Where’s your sign? What condition is it in? So many possible questions! Signs are a form of communication that we often overlook or fail to notice. Here’s one situation where that’s not the case!
Trenton Grange #550 is seeking quotes for a new sign. Since Grangers help each other, they are seeking recommendations and leads to signmakers who might be interested. You can comment on this post or contact Emily at Trenton Grange for further details or your suggestions. Or, better yet, if you’re in the area, Trenton Grange meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7 pm. The hall is located at 1136 Bar Harbor Road.
The Dictionary Project recently recognized Valley Grange‘s Words for Thirds Project in their “Word of the Day” newsletter. The Word of the Day was “excel.” We strive to do so, and we encourage our students to do the same.
By the way, the dictionaries for this year are arriving today! Dictionary Days are coming soon to Brownville, Harmony, Piscataquis Community, Ridgeview, and SeDoMoCha Elementary Schools.
Featuring fresh baked goods, coffee, mulled cider, homemade jelly, jam, fudge, and canned goods. Lunch will be available: soup with biscuit, hot dogs, nd drinks. For information regarding table rentals, call 207 372-6424.
There will also be a public supper at 5 pm.
St George Grange is located at 32 Wiley’s Corner Road in St George, Maine.
There will be roasted turkey, vegetables, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread, cranberry sauce, and cake. The cost is $10.00 per person. Please have the exact price for the meal(s) you want. No substitutions, no pre-orders, you drive up, pay, and receive your meal.
The Grange is located on the corner of Route 302 and Hardy Road in Westbrook.
Our October Meeting has been rescheduled to October 10, 2025, due to a conflict with the MSG Convention. Potluck at 6 pm, meeting at 7 pm. Grange Bees are Mary and Jim. Walter & Janice were elected delegates to the State Convention in Orono.
Sandwich Makings
A highlight of our September Meeting was the jars of PB & J that appeared as people arrived! We’ve delivered these to Bangor Savings Bank for their annual drive. You can also donate directly to any Branch before 9/30.
Dictionary Days
Members approved the purchase of dictionaries for this year’s program. We’ll be scheduling presentations and deliveries starting in mid-October. We need team members for these–it’s mostly a matter of carrying things and then helping the kids find words in their new dictionaries. Stay tuned for the schedule and consider lending a hand! Presentations are only about 45 minutes and will be held in Brownville, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, and Harmony. We’re checking with Athens and the Amish School in Corinth.
Blistered Finger Knitters Knote!
We deliver hats and mittens in conjunction with Dictionary Presentations. If you have completed items, we’d appreciate receiving them by October 15, although we collect year-round. Contact any member to arrange delivery! Thanks! Keep those kneedles clicking!
Grange Gossip
Walter continues to help the Abbot Historical Society with gravestone cleaning. We have a couple of weeks left this year… Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the old village cemetery across from the Town Hall is where and when. It’s easy and fun! Supplies and instruction are included.
Mary Annis is selling raffle tickets to benefit the DUV. She will humbly admit she made the first prize Afghan.
Pat and Steve will be doing some traveling soon… we wish them a safe trip to Texas and will miss them. When they return, Pat will be busy getting ready for Craft Fairs.
The Guilford Register Magazine September Issue featured an article by Walter, “Sticker! Sticker!” It’s about some kids at an Amish Farmstand in Corinth. The October Issue will include a story about the Dover Foxcroft Kiwanis Auction.
Area Grange Events
South Sangerville Grange is holding a Bean Hole Bean Supper on October 25, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. More information is available here.
Remember, Valley Grange is happy to publicize your event, but we have to know about it! Submit it to the MSG Website and it’ll get state-wide publicity!
Valley Grange Contacts and Resources:
(Click names to send email.) Jim Annis, Master/President – 207 564-0820 (home) Mary Annis, Secretary – 207 564-0820 (home) Walter Boomsma, Program Director/Treasurer – 207 343-1842 (cell) Janice Boomsma, Chaplain – 207 343-1496 (cell)
Valley Grange Hall’s GPS Address is 172 Guilford Center Road, Guilford. (Do not send mail here!) The Hall is located at the corner of Guilford Center Road and Butter Street.
By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director 207 343-1842
Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!
October Bulletin
Yes, there will be an October Bulletin, although with the State Session, the mailing of the physical copy may be delayed a bit. The deadline for submission is October 14th. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
National Grange Website Links
Some recent changes to the National Grange Website have resulted in some links not working. If you encounter broken links on the Maine State Grange website, pleasereport them to Walter. If you encounter them on the National Grange website, report them to National Grange.
Dates and Deadlines
With the start of another Grange Fiscal Year, essential dates and deadlines abound!
Annual Purge Continues
We’re removing dated information from the website. This includes documents, posts, and photos. While some things are considered timeless, a general policy is to remove items that are more than two years old. One of the significant challenges this time of year is updating online directories. Please make sure we have your current information!
Think About This!
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
Albert Camus
An Idea for Your Grange
At Valley Grange, we schedule meetings a full year in advance and assign “Grange Bees” – individuals responsible for tasks such as ensuring the hall is open and ready, as well as maintaining a supply of staples for potluck meals. It may not be a one-person job, but we want to be clear on who is responsible!
Subscribe!
Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members!
Online Directories Available 24-7
Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!
The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information.
Every Monday, Summer Music Monday at St George Grange, 7 – 9 pm. Free! See post FMI. Every Tuesday, Coffee on the Porch at Vassalboro Grange, 8:30 am – 10 am. See post FMI.
October 5, 2025, Cider Pressing at Vassalboro Grange, 12 pm. See post FMI.
October 8, 2025, Fifth Degree Conferral at Danville Junction Grange. See post FMI.
October 11, 2025, Summer Public Supper at St George Grange, 5 pm. See post FMI.
October 11, 2025, Art/Antiques/Craft/Flea Market at Ocean View Grange in Port Clyde. See post FMI.
October 11, 2025, Turkey Supper at Highland Lake Grange in Westboro. Details TBA.
October 12, 2025, Philosophy Table at Vassalboro Grange, 5 – 7 pm. See post FMI
October 17-18, 2025, MSG 151st Annual Convention opens at 11 am on Friday.
October 18, 2025, Open Mic Night at Vassalboro Grange, 7 – 9 pm. See post FMI
October 18, 2025, Bean Supper at Ocean View Grange, 5 – 7 pm. Veterans eat free! See post FMI.
October 25, 2025, Penobscot Pomona meets at Old Town Riverside Grange at 11 am. FMI Call Master Sanda Moon at 207 827-3698.
October 25, 2025, South Sangerville Bean Supper, 4:30 – 6:00 pm. See post FMI.
As of today, there are 371 public schools in Maine (according to The Dictionary Project website). Of those, only 16 have a Dictionary Project Sponsor so far this year. That’s slightly over 4%.
The good news is that it’s still early in the year, and we can do better! If you have been sponsoring in the past, it’s time to start working on this year’s effort.
If you haven’t been a sponsor, this is a good year to start. For a list of unsponsored schools, visit the Dictionary Project Website. Remember, we have many great resources available on our Words for Thirds Resource Page. We’ll even provide you with your Grange’s very own logo!
There are also Rotary, Kiwanis, and Elks Clubs that sponsor schools in Maine. One possibility might be to partner with a local civic organization in your area, particularly if you’re concerned about the cost and effort involved. There are several dictionaries available to choose from. All come in cases of 24 at a cost of around $100 per case, including shipping. Obviously, much depends on school size, but you can start a powerful community service with a minimum investment!
