Category: Community Service

Community Service Committee and information

Resource Guide for Veterans

This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Stearns, State Representative for District 119.

The Bureau’s Maine Veterans’ Benefits and Resource Guide documents a wealth of information regarding services and partner agencies throughout the state for Maine’s veterans and their families. This ever-evolving document strives to be a one-stop resource for all the veteran-centric programs and agencies in Maine that can be accessed both digitally and in print. The State of Maine provides nearly 20 different programs for veterans, including free education for dependents of 100% permanent and totally disabled veterans, property tax exemptions, state parks and museum passes, support for homeless veterans, and hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans. Throughout the state, over 400 organizations have established programs to assist veterans and service members wishing to continue their education, increase employment opportunities, access health care, or simply enjoy Maine’s great outdoors. Let this guide serve as a roadmap to the benefits and resources available whether you are a veteran, family member, active duty service member, an advocate, or are transitioning out of the military back into civilian life. The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services remains committed to meeting the individual needs of

Maine’s veterans and service members and hope that this guide will help you gain a full understanding of the benefits, services, and programs that are currently available. Maine has a long tradition of military service that dates back to the Revolutionary War. Established in 1947, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services strives to be informed advocates for Maine’s veterans’ community. Working with community partners, the Bureau has formed a united mission to serve and we thank those organizations for their continued support in business, education, and the social services sectors. In addition to this Resource Guide, we encourage you to visit our website (www. maine.gov/veterans) to learn more about the services and programs available. As always, please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions.

View and Downlaod the Maine Veterans’ Benefit and Resource Guide

2022 Parkman Grange Scholarship Awardees Announced

The Parkman Grange is pleased to announce its 2022 Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarship winners. They are Mercy Harper, Sangerville, a Criminal Justice major at Husson University, and Eben Cooley, Parkman, a Marine Engineering Technology major at Maine Maritime Academy. Both will receive awards of $500. Although the Grange normally announces and awards winners at the Annual Scholarship Supper, this year the awards will be presented at the Parkman Grange Bean Supper on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in conjunction with the Parkman Bicentennial Celebration. The Supper runs from 4:00 to 5:30 or when the food runs out. The meal is by donation. Please come and enjoy the good food and good fun.

Minnie Bridge (1909-2011) was a lifelong resident of Parkman, a retired schoolteacher, and a life member of the Parkman Grange. In her memory, the Grange established the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit deserving Parkman students continuing their education beyond high school.  The Grange annually awards one or more scholarships funded through donations and the proceeds from an annual Supper in Minnie’s name. Last year, at the height of the Pandemic, there were no applicants and no awards made. This year applications were opened to all residents of MSAD#4. With these new awards, the Grange has awarded $13,000 since 2012.

Note that the next big Parkman Grange event will be the annual Daddy-Daughter Dance at the Grange Hall on Friday, August 12, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. All Daddies, with their young ladies, age 13 and under, are invited. DJ Steve Boddy will be spinning the tunes. There will be dance contests, door prizes, light refreshments, and a keepsake photo. Young ladies whose dads are unable to come are encouraged to come with an important adult in their life.  The cost is $5 per person, at the door. Plans are being discussed for a mother-son and/or family dance in the future.

Both the Supper and the Dance are at the Grange Hall located at the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Rd. For more information about these or any other Parkman Grange events, please contact Sue Manchester at 277-3942.

Jonesboro Grange Does It!

Resources for Granges

produced by the
Maine State Grange Communications Department

Unfortunately, we experienced some audio issues during this interview, but they won’t keep you from experiencing the energy and enthusiasm that exists in Jonesboro Grange and, more importantly, their community! This Grange has grown in size and attributes much of its current success to the pandemic. Discover their win-win approach to activities and programs and how they partner with community organizations.

Visit the Jonesboro Grange Facebook Page

Check out:

  • More Resources for Granges — Program Information and Inspiration
  • Program Books and Information –Information arranged by committee and topic.

Mill Stream Grange at Work

Mill Stream Grange members (l-r) Ingrid Grenon, Debbie Lavender, Lisa Goucher, Jill Sampson, Laurie Cunningham, Allan Harville, and Paul Lavender (taking photo) placed U.S. flags at three cemeteries on the Tower Road in Vienna to honor and remember veterans on Memorial Day.  Ray Anderson (on stone) was a long-time member of the Grange.   (If we have inadvertently missed your military loved one, please call 293-4408 or 293-4960, and we will make sure the flag is placed.)

Ocean View Painting Progress

If you can spare a few minutes… drive over to Ocean View Grange this morning–they could use some help with the painting! Sorry we couldn’t get this posted sooner!

According to Master Larry Bailey,

Thanks to Grange members Jim Lee and Ben Norton, the first step is well underway. Jim and Ben power washed the front facade in anticipation of painting it on Tuesday.  The bright and warm sun along with the steady winds are drying the shingles very quickly.  

Ben will not be available Tuesday so, we are looking for someone to step in and help.  Jim and Ben took turns doing the power wash. I think the painting will require more hands.

(Ocean View Grange is located at 435 Port Clyde Road, Martinsville.)

You do not have to be a Granger to help! Don’t worry, not everyone needs to go up in the bucket! Help is needed at the lower levels as well! Wear your old clothes!

Highland Lake Grange Marks Members

While placing American flags in Highland Lake Cemetery, the Grangers at Highland Lake Grange P of H No. 87 thought it would be nice to mark the graves of members interred at the cemetery. Kathy Gowen came up with a design, and we worked together to assemble them at our last meeting. We identified 16 headstones of members (including married couples or multiple members in a family with one headstone). Several were charter members of Highland Lake Grange in 1875. Here are photos of a few of them.

Jonesboro Grange News

Jonesboro Grange is located in Jonesboro Maine

Check out this fun-filled newsletter to discover what’s happening at the Jonesboro Grange, including their Crush Cancer Weekend June 24-26, 2022. Member news includes the fact that member Rebekah Hodgson has been selected to represent Maine in the 2022 Mrs. International Pageant held in Tennessee in July. You’ll also want to check out members wearing their Kentucky Derby hats at the conclusion of the recent Jonesboro Craft Fair.

Jonesboro Grange May Newsletter

Highland Lake Grange Flags Cemetery


 Members of Highland Lake Grange gathered on May 10, 2022, to place flags on veterans’ graves at Highland Lake Cemetery, just down the road from the Grange Hall. Supporting the American Legion in Westbrook. The Grange has been placing flags for the last few years.

Victor Grange Shares News

Victor Grange is located in Fairfield Maine.

Not only does the spring issue of Victor Grange’s newsletter list all their meetings and events, but there’s also some exciting news in this issue! You’ll want to read it! You’ll learn how Victor received an AED (automated external defibrillator) and maybe wonder just how many Granges in Maine have one. You’ll meet seven relatively new members who have finally been officially recognized. Where did 100 new chairs come from? (And what’s special about some of the ones being replaced.)

Victor Grange describes itself as “The Grange built by the community, for the community to fill the needs of the community.”

Read the Spring 2022 issue of the Victor Grange Newsletter!