Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
Family Health and Hearing Committee and Information
And snowy! Not that you needed to be reminded. But we will remind everyone to check on their neighbors (not just when it’s cold and snowing). A phone call, text, or social media message can mean a lot!
Let’s stay safe together!
The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.
Hubert H. Humphrey
MaineHousing’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) are open and accepting applications for the 2025-2026 heating season. Apply online through the HEAP online application. Applications are accepted through May 29, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.
HEAP helps eligible homeowners and renters with heating costs, emergency fuel delivery, and utility assistance. Weekly benefit payments have already begun.
Households facing an energy emergency should also contact their local community action agency.
A “community action agency” that may assist is your local Grange–some around the state participate in different ways. One common approach is to provide funds to local oil dealers to assist customers who are struggling.
As an example, South Sangerville Grange has challenged other Granges to participate by purchasing at least 100 gallons of fuel from a local dealer. You can reach South Sangerville Secretary Barbara Hatch by email to report your efforts or for more information.
By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193
Every Grange has started the Community Service Projects. Please keep an individual form for each project. I am waiting on National Grange as to whether book reports will be sent to National or if they will just be sent to the state report.
Plan or help with family things to do in the community
Enjoy the rest of Autumn and the upcoming Winter. Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 2026!
By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193
Thank you for your entries in the Community Service and Family Health and Hearing Contests. Keep up the good work. Thank you to the judges who worked on the entries.
I want to encourage you to go through the Community Service Program Book. Do what you can to help people during Thanksgiving, and keep up with the Heirloom and Substance Project. Keep good notes about your activities and refer to your Community Service reports to see what we are looking for when judging at the end of the program year.
For Family, Health and Hearing — It is flu season, so please take precautions.
Thank you all for your calls, cards, and prayers for me at this very challenging time. Your encouragement is appreciated.
The Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER), the recently formed successor agency to the Governor’s Energy Office, released its updated winter 2025-2026 Heating Guide earlier this month. The updated guide includes practical home heating and weatherization tips for Maine residents who use all types of heating systems. It also links to several online resources, including the latest energy prices and information about how to access emergency heating assistance if needed. The guide also summarizes energy efficiency and home heating programs available through MaineHousing, Efficiency Maine, Community Action Agencies and other partners.
Track heating fuel prices
DOER maintains a heating fuel prices web page to help consumers make informed energy decisions. The page features an interactive dashboard that compares the operating costs of different heating systems and fuels. Prices are updated each week during the heating season.
Review electricity rates
View Maine electricity rates on the DOER electricity prices page, or find information about competitive electricity providers through the Office of the Public Advocate or Maine Public Utilities Commission. Higher usage households may qualify for alternative rates from Central Maine Power (CMP) or Versant Power. Contact your utility for details.
To view the full winter heating guide, visit DOER’s winter heating resources webpage.
October 5-11, 2025
Fire departments are teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) for more than 100 years — to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” It highlights how important it is to buy, charge, and recycle lithium-ion batteries safely.
Most of the electronics we use in our homes every day — smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones, and toys, to name just a few — are powered by lithium-ion batteries. In fact, most everything that’s rechargeable uses this type of battery.
If not used correctly or if damaged, lithium-ion batteries can overheat, start a fire, or even explode. To reduce these risks, take a look around your home — it’s essential to identify which devices are powered by them. Lithium-ion batteries are powerful, convenient, and they’re just about everywhere. This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign helps people understand the importance of using these batteries correctly to prevent fires in the home and to follow the Buy, Charge, and Recycle Safely approach.”
Buy only listed products.
Charge devices safely.
Recycle batteries responsibly.
To find out more about FPW programs and activities in your town/city, please get in touch with your town/city Fire Department. For more information about Fire Prevention Week and lithium-ion battery safety, visit fpw.org.
By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193
This is the time of year to start gathering items to display at the local fair. What a great way to show the community what the Grange does. This could lead to canning classes, craft sessions, quilting, plant and gardening care, woodworking, art and photography, soil types, bugs and their contributions to agriculture, and education in general. The projects can be simple or challenging, and the list is endless. The MAAF (Maine Agricultural Association of Fairs) theme this year is “Be A Farmer.” You do not have to use this as your Grange exhibit theme, but you may.
I would like feedback on what Community Service means to your Grange, members and non-members. Please respond by June 30, 2025, to:
Brenda Dyer
MSG Community Service Director
9 Marial Ave
Biddeford, ME 04005
Continue to work on reports and enjoy spring!
Family Health & Hearing
May is Mental Awareness Month. Do something for yourself. Read a book, listen to music, go to the beach, watch a movie, take a walk, go bowling, go to the garden, do a puzzle, etc., which are a few suggestions for having time for YOU. Also, checking on neighbors, volunteering, visiting family and/or friends, etc., can be mentally motivating to others’ mental health.
