World Harmony 60th Annual Session Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star State of Wisconsin September 26, 27, 28, 1950

The room darkened and Mary Nevery of Boston, Massachusetts opened the prologue; A World in tune by singing “Let All My Life Be Music.” This was followed by a voice in the background saying, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep….And God said “Let there be light, and there was light.”

The house lights brightened and the curtains slowly parted. Against a wooded background, two large white Doric columns entwined in climbing vine were flanked by the United Nations Flags behind a low white picket fence. To the right was a golden harp and at the extreme left there was a low green hill on whose crest there stood a replica of the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. On the floor in front of and between the stairs leading to the East was a golden plant stand in the shape of a huge viola and at either side of the steps were lacey white wire frames in the center of which was a lyre adorned with a large ribbon bow. Similar frames formed a background for the West. Huge baskets of flowers in appropriate colors were behind the Star Point chairs and small palms and a profusion of flowers completed the overall decoration.

As reading from the Bible continued, white robed angels entered and took positions on either side of the hill on which rested the Ten Commandments. The Angels turned slowly toward the Ten Commandments, raised their arms, and Angel Singer Dorothy Dehnell, Wausau sang “the Ten Commandments.”

Various groups of people representing different nations entered in separate groups, took their places beside the flag of their country and sang or played some native melody. The Bible Bearer entered from the West and placed the Bible on the altar while representatives from each nation on the stage formed a circle outside the labyrinth to watch her. The people moved to the East and mingled in a friendly spirits and then sang “this is My Father’s World.”

Twenty-five Grand Pages in gowns of soft pink organza with tucked skirts and long matching mitts entered the Grand Chapter room from the East and in simple formation took their respective stations.

The Grand Officers in full skirted gowns of soft blue crepe with beaded tops, each wearing a spray of pink carnations in her hair entered in regular formation. Myrtle Harland was in line as Grand Electa in place of Arleen Larson who had been called away by the serious illness of her mother.

During the exemplification of the taking of the pass a vocal duet “the Guiding Light” was sung by Sisters Lorraine Graffenauer and Winifred Stewart of Electa Chapter.

Worthy Grand Matron:

Our concern is deep when we realize that the whole world is in a state of confusion and that the fear of war hangs over us. Surely the ills of the world must reflect the ills of the individuals within it. As Eastern Stars, let us search for the cure; let us perfect one small part of that great symphony by striving to live harmoniously with ourselves, with members of our families, with our next door neighbors, with all in this great fraternal order – Let us have peace!

The symphony is as yet unfinished – but the beauty of its theme must and will leave forever. May mankind someday write the perfect ending!

Letter re Programs:

It is my earnest desire to publish sometime during the coming spring a book of original program source material for the use of all chapters in Wisconsin. Many beautiful and impressive ceremonies have been written by our chapter members and I know they could be used to a good advantage by other chapters if they were available. (Examples: Programs for 50 year members, Memorial Services, Obligation ceremonies, Officers nights, patriotic nights, Friends Night, etc. to be sent to Mrs. Thomas F. Ransdell, Monroe).

October 10-12, I attended the Grand Chapter in Missouri at St. Louis. October 4, I attended the Illinois Grand Chapter. October 25-27, I thoroughly enjoyed the Iowa Grand Chapter. I attended Minnesota Grand Chapter. Wisconsin was well represented with nine Grand Officers and Sister Sayda Pettersen, Worthy Grand Marshal.

There is something so special, so significant about a Golden Anniversary. It means much more than the mere fact that a chapter has been in existence 50 years. To me it means that in those years there were failures, discouragements, difficulties and hard work. It means that there was a large measure of patience and understanding, deep loyalty to ideals and high courage. Without these, no chapter could live and prosper for 50 years.

It was my privilege to attend the golden anniversaries of Argyle, Plymouth and Wisconsin Dells Chapters. I was unable to accept the invitation of Ellsworth.

I will always remember the impressive manner in which Brother LaVasseur of Argyle gave the 23rd Psalm in the obligation service and the evident pleasure written on the faces of the charter members as they received their life membership certificates.

Brother Win Eldridge of Plymouth, Past Grand Patron had the pleasant duty of presenting the Life Memberships in his Chapter while many of the present Grand Family looked on.

I shall long keep in mind the picture of the little lady in green as she sat at the organ in Wisconsin Dells Chapter playing for the amusing enactment of the old ritual at their Golden Anniversary. We have come a long way.

