“Miracles of Life”
Grand Chapter of Louisiana
Order of the Eastern Star
Juanita Wilkinson
Terrie
C. Castay, PGM
Worthy Grand Matron Grand
Secretary
4130 Long Pine Lane
3211
Hyman Place
Lake Charles, LA. 70611
New
Orleans, LA 70131-7037
May 2008 – Newsletter
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Dear
Sisters and Brothers,
I
remember an old saying, "April showers bring May flowers." We see “Miracles of Life" all around as
the flowers and trees burst into bloom.
Our
District Deputy Grand Matrons are busy visiting the chapters in their
districts. From the reports that I have
received, they are doing a commendable job as you, the members, receive them
into your chapters and demonstrate our ritualistic work. Twenty-three members,
including nine Grand Officers, traveled to Tupelo, Mississippi to attend
Mississippi Grand Chapter. Our own
Sister Diane Smith, P.G.M., brought Greetings at the Informal Opening on Monday
evening.
We
had a wonderful time in Carthage, Texas on Friday April 18, 2008 with forty-two
of our members meeting with our Texas friends for an enjoyable evening Texas
style. Sister Elizabeth Roach gave a
very gracious Response to the Welcome. Then on Saturday April 19th,
we had a very enjoyable lunch in Shreveport with our "Texas Friends". Brother Mert and I were pleased to have the
Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron of Texas in attendance at the
"Angels All Around Luncheon" Louisiana style. Thank you Sister
Elizabeth Roach, and your committee, for a job well done. Our own Brother
Harles I. Creech, PMWGP, welcomed everyone, and Sister Sylvia Garcia, Deputy to
the MWGM gave the Response.
Thank
you District 13 for the lovely reception honoring Brother Mert and I, and the
Grand Family. It was most enjoyable and we appreciate all that you do for us.
May
is also the month we set aside to honor our Mothers with a special Day. I hope each of you will spend time with your
Mother on Mothers Day and let her know how much you appreciate her.
Brother
Mert and I are looking forward to visiting with each of you as we travel around
the state making the Official Visits.
Remember to show Kindness, Faith and Caring to each other as you travel
the state this year.
Fraternally,
Juanita
Wilkinson
Worthy
Grand Matron
GRAND REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTMENTS:
New York - Phyllis
Lewis, PM - #215, 502 Mays Crossing Rd., Dubach 71235
North Dakota - Melvin
Munch, PP - #169, 608 N. Hullen, Metairie 70001
OFFFICIAL VISITS OF THE WORTHY GRAND
MATRON
ACCOMPANIED BY THE WORTHY GRAND PATRON
AND OTHER GRAND OFFICERS
Saturday,
May 31 - District Seven - Sunset Star #227. Receiving line will begin at 5:00 p.m.
Dinner will follow at 5:30 p.m. Meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. Sunset
Star is located at 5115 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop (Hwy. 526.) Housing Chairman is Sister Bess Chance, PM,
(318) 686-6741, 6801 W. 70th Lot #17 Shreveport 71129.
Directions: Come North on I-49
to Bert Kouns Industrial Loop (Hwy. 526); turn left and go 5.4 miles. The lodge hall is on the left across the
road from Hot Wheels Skating Palace. Cissi White, DDGM.
Saturday, June 7 - District 15 - Fairfields Lodge, 10484 Mammoth Dr.,
Baton Rouge. Light refreshments at 5:00 PM - Meeting will follow after
meal.
Sunday, June
8 - District 18 - Seventh
District Recreation Center, Pearl River – Meeting at 2:00 PM and refreshments
afterward. (Directions: From 1-12, Exit #74, at stop sign turn left – continue
to dead end. At dead-end turn, right on Hwy. 36. Travel straight to Hwy. 41 and
turn right – bldg. 1/2 mile
on right. From N.O. -1-10 through Slidell. At I-10 split, take I-59N. Stay on I-59 to Exit 3. At stop sign turn left.
Follow around, cross RR, cross Hwy. 11. It becomes Hwy. 41N – Continue
approximately 5 miles – Bldg. on left.) For more info call Ayleene King, DDGM,
at 985-839-6352.
Saturday, June 21 - District 11 Cordially invite you to attend their
Reception for WGM, WGP, Gladys Allison, PGM; Joy Beth Williams, AGC and Otto
Beverly, Grand Warder at 4:00 PM followed by Official Visit at 5:00 PM, First
United Methodist Church of Leesville, 205 N. Fifth Street, Leesville (corner of
Hwy 171 and 5th Street. Meal at 5:00 PM followed by meeting.
