Authentic Tea

Hello sisters and brothers,

On April 30th Scottish Rite had Consistory Reunion, included in this program was an Authentic Tea put on by Nadine Martin. We also enjoyed the movie CATS, The point is it was put on for the Eastern Ladies. Nadine did a wonderful job. Her only wish was that more ladies were there to enjoy it. So maybe next time there will be a better showing.

In Star love ,

Patricia Varga, Chapters 70 and 80.

Initiation in Brandon

Sister Barbara Coleman shared a few photos of the initiation performed by the Grand Family in Brandon on February 19^th.  The Grand Officers with a few substitutes did a memorable job for these four new members.  A nice turn out on a very blustery day.  Lots of smiles and friendly catching up was done.  Good luck Marble Chapter!  Two of the girls live in Brandon and two in Burlington, so we hope to see them often. Their Mom is Beverly Partington, and Barb was told they had all been in Rainbow. 

February News

Happy New Year everyone.  Sorry I have been out of touch lately.  Back in the saddle again. : )

In case you didn't see the latest newsletter here it is.  Many events going on in February. If you attend something  I don't please send me a note so I can post it here.  Thanks.  Nancy


VERMONT OES E-MAIL NEWSLETTER & ANNOUNCEMENTS

February 2011

“The future depends on what we do in the present”.

The Mid-winter meeting is scheduled for February 5th in Manchester at Adoniram Chapter No. 22.  The snow date will be February 12th. Registration will begin at 10:00 A.M. with the meeting beginning at 10:30.  A soup and sandwich luncheon will be served at noon for $7.00.  This will be a working meeting for the committees but we encourage all members to come and share their ideas for the future of Eastern Star.

Reservations for the mid-winter meeting on February 5th in Manchester are to: Joan Black, 2679 Old Silo Rd., St.Johnsbury, VT 05819, by January 31st. or by phone 748-8369.

 "Fair Haven Chapter, No. 70 will be having a “Friendship Night” at their regular meeting on Monday, February 14th, at the Masonic Building in Fair Haven.  There will be a pot luck dinner at 6 p.m. and a Pretty Package Auction before the meeting.  The meeting will begin at 7:30.  All members are invited to attend."

 District #2: "Marble Chapter, No. 80, Brandon, will be hosting the Grand Officers of Vermont when they perform the Initiation Ritual on four siblings on Saturday, February 19th, 2011.  All Eastern Star members are welcome. MarbleChapter will be serving a lunch at noon and the Initiation is scheduled for 1 o'clock.  They will also be presenting 25 and 50 year membership pins."

LaPlotte Chapter, #64, in Hinesburg, will be having their Annual Spaghetti Supper and the usual Country Western Band on Saturday, the 26th February, at 6:00 p.m. with toe tapping music to listen to. This is open to the public with a donation for the evening’s event. Bring your friends and relatives! We have great food, great entertainment and lots of people. Do not miss it!

The “Can AM” weekend is February 25 & 26 in Ottawa, Canada.  If you need the information please let Sister Kathy or Sister Jerri know and they will get the information to you.

 “FRIENDSHIP NIGHT”, Monday, February 28, 2011 “Finding Friends Around the World”. Sickle Chapter #34 in Stowe, Vt. Refreshments – 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Speaker – 6:45 p.m. - Bernie Quinlan (Nurse at Copley Hospital) She has been to Haiti and worked with the people of Haiti and will give a Power Point presentation on her work there.  Share with friends around the world and bring an item for the food shelf.  Meeting at 7:30 p.m. Please RSVP by February 18, 2011. Sandy Godin, Secretary budsandyg@stoweaccess.com or 802-253-8435 or  517 Sylvan Park Road, Stowe, VT   05672


Then on Saturday, March 26th, we will have our Ice Cream Social for the Grand Officers and members of our State with the announcements made by the new Grand Family. Come and volunteer and see what antics we have planned for this year’s Grand Officers. Money for this goes to the Rainbow Girls and DeMolay boys. This will be at the Hinesburg Community School at 11:00 a.m. registration, eat at noon, the price $8. Rainbow & DeMolay are free, hot dogs, buns; chips and etc. with make your own sundaes for dessert. RSVP: to Elaine Harrington.


