gaining popularity–in simplest form, they are topical with an opportunity for like-minded folks to exchange excess supplies. Use your imagination: craft and sewing supplies, gardening things, music and instruments…

Think about this!

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!'”

 Robin Williams

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.

Mystic Valley Grange

Rummage, Craft, & Bake Sale

April 26, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Grange is located on Route 17 in East Dixfield next to the East Dixfield Fire Department. For more information, contact Nancy Farrington, (207) 623-0395.

State Grange Session Date Change!

Please note that the dates of the 151st Maine State Grange Session are now October 17-18, 2025. The session will open at 11 am on Friday, October 17, the banquet will be Friday, and the Sixth Degree Conferral will be Saturday, October 18 at 1:45.

The Session is being held at the Black Bear Inn, 4 Godfrey Drive, Orono (Exit 193 off I-95). The hotel number is 207-866-7120. If you have already made reservations, they will be automatically changed, but you may wish to confirm this. To receive the group rate of $148.60 per night, use the code “Maine State Grange.” You may also book online at https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/RR30X5

This change was necessary due to a conflict with the UMO Homecoming Weekend.

We’ll be posting the traditional State Convention Information Page soon and adding information as it becomes available. Remember, each Subordinate and Pomona Grange should send two “official” delegates but any Grange Member may attend! Hope to see you there!

Mill Stream Grange Gets the Word Out!

Mill Stream Grange members Lisa Goucher (back row left)  and  Jill Sampson  (back row right) presented dictionaries to Carolyn Watkins’ third grade class at Mt. Vernon Elementary School on February 5th.  The students were enthusiastic about learning different ways to use the dictionaries, including the longest word, information on states, the Presidents, and the planets.  Each student was given a chance to sign their name after being shown the sign language chart. This is always the most popular part of the presentation. It was a fun learning experience for all!

Valley Grange Seeks Blanketeers!

Valley Grange is located in Guilford, Maine

On March 22, 2025, volunteers will create blankets for children in need.

Guilford–Valley Grange of Guilford is sponsoring a blanket-making event on Saturday, March 22, 2025, 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 homemade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Similar events in previous years have resulted in dozens of blankets being made by a diverse group of volunteers. Engstrom hopes to see the number of blankets made increase.

“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’ representing love, security, warmth, and comfort to 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 207 564-8290 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.

Communication Shorts 3-1-2025

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!

March Bulletin Available Coming Soon!

The March Bulletin deadline is March 14th! 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.

National Grange Contest Updates

In the most recent issue of Grange Today! (see page 8), National Grange announced a number of changes to contests, including some that are dropped altogether. Directors and Chairs in Maine will be reviewing these to see what impact there might be on Maine Contests.

Grange Month!

Time’s a wastin’! As noted earlier, the National Grange did not release the traditional resources such as sample press releases. If I can help you and your Grange with publicity for the month, let me know! But don’t forget, every month can be Grange Month if we remember to celebrate!

A Favorite Poem

“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!"

Nikhil Sharda

Is your Grange a codfish for a hen? Can we hear some cackling? What’s your news! When’s your next event?

Words for Thirds

We continue to add to the resource pages. Most recently, we’ve added an article describing how to do a “Dictionary Race‘ with the kids when you hand out dictionaries. It’s fun! Everybody wins!

Consider this Idea!

Have you considered planning a spring spruce up for your hall? Make it a community event! Plan the activities so people can choose what to help with… and don’t forget to include a rain date! Make it a cabin fever reliever! Think big! Invite contractors! Take before and after photos!

Think about this!

“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”

 Bryant McGill

Online Directory of Granges

Our online directory of Granges has been updated based on the current roster. As time permits, we’ll be adding additional contact information. Our goal is to have at least two contacts available for every active Grange!

Online Directories Available 24-7

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

Highland Lake Grange “protects”

Highland Lake Grange not serves their Westbrook Community, the “protect” those who protect it with “Survival Kits” for their law enforcement officers. Fifty kits containing a lot of goodies were recently delivered to the local officers.

Captain Goldberg accepts the kits from Highland Lake Master Dave Goven
That’s a lot of goodness given in appreciation and fun!

The Survival Kit for Law Enforcement Officers includes:

  • Gum -to get you out of sticky situations
  • Lifesavers – because you are one!
  • Chocolate kisses – to show you are appreciated
  • Starburst – for an extra burst of energy
  • Pencil – to keep you sharp, focused and for writing tickets
  • Kit Kat – for when you need a break
  • Snickers – to remind you to keep your humor
  • Smarties- to give you wisdom for those split minute decisions
  • Tootsie Roll – to help you roll with the punches
  • Peppermint Patty – to help you keep your cool
  • Doves – the symbol of peace, freedom and love
  • Mounds- for the mounds of courage you show
  • Candy Coins – you don’t get paid enough

“Thank you for all you do from Highland Lake Grange #87”

NOTE: This is an idea worth (shhhh!) “stealing” as a way of protecting and serving your community and its resources. Well done, HIghland Lake Grange!

Highland Lake Grange Serves

Highland Lake Grange provided a place for Westbrook City Councilor Jen Munroe to hold two community meetings to hear from residents of the district she represents (the Highland Lake Grange Hall is located in her district) and address concerns and issues.

Westbrook City Councilor Jen Monroe meets with residents
Highland Lake Grange serves as place for conversation

Chelsea Grange Gets Lift!

Chelsea Grange is located on Route 226 in Chelsea, Maine

submitted by Linda Weston

The Chelsea Grange Hall on Route 226 on February 20th got a new Stair Climber System (from MAC) installed to our second floor (and stage) from a grant awarded by Lifelong Communities/AARP/AFC! And a big THANK YOU to Grange Member Marion Bowman on all her efforts on this grant.

Pictures of the work efforts of Maine Accessibilities Corp (MAC). They did a GREAT job !!!!

We are hoping to do more community work with the increased access to this space. Lots of ideas discussed at our last meeting.

Stayed tuned for future use of the Chelsea Grange #215!

View from the top
Check out the library!
“Let each repair to his or allotted station…”

Coming Soon! Degree Day 2025!

What a great way to end Grange Month–a celebration of membership and Grange Tradition that includes the ritual of the First Four Degrees!

This should be on the calendar of every Grange in the state as a potential activity! To keep things manageable, select someone in your Grange (usually the Master/President) to organize a “carpool” to MSG Headquarters on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Remember, the Degrees aren’t just for new members! When these days were more common, it was not unusual for a group to join whoever had the biggest vehicle for a trip to the hosting Grange and an opportunity to discover (or rediscover) what the Grange Way of Life is all about.

While a “reservation” isn’t required, it will facilitate planning if we can have some idea of how many are attending. But first we need to get the word out!

We have two posters/flyers available for you! Downloading is easy-peasy. Just click the link!

Both are also available in the Communications Section of the Program Books and Information Page.

Since it’s already close to the end of February, there’s not much planning time left! Print and distribute flyers (especially to new members) and see what you can put together!

Additional information is available from Chief Deputy Maynard Chapman. Send him an email, or call and leave a message at 207 312-5591. It wouldn’t hurt, certainly, to ask him what you can do to help!