Once again, this week, I will hand things over to This Week In Lincolnville columnist emeritus Diane O’Brien. Diane writes:

Lincolnville’s Tranquility Grange will open its doors on August 19 to welcome Katherine Rhoda, a noted Maine folk singer. Cajoled from her usual Southern Maine and New Hampshire haunts, Katherine will head Down East that evening to present a program of Grange songs inside our own historic Grange.

According to the Maine Arts Commission, Katherine “sings in a wonderfully rich and expressive voice, and . . . plays hammered dulcimer, accordion, and guitar,” in addition to her expertise on Marxophone and other instruments from “the whimsical world of vintage fretless zithers.”

“As a performer,” the Arts Commission continues, “Katherine Rhoda is talented, knowledgeable, and engaging. She can bring an audience to tears or leave them smiling, rally them to a cause or get them to just chill out, all with her choice of songs, her remarkable voice, her tasteful instrumental accompaniments, and her persona, which at the same time can be both playful and dignified. In short, Katherine Rhoda exemplifies what folk music should be all about.” 

The Lincolnville Historical Society is bringing Katherine to our own vintage (c. 1908) Grange building in a joint fund- (and fun) raising event for the two organizations. Initial plans called for a community potluck to kick off the evening, but I’m relieved to report that cooler heads prevailed. A supper of that size calls for a couple of dozen cooks bringing in pies and casseroles by the carload, to say nothing of the clean-up afterward. We LHS volunteers looked around the room at the half-dozen of us and said “guess not.”

So we’re trying something different: a sweet and savory table of finger foods – hors d’oeurves my mother would have called them. We hope some folks might like to bring in a plate of their favorite little bites. Make them ahead and put them in the freezer. Tracee and I made a batch of little empanadas the other day which are stored away.

There’ll be wine, lemonade, iced tea and water to wash it all down. The doors open at 6 p.m. for an hour of nibbling and chatting; Katherine will begin the program at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for under 12, and following Grange tradition, under 4s and over 90s get in free.

The LHS, still in the throes of fixing up its own very old building, is especially sensitive to the potential plight of Grange members (and grateful for their tenacity and dedication), holding things together with their annual summer public supper. Thanks to this past June’s Old Time Radio Show (the brain child of Rosey Gerry) and a bean supper greatly helped by LIA (Lincolnville Improvement Association) members, the Grange coffers were able to pay for a hefty roofing job this summer.

What exactly is the Grange, and what is the status of Tranquility Grange 344 today?

According to Wikipedia “The Grange, officially named The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, was founded, in 1867, as both a social organization for rural families and as an advocacy group” that worked to level the playing field for farmers competing in an increasingly national economy.  Many small towns in Maine and around the country formed Granges, building halls to hold their meetings and social events.

Today’s Tranquility Grange Hall is the third building on the Route 52 site (2177 Belfast Road), as twice fires destroyed buildings in progress. Finally, in 1908 Grange members could celebrate their completed building.

Even though labor and materials for each Grange hall were contributed by members, today the National Grange organization, in Washington D.C., actually owns the buildings.

Until, that is, the membership of a particular Grange votes to disband, whereupon the building reverts to the national Grange. In other words, the Lincolnville Grange members don’t own Tranquility. The national Grange can sell the building once members vote to close it. What happens then?

Rosemary and George Winslow, the two remaining members who have taken on responsibility for the building’s upkeep, worry that Tranquility could join the other Grange halls around the area which had stand empty and abandoned, or turned into some commercial site.

Hope, Northport, Camden, and Rockland all had Grange halls; Camden’s was torn down, Northport’s collapsed, Hope’s has housed various entities, and Rockland’s appears to be abandoned.

Our Grange currently has some 10 members, the bare minimum needed to make an “active” Grange. As long as they continue to pay their dues ($45 a year) to the National, the building is theirs. Disband and it becomes National’s property.

Rosemary and George are quick to point out they’d love to pass it on. With Lincolnville’s apparent willingness to preserve its vintage buildings – Center Schoolhouse turned into the Library; Beach Schoolhouse renovated for Historical Society; Center Meetinghouse and Bayshore Baptist churches maintained and updated; even Petunia Pump somehow survives – Tranquility Grange should be a no-brainer. It’s the gem of them all.

What’s it good for, you may ask? 

1. For large public meals with its spacious downstairs dining room and kitchen. Rows of tables and chairs, and even the narrow little shelves to hold dozens of pies for a potluck supper are still in place.

2. For performances – plays, readings, musical events. There’s a full stage, complete with lights and curtains, backstage access, and even a rare, hand-painted screen that fills the proscenium. This screen, by the way, is a treasure in itself, one of a handful of such things that exist anywhere. Check out these images.

3. For parties, weddings, receptions, dances. In fact, at least one of Tranquility’s predecessors, may well have been torched by a rival dance hall owner. Contra dances are still popular. Back in the day Town Meeting was held there. 

Simply put, think back to one of the primary purposes of the Grange movement: to provide social life for the community. Loneliness – lack of connection with other people – is seen as a primary cause for much of the anxiety people seem to be suffering. Coming together for a common cause is a cure for that.

 We came together to move the Center Schoolhouse across the road and then to turn it into a lovely little library. We supported the Veterans Park, the Meeting House complex with strawberries and hot dogs, the Beach Schoolhouse with take-out meals and tremendous financial donations. An effort is underway to help a family clean up their burned-down house. The Fire Department is reaching out for more volunteers.

 So how about Tranquility Grange #344? When was the last time you were inside? As a child up in the balcony? With your parents at a supper? There’ll be memories waiting to surprise you. Or maybe you’ve never been. A 1908 building, little-changed over the years, yet lovingly maintained, and just needing its “forever” protection. Come out and see it August 19!”

Well, gosh, that sounds like a time! Look for more from Diane about this event in the weeks leading up.

I have been informed that the multi-use tennis/pickle ball courts at LCS have been resurfaced and ready for play. Apparently this Pickle-ball is quite the thing, and unlike most new trends, seems to be spurred on by the over-40. I’m over 40. Maybe I need to give it a try. I miss being trendy.

I love when people reach out to me with their news, or to offer their thoughts on the weekly column, positive or negative. So keep reaching out at ceobrien246@gmail.com . I’m also happy to read any suggestions you might have for future columns about this wonderful town. Be well, Lincolnville, be kind.