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.
Posted by Walter Boomsma on October 20, 2022
https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/10/20/saco-grange-supports-operation-gratitude/
Posted by Walter Boomsma on October 19, 2022
https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/10/19/dictionaries-coming-to-schools-soon/
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:
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!
Posted by Walter Boomsma on September 27, 2022
https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/09/27/dictionary-day-planning-underway/
At our September Meeting, we created some piles–PB&J for the Bangor Savings Bank Drive, Lap Afghans for the Veterans’ Operation Gratitude Program, and raffle tickets! We also added 350 knitted hats from Blistered Finger Knitter Roberta in New Jersey. Do knitting needles ever wear out?
An order of dictionaries for our annual “Words for Thirds Dictionary Day Project will be placed soon. Since starting the program in 2004, we’ve provided nearly 3,000 dictionaries to students throughout the area. If COVID cooperates, we hope to do more “in-person” presentations this year.
Raffle tickets are on sale and available from any member, or call Janice Boomsma at 343-1496. We’ll be drawing the winners at our November meeting and look forward to handing out $250 in prizes! Community support is needed and appreciated!
Our schedule for the rest of the year:
Get those dates on your calendar and plan to join us for any one or all of these gatherings! Anyone can join us–you do not have to be a member. We do plan to keep our hall open through the winter and appreciate all who help and support us in some way.
Unfortunately, another Grange in our area is closing–St. Albans now joins Garland Grange as “closed.” Valley Grange would certainly welcome members from these two Granges with open arms. If you were a member of St. Albans or Garland Grange and would like to join us, contact secretary Mary Annis (564-0820) and she’ll make it happen!
*Grange Bees are the unofficial hosts for a meeting who make sure the heat’s on, the hall is ready, and we have everything we need. If you’d like a turn, we’ll not only show you how, we have a checklist!
Posted by Walter Boomsma on September 24, 2022
https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/09/24/valley-grange-collects/
Did you know that since 2012, the Bangor Savings Bank Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive has collected more than 83,000 jars that have been donated to local food insecurity programs? That’s a lot of sandwiches!
While it’s not an official Grange Program, it’s an easy one to support.
Stay tuned! Valley Grange will be making it easy for you to participate… with a semi-official approach. We’ll be collecting jars and delivering them–you can bring your donation to our September 16th meeting or give them to someone who is coming… leave your donation in the tote on the front porch of the Grange Hall… and you’re not limited to one jar of each! We’ll post some additional details soon!
Jars of peanut butter or jelly can be dropped off at any Maine or New Hampshire Bangor Savings branch during operating hours from Thursday, September 1, 2022, through Friday, September 30, 2022. For each donation received, Bangor Savings Bank will donate one additional jar of peanut butter or jelly to local food insecurity programs.
Peanut butter, a protein-rich food item, is too often in short supply and high demand at local food insecurity programs. And what’s a more classic pair than peanut butter and jelly? Something as simple as donating a jar can make a big difference to a neighbor in need. And with school back in session, we can support our local schools and backpack programs by donating a jar of peanut butter or jelly!
Posted by Walter Boomsma on August 30, 2022
https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/08/30/bring-on-the-pb-and-j/
Don’t forget to visit the Grange Building while you’re at the Piscataquis Valley Fair! Valley Grangers Mary, Jim, Irene, Janice, and Pat did an awesome job of creating a booth showing how wool gets “from sheep to shawl.” They were assisted by two “Chief Deputy Administrators of Material Handling.” (Thanks to 4-Hers Lilly and Alex for assisting with unloading, lugging, and some assembling.) You’ll also see some of the many ways Valley Grange supports our communities.
Walter has updated the Pomona informational display so folks can learn what the Grange is all about and discover where there are Granges in the area.
Stop by and pick up a free “I love Valley Grange” pin!
Posted by Walter Boomsma on August 26, 2022
https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/08/26/at-the-fair/
It’s cool to cool off–at least some! We’re particularly interested in the forecast for Saturday, July 30, 2022, because that’s the day of Riverfest!
The current NOAA forecast is “sunny and in the low 80’s.” I’m not sure we can ask for anything much better than that! Valley Grangers will be there, talking about Grange Membership, handing out pins, and selling raffle tickets! See the complete schedule of events on the Riverfest Facebook Page. The parade starts at 9:30 am and vendor tents open at 11:00 am. Stop by and say “Hi!”
Alumni of the Valley Grange Bookworm Program and Dictionary Recipients are especially welcome!
If, for some reason, you can’t make it and would like to buy a raffle ticket, contact any Valley Grange member. It’s your chance to win up to $100 and support the many Valley Grange Programs, including:
Some programs have been temporarily suspended due to COVID mandates and restrictions—we can’t wait to get them going again!
Posted by Walter Boomsma on July 24, 2022
https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/07/24/hot-nuff-for-ya/
Judy and Roger Ricke are valued members of Valley Grange. Roger is also a long-time member of the Wellington Fire Department but has recently been suffering some serious health issues. The Wellington Fire Department has scheduled a benefit meal on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at 1 pm. Please support this effort and Roger and Judy!
If you cannot attend but would like to donate, please send a check payable to Valley Grange to Mary Annis, 28 Orchard Road, Dover Foxcroft ME 04426 with “Roger Benefit” written on the memo line. We will forward all donations!
And help spread the word!
Posted by Walter Boomsma on July 12, 2022
https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/07/12/benefit-supper-for-roger-ricker/
For many years, May has been the month we recognize and celebrate at least one Community Citizen of the Year. Last year we set a new record by giving the award to the many school employees throughout the area. Well, we’re going to break that record this year. We’re considering everyone a Community Citizen of the Year in honor of the spirit that held our communities together for the past two years!
While it won’t be practical to award individual certificates, we will recognize friends and neighbors with a free community supper. And we’re relying on the great Grange tradition by serving up a Grange Bean Supper!
Supper will be served from 5:30 — 7:00 or until the food runs out, so come early. Our upstairs hall will be turned into a social center and game room so you can visit with your neighbors, play a game, build a puzzle… have some good old-fashioned fun! This is a celebration of community–a gathering of friends, neighbors and strangers., (You won’t be a stranger for long!) All are welcome! We have a Busy Box and Book Bin for kids! If you have a favorite board game, bring that along and challenge others.
If you’d like to help with the supper, call Mary at 564-0820 or Janice at 343-1842. If you’d like to help us spread the word, download and print this flyer/invitation. Give it friends, post it where you can!
Posted by Walter Boomsma on April 28, 2022
https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/04/28/community-celebration-youre-invited/
Valley Grange of Guilford is sponsoring a blanket-making event on Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. until noon and volunteers are needed! Organizer Pat Engstrom notes “no sewing skills are needed. If you can measure, cut a straight line with scissors and tie a simple knot you can become a ‘blanketeer’ and help support Project Linus.”
Project Linus, a non-profit organization, provides homemade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Similar events in the past have resulted in dozens of blankets being made by a diverse group of volunteers. Engstrom hopes to see the number of blankets made increase.
“We have a great time doing this and truly just about anyone can help. We created quite a production line and it sometimes gets competitive! It’s exciting to realize we’re providing love in the form of ‘blankies’ representing love, security, warmth, and comfort to kids.”
Light refreshments will be served.
Posted by Walter Boomsma on April 5, 2022
https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/04/05/blanketeers-needed-3/
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Walter Boomsma
Valley Grange #144 