Exploring Traditions — April 2022

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

by Walter Boomsma

Barn Raising

Most would probably agree that the “Grange Way of Life” includes a healthy dose of “helpfulness.” Historically, the Grange served as a way for farmers to help each other achieve things both politically and practically. Of course, we are no longer limited to farmers and, in a sense, the emphasis on community is ultimately evidence of the Granger’s desire to be helpful.

Indeed, one of the challenges we face as an organization is the change in the definition of community. In the earliest days of the Grange, the farmers often were the community. Our communities are often defined differently in today’s world.

An oft-cited example of “community” is Amish barn-raisings. Amish friends and neighbors come together to help build a barn. A very practical need is fulfilled in a manner that brings the Amish community together. The work combines socializing with a practical goal. The goal is often accomplished efficiently—often a significant portion of a large barn is built in a single day.

Recently, however, a barn-raising resulted in a near tragedy. In the typical post and beam construction, the walls of the barn are built on the ground and then pushed into place manually by all of the builders using various length poles. You can perhaps well imagine the amount of precision involved in achieving this raising of the massive and heavy walls into place. During one such raising, a momentary distraction by some caused a loss of momentum and the wall came crashing down. Fortunately, no one was injured.

The idea of a barn-raising is certainly a wonderful example of people coming together to help each other and the amazing possibilities created by a strong sense of community. But this accident is also an example of how easily and quickly it is possible to lose that unity and sense of purpose. I have no idea how many Amish it takes to raise a wall into place. But if some become distracted, lose sight of the goal, and stop contributing, there is a danger of failure instead of success.

I don’t know of any Granges that have raised barns. (But I’m willing to bet many Grange Halls were built by the members.) But we do take on projects that are about helping each other and are similar we combine socializing with getting the work done. Certainly, those projects involve planning and require leadership. (Most barn-raisings are planned and led by one or two Amish “engineers.”) When we are undertaking projects, we should be demonstrating the Grange Way of Life. When it’s time to “raise the walls,” we need to keep looking up and pushing.


Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-sixth edition of the 2013 Subordinate Grange Manual or the most recent edition of the Pomona Grange Manual. The views and opinions expressed in “Exploring Traditions” are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine and policy of the Grange. Information about the book “Exploring Traditions—Celebrating the Grange Way of Life” can be found at http://abbotvillagepress.com, on Mr. Boomsma’s Amazon Author Page, or by contacting the author.

Dirigo Grange Bake Sale

collection of delicious baked goods in local bakery
Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com

May 7, 2022

Dirigo Grange will conduct a bake sale on May 7, 2022, from 9 am until 1 pm featuring assorted homemade pastries and goodies. Dirigo Grange is located at 32 Belfast Road (Route 137) in Freedom. For more information, contact Lois Z. at 207 382-3315.

Mill Stream Grange Makes Record

Well, if you’ll forgive a play on words, we mean that Mill Stream Grane was featured in the April-May Issue of the Vienna Record. The Record is published by the Town of Vienna and includes all sorts of town business such as selectmen and town department minutes and news of town events. Mill Stream Dictionary Day was the lead article and a second article listed upcoming Mill Stream Grange events.

Notice the mention of Grange Month and the Open House on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Bring your old flags! What a great example of community relevance and publicity!

Valley Grange Makes Fabric Hugs

Valley Grange of Guilford is sponsoring a blanket-making event on Saturday, May 14, 2022,  from 9:00 a.m. until noon and volunteers are needed! Organizer Pat Engstrom notes “no sewing skills are needed. If you can measure, cut a straight line with scissors and tie a simple knot you can become a ‘blanketeer’ and help support Project Linus.”

Project Linus, a non-profit organization, provides homemade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Similar events have resulted in dozens of blankets being made by a diverse group of volunteers. Engstrom hopes to see the number of blankets made increase.

“We have a great time doing this and truly just about anyone can help. We created quite a production line, and it sometimes gets competitive! It’s exciting to realize we’re providing love in the form of ‘blankies’ representing love, security, warmth, and comfort to kids.”

