New Grand Representative

Last evening (April 5^th) I traveled to Alma Chapter in Kennewick to give the Commission of Grand Representative of the District of Columbia to John Lawson, their Junior Past Patron.  There were four former Grand Representatives and one current Grand Representative present. 

Carole Lee Walk, Grand Esther

New Grand Representative

Last night (March 7th) at Southgate Chapter Grand Chaplain, Neil Glessing, Grand Ruth, Ginny Elliott with the assistance of Grand Martha, Amy Smith surprised Sister Lorrie Steiner with the Grand Representative commission of Georgia in Washington.  Nancy Reed, Junior Past Representative of Georgia was in attendance as well as five current Grand Representatives.  It was a fun filled evening.  Congratulations Lorrie.

American Flag History Presentation

BC / Yukon Past Grand Patron Jim Pound and his wife, Celinda Williams will be conducting a beautiful TRIBUTE to the various flags used throughout America's History at the Maple Leaf Building on March 18th at 7:30 p.m. Celinda's father has been collecting these flags for a number of years and has done many presentations over the years to Schools, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) groups, Veterans groups, Masonic Fraternity meetings etc. Keeping our country's history alive through these flags. It has been her father's passion for many years.
PARADE OF FLAGS –

The idea of flying flags grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield. Shields were painted with emblems or symbols to identify friend or enemy yet warriors needed to know where their leaders were hence the custom of carrying a pole was adopted and subsequently the idea of flags began!

National flags have come a long way. Flying now in courthouses, classrooms, and fire stations they typically hold symbolic significance for organizations as well as nations and have complex meanings ingrained into their designs. Yet they also bear with them a history – a story if you will, that must not be forgotten as it is in part, a history of where we have come from and who we are.

Fifty years ago, Ted Williams (Celinda’s Father) was a Boy Scout Troop leader and one of the recommend projects that year was patriotism. The troop decided to investigate American history by researching all the different flags and set out to make a series of paper flags that would tell the story of America.  That was the start – stars glued on butcher paper that would become a personal interest that has since been shared at many events for many years.

Adder in Iraq and as recently as June 29^th, 2015 over the grave ceremony of an American Revolutionary War Patriot in Virginia – a descendant of the Williams family recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The 45 minute historical presentation will be hosted by Bellingham Bay Lodge No. 44.  The 37 flags will be posted for display prior to and after the presentation.

New Grand Representative

Last night (February 23rd), Amethyst Chapter was the place to be.  Members and guests gathered to honor Deputy Instructors Richard Moulden and Martin Monk.  After all the accolades were given, I asked Worthy Matron Jean Pennington if I could address the chapter.  I took the opportunity to thank Amethyst for allowing me to be a part of their meetings and activities for years.  As I will be unable to attend their meeting in March, I asked if I could have some fun with the members.  Sister Nancy Jorgensen had distributed tickets prior to the meeting to all Amethyst members.  Brother Al Jorgensen drew three numbers and when Sister Nancy read the winning numbers, Sisters Jan Horst, Sandra Monk and Barbara Lampi came to the East.  I presented each one with an envelope, with a Snoopy saying, that revealed their prize.  Sister Jan won a stuffed puppy (“Happiness is a Warm Puppy”) and Sister Sandra a bag of chocolates (“Happiness is a Bag of Chocolates”).  When it came time for Sister Barbara to read her saying, she was speechless.  In a quiet voice she read “WHEEEEE!!!!  I’m the new Grand Representative of South Carolina!” at which point the Chapter erupted in cheers and applauses.  I then presented her with her commission and paperwork after which I had the honor of presenting her with her pin.  It was an awesome end to a fantastic evening!  Congratulations Sister Barbara!
Amy Smith, Grand Martha

Extended Reservation Deadline for Hotel Sheraton Roma

Important Message from WGP Bob deBruyn, Grand Chapter of Italy ~

The Hotel Sheraton Roma has extended the deadline for making reservations for OES to 05 March 2016.

