Mill Stream Grange members attended the North Vienna United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 28, as part of Grange Month activities. Following the service, refreshments and fellowship were enjoyed.
Mill Stream Grange Celebrates
Tag: Grange Events
Mill Stream Grange Raises Flags
On Monday, May 20, Mill Stream Grange members met to place Memorial Day flags at the Franklin Cemetery in Vienna and two other cemeteries on Tower Road. While at the Franklin Cemetery, they also raised the U.S. Flag and POW/MIA on the new flag pole donated by Gordon Webber.
Communications Column – May 2024
By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director
Our April Column discussed “boosting” the Grange. One obvious way of doing that is to promote your events thoroughly. Since I’ve recently had some questions about posting events on the website and in the calendar, let’s continue the theme!
When you submit information about an event…
For example, the deadline for the May Bulletin was May 14th. As long as space permits, I include the entire website calendar (the following month [June] through December) in that (and every) Bulletin. I usually complete the Bulletin a day or two after the deadline and post the PDF on the website. I also send it to MSG Headquarters for them to print and snail mail a copy to all Subordinate Grange Secretaries. The way the local secretary handles it is very individualistic. Many bring it to their next meeting. That’s where it gets tricky. Using Valley Grange as an example, we’ll be meeting on June 19th, so you can see how most of the June events in that Bulletin will be over by the time it reaches some people.
For the website, I usually post events within 24-48 hours of receiving them. I probably should note that we don’t post “regular” meetings. I love to create an individual post for events when there’s sufficient information. If you use the submission form on the website, it prompts you for what to include. If sending an email is easier, by all means do so—if you send an email, you can attach a copy of any flyers or other visuals. Visuals help me create an actual post for the event!
Once your event is posted on the MSG Website, it’s easy-peasy to share that post to Facebook–or lots of other places! Go to the bottom of the post and click the button!
Hopefully, this shows the value of posting your events to the website:
- Your event information is posted and available almost immediately after submitting it;
- Your event may include illustration–for example, we have standard logos for events such as public suppers and yard sales;
- Your event information is easily discovered by people searching for Grange activities;
- Your event is easily shared by anyone on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc.;
- Your repeating events are listed as such on the MSG Event Calendar;
- Your event gets statewide and national exposure.
To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time.
Leonard Bernstein
► FACT: So far this year, nearly 3,000 people have visited the MSG Website!
Danville Junction Grange Yard Sale
Saturday, May 25, 2024 – 9:00 am until 1:00 pm
Attic treasures, books, RADA cutlery, baked goods, beans and chili (to go), pick your prize raffle, 50/50, plants and more.
Tables are available for rent, $20 each. For more information or to rent a table, contact Maynard Chapman at 207 312-5591.
Danville Junction Grange is located at 15 Grange Street, right off Route 202 in Danville.
Membership Moments – May 2024
By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915
Spring has sprung and warmer weather has us out and about and ready to plant our crops. Enjoy the wonders of Nature as the seed becomes a healthy plant, then bearing fruit. We are grateful for all the resources that Nature provides so we can have a bountiful harvest.
I am pleased to hear that the Degree Days in April were successful as well as Granges that recruited new members. I know of fifty, yes fifty, new members who saw the degrees or were obligated last month. Our Grange had 2 who were obligated. Out of the fifty new members, three Granges alone totaled 36; Fairview (Smithfield) had 18, Meericoneag (Harpswell) had 10, and Androscoggin (Greene) had 8. I am also aware that Deering Grange (Portland) took in 4 new members! Keep up the good work!
The new members will need proper training in the ritual and floorwork. Please offer to help mentor them and provide them with the resources and information they can use to become active in their communities. In previous columns, it was explained how your Grange can help these new members. For a quick review, remember to greet them and make them feel welcome, listen to their ideas, get to know their interests, and have an active Grange for them to be able to participate in events. I am available to attend and mentor if needed. Membership takes work, but we are well equipped to handle the task with ease. Enjoy!
Valley Grange to Honor Community and County Dispatchers
Guilford—Valley Grange in Guilford has announced their annual Celebration of Community, which will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Guilford Grange Hall. The event includes honoring one or more Community Citizen(s) of the Year. This year, the Grange will honor the Piscataquis County Emergency Dispatchers. The event celebrates the strength of rural communities with a potluck supper at 5:30 pm, followed by a program featuring a presentation of certificates of recognition at 7:00 pm. The program includes an opportunity for guests to share testimonials and appreciation.
Program Director Walter Boomsma noted in announcing the celebration, “We always try to honor people who have their boots on the ground and give of themselves to strengthen and build our communities. These too often unsung heroes are a lifeline for our communities. The event itself brings neighbors and friends together. Even the meal demonstrates the strength and value of our communities. In the truest sense, the communities prepare the potluck supper by bringing dishes to share.”
911 dispatchers are the vital link between individuals in distress and the emergency services they desperately need. Their ability to gather crucial information, provide life-saving instructions, and coordinate emergency response teams makes them invaluable assets to their communities. They embody compassion, professionalism, and resilience, serving as the first responders in every emergency call. They work behind the scenes, gathering crucial information, providing life-saving instructions, and coordinating emergency response. Valley Grange is honored to offer this opportunity to recognize their compassion, professionalism, and resilience.
“When you think about it,” Boomsma noted, “every citizen and visitor benefits from the work these people do daily. This is a chance to thank them in person and maybe shake hands and give a hug.” Community Service Chair Mary Annis adds, “This is always such a great evening as we enjoy the chance to connect with each other, share a great meal, and celebrate our rural lives.”
Additional information about the event is available at http://valleygrange.com and on the Valley Grange Facebook page.
Maine State Grange Anniversary Celebration
You’re invited to the Maine State Grange 150th Anniversary Celebration on June 29, 2024, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. There will be a short program at 2:30 pm.
State Grange Headquarters is located at 146 State Street in Augusta, Maine. Please park between the Grange and the bank and use the side entrance.
Memories – Socialize – Get acquainted
MSG Yard Outdoor Sale
Fairview Grange Success!
Fourteen new members were welcomed to the fold
Fairview Grange in Smithfield recently held a wildly successful open meeting with 42 townspeople attending. Master/president Rick Watson said it was exciting to see that the Grange is important to the community adding, “We discussed expectations, wants and needs along with how the Grange can serve as a community or event center and the collaborative relationship with The North Pond Association. These three groups with different needs can work together to benefit the community.”
Twelve people joined the Grange immediately following the meeting and two more have since decided to join!
Rick also expressed thanks to all who attended, helped set up, or tore down, and especially to those who joined. In addition, he gave a shout-out to Kings Restaurant up the street for sending some desserts and a thank you to the Grange ladies who baked. “You’ll never go home hungry from a Grange meeting,” he pledged.
Those who attended the meeting completed questionnaires asking for input regarding ideas for Grange events and programs and an inventory of the types of activities people would be willing to help with!
Fairview Grange meets next on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 6:30 pm. Visit the Fairview Grange Facebook Page for more information! Fairview Grange is located at 826 Village Road in Smithfield Maine.
St George Grange Community Suppers
Come enjoy a variety of homemade food, freshly baked bread, biscuits, 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 suppers welcome (Casseroles, salads, desserts, etc.)
Our first supper is May 11, 2024, at 5 pm. We will be having monthly suppers now through October 2024.