September 2012
NEWS FROM OUR WORTHY GRAND MATRON:
On Sunday, August 26th, approximately 160 Eastern Star Sisters and Brothers gathered at Abel Mountain Campgrounds in Braintree, VT to celebrate the birthday of our founder, Rob Morris.
Our Church Service was conducted by our Grand Chaplain, Sister Carolyn Boud. Her message was titled “G. P. S.” – and compared the Global Planet Satellite with G. P. S. – God’s Positioning Satellite. The music was provided by our Grand Organist, Sister Barbara Whitney.
Sister Sally McPhee, President of the Vermont Home Board introduced the Board members, and announced that the dividends earned on our investments over the past year totaled over $100,000.00! The Home Board is well-served by our financial advisors!
The Craft Tables were located in front of our Eastern Star trailer, and wonderful crafts filled several trailers. Shoppers had an extensive inventory to choose from. The proceeds from the Craft Table went to the Vermont Home Board.
A delicious barbecue luncheon was prepared by Brother Jim and Sister Doris Graves, and they were assisted by Beulah Chapter members, Phoenix Mystic Lodge members, and our Grand Star Points.
During the day the members attending had a chance to look over and look in the Grand Chapter Trailer that will be used to store our furniture and paraphernalia needed for Grand Chapter each year. We still have more items to put into the trailer, but it is a wonderful addition to our Grand Chapter goods. Our thanks go to Sister Barbara Coleman, Grand Conductress, and Brother Richard Button, Grand Sentinel, for all of their hard work and time spent on painting the trailer and the wonderful lettering on the sides of the trailer. Our sign board can’t be missed while it is traveling down the highways of Vermont!
During the afternoon Brother Rich tried to get the youngsters involved in several games - the kids were more interested in just playing rather than competing against each other ! Everyone had a good time, and each participant received gold medals and a prize.
Rob Morris Day has turned in to Rob Morris week for many of our Eastern Star members. Several campers arrived on Sunday, August 19th, and on August 20th was the Green Mountain Deputies Golf Tournament at the Pittsford-Proctor Golf Club. On Thursday, August 23rd , eight Vermonters traveled to Manchester, N.H. to attend the opening of N. H. Grand Chapter. Attending were: Roberta Button, WGM, Doris Graves, AGM, Barbara Coleman, GC, Sherrill Gould, GL, Don Brown, AGP, Jennie Brown, Betsey Waldo, and Sheila C. Eddy, Past Grand Matron. We were joined in Manchester by Clovis and June Leach.
On Friday night we had a progressive dinner – starting at 5:30 p.m., and ending around 7:30 p.m. with coffee and desserts in the Pavilion. Abel Mountain had a local girl, Shelby Lynn Rogers sing for us from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. She has a terrific voice, and I’m sure that we will hear of her winning the Country Music Round-up later this fall. On Saturday afternoon we had a weather delay for our “Buck a Duck” Race. It rained and thundered for about an hour, but then the sun broke through and it was a great afternoon. Special thanks go out to David and Christine Katz, and Lee and Pat Decatur, for all of their time and efforts in making the Duck Race a success. Their efforts raised $368.00 for our special project – 50 new beds for Camp Thorpe. Not to be forgotten were the duck catchers at the end of the finish line - Bud and Sandy Godin, Mike and Dale Wood, and Bobby Hall, PGM from Quebec! A great time was had by all.
On Saturday night we had a potluck dinner, and then danced to the music of Yvonne and the Reverbs. The new pavilion had many dancers that evening; other campers joined us and new friendships were made.
Everyone agreed that Rob Morris Day has evolved into Rob Morris week for many of us, and we are looking forward to next August when we can do it all again!
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August was a very busy month. On August 4th a group of 14 Eastern Star members met in Hanover, NH for the annual Shrine Parade. Bill Bowman, husband of our Associate Grand Conductress, Pat Bowman, hauled a trailer decorated with American flags, pink roses, and butterflies. It was a very hot day, but the parade route was shorter than usual due to the construction in the area.
Our first Grand Officers Visitation was on August 7th at Mt. Lebanon Chapter in Jamaica; the entertainment that evening was blue grass music provided by the Bondville Boys.
