February Meeting Postponed

Due to the winter weather advisory and school cancelations, tonight’s meeting is postponed until next week. We’ll meet on Friday, February 24, 2023, for a potluck supper at 6 pm and meet at 7 pm. Please try to attend! We have lots to discuss and attend to!

Valley Grange Completes Dictionary Days!

We provided a personal dictionary to every third grader in the area… represented by four school districts and five schools. Enjoy this short video showing a few highlights of this year’s program.

Valley Granger Receives National Award

Abbot Resident Walter Boomsma was recognized at the 156th Annual National Grange Convention in Reno, Nevada as a Cultivator of the Year by the National Grange Membership and Leadership Development Department. Boomsma is a member of Valley Grange of Guilford and serves as program director. He also serves as the Maine State Grange Communications Director. He was one of four individuals recognized from North Carolina, Connecticut, Montana, and Maine.

According to Amanda Brozana Rios, National Grange Leadership/Membership Director, the Cultivator of the Year award sets out to honor individuals or groups that “put in the work” to grow the Grange through innovative and positive messaging and programming or that found ways to improve not just their local Grange, but to provide “a guiding light for Granges around the nation.” “Each of these individuals helped the Grange in their respective communities and states, but they went far beyond that. Every one of them was responsive to inquiries and provided insight into what individuals coming to Grange are looking for as well as the tools they need to truly engage as Grange members. They give selflessly and promote fearlessly and for that, they are truly deserving of this recognition.”

In making the award, Brozana Rios said as the former National Communications Director, she has worked with Walter for more than a decade. “Over the time I’ve been with National Grange, I’ve come to truly appreciate how much Walter does to connect the outside world with the Grange, be it answering questions of the press or people interested in joining or reviving a Grange, connecting members with resources and benefits they’re entitled to and so much more. He’s a fantastic asset for the Maine State Grange and the Grange as a whole who often points out where we can improve and be more efficient even with our limited resources,” Brozana Rios said.

Boomsma first learned of the award when someone congratulated him on social media. “What did I do?” he asked. Upon learning the specifics, he noted, “For me, the work is the reward, but recognition is still nice!” he admitted. “I enjoy being part of the Grange because of our shared values, including the importance of community, especially in rural areas. The Grange has a lot to offer, including multiple opportunities to strengthen our communities and the individuals in them.” One of his favorite examples is the Valley Grange “Words for Thirds” Dictionary Project. “Valley Grange just completed our twentieth year of giving a dictionary to every third grader in four school districts in our area. In that twenty-year period, we’ve distributed over 3,600 dictionaries to that many kids. That’s a lot of cultivating!”

As the State Communications Director, Boomsma is responsible for maintaining the State Grange Website (http://mainestategrange.org) and producing a monthly printed Bulletin. “The Grange is truly a grassroots organization and the emphasis on local programs is our biggest strength and a significant challenge. That challenge includes making sure we are all connected and working collaboratively. Those were the things that made the Grange successful over 150 years ago. We have amazing technology today and we should be even better at it!”

Valley Grange Receives Award

At the 149th Maine State Convention, Valley Grange was recognized as the fourth-place winner in the 2022 Community Service Program. In presenting the award, Past State Master Vicki Huff noted that Valley Grangers “should not be disappointed with fourth place–the competition was really fierce! The top six entries were separated by a total of four points.

Breakfast for Supper?

Traditions can be great, and that certainly applies to our annual “Breakfast for Supper” program every year. We also have some great treats as members and friends put together a smorgasbord of breakfast dishes that may include an Apple French Toast Casserole… crispy bacon… lots of homemade muffins… an egg casserole or two…there’s always plenty to eat but bring a contribution if you can. And you can even come in your Jammies–we’ll have the hall plenty warm, and the season’s warmth will help.

Guests are welcome but not obligated to stay for our short meeting and Christmas Program starting at 7 pm. We’re usually finished and on our way home by 8:15 pm.

Do plan to join us for a relaxing and fun time! Questions regarding food arrangements can be addressed to Mary (564-0820) or Janice (876-4131). Weather permitting, you can come by car, sleigh, snowmobile, or, if you live close enough, skis and snowshoes! 

Dictionaries and Words Are Coming!

We’re scheduling Dictionary Days… so far we have

  • P.C.E.S. on Thursday, November 17, 2022
  • SeDoMoCha on Wednesday, November 30, 2022
  • Ridgeview Elementary on Monday, November 21, 2022 (drop off only)
  • Brownville Elementary on Friday, November 18, 2022
  • Harmony Elementary on Friday, December 2, 2022

As a reminder, these days are not public events. If you are interested in attending, please contact Walter Boomsma by email or at 207 343-1842.

Kids who receive dictionaries and their families are invited to our Breakfast for Supper on Friday, December 2, 2022. You can come in your jammies!

Saco Grange Supports Operation Gratitude

Saco Grange recently dropped off thirteen quilts at Community Health Services for their Veterans in Hospice Lap quilt program. All quilts are headed to Bangor for in-home hospice care. Our wonderful Saco Grange Quilt Club made most of the quilts. Project Linus and some from the community were also received. We strive to donate patriotic quilts for our veterans in Hospice. Always accepting quilts. For more information about the quilt club or Saco Grange visit the Saco Grange Facebook Page.

October Meeting…

Due to an abundance of bad karma (actually make that illness), the meeting for Friday, October 21, 2022 is… at least postponed if not canceled. We’ll have to let you know!

Dictionaries Coming to Schools Soon!

Dictionary Day Planning Underway

Yes, it’s that time of year! Valley Grange will again be conducting our “Words for Thirds” Dictionary Project. At this point, we are gathering approximate census/counts of third graders so we can order the dictionaries. The purchase of those dictionaries was approved at our September meeting.

We’ll probably be planning the actual dictionary day distributions in early to mid-November. We hope we can offer the same options as we did before COVID:

  1. A field trip to the Grange Hall
  2. A personal visit to the school/classrooms
  3. A “drop off” with a support video for teacher use.

Obviously, that choice will be made by each district. We distribute to Piscataquis Community Elementary School (Guilford), Brownville Elementary School (Brownville), Ridgeview Community School (Dexter), SeDoMoCha Elementary School (Dover Foxcroft), and Harmony Elementary School (Harmony). Home-schooled students are of course included. Parents should contact their school or the Grange.

We’re proud of our program and know the kids look forward to it! We’ve been distributing dictionaries since 2004 and are approaching the 3,000 mark! Some of our students report using their dictionaries in high school. These dictionaries empower the kids and encourage them to “look it up!”

Stay tuned! There’s more to come!