Reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.
The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) announced that the Maine Coastal Cleanup is returning for 2026 in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup effort.
According to DMR, the September event marks the largest volunteer effort in the state. In 2025, the multi-week event drew 1,287 volunteers who cleaned thousands of pounds of trash and debris from almost 95 miles of coastline.
This year’s campaign is scheduled Sept. 5-19; and volunteers are being sought from Surry to Portland. For more information about volunteering, or to register your own cleanup effort as a cleanup coordinator, visit DMR’s event website.
Participation could be a great fall community service project for Grangers and Junior Grangers. Volunteers support this effort by adopting a location and soliciting others to join them in cleaning up the trash from their location of choice and help to keep our coast and ocean trash free!
“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives Him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
Matthew 10:40-42
We are getting into the hot season. The season most of us were dreaming about last winter. You remember, the cold winter that seemed to hang on forever.
Now that the hot weather is here, what do people want most of all? A cool place to relax, and a nice cold drink! But what about those unfortunate people who cannot find these things? What do they do?
When you see someone struggling with the heat, give that person some help. If nothing else, give them a drink of water. If that isn’t possible, definitely call someone or an agency who can help. Be that person who steps up to help someone less fortunate. It doesn’t cost anything.
Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.” Amen.
Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”
Benediction: Gracious Father, help us remember that it doesn’t take much money to help the less fortunate. All it takes is a kind heart. Amen.
Thought for the month:
“May the good saints protect you and bless you today, and may troubles ignore you each step of the way.” [Irish Blessing]
While Chaplain Christine is burdened with technology challenges, she has invited Past MSG Chaplain Clay to share some spiritual thoughts with our Grange Flock.
Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.
Use the icons below to share this Grange Heirloom on social media and help others understand what the Grange stands for! If this heirloom has a particular meaning for you, click the “leave a comment” link at the left and share your comment with us!
Manchester Grange recently unveiled a Little Free Library® as a result of what might be described as a family project. Member Paige Tobie is determined to make the Manchester Grange more visible and relevant to their community. She notes that the hall’s location is an ideal location, adjacent to the elementary school playground, a Fielder’s Choice ice cream stand, and on a busy highway. She credits her husband, Forrest, with being the brains behind the project, adapting some online plans to make it bigger than normal models to provide more books for the community since Manchester does not have a public library. Daughters Olive and Margo helped with the painting, though they were disappointed with the choice of a “boring” color.
Keeping the Grange identity meant using a photo of an old Grange sign inside the building and attaching it to the library. The library is officially registered with the Little Free Library organization (Charter #226621) with the location mapped on the LFL site.
In addition to its global location, a brand-new Manchester Grange Website offers a “venue and community space to bring people together.” The site is clean, efficient, and easy to navigate. Family memberships are available!
But wait! There are more reasons to find your way to the Manchester Grange Hall. Recently added picnic tables are readily available and, on the first and third Mondays of the month, a coffee open house welcomes visitors from 8 am – 10 am. (Hint: bring books for the Little Free Library!) You can get summertime reading materials, coffee, and a warm welcome that will help you discover the value of community and the Grange.
Paige enjoys the “work.”Forest, Designer and Chief CarpenterGreat place to sit and readStop by! Bring Books!The color may be boring, but Olive and Margo aren’t!
Reprinted from an enewsletter by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin, District 4.
The Fourth of July – also known as Independence Day or July 4th – has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941; yet the tradition of Independence Day celebrations dates back to the 18th century and the American Revolutionary War.
On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from Britain. Two days later, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
The Declaration of Independence allowed Congress to seek alliances with foreign countries, and the fledgling U.S. formed its most important alliance early in 1778 with France. Without France’s support, America might well have lost the Revolutionary War.
The war waged by the American colonies against Britain, which began more than a year earlier in April 1775 at Lexington and Concord near Boston, would eventually end when British forces surrendered in Yorktown, Virginia. Yet the Declaration and America’s victory had far-reaching effects around the globe as other nations saw a small novel nation win its freedom from the greatest military force of its time.
From 1776 to today, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
This year’s Independence Day will be celebrated on Saturday, July 4, 2026, marking the nation’s 250th birthday. Known as the semiquincentennial, this historic milestone commemorates two and a half centuries since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Communities across the country will observe the anniversary with special ceremonies, educational programs, parades, concerts and other events honoring America’s history. The occasion also offers an opportunity to reflect on the nation’s founding ideals, recognize the generations who have worked to preserve and expand its freedoms and consider how Americans can carry those ideals forward for the next 250 years.
Vicki Huff, Master of Hollis Grange, is participating for the first time in the annual Tri for a Cure Triathlon, in a commitment to her own health and recovery. Vicki explains her motivation in this short video.
Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF) leads this statewide effort to reduce the impact of cancer in Maine, investing in the most promising and effective programs that:
Improve access to care for all Maine people;
Advance cancer prevention
Increase screening and early detection
The triathlon consists of three parts. Vicki has teamed up with her sister Veronica. Veronica will handle the swimming and biking portions, while Vicki handles the walking and running portions. The name of their team is VForce.
This year’s event happens on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Tri for a Cure has become the largest triathlon in the state of Maine, providing a gorgeous race course along the shores of Cape Elizabeth and South Portland.
“The Tri” certainly has many impacts on everyone who is somehow touched by it. We asked Vicki to comment on how the Grange might be affected and how the Grange might have an effect.
