Mill Stream Grange members Jill Sampson (l) and Lisa Goucher .
Vernon Elementary School kids practice their sign language
Cape Cod School kids get into their new dictionaries
Front (l-r) Debbie Lavender (Treas.), Karla Arceneaux (Lect.), Laurie Cunningham (Chap.), David Varney (Stew.), Judy Dunn (Master), Ellie Andrews (pianist), Jill Sampson (Sec.), Ingrid Grenon (Gate.), Kristin Thompson (Ex. Com.) Back row (l-r) Paul Lavender (Ass’t. Stew.), Louise Kilponen (Flora), Barbara Gilman (L.A.S.), Allan Harville (Overseer), Marie Gajarski (Pom.), Lisa Goucher (Ceres), Richard Thompson (Ex. Comm.) Missing from photo: Rosemary Baker, Joe Lopez, Linda Stanton
Mill Stream Grange members Jill Sampson and Lisa Goucher presented dictionaries to the third graders at the Mt. Vernon Elementary School in January, and the Cape Cod Hill Elementary School in February. This was the first year since 2019 that an in-house presentation was allowed at the schools. It was a fun time at both schools, with very excited students and teachers. The students especially liked learning how to spell their names using the sign language pictures in the dictionary.
Calderwood Engineering has done a structural Inspection of the Grange Hall on Alexander Reed Road, and determined we need cellar work done for supports, etc., We also need to clean the attic for electrical work to be done. After paying for the posts, lumber, and wiring, we can’t afford the labor to do the moving work, and there are very few of us to get the labor done as quickly as we need.
A Work Bee will be held at the hall on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. We are hoping for help at any time during that time period. We can’t pay, but we can feed a crew and have games and crafts for kids whose parents are helping. Two of us have “Safe Gathering” background checks and experience helping kids have fun.
Grange is the original equal opportunity organization with women and teens being able to vote and hold an office since our founding over 150 years ago. Women also share in the labor of the Grange just as men share with cooking and cleaning.
Coming events include Awards Day for Community Citizens of Dresden and Richmond, the ART FEST by the Kennebec, Red Cross Blood Drive, Historical Talks, displays celebrating Richmond’s Bicentennial monthly until September, and Music Jams through the summer months.
Please help as you are able. FMI call 207-380-3369 or 207-380-3901.
Ocean View Grange is located at 435 Port Clyde Road in St George Maine
By Larry Bailey, Master
Because of the really cold weather, we have some time to think about and plan for our upcoming year. You, as Grange members, can help our Grange by providing all of us with ideas and suggestions relating to:
Suppers etc. – Should we plan suppers? lunches? or brunches this year? While I find that the Bean Suppers are so characteristic of Granges all over, it might be good to change things up a bit. It is my opinion that, while we make some money at such activities, it is not the money that makes us do it. The real community gatherings and family friendship we see at these functions are worth more than money.
Community Help – I hope we can get back on the Road Clean-up program this year. It is one of those labors of love in which we can all participate. Why does this matter? Well, we help clean up the community roads, we get some good exercise while doing it, and we enjoy all the company of our fellow members and friends who come out to help. The question is…what else is there that we can lend our services to help our community. Think about it.
Let us plan to get back to upkeeping/repairing the Grange. We can, finish the paint job, clean the windows, and, one day, we can get someone in a hazmat suit to clean the attic at the Grange. Our windows need some attention; Let’s look at them and decide what needs to be done.
Would it be prudent to buy an inexpensive lawn mower and rotate members to mow our grass? Just food for thought?
We need to restart the Words for Thirds Program. I have a box of dictionaries here. If anyone is interested in helping with this, just let me know.
It was suggested by one of our members last year that we print the article entitled – “Maine History Trail – Ocean View Grange, Martinsville Maine” and distribute it to every visitor to our Grange. It provides a good history of the Ocean View Grange and might help with membership recruiting. We will need someone to be in charge of this.
What do we do with the Stair Lift? It has been a dismal failure since we bought it. Do we just dump it? Do we move our meetings to the first floor? Do we buy a new Stair Lift? This is an item for discussion. We will need a Grange member to look into this.
Bathroom toilet. Much like the Stair Lift and the kitchen sink, the leaky bathroom toilet is a failure and needs repair or replacement.
What other programs can we provide? For example, I would be willing to put on a watercolor painting class. What can you provide? Cooking class, Poetry session, etc, provide help with PC’s electronic problems, dance lessons, etc.?
These are just a few items that occurred to me. I know you have some thoughts and ideas too. Don’t think that one, two, or three members should jump in to do all of the repairs and upgrades for the foregoing. This is a group effort, and everybody needs to lend a hand and come up with thoughts and solutions. Let’s all join together and make our Grange a better, safer, and happier place than it has been!!!
