By Emerald Greene
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The evening of Thursday, Nov. 17, found the Madison Chapter of the Order of the Easter Star #109 entertaining members, visitors, and guests during their “Official Inspection” at the Masonic Lodge/Eastern Star building in downtown Madison. The grand honoree was Sister Harriette Peebles, Associate Grand Matron.
The evening began with dinner at 6 p.m. The official meeting began at 7 p.m. when officers of the local chapter marched in formally and opened the chapter in long form.
Madison’s Worthy Matron, Edith Terry, welcomed all the out-of-town guests as the Conductress and Associate Conductress, Marcia Sawin and Tanya Terry, did the proper introductions.
Following the introductions, the “exemplification of work” was demonstrated by all officers. The Silver Drill went to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and Southeastern Guide Dogs Service, the Worthy Grand Matron’s Special Projects. The address of the Associate Grand Matron was a special treat, as she spoke of her many friends who were there with her at this special event. She thanked everyone for the hospitality shown to her during her stay, and for the wonderful food that had been prepared in her honor earlier that evening.
The meeting was then closed, in due form.
The Order of the Eastern Star, Madison Chapter 109 officers for 2011 year include: Worthy Matron, Edith E. Terry; Worthy Patron, Richard Terry; Assoc. Matron, Jennifer Stanley; Assoc. Patron, Homer Melgaard; Secretary, Karen FerDon; Treasurer, Beth Ward; Conductress, Marcia Sawin; Assoc. Conductress, Stacey Lundell; Chaplain, Albert “Bert” Banks; Marshal, April Lundell; Adah, Judith Lundell; Ruth, Mary Helen Studebaker; Esther, Nancy Banks; Martha, Elizabeth Sawin-Hewin; Electa, Imogene “Yvonne” Smith; Warder, Roy Hibbs; and Sentinel, C.D. Agner, Jr.
The Madison Eastern Star is a service organization, a sister group of the Masons, who collect personal items for men and women and send them to the Masonic Home in St. Petersburg. These items are given to the nursing home residents at no charge, as the State Eastern Star members donate them.
The Order of the Eastern Star, or OES, is an adoptive rite of Freemasonry with its philosophy clearly based on the Holy Bible. Its objectives are charitable, and benevolent. OES is a social order, comprised of persons with spiritual values, but it is not a religion. Its appeal rests in the true beauty of the refreshing and character-building lessons that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic work.
A deep fraternal bond exists between its members. It is the wholesome relationship of sisterly and brotherly love, brought about through high principles exemplified in their daily lives that make its members near and dear to each other.
Members must be eighteen years of age or older and either a Master Mason in good standing, or properly related to a Master Mason in good standing. The latter category includes wives, widows, sisters, daughters, mothers, granddaughters, step-mothers, stepdaughters, step-sisters, and half-sisters. In 1994, this was expanded to include nieces, daughter-in-laws, and grandmothers. Annual dues are $20 to support the local chapter.
If anyone, man or woman, is interested in joining the Order of the Easter Star, Madison Chapter, call Karen FerDon at (850) 929-7527.
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