On August 11th, the Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron, (Bunny and Rod) and Richard Button, Grand Sentinel, Carolyn Boud, Grand Chaplain and Sister Helen Whitman attended the DeMolay Conclave held at Camp Ondawa in Sutherland, VT. Other Eastern Star members there were Penny Walker-Reen, Hannah Reen, Debby Estey, Bruce Pomeroy, Thomas Johnston, and Jack Campbell.
The Motorcycle – Poker Run was held on August 18th . The morning began with everyone meeting at Mt. Anthony Lodge in Bennington, where members of the York Rite Bodies had prepared a French Toast, bacon, coffee and tea and juice Breakfast. The Ride was under the guidance of Brother James Chancey and Brother Richard Backus, PGP. The ride took us from Bennington to Wilmington, to Jamaica, to Chester, and finally to Chester by a very circuitous route. We finally ended up at Ascutney Chapter in Windsor where a BBQ was waiting for us. There were 8 motorcycles, 4 cars, and 2 dogs on our trip! The Poker Run raised $500.00 for our charity – 50 new beds for Camp Thorpe. I would like to thank everyone for all of their help and support. Plans are already being made for next year’s Motorcycle Poker Run - perhaps in the Central Vermont area, making a loop from start to finish. Additional details will be announced in the spring.
The State Wide food sale will take place on Saturday, September 8th at many locations around the state. Look for the food sale at a location near you, and purchase the tasty treats and baked goods!
The Grand Officers have been asked to do an initiation on one new candidate for Johnson Chapter at 1 o’clock, p.m, on September 9th in Johnson, VT.
The Grand Officers will also be doing an initiation in Bellows Falls on November 18th at 1:30p.m. for Alpha Chapter with at least 2 candidates and one affiliate.
September 24th will find many of the Grand Officers at Vermont Night in Granville, N.Y.
Please be sure to check the new up-dated calendar, as a few of the dates have changed. We don’t want you showing up at the right place on the wrong date!
To date, we have raised $5,006.73 for our special project – 50 new beds for Camp Thorpe. That pays for 12 new beds, and money left over towards another bed! We are so very grateful for everyone’s generosity and support.
GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER IN FORT WORTH TEXAS
Good morning Texas Travelers,
This is just a reminder - if you have not sent your second installment to Ron and Sharon for the Texas trip , please do so immediately.
Ron charged $26,000+ on his credit card the other day to purchase our Texas tickets - some people have paid their account in full, but the second installment was due on August 15th, and several people have not sent in their money for that installment - the third and final installment will be due on October 15th.
Enjoy your Labor Day Week-end - it doesn't seem possible that Saturday will be September 1st.!!
Star Love,
Bunny, WGM
CALLING ALL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
Attending General Grand Chapter in Fort Worth, TX
If you are a
MD, RN, LVN, CAN, EMT OR PARAMEDIC
We can use your assistance in First Aid Room
We are looking for volunteers to work one or more 4 hour shifts
Please contact
Or
CHAPTER EVENTS AND FRIENDSHIP NIGHTS:
BEULAH CHAPTER # 15 an evening of dinner and music. September 8, with dinner at 6:00 p.m., music to follow at the Brookfield Masonic Temple. Entertainment by the Dynamic Two-O. To benefit the Food Shelves. RSVP to Jim or Doris Graves. degjhg@together.net or728-5225
DISTRICT # 4 FRIENDSHIP NIGHT at the Green Mountain Masonic Temple in Williston on September 28. Pot luck supper at 6:00 p.m. and a Yankee Pie Swap to follow. Proceeds to benefit Camp Thorpe. Casual dress/jeans
ENTERTAINMENT OF GRAND OFFICERS:
MIZPAH CHAPTER # 40 at the Chester Masonic Temple, on the Green, Chester, VT on September 16, with lunch at 12:00, entertainment at 1:00 with open meeting to follow so bring a friend.
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS:
Marble Chapter # 80 in Brandon Vt celebrating 100 years. Light lunch at 1:00 p.m.celebration to follow. SPECIAL PROJECT for 100 year celebration is to raise $500.00 to purchase a new barbecue for Camp Thorpe. RSVP by Sept 15 to Donna Wyman, Secretary at 802-247-6738, rdwyman01@myfairpoint.net
PLEASE SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE EMAIL.
