Melody of the Stars Session 78th Annual Session Grand Chapter of Wisconsin Order of the Eastern Star Civic Auditorium Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 24, 25 and 26, 1968

Above the East, written across a musical staff, were the words “MELODY OF THE STARS. The curtain parted to display a setting of simplicity, beauty and dignity. Three large stars were suspended in the East with a gold grand piano resting on an open red rose in the background as though the Melody of the Stars came from the instrument.
     

On the central star of green was a Bible whose pages were open to the verse – The Lord is my strength and my song”. To the left of this star was another of white holding our American flag, floating free in the breeze. The star to the right was red and had our Eastern Star signet, complete with all emblems.
     

The aim of the Melody of the Stars was to create Unity through Faith, Loyalty and Love of all three—Our God, our Country and our Star. “Behold! How wonderful it is when brethren dwell together in unity.”

The Chapter Room was outlined by white, star-shaped posts connected with a white rope. Two large red roses decorated each of the lighted posts. The entrances were designated by musical staffs bearing notes and curving up to a star-post as though the music rose to the stars. Behind the stations in the North, South and West were large, open stars painted the emblematic colors with a map of Wisconsin in the center of each star and the words “We like it here” across it. On a scroll from the red point to the blue point of the star was the motto “The Strength of Our Star is You.”

Directly behind the Chaplain and Marshal stations were large red roses climbing on a white lattice from the chapter floor to the edge of the stage. This joined a staff of musical notes on either side of the steps and extended the length of the stage. The area between the two stairways from stage level to the floor was banked with green plants. A small lighted church at floor level emphasized the importance of the first Star.

Each Star Point station was bathed in a star-shaped spotlight. Behind each chair was a white planter filled with chrysanthemums – the appropriate color of the point. The planter was decorated with a musical staff the notes climbing to a star – the color of the station. Each star point had its own melody – a melody of fidelity, constancy, loyalty, faith and love.

As the curtains parted, a large perky bluebird, on a branch of pink apple blossoms, was prominently displayed in the East, the symbol of the “Happiness Session:. In the background, a picture of peace, a white church stood in a grove of pine trees.

A large basket of white mums graced the stairway and potted mum plants across the East added to its beauty. Pillars topped with birdhouses joined the white picket fence which encircled the Chapter room. Arched trellises, entwined with pink apple blossoms, provided a picturesque entrance for distinguished guests.

Augmented by spotlights, suspended from the ceiling of the auditorium, right-angled simulated brick flower boxes filled with white mums framed each Star Point station. The floor was covered with the traditional white carpet.

SPECIAL PROJECT: Donations to ESTARL, Wisconsin Eastern Star Foundation and purchased slicers and bean sprayer for Masonic Home kitchen.

Number of Chapters 260
Total Membership 51,101