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.

Androscoggin Pomona Celebrating Degree Day

Sunday, April 24, 2022, 4 PM at Danville Junction Grange

Androscoggin Pomona Grange #1 will be offering the first Four Degrees at Danville Jct. Grange #65 in Auburn on Sunday, April 24, 2022, starting at 4 PM.  At this point, we have candidates from three different Granges and expect more. 

We are also looking for people to be the officers for these degrees. If you or someone you know can help us on that day please call Maynard Chapman at (207) 312-5591.

Grange Songs on the Promenade

On May 30, 2022, Memorial Day, at 3:00 pm at the bandstand in Ft. Allen Park on the Eastern Prom, Munjoy Hill, Portland, Mr. Brian Dewan will be giving a performance singing “Songs of the Patrons of Husbandry” and “Songs of Land & Sea,” accompanied by accordion and autoharp.

Some decades ago my family belonged to the Grange and 4-H and I was an officer in the Future Farmers of America. So I have a long-time appreciation of the music and the struggle.

I have heard Mr. Dewan, an “old” friend, perform and when he told me he was going to be passing through Portland after performing Down-east Memorial Day weekend for the Greenhorns it occurred to me the opportunity for this entertainment should be available to some Grange members in Southern Maine, as well as some of my neighbors who appreciate this kind of music.

Would you be so kind as to circulate this invitation in some fashion to your local membership?
Attendees might want to bring a blanket or lawn chair as there is no built-in seating around the bandstand. If a hot day perhaps also a water bottle.

Article by R. John Wuesthoff

Webmaster’s note: With sincere appreciation to an anonymous benefactor, this event is being offered at no cost! Grangers! Since there are nearly two months until the concert, there’s time to purchase and wear Grange T-shirts (if your Grange doesn’t already have them)! Show your Grange pride and support! Bring friends! Spread the word to your members and other Granges.

“I don’t sing because I’m happy; I’m happy because I sing.” 

William James



Notes from National – March 2022

Important Trademark Information

Remember that the Grange emblem is a registered trademark, so the full Grange emblem should always include the (R) symbol. Many publications and other locations only have the old TM included, which is no longer correct. To ensure that our trademark is protected, it’s important to get this updated on websites, social media, program guides, and more. Meanwhile, the Grange Youth and Junior Grange logos are only trademarked by the Grange, so only have the TM options. The current logos are available here.

Grange Month Calendar

As a reminder, the “Raised Right Here” theme lasts through 2023, so if you didn’t think about using the theme in this year’s Grange Month programming, be sure to start thinking about it for 2023!

National Grange Heirloom Program

The Grange Heirloom Program is underway–just in time for Grange Month! Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Ritual and Declaration of Purposes. Please share “success stories” about the use of the program with us, or if you come up with other innovative ways to incorporate the Program in your Granges. Information and materials are now available on the National Grange Website.

New Member Recognition in Good Day Magazine

Want to see your new members recognized in Good Day Magazine? Anyone who has not been recognized as a new member in the past year can be included. Use this link to share the news. The deadlines for each issue are:

  • April 30, 2022
  • June 30, 2022
  • August 30, 2022
  • November 30, 2022

156th National Grange Session is scheduled for November 15-19, 2022 in Sparks, NV

Sign up for Open Farm Day

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

Now is the time! This annual event happens on the fourth Sunday in July (7/24/2022 this year). There is no fee to join promotions, but you must opt-in via Real Maine.

The sign-up steps differ for those who currently have a listing and those who don’t. Please, start here:

For those who do not have an account or member listing

A Note Regarding Zoom Accounts

by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

As most of you know, I operate Abbot Village Press providing “books, blogs, and education.” The Zoom meeting platform has become an important tool for us!

For this reason, I recently received notice from Zoom Video Communications that included:

…As a result, effective on April 1, 2022, the purchase of video-conferencing and audio-conferencing services by residential and business customers with a sold to address in Maine will be subject to the Maine Service Provider Tax. Maine Revenue Services set the Service Provider Tax rate, which is 6%, and will adjust the percentage as needed. 

