Tag: Guilford Maine

Valley Grange Dictionary Day Schedule

Valley Grange #144 of Guilford recently announced the schedule for its 2025 Words for Thirds Dictionary Project. The local Grange’s program is in its 21st year and has provided over 4,000 dictionaries to third-grade students in four area school districts. The presentations include some Grange history and an introduction to some basic dictionary skills.

Valley Grange Program Director Walter Boomsma notes, “In this age of technology, it’s inspiring to see the kids’ enthusiasm when getting their very own paper dictionary.” He also noted that a recent newsletter from the Dictionary Project reported that Sweden has shifted its emphasis from electronics back to “real” books, after seeing its fourth-grade reading scores tank.

“We’ve always said that third grade marks a critical difference. In earlier grades, students are learning to read. In third grade, they start reading to learn.”

Grange teams will be visiting SeDoMoCha Elementary in Dover Foxcroft on November 3rd, Ridgeview Elementary on November 5th, Brownville Elementary on November 10th, Harmony Elementary on November 12th, and Piscataquis Community Elementary on November 13th.

Boomsma notes that he particularly enjoys introducing the students to the word “steward” because it emphasizes the importance of making good use of resources, as well as the title of an officer in every Grange. “We challenge them to make good use of their new dictionaries and love hearing their ideas for how they will do that.”

Valley Grange President Jim Annis says, “For many kids, getting their dictionary is a rite of passage.” He loves telling the story of meeting two third graders who explained to him that this is the year they get their dictionaries. Last year, a student at Ridgeview expressed surprise that he was receiving a gift, even though it wasn’t his birthday.

Happy Dictionary Day!

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!

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.

Valley Grange September Meeting to include PB &J

Friday, September 19, 2025
A potluck supper will take place at 6:00 pm. Our meeting follows at 7 pm

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

No, we won’t be having sandwiches for supper. Again this year, we are supporting Bangor Savings Bank’s PB & J Drive. Since 2012, the Bangor Savings Bank Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive has collected more than 146,000 jars and donated them to local food insecurity programs. That’s nearly 2.5 million peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for children, families, and individuals. That’s the power of community!

Please bring your donations to the meeting on Friday, September 19th, or drop them off at the Hall. Note that we must receive donations by September 25th. You can also drop off donations at any Bangor Savings Branch until September 30th. Tell ’em we sent you!

Valley Grange Celebrates Community

Guilford—Valley Grange in Guilford has announced their annual Celebration of Community, which will take place on Friday, May 16, 2025, 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 Manda Stewart, Executive Director of the Piscataquis Area Community Center. 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 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.”

Stewart is an active community leader and dedicated mother of two, whose children enjoy swimming, golf, and dance. She has a passion for water skiing, boating, and reading, and she devotes much of her time to volunteering. Manda serves as the president of the RVCS Boosters in Dexter, is a Kiwanis member, and partners with the Dexter Development Association to support local initiatives.

“She has been unstoppable in her efforts to create a viable community center out of the former Y.M.C.A in Dover-Foxcroft. She is a wearer of many hats and source of boundless energy and doesn’t seem to have the word ‘can’t’ in her vocabulary. Valley Grange is honored to offer this opportunity for our communities to recognize her compassion, professionalism, and resilience,” Boomsma notes.

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 work Manda and people like her do daily. This is a chance to thank them 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.

Valley Grange Breaks Records!

Find out how in this short video! Sorry you missed this one!

WABI-TV5 Explains Valley Grange Blanketeering Program

Check out the story here!

Valley Grange Seeks Blanketeers!

Valley Grange is located in Guilford, Maine

On March 22, 2025, volunteers will create blankets for children in need.

Guilford–Valley Grange of Guilford is sponsoring a blanket-making event on Saturday, March 22, 2025, 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 homemade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Similar events in previous years have resulted in dozens of blankets being made by a diverse group of volunteers. Engstrom hopes to see the number of blankets made increase.

“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’ representing love, security, warmth, and comfort to 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 207 564-8290 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.

Valley Grange Gets BIG Thanks

The picture doesn’t do it justice! It barely fit in the scanner. It came from fifth-grade students and teachers at Ridgeview Community School in Dexter. The inside was filled with signatures, hearts, and the message, “Thank you for donating warm gear for us to wear outside this winter.”

We love our kids!

And we thank our Blistered Finger Knitters for making it possible to do this in our area schools. Remember, you don’t have to be a Grange Member to help! We’ll even provide the yarn, thanks to the donations we’ve received from our supporters. Contact Mary Annis (564-0820) or Pat Engstrom (564-8290) for more information.

Visit the Valley Grange Website