by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director
It pains me to say, “I hope you’re getting used to this…” but it’s become a regular attempt at scamming Grangers. If you receive an email like this, do not reply! Just delete it!
Email Scam
Tag: Grange News
Parkman Grange Mothers’ Day Tea
Submitted by Susan Manchester, Master
The Parkman Grange is pleased to announce that their 24th annual Mother’s Day Tea will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10 am to noon. This has become a spring tradition bringing together friends and family after a long winter.
This year, the guest of honor is Katie Landry; she and her husband have 9 children. This popular event includes live entertainment, sing-alongs, lots of door prizes, tea sandwiches and desserts, tea and coffee, and a 50/50 raffle. The local scout troop will be servers.
The Grange is keeping the admission price at $5; children under 5 are free. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Sue Manchester, 207-717-6248. The Parkman Grange is located on the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Road.
Degree Day Reminder!
The Androscoggin Pomona Grange Degree Day at Manchester Grange is fast approaching! If you have candidates attending, please let Norma Meserve know!
Also, remember that candidates should bring a completed application.
Manchester Grange is located at 953 Western Avenue in Manchester, Maine
Fifth Degree Day Change
By Marilyn Stinson
207 380-3901
Sagadahoc Pomona will NOT be doing the Fifth Degree at Enterprise in Richmond on April 29, 2026.
There will be a regular meeting, and other Grangers are welcome. We will be able to do the New Alternative Welcome Ceremony.
Potluck supper at 6:00, meeting at 7:00.
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.
Website Updates
By Webmaster Walter
We have mostly good news! Here’s a fairly complete report that’s not too technical. We’re covering several different areas and accomplishments, so read on.
Recent Site Outages
Thankfully, these have become minimal. The last reported outage occurred on Sunday and lasted only three minutes! It could be a long story, but I’m now convinced these outages were not caused by the site but were a host server problem. I’ll continue to monitor and research alternative providers.
Online Grange Directory
I’ve updated the online directory of Granges based primarily on the 2025-26 Roster Information. I also made several “under the hood” changes to make it more flexible. Your help in keeping this current and accurate is appreciated!
Your Websites and Facebook Pages
Your Grange’s online presence is becoming increasingly important! One future project under consideration is to make links available within the online directory. An obvious challenge is keeping those links accurate. If your Grange maintains an active website or Facebook page/group, please let me know! If you need assistance, let me know!
Website Subscription Program
We continue to welcome new subscribers! Yay! I’m currently emailing a summary of posts from the previous week. Subscribers can then choose which posts to view and avoid FOMO (fear of missing out). Thanks for promoting and supporting this! One important way to support subscribing is to share your news and events.
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
AI is proving to be a great tool when used properly! Currently, I’m using it sparingly on this site. Some of the images are AI-created, but they are not “faked” or misrepresentations. For quite some time, I’ve used it to correct spelling and grammar of submissions. Any use of AI and automation is deliberate and reviewed. We’ll continue to make haste slowly. Think of it as good stewardship.
If you have any questions or concerns about any of this, please let me know. In my view, this is your website. I’m just the gatekeeper and overseer. Our “labors of the day” are never really finished. Together, we can make it great!
Danville Junction Grange Open House
Submitted by Steven Haycock
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Grange Today! 3-27-2026
Articles in this edition include:
- National Grange Awards $40,000 to make Direct Community Impact
- Addressing the Rising Alzheimer’s Crisis in Rural America
- Congratulations to our winners!
- View from the Hill
- Opinion: Women’s Health Progress Must Reach Rural America
- Grange Month is Around the Corner
- Rural Minds Launches New Farmer Mental Health Resilience Program
- Grange Store Notice
- Walk More to Stress Less: Get Moving to Improve Well-Being
- Recipes from the Heartland
- Member Benefit: Choice Hotels
- Grange Store: Membership Pins
Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!
Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.
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
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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