Images from Sunday

Images of Sunday snapped by Sister Barbara Coleman.

Retiring from the Home Board - Thank you's

The last to remain and take a Stab at more leftovers! 

The Noon BBQ feast, so many came!

New Grand Rep to ? 

My Uncle

It was that good!  

If you needed a break    

then back to your camp site and peace

It was a message with lots of fun on the side

Bro Dan Did GREAT

James boys

Crafts SOLD

More Rob Morris Weekend Fun

Thursday's Rounds

Penny, John, Fred & Bud here.
Our group was Ray Ballantine, Stuart, Barbara & David Katz.

Friday Progressive Food & Fun

Apps at Sheila Eddy's site, soup & salad at Ron & Fay's, Main Course at The Salls site and Desert at the Katz site (it got dark) then off to the Button Site for campfire fun.

Thanks to Barb Coleman for the photos and comments.

Rob Morris Day

Today was the annual Rob Morris Day event held at ABEL MOUNTAIN Camp Ground in Braintree, Vermont.  What a beautiful day it was, sunny with the temperature in the high 80’s.  As members were gathering for the events of the day, stories of great golfing and evenings full of fine food and fellowship were exchanged.  The craft table was in full gear and another basket raffle took place.  I am losing touch, as I did not purchase a chance at the basket. . . . there will be other chances!  Coffee and doughnuts were available before the morning service. Thank you to all who assisted.

The Worthy Grand Matron (Kathy) and Worthy Grand Patron (Alec) opened with remarks at 11am and turned the microphone over the me for the Service.  (I’ll have to say I was pleased with the program.)  The message was light yet meaningful; A Lesson From An Ant and the group seemed to enjoy the bit of humor that was included.  Thank you all for your support and assistance.  Sister Sherrill Gould for your council and to the “Brothers James”, James Chancey for your talents on the organ, and Jim Bennett for your vocal support to lead the musical portion of the service with James. Note, that my humor during the service was a reflection of the humorous offerings by PGP Jim last year, and thank you setting the bar!  Laughter is the best medicine!

Our collection during the Service was for the Home Board and we realized at least $210 from the Silver Collection.  Thank you all for your generosity. 

At the conclusion of the service the Home Board was introduced and several items were discussed, I missed some of these items and hope someone will forward, so we can post an update.

We had the signal that lunch was ready, so a blessing was offered and WGP Alec drew numbers for tables to be served.  We all enjoyed a yummy feast of roast beef, bar-b-que chicken, baked potato, corn on the cob and assorted pies.  Special thanks to Doris and Jim Graves and Beulah Chapter No.15 for catering the meal. 

After lunch, there were field events hosted by the Grand Sentinel, Rod Churchill and his able staff.  A large group participated in the different events and many laughs were had.  Rod presented awards at the conclusion of the events, and nothing beats the smile on a child’s face when you present them with an award.

We all had great time and I need to add the Sister Patty and Brother Richard have already booked the campground for the same weekend next year.  Reservations need to be made as soon as possible and are the campers' responsibility.  I am already hoping for the same weather.

The WGM Kathy has the Make-A-Wish cook books so if you want one, she will have them available.  Remember, $15 and ALL the money goes to the Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron's Project.  It would make a great Christmas gift, or birthday present!     

The next Grand Officers event is on September 11^th in Windsor, get your RSVP to Debby Estey by September 4^th.  Enjoy and see you on the Star Trail!

Bro Dan

Remember, “Friends are like Angels, you don’t have to see them to know they are there!”

PS. If you are going to Columbia Chapter on September 12 please RSVP to Judy Martin at jlma@surfglobal.net.  This is a change from the original invitation.

PSS.  Nancy says if anyone has a Rob Morris picture they would like uploaded to the blog please send it along to oesvermont@gmail.com. 

Grand Officers visit in Chelsea

Yesterday morning I traveled with our Grand Secretary Jerri Riegler, PGM to Chelsea for the Grand Officers visitation hosted by Lady Washington #86 and Forest Unity Chapter #82.  We were received at The United Church with a large basket of assorted chocolate products at the registration table.  Everyone eagerly purchased chances to take the basket home at the end of the day.  A delicious lunch of baked beans, cold salads, roast beef, turkey, ham and all the fixings for sandwiches was enjoyed by all.  Table favors were delicate crocheted angels, and all were presented beautiful crystal angels at the end of lunch.