Light refreshments will be served.

Supplemental Food Program for Seniors

MSG Comm Department Logo
This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Davis, State Senator for District4.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), also known as Senior Brown Bags, Commodity Boxes, or Senior Boxes, is a federal program that works to improve the health of low-income elderly people at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA foods.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (ACF) collaborates with organizations statewide to distribute units of food monthly to over 8,000 seniors across the state. Seniors in all Maine counties can access nutritious monthly food boxes by applying through their county’s supporting agency.

Each food box, valued at $50 and freely available to eligible seniors, contains a variety of canned fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, pasta, rice, peanut butter, juice, shelf-stable milk, cereals, and cheese. Participating seniors pick up their boxes at a designated time and place each month.

Seniors need only be aged 60 and older, live in Maine and meet income guidelines. To apply, view the list of supporting agencies and contact the one serving your county.

For more information about the program, visit the Maine ACF website.

Grange Heirloom — April 2022

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 responses link at the top right and share it!

Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.


For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.

White Rock Grange Vendor & Craft Fair

Over two dozen crafters and vendors are coming together to offer items for Easter, Mother’s Day, Hostess Gift, Just Because Gifts, and more.

Follow us on Facebook for more details: https://www.facebook.com/whiterockgrange380/

Highland Lake Grange Turkey Supper

Saturday, April 9, 2022 4:30 to 6:00

Highland Lake Grange will be having a roasted turkey drive up, take out only, dinner on Saturday, April 9, 2022, 4:30-6:00. There will be roasted turkey, green beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread, cranberry sauce, and cake. The cost is $10.00 per person. Please have the exact price for the meal(s) you want.. You will drive up, pay and receive your meal. No substitutions or pre-orders. Serving may start earlier in the case of a long line of cars for safety. The Grange is located near the corner of Rt 302 and Hardy Road, Westbrook.  FMI Joann Levesque 207 233 7119.

Parkman Grange Mother’s Day Tea

white ceramic teacup
Photo by George Dolgikh @ Giftpundits.com on Pexels.com

Parkman Grange is pleased to announce the return of a favorite springtime tradition, their popular Mother’s Day Tea.  This twentieth anniversary will celebrate Tylene Kimball as the guest of honor.  In 2000 she came up with the idea of a Tea and it continued to grow with a pause in the last two years.  The Tea will be on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 10 AM to noon.  Entertainment will be provided by Bobby Kimball, and Julie Harrington will lead fun sing-along songs.  There will be a lot of door prizes to win and a 50/50 raffle. Included will be time to chat and catch up with family and friends.  Tea sandwiches, sweet treats, and coffee, tea, or lemonade will be served.  The Grange is located at State Highway 150 and North Dexter Road.  Admission is $5, and children under five are free.  Seating is limited. Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling Sue Manchester at 207 277-3942.

Lyme Disease Awareness Poster Contest

MSG Comm Department Logo
This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by UMaine Cooperative Extension

Each year, Maine CDC hosts an annual Lyme Disease Awareness Month poster contest for K-8th graders in Maine. Despite COVID-19, ticks and tickborne diseases are still a threat, especially among children in this age group. The topic of this year’s contest is “Tick Wise,” reminding everyone to be “tick wise” and take steps to prevent tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease.

The contest rules and release can be found under the “Lyme Disease Awareness Month” heading at www.maine.gov/lyme.

Posters will be accepted through Friday, April 29, 2022. Only one poster per participant will be accepted and posters must be accompanied by a signed release waiver. Winners in each category (K-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade, 6th-8th grade) receive a one-day park pass to any Maine State Park for their family and tick removal kits for their classroom. One grand prize-winning poster will be chosen to feature as the 2022 Lyme Disease Awareness poster for Maine CDC.

Please contact Maine CDC’s Vectorborne Disease Health Educator with any questions at megan.porter@maine.gov.