The Triathlon has a great fundraising approach with several components. First, participants are required to raise a minimum of $500 each to be eligible. The Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF) recruits sponsors for the event itself, so all of the money raised goes directly to the cause.
While the VForce Team has raised the minimum. Additional donations are certainly in order! Use the link below to show your support. 100% of funds raised stay in Maine to support cancer prevention, screening, and improved patient outcomes. The money you help us raise will make a difference in the lives of your neighbors and communities around Maine. Now, more than ever, cancer patients need our help!
That it’s summertime affects communication in both positive and negative ways. longer days and vacations promote casual, authentic connections, extreme heat often reduces language complexity and lowers frustration tolerance, which can quickly lead to irritability and conflict. As is often the case, we have some “good news, bad news.”
Summer may encourage a shift from rigid, formal routines and habits. In non-professional (work) environments, productivity may decrease as people are inclined to take extended breaks or at least become more focused on time off. It’s simply more challenging to get things done, particularly where collaboration is necessary. Just scheduling meetings can become challenging.
On a personal level, communication may become more relaxed and personal. I admit that I’d much rather be writing about my fall travel plans than work topics or Grange business.
A secondary point is how the environment influences communication. When I was working in organizational design and development, one CEO required executives to keep a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers and pajamas at the office. The dress code for many meetings required wearing them. He suggested, “It’ll be difficult to take ourselves too seriously if we’re all dressed like that.” He thought it would help them take the agenda seriously. He wasn’t as crazy as he sounded at first.
The summer weather is certainly part of the environment. Studies show that prolonged exposure to heat and dehydration causes physical discomfort, which lowers frustration thresholds and increases the likelihood of anger or miscommunication. Bear that in mind when you’re meeting on the second floor of your unairconditioned Grange hall.
Maybe we should move the meeting to a picnic table at the local ice cream stand. A change of environment not only improves communication, but it also changes thinking and experience. Perhaps instead of fixing the broken pencil sharpener, we might ignore it and look for a different way to sharpen a pencil
Don’t be threatened by the idea of questioning assumptions, breaking conventions, and exploring unconventional perspectives to solve problems. While the fraternal and ritualistic aspects of our Order have huge, almost immeasurable value, even the founders saw the value of breaking out of traditional thought patterns. If we look at the major accomplishments of the early Grange, they reflect creative thinking for their time. If we remember the lessons of the first four degrees, they align with the seasons. The common thread is change and growth. The farmer’s life adapts to the seasons.
Our thinking, communication, and activity are deeply intertwined. We can’t always control the change of environment (whether it’s the season or something else). Someone wisely said, “The best thing to do when it rains is to let it.” By being aware of the changes happening around us, we can make life more interesting and enjoyable.
FACT: In the past twelve months, there have been over 20,000 views of the MSG Website.
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them , because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. The he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
John 14:15-17
June is here in all its glory, bringing with it new life and very warm weather. I hope you have the right cup while you enjoy the fine weather we are having.
I heard a story once about a man who was driving through a quiet neighborhood when he came upon some children selling Kool-Aid for 25 cents a cup. He stopped to buy a cup. He gave them a dollar, and they gave him back his change with his cup of Kool-Aid.
The child stood there in front of him while he drank his Kool-Aid. The man was asked if he wanted another drink, and when he said no, the child asked the man for the cup back, for that was the only cup they had, and it was needed for them to continue in business.
It is difficult to operate a Kool-Aid business with only one cup. Are you running your lives with only one cup, attending church services once a week, and thinking that is all it takes to be a good Christian? Just go to church on Sunday, and that is all that it takes.
We need more cups to do God’s work every day.
Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”
Benediction: Gracious Father, help us to remember that it takes more than one cup to do your work. Amen.
Thought for the month:
“May you live as long as you want. And never want as long as you live!” [Irish Blessing]
While Chaplain Christine is burdened with technology challenges, she has invited Past MSG Chaplain Clay to share some spiritual thoughts with our Grange Flock.
Reprinted from an e-newsletter by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin, District 4.
In any given week, there are more than a hundred farmers’ markets across the state offering fresh fruits, vegetables and meats directly from the farm. The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM) is a statewide organization that helps sustain Maine farms, connects farmers to markets and widens access to locally grown food for Maine residents and tourists alike.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry took initial steps to organize a farmers’ market association beginning in the late 1980s. In the spring of 1991, farmers’ market members from a number of key markets pulled together and officially organized MFFM.
Today, the organization keeps a listing of these fresh and nutritious happenings on their website. Some of the larger markets opened in May, but all will be operating in earnest next month as early crops begin to mature. Some of the markets on MFFM’s site also accept SNAP and WIC benefits. To see the complete list of farmers’ markets across the state as well as those that accept SNAP and WIC, visit the Federation’s website.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension has released a new fact sheet to support individuals who are starting farm enterprises, an effort that often comes with a steep learning curve.
Bulletin #1215, Avoiding Common Mistakes of Beginning Farmers outlines the challenges often faced by new farmers and offers research-based guidance to help growers and producers reduce risk and build a strong foundation for long-term farm success. Topics include developing a business plan, assessing land and soil resources, evaluating equipment needs, establishing recordkeeping systems and identifying markets. The fact sheet is intended for aspiring and early-career farmers seeking practical information to inform decision-making during the startup phase of farm operations. The publication is available free of charge on the Cooperative Extension Publications webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Nicholas Rowley at 207.778.4650 or nicholas.rowley@maine.edu.
