Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
Saturday, November 18, 2023,
9 am – 2 pm
White Rock Grange and Friendship Club
33&34 Wilson Road
Gorham Maine
Join dozens of crafters this holiday season. All items are handcrafted: candles, ornaments, home decor, wreaths, jewelry, handbags, crochet animals & knitted items, and much more! Raffle for themed gift baskets. Check the event out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/2027697437587563
Gleaned from the Annual Report
Community Service Notebook Contest Winners
First Place: Highland Lake Grange #87
Second Place: Maple Grove #148
Third Place: Jonesboro Grange #357
Tied for Fourth Place: Valley Grange #144 and Saco Grange #53
Of 84 Subordinate Granges, ten reports were submitted. We are required to have a 25% participation rate to receive monetary support from the National Grange. We did not make it this year.
There were no entries for EMT/Firefighter/Educator of the Year and no entries for Granger of the Year. Previous Grangers of the Year included:
2017 – 2018 Victoria Huff
2018 – 2019 Ann Burns
2019 – 2020 Walter Boomsma
2020 – 2021 Rebekah Hodgson
2021 – 2022 John Cox Jr.
Family Health and Hearing Contest Winner
Highland Lake Grange #87
In our rush to release state convention information at least one mistake was made. In the original “news,” the link to the Master’s Address actually led to the Treasurer’s Report! Apologies for any inconvenience. The link in the story has been corrected and is provided here!
So far we’ve uploaded 25 documents and created links for them. That’s not a case of whining, just creating perspective. If this is the only mistake, it’s not TOO bad. Thanks to Brother Rolf Staples for reporting it!
Sorry for any inconvenience!
The delegate body elected the following officers during the 150th Maine State Grange Convention.
Master, Sherry Harriman
Overseer, Mike Griffin
Lecturer, Missy Baldwin
Steward, Ben Edgerly
Assistant Steward, Rick Grotton
Lady Assistant Steward, Roberta Meserve
Chaplain, Christine Hebert
Treasurer, Laurie McBurnie
Secretary, Sharon Morton
Gatekeeper, Peter Ivers
Ceres, Betty Huff
Pomona, Kathy Gowen
Flora, Deborah Ivers
Executive Committee, James Meserve – 4-year term
Directors and Committee Chairs will be announced upon receipt of information. If you have been elected or appointed, please be certain that we have your contact information by checking the online officer directory.
A complete summary of the State Session will come in several forms over some period of time. Of course, the official is the Journal of Proceedings, which will be posted when received.
A first priority is the Master’s Address, in part because it’s easy to do! In fact, it’s done! Click this link to download and print a copy of the Master’s Address!
Second are the results of the election. It may, however, be a while before directories are updated with complete contact information. Gathering that information tends to be the biggest challenge. If you were elected or appointed to an office, it will speed things up if you send me your email address and phone number!
Third are the “missing” annual reports. (Some are not available until the state session. You can check the program books and information page. I should have all reports that I’ve received uploaded within a day or two of this post.)
Fourth are the results of the three resolutions considered by the delegates.
Fifth will be some things I’ve requested from people. One example is the MSG history facts prepared by Margaret Morse as “filler” during the elections while counts were being done. Some were very interesting!
Things may not appear in exactly the order given, but my goal is to have at least one through four completed before the end of this week (October 28, 2023).
If you subscribe to the site, you’ll get an email when new posts are made! Thanks to the delegate who told me he loves how easy it is to get information from the site, especially the emails!
Lastly, please continue to submit your events! When I have multiple submissions, I prioritize local Grange events and news first. You matter! Use the submit tab, or send an email!
The most recent Grange Membership Year runs from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
According to the Membership Annual Report, 19 Granges in Maine had net gains that year, taking in some 75 members.
The top three membership gains were:
Congratulations and well done! Wow!
Are you aware of any “Wows” (new members, funds raised, successful events, other accomplishments) we should announce? Send a few details!
Kennebec Valley Grange is providing a “take out lunch” on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from noon until 2:00 p.m. The menu includes ham, baked beans, a variety of casseroles, biscuits, and apple crisp with real whipped cream for dessert. The cost is $10. This is their annual fundraiser to benefit the Carroll Dean Memorial Agricultural Scholarship Fund.
For additional information, contact Diane Pinkham at 207 314-5135.
The Kennebec Valley Grange Hall is located at 560 Main Street (Rt. 148) in Madison, Maine .
It becomes my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Wes Ryder on October 7, 2023. Wes was a past Master of both Stevens Mills and Danville Junction Granges and served as a Maine State Grange Deputy. Wes was also known for his poetry and description of the Grange as a place for Friends, Family, Food, and Fun.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation in his honor to the Danville Junction Grange #65 Scholarship Fund can do so by sending it to 48 Pond Road, Raymond, ME 04071.
A private burial service will be held at Mt Auburn Cemetery. Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives, and a full obituary is available here. You can also sign the guest book with your message and memories.
When I spoke to Glenys, she shared, “Grange has always been a huge part of Wes’s life. He was born into a Grange family, and when he joined at fourteen, he became very active at both the Subordinate and Pomona levels. Later, he enjoyed being a deputy of the Maine State Grange. He loved going to Lecturer’s Conferences and state conventions. His proudest moment, however, was when he received his 70-year Membership Certificate!”
Cards for Glenys can be sent to Glenys Ryder, 1267 Old Danville Road,
Auburn, ME 04210.
The Parkman Grange is again helping out Santa to make Christmas special for MSAD 4 area kids with the Santa Project. This program provides warm winter coats, boots, and a toy to local kids, from newborns to high school seniors whose families could use a little help this holiday season. Applications can be picked up at the following town offices: Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, and Sangerville and at the Parkman Grange on the porch. They are also available through the schools. The application deadline is November 11, 2023. Distribution will be on Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 10 AM to noon. The Parkman Grange is located at the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Road.
If you would like to help out, donation checks can be made out to Parkman Grange, memo line Santa Project, and sent to PO Box 114, Guilford, ME 04443.
Save the date: December 9, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. Parkman Grange hosts a kids’ Christmas party. Santa will be there with simple crafts to make for gifts. There will be cookies, cocoa, and lots of fun for all!
Additional information is available from Sue Manchester, Parkman Grange Master, at 207 717-6248.
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Join us for a mythical market at the most magical time of the year! The Witches Faire will take place on Sunday, October 29th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the East Madison Grange, right by Wesserrunsett Lake. There will be herbal products, jewelry, unique crafts, tarot and astrology readings, and more! Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and free admission is free. FMI email team@gardensofasgard.com, message or call 716-6441.