Tag: Grange Events

Maine on tap for a cosmic display

Reprinted with permission from an enewsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

On April 8, millions will have a front row seat when the Moon’s shadow will sweep across the nation in a total solar eclipse. The last time the U.S. saw a total solar eclipse was on Aug. 21, 2017. However, this time the path of the eclipse will travel right through the heart of Maine.

The path in 2017 began in Oregon in the Pacific Northwest and traveled across the country in a southeasterly course until it ended in Charleston, S.C. For this year’s eclipse, the shadow or “path of totality” will begin its North American journey in Mazatlan, Mexico, at 9:51 a.m. MST.

The first Maine town to see the partial eclipse will be Jackman beginning at 2:18 p.m. EDT; and it will leave the U.S. through Houlton at 4:41 p.m. EDT. The total eclipse begins roughly 70 minutes after the partial eclipse begins.

Ultimately, the solar eclipse will leave land at 6:47 p.m. ADT in St. Pierre and Miquelon near Newfoundland. Both the official beginning and end of the eclipse takes place in the waters of the South Pacific and North Atlantic oceans respectively.

Aside from its path, the major difference this year is the size of the path of totality and the duration of the eclipse itself. According to NASA, the path in 2017 ranged from 62 to 71 miles wide and lasted about 2.5 minutes since the Moon was farther away from Earth. This year’s path will be much larger, ranging 108 to 122 miles wide.

That means the duration will be longer at about 4.5 minutes at its peak. When the total eclipse rolls through Houlton, it should last 3 minutes, 21 seconds.

For more information about this year’s total solar eclipse, visit NASA’s website.

Communications Note: Please be sure to visit the safety section of the Nasa Website! Also, will your Grange sponsor some type of event in conjunction with the event? This could range from offering safety information (FHH) to hosting an Eclipse Event, particularly if your Grange is located along the path. If you have an astronomer in your area, a pre-eclipse information program might draw a crowd! Put your thinking caps on!

Trenton Grange Seeks Vendors

Weekly Farmer’s Market to Open in June

Trenton Grange #550 is seeking vendors for their farmers’ market. Starting on Friday, June 7, 2024, the Grange will be hosting a weekly Farmer’s Market and is currently taking applications from vendors. The Farmer’s Market will be on Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm from June 7, 2024, to October 18, 2024. For more information and an application, please email fotg550@gmail.com or call/text Beth at 207-664-4164. It’s a great location, right at the light in Trenton (1134 Bar Harbor Road)!

Email for an application!

Castine Granger Honored

Basil Clements receives his eighty-year certificate

“That’s a lot of years,” Basil said when he received his certificate from Maine State Grange Communications Director Walter Boomsma in a “sort of” Grange Meeting held at Emilio Estates in Corinth. While distance has prevented active involvement, Basil speaks of his Grange membership every day, and his room is decorated with certificates and Grange memorabilia.

Front Row: RN Breanna, Basil Clements
Back Row: Walter Boomsma, with Valley Grange Members Janice Boomsma, Mary Annis, and Jim Annis

The “sort of” meeting was attended by a support team from Valley Grange, several of Basil’s nurses and Emilio staff, a niece and her husband, and at least one resident of Emilio Estates. Boomsma explained that since circumstances have put some distance between Basil and his home Grange in Castine, Valley Grange has adopted him. “But we aren’t charging you dues.” Basil noted proudly that, as a Golden Sheaf (fifty-year) member, he hasn’t paid dues for some years but recalled when he did pay them, they charge was $1.25 per year. He also wasn’t sure when he last attended a meeting.

“So we brought a meeting to you,” Boomsma explained, conducting some of the opening and closing ritual, including the familiar Grange Salutation. During the meeting, Basil’s nurse, Breanna Bowman, was also presented with a special Certificate of Appreciation for her assistance with the meeting preparations and support. “You demonstrate Grange Values, and we are now considering you an ‘almost’ Granger.”

In good Grange fashion, the event included some socializing. When the event ended, Boomsma noted, “We’re Grangers. This is what we do. We take care of our communities, and we take care of each other.”

Those who would like to send Basil a card of congratulations may do so by addressing it to Basil Clements, Emilio Estates, 65 W Corinth Road,
Corinth, ME 04427. He first joined the Grange on March 20, 1943 and will begin his 81st year soon!

  • David and niece Linda
  • Walter and Basil enjoy a moment
  • The Valley Grange Team with Breanna and Basil
  • Walter, Nurses
  • Basil’s 80 Year Certificate

Mill Stream Grange Gives!

Mill Stream Grange Master Judy Dunn (r) presents the annual Christmas donation to the Food Bank. Accepting, on the left, is member Rosie Baker, who is a volunteer at the Mt. Vernon Area Food Bank.

February Events

There’s no reason to get Cabin Fever–here are some Grange Events around the state for you.

