Degree Days and Major Events
- October 30-31, 2026, Maine State Grange Annual Meeting in Orono.
The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330. The email address is mainestategrange@gmail.com.
Communication Shorts 05-26-2026
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!
The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
mainestategrange@gmail.com.
June Bulletin
Articles for the June Bulletin are due by the end of the day, June 14th.. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.
Website Status
No more outages! The site seems to be running faster! We still are occasionally run into missing items and links not working. If it happens to you, please let the webmaster know!
Great Grange News
Ocean View Grange reports they have been highlighted for their Fuel Assistance Program in this issue of the St George Community Development Corporation newsletter. They are happy that their efforts are noted and proud that the Ocean View Grange members are part of helping our community.
Election Stress Getting to You?
Set strict media boundaries: Stop doomscrolling by scheduling 15 to 30 minutes a day to check the news, and use news-free zones (like your bedroom) to disconnect. The June Primaries are only the beginning.
Fryeburg Fair Opportunity
The Fryeburg Fair is seeking a nonprofit to take over the New Church Booth. The New Church group had operated the booth for seventy-three years! The Fair provides an opportunity for over 20 non-profits to earn funds through the operation of various booths. Who is up to this challenge?
What’s Going On?
Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Surely, there are lots of things happening in Maine, especially in the summer. We also love photos and reports of events that have happened. What’s your meeting magic?
To Ponder…
Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.
Howard Zinn
An Idea for Your Grange
How about sponsoring a Patriotic Flower Contest in your community? This could be done in conjunction with an Independence Day parade or as part of your 250 Celebration. One option would be to follow the model of a Christmas lighting contest. Another would be to create a garden tour with a patriotic theme.
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 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. Updated January 16, 2026.
Emergency Relief Fund:
Supporting Those Impacted by the Searsmont Lumber Mill Explosion
On May 15th, a devastating fire and explosion occurred at the Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont, Maine, after crews responded to a fire in one of the mill’s silos. The incident prompted a mass-casualty response involving multiple fire departments, first responders, emergency agencies, and hospitals across Maine. Firefighter Andrew Cross tragically lost his life, at least 11 individuals were injured, and several people remain in serious and critical condition following the explosion.
Many individuals, families, firefighters, and first responders are now facing the physical, emotional, and financial impacts of this tragedy. Recovery from injuries, time away from work, travel for medical care, funeral expenses, and other unexpected hardships may place significant strain on those affected in the days and weeks ahead.
The Maine Strong Memorial Foundation has launched this designated Emergency Relief Fund to support the confirmed individuals and families impacted by the Searsmont lumber mill explosion. This fund will help provide immediate financial relief during this difficult time.
The Foundation is continuing to work directly with Town of Searsmont officials, local contacts, community representatives, and affected families throughout the campaign in a collaborative and unified effort to help confirm impacted individuals, coordinate support efforts, and ensure funds are distributed responsibly and transparently as additional information continues to emerge.
As part of this effort, the Maine Strong Memorial Foundation will also provide up to an additional $1,000 in support for each confirmed individual directly impacted by this tragedy, including the family of firefighter Andrew Cross.
100% of all donations made through this campaign will go directly toward supporting the confirmed individuals and families impacted by this tragedy.
Your Points Are Worth Money and Scammers Know It
Chances are you’ve signed up for a rewards or loyalty program at some point—even if you rarely check your account. These are popular targets for this very reason—loyalty account owners don’t tend to monitor their balances the way they might monitor financial accounts.
Criminals hack into loyalty and rewards accounts through phishing messages, malware-infected sites that collect your data, and stealing username and password combinations. Once inside, they transfer the points or redeem them.
Protect your rewards by protecting your accounts with strong, unique passwords and turn on multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Sign up for account alerts so you’re notified of any changes or suspicious activity. And if something looks off, contact the loyalty program directly through your account or a phone number you know is legitimate.
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.
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Maine Senior FarmShare Program
AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) Maine Senior FarmShare Program (MSFP) will soon begin enrolling participants for the 2026 season. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Maine Senior FarmShare Program, which has helped connect older adults with fresh Maine-grown produce, cut herbs, and honey while supporting local farms across the state.