Esther Club Luncheon

Esther Club Luncheon on Saturday, February 13, 2016
CLICK HERE for pictures!

The plate (pictured below) was donated back to the Esther Club by Eunice Butterfield, it was the one that Al received from the Esther Club when he was WGP.  It kind of caught Calvin off guard and for a few seconds he was speechless, which you know is a long time for Calvin. There is special bond between Calvin and the Butterfields and he said in his acceptance speech there would be more to follow at Grand Chapter, stay tuned.

Memorial Services

Russ Coffman’s services are Sunday, February 14^th @ 1:00 PM @ Powers Funeral Home, 320 W Pioneer, Puyallup with a reception following at Phoenix Masonic Hall, 1009 Main St, Sumner.

Marge Todd's service is at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 3315 S 19^th St, Tacoma on Sunday February 14^th at 2:30 PM. 

New Grand Representative

I presented the commission to South Dakota last night (February 5th) at Juanita Chapter to Mary Beth Short.  I read a poem as I walked around the chapter room, describing South Dakota, asking the members to guess the state.  As I rounded the corner I displayed a sign with Mary Beth's name on it to those on the south.  The room erupted but Mary Beth didn't know her name was on the paper.  I turned around and showed it to her and gave her a big hug, congratulated her, escorted her to the east, and presented her with the rest of her paperwork.  It was a wonderful evening.  
Claudianne Jones, Grand Electa

New Grand Representative

Grand Chaplain, Neil Glessing and Grand Ruth, Virginia Elliott, visited Pilgrim Chapter in Sequim on February 4th and presented the Grand Representative of North Dakota to Marge Williams, WM.

New Grand Representative

     I presented Sister Ada Anderson, Victory Chapter #161, Millwood, with a Grand Representative Commission to Rhode Island, tonight, February 3, 2016. 

     I had five clues prepared for chapter members to guess the state.  The last clue was:  "the smallest state in the union."  Everybody got that and I then announced the newest Grand Representative, Ada Anderson.  The news was greeted with enthusiasm and much cheer.

Claudianne Jones, Grand Electa

New Grand Representative

It was a joint effort at the Grand Marshal reception on Saturday, January 30th to make this presentation. I brought Helen Collins up and thanked her for the countless hours she has spent in making the crochet crosses that we are giving out at the OV's. I said I had a certificate of appreciation in the envelope and what was inside was a blank sheet of pink paper. Then I announced that really we were presenting her with the commission of Grand Representative of Scotland but the paperwork had not arrived yet. That's when Irene Jacobs, Grand Secretary came up and gave her a certificate she had made at the Grand Chapter Office for Helen until the real paperwork gets here. 
Hugs, Kristine Ford, WGM

New Grand Representative

Grand Chaplain, Neil Glessing and Grand Ruth, Ginny Elliott traveled to Illihee Chapter in Toppenish on January 27^th to award the Grand Representative of Wyoming in Washington commission to Karen Catey, WM of Illihee. 

Grand Treasurer

Below is a picture of Grand Treasurer, Marcia Haukaas with the presentation she received at the Pierce/Thurston Secretary/Treasurer luncheon on Sunday, January 24th.  It was made by Bill Miller, Past Treasurer of Tacoma Chapter and was in appreciation of her work as Grand Treasurer the past seven years.

New Grand Representative

Grand Chaplain, Neil Glessing and Grand Ruth, Ginny Elliott visited Centralia Chapter tonight (January 26th) and awarded the Grand Representative of California to Lauren Jessup.

New Grand Representative

Tonight, January 20, 2016, it was my pleasure to announce Paulette Schlee as the newest Grand Representative of Arkansas in Washington. 