  • February 1, 2024, Piscataquis Pomona Meeting at 7 pm at Valley Grange Hall. Contact Bill Bemis FMI.
  • February 2, 2024, Community Potluck Supper at Trenton Grange, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., 1134 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton. For more information, see this post or visit the Trenton Grange Website.
  • February 3-4, 2024, Community Bazaar (crafts, farmers’ market, yard sale…) at Trenton Grange from 9 am until 2 pm both days. For more information, see this post or visit the Trenton Grange Website.
  • February 7, 2024, Join the National Grange and Rural Minds for an introduction to the Rural Mental Health Resilience Program. Register at http://grange.biz/RMHR
  • February 14, 2024, Deadline for the MSG Bulletin
  • February 17, 2024, Junior Grange Meeting at Danville Grange. Contact Director Betty Young for more information.

What’s your Grange doing? Don’t forget to submit your events!

Membership Moments – January 2024

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

This weekend (Jan 12-14) is the Northeast Leader’s Conference. Due to my own Grange and Pomona commitments. I was unable to attend. However, the Co-Director of the New Hampshire State Grange Membership Committee called and asked if I could send some concerns, thoughts, and ideas. As the initial thoughts were being put on paper, even more ideas started flowing. It was then realized that some of the suggestions required cooperation from all Granges and their members. We need new members, and we need all of us to take part. You will be notified when the results and decisions from the Leader’s conference concerning membership issues become available.

The first step in our new journey was mentioned in last month’s column. Please have someone read the Membership column from the Bulletin or the website so all can receive valuable information. It is very important that ALL members know what is going on, not only in Membership but also from the other committees. The column provides tips on adding new members and how to maintain them. I am also looking for additional committee members. The agenda is easy and fun. Also, all past columns are on the website. Please refer to the website for Grange events, State Committee and officer’s columns. You can also learn about traditions. It is a valuable tool for all members, and you are all encouraged to check it out.

Remember, keep your Grange Halls busy and active. Keep doing community events. Keep up the good work, and stay safe!!!

Trenton Grange Plans Ahead!

Check out a year’s worth of Community Potluck Dinners and Bazaars. You have dozens of opportunities!

You can also visit the Trenton Grange Website!

Table Of Contents
  1. Trenton Grange Community Potluck Information
  2. Trenton Grange Community Bazaar Information

Trenton Grange Community Potluck Information

Trent Grange 2024 Potluck Dinners

Trenton Grange Community Bazaar Information

Trenton Grange 2024 Bazaar Flyer

2023 – A Grange Retrospective

Happy Holidays!

Maine State Grange
Communications Department

It’s been said, “You live life looking forward; you understand life looking backward.”

So, the MSG Communications Department is happy to offer you this opportunity to “look back” and reflect on Grange Life in 2023 with some brief reminders of thoughts and events that have taken place throughout Maine. These things reflect the “Grange Way of Life.”

As we look forward to life in 2024, we continue to celebrate the Grange Way of Life in our hearts and minds–and on our calendars. Use the online directory to find a Community Grange near you and the Grange Events Page to find opportunities to celebrate.

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Junior Grange December Meeting Held

By Marilyn Stinson

Maine State Junior Grange #17 met at Danville Junction on December 16, 2023, for their monthly meeting and to work on a Community Service Project.

The Junior Salutation is: “Junior Grange Members will be true to each other and keep their pledge.”

Committee members helped fill the chairs as they opened the meeting the traditional way, then worked through the order of business, stopping now and then to explain or discuss a procedure for new people, and closed with the alternative way. The alternative is a shorter form.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, the kids learned that there is no punctuation between “one nation” and “under God.” It is all one phrase, and we shouldn’t pause at that point when we are saying it. Anyone having difficulty using God’s name can just omit it.

Many thanks to Kathy Gowen for helping us with our Junior Salutation. She remembers the hand clasp and crossing the arms and hands over our chests for it. Since we seldom say or do it, we have difficulty remembering it.

In 2023, we earned $547.00 in Fair Premiums (used for the trip to Niagara) and discussed possible themes for the coming year. The National Junior Grange theme for the coming year is ‘Corn,’ and we can do some crafts and print our learning experiences for displays. Maine State Lecturer’s Theme is ‘Hands,’ and we can easily follow that theme. We use the fair displays to explain and promote Juniors and our activities and give the kids an opportunity to show off their art and craft talents. Any poetry they’ve written goes to the State Lecturer by March 1st.

Director Betty brought material home from the National Session and, during the Lecturer’s Program, shared information with us. Also, for the Lecturer’s Program, Edith recited a poem she memorized called “Dragonette Prophesy” and sang a dragon song. The kids attending the meeting shared their “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” poster and song while Director Betty signed it. Ta Da!!! Good for them!

After closing, we went downstairs to make fleece scarves for the Lewiston Homeless. Other Juniors around the state can get together in their Granges and make similar scarves for the cold in their areas. Because we are so spread out, helping their local Community Granges with their services seems the easiest way to work out that problem. 

Our meetings are scheduled for the 3rd Saturday monthly, and our January meeting will be at MSG Headquarters in Augusta on January 20th.

Please let the Junior committee know about any +1 Juniors your subordinates have accepted. We need their contact information!

Mill Stream Grange Decks the Hall

Photo of Mill Stream Grange Christmas Tree.
Mill Stream Grange members (l-r) Allan Harville, Lisa Goucher, Debbie Lavender, Barbara Gilman and Paul Lavender worked hard to decorate the Grange Hall for Christmas. The tree, which lights up, was made by Grange member Ken Kokernak.