Larry also distributed an Ocean View Grange Roster, requesting members make sure their information is accurate and updated.. There are some great ideas on this list. I’m sure Ocean View won’t mind if some other Granges “steal” them!
BRRR! There’s a little line before the temperature here in Abbot… and the forecast warns that it will go a lot lower over the next few days. The wind chill watch warns that temperatures could as low as 50 to 55 below zero. Are we ready?
Since this is our first winter with a heat pump, I researched it myself. One interesting recommendation I discovered is that you may want to run your “regular” heating system in the bitter cold to prevent it from freezing! (The temperature is colder inside the walls than inside the building.)
The National Weather Service is a bit more focused on people but no less thorough. There’s a chart explaining the impact of the windchill factor. If it’s -20¯ and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, frostbite can occur in as little as nine minutes! Maybe you should postpone that walk to the mailbox!
If your Grange decides to open as a warming center, send us the details (what time you’ll be open, etc.) and we’ll post the information on the website.
Keep an eye on each other. The next few days will reprove the value of community.
Highland Lake Grange is proud to support the Westbrook Police Department K-9 unit. Joann Levesque, our Community Service chair, presented Officer Colby Clarke and Tony with items purchased by the Grange for the K-9 unit. Many more items are on the way! The success of our turkey supper fundraisers helped finance this project. Colby and Tony attended our meeting and educated our members about K-9!
Joann Levesque, Officer Colby Clark, and Officer Tony
For those Granges who participated in nominating an “MSG Teacher of the Year,” here’s another opportunity. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 County Teachers of the Year. One of those county teachers of the year will be selected as the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year.
Teachers may be nominated by students, parents, teaching colleagues, school administrators, or anyone from the community who wants to honor an outstanding educator. (Self-nominations and nominations by family members are not accepted). The deadline for nominations is 5:00 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2023.
It’s been another challenging school year for educators. Here’s a way to honor a teacher who inspires students and deserves recognition.
Fairview Grange #342 was pleased to be able to put together needed items for the Veterans at Togus VA again this season. We had gathered needed items for several years before the China Virus but couldn’t for two years as they were not accepting donations over concerns of spreading the virus.
This year they had a continued need, and Grange members and some from the community stepped up!
We donated some winter coats, warm socks, and underwear, personal care items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, nail clippers, and body wash as well as a little sugar-free candy as a treat. Thank you to all who helped.
Ocean View Grange is located at 435 Port Clyde Road in Martinsville Maine.
By Larry Bailey, Ocean View Master
One of our Grangers, Emily Chadwick, is organizing a “Thank You Card” program where anyone (adults or children) can come to the Grange to write a card or draw a picture to send to our St George Vets. Join in the fun on November 5, 2022, from 9 am to 11 am at the Ocean View Grange in Martinsville. Put it on your calendar.
This initiative by Grange member Emily caused me to re-light our previous efforts to support our Vets. Once again this year, The Ocean View Grange is spearheading a drive to provide needed items for our Veterans at Togus. Check the “Wish List.” We will set a date(s) for you to deliver the items to the Grange and/or another location. (You can bring them on November 5 and write a card or note!)
Our Grange has provided items several times over the years, but, given the Covid disruption, we have not done so recently.
If you are able to help, it will make a difference to those at Togus. We want our Vets to know they are not forgotten.
The Community Service Committee (Christine Corliss, Cassandra Corless, and Victoria Huff) announced contest winners during the 149th Annual Maine State Grange Convention.
Community Service Contest Winners
Highland Lake Grange #87
Jonesboro Grange #357
Enterprise Grange #48
Valley Grange #144
Firefighter/EMT of the Year
Phil Roberts, nominated by Jonesboro Grange #357
Teacher of the Year
Morgan Swan, nominated by Jonesboro Grange #357
Granger of the Year
John Cox Jr.
Previous Grangers of the Year
2020-21, Rebekah Hodgson 2019-20, Walter Boomsma 2018-19, Ann Burns 2017-18, Victoria Huff
Saco Grange recently dropped off 13 quilts to Community Health Services for their Veterans in Hospice Lap quilt program. All quilts are headed to Bangor for in-home hospice care. Our wonderful Saco Grange Quilt Club made most of the quilts. Project Linus and some from the community were also received. We strive to donate patriotic quilts for our veterans in Hospice. Always accepting quilts. For more information about the quilt club or Saco Grange visit the Saco Grange Facebook Page.
Valley Grange #144 of Guilford Maine is a proud supporter and sponsor of the Community Health and Counseling Service’s Presentation honoring Veterans as part of their hospice program. Operation Gratitude includes the formal presentation of a pin, certificate, and patriotic lap quilt or afghan attended by Chaplain Char Chandler-Stevens, a military representative, and family and friends. Valley Grange’s support includes promoting the program and encouraging quilters and crocheters to help supply the lap quilts and afghans. For more information, visit the Valley Grange Website.
