Here’s an updated list (as of October 4, 2022) of Annual Reports and Program Books posted to the Program Books and Information Page. There are still a few more to come.
Opportunity for the first Four Degrees – information given
Seeking an opportunity for the Fifth Degree – information needed
Opportunity for the Sixth Degree – information given
Four Degrees
Let’s take a quick look at some Degree Information. We have some information to give and some that is needed.
As most know, the first Four Degrees are considered “Subordinate Degrees.” They are an important part of the path to Grange Membership at the local level. We can receive the instruction for those Degrees at Mill Stream Grange on October 15, 2022!
Fifth Degree
The Fifth Degree is often referred to as the “Pomona Degree.” It is an important part of the path to Grange Membership at the Pomona Level and is most often offered at the Pomona Level. We always have a few people seeking the Fifth Degree this time of year, in part because it is a prerequisite to the Fifth Degree. On behalf of those people, we are seeking information about any Pomonas offering the Fifth Degree in the near future! Please email the webmaster with the basic information about your event!
Sixth Degree
The Sixth Degree is often referred to as the “State Degree” and signifies membership at the State Level. (Note that State Session is opened in the Sixth Degree, then lowered to the Fourth to conduct business. Completing the Sixth Degree is not required to attend.) The Sixth Degree is offered in conjunction with State Session. This year it is planned for Friday, October 21, 2022, at 2:30.Additional information is available here.
Seventh Degree
The Seventh Degree is considered the “National Degree” and, comparable to the Sixth, is offered at National Convention.
Opportunities for the first five Degrees can be offered at any time throughout the year. If your Subordinate or Community Grange is offering Degrees, please share the details so interested Grangers can attend!
The Parkman Grange is again administering the Santa Project for all kids, newborns to high school seniors living in the MSAD#4 area. This includes Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, Sangerville, and Wellington. This program provides warm winter coats, boots, and a toy or two for local kids whose families could use a little help this Christmas. Paper applications are available at each town office or anytime from the bulletin board on the Grange porch, located at the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Road. The application deadline is November 11, 2022. Distribution will be on December 18, 2022.
If you would like to help out with a donation, checks can be made out to Parkman Grange, memo line: Santa Project. Send to Parkman Grange, PO BOX 114, Guilford, ME 04443. Donation jars and Angel trees will be set out in November. This is a big project, and community support makes it possible. Thank you. For more info, call Sue Manchester at 277-3942.
A free night of family fun! Games will be provided, or bring one to share! Light refreshments will be available for sale. Come to the St George Grange Grange Hall at 32 Wiley’s Corner Road, St George ME. For more information, Contact Holly Welch 207 890-3514.
At our September Meeting, we created some piles–PB&J for the Bangor Savings Bank Drive, Lap Afghans for the Veterans’ Operation Gratitude Program, and raffle tickets! We also added 350 knitted hats from Blistered Finger Knitter Roberta in New Jersey. Do knitting needles ever wear out?
An order of dictionaries for our annual “Words for Thirds Dictionary Day Project will be placed soon. Since starting the program in 2004, we’ve provided nearly 3,000 dictionaries to students throughout the area. If COVID cooperates, we hope to do more “in-person” presentations this year.
We forgot to put the hats in the picture!
Raffle tickets are on sale and available from any member, or call Janice Boomsma at 343-1496. We’ll be drawing the winners at our November meeting and look forward to handing out $250 in prizes! Community support is needed and appreciated!
Our schedule for the rest of the year:
Friday, October 21, 2022, we’ll have a potluck supper at 6 pm and a meeting at 7 pm. This is usually the meeting at which we prepare for dictionary days by labeling the books, assembling the hats and mittens from our Blistered Finger Knitters for distribution, and resisting our second annual “Sock it to Us” efforts. The program was so successful last year we may be “good to go” this year! Jim and Mary are Grange Bees* for this meeting.
Friday, November 18, 2022, will include the usual potluck supper at 6 pm and program at 7 pm and include drawing our raffle winners. Walter and Janice are Grange Bees for this meeting.
Friday, December 2, 2022, is our Fellowship Breakfast for Supper–you can come in your jammies! This is always a fun night… we start at 6 pm by enjoying some breakfast specialties such as homemade muffins, breakfast casseroles, “Walter’s French Toast,” and assorted treats and surprises. It’s all about food, fellowship, and family… you won’t want to miss it!
Get those dates on your calendar and plan to join us for any or all of these gatherings! We plan to keep our hall open through the winter and appreciate all who help and support us in some way.
Unfortunately, another Grange in our area is closing–St. Albans now joins Garland Grange as “closed.” Valley Grange would certainly welcome members from these two Granges with open arms. If you were a member of St. Albans or Garland Grange and would like to join us, contact secretary Mary Annis (564-0820), and she’ll make it happen!
*Grange Bees are the unofficial hosts for a meeting who make sure the heat’s on, the hall is ready, and we have everything we need. If you’d like a turn, we’ll not only show you how we have a checklist!
October 8, 2022, Flea Market at Ocean View Grange in Port Clyde. Contact Maryann at 207 372-8629 for more information.
October 14, 2022, MSG Bulletin Deadline — columns and posts are due.
October 15, 2022, Degree Day (9 am) and Officer Installation (1 pm) at Mill Stream Grange. For more information and to R.S.V.P. with the number attending, please call Judy Dunn at 293-2330.
Photo, coloring, and art lecturer’s contest entries are due at State Session. Contact MSG Lecturer for more information.
At their recent meeting, members and friends of Ocean View Grange laid out plans for a number of events and programs. They began by noting their recent bean supper grossed over $1,000. A special thanks was issued to Lecturer Emily, who enlisted her entire family as helpers–including four children.
October 1, Irish Dance and Ceilidh (pronounced Kay’lee) will feature Gabriel Donohue and his team.
October 8, Flea Market is being organized by Mary Ann Swittlinger. Contact her at 207 372-8629 for more information.
November 5 will be another bean supper, this one honoring Vets.
November 26 is the potential date for a Christmas Craft Fair at the Harpoon.
Annual dues ($23 per member) are payable now. Please send a check payable to Ocean View Grange (write “dues” in the memo line) to Diane Bailey, PO Box 204, Port Clyde ME 04855
Cancer Crush 2022 5k Raises over $10,000 to Help Crush Cancer
On Tuesday, September 20, Jonesboro Grange President John Cox Jr. and Jonesboro Grange Lecturer Andrew Cox traveled to the Beth C Wright Cancer Resource Center and Sarah’s House of Maine to present the funds raised at the 2022 Crush Cancer 5k held back in June. The Crush Cancer 5k is a Jonesboro Grange community service project.
After race expenses such as portapotties, shirts, and race timing software, a total of $10,526.94 was raised at the 2022 Crush Cancer 5k on a back road that leads to the ocean in Down East, Maine! Funds raised were split between the two non-profits.
Many thanks to all the incredible volunteers, sponsors, and participants who helped make this possible. Without YOU, we could not put on this event to help others! Jonesboro Grange #357 has put on the race the past two years.
The Crush Cancer 5k was created by Rebekah Hodgson and Andrew Cox, after John, their father, was diagnosed with cancer. It was a way for both Rebekah and Andrew to channel negative emotions from watching their father battle cancer into a beautiful event that would raise funds to help others in Eastern Maine who are facing a cancer diagnosis.
Jonesboro Grange #357 is already planning the 3rd Annual Crush Cancer 5k to be held in June 2023!