Please note, RSVP should now be mailed to: #629 Hinesburg Rd. Apt. 104, South Burlington and E-Mail is now hbestar1@comcast.net

DISTRICT NEWS

This District #4 will have a get together on Friday, February 18th at the Green Mountain Masonic Center at 6:00 p.m.  It is a potluck meal and after the meal we will be having a teacup auction. Everyone is encouraged to search for items that you do not need or no longer want and would like to put them in the teacup auction.  Hope we can have a great turnout!

Written by Elaine L. Harrington, P.M. with approval from W.G.M. Kathy Sjolander & W.G.P. Alec Porter.

Grand Officers in Morrisville

Saturday, December 11, 2010

“To the “Heart & Soul” singers who twice came to give mom concerts.” - Lamoille Home Health & Hospice (May 2009)

This past Saturday we gathered for the next stop “On our Wings of Love” tour in Morrisville, VT.  The Entertainment of Grand Officers was hosted by Coral Chapter #16, Sickle Chapter #34 and Johnson Chapter #65. The holiday season is upon us and the feel of Christmas was in the air.  Angles from the heavens were setup in the entryway to the Chapter Room with ‘Winged Messages’ for all to admire!

Registration was at 11:30 with Angels and Eagles as our purging badges. . . . .  J 

At 12:30 we all gathered down in the dining room for the luncheon.  I gave the blessing, and we all were treated to a very enjoyable meal.  There was chicken pie, baked beans, hashed potatoes, green bean casserole.  Assorted salads finished the buffet table.  There was a beautiful cake with angles for desert, with ice cream and cookies if you desired. 

After the luncheon, we assembled in the chapter room for the entertainment portion of the afternoon.  We had the pleasure to listen to the “Heart & Soul” Choir from the Lamoille Home Health & Hospice View our current newsletter, The Home Health Gazette  The group sang three tunes and explained the role of Hospice and the Choir as well.

After the entertainment, we were treated to an addendum that involved the WGM and WGP as they were escorted through the “twelve days of Christmas” done the Eastern Star way!  Yes, Penny Walker-Reen is not lost for imagination, as most of the items gathered were on the Make-A-Wish ‘wish list’.  

After the addendum, the meeting was opened in form followed by the presentation of the Grand Officers in the East:  Kathleen Sjolander, Worthy Grand Matron and Alec Porter, Worthy Grand Patron.   After which, introduction of the General Grand Chapter Committee Member,  Past Grand Matron and Patrons, and Grand Officers.

WGM Kathy and WGP Alec and Sister Roclyn Porter were presented honorary memberships to Chapter #16, Sickle Chapter #34 and Johnson Chapter #65.

The WGM and WGP had kind words for all.  The WGM Kathy addressed the Make-A Wish project and updated us on how well the cookbook sales and ‘wish list’ items were doing.  WGP Alec advised that the Make-A-Wish project to date is well over $13,000.

During the addresses of the WGM and WGP, two presentations were made.  The travel award, which is an Angle Wing (designed by Sister Madine Churchill) was presented to Sister Joyce Fowler.  Travel Cards will be available at upcoming meeting, and a copy will be linked to the website as well.  Start adding up your points, after 100 points, turn it into the WGM/WGP.

The second presentation was made to Ester Meyer, Sister Esther was given a Grand Representatives commission to Missouri which is effective January 1, 2011!  Congratulations Esther! 

PGP Ronald Boudreau spoke on behalf of the Committee Members, PGP James Bennett spoke on behalf of the Past Grands and Julie Green spoke on behalf of the Grand Officers.

The credentials committee reported and there were 78 present.  The silver collection netted $103.00 for the Make-A-Wish project.  Also to note, the collection at the luncheon, $170.00 was also given to the Make-A-Wish project.  Thank you all for your support.

Reminders:

100^th Birthday Celebration – Temple Chapter in Williston on Saturday, December 18, 2010.  Please RSVP if you are attending  Connie Levesque at: (802) 879-6185 or email at: conlev8700@comcast.net

Mid Winter Meeting in Manchester, VT on February 5, 2011

The Mid-winter meeting is scheduled for February 5th in Manchester at Adoniram Chapter No. 22.  The snow date will be February 12th. Registration will begin at 10:00 A.M. with the meeting beginning at 10:30.  A soup and sandwich luncheon will be served at noon for $7.00.  This will be a working meeting for the committees but we encourage all members to come and share their ideas for the future of Eastern Star.

Our next stop on the “On the Wings of Love” tour is a Grand Officers in Bellows Falls on March 19, 2011.  More information to follow.

Hope to see you all on the Star trail!

