Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange President/Master
207 490-1029
We had a very busy schedule at our 151st State Grange Session, which went well. Thank you to the Officers, Delegates, Members, Deputies, Directors, and Committee members who attended. I appreciate your participation and input during the business and activities. Thank you to all those special helpers and workers for your assistance, whether a large part or a small piece of the work, I personally appreciate every one of you. I would like to hear your comments and/or suggestions about State Session – schedule, facilities, location, banquet or any other comment you care to make. Send to my email address.
We welcomed Kathy Gibson, Lady Assistant Steward of the National Grange, who gave us inspiring words of wisdom and also taught us “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” in sign language, we all managed to get through the entire song in rounds. Some of our “boats” didn’t “row” as good as others. Kathy’s enthusiasm is definitely contagious. Brother Glenn Gibson, Executive Committee Member & Past Master of the Massachusetts State Grange and Amanda Gibson, Communications Dir of the MA State Grange both enjoyed being with us also.
A heartfelt Memorial Service was presented. Resolution work started and continued on Saturday with much discussion on each. A wonderful banquet was shared, and the various Committees presented many awards. We held a full election of officers with most of us being re-elected, thank you for your confidence in me. I am pleased to welcome our new officers, Judy Meserve as Ceres, Tracey Small as Pomona, and Dale Holst to the Executive Committee for a four-year term. I want to express my appreciation to our retiring officers Betty Huff, Ceres; Kathy Gowen, Pomona and Jim Owens from the Executive Committee for their dedication and years of service to the Manie State Grange. We welcomed five new State Grange members who received the 6th degree on Saturday afternoon. Vicki Huff installed our officers in an impressive manner. Thank you!
The new Department Program Books and Annual Reports were given to the Delegates for your Grange. If you did not have delegates at the session, you may download the programs and reports from the web under “Program Books,” or if you want a printed copy, email or call the office or me, and we will send them to you. You may request all or just select certain ones. Agricultural Scholarship, Educational Aid & Howes Nurses Scholarship requirements and applications can also be found on the website or requested from the office. We need to promote these scholarships and awards in our communities; each is a wonderful opportunity for our young folks. Grange Enterprise Award (formerly Farm Family) information with the application can be found on the web too or requested.
I hope to get the 2026 Roster done in the near future. Do I have your most current information? I know I have only about 2/3 of them. Welcome to our new Subordinate and Pomona Masters/Presidents, Lecturers, Secretaries and Committee people. There have been a few changes to Deputies and Committees. Several of our dedicated Deputies have retired after long years of service on behalf of the Maine State Grange. I want to THANK each of them, Maynard Chapman as Chief Deputy, David Gowen, Basil Mosher, Harriet Spencer, Holly & Burt Welch, and Phil Parsons. I know I keep repeating myself with the thank-yous. Still, it is well deserved, heartfelt and important especially to me to do so.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Hug your family and friends. Help someone every day.