Sad News: Our Golden Chain has again been broken. Brother Chuck King, PGP, passed away on July 15th, surround by his family. Brother Chuck moved to Colorado Springs a number of years ago to be near his sons. A celebration of life will be held in the Seattle area sometime in the future. Brother Chuck served as WGP in 1977-78 with Sister Catherine Mace.

Memorial service for Andy Haapala, PGP, will be Sunday, July 30th at 2:00 p.m.

Fox Island Alliance Church

655 - 6 th Avenue Fi

Fox Island , WA. 98333

253-549-2831

(if not acquainted with Fox Island might want to check Map Quest for directions .)

Sad News: We have lost another link in our Washington OES golden chain. Brother Andy Haapala, PGP 1976-77, passed away yesterday, July 10th. Services are pending. Cards may be sent to the family c/o address in the Blue Book.

Another Project for WGM Jean and WGP Al

Terry Cramer is chairing our chemo caps program. 

Terry has yarn which she will be bringing to our Official Visits.  You may use yarn she provides, or provide your own.  The yarn should be soft, fragrance free, and pet hair free. 

The websites listed below have instructions on how to make chemo caps.  Please choose whichever pattern you would like to make.

https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knit-Hats/Knitting-for-Charity-20-free-hat-patterns
http://www.knotsoflove.org/patterns

It has been requested that we make different size caps (not just for babies), and that we remember to make caps for both girls and boys.

We would also like to include in this project our members who are no longer able to attend meetings.  If you know of such a member, please choose some yarn from Terry and print a few of these cap instructions for them.  

Thank you in advance for your work on this project.  I know those who receive this gift of love are greatly appreciative of our efforts.

Hugs,

Jean Ballard,
Worthy Grand Matron

One of this year's projects!

Pill Bottle Donations

Sharon Spudich of Poulsbo Chapter is chairing this committee for us.  All pill bottles must be cleaned per the instructions below before she will accept them.  Any Grand Officer will be happy to gather your pill bottles and get them to Sharon.

Ministries accepts donations of empty plastic pill bottles for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies. Acceptable collection items include:
                  §  Prescription and over-the-counter pill bottles

§  Large and small pill bottles

§  Pill Bottles with and without secure caps (child resistant)

Pill bottles that are not appropriate to include with shipments of medical supplies are recycled for cash that goes towards Matthew 25: Ministries’ programs. If you wish to prepare bottles for shipment rather than recycling, please adhere to the following guidelines:

§  Bottles included in shipments of medical supplies must have an all plastic lid.

§  Sort bottles by color and type.

§  Remove labels, leaving no glue or residue.

§  Wash bottles in very hot water and dish soap.

§  Rinse and dry thoroughly. 

§  Replace lids on clean, dried bottles.

§  Place clean, recapped bottles in large ziplock bags marked “Clean Bottles.” These will be blended with medical supplies.

Thank you in advance for your willingness to participate in this service project.

Hugs,

Jean Ballard,
Worthy Grand Matron

Worthy Grand Matron Jean's Installation Address

          Everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned from my family, my friends, my years as a Rainbow Girl, and now as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.  I know I have a lot more to learn, and I do mean a LOT more to learn, but I wanted to share with you just a few of the things I’ve learned so far: 

          I’ve learned that a smile is the best way to greet everyone – it makes both you and the person you’re greeting feel welcome. 

          I’ve learned that a hug is the perfect way to let someone know you care.  Our watchword this year is HUGS! which stands for Hope, Unity, Grace and Service. 

          This year, our charities are two-fold.  The monies earned will go to support our own Grand Chapter General Fund.  Service is important to Brother Al and I, and so we also have hands-on service projects:  we’re going to make chemo caps for cancer patients; we’re going to save our eyeglasses for the Lions’ Club to help others see better; we’re going to save our prescription bottles for Doctors Without Borders; and we’re going to clip coupons for our military.  These are all simple, easy things for all of us to do in order to serve others. 

          I’ve learned that a kind word will touch your own heart as well as the heart of those you are sharing with.  Never let a kind word go unspoken.  The person you’re speaking with may need those kind words more than you know. 

          I’ve learned that dreams really do come true.  Our motto this year is “When we believe in our dreams, they can carry us to the stars.” 

          I’ve learned that we really can soar to new heights.  One of our goals this year is not just to increase our membership, but also to mentor our new members.  Several chapters already have mentorship programs, and we would like to encourage all chapters to have a mentorship program to help our new members feel welcome and wanted, to help them learn our signs and passes (it took me an entire year to learn Electa’s pass – I used to want to say, “Forever the Rainbow” and for crying out loud, we never even said that in Rainbow!), and to teach them the traditions of our chapters.  It has been said that we are all angels with just one wing, and we can only fly by helping others.  So, become a mentor, help our new members to fly, and they in turn will help our beautiful Order soar! 

          I’ve learned that in an ordinary day, there are a thousand miracles and blessings galore.  My Bible verse this year is John 1:16: “From the fullness of His grace, we have all received one blessing after another.”  Every day is an opportunity to see the miracles around us and to feel the blessings that have been bestowed upon us. 

I’ve even learned a few things from fireflies:  

Believe in magic and life will be more fun.

Delight in simple things.

Take time to celebrate life.

And let your light shine.

          So, climb aboard our Eastern Star hot air balloon!  Soon you’ll be on your way up, you’ll be seeing great sights, you’ll join the high fliers, who soar to high heights.  Enjoy the ride as the light of our Eastern Star balloon takes us up, up and away; and join with us on this great adventure as we Soar to New Heights! 

          In closing, remember, success is not just what you achieve in your life, it’s what you encourage others to do!

Jean Ballard, Worthy Grand Matron, 2017-18