Tag: Grange Activities

Membership Moments – May 2025

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

I attended the recent Degree Day in Augusta in which 24 new members saw the first four degrees. A big thanks to the members of Androscoggin Pomona for organizing this yearly event. It was great to meet new Grangers and to see present Grange friends from all over the State of Maine. Congratulations to the new members. Hopefully, those who didn’t get a chance to see the degrees this year will attend the next one. There are still many obligated members who should be learning the lessons of the Grange first-hand. In the meantime, keep attracting those new members! 

June is coming, and with that month comes, yes, elections! Elections, believe it or not, are very important for the progress of your Grange. Please consider your new membership when electing officers (if they are interested) to keep them involved. Teach them the floorwork; we all could use a refresher course from time to time. Keep your Grange meetings running smoothly and listen to all ideas, especially from your new members. They do have their reasons for joining. 

Forming committees is also important to the well-being of your Grange. Too many times, there are no reports given on the selected committees or no active committees to report. A membership committee is recommended in each Grange. The membership committee can be a select few or the whole of your current membership. Please report on this committee at each meeting. Some discussions about membership planning and ideas should be shared at all meetings.  

Kudos to all Granges who have a full calendar of events this year. I wish them the best in their accomplishments, and may they continue to prosper and grow!  

Ag Committee Report – May 2025

By Roberta Meserve, MSG Ag Director
(207) 998-3857

Time to catch up on committee happenings.

The Ag committee had a busy winter, with a presence at the Augusta Trade Show and at the MAAF (Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs) convention in January, and at Ag Day at the State Legislature in March.

At the Trade Show, committee members took turns manning our table, promoting our scholarship, and chatting with passers-by. At the MAAF meeting, we had a table promoting Grange fair exhibits and shared information with State Ag Fair exhibition hall superintendents. At the Legislature, we again promoted our scholarship and had fudge (and some seeds) for those visiting our table.

At each event, we were able to interact with many Ag-related groups and enterprises from all parts of the state.

In early May, we met to choose scholarship recipients. The applicants were from all parts of the state. We were able to provide a scholarship of $500.00 each to these nine deserving students:

  • Milan Bsullakmiller, South Portland – South Portland High
  • Allie Caron, Fort Kent – Fort Kent Community High
  • Quinn Cunningham, Jonesboro – Machias Memorial High
  • Ashley Kalloch, Whitefield – Hall-Dale High
  • Celia Linderoth, Cape Elizabeth – Cape Elizabeth High
  • Willis Rienhardt, Exeter – Dexter Regional High
  • David Tuttle, Sangerville – Piscataquis Community High
  • Nora Whitcomb, Hampden – Hampden Academy
  • Dylan Wombacher, Bucksport – Maine School of Science & Mathematics

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!

Danville Junction Grange Yard Sale

May 17, 2025 – 9 a.m until 1 p.m.

woman in white dress shirt carrying paper bags
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com

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!

President’s Perspective – May 2025

By Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange President/Master
207 490-1029

Degree Day

CONGRATULATIONS and a warm welcome to our members who received their Degrees on April 27 at the State Grange Home. A most hardy thank-you to the many who participated and helped in any way to make the day such a success. I also want to thank those behind the scenes, those asking someone to join our Grange family, bringing folks to the Degree Day, and all those folks who attended.

Resolutions

The resolution deadline date is August 15, as stated in our By-laws, and must be submitted to the State Grange office via e-mail and/or hard copy by that date to be considered at the 2025 State Grange Session on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18 at the Black Bear Inn, 4 Godrey Drive in Orono. This year will also be a full State Grange election. Yes, it is only three months to get your resolutions into us, but this early deadline date allows time for the State Grange to compile all the resolutions, get them printed and mailed in advance of the session to be reviewed by the Subordinate and Pomona Granges.

