Grange to celebrate North Jay Day

Donna M. Perry/Sun Journal
North Jay Grange members are hosting a North Jay Day on Saturday, July 11, to raise money toward restoration of the Grange Hall. The 2½-story building is on Route 17 near the intersection of Route 4.

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- Donna M. Perry/Sun Journal

JAY — North Jay Grange members have organized a fun-filled Saturday, July 11, complete with music, crafts, food and historical memorabilia to celebrate the history of the town and Grange Hall. They hope to raise money toward repairs to the hall, including exterior painting and a new roof. 

"We wanted to do something different a few years ago," Grange Lecturer Marilyn Morse said, and came up with the idea of North Jay Day.
The hall is on the National Register of Historic Places. The North Jay Grange No. 10 is the third oldest Grange in Maine, Morse said, due to some closings and disbandings of other Granges around the state.
The property opened in 1874, however the first hall, a one-floor building, burned. The current Grange Hall was built in 1894, she said.
The large building on Route 17, near the intersection of Route 4, cost $3,000 to build. Morse believes it has been remodeled over the years.
There was a Grange Store on the first floor that closed in 1974 because it couldn't compete with the larger hardware and other stores coming in, she said.
During the day Saturday, there will be a food and craft sale from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a replica of Miller's Dairy Barn where ice cream cones will be sold.
A variety of local musicians will perform front porch music from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., including the Crosbys, Wilfred and Suzie LaPlante, and the Silver and Gold Band.
The Jay Historical Society will have a display of granite-working tools and antique toys. There will also be a quilt show.

The family of Cecil Holman will have a display of his memorabilia. Holman died in January 1986. He owned a Stanley Steamer that is also expected to be on display.

A luncheon plate will be available with finger rolls, chips and pickles for $4. There will also be a public supper with baked beans, casseroles and other foods from 4 to 6 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under.
This year, there won't be a parade due to the cost of event insurance, which runs from $500 to $700 for a day, Morse said. "I hope people will come and learn the history of Jay and the North Jay Grange," she said.
dperry@sunjournal.com