Sixty-Ninth Annual Session of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin Civic Auditorium Milwaukee, Wisconsin October 6, 7, 8, 1959 Galaxy of Stars

Theme: Love One Another

Motto: To Love is to Live

The life that goes out in love to all is the life that is full, radiant and continually expanding in beauty and in power.

The session opened at 1:00 P.M. with an organ recital by Brother Fred Clitheroe, Former Grand Organist and member of Kenosha Chapter No. 92.

Galaxy of Stars in huge silver letters shone impressively on the red velvet curtained background.

As the curtains parted, snow capped mountain peaks and heather covered mountain sides were clearly discernible beneath the bright galaxy of stars and the illuminated Eastern Star in the heavens, bringing to mind the scriptural passage “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills”. To the left of the scene clearly depicted on a mountain side was the theme of the year, “Let Us Love One Another.”

The colors used in the decorations of the auditorium were pink, green, and silver. A huge basket of pink mums graced the foot of the stairway to the Grand East. Plants of white mums and potted palms adorned the Grand East. Illuminated standards filled with huckleberry foliage interspersed with colored stars backed each Star Point Station. Pink roses decorated the white fence which outlined the Grand Chapter room floor. Standards of foliage with silver stars at other stations completed the setting.

The grand pages in pink lace dresses, carrying corsages of pink roses and heather, outlined with green nylon net and streamers, backed by a glittering silver entered the Grand Chapter room followed by the Grand Ushers and Grand Usherettes. The Grand Usherettes were attired in green lace dresses and carried similar corsages with pink streamers. A rose was formed with the pink dresses of the Grand Pages representing the flower, the Grand Usherettes in their green dresses the leaves, and the Grand ushers in black forming the stem. As they stood in this formation, “Only a Rose” was song.

Sister Sayda S. Pettersen, Right Worthy Associate Grand Conductress of the General Grand Chapter and Past Grand Matron of Wisconsin was presented. “I Love You Truly” was played during the presentation.

Sister Sayda: I did not want to break a record of twenty-eight consecutive years of attending this Grand Chapter Session. Therefore it is a joy to come.

Tuesday Evening: Nineteen recipients received the Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership. In total, 32 awards of $300 each were presented.

Worthy Grand Matron: Attended Iowa Grand Chapter and Minnesota Grand Chapter. On June 13, traveled to Rhinelander to partake and enjoy the hospitality of Mabel Chapter for their 50th Anniversary.

32 Official Visits: To witness the enthusiasm with which the Chapters are working to keep our ritualistic work up to the standard of excellence that is typical of Wisconsin was encouraging and heart warming. As pictures on a wall, the memories of my evening with you all will be looked back upon with pleasure.

To my Racine Chapter, how does one express in words what they feel in their hearts for all the loyalty, love and devotion that has been given to me by my own Racine Chapter. Through these five years of my service to the Grand Chapter you have done everything possible to make them happy and successful for me.

Worthy Grand Patron: One of the beautiful compensations of life is that no one can sincerely try to help another without uplifting or bettering himself. No matter where I have traveled throughout the state I have been helped and encouraged by the members I have had the pleasure of meeting.

Masonic Home Cheer: $3,827.58 (including $418.91 for the Christmas Party). Seven table radios and forty two overbed tables for the hospital. Articles contributed by chapters: jam, jelly, candy, tray favors, cookies, books, fruit, magazine subscriptions, honey, flag, stamps, napkins, tablecloths, stationary, decorations, clothing, slippers, ice cream, suppers, wrapped gifts, bibs, wash cloths and entertainment.

ESTARL awards $9,600

Contributions for the International Temple Fund: $1,490.35

Grand Lecturer, Ruth L. Steffen: I felt comfort in knowing wherever I went during this year, loved ones, sisters and brothers united by the ties of fraternalism of our Order, went with me.

Our work provides for play and sociability which is fun, for self improvement which is satisfying in this “push button” age and a chance to be of service to others which is rewarding.

The Grand Lecturer had 26 Official Visits. Afternoon schools of instruction were optional in the chapters. Full schools were requested in 149 chapters. Partial schools were conducted in 40 and individual help given in 33.

59,277 Members