Tag: Grange Events

Valley Grange Seeks Blanketeers

Volunteers will create blankets for children in need

Valley Grange of Guilford is sponsoring a blanket-making event on Saturday, May 2, 2026,  from 9:00 a.m. until noon, and volunteers are needed! Organizer Pat Engstrom notes, “No sewing skills are needed. If you can measure, cut a straight line with scissors, or tie a simple knot, you can become a ‘blanketeer’ and help support Project Linus. We’ll show you how!”

Project Linus, a non-profit organization, provides handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Last year’s event resulted in more than 100 blankets being completed. Since the need isn’t decreasing, Engstrom hopes to see the number of blankets made increase again this year.

“We have a great time doing this, and truly just about anyone can help. We create quite a production line, and it sometimes gets quite competitive! It’s exciting to realize we’re providing love in the form of ‘blankies’ that represent security, warmth, and comfort for kids. We consider them fabric hugs.”

While supplies will be provided, volunteers are encouraged to bring scissors, rulers, and masking tape. Light refreshments will be served.

For additional information, contact Pat Enstrom at 564-8290 or visit the Valley Grange Website at http://valleygrange.com. Valley Grange is located at 172 Guilford Center Road, at the corner of Butter Street.

April Grange Events

April 2026 – Grange Month

Every Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM, Kennebec Valley Grange hosts a flea market that fills two floors. Details here or call Diane Pinkham at 207 314-5135 FMI.

  • Deadline to register for the 2026 NELA Conference in New York.
  • April 4, 2026, Craft Sale at Benton Grange, 9:00 – 2:00 pm. FMI contact Mary Colson.
  • April 11, 2026, St George Grange Public Supper, 5 pm. FMI
  • April 12, 2026, MSG Officers’ Meeting at MSG Headquarters, 2 PM – 4 PM.
  • April 14, 2026, MSG Bulletin Deadline
  • April 17, 2926, Victor Grange in Fairfield hosts a free senior lunch, 11 AM – 1 PM.
  • April 17 – 19, 2026, NELA Conference in New York. Information and Registration Form
  • April 25, 2026, ODDs (Officers, Deputies, Directors) Workshop and Ice Cream Social, 2 PM – 4 PM at MSG Headquarters. FMI Contact Master Sherry.
  • April 26, 2026, Androscoggin Pomona Degree Day at Manchester Grange. More information here.
  • April 26, 2026, Community Citizen Awards at Enterprise Grange in Richmond, Maine at 3:00 pm. Details here.
  • April 29, 2026, April 29, 2026, Sagadahoc Pomona Fifth Degree Day at Enterprise Grange. For more information.

Note the recent addition of a workshop and Ice Cream Social for ODDs on April 25, 2026!

State Session is planned for October 30-31, 2026. Mark your calendar!

St George Grange Public Suppers

St. George Grange is located at 32 Wiley’s Corner Road in St George.

The St. George Grange is starting its 2026 Public Supper season! We have a Public Supper on the 2nd Saturday of each month, April through October. The fun always starts at 5 pm. Thank you, and hope to see you at the St. George Grange.

Our April 11 supper will feature a variety of homemade food, fresh-baked bread, desserts, coffee, and cold drinks with neighbors, friends, and family. Adults $10.00 Children $5.00 (under 10 yrs. free)

Cooked food donations for our supper are welcome (casseroles, salads, desserts, etc.) Part of the proceeds will be donated to the First Baptist Church of St. George, ME 04860

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Communications Column – March 2026

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

AI-generated image

Grangers Helping Grangers

The idea of “Grangers helping Grangers” can take many forms. We often see it within our Granges. For example, a member of Valley Grange recently needed some work completed on their home. It was quite natural for them to ask other members for suggestions. A slightly different version happens in Granges like Ocean View #463 in Port Clyde. They accomplish many of their projects by helping each other with ideas, resources, and expertise. These sorts of things happen both formally and informally, and all it takes is a little communication.

In recent weeks, I’ve had the privilege of seeing examples of it with Grangers helping Grangers in other Granges. For example, a Grange considering a Book Exchange Program (Little Free Library) wants to connect with other Granges that have one. Once again, all it takes is a little communication to make that connection! The odds are pretty good that if a Grange is considering something, another Grange (or someone in it) has at least tried it—and more likely done it.

What we are describing here is the primary focus of the Communications Department and website—supporting local community Granges. The odds are pretty good that if a Grange is considering doing something, another Grange (or someone in it) has at least tried it—and more likely done it. All we have to do is find that resource and connect!

That’s where you come in. It sometimes feels like local Granges are among the best-kept secrets! Tell the world (including the Grange World) what you’re doing!

A recent Rapid Resource on fundraising (included as a bonus article in this issue) challenges the use of the word “donation” in fundraising. Instead of asking for a donation, we can think of ourselves as giving others an opportunity. A similar mindset applies to recruiting members. Instead of asking people to join, give them an opportunity to be part of something.

“A rising tide lifts all boats,” is an idiom that suggests all who participate in improvements benefit. In a simpler sense, Granges can rise together, especially when we realize that collectively we have much to offer. In practical terms, that includes the events we hold and the projects we undertake. Humility is often overvalued. Bragging can be a very effective leadership tool. Of course we must earn the right to brag. We can help each other do that. You’ll probably be amazed at what happens as a result.

FACT: In the past twelve months, nearly 9,000 people have visited the MSG website, an 11% increase over the previous year.

