Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
Notes from National are gleaned from an email provided by Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director.
On August 20th, members of Highland Lake Grange No. 87 presented the Grange’s 2024 Community Service Award to Jim Farrell, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the City of Westbrook over his lifetime, specifically his role in founding Westbrook Volunteer Rescue in 1969 (along with Frank Donahue). Grange member and former Westbrook police officer, firefighter, and mayor Mike Sanphy and Ronald Jones, former deputy chief of Westbrook EMS, spoke on Jim’s achievements. Many members of Jim’s family and friends attended the ceremony (including two of Frank’s children), which was held at Jim’s residence at Stroudwater Lodge Assisted Living Center. Refreshments and fellowship followed the ceremony. The Grange thanks the Westbrook Historical Society’s Bucket Brigade for creating an excellent slide show.
September is a busy Grange Month! Lots of events, contest deadlines, etc. Is your Grange event listed?
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The Ocean View Grange No.463 in Martinsville, Maine, was formed in 1906 and completed building the Grange Hall in 1909. Since then, our Grange has been a major contributor to our community and serves as a venue for all types of family, community, and special occasions. We are working to restore the Grange structure and integrity so that we may continue to help and provide for our friends and neighbors. Some of the programs, services, and opportunities we provide are:
1. Road Clean-up—We adopt a road each year, and our members walk the route, picking up trash along the way, to keep St George beautiful. All residents of St George benefit from this task.
2. Flag Day—Each year, Grange members meet at a local cemetery to place new American flags on the graves of our fallen servicemen and women. This event benefits the families and participants as it instills honor and pride in those who served us.
3. Heat Fund—We raise funds throughout the year via suppers, donations, etc., to provide fuel for St George residents who are unable to pay for fuel oil or other fuels for the winter. A few winters ago, we provided over $8,000 to supply fuel for those who needed it. This helps not only those who get the fuel but enhances the neighborly feeling of all St George residents, knowing we care for our neighbors.
4. Annual Donations—We raise food, supplies, etc., for the local Humane Society at our Christmas meeting, or, in some years, we adopt a local family and provide them with Christmas presents. The families or critters all benefit. In addition, we purchase and deliver a large number of personal items for the veterans at the Togus Veterans Hospital.
5. Facilities Donation—We donate the use of the Grange Hall at no cost for various Community programs, such as the library’s authors’ speaking series, the annual free string quartet presentation, fund-raisers for ill or needy people, Georges River Land Trust…etc. The Town citizens all benefit.
6. Farmers Market – Four years ago, we started a weekly farmers’ market at our Grange. There is no charge, and anyone who wants to sell their produce can set up a table. It has been a huge success, and the folks in town love it.
7. The Grange Hall is one of the few venues used for birthdays, family gatherings, wedding receptions, memorial services, bean suppers, flea markets, art shows, etc.
The Maine Housing Authority (MaineHousing) announced earlier this month that the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) has opened for applications for the 2025 program year. MaineHousing anticipates the program’s funding to remain the same as last year at just over $41 million.
During the last heating season, the program provided fuel assistance benefits to approximately 51,000 households, which was 22% above projections. MaineHousing said the program should serve a similar amount of households this year; and if demand is higher, a waitlist similar to the process implemented this past spring will be used.
Maine’s HEAP program, also referred to as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is administered by MaineHousing in collaboration with Maine’s community action agencies and ProsperityME. The grant provides funding for fuel assistance benefits and other critical programs such as the Emergency Crisis Intervention Program for households about to run out of fuel, the Central Heating Improvement Program that repairs or replaces faulty furnaces, and the Weatherization Program to improve home efficiency.
During the past several years, MaineHousing and its partners have made changes to the program to reduce barriers for applicants. A new software platform is being implemented that will further streamline the application process and improve the online application function. The benefit determination method has also been redesigned to ensure that a larger benefit is allocated to households that need it most – those with the lowest income and the greatest energy burden.
With its limited funding, the HEAP program is not an emergency heating assistance program but rather a supplement that is usually provided to a household’s fuel vendor for use at some point during the year. Most applicants are required to have a meeting with a community action agency or partner as part of the application process, and it’s important to note that these meetings are often scheduled several weeks out from the time of application.
To find a nearby community action agency, visit MaineHousing’s website.
The next obsolete pesticide collection days will be held during October 2024, with one-day events in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland. Pre-registration is required by September 25 to participate; drop-ins are not permitted.
The program only accepts pesticides and spray adjuvants. Registration instructions and forms can be found online. Each registration must be from the person currently possessing the pesticides, and materials collected on behalf of others will not be accepted.
More details, including drop-off locations and the obsolete pesticides inventory form, are on the BPC website.
Removing obsolete and unwanted pesticides is essential for protecting public health, wildlife, and the environment. Improper handling and disposal of pesticides can contaminate land and water resources. The Maine Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program ensures these hazardous materials are handled and disposed of safely. Since its inception in 1982, the program has successfully diverted over 250,000 lbs. of pesticides from entering the waste stream. Collected pesticides are transported to licensed, out-of-state disposal facilities through a hazardous waste disposal contractor.
The label is the law. Always follow the label instructions for the proper use, storage, and disposal of any pesticides you use. For more information about safe pesticide disposal, visit the EPA website.
Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the Board of Pesticides Control at pesticides@maine.gov or 207-287-2731.
November 2, 2024
Saco Grange is located at 168 North Street in Saco, Maine.
August 24, 2024
