Tag: Grange Events

Communications Column – May 2026

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

AI-generated image

Website Update

“The only way to escape hardship is to keep moving forward.” Some will recognize this as a “family-friendly” paraphrasing of a quote attributed to Winston Churchill. Over the last month or so, I’ve found it necessary to keep reminding myself, “This too shall pass.”

We’re not quite out of the woods, but the clearing is in sight! (I seem to be full of metaphors and pithy sayings this morning.) There are probably some important lessons to be learned from the entire experience.

After nearly two decades of using the same host server, it became clear that things weren’t working. Well, it became clear to me. The host server folks didn’t see it that way!

I could probably make your eyes glaze over if I told the whole story and shared the many frustrations and roadblocks. The site is now fully migrated to a new server. Yay!

We can breathe easier, but we need to keep moving. It appears the major remaining difficulty is that a number of images disappeared during the move. Fortunately, I’m a bit of a packrat, so all is not lost. I will continue to replace them as I find them. If you experience any difficulties with the site, please let me know!

Forward momentum also demands that we continue to develop the site with news and resources. Thanks to the Granges who share news of events and accomplishments. Our future largely depends on what we do, not on what we say. If you can stand another pithy saying, society would tell us, “What you’re doing shouts so loudly we can’t hear what you’re saying.” Tell us what you’re doing! If local Granges don’t share their news, it’s the same as announcing that you’re not doing anything.

One thing I really like about the new server is that it is focused on WordPress, the platform we use to develop and maintain the site. This promises some great future developments and efficiency.

As a bit of an aside, I confess that A.I. (artificial intelligence) caused some frustration during the migration. But it was also profoundly helpful at times. So much of life is about stewardship and making good use of the tools we have available and the opportunities they create. Is there really such a thing as a “bad” tool?

The website itself is a tool. One way to use the site efficiently is to subscribe so you receive a weekly summary of posts. While site visits declined during the critical period of outages, the number of subscribers did not. In fact, our subscriber count continues to increase. Slow and steady wins the race. (Are you counting the pithy sayings?)

To so many, thanks for your support and patience! If you have ideas or needs, communicate them. Together we can do great things!

FACT: It didn’t take long to receive an email from the new server that we’d passed 500 site visits!

Membership Moments, May 2026

Rick Grotton

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

One of the best parts of being on the State Membership Committee is the pleasure of awarding longevity certificates to members and certificates of appreciation to community individuals who have done outstanding work to improve the lives of those around them. The positive energies are felt throughout the room, and their imprints are embedded in the walls of the Grange Halls. Listening to the recipients as they give their acceptance speech and watching their faces as their eyes sparkle, their positive energies emerge from their voices, and feeling their gratitude as it flows freely from their person gives me a warm, happy, proud feeling. It makes me grateful and proud to be a Grange member. Whether the recipient is receiving a 25-year or an 80-year certificate (yes, it is true), the responses all resonate with the same happy feelings, with good memories of their Grange membership. You can tell that being a Grange member has had a grand impact on their lives and the lives of their family and friends. I certainly can relate to that reasoning. The family of the recipients who attend but are not Grange members also listen with awe and gratitude while their family recipient is truly immersed in good thoughts and projects, conveying such feelings to the audience.

Utilize your Halls to give awards to non-members who are outstanding in your communities. There are many people doing positive things, and they are mainly overlooked. Recognize them and offer your thanks and appreciation for what they have done for the community and for the Grange.  This ceremony will bring people to the Grange building, and for many, it will be their first time in a Grange Hall. The families of those recipients will learn what the Grange does. Usually, when I host such an event for non-members only, I give them a brief history of the Grange before giving awards, so they become aware of their surroundings.

Rapid Program Resource

Submitted by Diane Pinkham

Rapid Resource Logo

The Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention (MCEAP) has a Speakers Bureau with presenters who are available to give a 60-minute presentation on elder abuse. To raise awareness of the serious problem of elder abuse and the many valuable resources that are available in Maine to help those who are affected by it, the Council developed an Elder Abuse: A Community Problem with Community Solutions presentation.

MCEAP’s goal for this presentation is to provide an overview of the issue of elder abuse including statistics, general information about the different types of elder abuse, and where to go for help. This presentation does not provide profession-specific content, and it does not include information about legal reporting mandates.

For more information or to request a speaker for your event, please contact:

Jill Randall
Co-Chair, Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention
jrandall@mainelse.org

207-620-3114

Pride at Ocean View Grange

by Larry Bailey, Master

It is an understatement to say that our Monday night meeting was both a great experience and, more than that, a very sad and moving Grange matter. The matter that was so moving was the Draping of the Charter for our Sister Loa Lee Blake. Our team performed a very professional Ceremony.  Loa Lee was an extremely talented person. She was an accomplished musician – piano and organ player, singer, member of many clubs and orders. Loa Lee was a very active, lively lady. She is missed by many of her relatives, friends, and fellow Grangers.  

The item that was so uplifting was the surprise visit from two officers from the Maine State Grange who drove all the way here from Norway, Maine, to visit us. The two visitors were Sister Christine Hebert, the Maine State Grange Chaplain, and Sister Linda Allen, Oxford Pomona Deputy. Both are members of the Norway Grange. I made a phone call to Sister Hebert, whose Grange recently held a Charter Draping ceremony, to ask about proper procedures. She was a great help. They just wanted to take the ride to see our Grange in action. They both said, after the meeting, that they were very impressed with our Grange… specifically the Grange building, the members who were there, the proper procedure for Draping the Charter, and the large number of projects we were involved in. All of us at the Grange should feel proud that we were applauded by senior Grange officers.

