“Echoes of the Centuries”

Grand Chapter of Louisiana

Order of the Eastern Star

Mary Howell Terrie C. Castay, PGM

Worthy Grand Matron Grand Secretary

203 Grigsby Loop 3211 Hyman Place

Minden, LA 71055-5863 New Orleans, LA 70131-7037

May 2009 – Newsletter

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From the Desk of the Worthy Grand Matron:

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and gardens are being planted. Spring is being very gracious to us. Just as spring brings a newness, we tried something new—the District Proficiency Workshops. This allowed members to practice prior to the District Deputy Grand Matrons’ visits. The workshops have now been completed and the Work and Ritual Committee is to be commended for doing an outstanding job. Thanks to all of the members of Work and Ritual who worked so hard to prepare for these and make them a success. I have received many, many compliments on them. The response in attendance and the positive comments have been most welcomed.

The District Deputy Grand Matron’s visits are almost finished and the Schools of Instructions are beginning. Your continued support for our Order will be displayed as you attend and participate in the schools and Official Visits which begin on May 16, 2009 in District 1.

A total of thirty-eight Louisiana members attended Grand Chapter in Mississippi including fourteen Grand Officers. This was an opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones.

As we honor mothers in the month of May let’s echo the words of Helen Steiner Rice as she penned the following:

MOTHERHOOD
The dearest gifts that heaven holds, The very finest, too,
Were made into one pattern That was perfect, sweet, and true;
The Angels smiled, well-pleased, and said: "Compared to all the others,
This pattern is so wonderful Let's use it just for Mothers!"
And through the years, a Mother Has been all that's sweet and good
For there's one bit of God and love, In all true Motherhood.
~~ Helen Steiner Rice

“Do You Know where your Traveling Gavel is?”

Fraternally,

Mary Howell

Worthy Grand Matron

GRAND REPRESENTATIVE COMMISSIONS:

Iowa – Elizabeth Talley, PM (237), 32637 Hwy 62, Franklin 70438-7769

Saskatchewan – Gail Dupree, PM (252), 29450 Jackson Dr., Lacombe 70445-3962

Texas – Prentice Johnson, PP (53), 105 4^th St., Minden 71055-3439

Utah – Bobby LaCaze, PP (66), P O Box 114, Pioneer 71266-0114

OFFICIAL VISITS

of the Worthy Grand Matron accompanied

by the Worthy Grand Patron and Other Grand Officers

Saturday, May 16, 2009 – DISTRICT 1. Masonic Temple, 105 Creswell Ave., Shreveport. Dinner at 5:00 p.m. Meeting follows. Housing Chairman: Wanda Hagmeyer, PM, 2035 Pepper Ridge Drive, Shreveport 71115. Phone: 318-798-9225. Directions: From I–20 East – Exit Fairfield Ave., turn left, next light turn left again. Go to Creswell Ave, turn right – Go approx. 2 ½ blocks. Lodge on left. Parking in rear. I–49 North – Exit 205 at Kings Hwy, then turn right at 4^th light and then turn left onto Creswell Ave. Masonic Temple on right between Olive St. and Wichita St. Nancy Berry, DDGM.

Sunday, May 17, 2009—DISTRICT 4. Columbia Lodge No. 164, 401 Church, Columbia. Meeting at 2:00 p.m. Light refreshments following the meeting. Housing Chairman: L. V. Frith, PP, 198 Lapine Rd., West Monroe 71292. Phone 318-322-7741. Directions: Heading North on Hwy 165, turn right at 1st traffic light. Landmark is First United Methodist Church on right. Go 2 blocks, lodge is located at end of block on right. Heading South, go over Ouachita River Bridge and turn at 2^nd traffic light to left, go 2 blocks and lodge is on right at end of block. Suzy Butler, DDGM.

Saturday, June 13, 2009—DISTRICT 16. Central Star Chapter No. 23, 11525 Sullivan Rd., Baton Rouge (Central). Dinner at 5:00 p.m. Meeting follows. Housing Chairman: Norma Jenkins, PM, 7057 Landmor Drive, Greenwell Springs, 70739. Phone: 225-261-3258. Directions: From 1-10 in Baton Rouge take the Airport/Harding Blvd Exit. Go East on Harding Blvd. Harding Blvd becomes Hooper Rd. (HWY 408). Proceed about 7 miles to Sullivan Road. Turn Right on Sullivan Road at the light. Lodge Hall is the 3^rd Building on the right. It is a two-story white brick building. It has a chair lift.

From the East Heading West on 1-12, take the Denham Springs exit. Proceed North on Range Avenue. Cross over 190 and go about 4 miles. Turn left at light on HWY 3034 (Burger King on your right and McDonalds on your left). This is Magnolia Bridge Road which becomes Wax Road and Dead-Ends at Sullivan Road. Turn Right on Sullivan Road. Lodge is about 1 mile on the left. Evelyn Blackwell, DDGM.

Sunday, June 14, 2009—DISTRICT 14. Hope Lodge, 105 Carl Street, Lafayette. Refreshments at 1:00 p.m. Meeting follows. Directions:  Take Exit 100 (Ambassador Caffery Parkway) from I-10.  Head south on Ambassador Caffery (LA-3184) and stay to the left after crossing Cameron Street (old Highway 90) for a total of 2.3 miles.  Stay to left at fork where LA-3184 becomes Bertrand Drive / LA 3025, heading towards the Cajundome and University Medical Center.  Travel 0.5 miles, and then turn right onto Rayburn Street, at light immediately after Louisiana Technical College at Lafayette campus. Travel two blocks, then the Lodge will be on the left (metal building) at 105 Carl St.   Additional parking is available at lot across Rayburn St., behind the Technical College campus. If assistance is needed, please contact Lani Smith, DDGM (337-288-5174) or Lonnie Smith, WP (337-278-5142).