Election of Officers

  • Yes, Maine still uses paper ballots for each officer and election should be held in June for all Subordinate and Pomona Granges.
  • The Master will appoint tellers to count the ballots.
  • Count the members from your Grange who are eligible to vote. Provide ballots to all. Yes, the tellers may ballot if they are from that Grange.
  • Then the Master will say: “The Chair awaits presentations of names for the office of…”
  • Any member of that Grange may present or suggest a name (nominate is not the proper term). Anyone’s name may be presented for any office by any member.
  • The Master will repeat the name presented and ask “are there any others?”, asking a total of three times, repeating the list of names for that office each time they ask “are there any others?”. A person may decline or withdraw their name for the office.
  • The Master will repeat all the names and say “You will prepare your ballots for the office of …” After a brief pause, the Master will instruct the Assistants to collect the ballots and may excuse the Assistants from carrying their staves.
  • You do not have to ballot if you do not wish to. You must write the word “Blank” on the ballot if you want to cast your ballot, but do not want to vote for one of those names presented or any other name, but want your ballot to count in the “total ballots cast.” (A plain ballot may have been stuck to another and not intended to be put in the ballot count; plain ballots will not be counted in the total of ballots cast.)
  • Once the Assistants have collected the ballots, the Master asks, “Have all balloted who desire to do so?” Hearing no one speak up, the Master will say, “I declare the ballot closed.” The ballot is then given to the tellers, and the Assistants return to their seats.
  • The tellers will count the ballots and make the report. Reporting as follows each time: “WM, there were x total ballots cast for the office of…, necessary for choice… (majority, one more than half of the ballots cast), then will list the number of ballots cast for each person or name on the ballots, including any that say ‘blank’ on them. The ballot is then thrown away after the result is given by the Master.
  • The final choice is announced by the Master, “By your ballot, you have elected to the office of _.” and the results are recorded. Once a majority has been reached, the Master will ask the person, “Brother or Sister ___, do you accept the office of __.” If they decline or there is no majority of the ballots cast, the Master will say, “Since we have no majority, you will prepare your ballot for the office of _,” repeating all names listed. You will proceed to ballot once again on the same office until a majority is reached. The same procedure is followed for each office.
  • Upon completion of the election, the tellers are excused with thanks.
  • After the election, the elected Master will appoint a chairperson for each of the committees used in their Grange. (These Committee chairs will take over at the time of installation in the fall. The Subordinate or Pomona Secretary will provide the meeting day and time, and the Grange address, Officer (Master, Lecturer & Secretary name, address, phone & email), and the same for the Committee Chairs, to the State Grange as soon as possible for the new roster.

Maine State Grange Announces Yard Sale!

Communication Shorts 5-1-2025

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!

May Bulletin Reminder!

Deadline for May Columns is the 14th! Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Summer Events and Programs

Don’t forget to submit your summer events and programs–ideally at least one month in advance!

Recent Degree Day

The first Four Degrees were conferred on several dozen candidates! We’re waiting for some additional information and photos–coming soon!

Subscribe to the Site!

It’s easy and risk-free! With the recent influx of new members and degree recipients, we should see some new subscribers! Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Copy and share that link with new members!

Consider this Idea!

Sometimes, simple is best! We’re intrigued by Vassalboro Grange’s weekly “Coffee on the Porch.” (We also like their one-page flyer listing all their summer events!)

Think about this!

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, and summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” 

 William Shakespeare

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • 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 consult these directories often.
  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.

You’ll Miss Us!

a “webatorial” by MSG Communications Director
Walter Boomsma

Seth Godin wrote an interesting post suggesting that when people move away, cards and cake should read, “You’ll miss us” instead of “We’ll miss you.” He points out that the community remains.

One of the more powerful sentences in the short post was, “When a marketer serves a community, they create the conditions where they’d be missed–because the ideas or products or services they bring are important, not simply tolerated.“

With apologies to Seth, I changed a word or two. “When a Grange serves a community, they create the conditions where they’d be missed–because the ideas or services they bring are important, not simply tolerated.“

My revision raises a question for Granges. Would your communities miss you if you were gone? Would they even notice? Are you important or simply tolerated?

One of the challenges we face as an organization is relevance in communities that are loosely defined and increasingly diverse. If our vision is narrow and our goals are limited, we will be missed by an ever-diminishing number of people. For example, not everyone likes potluck suppers.

Seth’s short message is that marketers should see a worthwhile goal of creating ideas, products, or services that the community would miss.

Maybe it’s time for Granges to figure out what they can create and offer that their communities would miss.

May Grange Events in Maine

These are the ones we know about! Remember to submit information about your Grange’s events!

  • Every Tuesday, Coffee on the Porch at Vassalboro Grange, 8:30 am – 10 am. See post FMI
  • May 9, 2025, Valley Grange Spring Spruce Up–volunteers needed! 3 pm – 5 pm, FMI see Valley Grange Website
  • May 10, 2025, Mother’s Day Tea at Jonesboro Grange, 11 am. Limited seating, reservations required. See post FMI
  • May 11, 2025, Philosophy Table at Vassalboro Grange, 5 – 7 pm. See post FMI
  • May 14, 2025, MSG Bulletin Deadline
  • May 16, 2025, Valley Grange Community Night Celebration. Potluck Supper at 5:30, Program at 7:00. FMI see website.
  • May 17, 2025, Open Mic Night at Vassalboro Grange, 7 – 9 pm. See post FMI
  • May 18, 2025 Seedling Sale, Farmers Market and Brunch at Vassalboro Grange, 10:30 am – 1 pm. See post FMI.
  • May 23, 2025, Art/Antiques/Craft/Flea Market at Ocean View Grange in Port Clyde. Details TBA
  • May 24, 2025, Community Resource, Bake and Flea Market at Mystic Valley Grange #313, 9 am – 2 pm, Local historical societies, Senior Plus & County Extension Group will be represented. Located on Route 17 in East Dixfield next to the East Dixfield Fire Department. FMI Nancy Farrington, 623-0395.
  • May 24, 2025, Penobscot Pomona meets at Hudson Grange at 11 am. FMI Call Master Sanda Moon at 207 827-3698.
  • May 31, 2025, Contra Dance at Vassalboro Grange, 6 pm – 10 pm. See post FMI