President’s Perspective – November 2025

Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange President/Master
207 490-1029

We had a very busy schedule at our 151st State Grange Session, which went well. Thank you to the Officers, Delegates, Members, Deputies, Directors, and Committee members who attended. I appreciate your participation and input during the business and activities. Thank you to all those special helpers and workers for your assistance, whether a large part or a small piece of the work, I personally appreciate every one of you. I would like to hear your comments and/or suggestions about State Session – schedule, facilities, location, banquet or any other comment you care to make. Send to my email address.

We welcomed Kathy Gibson, Lady Assistant Steward of the National Grange, who gave us inspiring words of wisdom and also taught us “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” in sign language, we all managed to get through the entire song in rounds. Some of our “boats” didn’t “row” as good as others. Kathy’s enthusiasm is definitely contagious. Brother Glenn Gibson, Executive Committee Member & Past Master of the Massachusetts State Grange and Amanda Gibson, Communications Dir of the MA State Grange both enjoyed being with us also.

A heartfelt Memorial Service was presented. Resolution work started and continued on Saturday with much discussion on each. A wonderful banquet was shared, and the various Committees presented many awards. We held a full election of officers with most of us being re-elected, thank you for your confidence in me. I am pleased to welcome our new officers, Judy Meserve as Ceres, Tracey Small as Pomona, and Dale Holst to the Executive Committee for a four-year term. I want to express my appreciation to our retiring officers Betty Huff, Ceres; Kathy Gowen, Pomona and Jim Owens from the Executive Committee for their dedication and years of service to the Manie State Grange. We welcomed five new State Grange members who received the 6th degree on Saturday afternoon. Vicki Huff installed our officers in an impressive manner. Thank you!


The new Department Program Books and Annual Reports were given to the Delegates for your Grange. If you did not have delegates at the session, you may download the programs and reports from the web under “Program Books,” or if you want a printed copy, email or call the office or me, and we will send them to you. You may request all or just select certain ones. Agricultural Scholarship, Educational Aid & Howes Nurses Scholarship requirements and applications can also be found on the website or requested from the office. We need to promote these scholarships and awards in our communities; each is a wonderful opportunity for our young folks. Grange Enterprise Award (formerly Farm Family) information with the application can be found on the web too or requested.

I hope to get the 2026 Roster done in the near future. Do I have your most current information? I know I have only about 2/3 of them. Welcome to our new Subordinate and Pomona Masters/Presidents, Lecturers, Secretaries and Committee people. There have been a few changes to Deputies and Committees. Several of our dedicated Deputies have retired after long years of service on behalf of the Maine State Grange. I want to THANK each of them, Maynard Chapman as Chief Deputy, David Gowen, Basil Mosher, Harriet Spencer, Holly & Burt Welch, and Phil Parsons. I know I keep repeating myself with the thank-yous. Still, it is well deserved, heartfelt and important especially to me to do so.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Hug your family and friends. Help someone every day.

2025-26 State Officers

Front: Sharon Morton, S; Missy Baldwin, L; Tracey Small, P; Debbie Ivers, F; Judy Meserve, C; Sherry Harriman, M; 
Middle: Roberta Meserve, LAS; Christine Hebert, C; Carolyn Van Horn, EC; Linda Cobb, Mus; Pete Ivers, GK
Back: Laurie McBurnie, T; Rick Grotton, AS; Ben Edgerly, S; Jim Meserve EC
 Absent: Mike Griffin, Overseer, Dale Holst, Executive Committee 

Don’t Forget Your Clock!

Daylight Saving Time ends tomorrow morning. No, you really don’t have to stay awake and do it at 2:00 a.m. We could probably have a lot of fun with the question of whether it ends at 2:00 a.m. before or after you change it.

Some people change their clocks before retiring; some wait until the next morning. Some make the change to habits gradually, although that seems potentially confusing, and besides, it’s too late this time.

There’s at least one story suggesting that the idea for the twice-yearly time change came from someone who had a blanket that was too short, so he cut some off one end and sewed it onto the other.

It’s also a good time to check/change the batteries in your smoke detectors. You can do that during the extra hour you’re getting!

Fraud Watch- Stronger Protections for Older Adults

MSG Communications Resources Logo
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

In August, AARP testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging to spotlight a growing threat to Americans: fraud carried out by transnational organized crime groups. Operating openly abroad, these networks are draining billions of dollars from victims, local communities and economies every year. Older adults are navigating a minefield of increasingly sophisticated scams that threaten not only their lifetime savings but even their homes, independence, and health. Money that was saved for retirement is instead supporting illicit activity around the world.