Brother Dan, Grand Chaplain

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

Grand Officers in Williston

Wednesday, November 16, 2010

“An Angel just received her wings!”

Last night we gathered for the next stop “On our Wings of Love” tour in Williston, VT.  The Entertainment of Grand Officers was hosted by Temple Chapter #75 and LaPlotte Chapter #64.  The weather was nice for our arrival, but we all feared there was ‘rain in the air’!

Registration was in the main lobby and we were surprised to see little bell angels representing the four seasons as our purging badges.  You could not go anywhere the rest of the evening without ringing  you way along. . . .  J 

At 6:00pm the smell from the dining room was our cue, after the blessing we all were treated to a very scrumptious Pot Luck meal.  Too many to describe (and I do not want to miss one) so I’ll just say NO ONE left the room wanting!

After dinner, we assembled in the chapter room for the entertainment portion of the evening.  In keeping with this our month to honor our Veterans, we had the pleasure to witness a One Act Play performed by the Scottish Rite of Vermont.  I do apologize for not getting all the participants names.  I will add it is a side of Palmer Martin that most of us had never seen before, even Nadine his wife was not without a comment!  The play was about the (events) involving President Lincoln the day after he gave his Gettysburg Address speech:

The Gettysburg Address

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
November 19, 1863

On June 1, 1865, Senator Charles Sumner commented on what is now considered the most famous speech by President Abraham Lincoln. In his eulogy on the slain president, he called it a "monumental act." He said Lincoln was mistaken that "the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here." Rather, the Bostonian remarked, "The world noted at once what he said, and will never cease to remember it. The battle itself was less important than the speech."

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

---

Source: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy P. Basler. The text above is from the so-called "Bliss Copy," one of several versions which Lincoln wrote, and believed to be the final version. For additional versions, you may search The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln through the courtesy of the Abraham Lincoln Association.

After the entertainment, the meeting was opened in form followed by the presentation of the Grand Officers in the East:  Kathleen Sjolander, Worthy Grand Matron and Richard Backus, Worthy Grand Associate Patron.   After which, introduction of the General Grand Chapter Committee Members,  Past Grand Matron and Patrons, and Grand Officers.

  

There was a memorial remembrance of Sister Edna Jenkins of Temple Chapter #75 .

WGM Kathy and WGP Alec and Sister Roclyn Porter were presented honorary memberships to both Temple Chapter #75 and LaPlotte Chapter #64.

The WGM and WGP had kind words for all.  The WGM addressed the Make-A Wish project and updated us on how well the cookbook sales and ‘wish list’ items were doing.  Another reminder from GAP Richard about the General Grand Chapter's Service Dog project with pins and scarves available from the Area Instructors.

Temple Chapter #75 presented the WGM with her own set of Angel Wings and a stuffed dog for the WGP, which will be delivered by BS Richard!

PGP Ronald Boudreau spoke on behalf of the Committee Members, PGP Ronald “Bud” Godin spoke on behalf of the Past Grands and Nadine Martin spoke on behalf of the Grand Officers.

The credentials committee reported and there were 63 present.  The silver collection netted $87.00 for the Make-A-Wish project.

Reminder to get rested for the trip to NYC on December 4^th and 5^th!

Our next stop on the “On the Wings of Love” tour is a ‘Three Way” event with our hosts:  Coral Chapter #16, Sickle Chapter #34 and Johnson Chapter #65 on Saturday, December 11^th in Morrisville.  Registration 11:30 – 12:30  Lunch at 12:30, followed by the meeting.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and remember our troops!  Both home and abroad!

Hope to see you all on the Star trail!

Brother Dan, Grand Chaplain

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

Grand Officers in Brookfield

Sunday, November 7, 2010 

“God Bless the USA”

Again, we have been blessed with great traveling weather.  Yes, a cool crisp fall day, but lots of sunshine to guide us to our next Entertainment of Grand Officers is in Brookfield, hosted by Beulah Chapter No. 15 and Naomi Chapter No. 18 today.   

As we gathered and registered on the main floor, you could smell the work being done by crew in the kitchen downstairs, preparing soup for after the meeting.

At 2:00pm our entertainment portion of the day was a salute to Veterans Day and some of the Vermonters throughout history whom we should not forget.  Thank you PGP James Bennett for the dialogue and song honoring our Veterans.

