Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
Grange Craft Fairs— a list of Holiday Shopping Opportunities at Granges
The Maine State Grange Office is located at
36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330
The office is open Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:30 am until 1:30 pm
The email address is mainestategrange@gmail.com.
For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.
Robocalls can be more than just annoying. While some automated calls are legitimate, others are used by criminals to steal money or personal information. These calls may promise prizes, demand payment for debts you don’t owe or claim to come from a trusted organization.
Scammers can manipulate caller ID to make a call appear to come from a local number or a legitimate business. They may also use stolen personal information and artificial intelligence to make their calls more convincing. Even if a number looks familiar, that doesn’t mean the caller can be trusted.
To protect yourself, avoid answering calls from unknown numbers. If you answer a suspicious robocall, hang up without pressing any buttons. Check with your phone provider about call-blocking options and consider adding your number to DoNotCall.gov. While this can reduce unwanted telemarketing calls, it won’t stop scammers who ignore the rules.
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.
Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange Master/President
207 490-1029
We had a busy Maine State Grange Session held October 30 & 31 in Orono which went very well. I would say thank-you a thousand times to everyone who participated and/or helped in any way to make it a wonderful event.
We had 44 Delegates representing 27 Subordinate Granges and 22 Delegates representing 11 Pomona Granges a total of 66 Delegates with another dozen or so non-delegates participating, also. Our National Rep, Barbara Foster, Pomona of the National Grange and President of the West Virginia State Grange was unable to be with us and a letter was read from her expressing her regrets. I presented my Annual Master’s Address. A beautiful Memorial Service was held. A conflict resolution workshop was directed by Rick Grotton. We recognized 14 former Officers of the Maine State Grange. Awards were presented by Community Service, Family, Health & Hearing, Membership, Lecturer, and CWA.
To celebrate our 250th Anniversary of America we recognized 8 Veterans — Dale Holst, Nancy Farrington, Carl Moon, Paul Woodman, Charles McGillicuddy, Pete Ivers, Jim Meserve and Richard Harriman, presenting each with a handmade quilted lap robe in appreciation of their military service. We enjoyed a marvelous banquet, and were entertained by “Up Tempo” a wonderful local quartet. We passed the 2026 – 2027 budget, accepted officer and department reports, and elected Steven Haycock as the newest member of the Executive Committee. Congratulations. I gave the participants a couple of “quizzes” or classroom assignments – filling out paperwork and turning it in right then, even had some fun drawing pictures. I loved all the ones I was given. We conferred the 6th Degree on 2 candidates. It was a great session, CONGRATULATIONS on a job well done. Again, thank you everyone.
If you would like any of the Session paperwork it can be standard mailed or emailed to you. Contact me or the office at the above address. Most of it, is also posted on the website.
Items available:
2026 -2027 Program Books
Additional information we filled out and returned during the meeting
I am working on filling my Deputy and Committee positions for the coming year. I need Deputies in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Excelsior, and Hancock Pomonas. Some counties have a State Officer assigned, but I would like to get more people involved. I could use extra Deputies in some areas that have a lot of Granges. Duties of Pomona Deputies include visiting each of the Subordinate or Community Granges in your area, give instructions and information, then make an overall report of each Grange to me, and to come to State Session, helping set up & tear down and filling in where needed during those 3 days in October. If you are interested in being a Deputy, please contact me.
The Community Service, Membership, Fundraising, Lecturer, Good of the Order, Agriculture, Women’s Activities and Legislative Committees are all looking for more people to be part of their Committees, to help promote their programs, be involved with discussions and decision making as part of the committees. I would like to have more people involved. If you are interested contact me asap.
The Roster goes to print this month, as soon as I complete my Deputies and Committees.
I am still missing 28 Subordinate Roster Forms.
Happy Thanksgiving! Share something with others less fortunate, especially your time.
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.
By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915
It was a wonderful time at the State Grange Session. Seeing and hanging out with old and new friends is always a highlight. For those of you who have never attended, you are missing out on making new Grange memories. I received many membership topics to share by talking to other members. The suggestions are appreciated and welcomed. Don’t stop sharing!
If your Grange is in the middle or on the edge of town, invite area organizations to hold meetings or events at the Hall. Police, firemen, town meetings, ladies’ clubs, or other fraternal organizations often need a place to meet when holding a special event or if their own meeting place is unavailable. Many times, they will become Grange members. Being useful and visible to the community is always a plus. Communication is a big key also. Talking and planning with other organizations makes life easier for everyone, and use of the Hall in times other than your Grange meetings is always good. Often, people will comment that they never see anyone at the Hall; it’s always quiet. They then associate Granges as inactive.
Other Grangers hold free community breakfasts or lunches for the community. Inviting musicians to perform a jam session attracts many people for a night of entertainment and fun. The community will associate the Grange Hall as a fun place to go, with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Get planning now!
By Clay Collins, Guest Columnist
207 837-0564
“Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay to Caesar, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’’
Matthew 22:15-22
It is that time of year when most people turn to fall activities such as raking leaves, preparing your snow equipment upcoming storms. What to do first? Do what most people do: flip a coin.
