The Parkman Grange is again helping out Santa to make Christmas special for MSAD 4 area kids with the Santa Project. This program provides warm winter coats, boots, and a toy to local kids, from newborns to high school seniors whose families could use a little help this holiday season. Applications can be picked up at the following town offices: Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, and Sangerville and at the Parkman Grange on the porch. They are also available through the schools. The application deadline is November 11, 2023. Distribution will be on Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 10 AM to noon. The Parkman Grange is located at the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Road.
If you would like to help out, donation checks can be made out to Parkman Grange, memo line Santa Project, and sent to PO Box 114, Guilford, ME 04443.
Save the date: December 9, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. Parkman Grange hosts a kids’ Christmas party. Santa will be there with simple crafts to make for gifts. There will be cookies, cocoa, and lots of fun for all!
Additional information is available from Sue Manchester, Parkman Grange Master, at 207 717-6248.
By Margaret Morse, Maine State Grange Lecturer 207 439-0413
I would like to thank all those who attended the Lecturer’s Conference on September 30. During the conference, poetry, skit writing, and book club awards were announced. After the certificates were presented, the Lecturer’s Program was reviewed, and a lively discussion ensued.
I would also like to thank Manchester Grange for allowing the use of their hall.
The following members placed in the individual categories: Poetry Awards: Family: Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382 Weather: Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382 Camping: Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382 Other: 1st Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382 2nd Barbara Strout, Excelsior Grange #5 Skits: Sherry Harriman, Bauneg Beg Grange #382 Book Reading Club: Top readers based on Number of Books and Pages 1st Books & pages -Norma Meserve, Danville Jct. Grange #65 (227 books/60065 pages) 2nd Books & pages – Margaret Henderson, Dirigo Grange #96 (160 books/48167 pages) 3rd Books – Melissa Baldwin, Hollis Grange #132 (148 books) 3rd Pages – Gay Anderson, Mill Stream Grange #574 (42456 pages) Other members who sent in book reading club list were acknowledged and will receive a certificate. Alexander #304 – Catherine Oakes, Carlo Oakes Jr. Bangor #372 – Emily Parsons Bauneg Beg #382 – Richard Harriman Jr. Enterprise #48 – Isebel Stinson Hollis #132 – Vicki Huff Hudson # 457 – Sylvia Crosman John F. Hill #393 – Cassandra Corliss, Leslie Guy Lakeside #63 – Gail Butterfield Millstream #574 – Linda Staton, Judy Dunn, Paul Lavender, Debbie Lavender, Allen Harville, Kristen Thompson, Louise Kilpone, Lisa Goucher, Peg Lang, Ellie Andrews Waterford #479 – Ellie Waterman Willow #366 – Laurie McBurnie Others who were acknowledged were Lecturers who sent in Lecturer reports. They also will receive a certificate. Hudson #457 – Darlene Miles North Scarborough # 495 – Martha Varney Willow #366 – Paula Roberts
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.
Join us for a mythical market at the most magical time of the year! The Witches Faire will take place on Sunday, October 29th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the East Madison Grange, right by Wesserrunsett Lake. There will be herbal products, jewelry, unique crafts, tarot and astrology readings, and more! Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and free admission is free. FMI email team@gardensofasgard.com, message or call 716-6441.
Public Supper at St. George Grange 32 Wileys Corner Road in St. George, ME, on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 5 pm. Enjoy lots of homemade food with Grange members, family, and friends. All welcome! We have public suppers on the second Saturday of each month until October.
By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director 207 343-1842
Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Send us your ideas and thoughts!
October Bulletin Reminder
Yes, we are planning an October Bulletin! The deadline remains the same: October 14, 2023. However, with the State Convention happening right after the Bulletin is produced, there may be some delay with the actual mailing. Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.
Grange “Stuff” Available for the Taking!
We have a contact in the Belfast area who has a number of Grange items (50-year member’s medallion, Past Master’s pin, tie clips, etc.) he would like to donate to an active Grange in Maine.” First come, first served! If you’re interested, let me know, and I’ll send contact information!
Where’s Your Grange Hall?
You might be surprised to learn that it’s quite easy to label your Grange Hall location on Google Maps. It helps to have your street address. While step-by-step instructions are beyond the scope of this tip, give it a try or ask a kid to help.
Program Planning – “New” Website Page
We’ve renamed the Conferences and Dates Page to the Grange Events Page–a more accurate description. Please send in your events! Note that we do not list regular Grange Meetings–just special events. Pomona Meetings are, however, listed because they are often held in different locations.
Ideas for Granges
How about starting a DIY Clubhouse designed to provide a space for different ages ranging from age six and up to meet and make new friends through specialized activities? Participants could try different unique activities. (Remember that working with children in Grange settings requires a background check.) Something similar could be offered for adults.
Thought for You…
“Every adversity, every failure, every heartbreak, carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”
Napoleon Hill
(And Patrons of Husbandry know all about seeds, right?)
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!
Do You Have FOMO?
“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!
One of the “rituals” we follow during our Valley Grange Meetings is probably not unfamiliar to many Grangers. When the WM asks, “Is any member in sickness or distress?” the Chaplain reaches for a box of greeting cards. If there’s a report, a card is passed around for all to sign. Sometimes, it happens when the WM calls for “Suggestions for the good of the Order,” and someone reports a success or happy event, suggesting we acknowledge it with a card.
It’s a pretty cool ritual that represents our fraternal nature. It can also become a community service and an important aspect of “communicating” with members and Grange friends.
I was recently contacted by a hospice nurse who is caring for a 94-year-old man in assisted living. He’s a long way from home, unfortunately, and his nurse reports that he “talks about the Grange and his 70+ year membership on a daily basis.” She wonders if “if this friend could possibly get visitations or information from the Grange mailed to him on a regular basis.”
I should certainly hope so. I’m going to put a copy of my book, Exploring Traditions, in the mail to him today. Since I know the Valley Grange Chaplain quite well, I suspect she’ll get a card in the mail before we meet. There’s a post on the Valley Grange Website encouraging others to reach out.
Does your Grange have members that you haven’t seen in a while? How do you communicate with them?
“As we in form thus enclose you within a sacred circle, so does this Grange in the name of our noble and beneficent Order pledge to you a pure friendship, enduring through life to shield you from harm… let us ever hold fast and firm our obligations of Fidelity.”
Quoted from the Altar Circle Ritual conducted when admitting new members
Winthrop Grange is sponsoring a Scarecrow Contest that involves families, kids, businesses, not-for-profits, churches, etc. There is an entry fee of $5.00 per scarecrow. Entry forms are available at businesses throughout the area. Set up will take place from September 30 -October 7 at assigned locations on Main Street. Final judging takes place on October 21 during Mystic Fest. Winners will be announced on October 22, and cash prizes will be awarded.
For more information, text Dot StHilaire at 207 242-7251 or email her at Dotsthilaire7@yahoo.com.
Enterprise Grange is hosting a discussion of the eight referendum questions that will be on the ballot in November. The discussion will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has agreed to attend and explain the voting process and speak in support of approving the first four referendum questions with a yes vote. Since Enterprise Grange is well-known for presenting both sides of issues, we’d like to continue to do so.
We are, therefore, seeking a person or person from the Richmond area who can speak authoritatively, with facts and figures, in support of a “no” vote on these questions. This is open to everyone from any area, not just Sagadahoc County. If you think you qualify, please contact Marilyn Stinson at 207-737-2611.