Enrollment for the 2026 season will open on June 1, 2026.
Interested older adults may complete an online application on the MSFP website. This application includes a menu that lists farms by county, so they can select the farm they would like to enroll with in MSFP. An applicant can choose a farm in any county, regardless of where they live. Applicants will receive immediate email notification indicating whether they are eligible or ineligible.
June Grange Events
Every Monday, at 7 PM, St George Grange hosts Music Night. Enjoy live music, bring a musical instrument and play, or get up and sing.
Every Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM, Kennebec Valley Grange hosts a flea market that fills two floors. Details here or call Diane Pinkham at 207 314-5135 FMI.
- Elections of Officers
- June 6, 2026, MSG Yard Sale at Manchester Grange, 9 AM – 1 PM. For table rental, 207 213-0371, For event info, 207 583-7211.
- June 13, 2026, St George Grange Public Supper, 5 pm. FMI
- June 13, 2026, Winthrop Grange Bean Supper, 4- 6 pm, FMI contact gwamme@gmail.com.
- June 14, 2026, Dairy Goat Class at Evening Star Grange starts at 11 am. $20, FMI contact fullmooncreamery@gmail.com.
- June 14, 2026, MSG Bulletin Deadline
- June 19, 2026, Victor Grange in Fairfield hosts a free senior lunch, 11 AM – 1 PM.
When submitting an event, please include:
- Date it’s being held
- Start and end times
- What type of event (public supper, craft fair, etc.)
- Where it’s being held (include town, please)
- Who to contact for additional information (phone number, email address, or both)
- Any cost information, including “by donation.”
Ocean View Grange Helps with Flags
Click it or Ticket!
The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety (BHS) announced the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click It or Ticket” seat belt education and enforcement campaign began May 11 and will run through Sunday, May 31. The campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday weekend, will involve Maine State Police and local agencies across the state.
There have been 23 motor vehicle occupant fatalities in Maine so far in 2026. Of those, 13 (57%) were unbelted. Nationally in 2024, 9,758 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts. Among the young adult (18-34) passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2024, 59% were unbuckled— one of the highest percentages for all age groups.
Seat belt violations became a primary traffic infraction in Maine in 2007 and carry a fine of $50 for the first offense, $125 for the second offense and $250 for the third and subsequent offenses. BHS said participating law enforcement agencies are taking a no-excuses approach and will be writing citations day and night. BHS also reminds drivers that child passengers must be restrained with smaller children secured in a safety seat that fits their weight, height and the vehicle in which it is secured. For more information or tips on properly securing a child safety seat, visit their webpage
Grange Today! 5-22-2026
Articles in this edition include:
- Meeting Community Needs This Summer
- Volunteer at National Convention in Broken Arrow
- You Can Be Distinguished, Too!
- National Grange Releases New Report Highlighting Impact of 340B on Rural Hospitals
- View from the Hill
- Recognition Matters – welcoming and honoring members before it’s too late
- Removing stigma & Building mental wellness in Farm Communities – a Rural Minds Webinar
- Recipes from the Heartland
- Member Benefit: Start Hearing
- Grange Store: People, Pride & Progress
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.
Shady Contractors Can Hammer Away at Your Wallet
Home repairs are inevitable—whether from everyday wear and tear or unexpected damage. But when you’re looking for help, the wrong contractor can make matters worse. Some promise quick, low-cost fixes, then deliver poor work, damage your property, or disappear before the job is done.
Be cautious of contractors who show up uninvited and say they can start work right away, pressure you to make quick decisions, or ask for cash up front. After severe weather, shady contractors may also push you to sign over insurance payments or take out loans for payment.
Always take time to review your options before agreeing to any work. Get at least three bids, check references and reviews, and read contracts carefully before signing. Don’t agree to pay the full cost upfront. While a deposit may be required, it should not exceed a third of the total estimate.
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.
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Memorial Day, 2025
Enjoy this holiday weekend. But don’t forget to remember.
“Having fun honors them. They died so we could.”
Walter Boomsma, Memorials, Monuments, and Memories
