Sixty-Third Annual Session of the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin Civic Auditorium Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 29, 30, October 1, 1953 Weaving of the Jewel Session

Sister Beatrice Hoehn of Ozaukee Chapter No. 147, Port Washington, convinced the assembled delegation that she was indeed “Grand Organist.”

From the East came the beautiful words that so well expressed the theme of the past year:

“My life is but a weaving between my God and me;
I do not choose the colors, as he works steadily.
At times He weaveth sorrow and I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper and I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the Weavers skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.”

With the assistance of five appropriately dressed Star Points, each bearing the emblem of her station, the reader reviewed the story of each so that all might judge if they were worthy of holding the place of honor given them in our Order.

When the Bible was in place, the song of signs was sung. Guardian Angels from the East who had heralded the approach of our heroines wove a golden ribbon pentagon around the central Star, as “Star of the East,” was sung. The curtains in the East slowly parted as all participants left the floor and there came into view a huge replica of the Jewel worn by the Officers of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Wisconsin.

“Weaving of the Jewel” was written and arranged by Dorothy Marshall, Alpha Chapter No. 114, Argyle. The soloist was Annice Thulin, Miriam Chapter No. 15, Platteville.

On the floor in the southeast corner of the room there stood the loom upon which rested the finished tapestry, our Star in all its glorious colors.

Myriads of tiny pink roses suspended from square white posts flanked the room on North and South and a profusion of flowers at every station had turned the auditorium floor into a delightful garden that could be entered through trellised gateways in the northeast and southeast corners of the room.

The beauty of the setting was enhanced by the entrance of the Grand Officers in bouffant gowns of dusty rose nylon net and satin, and in their hair, the dazzling glint of Star dust.

In lovely gowns of ice blue net, tresses aglow with Star dust, the Grand Pages entered carrying dainty fans on which sparkled the word “Jewel”. They formed a Star around the Altar and the Grand Ushers entered to form the Square and Compass around the Star.

WGM’s welcome to her LaFayette County Club:

“A golden year you have given me with each day a shining hue.
On Memory’s walls there are pictures fair, they were shown to me by you.
Of records and tasks that have been performed, duties and pleasures too.
Your friendship, and kindness and deeds of love will ever treasured be.
And the future will hold only pleasant thoughts of the years you have given me.”

Response from Sister Dorothy Marshall, PM, Alpha Chapter No. 114, Argyle.

“We know that you are weary, so rest a little bit.
Just find a quiet corner, and fold your hands and sit.
Do not let the trials that have been with you all these days
Haunt this quiet corner; drive them all away!
Soon you’ll feel so rested, glad you stopped a bit,
In this quiet corner to fold your hands and sit.”

Response from Clarice L. Kline, WM, Ina J. Reid Chapter No. 55, Waukesha:

The high standards you set have challenged each of us, and the loving friendship you offered us has warmed our hearts. We will always cherish the associations of this year and we shall never forget.

“Into my heart’s treasury I slipped a coin
That time cannot take nor a thief purloin.
O better than the minting of a gold crowned king
Is the safe-kept memory of a lovely thing.”

Tuesday Evening: Soloist for the evening was Sister Edith Miller, Sheboygan Chapter No. 139.

Worthy Grand Matron:

The ten appointive Grand Officers have been the “Bluebirds of Happiness”…I hope that each of you received much pleasure as you have fulfilled your duties, for you have served well.

From correspondence: The project to be carried on by our chapters will be the continuation of last year’s project…the connecting link between the home and hospital at Dousman. We will incorporate in the connecting link or breezeway a chapel which will at some future date relieve the present chapel to be made into additional rooms to accommodate the waiting list of guests for the home.

By later correspondence it was revealed that the Masons had voted not to do a breezeway at this time, so a resolution was brought to transfer the funds collected to the foundation fund.

The WGM had 63 official visits.

It was a pleasure to be in attendance at the dedication of the new wing of the hospital at Dousman. Much credit is due the chapters of Wisconsin who participated in this project, raising the funds in two years instead of three which was originally planned.

