Sixty-Seventh Annual Session of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 24, 25 and 26, 1957 Light and Love Session

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Light and Love in huge white letters shone impressively on the red curtained background. The center of the auditorium floor was covered with a white cloth. White fences entwined with red roses, red rose trees and lighted lamp posts formed the setting for the Grand Chapter floor. A beautiful cloth covered the altar. Behind each star point chair was a silver urn of red roses.

The Grand Officers were gowned in white satin trimmed with red, each wearing a white orchid.

Presentation of Guide Dog:

Worthy Grand Matron: Sister Grand Conductress you will retire and escort our friend Karen Schmidlkofer to our altar. On the first occasion when I came to your school to meet you, you and your brother were then at the Masonic Temple giving a musical program….Sister Grand Conductress you will escort Mr. Aaby and Stormy into our chapter room. Karen, it is with a great deal of pride and pleasure that on behalf of the Grand Chapter of Wisconsin OES I present Stormy to you to be your faithful companion. Also, the generosity of our subordinate chapter members makes it possible for me to present you with this check which will help Stormy pay her own expenses. May God bless both of you. And now I have the pleasure to introduce Mr. Sam Aaby, the owner and director of the Double A guide Dog Training Center. Thank you, Mr. Aaby, for working with us on this project and providing such a beautiful, well trained dog for Karen’s use. Also, I wish to present to you this check which is the amount over and above the cost of Stormy and is to be used to provide light to some other deserving person.

Karen and her mother expressed their appreciation to the members of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Through this gift of a guide dog Karen will be helped to live an independent life as she studies music at Lawrence College, Appleton.
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As the perfume of a beautiful flower lingers in the air long after the flower is gone, so your interesting meetings, your loving thoughts and wishes, as well as your devoted interest and enthusiasm in letting your light shine for others lingers in my memory. (The WGM had 29 official visits).

I recommend that because of the loss sustained by fire in Baraboo Chapter of both equipment and their Temple that we refund their 1957 per capita tax.

(At the Christmas Party at the Masonic Home) into the room came the drill team of Miriam Chapter (Platteville) to present their Christmas specialty. As they performed, the guests of the home kept time with their feet to the marching of the wooden soldiers swayed back and forth to the rhythm of the “Skater’s Waltz” and enjoyed the color and maneuvers of the snow men. Their faces revealed the pleasure that was theirs as the members of the drill team formed the Christmas Tree and sang the familiar “O Tannenbaum.”

June 1 I attended the Golden Anniversary of Twilight Chapter, Sun Prairie.

To the members of my home chapter, Miriam, Platteville, there is so much to thank you for that it is difficult to express what I feel. Never has a Grand Matron enjoyed more loyalty or cooperation than has been shown me and nothing that lay in your power to do was left undone. You have made possible a beautiful year for our entire Grand Family and I am proud and thankful just to be a member of such an outstanding Chapter.

Worthy Grand Patron: On April 24 the Grand Chapter Officers exemplified the initiatory work at Platteville. We were royally entertained. August 25 the annual Masonic Picnic and program was held at New Diggings at which we were their guests. On June 18, at the request of the WGM I was pleased to present a grand representative commission to Sister Mabel Roberts, a very deserving and active member of our chapter. Thank you, Sister Dorothy, for this honor to her and our chapter.

During the past year I attended 36 regular chapter meetings, eight installations, 17 inspections, 17 parties, 18 club meetings, 9 home board meetings as well as many hospital calls.

Wednesday Evening, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” Pageant, written and arranged by Marie Van Matre, PM, Miriam Chapter, Platteville.

Grand Lecturer: Into the tapestry of time has been woven the records of another year of happy service for me. It is with a heart full of gratitude that I part the curtains of Time and review for you the days which I have been permitted to travel the Highways of Happiness to all sections of our beautiful state and serve the membership of Wisconsin Grand Chapter to the best of my ability. Some of the most beautiful memories painted in colors which will never fade are of my official visitations to our subordinate chapters. (GL had 29 Official Visits.)

Masonic Home Cheer Fund: $418.98 for Christmas Party, $218.33 for other. Chapters contributed Fannie May candy, Valentine’s Day program and supper, 130 May baskets with candy, favors for Mother’s Day, bag snacks, picnic suppers in June, bibs, napkins, table covers, and birthday cards.

ESTARL awards $6,600

International Temple Fund: $1,941.15

Guide Dog $1,450, board and expenses for Stormy $482.04, remainder to Mr. S. Aaby, Double A Guide Dog Training School $1,136.99

59,949 Members