MUSIC OF THE STARS

Grand Chapter of Louisiana

Order of the Eastern Star

Jane McDaniel Terrie C. Castay, PGM

Worthy Grand Matron Grand Secretary

2625 Riverside Drive 3211 Hyman Place

Port Allen, La. 70767 New Orleans, LA 70131-7037

February 2007 Newsletter

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Dear Sisters and Brothers:

As we diligently prepare for our “Music of the Stars” Grand Chapter Session, I hope that you have made your plans and are looking forward to an exciting session with the Official Visit of Barbara Benton, Most Worthy Grand Matron and Bill Owens, Most Worthy Grand Patron.

My schedule for January was lighter and I was able to have my elbow surgery. It was a successful procedure and my arm is getting stronger every day. Thank you for your prayers, phone calls and cards. We have a lot of illness and sorrow all over the state. Please keep those people in your thoughts and prayers.

Day to Day

“There’s a bit to do today,

There’s a bit to do tomorrow;

A brother is in distress,

A sister is in sorrow.

So do your part from day to day,

Just help to make them smile;

And all the world will soon surmise

Our Order is worthwhile.”

(Taken from the Deputy Book of Sister Sue Cromwell, PGM)

Grandma used to say “Act as everything depended upon you, and pray as if everything depended upon God.” Remember to “Keep a Song in your Heart and a Smile on your Face”.

Fraternally,

Jane McDaniel

Worthy Grand Matron

Grand Representative Appointments

Massachusetts – Elaine King, PM (10) - 116 Wilderness, Boyce 71409

Florida – Christine Andres, PM (115) - 1129 N. General Pershing Dr., Hammond 70401

Kansas – Emmitt Calvert, PP (108) - 1645 Duchess, Baton Rouge 70815

South Dakota – Viola Jones, PM (121), P.O. Box 172, Brusly 70719

VISIONQUEST CONFERENCES

This is a Chapter Goal and Objective. If you attended the Alexandria Conference in April, you need not attend, but are certainly invited to hear some great new ideas for growing your chapter.

Sister Audrey Barker, PGM and Visionquest Committee Member, has planned the Northern Section Conference to be held on February 3, 2007 from 1:00-4:00 P.M. at Bossier City Chapter No 175. The Southern Section Conference, coordinated by Lynn Bankston, PGM, will be held at Star of Baker Chapter No. 234 on February 10, 2007 from 9:00 -12:00 A.M.

The “First Pow Wow” General Grand Chapter Banquet

The membership is invited to attend the “First Pow Wow” General Grand Chapter Banquet honoring Jane McDaniel, WGM, Choir Director; Richard Shaw, WGP; Harles I. Creech, PMWGP; Jean Smith, PGM, Shriners Hospital; Audrey Barker, PGM, Visionquest; Gwayne Denham, PGP, International Peace Garden; James Premeaux, PGP, Membership and Faye McDowell, Friends of a Feather, on Saturday, February 24, 2007, 6:00 P.M. at the Best Western on McArthur Drive, Alexandria. Ticket Cost - $22.00 (include SASE) - Deadline Feb. 18, 2007; Joye Denny, PGM, Chairman; Fran Slay, PM – Ticket Chairman, 110 Rollingwood Drive, Natchez, MS 39120 ***A special announcement of the 2007/2008 Grand Family will be made.

PROJECT INFORMATION AND DEADLINES

January 30, 2007 – Chapter report to District Chairman

February 15, 2007 – District Report to State Chairman

All project money is due to the Grand Secretary no later than January 30, 2007. You may continue to raise money for our Special Projects, but the advance reports will only reflect the January 30 deadline.

March 1, 2007 – Chapter Award of Excellence due to Worthy Grand Matron. (This deadline has been

extended in order for Chapters to a attend the Vision Conferences in February).

Tabs for Ronald McDonald House should be brought to Grand Chapter and labeled with Chapter Name and Number.

We will continue the WGM & WGP Penny Collection through Tuesday, March 27 at Grand Chapter. The winner will be announced at the close of the Wednesday morning session.

