Fifty-Seventh Annual Session of the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin Civic Auditorium Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 30, October 1, 2, 1947 Good Neighbor Session

Dedicated to Good Neighbors Everywhere, Both at Home and Abroad

“He that showeth mercy is my neighbor.” Luke 10:37

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace.” Romans 14:19

Tuesday, 1:00 P.M. In the dimly lighted Grand Chapter room all eyes focused on the East where the tower of a small white church overlooked a golden harvest field, and behind the small white cross was the deep blue of the sky when all clouds have vanished. A white picket fence with a wrought iron gateway topped by lighted coach lanterns opened on to the field which was bordered by deeply hued evergreen trees. Members of the Dodge County Club, all in white, and carrying lighted white tapes formed a double cross between the altar and the East singing “Send Out Thy Light”, and members of the Waukesha Club circled the cross with golden banners. When they were seated the combined choirs of Milwaukee County Chapters entered singing “When Morning Gilds the Skies.”

The Grand Pages in gowns of a soft golden hue entered to form an escort for the members of the WGM/WGP clubs of Milwaukee County who proceeded to form a glittering emblematic star within the pentagon where the cross had been. During this formation the choir sang, “I Have a Story to Tell to the Nation.”

The Grand Officers gowns were a soft gray-blue. The invocation was delivered by the Reverend Charles A. Parmeter of Sussex Chapter No. 159.

Worthy Grand Matron: May God bless the kindly spirit which prompted each kindly deed. It is the gold of friendship that makes one rich indeed.

Response from Grace Pike, Worthy Matron, Electa Chapter No. 75: As we enter life’s Garden of Fraternity, we scan a golden horizon and see this inscription, “For what have the years to offer but larger floods of love and light, sweeter songs to sing and greater beauty to portray.” In seeking the beautiful amongst life’s pattern of many pathways a road leads to the Order of the Eastern Star and we find that one of its richest teachings is Service to Mankind.

Tuesday Evening: The famous Tripoli Chanters under the direction of Brother E. G. Kappelmann, opened the evening session with a half hour concert which was most enthusiastically received.

Worthy Grand Matron: Our Psalmist tells us “Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” We, of the Americas have been put to a challenge, and until you have become really in actual fact a brother to everyone, brotherhood will not come to pass.

The Masonic Home was filled to capacity. A sun parlor in the hospital unit was transformed into a ward. The serving of meals to such an increased number of patients called for added equipment. $600 was needed to buy one heated serving cart and enough was donated to buy two and an electric dishwasher!

The project for the year was to help the suffering children of our neighboring countries and was endorsed by our Most Worthy Grand Matron, Sister Olga Philip at the Triennial Assembly in Tampa, Florida. In 1932 the United States became a member of “Save the Children Federation, Inc.” This organization was founded at Geneva, Switzerland after the Food Administration, headed by President Herbert Hoover was disbanded and was designed to care for the destitute children of the European Countries, furnishing food, clothing and education to war orphans. Any money a chapter may send can be ear marked as sponsoring a school, sponsoring a child or food, clothing and health services overseas. Please send all contributions to our Grand Sentinel, Howard Tyrer, at Mineral Point.

No joint inspections of chapters were held. Each chapter therefore has had equal help and instruction. Worthy Grand Matron visited 65 chapters. Eleven chapters celebrated Golden Anniversaries.

I recommend we present a State of Wisconsin flag to the General Grand Chapter at the next Triennial Assembly.

Worthy Grand Patron: During the year I made ninety-one visitations to subordinate chapters and other organizations, including 37 inspections, four Golden Anniversaries and seven receptions. I also took part in initiatory work at twelve meetings. Attended the Triennial Session in Tampa, Florida with the Worthy Grand Matron and spouses and visited the International Temple in Washington, D.C. on the trip home.

I recommend a study of the possibility of having the Associate Grand Conductress assist the Uniform Instructions committee in inspecting the subordinate chapters. This will not only familiarize her with her duties ahead but will lighten the work of the other Grand Officers, especially the Worthy Grand Matron so she may devote more time to her many other obligations. (This recommendation was disapproved).

Masonic Home: Many chapters in the vicinity of Dousman have had Afternoons with the guests, bringing food for a Tea and a program that could be enjoyed by all. The home is filled with 125 residents, 46 of which are sponsored by the Star. Free will offerings for Christmas and Easter totaled $1,741.48. The program for Christmas was the chorus from Union Grove and Racine Chapters. Sister Esther Sinn came from Sheboygan to present the exquisite melodies of her whistled selections.

Grand Lecturer, Ethel M. Probert: Be sure and have an advisory committee for new members. (She inspected 85 chapters).

$5,661.35 was donated to the Save the Children Federation Project. Many used their Sunshine money and some took special collections. La Crosse Chapter No. 22 offered the use of the Worthy Matron’s cottage and members were served a sumptuous buffet lunch at a “Silver Picnic”. Martha Washington Chapter No. 124, Green Bay, sent the largest donation to the fund.

Grand Treasurer: Just last month while many of our Grands were helping Rainbow Chapter, Wisconsin Rapids, to celebrate a golden anniversary, three others of us were passing a highly interesting and profitable afternoon and evening at Stoughton where Kegonza Lodge and Venus Chapter were dedicating a new Temple. The fine program was given an unanticipated climax when the Most Worshipful Master was handed the mortgage on that new Temple and asked to burn it. They will enjoy that new home without debt.

To the nearly 500 members of my home chapter, Waukesha No. 55, there’s a bulwark of courage in the knowledge that you ARE friends with whom to share this link of contact with our Grand Chapter. You are priceless treasurer yourselves.

Wednesday evening: All chapter chorus with approximately 450 voices picked singers from every Chapter in the State. In realistic tableau, colorfully and accurately costumed, “The Life of Man,” was compared to chords in music. The key note was man’s birth, the dominant is life and the sub-dominant the end or change when man is resolved again into the beginning. The pageant was directed by Fred Clitheroe, past Grand Organist of Kenosha Chapter No. 92.

Number of Members: 52,258