Sunday, June 22 - District 10
Saturday, June 28 - District 17
Sunday, June 29 - District 16
Saturday,
July 26
- Saturday - District 9 - Many Lodge, Many. Dinner at 5 PM and Meeting at 6:00
PM. Directions: Travel south on Hwy 171. You will see Byles Tractor
Company on your left. You will turn left on Trace St. Lodge will be
on your left. Travel North on Hwy
171. You will see McDonalds on the left - just past that, watch for Trace
St. Turn right on Trace Street- Lodge will be on your left. Kathy Warmack, DDGM. 318-256-5732
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
I
would like to address the provision in the Chapter Objectives that states at
least one member must take the proficiency test to qualify for the Award of Excellence. I am aware that there are some chapters that
will not have anyone that can take the proficiency test this year. If your chapter falls into this category,
they must contact me immediately to inform me of this. I will waive this one requirement, but they
will need to do the following: They will
have to hold a practice of all the Ritualistic work once a quarter at a time
other than their regularly scheduled meeting.
I will need to know what chapters will be participating in this
substitution requirement by May 31, 2008.
I will not accept this substitution from any chapter after this
date. I would like for all chapters to
be able to receive the Award of Excellence.
Thank
you, Juanita Wilkinson, WGM
APPRECIATION
Through the
courtesy of our Worthy Grand Matron, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for every courtesy extended
to me at our Grand Chapter Session. I commend Sister Diane Smith, PGM, and
Brother Roy Bankston, PGP, for a job well done. My wish for Sister Juanita
Wilkinson, WGM, and Brother Merton Mestler, WGP, is for a successful year.
My Love and
Friendship, Harles I. Creech, PMWGP, and PGP of Louisiana
Dear
Sisters and Brothers,
On
behalf of the Louisiana Rainbow assemblies, we thank you for your generous
support of Rainbow. Each assembly was presented with their portion of
your gift, and will use it to help their girls defray expenses in attending
Grand and Supreme Assembly this year. We sincerely regret that we
could not be with you during the informal opening. We are thankful that
our illness was short lived and we were able to return to work by the end of
the week. Thank you to Sister Geneva Dolph, member of the State Executive
Committee for graciously stepping in for us. Thanks also go to Sister
Linn McNary for accepting the presentation of a Rainbow flag from Louisiana
Grand Assembly to Grand Chapter.
Again,
thank you for your wonderful support. Please join us at Louisiana Grand
Assembly's informal opening Thursday, June 12, 2008, 7 pm at the Best Western
Inn, Suites and Conference Center on McArthur Drive in Alexandria.
With Rainbow and Star love, Cindy Clark,
Supreme Deputy in Louisiana and Mallory Clark, GWA
Grand
Chapter would like to thank Ms. Cindy Clark, Supreme Deputy, and Louisiana Rainbow
Grand Assembly for the beautiful Rainbow Girl flag that they presented to LA
Grand Chapter at the recent Grand Chapter session. It is a wonderful
addition to our flag collection. We look forward to presenting it at each
Grand Chapter Session. Rainbow Girls are a great part of our fraternal
family and many have joined Eastern Star! Be sure and call on them when
you need help in your local Chapters.
Juanita Wilkinson, Worthy Grand Matron
DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 3 - The Administrative Workshop (a joint effort of Law and Finance) will
be at Natchitoches #13 from 10:00 am until noon. Everyone will be on
their own for lunch since it will not be served at the meeting. Attendance
at one of the Administrative Workshops is a requirement for a Chapter to
receive the Award of Excellence. A
workshop is scheduled for October 4th in the Southern Section.
June 12, 13 - Rainbow Grand Assembly, Alexandria (See Above)
July 18 and 19 – Eight State Exchange
Visit – “Rolling on the Red”, Shreveport Convention Center and Hilton Hotel,
Shreveport.
August 8–10 – Pilgrimage to the
International Peace Garden Chapel situated on the international border between
Manitoba, Canada and North Dakota. If you would like a copy of the proposed
schedule and registration form, contact the Grand Secretary.
Special Donation Fund
For
those of you who are not aware, our Sister Darlene Lennard, Shongaloo #177, was
diagnosed last year with an inoperable malignant brain tumor. Please continue to keep Darlene and her
family in your prayers. Her family is
in dire financial straits and she requires constant care. A special “donation
fund” has been opened and if anyone would like to contribute, please forward as
follows:
Darlene Lennard Fund (Acct.
#1949810), Citizens Bank & Trust
106 So. Main St., Springhill,
LA. 71075 (You will receive an acknowledgement from the bank)
FROM THE DESK OF THE GRAND SECRETARY:
Please
check out our new website - I think you will enjoy the visit. www.laoes.org
Place your orders for the 2008/2009 Roster at your
earliest opportunity.
To
Our Chapter Secretaries - Thank you for all your hard work - Administrative
Professional Day (Secretaries Day!) on April 23.
Fraternally,
Terrie
C. Castay, PGM
Grand
Secretary