Tag: Grange Activities

Ag Committee Report – 2023

By Wilma Grenier, MSG Ag Director
(207) 437-2099

I have enjoyed my time as committee chairperson and want to thank the loyal members for their dedication over the past two years! Each member of the group has contributed in their special way! As I step down, I want to thank you all!

In 2023, five scholarships were awarded, and as they finish their first semester and turn in their proof of successful completion to Sharon at the office in January, they will receive their checks for $500. These students are:

  • Lily Mae Jaffray from Blue Hill to study Pre-Veterinary Science.
  • Emma L. Alexander from Dexter to study Forestry,
  • Zachary Dean Skidgel from Newport to study Sustainable Agriculture,
  • Grace Cassandra VanBuskirk from Thomaston to study Pre-Veterinary Science,
  • Ashley Nicole Stubbs from Addison to study Animal & Veterinary Science.

Funds have been raised over $2,300 to replenish the fund due to the hard work of the volunteers at the Grange Store at Fryeburg Fair ($1,500), Committee volunteers at the MAITC Annual Meeting ($500), and raffles at the State Grange Session this fall. A big thank you to all the committee members who worked on these projects.

In closing, I would like to wish the new committee chair, Roberta Meserve, the very best of luck in the upcoming year! I am willing to remain on the committee if you would like, and look forward to helping with scholarships and judging at some fairs if still needed.

I know that Ag Trade Show is coming up on January 9 – 11. Sharon is working on
securing the booth. The scholarship applications go out to guidance councilors in January too. I can take on that job at the office if Roberta and Sherry wish.

Please let me know. So many thanks, everyone! As the air gets cooler, I am thinking about the holidays coming! All my best to you all and those you love!

Mill Stream Grange Supports Food Bank

Mill Stream Grange donated the makings for 60 Thanksgiving pies to the Mt. Vernon Area Food Bank. Accepting for the Food Bank are (l-r) Rosie Baker, Richard Thompson, Carol Fuller and Kristin Thompson. The Food Bank serves the towns of Mt. Vernon, Vienna, Readfield, Manchester, and Fayette. Rosie, Richard, and Kristin are members of Mill Stream Grange and volunteer at the Food Bank every Saturday morning.

Trenton Grange Announces Suppers

Trenton Grange will host free Community Pot Luck Suppers on the first Friday of the month as follows

  • December 1, 2023, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • January 5, 2024, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • February 2, 2024, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • March 1, 2024, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • April 5, 2024, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The Trenton Grange Hall is located at 1134 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, Maine. All are welcome! Contact Emily Muise for more details.

Open Mic at Trenton Grange

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 – 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Open Mic Event (acoustic) at the Trenton Grange Hall, 1134 Bar Harbor Road, Trenton featuring music, comedy, stories/poetry. Admission is $5 per person. Contact Emily Muise for more details.

Community Grange Bean Supper

Bake Bean Supper Friday, December 8, 2023, from 5:00-6:30. Community Grange in East Wilton will be having a Bake Bean Supper with molasses cake for dessert. $10 per adult, $5 for children under 12. Hope to see you there!

Mill Stream Places Stickers

Mill Stream Grange members Paul Lavender, Jill Sampson, Kirsten Heck, and her daughter Natalie met at the Franklin Cemetery in Vienna to attach ID stickers to the stones of veterans. The small, unobtrusive stickers were placed low on the back of the stones in an effort to make them easier to find when placing flags for Memorial Day. Permission for this project was given by the Association which oversees the care of the cemetery on Tower Road in Vienna.

  • Natalie Heck places sticker
  • The stickers are small, but help identify and honor.
  • Paul Lavender is proud of his Grange and these Veterans
  • Stickers are placed on the rear of the stone.
  • One of many…

Excelsior Grange Christmas Fair

November 25, 2023, 9 am-1 pm.

Vendors, White Elephant Table, wreaths, raffles, and lunch eat-in or take-out (beef stew, corn chowder, chili, or baked beans plus dessert and a drink $5). For more information, call 207-998-2301.

Excelsior Grange is located at 446 Harris Hill Road in Poland, Maine.

Communication Shorts 11-15-2023

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Send us your ideas and thoughts!

November Bulletin Reminder

The November Bulletin is finished! Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

Is It Suspicion or Caution?

We’ve had reports of members receiving a letter that appears to be from National Grange offering free life insurance from a company called “American Income Life Insurance Company.” This is a “legitimate” company, but the letter is suspect. With nearly everyone from National Grange at the National Convention, it may be difficult to confirm my suspicion, but I would be very cautious about responding to this letter. A little research shows that this insurance company receives nearly double the number of complaints as similar-sized companies.

Don’t forget to submit the details for a website post and event calendar listing!

Don’t Forget!

You may submit the names of new members so they can be recognized in Good Day! by emailing Philip Vonado or by calling (814) 404-7985.

Fox 22 Covers Valley Grange Dictionary Project

For a summary, check this link.

ODD (Officers, Deputies, Directors)

We believe all updates are completed! The correct information is listed in the online directory, the print directory (a copy will be mailed with the Bulletin), on the Bulletin, and on the Program Books and Information Page! Phew! Please let us know if you encounter any errors!

Ideas for Granges

If you read “View from the Farm” this month, Phil makes several interesting points. One is about individuals supporting CSA programs… for Granges with local farms in the area, there might be several opportunities here. Put your creative thinking hat on! Could your Grange sponsor a CSA or two? Could you offer your local farmers “advertising?”

Thought for You…

“Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world.”

George Bernard Shaw

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!

Do You Have FOMO?

“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

Lecturer’s Column – November 2023

By Melissa Baldwin, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 324-4661

Adult Photo Contest Winners

Category: Animals
1st place: Paula Roberts – Willow Grange #366
2nd place: Terry LaCombe – Hudson Grange #457
3rd place: Kathy Gowen – Highland Lake Grange #87

Category: Gardens
1st place: Kathy Gowen – Highland Lake Grange #87
2nd place: Laurie McBurnie – Willow Grange #366
3rd place: Marilyn Stinson – Enterprise Grange #48

Category: Water
1st place: Kathy Gowen – Highland Lake Grange #87
2nd place: Laurie McBurnie – Willow Grange #366
3rd place: Norma Meserve – Danville Jct. Grange #65

Category: Winter
1st place: Norma Meserve – Danville Jct. #65
2nd place: Laurie McBurnie – Willow Grange #366
3rd place: Terry LaCombe – Hudson Grange #457

Best in Show: Paula Roberts – Willow Grange # 366
People’s Choice: Terry LaCombe – Hudson Grange #457

Adult Coloring Winners

1st place: Terry Wilson – Bangor Grange #372
2nd place: Tim Wilson – Bangor Grange #372

Junior Art

Age Group 5-7: 
1st place: Laura Coffin

Age Group 8 – 10 
1st place: John Coffin
2nd place: Mary Coffin

Age Group 11 – 14
1st place Edith Coffin

Important Stuff!

-> Do your Holiday Shopping at a Grange Holiday Craft Fair. Here’s a list of the ones we’ve heard about!

Degree Days & Information/Instruction Meetings
  • January 10-12, 2025, NE Leaders Conference
  • April 27, 2025, Degree Day at MSG Headquarters. (First Four Degrees)
  • October 24-25, 2025 151st Maine State Grange Convention in Orono.

If your Grange is distributing dictionaries to schools or may be interested in doing so, please see this post and fill out the form!