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!
January Bulletin
The January Bulletin is now complete and available for download. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
Have You Changed This?
The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330. The email address is mainestategrange@gmail.com.
To ponder…
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Winston Churchill
An Idea for Your Grange
Have you started planning for Grange Month in April? It’s a great opportunity to do something special, and it will be here soon! Don’t forget to submit your events and news!
ODD Directory Change
The online ODD Directory and Print Directory are being changed. Please note that the correct email for Nate Pennell is Pennella@yahoo.com.
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.
Submitted by Sherry Harriman, MSG Master/President
Our Grange family has once again lost a lifelong member.
Sister Edith Cunningham of Oakland passed away December 31, 2025. She is a former Musician of the Maine State Grange.
Services will be held January 17, 2026, at the United Baptist Church in Oakland at 2:00 with a time of visiting after the service. Edith’s family would like to invite all to join them. If you can’t attend the service, please share a memory at edoakland@myfairpoint.net.
Obituary submitted by Mary Colson, Benton Grange #458
OAKLAND – On Dec. 31, 2025, Edith Sturtevant Kerr Cunningham, passed on from this life to meet and spend eternity with her Lord and Savior.
A forever resident of Oakland, she graduated from M.L.Williams High School, Coburn Classical Institute, was an alumnus of Colby College and graduated from Bliss College. She was a Grange Member for 87 years and a former Maine State Grange Musician.
Predeceased by both parents; and husband, Ted Kerr and husband, Alfred Cunningham; brother, Eugene Sturtevant.
Funeral service to be held Jan. 17 at 2 p.m., at the United Baptist Church, Oakland, followed by a gathering with everyone in the vestry for a time to share remembrances, old and new memories, and celebrate her 103 years of living
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!
January Bulletin
Deadline for the next Bulletin is January 14, 2026. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
To ponder…
Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every year find you a better person.
Benjamin Franklin
An Idea for Your Grange
Write an annual report of your Grange’s activities and accomplishments. Submit it for consideration in your town’s annual report. And submit it for publication on the Maine State Grange Website.
January Tasks
It’s actually a bit late, but is your roster information current? Once the new roster is out, we’ll be updating the online directory. Let’s keep it current!
He’s playing as fast as he can. With the move and the end of the year, there’s a lot to be done on the site. Recent illnesses in the Boomsma household have been taking a toll! The docs keep reminding us that we’re not as young as we used to be and that it will take time. We’re gainin’! (If you see something that needs fixing, let us know!)
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 November 15, 2025.
by Maia Zewert, Editor Lincoln County News Submitted by Laurie McBurnie
It’s not often a teacher walks out of a student of the month assembly with an award, but such was the case at Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro on Monday, Dec. 22.
Kali Martin (right), a special education resource room teacher at Medomak Valley High School, accepts the Maine State Grange Educator of the Year Award from Maine State Grange Secretary and Willow Grange Master Sharon Morton on Monday, Dec. 22. Members of Willow Grange 366 in Jefferson nominated Martin for the award, which she was presented during the student of the month assembly. (Paula Roberts photo)
In front of a gymnasium full of MVHS students, faculty, and staff, members of Willow Grange 366 in Jefferson surprised special education resource room teacher Kali Martin with the Maine State Grange Educator of the Year Award.
“I’m just completely blown away,” Martin said after the presentation. “I had no idea this was coming.”
Willow Grange member Paula Roberts introduced the award during the assembly, describing the recipient without initially naming them.
“This teacher saw a need in the Medomak community and acted on it to make a difference here at Medomak and beyond,” Roberts said. “And she has involved her students and the student body to show them, although community service can be hard work, it is extremely rewarding.”
Roberts also quoted MVHS Principal Linda Dolloff Pease, who said Martin “is appreciated and well-loved and plays a big role in the positive culture of the school.”
Members of Willow Grange No. 366 in Jefferson flank Maine State Grange Educator of the Year Kali Martin after a presentation at Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro on Monday, Dec. 22. The Willow Grange members nominated Martin for the award, which they surprised her with during a student of the month assembly. From left: Mary Jane McLoon, Deborah Willette, Sharon Morton, Kali Martin, Henry Morton, Knox Zaccadelli, Laurie McBurnie, and Paula Roberts. (Maia Zewert photo)
When she was revealed as the recipient of the Maine State Grange Educator of the Year Award, Martin immediately received a standing ovation from all in attendance. As Martin joined the presenters, Roberts listed Martin’s many accomplishments during her time working at the high school, including initiating a weekend backpack program to provide students in need with food, preparing food for the annual Empty Bowl Supper, and helping to start a free clothing program for students in need.
Martin also started the Medomak Valley Soul Food Pantry, which serves over 300 families, Roberts said. She applied for and received a grant to purchase an industrial-sized freezer for the pantry and also collects food from Hannaford and arranges deliveries from Good Shepherd Food Pantry to keep it stocked.
“She has gone above and beyond her teaching duties,” Roberts said. “Kali has given unselfishly of her time and resources to support Medomak students and the community.”
In addition, Martin is involved with the school’s student council, participates in Treat Tuesdays, and “is known for her root beer floats for the entire staff,” Roberts said.
“Kali Martin has the biggest heart ever and it shows here in the many ways that Paula Roberts outlined in her presentation,” Pease said. “She is an advocate for young people in addition to being aware of staff needs and having a little fun!”
Maine State Grange Secretary and Willow Grange President Sharon Morton presented Martin with the award. In addition, Martin was presented a $100 donation from Maine State Grange Treasurer and Willow Grange Secretary Laurie McBurnie to support the food pantry.
“Having such a supportive administration and having the support of the community to keep the pantry going has just been such a huge blessing,” Martin said. “It’s just grown … and it helps our families get what they need.”
For more information or to make a donation to the Medomak Valley Soul Food Pantry, email Martin at kali_martin@rsu40.org.
Santa and Mrs. Claus visited Mill Stream Grange on Sat., Dec. 13, for a community children’s party. While there, Santa presented kids’ books to Caroline Heck, Girl Scout, and Junior Granger for her Little Free Library project located at the Grange.
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!
December Bulletin
The December Bulletin is available for download. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
Website Subscribers Sought
See the last page of the December Bulletin! Be sure to share with members!
Don’t Shoot the Piano Player!
He’s playing as fast as he can! Recent illnesses in the Boomsma household have been taking a toll! We’ll probably continue working a reduced schedule for at least another week.
To ponder…
I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year.
Charles Dickens
An Idea for Your Grange
With all the recent media attention to Food Insecurity, it could make sense to add some food items to your Book Exchange Box. If it’s outside, be aware of freezing!
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 November 15, 2025.
Mill Stream Grange members (l-r) Jill Sampson, Rosie Baker, and Debbie Lavender presented the Grange’s annual Thanksgiving donation of cranberry sauce and makings for pumpkin pies to the Mt. Vernon area food bank on Saturday, November 15.