After the entertainment, the meeting was opened in form followed by the presentation of the Grand Officers in the East:  Kathleen Sjolander, Worthy Grand Matron and Alec Porte, Worthy Grand Patron.   After which, introduction of the Past Grand Matron and Patrons, and Grand Officers.

  

Today’s addendum for the WPM and WGP was a walk through a garden where at various stops along the way, a ‘meaningful saying’ was offered along with a Pansy for their basket.  By the end of the walk both had full baskets of flowers.

WGM Kathy and WGP Alec and Sister Roclyn Porter were presented honorary memberships to both Beulah Chapter No. 15 and Naomi Chapter No. 18.

PGP Donald Chamberlain spoke on behalf of the Past Grands and Christopher Smith, Grand Rep of Massachusetts, spoke on behalf of the Grand Officers.

The WGM and WGP had kind words for all.  The WGM addressed the Make-A Wish project and updated us on how well the cookbook sales and ‘wish list’ items were doing.  Another reminder from WGP Alec about the General Grand Chapter's Service Dog project with pins and scarves available from the Area Instructors.

The credentials committee reported and there were 56 present.  The silver collection netted $70.00 for the Make-A-Wish project.

After the meeting, we adjourned in the dining room for soup and sandwiches.  Minestrone and Corn Chowder were the soups of the day, and on the tables were platters of assorted sandwiches.  Desert was assorted cookies and ice cream.  Hats off to all the chefs today!

Our next stop on the “On the Wings of Love” tour is with Temple Chapter #75 and LaPlotte Chapter #64 on Tuesday, November 16^th in Williston.  Dinner at 6pm, Entertainment at 7pm followed by the meeting at 7:30pm.

Hope to see you all on the Star trail!

Brother Dan, Grand Chaplain

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

Grand Officers in Brandon

Saturday, November 6, 2010 

“You can’t judge a book by its cover. . .

                                    . . . ‘nor can you judge a Pretty Package”

  

The Entertainment of Grand Officers is in Brandon, hosted by Marble Chapter No. 80 and Libanus Chapter No. 47 today, am I must say that I am glad I don’t put too much stock into the weather reports (all the time).  Today ended up to be a nice day to travel, with the sun peeking out from behind the clouds throughout the day.  In the entryway of the building where we were registering, The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls were displaying a beautiful handmade jewelry box, which the Rainbow Girls will be raffling off at The 57th annual Vermont Grand Assembly in July 2011. 

We moved down into the dining room and I offered the blessing, after which, lunch was served to us.  We had a very nice stuffed chicken with mashed potatoes, on the table were dishes of mixed vegetables, cold slaw and rolls.  For desert, there was a table of assorted pies to choose from.  Lunch was yummy!

 

Following lunch, we remained in the dining area for a ‘pretty package’ auction. PGM and WP of Marble Chapter No. 80 was our auctioneer for the event.  There were many packages auctioned off and several of them lived up to the name ‘Pretty Package’! Contents subjective included. It was for a good cause and we all had a good time.  Note: I was the recipient of ‘the shoes’ this year!

After the Pretty Package auction, the open meeting followed.  After the bible was opened and the flag presented, the Worthy Grand Matron,  Kathleen Sjolander and Associate Grand Patron, Richard Backus were presented and conducted to the East.  After which, introduction of the General Grand Chapter Committee Member, Past Grand Matron and Patrons, and Grand Officers.  WGM Kathy and WGP Alec were presented honorary memberships to Marble Chapter No. 80 and Libanus Chapter No. 47.

The WGM and Substitute WGP had kind words for all and addressed the Make-A Wish project and the Service Dog program. 

PGM, Mrs. Barbara E. Wheaton, spoke on behalf of the General Grand Chapter.  PGM, Mrs. Joan O. Black spoke on behalf of the Past Grands and Mrs. Audry Moses spoke on behalf of the Grand Officers.

The credentials committee reported 53 members and guests present. The Pretty Package Auction raised $183, and the Silver Collection netted $87.00 for a total of $270.00 raised for the Make-A-Wish project, thank you all!

Our next stop on the “On the Wings of Love” tour for The Entertainment of Grand Officers is November 7^th the “On the Wings of Love” tour for The Entertainment of Grand Officers is in Brookfield, hosted by Beulah Chapter No. 15 and Naomi Chapter No. 18, registration at 1:30 followed by Entertainment at 2:00.  Meeting to follow, remember to make your RSVP! http://www.oes-vt.org/11072010invite.html

Hope to see you all on the Star trail!

Brother Dan, Grand Chaplain

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