Tag: Grange News

Murphy’s Law?

Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

Edward A. Murphy, Jr.

This was the week for it! As some of you probably know, the MSG website was “down” (unavailable) for a while, starting sometime on Saturday until this morning.

I should have received a notification by email. For some reason, that didn’t work.

In short, this was caused by some changes in how security certificates are handled. I should have been warned of the changes. I wasn’t. You don’t want to know all the details.

Anyway, this has been resolved. Sorry for any inconvenience! I’m assured it will not happen again. It could be a lesson in communication for the providers, but I’m not optimistic.

And, since I’m whining, I’ll share that I have had not one, but two credit cards violated last week. The good news is that both were caught quickly by the card providers, and no charges were successfully made to either account. But both cards need to be replaced, an action that takes “seven to ten days.” Perfect timing since we’ll be traveling without them.

It’s tempting to think Murphy was an optimist. However, the real lessons to be learned from this are the importance of effective communication and the need to remain vigilant.

Hope and persevere!

Free Curtains and Chairs Available!

Victor Grange has some stage curtains and chairs available for free! Preference will be given to requests from Grange Halls, but these curtains and chairs need a good home!

The curtains are not from a Grange Hall. They came from a high school that built a new theatre. They are red velvet. The curtains are 36 feet wide and 11 feet high. The valance is 30 feet wide and 32 inches high.

There are about thirty chairs available for a Grange that can use them. (They appear to be “standard issue” – the kind of chairs typically seen in Grange Hall dining areas.)

For additional information, contact Barb Bailey at 207 313-0717. She might be willing to deliver in Maine if it’s not too far!

Danville Junction Grange Yard Sale

July 12, 2025 – 9 am until 1 pm

Danville Junction Grange will be holding a yard sale on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the hall, 15 Grange Street (off rt. 202) in Danville.

Items available will include “pick your prize” raffle, 50/50, baked goods, baked beans to go, RADA Cutlery, attic treasures, plants, and more! Tables are available for rent. FMI contact Maynard at 312-5591

Ritualistic Meeting at Excelsior Grange

June 21, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

by Sherry Harriman, MSG Master

There will be a Ritualistic Instruction Meeting on June 21, held at Excelsior Grange #5, 446 Harris Hill Road, Poland, ME, starting at 4:00 p.m. Supper will be served at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Excelsior Grange’s regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.

All are welcome to attend, no matter what Grange you are a member of or if you are an Officer or not. 

We will cover Opening, Closing, Presenting the Flag, Balloting for candidates, other instructions and information that are part of our Grange work. 

Please let Cynthia Maxwell (207 740-2741) know how many will be coming so they can plan for supper. 

Highland Lake Places Flags

Highland Lake Grange 87, Westbrook, placed flags at Highland Lake Cemetery. The flags are supplied by Stephen Manchester American Legion Post 62. The Grange has been assisting the American Legion with placing flags for several years.

Mill Stream Places Flags

Mill Stream Grange members (l-r) Paul Lavender, Debbie Lavender, Ingrid Grenon, Jill Sampson, Laurie Cunningham, Natalie Heck, Kirsten Heck, and Allan Harville met recently to place flags on the graves of military service veterans at three cemeteries in Vienna.  Mill Stream is honored and proud to be able to participate in this community service project. The town of Vienna provides the flags every year…a special thanks to Chris Smith, selectman, for always making sure we have the flags in time for Memorial Day. Also, thanks to member Kathy Berry, who was the photographer.

June Grange Events in Maine

  • Every Tuesday, Coffee on the Porch at Vassalboro Grange, 8:30 am – 10 am. See post FMI
  • June 7, 2025, Maine State Grange Yard Sale, 9 am – 2 pm at Manchester Grange, Route 202, FMI including table rental, Linda (207 623-5159) or Norma (207 583-7211).
  • June 7, 2025, Black Fly Flea Market at Vassalboro Grange, 8 am – 2 pm. See post FMI.
  • June 8, 2025, Philosophy Table at Vassalboro Grange, 5 – 7 pm. See post FMI
  • June 14, 2025, MSG Bulletin Deadline
  • June 21, 2025, Open Mic Night at Vassalboro Grange, 7 – 9 pm. See post FMI
  • June 25, 2025, Sagadahoc Pomona meets at Merriconeag Grange, potluck supper 6 pm, meeting at 7 pm. FMI Stephanie Alexander at 207 841-9481.
  • June 28, 2025, Bake Sale and Flea Market at Mystic Valley Grange #313, 9 am – 2 pm, Last chance to bid on select items in silent auction. Located on Route 17 in East Dixfield next to the East Dixfield Fire Department. FMI Nancy Farrington, 623-0395.
  • June 28, 2025, Penobscot Pomona meets at Old Town Riverside Grange at 11 am. FMI Call Master Sanda Moon at 207 827-3698.

Community Service/FHH – May 2025

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.

Historic Moment at Jonesboro Grange

by Rebekah Hodgson

For the first time in history, Jonesboro Grange has water inside the building from their OWN water source!

Jonesboro Grange President, John Cox Jr., can be seen in the red checkered plaid looking over the project.

“Back in the 1960s, Jonesboro Grange shared a water source with the town office. Construction on the Route 1 road severed that water line, and since the 60’s, the Grange has been without a water source. This is a historic moment to have our own well, which we did a lot of fundraising for, to be hooked up to our building. Everything we do is for the people, they are the reason we are where we are in 2025.” – John Cox Jr.

From the doors almost closing for good in 2019 to a new metal roof, new windows, and a well with water IN the building, along with many other improvements in 2025, this moment is treasured by many.

Members, volunteers, and the community have rallied to raise funds, along with receiving funds from welcoming members from a neighboring Grange that unfortunately closed. There have been many high and low moments leading up to this moment with early mornings, late nights, brainstorming, stressful moments, waiting, fundraising, sacrifices, joy, and literal blood, sweat and tears have brought us here.

Thank you to Shannon Drilling Waterwells and J & J Construction for making this happen!

Congratulations to Jonesboro Grange and the community on this momentous event!

Photos courtesy of Jim Cox of J & J Construction.

Degree Day Celebration April 2025

Several dozen candidates completed the Four Degrees at MSG Headquarters. Candidates came from Vassalboro, Union Harvest, Manchester, Androscoggin, Victor, Danville Junction, Lamoine, Winthrop, and Huntoon Hill Granges. In addition, Excelsior, Hollis, Chelsea, Willow, East Madison, Valley, Alexander and Halcyon Granges were represented, more than doubling the total attendance!

Lots of new members! As you might suspect, the altar circle was a challenge! Welcome to our Order!
Photo by David Colby Young.
Serving as Degree Masters were Bridget McKeen, Roberta Meserve, and Lynne Pomerleau.
Photo by David Colby Young.

The day was organized by Maynard Chapman and members of Androscoggin Pomona with assistance from other Granges around the state. It was great to see so many Grangers in one place–and many young faces. Thanks go to the many people who made this day possible.

Harvest Marchers are ready to go!
Photo by David Colby Young.

Special thanks go to Norma Meserve and Steve Verrill for their assistance gathering information for this post!