Christmas Party: Brother Oliver Smith acted as the organ grinder and with his live monkey, Chita, entertained the guests at the home.

General Grand Chapter Assembly convened in Milwaukee on October 12 to 17.

WGM also attended Grand Chapters in Tennessee and Minnesota. Party honoring Sister Edith Anderson, Grand Martha, Kilbourn Chapter, Wisconsin Dells. Party honoring Sister Ruth Steffen, Grand Conductress, Burlington Chapter, Burlington. Friends Night at Shullsburg Chapter. Party honoring Sister Lucille Harpke, Associate Grand Conductress at Golden Rule. School of instruction was held at WGM’s home in Darlington. Party for Sister Ina Reid and her sister Elsie when they received their Life Membership. Party honoring Sister Betty Wegenke, Grand Adah, at Fidelity Chapter No. 94, Appleton. Grand officers initiated two candidates at Dodgeville Chapter. Party in evening gown given in honor of Sister Dorothy Sowls, Grand Marshal, by Miriam Chapter, Platteville.

The General Grand Chapter adopted a change this year where the sentinel was to be invited into the chapter room to ballot. WGM also made a recommendation that an Inspection Report System be set up to create a record of past years official visits.

“If we keep the face of our Savior forever and always in sight,
Our toil is sure to be sweeter, and our weaving is sure to be right.
Then when the weaving is finished, and the pattern turned for all to see,
Our glorious Star in its colors, will shine on eternally.

Turning Back the Clock: a ceremony was presented to honor past grand matrons and patrons who have served 25 years or more in the OES.

Worthy Grand Patron: Sister Mary and I have enjoyed many fine experiences this past year, but I know none can surpass the news last month of the cessation of hostilities in the Far East.

We of the Masonic Order and the Order of the Eastern Star have a grave challenge to meet in this world today. Are we going to give our whole-hearted support to such worthwhile youth organizations as Job’s Daughters, Rainbow for Girls, and Order of DeMolay; or are we going to let comic books and delinquency take over our youth of today, which represents our future of tomorrow?

(He also goes on to say that to overcome the lure of radios and moving pictures we must make our meetings educational, instructive and entertaining.)

I attended 56 official visits, 20 installations of officers where I served as guest patron at 9 and installing patron at 5 and installing marshal at another. I attended one 60th, one 58th, 5 golden and 2 silver anniversaries and numerous receptions and friends’ nights.

WGP attended Grand Chapters in Florida, Minnesota, and Illinois.

It was indeed a significant occasion to be a member of the Grand Family and to be listed as such in the papers deposited in the strong box that was placed in the cornerstone of the hospital addition at Dousman.

I recommend that because of the increased costs annually in the upkeep…Eastern Star’s annual contribution toward the budget of the Home…be raised to $10,000.

Wednesday: Brother Phill Krimmer, Wauwatosa Chapter was the vocal soloist as the Grand Conductress attended at the Altar.

The worthy matrons and worthy patrons of subordinate chapters were presented and formed a gigantic star on the auditorium floor. While in the star formation they were welcomed by the WGM and WGP.

Response by Florence Nelson, WM, Union Grove Chapter.

Response by Thomas Black, WP, Shullsburg Chapter. From the words of Dr. John Holland: Each of us is a weaver at the loom of life, putting together the sum total of our experiences into a fabric we call character…you and I, weavers all, try to fill in the pattern which Almighty God sets for each life. So, we go on until the work is done. Happy and blessed will we be, if at the end of it all, we can say with our Master, “I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do.

Grand Secretary: Total contributions to the breezeway fund are $12,352.27.

Cheer fund disbursements: $248.80, birthday gifts, and $289.87, curtains for the dining room.

Grand Lecturer: A friendly spirit is a priceless thing and most of our chapters in Wisconsin are rich in its possession. GL visited 30 chapters and when she became ill, 36 chapters were visited by PGM’s.

271 Chapters
59,602 members (an increase of 579 members over last year).