With the disclaimer that I am not a tax advisor, I can share that the state of Maine does provide an exemption for a number of different kinds of organizations and institutions, such as hospitals, schools, churches and libraries, etc. Obviously, personal accounts will not qualify for the exemption, but your Grange or other organization (including historical societies which appear to be eligible) might. To explore and apply, visit: https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-use-service-provider-tax/tax-exempt-organizations

For most organizations, the savings would not be significant, but most people I know do enjoy avoiding paying taxes!

Androscoggin Grange Starts Fundraiser!

Want to learn about a Grange with ambition? You’ve got to read this article written by Vanessa Paolella of the Sun Journal. The Androscoggin Grange located in Greene, Maine has kicked off what has to be one of the most ambitious Grange fundraising projects in some time! And, as if to both encourage and show the possibilities, the article also reports on the recent successes of Victor Grange in Fairfield. Is a trend developing?

Check out what Androscoggin Grange Master Patricia Lehoux has to say about their future plans. They are not just hoping people will donate; they are already planning events that will allow their community to enjoy helping.

Julia Cody recently joined Androscoggin Grange and has set up a “Go Fund Me” page encouraging donations from anyone who would like to help keep this “beacon of unity, liberty, and charity” glowing.

Mill Stream Grange Delivers Dictionaries

Lisa Goucher, Lecturer of Mill Stream Grange in Vienna, delivered dictionaries to the Cape Cod Hill School in New Sharon in February. There are 28 students in the 3rd grade this year, and all were quite happy to receive their very own dictionary.  Happy learning, kids!

Jonesboro Grange Easter Baskets and Breakfast

Jonesboro Grange, in collaboration with the Jonesboro Union Church, offers a weekend of baskets and breakfast! The Easter Basket Festival funs from Friday, April 8, 2022 (4 pm-7 pm) through Saturday, April 9, 2022 (9 am – 3 pm) at the Jonesboro Grange Hall. Purchase tickets to win over 50 Easter Baskets–a 50/50 raffle will be included!

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Happens on Saturday, April 9, 2022 (9 am-noon) at the Chandler River Community Center. Bring your camera to capture a photo with the Easter Bunny! (Photographers will also be available.)

Proceeds benefit the upkeep of two historic buildings: the Jonesboro Union Church and the Jonesboro Grange Hall.

For more information contact jonesborogrange357@gmail.com.

Visit the Jonesboro Grange Facebook Page

Parkman Grange Scholarship News

Parkman Grange is located at the four corners in Parkman, Maine!

The Parkman Grange is announcing plans to award 2022 Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarships to one or more deserving SAD 4 residents continuing their education beyond high school. If and when there will be a 2022 Memorial Grange Supper is yet to be determined. The last two Suppers were canceled because of the pandemic. The Grange last awarded $500 scholarships to David Hession and Bailey Woodard, both of Parkman, in 2020. No applications were received in 2021.

This is a call for qualified applicants for the 2022 Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarships. Applicants must be SAD 4 residents, must have successfully completed at least one term of post-high school education, and be enrolled for the upcoming term. Application packages may be picked up at any of the Parkman, Guilford, Sangerville, Abbot, Cambridge, and Wellington Town Offices. Completed applications must be submitted by June 30, 2022, with no exceptions. Winners will be announced in August.

Minnie Bridge (1909-2011) was a lifelong resident of Parkman, a retired schoolteacher, and a life member of the Parkman Grange. In her memory, the Grange established the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund, originally to benefit deserving Parkman students continuing their education beyond high school. Due to a lack of Parkman applicants last year, the Grange has decided to expand eligibility to include all SAD 4 residents.

The Grange annually awards one or more scholarships funded through donations and the proceeds from an annual supper in Minnie’s name. To date, the Grange has awarded $12,000 in scholarships. For more information contact Sue Manchester, 277-3942.