Deering Grange #535 came to be over 100 years ago. Back in the early 20’s, the Grange was one of the largest organizations in the country. During that time, the most common trade at that time was farming. Family Farms were everywhere so the Grange because their vessel. It was an opportunity to join an organization with fellow farmers to trade ideas, discuss the struggles and have a fun time. Years before the Grange, there was another group called the Masons who organized. In fact, one of the founding fathers who started the Grange had been a Mason. He had an idea to create a group that embrace men AND women and that is how the Grange really started. There are officer positions within the Grange where they are meant to be held by women. The Grange also embraced the children as well. While you have to be 13 years of age to join the Grange, at the age of 4 you may join the Junior Grange.
While the number of farmers have dwindled over the years, the resolve of the Grange remains the same. The Grange doesn’t just represent farmers. It represents community. When you become a Grange member you really do become part of a family. I watch many neighborhood watch groups and other organizations start up over the years who could have simply joined the Grange and used it as a vessel to get their message out. And these messages if agreed upon at the local subordinate level, they proceed to the Pomona Grange (County) level, then to the State Grange and eventually to the National Grange in Washington DC.
The Grange has been a force over the years. In the early years the United States Postal Service would deliver mail to the cities. Remember Petticoat Junction? Well people discussed this at the local Grange Hall. They argued that retrieving mail was important but it disrupted the day for the farmer to ride his buggy into town to get the mail. Any moment away from farming duties wasn’t easy. They presented an idea for the USPS to provide Rural Delivery. That idea went right to the very top and was pushed in Washington DC and is how rural mail delivery came to life. Originally they used RFD for a rural delivery address. The Grange was instrumental in making that happen.
Deering Grange is a Non Profit organizing and we meet several times each year. Sadly, like every other Grange, our numbers have dwindled as more people would rather do their business online in chatroom, than do it face to face with their neighbors. But we do ok. Our youngest member is 13 years of age. Our eldest member recently passed at 100 years of age. Personally, my family has been involved in it for well over 75 years. My parents worked very hard for the Grange and were well known throughout the state. They held several offices within the Maine State Grange. We’ve have put on many bean suppers, bingo’s you name it. We rent our hall to a church and dance instructors. We support several charities each year including the Salvation Army; The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, St Judes Children’s Hospital, Shriners Hospital, Animal Refuge League, Hinckley School, Howes Nursing Scholarships and many more.
If you are interested, we would welcome you to join our Grange. Simply fill out the application that is on the site mail it in the the name and address listed. The dues are only $25/yr and that money covers mailing costs at the local level and is sent on to support the State and National Granges.