By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193
There is a revised Community Service Report Form for 2025. Changes were made at the National level, so we have revised our information, requirements, and form. The new information and forms will be mailed to each Grange this month.
We are asking each Grange to fill out the Maine Community Service Summary Report and return it to us by August 31, 2025. This can be part of a detailed report or just the form. We need to receive 25% participation of our Subordinate Granges returning the form to receive some additional funding from National Grange to help with our awards at State Session in October.
Even if you are doing a few small projects, a large project, or not doing Community Service in your area, please return the form anyway. Please note the 3/19/25 revised Community Service Summary form and instruction information about the detailed report is enclosed and can be found on the Maine State Grange website under Program Books and Information Page for Community Service: 2024-25 Community Service Revised Pages. You may request the revised form & information or the completely revised book from State Grange. (The form, instruction information page, and judges sheet are the only changes to the book.)
We must hit that 25% to receive the funding necessary to move forward.
Just a friendly reminder the Community Service Reports or folders are due to the director no later than August 31, 2025! Be sure to include the revised Community Service Summary Report and mail to:
Brenda Dyer
9 Marial Ave
Biddeford, ME 04005
Remember your Nomination for Police – Firefighter/EMT – Educator Of The Year 2024-25. You may nominate one individual for each of these three categories using a separate form for each.
We can’t wait to see what new and exciting things you have been working on this year! Congratulations on your CS work, and thank you so much for your support!
By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193
Just to update you on the State Community Service Contest. Changes are being made on the State level and will be posted and sent to Granges soon.
One major change will be no notebooks and the report will be limited to 10 (ten) double sided sheets. This is to be a report of your projects answering specific questions about your project(s) – I will get that off to you by next month and mailed to the Granges.
I have included a message from the National Community Service co-directors.
The 2025 National Grange Community Service Program is now posted on the National Grange website (nationalgrange.org).
We have found that not all PCs/Laptops/smartphones show the same format but under Community Service, you will find a page with the CS logo describing the 2025 National Grange Community Service Program.
Also included are the National Grange Community Service Report Form and a “Share Your Project’s Story” Form and Program Ideas.
In 2025, the focus of Community Service will not be a contest, but a celebration of good works. As such, there will be no judging on the National level. No notebooks are to be taken to National Convention or sent electronically prior to Convention to the community service email address.
Likewise, “Of the Year” Nominations for Fireman, Teacher and Policeman will not be judged on the National level but can be recognized on the local and State levels.
We encourage each State to receive the Subordinate Grange reports/notebooks and “Of the Year” nominations in the format that best serves your State. The option to judge or don’t judge is yours. As State Director, you have the responsibility to work with your State President and others as necessary to determine what is best for your State and get it communicated to your Subordinate Granges.
The 2025 National Grange Community Service Report Form must be completed by the State Community Service Director or State President and emailed to communityservice@grange.org
In order to receive the monetary $250 award from National, States must meet the required 25% of their total Subordinate Granges submitting reports to the State level.
The Report form must be sent to us in the current calendar year.
Please note that the hours expended for Project Sustenance, the newly launched National Grange Program, is to be included on the CS Report Form. Details for this program can be found on the Project Sustenance page on the National Grange
Any Subordinate Grange can submit a “Share Your Project’s Story” Form.
We know there are changes announced here from what some of you had been told previously and we apologize for any inconvenience. We do trust, however, that you have been making a difference in your communities and now we can finally all move forward together with the 2025 National Grange Community Service Program.
As National Co-Directors, we are committed to helping you be successful. Please contact us at communityservice@grange.org and we will try our best to assist. Best wishes.
Bonnie Mitson & Randee Farmer
NG Community Service Co-Directors
By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193
I am still waiting on information from National Grange on the updated changes to the Community Service Program. National Grange stated it is posted on the website, but I have not found anything. The Community Service Committee realizes that the books you submit are your yearbooks, and your Grange keeps them for open houses and anniversary celebrations. Keep working on your projects, make your notebooks and it will be much easier to pick the projects to submit. There are so many Community Service Projects that can be done this time of year.
Family Health and Hearing
This is a great time of the year to enjoy indoor and outdoor family time. Outdoor festivals, sliding parties, skating, making snow people, animals or sculptors, hockey games, basketball, making crafts, playing games, working on Grange contests, and enjoying a movie are just a few suggestions.
Please make sure you are hydrated, staying rested, and eating healthy.
Make sure you are bundled up properly for school, work, or just running errands. It is important to take care of yourself and your loved ones. Most of all, enjoy the many things in life that make memories and keep us safe and healthy.
I will update you as soon as I receive the information. Happy February!