LIVERMORE FALLS – Like many Granges around the state, New Norlands Grange members have been struggling for the past several years to keep its doors open.

Last November, the group voted in what lecturer Emily Pike says was a very close vote to continue on for one more year. Members sold standing timber to meet expenses.

It’s a year later, and Grange members are faced with making the same decision on whether to keep the Grange going, Pike said.

All Grange members are being urged to attend the 7 p.m. meeting Saturday at the Grange Hall on River Road, off Route 133 in Livermore Falls, to participate in this decision, Pike said.

Grange organizations formed as patrons of husbandry and gave farmers a voice in the 1800s.

The New Norlands Grange began in 1895.

At one time, the Grange had many members, Pike said, but now there are between 35 and 40 who belong, with a small number attending meetings.

The two-story Grange Hall, which has a traditional Grange meeting room and performance area on the second floor, and a large kitchen and dining room on the main floor, is closed each winter; the water is drained from the pipes to save on heat and other expenses.

Meetings are held at members’ houses during those months, Pike said.

Members are getting older and young people are not interested in joining, so it’s difficult to attract new members, she said.

The officers have been elected for the coming year, Pike said, so they could keep on going if members vote to do so.