Bangor Grange #372 Patrons of Husbandry, Bangor, Maine

06/14/2024

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07/04/2023

Does anyone have a cpap machine that I can borrow for a few days? Mine died last night

06/01/2023

Come on down’

04/27/2023

Mark your calendars now!

04/16/2023

Since 1901 Bangor Grange #372 has provided many community services to the local and area communities. Now, we need help. Until covid hit, we were doing pretty well, both financially and membership. We are in need of financial support while we work to revive our membership, as well as keeping up our historic hall. We attempted to have Go Fund Me page, but because we not 501c3, we were unable set it up. If you are interested in helping us to save this organization, please let us know!

04/13/2023

This really strikes home. I love the pictures that come into my mind.

Sharing this from a couple years ago.

This is one of the pieces included in my new book, The People We Know.

I wrote this on the side of a dusty back road on the last day at my first real job while a high school student cleaned and detailed my pickup truck. I left the truck with the kid and took a walk because I was just tired, and this is what came out.

---

In Maine, growing things have to fight to survive, and even harder to thrive. Old Mainers say that the only thing that grows here is rocks. My dad tells me sometimes about pulling rocks out of the hayfield every year when he and his brothers were kids. And me and my brothers grew up playing at my best friend's house, perched on top of a glacial skree pile from when the last of the glaciers melted off from Canada, dragging rocks and gravel and sand in their wake.

But the rocks grow, and other things grow too in the gaps and spaces left behind. The trees climb up the mountains until the water runs out, and wild blueberries keep going past that up towards the summit. Way up there the moss grows, softened by rains and the snowmelt.

In roadside ditches as soon as the snow is gone, little yellow flowers turn their faces to the sunshine. The maple sap runs and flows and then leaf buds forms and spread into full-foliage.

In the hidden spaces in the woods, Jack stands in his pulpit, preaching to a congregation of ferns and blood root and trillium.

These are the soft spaces and the quiet places where old souls wander undisturbed.

Animals live here too, and most don't want to see you or harm you. They are content to pass by like shadows in the night. The jays and crows are exceptions; they like to scream loudly and frequently, just because they can. Scaring the living daylights out of passersby is a fun hobby and I swear, they laugh at you if you jump.

Sometimes if you wander the woods you'll find long stone walls running straight as an arrow through the trees. Covered in old leaves and half consumed by the forest, the stone walls remind you that sometimes, despite the hardship, people grow here in Maine.

The people here are rough around the edges, and it seems like even the babies come out looking a little weathered, and there's a few bad apples in the bunch, but the people that grow in the rocky coastline and the equally rocky mountain ranges are most often, simply, "good people."

They are my people.

There's an ice breaker question I have seen many times that asks "Who would you want on your team if the world was ending?"

Often the answers are various fictional superheroes or celebrity figures. For a while that was my answer, too. "Captain America, obviously."

My answer has changed.

I choose my brother, who comes to rescue me every single time I call him, and doesn't ever complain.

I choose my neighbor, who plowed my driveway all winter and refused to be paid or even to take cookies, because he was "right there" and "it ain't no trouble".

I choose the two strangers in Phillips who came across my truck in a ditch one winter and, working together and with language as colorful as the sunset, pulled me out and set me back on my way.

I choose the people who don't let me slip away unnoticed, who say my name when they greet me in passing. I choose the people who don't know me but still nod acknowledgement and greeting. We are together in the same space and time for just a second, and it is good.

I choose my people.

This is my Maine. These are my people. They're not perfect and they make me angry and hurt and sad sometimes, and lately I've been seeing things that I don't recognize, traits that don't seem to fit in very well. But under all the technology and civilization, this is still the woods. This is still Maine, and some things never will change.

Here, in the places where so much struggles to grow, kindness thrives. There are still good and kind people and I am blessed to be surrounded by so many of them.

💜

-Annie

(April 10, 2021)

02/12/2023

This comes from Vermont (Charlotte Grange):
"Today’s local Granges are flexible regarding both traditional formalities and the programs they focus on, --reflecting the contemporary nature and needs of their communities while staying true to the core values of Grange: faith, hope, charity and fidelity. We are still a non-partisan support and advocacy organization working on behalf of rural communities and the agriculture which supports us all. We remain a “fraternal” organization, -- not in the sense of a “brotherhood”, but rather in the sense of an inclusive “kinship circle” of community members who care about the well-being of the land and our fellow residents". Perhaps, the Grange is just what you've been looking for? Join us!

10/15/2022

Big doings at the old grange hall!

10/01/2022

This will be Bango Grange's 2nd supper since covid hit and we're excited to share it with every6one! This will be our famous turkey supper with all the fixin's including those homemade rolls and pies!
P)lease pass the word around.

09/24/2022

Yay!!!

09/08/2022

We're back!
Bangor Grange will be hosting a craft fair and public supper on Saturday, October 22, 8am to 3pm. Vendors wishing to rent a table(s) may call 659-8209. Tables will be $15 each

12/05/2021

In honor of the National Grange's 154th birthday today, for the rest of the month, we will be highlighting important moments in Grange history. Today, we recognize Oliver Hudson Kelley and the other 6 founders of the Grange.

