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BONNIE GOODENOW, left, and Jean Surace, who became members of the West Bath Grange No. 154 more than 60 years ago, attended Tuesday night’s organizational meeting of the newly-named West Bath Seaside Grange.
BONNIE GOODENOW, left, and Jean Surace, who became members of the West Bath Grange No. 154 more than 60 years ago, attended Tuesday night’s organizational meeting of the newly-named West Bath Seaside Grange.
People who have been Grange members for decades were on hand Tuesday night as the West Bath Seaside Grange took its first steps toward official Grange status.

There, too, were many young members of Will Snow’s troupe, enthused at the notion of using the upstairs meeting hall and stage.

PEOPLE INTERESTED in joining West Bath Seaside grange, including many young dancers, attended Tuesday night’s organizational meeting.
PEOPLE INTERESTED in joining West Bath Seaside grange, including many young dancers, attended Tuesday night’s organizational meeting.
Members of the Maine State Grange were on hand to sign up officers, collect the $25 application fee and send the information to the National Grange.

Mert Ricker, district deputy of Sagadahoc Area Granges, and Rick Grotton, chairman of the Maine State Grange Executive Committee, were among the happy onlookers Tuesday as Vicki Huff, Maine State Grange vice president, recorded the names of prospective officers.

“This is enthusiasm,” Huff said. “This is awesome. It couldn’t be a better thing for the West Bath community, and for the Grange as a whole.”

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Huff recorded the name of Will Snow, who sparked the drive to reorganize the West Bath Grange.

“We’re hoping to get this place jamming six days a week, and have classes coming in,” said Snow, Grange master-to-be.

Mindy Bresnahan will be treasurer and lecturer, Angela Smith will be secretary and Christine Petersen also will hold an office. The old West Bath Grange No. 154, built in 1901, will be no longer. But the West Bath Seaside Grange and its enthusiastic charter members will bring new life to the Grange hall, which is in splendid condition. Snow “has 50 or 60 people interested,” Ricker said. “There’s a new water heater, and the building is in good shape. They’re starting off with very little maintenance.”

Ben Higgins, for more than 70 years a member of the former Dirigo Grange of Brunswick, looked on during Tuesday’s proceedings. So did Jean Surace and Bonnie Goodenow, who became West Bath Grange members 60 years ago.

West Bath Grange No. 154 organized in 1875, and the hall on New Meadows Road was built in 1901.

It peaked with 800 members during the 1940s, but was down to fewer than 200 by 2000.

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The Grange closed a couple of years ago, with sagging interest.

That’s not the case today.

lgrard@timesrecord.com


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