Category: Community Service

Community Service Committee and information

Community Service/FHH – June 2024

By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193

There has been some confusion and questions regarding our “Coups for Troops” Program. Some of this is because the official program was discontinued some time ago and we are now involved in the “TroopOns” program. We just haven’t changed the name until now!

Troopons is a program in which the Grange participates to help the military and their families.

  • Coupons must be manufacturer coupons only.
  • Coupons that have expired up to six months ago can still be used. 
  • There are four categories: food, non-food, baby and pets.

Group coupons in baggies and label on the outside of baggie:

  • Expired or unexpired
  • Category: food, non-food, baby, or pets
  • Number of coupons in the baggie
  • Dollar amount of coupons in the baggie
  • Please include an email address so troops/family can email thank you.

Send to Community Service Committee:
Brenda Dyer, Director
9 Marial Avenue
Biddeford, ME  04005

The Community Service Committee verifies and documents the baggies, then forwards them to Troopons. Troopons distributes the coupons to commissaries.

Learn more about Troopons here!

PLEASE Keep track of community service hours for each member and non-member involved in each project.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

June is election of officers. Remember, “The office seeks the man and not the man the office.”

Valley Grange Community Celebration

Congratulations to the Piscataquis County Dispatch Team and Valley Grange 2024 Community Citizens Kaylee Aucoin, Magen Bishop, Jon Buckingham, Jaeme Duggan, Gabrielle Huettner, Megan Leavitt, Alicia London, Joshua Michaud, Ashley Monahan, Nathan Richards, Jessica Trewmyn, and Team Leader Eric Berce.

Photos by Janice Boomsma

See the full coverage in the Piscataquis Observer, written by Stuart Hedstrom
Visit the Valley Grange Website

Mill Stream Grange Raises Flags

Pictured are Gordon Webber (3rd from right), who donated the new flagpole seen here, and Stan Webster of the Franklin Cemetery Association (2nd from right), who helped Gordon raise the first flags, U.S. and P.O.W./M.I.A., up the new pole. Grange members (l – r) are Allan Harville, Laurie Cunningham, Paul Lavender, Debbie Lavender, Jill Sampson.

On Monday, May 20, Mill Stream Grange members met to place Memorial Day flags at the Franklin Cemetery in Vienna and two other cemeteries on Tower Road. While at the Franklin Cemetery, they also raised the U.S. Flag and POW/MIA on the new flag pole donated by Gordon Webber.

Quick Tip — Community Events!

Cool Idea

One of the software providers for our website recently blogged some ideas for community events that will draw people in.

  1. Game night
  2. Food festival
  3. Farmers market
  4. Community cleanup
  5. Arts and crafts exhibit
  6. Seasonal or holiday events
  7. Marathons
  8. Wellness and fitness
  9. Movie night
  10. Hobbies and how-to workshops
  11. Swap meets
  12. Guides and tours
  13. Sports
  14. Talent show
  15. Unique, community oriented festivals

What are you going to do this summer? Don’t forget to submit your events to the MSG website calendar!

Valley Grange to Honor Community and County Dispatchers

Valley Grange is located at 172 Guilford Center Road in Guilford, Maine

Guilford—Valley Grange in Guilford has announced their annual Celebration of Community, which will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Guilford Grange Hall. The event includes honoring one or more Community Citizen(s) of the Year. This year, the Grange will honor the Piscataquis County Emergency Dispatchers. The event celebrates the strength of rural communities with a potluck supper at 5:30 pm, followed by a program featuring a presentation of certificates of recognition at 7:00 pm. The program includes an opportunity for guests to share testimonials and appreciation.

Program Director Walter Boomsma noted in announcing the celebration, “We always try to honor people who have their boots on the ground and give of themselves to strengthen and build our communities. These too often unsung heroes are a lifeline for our communities. The event itself brings neighbors and friends together. Even the meal demonstrates the strength and value of our communities. In the truest sense, the communities prepare the potluck supper by bringing dishes to share.”

911 dispatchers are the vital link between individuals in distress and the emergency services they desperately need. Their ability to gather crucial information, provide life-saving instructions, and coordinate emergency response teams makes them invaluable assets to their communities. They embody compassion, professionalism, and resilience, serving as the first responders in every emergency call. They work behind the scenes, gathering crucial information, providing life-saving instructions, and coordinating emergency response. Valley Grange is honored to offer this opportunity to recognize their compassion, professionalism, and resilience.

“When you think about it,” Boomsma noted, “every citizen and visitor benefits from the work these people do daily. This is a chance to thank them in person and maybe shake hands and give a hug.” Community Service Chair Mary Annis adds, “This is always such a great evening as we enjoy the chance to connect with each other, share a great meal, and celebrate our rural lives.”

Additional information about the event is available at http://valleygrange.com and on the Valley Grange Facebook page.

Valley Grange Event

Fairview Grange Success!

Fourteen new members were welcomed to the fold

Fairview Grange in Smithfield recently held a wildly successful open meeting with 42 townspeople attending. Master/president Rick Watson said it was exciting to see that the Grange is important to the community adding, “We discussed expectations, wants and needs along with how the Grange can serve as a community or event center and the collaborative relationship with The North Pond Association. These three groups with different needs can work together to benefit the community.”

Twelve people joined the Grange immediately following the meeting and two more have since decided to join!

The labors of the day are not complete in Smithfield!

Rick also expressed thanks to all who attended, helped set up, or tore down, and especially to those who joined. In addition, he gave a shout-out to Kings Restaurant up the street for sending some desserts and a thank you to the Grange ladies who baked. “You’ll never go home hungry from a Grange meeting,” he pledged.

Those who attended the meeting completed questionnaires asking for input regarding ideas for Grange events and programs and an inventory of the types of activities people would be willing to help with!

Fairview Grange meets next on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 6:30 pm. Visit the Fairview Grange Facebook Page for more information! Fairview Grange is located at 826 Village Road in Smithfield Maine.

Highland Happenings!

Highland Lake Grange Is Having a Busy Spring

Highland Lake Grange is  donating supplies, can tabs  and food to Ronald McDonald House in Portland today. Items were donated by Grange members and by the Grange itself.

Also this week, the Grange received a Citizens Award from the Westbrook Police Department for its work raising funds for the Westbrook K9 department in 2023.

Next up is a donation of personal care items for Windham Food Panty.

Freeport Grange Collects Glasses

If you are wondering what to do with your eclipse glasses, we are collecting them for Astronomers Without Borders! Come drop off glasses any time, putting them in our mail slot if you have a couple, or leaving them outside in a bag. We will also have a collection box very soon. You can also drop them off Sunday, the 21st, at our 150th Celebration, 1-4!

Haraseeket Grange #9 is located at 13 Elm Street in Freeport Maine.

And if you do not live near us, check the Astronomers without Borders website for locations.

Granges currently collecting glasses:

Community Service/FHH – April 2024

By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193

The unplanned community service activities are bountiful. Helping the community during the last few storms and power outages are endless. Congratulations!!!

April is Grange Month. Have an open meeting, invite the community to participate, and discuss the advantages of being a member!

May is Community Service Month. Choose a new community project. 

April 

  • Grange Month – Follow the National Grange theme. Picture and advertisement needed as proof.

May

  • Set up and complete a new project in May. Send in a write-up and pictures with the Family, Health, and Hearing Reports.

Reminder:

  • Coups for Troops

Happy Spring!