A few of the other items discussed were:

  • The damaged side door on the 1st floor will be replaced by Trip today. It is underway.
  • Sister Gillie moved to donate $150 to the Maine Children’s Home and House in the Woods. Both are Grange Charities, which will split the donation. The vote approved the donation.
  • There is a leak in the water tank piping that needs to be looked at.
  • The 1st floor was cleaned, and the cleaner did a very good job of it.

Degree Day Success

Five candidates from three Granges enjoyed experiencing the Four Degrees on Sunday, April 26, 2026. While we don’t have all the specific names and numbers yet, we should thank Androscoggin Pomona for making the day happen and Manchester Grange for serving as host.

Photo of candidates by David Colby Young

If we lacked quantity, we made up for it with quality. Quality not in the sense of a flawless delivery, but quality in the sense of “a good time was had by all.” It even seemed appropriate that the sun shone brightly on the backs of the harvest marchers.

I wish more people could hear the language of the degrees, it really is beautiful.

(Overheard)

With rare exception, most of those participating as officers relied on manuals or “cheat sheets.” Even those who have the language memorized are finding that the infrequency of Degree Days leads to forgetfulness. (Age has nothing to do with it, right?)

The ice cream store next to the Manchester Grange was nearly gridlocked as we experienced one of the warmest spring days this year. This led to speculation that ice cream, rather than apples, might be appropriate at the end of the Fourth Degree.

Valley Grange to Make Fabric Hugs

Valley Grange Website

Wild Fibers at Evening Star Grange

Evening Star Grange is located at 31 Old Union Road in Washington, Maine.

On May 3, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 pm, Evening Star Grange will host a Wild Fibers from around the World presentation by Linda Cortwright.

As the editor of Wild Fibers, Linda Cortright has traveled the world to some of the most remote regions on the planet, from the Russian Arctic to the High Himalayas. She will be giving a special presentation featuring stunning pictures and unimaginable tales, highlighting the role natural fibers play in both culture and commerce. Wild Fibers is often called the National Geographic of the fiber industry, focusing on indigenous communities and their ability to adapt in the modern world. 

Suggested donation is $20. For more information, contact Mildred at 207 975-5671.

Membership Moments

Rick Grotton

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

How is the Grange supposed to take in new membership and teach them the rituals and traditions when there are people out there disrespecting the use of a Grange Hall and the rituals of the Grange? First, the Grange is a non-partisan organization, meaning that if you hold discussions and debates, ALL parties must be involved. In a recent political ad, the name of the Grange appeared. This activity is a direct violation of the bylaws of the National Grange. It is an embarrassment to our membership and to the reputation of the Grange name. Many members have commented in shock at the direct violation of the bylaws.  

Second, if you have not opened in full form for a Grange meeting, any business transactions and voting are void. Again, this is a violation of the bylaws. Grange is not just for a social group, but certain traditions and rituals MUST be followed. Many Granges in the past, and I suspect in the future also will be closed for disrespecting our traditions and rituals. This is not Grange. 

Third, there are no such “associate memberships” in the Grange. These groups are actually “friends of the Grange” and are not recognized as members. They are not allowed to have a vote in any Grange, cannot take an office, and they cannot be part of your quorum. For example, if you have only six members and fifteen “friends of the Grange” present at a meeting, you are not allowed to conduct business. They have NO say in the decisions made by the Grange itself. It is good to have outside help for projects; however, the Grange members must make the decisions. 

Fourth, any Grange is not “owned” or “operated” by any one person or clique. We have lost so many Granges because individuals want to control and dominate. So many hard feelings and disrespect for the Grange and its members are exhibited. All members have a say, and if it doesn’t turn out the way you want it, then so be it. Instead of getting up and leaving with a bitter taste in your mouth, remember that you are showing disrespect to your Grange and its members.  

There are more examples that could be used; however, the above four examples are prime examples of why our membership and the number of Granges have dropped considerably. With many respectful and loyal members out there trying to build our numbers, there are also others who just don’t want to respect or care for others. They have their own objectives and goals, completely opposite of what the Grange stands for. We must rise and bring the good name of the Grange back so that we can continue to strive. 

I am sorry to write about such negativity; however, it is a losing battle trying to bring in new members when such disrespect is being shown. How am I supposed to be doing my job as State Membership Director when there are supposed members working against me? I feel as if I am lying to prospective new members when I remain strictly positive, and when they encounter just the opposite, it comes back to me. Wake up all!  If you love your Grange with its traditions and rituals, then defend them. Speak up to the disrespectful ones and say, “Enough!!” There is safety in numbers, but those numbers are decreasing. Help save our Grange!!! 

Valley Grange to Celebrate Community

Valley Grange is located at 172 Guilford Center Road in Guilford, Maine

Guilford—Valley Grange has announced its annual Celebration of Community, to be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Guilford Grange Hall. The event includes honoring the local organization’s Community Citizen(s) of the Year. This year, the Grange will honor the Recovery Wellness Center based in Sangerville. The event celebrates the strength of rural communities with a community 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 or organizations 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, as the communities prepare the potluck supper by bringing dishes to share.”

The Recovery Wellness Community Center in Sangerville, Maine, located at 20 Douty Hill Road, is a community-driven, non-profit center founded in 2024 to support individuals affected by addiction. It provides a safe, sober space offering free services including peer support, All Recovery meetings, Narcan training, and career exploration.

“The Center provides many sources and resources,” Boomsma notes. “But it also proves a supportive community place for those dealing with substance abuse and addiction recovery in both traditional and non-traditional ways.”

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. So many people benefit from the Recovery Wellness Center’s work. The center is peer-led and focused on community-driven support. This is a chance to thank the organization and its people in person and maybe shake hands and give a hug.”

Additional information about the event is available at http://valleygrange.com and on the Valley Grange Facebook page.

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.