President’s Perspective – September 2024

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

The Deputy School will be held on November 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at State HQ. We will cover ritual, floorwork, salutation, and other related Grange items.

Congratulations and welcome to all the Officers & Members, new and seasoned and I wish you all much success for the coming year.  September is the time of new Grange year beginnings with installations, making plans for the coming year and setting goals. This is also the time for year-end wrap-ups such as your annual audit, reports to be submitted, (to your Grange, Pomona and State), and a time to evaluate last year’s activities, events and goals, what was successful and what was lacking. There are very few Installation Teams or Installing Officers traveling, so I encourage each Grange to do their own Installation. There is an Alternative Installation Ceremony  (half the words) in the new Manual which can be read with one or two people in charge and working with the members present. It is impressive to have it memorized however many people, like myself, cannot memorize charges any longer. By reading it with appropriate feeling and enunciation, it comes across very nicely. The original ceremony in also still in the manual if you are so inclined. We have manuals at the office for sale or get it on line from National Grange at sales@nationalgrange.org

Another reminder or nag, less than half of you have provided your 2025 Roster information.  Even if there were no changes, a report or email needs to be sent.  During the order of business, the Master asks, “Have the reports to the Pomona and State Granges been duly and promptly made?” This includes this and any request for information. If you are changing the time or day you meet, this is a By-Law change and is required to be voted on in a regular Grange meeting and approved by the State Master before it can officially take effect!  Do we have a copy of your By-Laws at the office? 

I am still working on getting the new database completed. I am typing in all the information for our 80 Granges, 2,200+,  names, addresses and other information into a more user friendly format that can be accessed without internet. I have not heard anything at all from many Granges, where are your lists?   

The National Grange and the Northeast Region will be holding a Covid-19 and Influenza free immunization clinic at the New England Grange Building at the Big-E Fair in Springfield, MA in September. 

The Annual Maine State Grange is a month and a half away, October 18 & 19.  Our National Representative will be Barbara Foster, Pomona of the National Grange and President of the West Virginia State Grange, long time Grange member and she is looking forward to being  with us.  Information about our guests can be found on our website under State Session along with other session information such as schedule and meal registration form.

Meal tickets are to be purchased in advance, form and money are due by Oct. 5.

Remember, if your Subordinate and/or Pomona Grange plans to or wants to have 2 voting delegates at State Session:

  1. Your Grange MUST vote by name on the people to be delegates and alternates at a regular meeting prior to session. Two delegates and two alternates are to be selected.
  2. Delegates must be members or affiliate members of your Grange. You may only represent the Subordinate or Pomona Grange where you are a member. 
  3. You may represent your Subordinate and Pomona Grange and have one vote for each.
  4. You may NOT represent 2 Subordinate Granges or 2 Pomona Granges.
  5. Register that person or persons using the Delegate form provided to your Secretary.
  6. The form must be signed by the Master or Secretary of the Grange
  7. Your Grange’s quarterly dues must be paid up to date or brought with you to registration to be eligible to vote
  8. You can’t just show up expecting to vote on the resolutions, elections, or any other business without the proper paperwork being submitted. NO exceptions.
  9. Anyone may attend the session just are not allowed to vote, but may participate in discussions. You may pick your program books for your Grange if there is not a delegate.

The National Grange annual session will be November in Bettendorf, Iowa hosted by the Mid-west Region of States.  All are welcome to attend.

Grange Heirloom — September 2024

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.

New Ventures Maine

Reprinted with permission from an enewsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

New Ventures Maine, a statewide program of the University of Maine at Augusta that has helped Maine residents venture in new directions for over 40 years through tuition-free programs for career, business, and financial education, has announced its next set of fall classes and workshops.

Offered at no cost to all Maine adults, the program includes in-person and online options as well as one-on-one coaching. They offer one-day programs and course-length classes that encourage and empower those thinking about making a change to take the next step towards financial security, a new career or even a new business.

With topics ranging from job searches, resume strategies and money management to career choices, interviewing and building confidence, the classes and workshops are easy to enroll in and some can even be taken at your own pace. For more information about course offerings and how to sign up, as well as success stories and other resources, please visit their website.

Julie loves the Grange!

Met a lot of great people throughout the years. Joined in the early 80’s both Granges dismantled that I belonged to rejoined again a couple of years ago. Great organization!!!!!

Julie Cortright, Saco Grange #53

What about you?

Do you love the Grange? Can you explain what’s great about being a member? It only takes a minute to click the button and tell the world!

I love the Grange!

Chaplain’s View – September 2024

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

Bountiful Harvest

It is the time of year when we especially thank God for the bountiful harvest from our gardens and fields.  We are grateful as our pantries and barns are filled with healthy provisions for the coming winter.

“And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shall thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shall not glean the vineyard, neither shall thou gather every grape of the vineyard; thou shall leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.”

Leviticus: 19:9-10 KJV 

“…and another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on a cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

Revelation: 14:15 KJV

I look forward to seeing you all at Maine State Grange Session.

Communication Shorts 09-03-2024

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!

September Bulletin Deadline

The September Bulletin Deadline is September 14, 2024. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page.

Danville Junction Grange Bingo Postponed

Danville Junction Grange will resume Bingo at the Grange Hall on Saturday, December 7, instead of in September, as previously mentioned. We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.

Monroe Grange Store Reminder

This is just a reminder that the Monroe Grange Store has many Grange-related products available—even the hard-to-find stuff! They can help with fundraising programs, custom-printed apparel, promotional items, awards, signs, and banners. Check out their Grange Store!

