Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
Highland Lake Grange No. 87 marked its 150th anniversary this month! To celebrate, eleven members enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Rustlers Steakhouse in Windham. The Grange is planning a public event for its 150th later in 2025. Details will be announced at a later date.
by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director
Our state is in for some bitterly cold temperatures early next week. In some areas, wind chill factors will reach 20 – 30 degrees below zero. Stay safe!
If your Grange plans to open your hall as a warming center, PLEASE let us know. You can use the submit information tab on the website or send me an email. I will get the information posted quickly in a “Facebook Friendly” way that will make it easy for the information to be shared.
At a minimum, include your Grange’s name, location (street address and/or directions), and any details such as the hours open, etc.
Thanks!
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!
The National Grange is thrilled to announce Rebekah Hodgson as the new Junior Grange Director. A dedicated Jonesboro Grange #357 member in Jonesboro, Maine, Hodgson brings a deep appreciation of Grange values and a passion for community service to her new role. Rebekah’s journey with the Grange began with her grandparents, Helen and Edward Brooks, who
were active members of Robbinston Grange in Robbinston, Maine. Her own involvement took root about six years ago when she joined Jonesboro
Grange to help save it from closure, inspired by her father’s determination to preserve its legacy.
Since then, Rebekah has been an enthusiastic advocate for Grange activities, making her mark through projects like the Crush Cancer Lobster Crawl 5k, Candyland, the free 10,000 Easter Egg Hunt, and Grinch at the Grange.
Outside of her work with the Grange, Rebekah is a K3 preschool teacher and K4 preschool assistant, a Girl Scout leader, and a licensed commercial lobster
fisher—a skill she’s honed since age 10. She currently lives in Illinois with her husband Garrett, an active duty Coast Guard Chief, and their two children, Jase
(7) and Kennedy (5). Her family shares her passion for the outdoors and community engagement.
As Junior Grange Director, Rebekah has ambitious plans for the year ahead. She aims to foster stronger bonds between Junior and more senior members,
spark interest in new Junior Grange chapters, and deepen young members’ love for the Grange through creative, engaging programming. Inspired by her
connection to the ocean, she plans to incorporate aquatic-themed activities into Junior programming, especially at this year’s National Convention aboard
the Carnival Horizon.
Rebekah’s vision for the Junior department centers on empowering young members to be future leaders of the Grange. “Junior members are the voice
of tomorrow,” she said. “By utilizing their energy, passion, and eagerness to learn, they can create meaningful change and preserve the traditions
that connect us all.”
Her advice to those hoping to engage more young people in the Grange? “Find out what interests them and incorporate that into your Junior Grange! Show them the joy and sense of family that comes with being part of the Grange through welcoming, free events and fun-filled meetings.”
National Grange President Christine Hamp is confident that Hodgson’s creativity, leadership, and dedication will inspire the next generation of Grange members, ensuring the organization’s legacy continues to thrive.
“Rebekah’s engaging energy and excitement are exactly what we need to create meaningful experiences for our youngest members,” said Hamp. “I can’t wait to see the positive impact she and her team bring to our Junior Grange Program.”
Hodgson will be assisted by the Junior Advisory Team, consisting of Emily Hartsell (NC), Makayla Piers (RI), and Gayle Reyburn (PA). Email junior@nationalgrange.org for more information.
By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193
Happy December! There are many ways to help out the Community during this Holiday Season. Make sure you document the planning, actual service, time spent (members and nonmembers), who was involved in the project, pictures, thank you notes, etc. This is what is needed for the notebook report. Also, document on end of year report. These are two separate Community Service reports.
FH&H: Fall leaves us, and winter begins. With temperatures fluctuating and socializing increasing, please dress accordingly and be aware of the environment. It is a great time of year, but if you don’t feel well, stay home and take care of yourself. It is the season for colds, flu, Covid, and respiratory issues. Make sure you are up to date with shots.
This is also a great time to spend or connect with family and friends and make great memories!
Keep your head, hands, and feet warm and dry. This will help keep body temperature steady and keep you comfortable.
Merry Christmas & Happy 2025!
Valley Grange is proud to have handed out close to 250 dictionaries to third-graders this year. That puts us well over 4,000 since starting the program several decades ago. Enjoy some photos of this year’s program.
Dictionary Days are fun because learning is fun!
If your Grange is interested in starting a Words for Thirds Dictionary Program, complete the form below. No obligation!
By Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service/FHH Director
(207) 608-9193
The Community Service Committee would like to thank all Grangers (Community Service Chairperson, committee members, individuals, and groups) and non-Grange members (groups, citizens and individuals) for their hours of community service and supporting the Grange.
Community Service Notebooks
These notebooks are a report of the Community Service Projects usually one to two pages (three if absolutely needed) for each project. The 1-2 pages will describe the project, planning involved, advertising for project, pictures of project, recognition and thank you.
Ten notebooks were submitted. A certificate of participation recognition was presented to each Grange. Monetary awards were given to the first four places.
10. Willow Grange #366
9. Evening Star Grange #83
8. Hudson Grange #457
7. Valley Grange #144
6. Maple Grove #148
5. Jonesboro Grange #357
4. Saco Grange #53, $50.00
3. Highland Lake Grange #87, $150.00
2. Lakeside Grange #63, $200.00
1. Enterprise Grange #48,$250.00 (Enterprise Grange Notebook goes on to National Grange, representing Maine State Grange.)
Marilyn Stinson of Enterprise Grange was selected as Granger of the Year. Granger of the Year chooses a cause to receive a $100 donation. Marilyn selected the Home for Little Wanderers.
Highland Lake Grange #87 was awarded $50 as the winner of the FH&H Contest.
For a complete report, see the 2023-24 Community Service Annual Report of winners.
Thank you all for participating in the Community Service Programs! Congratulations to all participating Granges and winners!
Please note that there is one correction to the story–The Dictionary Project has actually distributed 37,000,000 dictionaries in total!
BROWNVILLE — Grade 3 students at the Brownville Elementary School now have thousands of words and accompanying definitions at their fingertips, along with other assorted facts. The pupils do not need to worry about charged laptops or cellphones to access this information, as each of the nearly 50 youngsters now has their very own dictionary thanks to Valley Grange No. 144 of Guilford...
Check out this amazing article in the Piscataquis Observer about the words for Thirds Dictionary Day in Brownville Elementary School!
Well, at least for now! We still have some confirming to do, but it looks like at least ten Granges in Maine are participating in the Words for Thirds Program.
Thanks to the folks who have answered the call and provided information. If you still haven’t, just complete this simple form!
Our resource page is shaping up nicely and should be ready to release in a week or so. It includes a customized logo for participating Granges, many sample documents such as a letter for parents, press releases, media advisories, and a sample presentation outline.
We owe a special thanks to Mary French, Director of the Dictionary Project, for her enthusiasm and support of this effort!