Limited Time Offer! Get Your Four Degrees!

Well, at least the first four! If you’ve joined the Grange through the “Obligation Ceremony,” you’ve missed the best part! The Four Degrees will be offered at Mill Stream Grange on Saturday, October 15, 2020, starting at 9:00 a.m. Mill Stream Grange is located just about 20 miles northwest of Augusta–convenient for many Granges. Plus, you’ll likely experience some great leaf peeping during the drive! For planning purposes, please call Judy Dunn at 207 293-2330 and tell her you’re coming! This will be a great opportunity to experience the rich heritage of the “lessons of the Grange.”

And if you already are “degreed,” you can still attend! Mill Stream Grange has eight new members who are degree candidates. That’s exciting and worth being part of, even as an observer. But you can’t just observe. In addition to being reminded of your experience, you can be part of the altar circle, a wonderful representation of the fraternal nature of the Grange. Many would agree that “opportunities like this do not come very often.” Don’t miss this one!

But Wait, There’s More!

The folks at Mill Stream are showing their energy and enthusiasm by offering an Installation of Officers the same day at 1:00 p.m. Even re-elected officers are supposed to be installed but don’t do this because you are required. It’s a great reminder of the duties and opportunities officership offer.

So maybe charter or borrow a van and come as a group for one or both of these opportunities! A light lunch will be served for those staying for the day–one reason you need to call is to help establish a lunch count.

Years ago, there were times when Granges would come together for an entire weekend, “camping out” at the hall. A few hours on a Saturday may not be quite that intense, but it will be fun and beneficial. Mill Stream Grange is a very active Grange. (Eight new members is quite an achievement in itself!) Maybe you can learn their secrets.

“I would say my biggest and best benefit is the extended family I have found in the Grange. Where else can you go and have so many brothers and sisters? I have met so many people in my Grange travels, and they are all family.“

Vicki Huff, Hollis Grange #132

Fifth Degree Scheduled at Bauneg Beg Grange


York Pomona will confer the Fifth Degree on Thursday, October 13, 2022. The meeting time is 7:00 PM, and there is no meal planned. The meeting will be at Bauneg Beg Grange in North Berwick. The address for GPS is 229 Morrell’s Mills Road. Contact Pomona President Missy Baldwin at 207-324-4661 for more information and to let us know if you will be bringing candidates.

Annual Reports and Program Books Posted

Here’s an updated list (as of October 4, 2022) of Annual Reports and Program Books posted to the Program Books and Information Page. There are still a few more to come.

Annual Reports

Program Books

Where’s your report? Have you told us why you love the Grange? It only takes a minute…

Why I love the Grange

Grange Heirloom — October 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 your comment with us!

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.

Degree Information Given and Needed

  • Opportunity for the first Four Degrees – information given
  • Seeking an opportunity for the Fifth Degree – information needed
  • Opportunity for the Sixth Degree – information given

Four Degrees

Let’s take a quick look at some Degree Information. We have some information to give and some that is needed.

As most know, the first Four Degrees are considered “Subordinate Degrees.” They are an important part of the path to Grange Membership at the local level. We can receive the instruction for those Degrees at Mill Stream Grange on October 15, 2022!

Fifth Degree

The Fifth Degree is often referred to as the “Pomona Degree.” It is an important part of the path to Grange Membership at the Pomona Level and is most often offered at the Pomona Level. We always have a few people seeking the Fifth Degree this time of year, in part because it is a prerequisite to the Fifth Degree. On behalf of those people, we are seeking information about any Pomonas offering the Fifth Degree in the near future! Please email the webmaster with the basic information about your event!

Sixth Degree

The Sixth Degree is often referred to as the “State Degree” and signifies membership at the State Level. (Note that State Session is opened in the Sixth Degree, then lowered to the Fourth to conduct business. Completing the Sixth Degree is not required to attend.) The Sixth Degree is offered in conjunction with State Session. This year it is planned for Friday, October 21, 2022, at 2:30. Additional information is available here.

Seventh Degree

The Seventh Degree is considered the “National Degree” and, comparable to the Sixth, is offered at National Convention.

Opportunities for the first five Degrees can be offered at any time throughout the year. If your Subordinate or Community Grange is offering Degrees, please share the details so interested Grangers can attend!

Annual Reports and Program Books Posted

Here’s an updated list of Annual Reports and Program Books posted to the Program Books and Information Page. There are still a few more to come.

Annual Reports

Program Books

Where’s your report? Have you told us why you love the Grange? It only takes a minute…

Why I love the Grange

Small Grants to Support Ag Well-Being

This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by UMaine Extension.

Are you an organization, municipality or entity serving agricultural or fishing communities in Maine? Do you have a project that addresses stress, wellness or safety in Agriculture? The Small Grants for Agricultural Wellness applications are open now until November 15th. Awards range from $1-$5,805, these grants can be used to support Maine farmers and fishers in their mental health and wellness needs (broadly defined).

Applications to the Small Grants Fund are expected to be competitive and to exceed the amount of funding available. Should this be the case, program administrators will rank applications based on a variety of criteria including projected impact, availability of requested services, and potential to support farmers and farm communities categorized by the USDA as historically socially disadvantaged or as Limited-Resource Farm Households.  More information and to apply, can be found on the Maine FRSAN website. 

Marilyn loves the Grange!

Because of the inter-generational contacts. ALL ages and capabilities are welcome. Kids are cared about and they are learning to be respectful of their elders.

Marilyn Stinson, Enterprise Grange #48 and Maine State Junior Grange #17

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!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

MSG Comm Department Logo
This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Davis, State Senator for District 4.

October is often a month marked by an explosion of pink scarves, socks, shirts and even those little pink ribbons reminding us that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a time to support breast cancer survivors and those affected by it, and to perhaps join in the many walks across the state for breast cancer research.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women next to skin cancer. About one in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime, and it even affects one in 1,000 men across the nation.

Although breast cancer mostly occurs among older women, it does affect women under the age of 45 in rare cases. About nine percent of all new cases in the United States are found in women younger than 45, and the risk increases substantially for those aged 50 and older.

In general, cancer rates in Maine are the worst in New England and significantly higher than the national average, according to the Maine Cancer Foundation. Not only is cancer the leading cause of death in Maine, one in three individuals will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.

The U.S. CDC recommends that women get regular mammograms, which it said is the best way to detect breast cancer in its early stages when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. They also administer the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), which provides breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services to women who have low incomes and are uninsured or underinsured.

For more information about breast cancer and resources that are available, visit the American Cancer Society or Maine Cancer Foundation. For more information about the CDC’s Early Detection Program and upcoming Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks in Maine, please visit their respective websites.

Breast Cancer Month Logo

Parkman Grange Santa Project

The Parkman Grange is again administering the Santa Project for all kids, newborns to high school seniors living in the MSAD#4 area. This includes Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, Sangerville, and Wellington.  This program provides warm winter coats, boots, and a toy or two for local kids whose families could use a little help this Christmas.  Paper applications are available at each town office or anytime from the bulletin board on the Grange porch, located at the corner of State Hwy 150 and North Dexter Road.  The application deadline is November 11, 2022.  Distribution will be on December 18, 2022.

If you would like to help out with a donation, checks can be made out to Parkman Grange, memo line: Santa Project.  Send to Parkman Grange, PO BOX 114, Guilford, ME 04443.  Donation jars and Angel trees will be set out in November.  This is a big project, and community support makes it possible. Thank you.  For more info, call Sue Manchester at 277-3942. Â