State Session Page Is Updated

A page dedicated to the 2024 State Session now has a “packet of information” that includes the forms necessary to reserve meals. We’ve recently posted a copy of the 2023 Journal of Proceedings, a record of last year’s convention.

Many Contest Deadlines Are Coming Up

Get your entries in! Officers and directors note that annual reports and program books are coming due.

Consider this Idea!

Where’s your Grange’s Cornucopia? What’s it look like? It just might be time for rehabbing your “horn of plenty” and having it prominently displayed somewhere in the hall. H-O-P-E!

Think about this!

“Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you into trouble.”

Frank Tyger

Submit News! Be “famous”

Submitting news can be as simple as a photo and “cutline.” A cutline is a brief description–longer than a caption–to accompany the photo. Let’s prove that the Grange is alive and well in Maine! (Photos should be submitted as an attachment to an email.) We get inquiries from people looking for active Granges!

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!

Happy Labor Day!

Information reprinted from an e-newsletter by Maine Senator Stacy Guerin, District 4

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the achievements of America’s workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being.

Before it became a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized initially by individual states. New York was the first state to introduce a bill recognizing Labor Day; but Oregon was the first to actually pass a law in 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating the holiday.

By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday and Congress passed an act on June 28, 1894, making the first Monday in September of each year the legal holiday.

For many, the three-day holiday weekend marks the unofficial end of summer as public schools and colleges return to class. It also serves as the turning point for Maine’s weather as September is when the fall foliage season begins in the north. The month also marks the harvest season for Maine’s agricultural sector.

Welcome, New Members!

New members, as reported in the July 2024 Issue of Good Day!

Congratulations to Tranquility Grange for adding 18 new members, Victor Grange for 11, and Trenton Grange for welcoming 9. A hearty welcome to all 56 new Patrons of Husbandry who will enjoy the “Grange Way of Life.” Don’t forget, we’d love to hear your answer to “Why I Love the Grange!”

Bauneg Beg #382
Pam Gerry

Fairview #342
Mika Levitt
Nicole Vera

Merriconeag #425
Jim Alexander
Jan Davis
Abigail Hight
Will Hight
Elizabeth Manning

South Sangerville #335
Warren Nuite

Trenton #550
Robert Allison
Greg Askires
Joanna Dotts
Lynn Gregonei
Bing Miller
Macy Miller
Teryn Miller
Mary Turner
Cecla Zaveskotis

Union Harvest #591
Deborah Bailey
Beatrice Martin
Jeffrey Todd

Victor #49
Margaret Blair
William Blair
Donald Green
Joyce Green
Adam Lerette
Joe Robles
Lisa Robles
Richard Tompkins
Sherry Tompkins
Mark Williamson
Sabrina Williamson

Cambridge Valley #582
Gail A. Watson

Jonesboro #357
Janice Philbrook

North Jay #10
Angelia Courchesney

Norway #45
Dennis Feeney
Jeffrey Windom

Tranquility #344
Diane Berenzy
Lee Cronin
Dwight Emerson
Wade Graham
Elizabeth Hand
Jany Hardy
Stephen Hardy
DeAnna Hartel
Alan Larson
Sandy Lehman
Diane O’Brien
Robert Olsen
Pat Shannon
Jack Silverio
Susan Silverio
Cyrene Dlegona
Cheryl Wienges
Karen Womer

Winthrop #209
Robert Faucher

Valley Grange Wants PB & J

Valley Grange is located in Guilford, Maine.


Again this year, Valley Grange is supporting Bangor Savings Bank’s annual Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive! During the month of September, we’ll be collecting and donating jars of peanut butter and jelly. All donations will be distributed to local food insecurity programs in our communities—from food pantries to backpack programs to local shelters, and more. The PB&J Drive is all about coming together to spread kindness and make a difference in our communities.

Since 2012, the Bangor Savings Bank Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive has collected more than 120,000 jars and donated them to local food insecurity programs. That’s over 100,000 children, families, and individuals impacted by your donations! In over 12 years, BSB employees, customers, and communities helped provide the equivalent of nearly 2 million peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for those experiencing food insecurity.

Donating a jar can make a big difference to a neighbor in need. Peanut butter, a protein-rich food item, is too often in short supply and in high demand at local food insecurity programs. By donating jars, you’re helping to provide a simple yet impactful meal option for those in need. And with school back in session, let’s support our local schools and backpack programs by donating a jar of peanut butter or jelly to the PB&J Drive!

Jars can be brought to our Valley Grange meeting on Friday, September 20th, dropped off at the hall anytime (there’s a tote on the porch), or given to any member.1 If it’s more convenient, just drop them off at any branch. (Tell ’em Valley Grange sent you!) If you have any questions or need some help, contact Community Service Chair Mary Annis or Program Director Walter Boomsma. You can also visit the Valley Grange Website or Facebook Page. Spread the word! (Pun intended.)

By the way, this is a “two-fer” opportunity! For each donation received, Bangor Savings Bank will donate one additional jar of peanut butter or jelly to local food insecurity programs! 

  1. Note that this program is conducted throughout Bangor Savings Bank’s service area, and anyone–Grange or individual–can participate! Just take your donation to an local branch. ↩︎

Notes from National – August 2024

  • With September upon us, we are in the home stretch to the National Grange Convention. We are holding a special Zoom meeting on September 4th about this year’s Convention that I would encourage all to sign in for.

Notes from National are gleaned from an email provided by Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director.