Degree Days and Major Events
- October 30-31, 2026, Maine State Grange Annual Meeting in Orono.
The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330. The email address is mainestategrange@gmail.com.
Happy Mothers Day!
“A mother’s love is the heartbeat of every family.”
Grange Today! 5-8-2026
Articles in this edition include:
- Together we grow: Leaders gather in Nevada for annual conference
- Is Your Grange Protected?
- Grange Store Notice
- Grange Heirloom for May
- Connecticut member awarded Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
- Handprints on Potholders Project: A Share Your Project’s Story
- Tell the Grange Story
- Celebrate 160 in Broken Arrow
- Hamp Watch: Where is our National Grange President?
- 7 Frugal Gardening Tips & Tricks
- Celebrate America250 with the Grange
- Recipes from the Heartland
- Grange Member Benefit: Wyndham Hotels
- Grange Store: Veteran Recognition Pin
- “The Grange and You”
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.
A Big Win or a Big Red Flag
Reports of sweepstakes scams to the AARP Fraud Watch Network™ Helpline are on the rise. The prospect of a big financial windfall or amazing vacation plays on our emotions. Criminals count on our excitement to deceive us into paying a fee or divulging sensitive information.
Know that no legitimate sweepstakes or contest requires payment in advance or sharing your Social Security number or bank account details.
If an unexpected message sparks strong emotions and demands urgency, treat it as a potential fraud attempt. Take an “active pause”—an intentional step back to consider the scenario and reflect on what you might know about it. That moment could lead you to recognize the scam and protect yourself and your assets.
Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
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Community Service Night at Highland Lake Grange
Busy night at Highland Lake Grange. 37 people turned out, including Grange members and guests, to celebrate this year’s Community Citizen Award recipient: Suzanne Joyce. We also recognized six members of Highland Lake Grange for their dedication and membership over many decades. Maine State Grange Assistant Steward, Membership Director, and Past Master/President Rick Grotton presented the certificates with the assistance of Judy Meserve, Maine State Grange Ceres, and Jim Meserve, Maine State Grange Executive Committee. It was a wonderful evening of celebration, conversation, laughter and, of course, food!
Educational Aid Scholarships
Educational Aid and Howes Nurses Scholarship Funds
Nancy Farrington, Secretary – Treasurer
317 Holman Day Road
Vassalboro, ME 04989
207-623-0395
May 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is imperative to get the current application out to the college students in your area and make them aware of our scholarship’s availability. The Trustees of the scholarship funds have developed updated criteria, opening the application to any college student seeking assistance and helping the trustees decide who should receive scholarships. Students today need all the help they can get. Won’t you help them? The Trustees of the Educational Aid & Howes Nurses’ Scholarship Funds, ask for your support as we continue our annual appeal for financial help!
Please include the following information with your donation.
The current criteria and scholarship application are available on the website in the event you have an eligible applicant in your Grange area. Please return the completed application and college transcript to the above address by September 15, 2026. (Make as many copies as you wish and share them.)
Please destroy application forms that do not have the revision date of 5/2026.
Dairy Goat School at Evening Star Grange
Submitted by Wendy Carr
June 14, 2026 at 11 am
Evening Star Grange
31 Old Union Road
Washington, ME
For more information, contact fullmooncreamery@gmail.com
Website Status
Every day, and in every way, we’re getting better and better! We’ve had a few glitches–one regarding email that I think has been solved today.
There are a few minor things we’re discovering and fixing. If you see anything weird, please let me know!
There are also just enough differences with this new server to create a steep learning curve. The good news is that the differences are mostly positive.
I’ve been using a good friend’s observation a lot lately. Jack says, “Life is like a rollercoaster. You can’t steer a rollercoaster, so hang on and enjoy the ride!”
Grange Heirloom – May 2026
Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.
Use the icons below to share this Grange Heirloom on social media and help others understand what the Grange stands for! If this heirloom has a particular meaning for you, click the “leave a comment” link at the left and share your comment with us!
For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.
Communication Shorts 05-03-2026
By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842
Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!
The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
mainestategrange@gmail.com.
May Bulletin
Articles for the May Bulletin are due by the end of the day, May 14th.. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
Website Status
We’re back! So far, I’m impressed! The site seems to be running faster. There’s probably some “cleaning up to do,” but nothing major. I’m sure glad this doesn’t happen often!
Grange Visiting
We’ve been getting questions from folks interested in visiting Granges other than their own. It’s a great idea! Check out this post for resources to help you plan that!
Photography Tip
There’s a rule of thumb for publicity and news photos. “No feet!” That’s not always possible, but remember to “move in” close. A bonus tip: see the background. The camera will and it can result in some funny photos with things growing out of the top of the subject’s head!
What’s Going On?
Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Surely, there are lots of Grange things happening in Maine. We also love photos and reports of events that have happened. What’s your meeting magic?
To Ponder…
“Happiness is not by chance but by choice.”
Jim Rohn
An Idea for Your Grange
Mystery rides are surprise outings or trips in which the destination and itinerary are kept hidden from participants until the last moment. You could visit another Grange and stop for ice cream on the way back!
Subscribe!
The recent website issues demonstrated the value of subscribing! We were able to keep subscribers informed of what was going on even though the site wasn’t available. Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members and Grange friends!
Online Directories Available 24-7
Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!
- The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
- The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information. Updated January 16, 2026.
Mill Stream Grange Goes to Church
