Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
May 17, 2025 – 9 a.m until 1 p.m.
Danville Jct. Grange, 15 Grange Street.(off rt. 202/100) in Danville will hold an indoor/outdoor yard sale on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be something for everyone. Baked goods, chili, Harvard beets, and beans to go. A raffle and 50/50. Attic treasures, RADA cutlery, books, puzzles, plants, and much more! Tables for rent, $20 each, please contact Maynard at 312-5591 Hope to see you there!
Here we go again! Please, when you receive an email, be a bit suspicious! Because you are, I’m receiving emails questioning whether or not emails that appear to be from President Sherry are legitimate. They are not!
The short version is that a scammer has figured out how to make it look like the email is from Sherry. One recent version is a two-step process where it looks like she is asking for help. When you reply (which you shouldn’t–all that does is confirm your address is correct and you may take the bait), you are asked to purchase gift cards.
This is happening in many organizations, not just the Grange. One reason we are publishing the weekly Fraud Watch is that scammers are getting better at what they do! Whenever you receive an email that involves gift cards, urgency (so you don’t stop to think) and confidentiality (so you don’t ask somebody) the odds are extremely high it’s a scam! This one is extra sneaky because the first email arouses curiosity. If you take the bait and reply, the next email won’t show the sender’s real email address.
If you receive a suspicious email, the best thing to do is ignore it. If you’re concerned, contact the alleged sender (in this case, Sherry) either by using her legitimate address or by telephone.
Other than these warnings, there is nothing I, the website, or Maine State Grange can do to prevent or stop this. It’s the price we pay for the convenience of technology.
Stay smart and suspicious!
Information gleaned from the current issue of GoodDay!TM magazine.
Grace Addison, Benton #458
Steven Cyr, Golden Harvest #33
Richard Lawrence, Benton #458
These are the ones we know about! Remember to submit information about your Grange’s events!
Guilford—Valley Grange in Guilford has announced their annual Celebration of Community, which will take place on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Guilford Grange Hall. The event includes honoring the local organization’s Community Citizen(s) of the Year. This year, the Grange will honor Manda Stewart, Executive Director of the Piscataquis Area Community Center. The event celebrates the strength of rural communities with a community potluck supper at 5:30 pm, followed by a program featuring a presentation of certificates of recognition at 7:00 pm. The program includes an opportunity for guests to share testimonials and appreciation.
Program Director Walter Boomsma noted in announcing the celebration, “We always try to honor people who have their boots on the ground and give of themselves to strengthen and build our communities. These too often unsung heroes are a lifeline for our communities. The event itself brings neighbors and friends together. Even the meal demonstrates the strength and value of our communities, as the communities prepare the potluck supper by bringing dishes to share.”
Stewart is an active community leader and dedicated mother of two, whose children enjoy swimming, golf, and dance. She has a passion for water skiing, boating, and reading, and she devotes much of her time to volunteering. Manda serves as the president of the RVCS Boosters in Dexter, is a Kiwanis member, and partners with the Dexter Development Association to support local initiatives.
“She has been unstoppable in her efforts to create a viable community center out of the former Y.M.C.A in Dover-Foxcroft. She is a wearer of many hats and source of boundless energy and doesn’t seem to have the word ‘can’t’ in her vocabulary. Valley Grange is honored to offer this opportunity for our communities to recognize her compassion, professionalism, and resilience,” Boomsma notes.
Community Service Chair Mary Annis adds, “This is always such a great evening as we enjoy the chance to connect with each other, share a great meal, and celebrate our rural lives. So many people benefit from the work Manda and people like her do daily. This is a chance to thank them in person and maybe shake hands and give a hug.”
Additional information about the event is available at http://valleygrange.com and on the Valley Grange Facebook page.
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!
By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193
Happy 2025! Attending the 2025 Northeast Leaders Conference was very informative and educational. There are some changes being made to the Community Service Notebooks for this year.
Remember, only five pages total. Use both sides. Less pages is fine. Use both sides. Judging is on content, not appearance.
The National Grange Community Service Project is Conservation. More information, including ideas for projects, will be coming soon!