Tag: Grange News

Ocean View Grange Updates

By Larry Bailey, Master

Ocean View Grange is located in St George, Maine

In addition to having a great “Art, Craft and Collectables sale a few days ago, we had a particularly enjoyable and productive Grange meeting last evening. We had 12 members present for discussions about the upcoming Bean Supper, the establishment of our new Grange officers, and the updating and installation of our Executive Committee members.  

This Saturday, October 18th, we are having our famous Ocean View Grange Bean Supper. The Odd Fellows will join us, and we expect a good turnout.

Today was our Words for Thirds dictionary presentation to our local 3rd-grade class in Tenants Harbor.  Leslie Korpinen (our wonderful Musician) joined me in what turned out to be truly fun and enjoyable meeting with this group of kids. We gave a presentation of what the Grange was, where it was located, what Grange people did, when our Grange was formed, and why Granges were needed. It was very well received.

It has always been a surprise to me that, in a world of electronic communication, the class was so pleased, happy, and energetic to receive the books. The class was actually proud to receive books and be told they could keep them for their very own.  Many questions were asked by the class, and they were serious and intelligent questions. One of the lads in the group came up with, perhaps the best observation of the day. He said, “The dictionary is like the paper version of Google!” We all laughed and roundly applauded him for his observation and acumen.  I was especially happy to hear that the class was curious about the Grange Hall, and we noted that if they want to take a field trip to our Grange Hall, we will gladly give them a tour. Let’s hope that happens.

See you all Saturday at the Bean Supper!

Grange Libraries Take Different Forms

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

Did you know that for many years, Granges often maintained a library of books available to members? I suspect some still do! Well, here are some ideas that will drive traffic to your Grange Hall and, more importantly, make your Grange more relevant to your community.

Little Fee Libraries (LFL)

The first is inspired by Caroline Heck, Junior Granger from Mill Stream Grange #574. Caroline is working on her Girl Scout Silver Award to raise awareness of the importance of childhood literacy. Her project includes building and placing a Little Fee Library™ (LFL) at the Grange and informing the community of the importance of access to books in early childhood. Master Jill Sampson is her Project Advisor. She has already collected 203 books, a mix of board books, picture books, early chapter books, and middle-grade novels, all donated by the local community. She’s scouted a location at the hall for placement: out front at the edge of the flower bed where it meets the parking lot, so it will be safe from the plow but always accessible.

Book Exchange Boxes (BEB)

Ocean View Grange’s “Book Exchange Box” is ready for action.

Ocean View Grange in Port Clyde went from an idea to completion quickly. The idea came from someone who has a bit of a hobby of filling area libraries, and she suggested the Grange would make a great location! The idea truly took on a life of its own. Interestingly, much of the work that went into the project was completed by folks who are not Grange members. Yet. The entire project was accomplished from start to finish in a matter of weeks!

(Just to clarify, an outside library cannot be considered an LFL until registered and assigned someone–a steward–to monitor and maintain the box.)

Granges in Maine Book Exchange Program

Several other Granges have different programs and approaches, and the MSG Communications Department wants to help! We’re pleased to announce that we’ve created a BEB Resource Section on the website for Granges who are interested in or operating a Book Exchange Program.

The section includes more information on creating a Little Fee Library™ or Book Exchange Box, a comprehensive list of potential sources of free books, document templates… it will always be under construction, so please share your ideas and experiences. And let us know how we can help!

Highland Lake Grange Turkey Supper

Drive through, Roasted Turkey Dinner

Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 4-6 pm

There will be roasted turkey, vegetables, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread, cranberry sauce, and cake. The cost is $10.00 per person. Please have the exact price for the meal(s) you want. No substitutions, no pre-orders, you drive up, pay, and receive your meal.

The Grange is located on the corner of Route 302 and Hardy Road in Westbrook.

FMI Joann 207 233 7119

Grange Today! 10-10-2025

The Newsletter of the National Grange

Articles in this edition include:

  • National Grange Honors 48 Distinguished Granges for 2024–2025 Program Year
  • Rural women are at a higher risk of violence − and less likely to get help
  • Grange Heirloom for October
  • Save the Date: National Grange Honors Night
  • Volunteers needed for Rural Postpartum Advisory Committee
  • Recipes from the Heartland
  • Accepting Board of Directors Nominations
  • Grange Member Benefit: MemberDeals
  • Grange Store: Veteran Recognition Pin

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!

Read THE Current Issue

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.

Words for Thirds Recognition

The Dictionary Project recently recognized Valley Grange‘s Words for Thirds Project in their “Word of the Day” newsletter. The Word of the Day was “excel.” We strive to do so, and we encourage our students to do the same.

By the way, the dictionaries for this year are arriving today! Dictionary Days are coming soon to Brownville, Harmony, Piscataquis Community, Ridgeview, and SeDoMoCha Elementary Schools.

Photo and quotes from a WABI-TV 5 News Report.

Visit the MSG Words for Thirds Resource Page to learn how your Grange can do this!

Annual Report Status

The State Convention Page and Program Books and Information Pages have been updated to reflect documents recently received.