September 29, my year started with a delightful party given by the Milwaukee County Clubs in honor of the Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron. October 15, Worthy Grand Matron’s Party given by St. Omar Chapter, Monroe. My home chapter worked long and hard on preparations for the party in my honor. The entire community cooperated in the “From Bach to Berlin” musical program. I shall forever be indebted to my home chapter for its enthusiastic and wholehearted support of all my Grand Chapter activities. October 16, My husband and I had the happy privilege of entertaining 250 guests at breakfast at the Masonic Temple, Monroe. The breakfast was served by my home chapter. One of the features reflecting the local Swiss atmosphere was the serving of fassnakuechli and bratzles by waitresses in authentic Swiss costumes.

November 8, on friends Night at Stoughton we were presented violet earrings, which were made by Sister Jennie Jasensky, Worthy Matron. The violet is our State Flower. November 28, Special Evening honoring our Grand Chaplain, Sister Marie Birr at Acadia Chapter, Milwaukee. April 22, Party given by Oriental Chapter, Oshkosh in honor of Sister Ruth Taube. June 3, Party for Sister Dorothy Krostue, Grand Esther, given by Glenwood City Chapter. June 10, Party honoring Norma Cass, Grand Martha, given by Phoenix Chapter, Beloit. June 12, Another of the outstanding events of the year was the one sponsored by my home chapter. The Grand Officers exemplified the initiatory work. Many will long remember their journey home in the severe storm which followed the meeting. June 15, I could not accept the invitation of Honor Chapter of Sturgeon Bay to attend its 60th anniversary for which I was truly sorry.

It was my privilege to officially visit 65 chapters during this “World Harmony” year. I will long cherish the memories of the pleasant hours spent in these chapters and can never fully express my appreciation for the many kindnesses and the hospitality shown me.

Worthy Grand Patron:

Longfellow once said, “Man is unjust, but God is just; and finally justice triumphs.”

Just a year ago we decided that this session would be called our World Harmony Session. Since then, hostilities have begun in Korea and, with the threat of a third world war hanging over us, World Harmony is far from becoming a reality. But don’t these unsettled conditions offer a challenge to the members of our Order – a challenge to strive even harder to illustrate in our lives the lessons taught by the heroines of our Order? Could we but show this restless world that peace and harmony prevail where there is fidelity; where there is a strong faith in God; where there is an unselfish and unfailing love for others – then justice, in the form of World Harmony, might finally triumph.

An accounting of my three years in the Grand Chapter shows that I have attended 65 inspections, 30 receptions, 15 installations, 2 golden anniversaries, and Honor Chapter’s 60th; and 40 other nights including Friends nights, advance nights, etc. My only other visits were on May 3-5 when I took my first plane ride and flew to St. Paul for the Minnesota Grand Chapter. In August 1949, my wife, Helen, and I journeyed to Toronto, Canada where I was a delegate at the General Grand Chapter.

WGP recommended that subordinate chapters be required to pay per capita tax on their life members because the number of life members was increasing rapidly resulting in considerable loss of revenue to the Grand Chapter. Approved.

He also suggested at some future date when the Red Book was revised that the Associate Patron become the Standard (flag) Bearer.

Margaret Jones, Grand Lecturer:

I shall always cherish the memory of the delightful evenings spent in the many chapters I visited for they were the result of much planning and preparation. Your cordial welcomes, the novel ideas used to decorate tables for the many dinners, breakfasts and luncheons and above all the friendliness of officers and members everywhere convinced me that the finest people are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. 59 Official Visits.

A Star Point Ceremony arranged by Grand Electa in which about 190 Worthy Matrons participated was well received. Each group in the Star Point formation wore appropriately colored shoulder capes. $70,000 is held in the Fund for Hospital Project. It is approved to transfer to the Grand Trustees of the Grand Lodge of the F.& A.M. sufficient money to complete this project.

Grand Treasurer: $12,994.34 paid out for welfare purposes or transferred to the Grand Trustees for similar funds. $12,500 contributed to Masonic Home for maintenance and special projects for residents.

Masonic Home: magazines, newspapers, Thanksgiving treat, duplicator and paper, toiletries, glasses, stamps, Special church service, Birthday and Easter gifts, Toothpaste and brushes, beauty shop services, equipment parts, bedsides for hospital beds, dishwasher, fan, $250 for French fryer.

270 Chapters

57,220 Members