Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
Community Service Committee and information
Submitted by Dave Gowen
On May 16, 2026, eight members of Highland Lake Grange placed American flags on veterans’ graves at Highland Lake Cemetery for Memorial Day. The Grange has been placing flags for over ten years. Grange markers (made by the members) were placed next to the graves of past members of the Grange.
Gift cards are popular and convenient for consumers—and for criminals who favor them as easy and hard-to-trace forms of payment.
They may claim the fastest way to fix an urgent financial problem is to go to a store, load a specific amount of money onto one or more gift cards (sometimes called electronic vouchers), and then share the activation numbers from the back of the card. No legitimate government agency or business will ever accept payment this way.
If you or someone you love has experienced this financial crime, turn the card over and call the issuer at the number provided; they may be able to freeze the card before some or all of the funds are drained. You should also report this crime to law enforcement to document what happened should there be a means of restitution down the road.
Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
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This is the sort of community service that brings Grangers together and demonstrates purpose. Congratulations and thanks to Mill Stream Grange #574!
Reports of sweepstakes scams to the AARP Fraud Watch Network™ Helpline are on the rise. The prospect of a big financial windfall or amazing vacation plays on our emotions. Criminals count on our excitement to deceive us into paying a fee or divulging sensitive information.
Know that no legitimate sweepstakes or contest requires payment in advance or sharing your Social Security number or bank account details.
If an unexpected message sparks strong emotions and demands urgency, treat it as a potential fraud attempt. Take an “active pause”—an intentional step back to consider the scenario and reflect on what you might know about it. That moment could lead you to recognize the scam and protect yourself and your assets.
Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
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Busy night at Highland Lake Grange. 37 people turned out, including Grange members and guests, to celebrate this year’s Community Citizen Award recipient: Suzanne Joyce. We also recognized six members of Highland Lake Grange for their dedication and membership over many decades. Maine State Grange Assistant Steward, Membership Director, and Past Master/President Rick Grotton presented the certificates with the assistance of Judy Meserve, Maine State Grange Ceres, and Jim Meserve, Maine State Grange Executive Committee. It was a wonderful evening of celebration, conversation, laughter and, of course, food!
Educational Aid and Howes Nurses Scholarship Funds
Nancy Farrington, Secretary – Treasurer
317 Holman Day Road
Vassalboro, ME 04989
207-623-0395
May 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is imperative to get the current application out to the college students in your area and make them aware of our scholarship’s availability. The Trustees of the scholarship funds have developed updated criteria, opening the application to any college student seeking assistance and helping the trustees decide who should receive scholarships. Students today need all the help they can get. Won’t you help them? The Trustees of the Educational Aid & Howes Nurses’ Scholarship Funds, ask for your support as we continue our annual appeal for financial help!
Please include the following information with your donation.
The current criteria and scholarship application are available on the website in the event you have an eligible applicant in your Grange area. Please return the completed application and college transcript to the above address by September 15, 2026. (Make as many copies as you wish and share them.)
Please destroy application forms that do not have the revision date of 5/2026.
Submitted by Wendy Carr
June 14, 2026 at 11 am
Evening Star Grange
31 Old Union Road
Washington, ME
For more information, contact fullmooncreamery@gmail.com
After the loss of a loved one, families deserve support—not scams. Unfortunately, criminals comb through obituaries, funeral home websites, and online memorials to find names and personal details they can use to target families.
The schemes include impersonating the funeral home or cemetery about payment issues, appearing as a “long-lost” relative, promising healing through “spiritual advisers,” and identity fraud against the deceased loved one.
In the wake of a loved one’s death, consider the public nature of an obituary and online memorials, and limit information that could be used to deceive you. If the funeral home calls demanding money, hang up and call them back at a number you know to be legitimate. And if a “long-lost” relative or friend reaches out, ask other family members or longtime friends if they know the person.
Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
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The AARP Fraud Watch Network™ Helpline (877-908-3360) is hearing from more people about misleading “free trial” offers. These schemes make cancellation difficult, if not impossible.
In many cases, someone signs up for what appears to be a free trial and then cancels before having to pay for the subscription. However, the charges continue to appear each month, and the companies make it hard to cancel them. Before you sign up for a free trial offer, review all the terms and conditions to understand exactly what you’re agreeing to, how and when to cancel, and what happens if you don’t.
Also, review your bank and credit card statements carefully and watch for recurring charges you didn’t authorize—even after you’ve canceled.
Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
Share this news!
