Fifty-Ninth Annual Session of the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin Civic Auditorium Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 27, 28, 29, 1949 Dedicated to “Faith, Hope and Love”

Tuesday, 1:00 PM: Entering from either side of the East at floor level, the members of the various clubs formed a black and white cross between the altar and the East, the Pages in gowns of flaming red, entered from the stage to take their places at the center of the cross. Sister Bess Martini of Baraboo Chapter placed the Bible on the altar while a trio sang, “Faith, Hope and Love”. As they sang the curtains in the East parted to reveal the glorious cathedral window that had been used for the installation of the Grand Officers at the close of the 1948 session.

The Grand Officers in gowns of dark green crepe, accented at the throat by red roses, and each wearing a red rose in her hair, entered in regular form. Invocation was delivered by the Rev. Thomas B. Lyter of Acadia Chapter.

Worthy Grand Matron:

“I will have faith that God is still in heaven, I will have faith that He is by my side;
I will have faith though every star is darkened that Faith and Hope and Love abide.”

Visits: October 11 to the Michigan Grand Chapter. October 27 to Iowa Grand Chapter. December 5 to Arkansas Grand Chapter. May 11 to the Minnesota Grand Chapter. I was happy to represent Wisconsin on their program by giving the response to the welcome to distinguished guests.

I attended the Golden Anniversary of Chippewa Chapter No. 112, Chippewa Falls. December 4 Oriental entertained a large gathering at a dinner and reception honoring Sister Ruth Taube, Associate Grand Conductress. March 19 enjoyed the reception for Sister Ethel Krimmer, Grand Martha which Wauwatosa Chapter combined with my official visit. May 7 we gathered with members of Arbutus Chapter, Stevens Point and their guests to honor Brother Otto Skatland, Grand Sentinel.

June 4, Waukesha Chapter entertained on this occasion for Sister Ina J. Reid, who is completing 25 years as Grand Treasurer and 31 years as secretary of her own chapter. They completely surprised Sister Ina by announcing the change of the name of their chapter to the Ina J. Reid Chapter No. 55, Waukesha. My husband and I will always remember this happy event.

June 7 – it was a pleasure to visit our friends at Queen of Sheba, Reedsburg. Brother Howard and I were proud and honored to receive the first honorary memberships ever presented by this chapter. June 11 attended the dinner and reception given by Bristol Chapter honoring Sister Albertine Sorenson, Grand Ruth. June 12 Ozaukee Chapter, Port Washington, honored Sister Beatrice Hoehn, Grand Organist, at a dinner and reception.

August 6 – Brother Maurice and I left for Toronto, Canada, with our Worthy Grand Patron and his wife to attend the Triennial Session of the General Grand Chapter. It was a pleasure to find so many from Wisconsin in attendance.

Believing that each chapter in the state is entitled to a visit from the Worthy Grand Matron, I chose to visit many of our smaller chapters. I was rewarded by the excellent work I found and wish to commend the faithful officers and members who are continuing the work of our Order and making it an organization whose worth is recognized in each community.

65 Official Visits

I recommend that Walworth Chapter which has had much added expense because of a fire in the Masonic Temple, be excused from paying its per capita tax to the Grand Chapter this year.

“The happiest nights I ever know are those when I’ve no place to go.
And we sigh and say when the day is through “tonight we haven’t a thing to do.
Oh, the charm of it and the comfort rare, nothing on earth with it can compare.
And I’m sorry for him who doesn’t know the joy of having no place to go.”

Worthy Grand Patron:

We come as to a large family reunion. We need to set our house in order, to visit, to work and to honor those whose accomplishments merit our appreciation. My three years in Grand Chapter have flown as though on buttered wings.

The Worthy Grand Matron and I appreciated the standing vote taken at our last session when you expressed your desire to co-operate with us in securing funds to be used in enlarging hospital accommodations at the Dousman Home. This was truly in keeping with the tenets of our Order. I wish to thank each chapter who in any way contributed to this project.

It was a rare privilege to have received an Honorary Membership in Honor Chapter No. 1, Sturgeon Bay. It afforded me the distinction of belonging to Masonic Blue Lodge No. 1 and the oldest Eastern Star chapter in the state.

The theme chosen for this year emphasized three virtues, Faith, Hope, and Love. They are vital to the world now as they were in Paul’s day. If we are true followers of His Star we must reaffirm our faith in His teachings. Our faith must be well grounded. We must believe that God’s way is the pattern or order through which all men and nations should work; that through the exercise of prayer we may gain strength for our daily tasks.

We believe that the second great law of Christ, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” should be the rule and guide of our conduct with mankind.

$25,000 was contributed to the fund for the purpose of enlarging the Hospital at the Masonic Home at Dousman.

Per capita tax was raised from 45 cents to 55 cents.

Cheer Fund: Easter Gifts, $120. Birthday Fund, $95. 152 cheery throw rugs for the guest rooms, $416.50. A cash gift of $500 for three additional copies of both the daily and Sunday editions of the Milwaukee Journal and Sentinel, beauty parlor services on a rotated basis, and financing of a regular edition of their own Masonic Home Newspaper.

Chinese Relief: Of the total amount of $70,000 donated, Wisconsin ranked fifth with $4,451.74.

Save the Children Federation (for war stricken areas in Europe): $758.81.

Florence Liessmann, Grand Lecturer:

The silent but ceaseless flight of time has brought me to the end of another year of service as Grand Lecturer. In making official visits about the state this year I was pleased with the high standard of work found in many of our chapters because its attainments are an example of what can be done by cooperation and hard work and what can be accomplished in an organization where there is so much beauty and idealism expressed.

I inspected 73 chapters.

55,932 members
270 Chapters