WORK AND RITUAL

The Floor Work Test is ready for the 2007/2008 Deputies to take. If you hold a current Proficiency Certificate, it is not necessary to take this test. We encourage all members to achieve this goal.

INVITATIONS

District 15 cordially invites you to attend a TEA honoring Jane McDaniel, WGM; Richard Shaw, WGP; Roy Bankston, AGP; Alna Abbott, PGM & Grand Treasurer; Lynn Bankston, PGM; Charles Abbott, PGP and Debbie Poche, Grand Marshal on Saturday, February 10, 2007 from 1:00 -3:00 PM at Faith Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

DATES TO REMEMBER

February 3 – 1:00 – 4:00 PM - Visionquest - Northern Section – Bossier City Chapter No. 175

February 10 – 9:00 – 12:00 AM – Visionquest - Southern Section – Star of Baker No. 234

February 10 – 1:00 - 3:00 PM – Tea – District 15

February 24 – General Grand Chapter Banquet – Best Western – Alexandria

March 10 – Fish Fry for Associate Grand Matron and Patron – Ferriday

GRAND CHAPTER

The tentative program for Grand Chapter has been mailed out. Please take care of your housing and ticket orders as soon as possible. We are expecting a large Out-of-State attendance, as we will have the Official Visit of the Barbara Benton, MWGM and Bill Owens, MWGP. The correct phone number for Della Smith, Housing Chairman is 225-235-1294.

We are asking you to begin volunteering for the following:

1) Grand Choir – contact Colleen Conlay, PM, 1053 Aurora Ave., Metairie 70005

2) Assistant Grand Warders – contact Jacqueline Dowden, Grand Warder, 1911 Ike Street, Lake Charles 70607

3) Assistant Grand Sentinels – contact Marshall Duncan, Grand Sentinel, 1305 Short St, Bastrop 71220

GRAND HONORS FOR 50 YEAR MEMBERS

A Resolution was passed at General Grand Chapter to give Grand Honors to 50 Year Members or longer at the presentation of their certificates/pins. Please congratulate these members and afford them Grand Honors during your recognition ceremony.

GRAND REPRESENTATIVES

We are happy to announce that the new flags are in. We will have a “Cavalcade of Flags” at our Informal Opening on Monday night. We would like for you and your counterpart to be a part of that presentation.

A rehearsal will be held immediately following the Grand Representative’s breakfast on Monday morning. We will rehearse this first, so that those going on tours can catch their bus. If you are a Past Grand Representative and are willing to carry a flag for those who may be unable to attend Grand Chapter, please join us at the rehearsal.

INTERNATIONAL GRAND REPRESENTATIVES ASSOCIATION

Mary Thompson, President, IGRA 2006-2009, would like to extend to current and past Grand Representatives an invitation to join the International Grand Representatives Association. The dues for the Triennium are $5.00. The application for membership, as well as a list of available pins and merchandise can be found at the Louisiana Web Site or requested from the Grand Secretaries office.

GRAND CHAPTER INFORMATION

1. The convention center is one block from the hotel. Transportation will be provided for those who are unable to walk that distance. There is free parking for hotel guests. Members who commute may purchase a parking pass and park in the River Center Parking garage. We will run shuttle vans to the off-site hotels, as needed.

2. There is no continental breakfast included at the Sheraton Hotel. The off-sites do include breakfast.

3. The Saturday Night “Pass a Good Time” Fun Night will be casual dress.

4. Buses will be available to transport members to the Church Service on Sunday.

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GRAND SECRETARY:

Secretaries – Don’t forget to send the list of your First Five Officers (together with addresses/phone number/e-mail) to the Associate Grand Matron, Grand Secretary, Grand Conductress and Chairman of the Credentials Committee (Joe Stroud, PGP). Also – have you sent the list of your active past matrons/patrons (including addresses) to the Associate Grand Matron and Grand Conductress? See Constitution, Page 52, Section 4 (a).

Address Correction: Grand Representative of Sao Paulo, Brazil – Linda Frazier – zip code is 71115.

Fraternally,

Terrie C. Castay, PGM

Grand Secretary