Fraud Watch- Toll Road Scams

MSG Communications Resources Logo
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

If your phone’s been lighting up with messages saying you owe a road toll, you’re not alone. Criminals are blasting out fake texts pretending to be from government agencies or toll services. Their goal? To scare or rush you into clicking a link, handing over personal info or making a payment.

Here’s what you need to know: legitimate toll agencies don’t collect payment via text message, and they won’t threaten you over a missed toll.

If you get a message about unpaid tolls, do not respond or click on any links—even if it looks legit. Instead, check your account using the state tolling agency or transponder company’s legitimate website or phone number—not information from the message.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

More Topic Resources

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

AARP Fraud Watch Network

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out the AARP online form or email me@aarp.org.

Grange Heirloom — June 2025

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!

For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.

St George Grange Dinners and Music

The Summer Public Suppers have started at the St. George Grange!! The second Saturday of each month now until October. The next supper is June 14th. The supper starts at 5 p.m. Lots of yummy homemade food, with family, friends, and neighbors. Adults $10.00, Kids $5.00 (under 10 yrs.)

Also, Summer Music Mondays started—every Monday night at the St. George Grange Hall. The fun starts at 7 pm- 9 pm. Come to listen, bring a musical instrument and join in, or sing along. All welcome, no charge, but they do accept donations.

The St. George Grange is located at 32 Wiley’s Corner Rd. St. George, ME 04860.

COME ON DOWN TO THE ST. GEORGE GRANGE!!

ATV Season Safety and Fun

Reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

Maine is a beautiful place to ride, with thousands of miles of scenic trails winding through peaceful forests and small rural towns. Always check with the local club to make sure the trails are open. You can also find trail news and notices on the Bureau of Parks and Lands website.

Many ATV trails in Maine exist thanks to the generosity of private landowners who allow access. Here’s how you can do your part to keep Maine’s ATV trails open for generations to come:

  • Stay on marked ATV trails. ATV trails have green and white signs. Remember, not all snowmobile trails are ATV trails;
  • Respect closed trail signs;
  • Never drink and ride;
  • Tread lightly – Don’t tear up the trail;
  • Remember that modified exhausts are illegal;
  • Be respectful on ATV access routes – yield to all traffic and never pass a vehicle;
  • Help prevent wildfires. Stay on marked trails, avoid riding in dry vegetation, discard smoking materials appropriately and call 911 if you see a fire;
  • Register your ATV: For every ATV registration purchased, over 2/3 of the fee goes directly into the trail maintenance fund;
  • Support a local ATV club by donating your time and/or money.

ATV registration renewals can be completed online. New registrations must be done through a registration agent such as a town office or the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) main office in Augusta. For more information about ATV rules and laws in Maine, visit MDIFW’s ATV webpage. 

Ritualistic Meeting at Excelsior Grange

June 21, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

by Sherry Harriman, MSG Master

There will be a Ritualistic Instruction Meeting on June 21, held at Excelsior Grange #5, 446 Harris Hill Road, Poland, ME, starting at 4:00 p.m. Supper will be served at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Excelsior Grange’s regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.

All are welcome to attend, no matter what Grange you are a member of or if you are an Officer or not. 

We will cover Opening, Closing, Presenting the Flag, Balloting for candidates, other instructions and information that are part of our Grange work. 

Please let Cynthia Maxwell (207 740-2741) know how many will be coming so they can plan for supper. 

Communication Shorts 6-1-2025

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!

June Bulletin

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

Maine State Grange Yard Sale

June 7, 2025, is the Maine State Grange Yard Sale, 9 am – 2 pm at Manchester Grange, Route 202, FMI including table rental, Linda (207 623-5159) or Norma (207 583-7211).

Think About This!

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change.”

Wayne Dyer

An Idea for Your Grange

Can you interest a local garden club or business in creating a flower bed in exchange for a sign in it promoting the club or business?

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes! With the election of officers coming up, don’t forget!

  • 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.

Highland Lake Places Flags

Highland Lake Grange 87, Westbrook, placed flags at Highland Lake Cemetery. The flags are supplied by Stephen Manchester American Legion Post 62. The Grange has been assisting the American Legion with placing flags for several years.

Mill Stream Places Flags

Mill Stream Grange members (l-r) Paul Lavender, Debbie Lavender, Ingrid Grenon, Jill Sampson, Laurie Cunningham, Natalie Heck, Kirsten Heck, and Allan Harville met recently to place flags on the graves of military service veterans at three cemeteries in Vienna.  Mill Stream is honored and proud to be able to participate in this community service project. The town of Vienna provides the flags every year…a special thanks to Chris Smith, selectman, for always making sure we have the flags in time for Memorial Day. Also, thanks to member Kathy Berry, who was the photographer.

Ag Trade Show Survey

Reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Maine Representative James White.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (MDACF) is thinking about adding “Saturday Events” to their 2026 Agricultural Trades Show and wants your input.  They are gathering feedback before they finalize decisions and are asking the public to participate in a brief survey and to help spread the word to farmers, agricultural businesses, and anyone interested in attending next year’s trades show.

The Maine Agricultural Trades Show, hosted annually by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, is a premier event for farmers, producers, and the public to explore Maine’s dynamic agricultural sector.

The MDACF puts on a bustling trade show floor, with exhibits from equipment suppliers, service providers, and agricultural organizations.  Attendees can participate in conferences, certification courses, and workshops covering topics such as sustainable farming, food systems, and natural resource management.  The Maine Agricultural Trades Show also offers opportunities to connect with experts, learn about new technologies, and discover local food and farming initiatives.

To participate in the survey and provide your input for next year’s show, click here.

Communication Shorts 5-23-2025

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!

Sagadahoc Pomona Meetings

Please note the May Sagadahoc Pomona Meeting is cancelled. The next meeting is at Merriconeag Grange in Harpswell on Wednesday, June 25th at 7:00 with a potluck supper at 6:00. FM contact Stephanie Alexander, 207-841-9481

Memorial Day

How will you celebrate? Have you found a ceremony or parade to attend? Will you hang out your flag? Visit a cemetery? Here’s some ideas for you.

Subscribing to the Website

We’ve recently added more 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!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes! With election of officers coming up, don’t forget!

  • 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.