Every time we face difficult decisions or tasks we don’t necessarily want to do, What to do? We flip a coin. Either literally or figuratively.
Hopefully, we do the right thing. The Pharisees tried tricking Jesus into saying they should worship Caesar instead of God. Jesus was aware of their malice. Instead, he took a coin and told them to give Caesar what is Caesar’s and God what is God’s. As you move toward the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas), be careful and always remember your elderly friends and neighbors. Check on them regularly.
Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”
Benediction: Gracious and patient Father of us all, help us to always make the correct decision, and forgive us for making the wrong decision. Amen.
Thought for the month:
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” (Aristotle)
While Chaplain Christine is burdened with technology challenges, she has invited Past MSG Chaplain Clay to share some spiritual thoughts with our Grange Flock.
Guest Post by Sean McCart, Farm Country Hubs
When someone in Maine wants a pick-your-own orchard or a farm stand that is open today, they usually start with a search on their phone. If your farm shows up with hours, directions, and a few good photos, you’re in the running. If it doesn’t, they drive to the farm that does.
Farm Country Hubs is a free directory built for those searches. It lists farms, orchards, vineyards, and agritourism stops across the country- about 1,100 so far- each with a map pin and contact details, and most with photos and hours. Maine has 19 listed today, from u-pick berry fields in Mechanic Falls to barnyard visits in Westbrook. That is a short list for a state with as many farms as Maine has, which is the reason for this article.
Any farm business where customers come to you:
A farm that sells only wholesale or online isn’t a fit, because a listing needs a real place visitors can come to.
There is no card to enter and no fee. Paid tools such as online bookings and a farm website exist, but they are optional, and a free listing keeps working without them.
One tip: a photo of the actual field, stand or barn does more than a logo. Visitors want to see where they are going.
Listing a farm is easy to put off when there’s no spare afternoon in the busy season. A winter Grange meeting is a good time for it. Bring a laptop, help a few member farms add their listings, and trade photos. If your Grange has questions along the way, I’m glad to help by email.
You can see Maine’s current listings at farmcountryhubs.com/farms/maine.
About the author: Sean McCart runs Farm Country Hubs, part of Great Outdoor Hubs, a small company in Winter Springs, Florida, that builds free guides to farms and the outdoors. He can be reached at sean@greatoutdoorhubs.com.
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
Abraham Lincoln
by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director
I’m pleased to offer some highlights from the 2026 MSG State Session. I’ll post additional reports and information over the next few days, or as it becomes available! There’s much information! This is not a record of the meeting, just some highlights of information presented that should be of interest.
The full text of the State Master’s Annual Address and Report is available here.
A Summary of The Conflict Resolution Workshop presented by Rick Grotton is available here.
Both Resolutions passed. Resolution #1 dealt with requesting an annual report from the MSG Executive Committee and was recommended by the Good of the Order Committee. (The 2025-26 report will be posted soon as an “Annual Report.”) Resolution #2 dealt with the Maine Secretary of State’s position when running for office and was recommended by the Legislative Committee.
A summary of the Memorial Service by Chaplain Christine Hebert will be posted soon.
Community Service Awards and honors are summarized and posted. For the Community Service Notebooks, Highland Lake Grange #87 received first place, Old Town Riverside #273 second, Mill Stream #574 third, and Saco #53 fourth. The contest is no longer held at the National Grange level.
CWA contest winners are listed in the 2025-26 CWA Annual Report–it’s a long list! CWA Director Margaret Henderson pointed out that Class A winner Laurie McBurney also received first-place honors at the Big E.
Sixteen Granges were recognized for a net gain in membership. Leaders included Farmington #12 with plus seven, Harraseeket #9 with plus seven, and Branch Mills #336 with plus five. The complete list is included in the Membership Director’s Annual Report.
Distinguished Grange Mill Stream #574 received a standing ovation for their achievement. The official presentation will be made at the National Conference on November 20th, and it will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. We’ll post more information before then!
Have you subscribed to the site? You’ll receive a weekly email summarizing what’s been posted. You won’t miss a thing! It’s free, and you can “unsubscribe” at any time!
You’re all reporters! If you have photos or information from State Session, please submit them. You can email photos as attachments directly to webmaster@mainestategrange.org. Please include brief information such as what was going on and who is in the photo. You could also submit a Guest Article!
All former annual reports and program books are being removed, effective immediately. If you need any, please save them!
Articles in this edition include:
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.
Social media helps us stay connected, but criminals use the same platforms to find potential targets. A scam might arrive as a bargain-priced product, an investment opportunity, a new romantic interest, or a message that appears to come from someone you know.
Criminals create fake profiles, impersonate real people and businesses, or take over legitimate accounts. They can also use information people share publicly on social media to make their stories more convincing.
Use the platform privacy settings to limit who can see your posts and personal information. And use strong and unique passwords (strongly consider a password manager) and multifactor authentication where available.
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.