Category: Grange News

Duck Pond Heritage Day

Duck Pond Variety, Highland Lake Church, Highland Lake Grange, and Lenny’s at Hawkes Plaza are pleased to announce a celebration of history at Duck Pond Corner, located at the intersection of Route 302, Duck Pond, and Hardy Roads in Westbrook.

August 17, 2025 from 10-4. 

The Day will feature open houses at the church, Grange, and Lenny’s, live music, historic photos, Scout & 4-H activities, food sale fundraisers, a special church service, displays of artifacts, Westbrook Police K9 demonstrations, a display of historic signs at Duck Pond Variety, and much more! 

Come join us to explore the long history of this community. No cost to attend. 

Watch for updates over the summer!

National Grange Apparel Sale

National Grange Apparel Sale

The National Grange is launching a limited-time apparel sale through CustomInk. We have chosen “business apparel” – as requested – in a few different styles.

Button-down shirts in both long-sleeve and short-sleeve, in men’s and women’s cuts, and a polo shirt (also in men’s and women’s cuts). Each will have the Grange emblem embroidered in the pocket area. (Actual placement may be slightly different than pictured). This sale is only available in adult sizes. (Sorry!)

Access the apparel sale at https://grange.biz/apparel or http://customink.com/fundraising/ng-apparel . 

Murphy’s Law?

Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

Edward A. Murphy, Jr.

This was the week for it! As some of you probably know, the MSG website was “down” (unavailable) for a while, starting sometime on Saturday until this morning.

I should have received a notification by email. For some reason, that didn’t work.

In short, this was caused by some changes in how security certificates are handled. I should have been warned of the changes. I wasn’t. You don’t want to know all the details.

Anyway, this has been resolved. Sorry for any inconvenience! I’m assured it will not happen again. It could be a lesson in communication for the providers, but I’m not optimistic.

And, since I’m whining, I’ll share that I have had not one, but two credit cards violated last week. The good news is that both were caught quickly by the card providers, and no charges were successfully made to either account. But both cards need to be replaced, an action that takes “seven to ten days.” Perfect timing since we’ll be traveling without them.

It’s tempting to think Murphy was an optimist. However, the real lessons to be learned from this are the importance of effective communication and the need to remain vigilant.

Hope and persevere!

Free Curtains and Chairs Available!

Victor Grange has some stage curtains and chairs available for free! Preference will be given to requests from Grange Halls, but these curtains and chairs need a good home!

The curtains are not from a Grange Hall. They came from a high school that built a new theatre. They are red velvet. The curtains are 36 feet wide and 11 feet high. The valance is 30 feet wide and 32 inches high.

There are about thirty chairs available for a Grange that can use them. (They appear to be “standard issue” – the kind of chairs typically seen in Grange Hall dining areas.)

For additional information, contact Barb Bailey at 207 313-0717. She might be willing to deliver in Maine if it’s not too far!

Communication Shorts 6-16-2025

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!

June Bulletin

June Bulletin is available for download and will be mailed soon. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Email, Deputy Dave Gowen

Please note that Cumberland Deputy Dave Gowen and Master of Highland Lake Grange has a new email address: davegowen84@gmail.com.

Think About This!

“There is no reward equal to that of doing the most good to the most people in the most need.”

Evangeline Booth

An Idea for Your Grange

Does your Grange have a membership directory–even just a simple one you can easily share with each other? Since we’re all electing officers this month, they could be identified in it.

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!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes! With the election of officers coming up, don’t forget!

  • 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.

Ritualistic Meeting at Excelsior Grange

June 21, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

by Sherry Harriman, MSG Master

There will be a Ritualistic Instruction Meeting on June 21, held at Excelsior Grange #5, 446 Harris Hill Road, Poland, ME, starting at 4:00 p.m. Supper will be served at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Excelsior Grange’s regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.

All are welcome to attend, no matter what Grange you are a member of or if you are an Officer or not. 

We will cover Opening, Closing, Presenting the Flag, Balloting for candidates, other instructions and information that are part of our Grange work. 

Please let Cynthia Maxwell (207 740-2741) know how many will be coming so they can plan for supper. 

Communication Shorts 6-1-2025

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!

June Bulletin

Deadline for June Columns is the 14th! Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Maine State Grange Yard Sale

June 7, 2025, is the Maine State Grange Yard Sale, 9 am – 2 pm at Manchester Grange, Route 202, FMI including table rental, Linda (207 623-5159) or Norma (207 583-7211).

Think About This!

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change.”

Wayne Dyer

An Idea for Your Grange

Can you interest a local garden club or business in creating a flower bed in exchange for a sign in it promoting the club or business?

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!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes! With the election of officers coming up, don’t forget!

  • 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.

Highland Lake Places Flags

Highland Lake Grange 87, Westbrook, placed flags at Highland Lake Cemetery. The flags are supplied by Stephen Manchester American Legion Post 62. The Grange has been assisting the American Legion with placing flags for several years.

Mill Stream Places Flags

Mill Stream Grange members (l-r) Paul Lavender, Debbie Lavender, Ingrid Grenon, Jill Sampson, Laurie Cunningham, Natalie Heck, Kirsten Heck, and Allan Harville met recently to place flags on the graves of military service veterans at three cemeteries in Vienna.  Mill Stream is honored and proud to be able to participate in this community service project. The town of Vienna provides the flags every year…a special thanks to Chris Smith, selectman, for always making sure we have the flags in time for Memorial Day. Also, thanks to member Kathy Berry, who was the photographer.

June Grange Events in Maine

  • Every Tuesday, Coffee on the Porch at Vassalboro Grange, 8:30 am – 10 am. See post FMI
  • June 7, 2025, Maine State Grange Yard Sale, 9 am – 2 pm at Manchester Grange, Route 202, FMI including table rental, Linda (207 623-5159) or Norma (207 583-7211).
  • June 7, 2025, Black Fly Flea Market at Vassalboro Grange, 8 am – 2 pm. See post FMI.
  • June 8, 2025, Philosophy Table at Vassalboro Grange, 5 – 7 pm. See post FMI
  • June 14, 2025, MSG Bulletin Deadline
  • June 21, 2025, Open Mic Night at Vassalboro Grange, 7 – 9 pm. See post FMI
  • June 25, 2025, Sagadahoc Pomona meets at Merriconeag Grange, potluck supper 6 pm, meeting at 7 pm. FMI Stephanie Alexander at 207 841-9481.
  • June 28, 2025, Bake Sale and Flea Market at Mystic Valley Grange #313, 9 am – 2 pm, Last chance to bid on select items in silent auction. Located on Route 17 in East Dixfield next to the East Dixfield Fire Department. FMI Nancy Farrington, 623-0395.
  • June 28, 2025, Penobscot Pomona meets at Old Town Riverside Grange at 11 am. FMI Call Master Sanda Moon at 207 827-3698.