I had the pleasure to sit next “Lovable”, who is also known as Richard ‘Dick’ L Wood,  PWGM of Rhode Island ’89-’90. He was in the Grand East the same year as Joanne Keyler and Walter Kinkel.  Pie was the desert and talk of the table on this day.  Joanne had made a chocolate cream pie for the dessert  table, and a piece was personally delivered to Dick prior to lunch. 

After lunch the Joanne announced that there were several pies remaining and Cal would auction them off.  A fun time was had by all who participated and money raised went to the Make-A-Wish project.  Our entertainment for the afternoon included our very own Grand Organist, Grace Bagley.  We pulled back the chairs and made room for the sweet sounds of the Valley Chords Chorus, a women’s Barbershop chorus http://www.valleychords.org who meet every Wednesday evening in Hartford, Vt.

Here is just a little taste filmed by Sister Barbara Coleman. 

After the entertainment we all retired to the chapter room, down the green and around the corner from the church.  Both chapters shared in the duties of running the meeting.  Janet Battey and Richard Button served as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron for the opening and closing, while Jeanne and Bruce Johnson served as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron for the remainder of the activities.  Cal Keyler treated us to beautiful piano music, with the musical highlight of the day, as we were officially informed by Karen Price, PGM that today was Roland ‘BUD’ Godins’ 60^th birthday.  We all joined in and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Bud!

I have to apologize, as I did not catch the winner of the chocolate basket raffle.  The silver collection, pie auction and basket raffle did however raise $339 dollars for the Make-A-Wish project.  Associate Grand Patron, Richard Backus excepted the donation on behalf of the Grand Patron who had been called out on an emergency earlier in the morning and was unable to attend.  Kathy Sjolander, W.G.M. also mentioned the Make-A-Wish cookbook that is on sale for $15.00.  100 percent of the money made from sales is profit as the books were donated. 

The Make-A Wish cookbook will be available at Rob Morris day, next weekend, and make sure that you get your RSVP to Doris Graves as soon as possible if you have not already done so.  So far over 110 reservations have been made and it should be a good time for all.

This entry would not be complete without a mention of the trip home. . . . . Leaving Chelsea, I was followed by the Sherriff for the whole distance to Washington, when he pulled over.  It wasn’t 30 seconds later I saw the “Blue Lights” and he was back on Route  110 following me.  This time I had a pickup truck between us, so I kept going.  About three miles down the road, the pickup was getting closer to me, the blue lights were still on and now the siren was going.  I found a safe place to pull off and both vehicles kept going past.  I had to now see where this was going, and off we went.  Another mile or two down the road the truck pulled off the road and the Sherriff was close behind, as I went past (deciding NOT to follow them into the FIELD) the truck was still not stopping.  About a minute down the road we were met by the Vermont State Police (lights and siren) screaming up the road.  Jerri and I decided we knew where he was headed and wanted nothing more to do with that.

Next weekend, Rob Morris Day at Abel Mountain camp ground.  Enjoy the week, it was another fun filled road trip. . .  see you on the other side!

Dan

District Meeting 2 and 4

Just arrived home from the final ever District Meeting in Brandon.  As most of you know next year there will be three Schools of Instruction and no District Meetings.  District Deputy Grand Instructors will still  be doing chapter visitations as usual.

After registration the meeting got underway at 10:00 a.m.  Sandra Lemnah was the DDGI in charge of the meeting.  Acting Worthy Matron was Marie Perry and acting Worthy Patron was Alan Robinson.  Grand Lecturer, Barbara Coleman ably helped us find the error of our ways.

81 people were in attendance.  We raised an additional 89 dollars for the Make-a-Wish project.  Below is a picture of the cover of the Vermont Make-A-Wish cookbook which you can order from Kathy Sjolander, W.G.M for $15.00.

Brother Ron Boudreau announced that there is additional room on the bus trip to New York City, a second bus has been added.  He needs to know as soon as possible if you would like to go.  This is not just a trip for Eastern Star members.  Family members or friends may go as well.  Click here for more details. http://www.oes-vt.org/newyorktrip2010.html

When the meeting adjourned we retired to the dining room for a wonderfully healthy meal of cold salads, sliced ham and fresh rolls.  Followed by brownie sundaes. (Not quite so healthy but very tasty I'm sure!)
The kitchen crew did a superb job.

By the way I left a short-sleeved black jacket on a chair near the preparation room door.  If anyone sees it I'd love to have it back.  You could just bring it or send it to a Grand Officer event and give it to me or to Grand Chaplain Dan.