AARP is urging lawmakers to step up and strengthen fraud prevention through legislation. With AARP’s support, several states have taken action, drafting or passing laws that target real estate and romance scams, cryptocurrency kiosk fraud, suspicious financial transactions and gift card theft.

But it’s not just about changing laws – it’s about changing the culture around fraud. AARP continues its work to change how we talk about and think about fraud victims; see aarp.org/saythis. Across the country, our state offices and volunteers are leading or joining local efforts to create task forces bringing together law enforcement, attorneys general, regulatory agencies, bank tellers and nonprofits to work together on addressing fraud. If you’re interested in joining over 1,000 AARP fraud fighter volunteers engaged in these and other activities to fight fraud, email us at fwn@aarp.org.

More Topic Resources

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.

Communication Shorts 10-29-2025

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!

November Bulletin

Deadline for the November Bulletin is November 14th. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Belated Greetings from the National President

Through what might be seen as a comedy of errors, we missed posting a Maine-specific video of greetings to our State Session from National President Chris Hamp. We’ve now added it to the 151st Session page — you can watch it there or on YouTube by clicking this link.

Bangor Savings Bank PB&J Drive

If you or your Grange were proud participants in the Bangor Savings recent drive collecting PB&J for food banks, you should know! BSB announced that this year’s collection resulted in over 39,000 jars! They estimate that since the program began in 2012, they’ve collected and distributed more than 185,000 jars. That’s enough to make over 3 million PB&J Sandwiches!

Craft Shows

It’s that time of year! In case you missed it, we’ve created a Grange Craft Show Logo or Icon. It will be beneficial when we receive announcements of craft shows that do not include a photo or flyer and help create a sense of “branding” of Grange Craft shows. Feel free to use it! And remember to get your craft show listed on the website, where it will be seen across the state and beyond.

Website Subscribers Sought and Found!

We added 14 website subscribers during the State Session. “Inquiring minds want to know!” We’ve also been getting more since then. Here’s a form you can print (there are two per page) to post and hand out to your members and guests to help keep them in the know! 2025 FOMO Subscriber Form.

Don’t Shoot the Piano Player!

He’s playing as fast as he can! We’re still catching up with results and information from State Session.

Think About This! CHANGE

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Melody Beattie 

An Idea for Your Grange

Before you get overwhelmed with the holidays, it’s a great time to review the status of your future projects, such as Words for Thirds and your Book Exchange Box.

Subscribe!

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 officer portion of the ODD Directory should now be accurate. Deputies and Directors are being updated.

  • 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.

Excelsior Grange Craft Show

November 29, 2025

Excelsior Grange is looking for crafters and vendors for our annual Christmas Fair to be held on November 29, 2025, from 9 am to 2 pm. The Grange will serve lunch and will be selling wreaths. To reserve an eight-foot table ($20) or for more info about the fair, please contact Excelsior Grange #5 on Facebook or by calling 998-2301.

Excelsior Grange is located at 446 Harris Hill Road in Poland, Maine.

Celebrating Grange Membership

Information gleaned from the current issue of GoodDay!TM magazine.

75 Years of Continuous Membership

William Benner, Willow #366

50 Years of Continuous Membership

Linda Brooks-Nighman, Perry #324
Ashton C. Reardon, South Sangerville #335
Brian E. Reardon, South Sangerville #335
Douglas Drown, Bingham #237
Jams Owens, Bingham #237

Granges Gaining New Members

Community Service Report

We’ve received and posted the Community Service/FHH 2024-25 Annual Report. It has been added to the Program Books and Information Page.

Danville Junction Grange #65 and Highland Lake Grange #87 tied in the FHH Report contest and each was awarded $50.

Awards were made in the Community Service Book contest:

  1. Highland Lake Grange #87
  2. Saco Grange #53
  3. Willow Grange #366
  4. Evening Star Grange #183.

For more details, check out the Annual Report! The 2025-26 Community Service Program Book is also available.

Mill Stream Grange Trunk or Treat

Friday, October 31, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Mill Stream Grange is located at 128 Town House Road in Vienna. FMI visit their Facebook Group.

Grange Today! 10-24-2025

The Newsletter of the National Grange

Articles in this edition include:

  • National Grange President to Join National Panel on Rural Women’s Health
  •  Prepare to celebrate National Rural Health Day
  •  Save the Date: National Grange Honors Night
  •  National Ag in the Classroom Grants and Scholarships Cycle Open
  •  Grange Member Benefit: SingleCare / GoodRx
  •  View from the Hill
  •  Home Fire Prevention Tips
  •  We need Red, White, and YOU!
  •  Recipes from the Heartland
  •  Grange Store: #GrangeStrong Socks & 60-year membership pin 

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!

Read THE Current Issue

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.