Featured

Important Stuff!

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.

Valley Grange is “almost ready” for 2026 Dictionary Days

Valley Grange is located in Guilford, Maine.

We had hats and mittens to bag and cases of dictionaries to label. It doesnโ€™t look very organized, but we are getting ready! We contacted the schools with a calendar of available dates.

Weโ€™re steadily marching towards Dictionary Day 2026 for our kids and schools. In fact, we already have some dates. It will be Dictionary Day on

We include hats and mittens made by our Blistered Finger Knitters.
  • Friday, November 13 at Harmony Elementary School in Harmony
  • Monday, November 16 at Piscataquis Community School in Guilford
  • Thursday, November 19 at Brownville Elementary School in Brownville
  • Tuesday, November 24 at SeDoMoCha Elementary School in Dover-Foxcroft.
  • Friday, December 4 at Ridgeview Elementary School in Dexter.

Weโ€™re ready to recruit our Valley Grange Teams to assist. You donโ€™t have to be a member to help! Team members help unload, bring items inside, and carry things back out! During the presentation, youโ€™ll be introduced and help when itโ€™s time to hand out individual dictionaries. If youโ€™re comfortable, it can be a lot of fun helping individual kids look up words. If youโ€™re interested, email Walter or call him at (207) 343-1842.

There are many ways you can help Valley Grange and our communities. We can use your

  • Talent: Our โ€œBlistered Finger Knittersโ€ can help us with knitting hats and mittens for our schools to use with kids. For more information, contact Mary Annis, Community Service Chair, at (207) 564-0820.
  • Treasure: The well pump failed at our hall this year and our costs keep increasing. If you can help with a donation, send it to Mary Annis, Secretary of Valley Grange, 28 Orchard Road, Dover Foxcroft, ME 04426
  • Time: Dictionary Day Team Members email Walter or call him (207) 343-1842 to learn more! (There are also some other small jobs we could use help with!

Good Day Magazine Recognition

In the October issue. two Maine members were recognized for 50 years of continuous membership:

  • Roger Bergeron, Saco #53
  • Terry Spencer, Bingham #237

The deadline for submitting lists of new members for the next issue is November 30, 2026. Send to Phil Vonada.

Distinguished Mill Stream Grange Displays

Mill Stream Grange “took the blue” twice for their crafts display at Farmington Fair. This was also their first year with an ag display, and they earned a red ribbon.

Mill Stream Grange and its members truly is a Distinguished Grange.

Congratulations!

East Madison Grange Food Project

The East Madison Grange is having a food project day on October 30 from 10 am to 12 pm. We will be handing out boxes of food to those who attend. In addition to food boxes, we also have some warm winter hats and gloves to give away. FMI

Don’t Forget to Fall Back!

Turn clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

  • Time to Change: At 2:00 a.m., time moves back to 1:00 a.m., giving you an extra hour of sleep.
  • When to Adjust Manual Clocks: Update clocks on microwaves, car dashboards, and wall clocks before going to bed on Saturday night, October 31, 2026.
  • Automatic Devices: Smartphones, computers, and smart TVs update automatically.
  • Daylight Shift: Sunrise and sunset happen about one hour earlier by the clock, meaning brighter mornings and darker evenings.

Recent Uploads

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

As we enter a new Grange year (2026-27) and prepare for State Session, it’s important to ensure we have accurate information! We’ve now posted a number of this year’s program books as well as several forms for your use. A summary list of program books:

The more complete list is available by visiting the Program Books and Information Page. You’ll also find additional resources, as well as the annual reports of committees and directors. Make sure your local directors and committee chairs have access to this information.

Even if you’re not attending the 152nd State Session, you’ll want to watch National Grange President Chris Hamp’s recorded welcome. It’s available on the convention page.

And a special thanks to those who have been submitting information-planned events and news-about your Grange. Keep it coming!

Knowledge is power, and it can help you overcome any fear of the unexpected. When you learn, you gain more awareness through the process, and you know what pitfalls to look for as you get ready to transition to the next level.