Enjoy this summer weather!  It will be fall before we know it.

Nancy

District Meeting 1 and 3

Last evening after a lovely ride through the Green Mountains and Connecticut River Valley, Dan and I attended District Meeting for Districts 1 and 3.  The event was hosted by Mispah Chapter in Chester.  A delicious dinner of cold salads, baked beans, turkey, ham and rolls was enjoyed by all.  The table favors were yummy dog-boned shaped molasses cookies ... carefully marked "for human consumption".  The bones serve as a reminder of the General Grand Chapter's service dog project.  All money raised for this project stays in Vermont.

After dinner we all retired to the air-conditioned chapter room where we were more comfortable if not a lot cooler. The meeting was hosted by Sherrill Gould, DDGI, who claimed she had drawn the short straw.  She thanked the other three DDGI's, Johann Nortz, Doris Howe, and Nadine Martin for all of their help with organizing the meeting.  Throughout the evening beautiful organ music was provided by James Chancey, our Grand Marshall. Melissa Chancey served as Worthy Matron and Palmer Martin was Worthy Patron.  The work was demonstrated as usual with comments and direction given by the Grand Lecturer, Barbara Coleman.  Officers from the two districts took parts and it was reported that all of the chapters in Districts 1 and 3 had representatives in attendance.  A total of 69 members registered for the evening.  It was a pleasure having nine Past Grand Matrons and Past Grand Patrons as sideliners or on the Jurisprudence Committee.

$93 was raised for Make-A-Wish.  Kathy Sjolander, W.G.M. also mentioned the Make-A-Wish cookbook that is on sale for $15.00.  100 percent of the money made from sales is profit as the books were donated.  Let Kathy know if you would like to purchase a copy.

Our last District Meeting will be held in Brandon on Saturday.  Check the OES-Vt.org website for details. Another fun road trip ... see you there!

Nancy

Friendship Night in Morrisville

I am reporting this second hand as I did not attend Friendship Night at Coral Chapter.  Dan went solo as I was spending a few hours beginning my new job at the brand new CVS Pharmacy in Essex and helping our son buy some professional attire for back to college.

Dan enjoyed the meeting where all of the chairs were filled and there were ten or so sideliners.  A friendship poem was shared by several of the officers.  Each guest received a bag of goodies which included an old family recipe for Apple Pudding (you can tell it's old because it calls for Oleo!) which looks easy to make and sounds delicious.  It was the hope of the Worthy Matron that all would use the index card provided to share a recipe with a friend.  As always Dan enjoyed visiting with everyone.

Just a reminder if you would like your chapter's events posted on the OES website just send me a quick note.  Dan said he was looking forward to attending Friendship night in Johnson where they are going to have a Pound Auction.  (He hopes he doesn't bid on a pretty package of sand.)  If someone from Johnson will let me know the exact date I'll post it on the calendar.  oesvermont@gmail.com

Heading down to Chester for District 1 & 3 meeting this evening.  Hope to see you there.

Nancy

Welcome to VT OES Blog

Welcome to the Vermont OES Blog.  If this is your first visit, OES stands for Order of the Eastern Star a charitable fraternal organization.  Individuals who are Master Masons or related to Master Masons may join the Order of the Eastern Star.

I will be attempting to add updates to this blog on a fairly regular basis.  If any Vermont member would like to contribute to the blog please send me an email with your post (information) and I will add it to our blog.  Come on you writers out there give me a hand with this project.  Let's let everyone know about the fun we have and the good work we do in Vermont. You may also send along a picture or two as well.  You can email me at oesvermont@gmail.org.

Happy blogging.
Nancy

Grand Officers visit in Jamaica

August 3,2010

A great time was had by all who attended the annual Grand Officers night at Mt. Lebanon Chapter in Jamaica.

The evening began with entertainment provided by Kristen and her service dog, Bronson, from Canines for Disabled Kids. www.caninesforkids.org  Kristen was a wonderful speaker who provided us with information about service animals and their various responsibilities. Bronson is a beautiful smooth haired collie. I was interested to learn that the dogs not only physically help their partners but they help them socially as well. After the presentation Sister Barbara Coleman presented Kristen with a donation of $150 for Canines For Disabled Kids from the members of Mt. Lebanon Chapter.

During the short meeting that followed many special guests were presented including Past Grand Matrons and Past Grand Patrons from Quebec and Massachusetts.  After the meeting everyone retired to the dining room for a late night picnic complete with hot-dogs, lemonade and freshly sliced watermelon.