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Saturday, May 9, 2009 – 12:00 Noon – LA/TEX Friendship Exchange – “Wishing Well Luncheon.” Savoie’s Catering Place, 2441 E 70^th St., Shreveport. Directions: Casual Dress - No pants for the ladies; Price $26.00. Ticket Chairman: Margaret Ann Taylor, 8932 Acacia Lane, Shreveport 71118. Phone: 318-686-6974. Send SASE. Cut Off Date: May 4, 2009. Chairman: Elizabeth T. Roach, PGM. Directions: From the West: I-20 – Exit Industrial Loop (Turns into Bert Kouns – then E. 70^th) From the East: Exit I-49 South – Exit Bert Kouns, turn left at exit. Go straight – it will turn into E. 70^th St. From the South: Exit right on Bert Kouns, turns into E. 70^th St.

Sunday, May 17 - Come one, Come all !!! Bossier City Chapter is having a Breakfast on Sunday, May 17th from 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. to honor the Grand Officers in District #1 - George W. Barker, WGP; Don Bordelon, AGP; Alma Hatcher, Grand Esther and John McDonald, Grand Warder at Martin McClanahan Lodge located at 714 Benton Road, Bossier City.

Saturday, May 30, 2009 – 1:00 p.m. – AR/LA Friendship Exchange – “Harmony Reunion Luncheon.” Texarkana Masonic Lodge 4102 E. 9^th Street. ATTIRE: Casual (Ladies—dresses or skirts and blouses). Price $20.00. Ticket Chairman: Sylvia McEwen, 4002 Minden Avenue, Texarkana, Arkansas, 71854. Phone: 870-773-4901. Deadline for ticket orders: May 23, 2009. Please send SASE. Directions: From Louisiana, take 245 North; turn right at 9^th Street, which is Highway 82. Drive past first light. Right turn past Dollar General. Dirt drive all the way to the back.

June 11-14 – Rainbow Assembly, NO Airport Hilton Hotel, New Orleans. June 11 - Registration @ 6:00 and 7:00 Informal Opening.

June 26-27 – RIDE THE RIO in San Antonio, Texas — Eight-State Friendship Exchange – Crowne Plaze Riverwalk – 111 Pecan Street, San Antonio, TX 78205. Let’s experience another first this year and WIN THE BANNER at the multi-state.

A Word to the Wise: If you meet someone half way, you have made a worthwhile trip.

GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER – TULSA, OKLAHOMA

The “Council Fires” Forty Sixth Triennial Assembly 2006-2009 will meet on October 30 through November 5, 2009, at the Tulsa Convention Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Brother John McDonald, Grand Warder, 585 Wells Rd., Haughton, 71037-7390, has been appointed Louisiana Chairman of Housing for General Grand Chapter. All members who are attending please let Brother John know. We need this information. Sister Linda Lamkin, PGM, has been appointed Chairman of Hospitality for General Grand Chapter.

If you would like to receive a copy of the Tentative Program for the “Council Fires” 46^th Triennial Assembly, please contact the Grand Secretary. If you have access to the internet, this information is also available at www.GGC2009.com/.

Brother Harles I. Creech, P.M.W.G.P., and G.G.C.C.M.’s, Sisters Audrey Barker, Jane McDaniel, Jean Smith and Brothers Gwayne Denham and James Premeaux will be honored at General Grand Chapter. If you and your chapter wish to participate in a voluntary love gift to these Louisiana members, please send your contribution to the Grand Secretary.

Disposition of Resolutions Grand Chapter 2009

The previous newsletter has an error in the Disposition of Resolutions. It stated Resolution No. 3 (Carried over from 2008 Session) – Adopted. It should have read Resolution No. 5 (Carried over from 2008 Session) – Adopted.

Resignation - Due to health concerns, Bro Johnnie Hill, PGP, has resigned as Chairman of the Committee on Law & Jurisprudence. Sister Jean Jordan, PGM, 281 Blanchard Rd., Natchitoches 71457-6299 has been appointed to fill this vacancy.

ROSTER CHANGE:

Vesper Chapter #107 - Stated meeting will be held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

Greensburg Chapter No. 158 - Stated meeting will be held on second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

NOTICE TO GRAND REPRESENTATIVES:  If you would like to pay your dues by mail they are $2.00 per year.  Mail your dues and a self-addressed stamped envelope to our new Secretary ---- Alna W. Abbott, PGM, P. O. Box 56, Zachary, LA 70791-0056.  Your card will be returned to you.

Fraternally,

Terrie C. Castay, PGM

Grand Secretary

WEBSITE: www.laoes.org

LETTERS OF INTENT

ASSOCIATE GRAND CONDUCTRESS

21 year member of the Order, holding a second Proficiency, serving my chapter as Worthy Matron (210) 3 times, and currently as secretary (33).   I have been privileged to serve the Grand Chapter as Grand Adah, DDGM, State Chairman and numerous committees.  Your consideration and support are greatly appreciated. 

Signed: Pamela Gill, PM, (Friendship #210 and Pinehurst #33)

180 Harvey Gill Rd., DeRidder 70634-7304

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