โ€” Jay Shetty

Pioneer Grange Celebrates Members

Pioneer Grange #219, located in East Union, recently celebrated some member milestones: Sherwood Hilt was recognized for 65 years of service, Donald Burke for 25 years, and Jessica Hilt for 20 years.

Sherwood has served as Pioneer Grange #219 Steward for over 65 years and has contributed time, energy, and support to the Grange organization and community, helping strengthen its traditions. Donald Burke is currently Pioneer Grange #219 President and has been a faithful member of Pioneer and Medomak Granges for 25 years.

L to R: Sherwood Hilt, Jessica Hilt, and Donald Burke

Jessica Hilt was recognized for 20 years of continuous membership and is currently Pioneer Grange #219 Secretary. She has dedicated her time and service in helping to strengthen the Grange values and commitment to the community.

The following members were recognized for their commitment and recent membership to Pioneer Grange #219: Keith Hilt, Debbie Hilt, Sophia Popli, Ed McDonald, Donna McDonald, Sandy Fuller, ย Maddie Fuller, Mary Kinney, ย Devin Yaeger, Sarah Hewitt, and Junia Norris.

L to R: Keith Hilt, Debbie Hilt, Sherwood Hilt, Junia Norris, Sandy Fuller, Maddie Fuller, Sophia Popli, Jessica Hilt, Mary Kinney, Devin Yaeger, Donna McDonald, DonaldBurke, and Ed McDonald

Pioneer Grange currently meets monthly at 110 Payson Rd in Union. Please reach out to Donald Burke if you’re interested in joining the Pioneer Grange.  

Grange Today! 10-23-2026

The Newsletter of the National Grange

Articles in this edition include:

  • Are you ready to Pave the Route to the Future?
  • ย Authenticity cannot be Faked: Ethical Use of AI in your Grange
  • Members aged 18 or older asked to take a survey on the National Youth program
  • The Fellowship Factor: Need a Ride?
  • Pave the โ€œRoute to the Futureโ€ at the 160th Annual National Grange Convention
  • View from the Hill
  • Flag Retirement Ceremony: A Share Your Projectโ€™s Story Submission
  • Connecticut Elects New President
  • Tired of the gym grind? Find your next fitness obsession outdoors
  • Recipes from the Heartland
  • Grange Member Benefit: AVIS/Budget Car Rentals

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.

Fraud Watch- Fake Bank Alerts

Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

The AARP Fraud Watch Networkโ„ข Helpline (877-908-3360) is hearing from more people about bank impersonation scams. Consumers are targeted, usually through a call or text, by a criminal pretending to be from your bank.

They claim thereโ€™s suspicious activity on your account, and you need to act immediately to protect your money. The warning can sound convincing because they are impersonating your actual bank and may have specific information about you and your account.

A major red flag is being told to transfer or withdraw money to keep it โ€œsafe.โ€ The bank impersonator may instruct you to wire funds, use a payment app, or withdraw cash and feed it into a designated cryptocurrency kiosk for โ€œsafekeeping.โ€

The playbooks for this and other financial crimes are focused on a form of manipulation that serves to get past the logic center in our brains and go right to action through emotion. Any unexpected or unsolicited contact these days is a fraud risk. If you receive a concerning message from your bank, contact them using a phone number you know belongs to your bank, or check your account online or in the app if you have that access.


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.

AARP Fraud Watch Network

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out the AARP online form or email me@aarp.org.

45th Annual St George Christmas Fair

December 5, 2026

Craft Fair 9 am until 2 pm

Come and enjoy lots of great food. Including fresh baked muffins, cinnamon rolls and FREE coffee! Stop by for lunch. We will be serving soups, biscuits, hot dogs and drinks.
*CRAFTS*RAFFLES*

No Admission Fee for the Fair!

St. George Grange is located at 32 Wiley’s Corner Road in St. George, Maine

Live Nativity at 4:45 pm

Public Supper at 5:00 pm

Enjoy homemade food with family, friends, and neighbors (by donation).

For more information about these events, contact Tammy at 372-8904 or Patsy at 372-6424. Merry Christmas!