Membership Moments

Rick Grotton

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Sunday, April 26, at 1 pm at Manchester Grange should be on your calendar if you have new members who have not taken or have not seen the first four degrees. There are members who have been obligated for over a year now who have not seen the degrees.  The obligation ceremony does not give the details of the lessons of the Grange, so it would be beneficial (and necessary) to observe the degrees. Last year was successful, and I am looking forward to meeting and greeting our new members.

Grange Month is in April and always gives us opportunities to increase our membership. Most Granges will be busy with events going on throughout the month. Chelsea Grange will again fill May baskets made by the elementary school on April 25 and given to the occupants of the Veterans’ Home.  This is a very fun event for both the children and the members who fill the baskets. If your Grange does not have an event scheduled, feel free to contact a Grange that will be active and offer your services. Remember, we are all one big family and are there to help one another.

Ideas for Grange month (and for all year) include having an open house, giving membership awards, public suppers, visiting nursing homes, yard sales, bake sales, and the list goes on. Please advertise on the website so other Granges are aware of these events.

Keep attracting new members and send me more topics of interest to discuss in this column. Maybe we will call this Ask Rick. Send me a question, and I will answer it. Or send me suggestions, and I will include them in my column and reference the Grange that sent it (unless you want to be anonymous).

Fundraising Thinking…

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

Some thoughts based on a recent post by Seth Godin.

How do you view fundraising on behalf of your Grange?

In a recent post, Seth Godin challenges us to wonder why we often use the word “donation” and how that might affect the value of what’s “given.”

That’s worthy of thought. Too often, fundraisers approach with an almost apologetic tone. But the best fundraising provides an opportunity. We can readily see this with public suppers. We’re offering our supporters an opportunity to have a great meal at an affordable price. Supporting the Grange is at least secondary, if it’s even a factor.

The approach focuses on what the donor gets, not what the fundraiser receives. It might be a subtle shift. If you’ve ever sold a raffle ticket to someone who wasn’t interested in winning, you’ve seen it in action.

By the way, the same thinking applies to recruiting members.

Read Seth’s post, “Confused about donations.”

Ocean View Grange Farmers Market

by Larry Bailey, Master/President

Ocean View Grange is located at 435 Port Clyde Road in St George, Maine.

Spring is near (I think) and the Ocean View Grange is coming alive. I would love to see our Farmers Market program reopen. People who have veggies, fruits, bread, meat, pies, cookies, flowers, and any kind of farm/home/garden products to sell should join the Farmers Market at the Grange. This is how it works…There is no cost to you. You come to the Grange parking area, set up your table and/or tent, and display your products. You decide the days(s) and the opening and closing times for yourself. The only thing the Grange provides is the space for you to set up.

If you are interested, please contact me via the Facebook message area or email larrybailey@roadrunner.com -207-372-8075

Ocean View Grange Facebook Page

Mill Stream Grange Makes Hearts

Our February 6th program was a Valentine card making party! Junior Granger and 2026 Miss Western Maine Jr. Teen Natalie shared some facts with us about the holiday before crafting cards as a group for the residents of Woodlands Senior Living in Farmington.

Big thanks to Girl Scout Troop #2096 for loaning their scissors, glue sticks, and markers!

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Membership Moments

Rick Grotton

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Spring will be here soon, which means that Grange month in April is on our doorstep.  Does your Grange have anything planned? If so, please let us all know by advertising on the Maine State Grange website.  Over the years, our Granges have become more individualized and isolated from one another, even within their own Pomona. A Pomona meeting is where the Granges in your area meet once a month to keep contact between Granges strong. However, many of our Granges do not have their Fifth Degree and hardly ever see anyone from their area or a neighboring Grange. What has happened? Why are many not finishing their degrees? Are we encouraging them? What do our new members know about Grange other than what they see in their own Grange? 

We need to start bringing back programs that bring others to our different Granges to interact and to have fun. Some of the programs we used to be the following: 

Three-point meetings. This is where a Grange invites two other Granges for a night of fun. One Grange usually provides dinner, another, the program, and the third, the officers. 

Green Sash and Pink Sash nights. This is when a Grange invites the members of its Pomona or the State Officers to take their offices for the evening while the host Grange provides the program. 

Youth Nights. Sadly, with the lack of youth in our Granges today, these nights are almost non-existent. To the youth of different Granges, it was their night to shine and provide a program. 

Ritualistic Night. When I was lecturer at my Grange years ago, this was my favorite program to present, so all members could learn or refresh their knowledge of rituals and traditions.  

Agricultural Nights and Legislative Nights.  There were also fun nights in which the program was based on Ag or legislative issues. Resolutions were conceived, and we also learned about planting, harvesting, and filled with skits, or having a speaker as part of the program. 

Without the above programs, what do we have now? Do Granges still have programs that invite others? How are we to take in new members if we have nothing exciting or beneficial for them? We need to start interacting more with one another through our Grange meetings (Community, Pomona, and State) to grow and prosper. ALL OF US are responsible for keeping Grange alive, so ask this question at your next Grange meeting: What is our vision for the future? 

Enterprise Grange Public Super

Submitted by Marilyn Stinson

Enterprise Grange is located at 15 Alexander Reed Road in Richmond, Maine.

Public Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner

Saturday, March 14, 2026, 5:OO PM – 7:00 PM

Corned beef OR ham, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, rolls, desserts, beverages, home made pickled beets. Served buffet style, but we will assist anyone; takeout available without the coffee.

Only $18.00 (cheaper than most restaurants and no tip), Seniors 65+ only $15.00, Family rates.
Reservations or FMI – Marilyn at 207-308-3901. Gluten-free dessert option.