After the Civil War, Kelley went on a trip through the south to assess the agricultural situation after the war. Seeing the need for an economic and social organization to unify farmers, Kelley called a meeting with six other like-minded friends.

On this day 154 years ago in a small Washington, D.C. building, this group of seven men sat around a plain wooden table and started the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry, better known today as the National Grange.

10/12/2021

Due to a scheduling conflict, we regret that we must cancel the Trunk or Treat that was scheduled for Oct. 24.

07/26/2020

Hello there. It's been a while since we've posted anything, due to illness and covid-19. But, rest assured that we are still here and planning to get going again in September, depending on circumstances. We are still up in the air as to future suppers and shows. In the meantime, we are actively looking for involved folks who would like to find out about being a Granger. Just let us know!

06/10/2020

We were planning to meet on June 16th at the hall. Instead, we will have a picnic at the park in Old Town at 5ish or so. Bring your own sandwiches, drinks, and maybe something to share. Also bring chairs. This will give us a chance to chat about what the future holds for us. We hope to see you then!

03/12/2020

With a great feeling of sorrow, we are canceling our supper and show scheduled for Saturday due to concerns about this virus thing. Please pass the word around.

02/22/2020

Come Be a Granger
Wouldn't you like to be a Granger?
We really need you there
We do have fun when we get together
and lots of things we share
our meetings begin at seven o'clock
we won't keep you out too late
you will still have time for your favorite show
and our programs are really great
you may visit with us at any meeting
You will always find a welcome
and a very friendly greeting
also if you enjoy eating we've goodies at every meeting
So think it over, make up your mind
we would love to have you anytime
so, get some friends, bring them along we'll be looking for you
now, don't be too long!

Remember, we meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, at 7PM and pot-luck at 6PM.

01/14/2020

This is the sort of thing that Grangers like to do for their community. Thanks to Victor Grange of Fairfield for the great idea! https://vimeo.com/372087523

10/24/2019

Come join us on Saturday at 3:30 PM for our Miss Penobscot Valley Pageant! Cheer on all of our beautiful contestants and vote for your favorite in our People's Choice Contest.

Each vote is only $1 and will be combined with ad page sales to crown our Miss Penobscot Valley Ambassador!

09/10/2019

If you know boys and girls, 5 to 14 years of age that would enjoy a great experience, please take part in this event!

http://mainestategrange.org/?p=84181

By Marilyn Stinson and Kathy Gowen, Co-directors The Junior Committee is psyched! Bangor Grange is coming to our rescue. Because Juniors are so stretched out across the state and most of them are …

07/23/2019

Be sure to come to SAM"S Club for our annual Bake Sale, this Friday, July 26 to purchase your delicious pies, cakes, breads, cookies, baked beans, and more, from 9 to 2. Proceeds will benefit our community service programs. See you there!

06/19/2019

Our Election of Officers went well last evening! Those elected were:
Master, Rolf Staples, Sr.
Overseer, Rolf Staples II
Lecturer, Virginia Durgan
Steward, Ron Jordan
Assistant Steward, Tim Wilson
Lady Assistant Steward, Terry Wilson
Chaplain, Betty Vanedistine
Treasurer, Philip Parsons
Secretary, Stephen Elkins
Gatekeeper, Gloria Jordan
Ceres, Anne Staples
Pomona, Cheri White
Flora, Emily Parsons
Executive Committee for 1 year, Tim Wilson
" " for 2 Years, Anne Staples
" " for 3 years, Jennifer Staples

We are looking forward to a great 2019-2020!
If you wonder what all of these officers do, just come to our Installation of Officers, Wednesday, the 26th at 6 pm and learn all about it!

06/18/2019

The Election of Officers is one of the most important events of the Grange year, and ours takes place tonight! We hope to elect a slate that will keep our Grange busy and growing for the next year. Then, we'll hold our Installation of Officers as soon as we can and get off to a roaring start!

06/11/2019

Bangor Grange is proud to be sponsoring this great market for 9 years!

06/06/2019

06/05/2019

What a wonderful Community Service celebration at our public meeting on June 4th! Nearly 50 people joined us in honoring our Community Citizens for their volunteer service to the area. They also had the chance to learn a bit about the Grange, enjoyed some great songs by Cornell and Judy McLellan, and partook of a delicious spread of finger foods. Those honored were, from left to right: John and Mary Martin, in memory of his wife and her mother, Pam Martin; Bonnie Young, Jack Watkins, Doreen Bouchard McLaughlin, and our Granger of the year, Steve Elkins. All in all, a very fulfilling evening for the members of Bangor Grange!

05/31/2019

05/31/2019

You are invited to attend our public Community Service night on Tuesday, June 4th at 6:30 pm. We will be recognizing 4 area folks who have made a difference through their volunteerism. Join us in recognizing Bonnie Young, Jack Watkins, Doreen Bouchard McLaughlin, and the late Pam Martin. There will also be entertainment and refreshments. This is a great opportunity for you to see what your local Grange is all about. The Bangor Grange Hall, 1192 Ohio St.

05/30/2019

Another GREAT reason to come to our friendly market!

The Black Bear Orono Express follows the University of Maine’s break schedule. To view specific holiday information for the Black Bear Orono Express, please click here.

05/27/2019