St George Grange Craft Fair

Saturday, October 11, 2025, 9 am-2 pm

Featuring fresh baked goods, coffee, mulled cider, homemade jelly, jam, fudge, and canned goods. Lunch will be available: soup with biscuit, hot dogs, nd drinks. For information regarding table rentals, call 207 372-6424.

There will also be a public supper at 5 pm.

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

Highland Lake Grange Turkey Supper

Drive through, Roasted Turkey Dinner

Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 4-6 pm

There will be roasted turkey, vegetables, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread, cranberry sauce, and cake. The cost is $10.00 per person. Please have the exact price for the meal(s) you want. No substitutions, no pre-orders, you drive up, pay, and receive your meal.

The Grange is located on the corner of Route 302 and Hardy Road in Westbrook.

FMI Joann 207 233 7119

Valley Grange News

This is a sample of our newsletter. You can subscribe here.

October Meeting, Date Change

Our October Meeting has been rescheduled to October 10, 2025, due to a conflict with the MSG Convention. Potluck at 6 pm, meeting at 7 pm. Grange Bees are Mary and Jim. Walter & Janice were elected delegates to the State Convention in Orono.

Sandwich Makings

A highlight of our September Meeting was the jars of PB & J that appeared as people arrived! We’ve delivered these to Bangor Savings Bank for their annual drive. You can also donate directly to any Branch before 9/30.

Dictionary Days

Members approved the purchase of dictionaries for this year’s program. We’ll be scheduling presentations and deliveries starting in mid-October. We need team members for these–it’s mostly a matter of carrying things and then helping the kids find words in their new dictionaries. Stay tuned for the schedule and consider lending a hand! Presentations are only about 45 minutes and will be held in Brownville, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, and Harmony. We’re checking with Athens and the Amish School in Corinth.

Blistered Finger Knitters Knote!

We deliver hats and mittens in conjunction with Dictionary Presentations. If you have completed items, we’d appreciate receiving them by October 15, although we collect year-round. Contact any member to arrange delivery! Thanks! Keep those kneedles clicking!

Grange Gossip

Walter continues to help the Abbot Historical Society with gravestone cleaning. We have a couple of weeks left this year… Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the old village cemetery across from the Town Hall is where and when. It’s easy and fun! Supplies and instruction are included.

Mary Annis is selling raffle tickets to benefit the DUV. She will humbly admit she made the first prize Afghan.

Pat and Steve will be doing some traveling soon… we wish them a safe trip to Texas and will miss them. When they return, Pat will be busy getting ready for Craft Fairs.

The Guilford Register Magazine September Issue featured an article by Walter, “Sticker! Sticker!” It’s about some kids at an Amish Farmstand in Corinth. The October Issue will include a story about the Dover Foxcroft Kiwanis Auction.

Area Grange Events

South Sangerville Grange is holding a Bean Hole Bean Supper on October 25, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. More information is available here.

Remember, Valley Grange is happy to publicize your event, but we have to know about it! Submit it to the MSG Website and it’ll get state-wide publicity!

Valley Grange Contacts and Resources:

(Click names to send email.)
Jim Annis, Master/President – 207 564-0820 (home)
Mary Annis, Secretary – 207 564-0820 (home)
Walter Boomsma, Program Director/Treasurer – 207 343-1842 (cell)
Janice Boomsma, Chaplain – 207 343-1496 (cell)

Valley Grange Website
Valley Grange Facebook Page

Valley Grange Hall’s GPS Address is 172 Guilford Center Road, Guilford. (Do not send mail here!) The Hall is located at the corner of Guilford Center Road and Butter Street.

October Maine Grange Events

Every Monday, Summer Music Monday at St George Grange, 7 – 9 pm. Free! See post FMI.
Every Tuesday, Coffee on the Porch at Vassalboro Grange, 8:30 am – 10 am. See post FMI.

  • October 5, 2025, Cider Pressing at Vassalboro Grange, 12 pm. See post FMI.
  • October 8, 2025, Fifth Degree Conferral at Danville Junction Grange. See post FMI.
  • October 11, 2025, Summer Public Supper at St George Grange, 5 pm. See post FMI.
  • October 11, 2025, Art/Antiques/Craft/Flea Market at Ocean View Grange in Port Clyde. See post FMI.
  • October 11, 2025, Turkey Supper at Highland Lake Grange in Westboro. Details TBA.
  • October 12, 2025, Philosophy Table at Vassalboro Grange, 5 – 7 pm. See post FMI
  • October 17-18, 2025, MSG 151st Annual Convention opens at 11 am on Friday.
  • October 18, 2025, Open Mic Night at Vassalboro Grange, 7 – 9 pm. See post FMI
  • October 18, 2025, Bean Supper at Ocean View Grange, 5 – 7 pm. Veterans eat free! See post FMI.
  • October 25, 2025, Penobscot Pomona meets at Old Town Riverside Grange at 11 am. FMI Call Master Sanda Moon at 207 827-3698.
  • October 25, 2025, South Sangerville Bean Supper, 4:30 – 6:00 pm. See post FMI.