As most of you know I haven’t been going out of the house much, and have discovered the Game Show Channel on television and used one of those shows as my inspiration for tonight’s announcement.  Tonight we played the game “Chain Reaction” where you link a series of words.  Our teams had to link the words ‘Announcing—Grand—Representative—of—Arkansas—in—Washington’ and in the second round they had to link ‘That—Would—be—Paulette—Schlee—Congratulations’.  These words were written out on a large piece of foam board as the players guessed each word.  Before the meeting I had asked Paulette to hold the board for me, little did she know she would be helping with her own announcement.  Since she was behind the board—part of my plan--she couldn’t see what we were spelling out.  When it dawned on her that she was the new Grand Representative she was speechless, surprised and broke down in tears.  Paulette is a native of Arkansas and was thrilled, Congratulations to her and Henry Wentworth Chapter.  Paulette is in the blue book as Secretary of Henry Wentworth Chapter.

Marcia Haukaas, Grand Treasurer

New Grand Representative

     I presented Sister Aril Baldwin, Magnolia Chapter 194, Millwood, with the Grand Representative Appointment to Utah on Tuesday, January 19th.

     I asked the Worthy Matron if Aril and I could approach the East and tell chapter members about our recent activities.  I then spoke briefly of where we have traveled and to which events for the past month or so.  At the end I asked Aril if I covered everything.  She said yes, to which I replied:  No, not all!  I said to the chapter  "Sisters and Brothers, meet your newest Grand Representative."  Aril and all members were thrilled  and excited. 

Claudianne Jones, Grand Electa

New Grand Representative

Today, Sunday, January 17, 2016, I announced at the South West Association Meeting in Vancouver that Sandra Ruff of Martha Washington Chapter is the new Grand Representative of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.  Sandy has had some recent health problems and was not able to attend the meeting so we called her on the phone and she was delighted to hear the news.  Sandy is Associate Matron at Martha Washington and her address is in the current blue book.  Congratulations to Sandra Ruff and Martha Washington Chapter.

Marcia Haukaas, Grand Treasurer

New Grand Representative

     My escort and I picked up my Mom (Genny Luther) and ventured out to my Mom's and my home Chapter, Laurel Chapter in Black Diamond.  I again had the honor to present a Commission.  This time the selection went to

Sister Leslie Cooley who is their Secretary.  She was happy, as were her Chapter members who joined in with voice agreement and applaud:)  I presented her with sequin slippers (I wanted to give her red, but could only find blue).  I explained that if she were in a tornado in Kansas she would click her blue slippers, they work as well as red:)  She loved her slippers because they were Sea hawk blue:)  So all worked well:)

      One picture is with all the Grand Representatives that were there, and another was a picture with my Mom (who doesn't get out much at 90, but decided to venture out, so the picture is the oldest Grand Representative and the newest Grand Representative in attendance:)  

Star Love,

Kay Foss, Grand Marshal

Another New Grand Representative

It was my honor and  pleasure to present Nina Stoner of Maple Chapter, Kelso, her commission as the new Grand Representative of Missouri in Washington.
She was thrilled as she figured that she would never have that experience.  All the members of the Chapter, sideliners, and visiting Grand Representatives, cheered and clapped, wished her well, and said above all - Have Fun !
Star Love and Hugs,
Laura Sweeny, Grand Adah

New Grand Representative

Last night (01/13/2016) I traveled to Richland Chapter.

Under Good of the Order, I asked the members to tell me what five clues had in common. The fourth of five was the give-away. Diane Rice knew that the street names on the Monopoly board were from Atlantic City, New Jersey. I then followed my New Jersey GR detector (hidden in my watch) to locate the new GR. This was difficult because there were three former GR’s of New Jersey in attendance…Diane Smith, Stella Brown and Cathy Edmonson.

The detector finally led me to the West where the AP pro-tem was Cliff Groff. I announced that he was the new GR of New Jersey in WA. The look on his face was priceless! He still couldn’t believe it several minutes later and I suspect it will be this morning before the shock wears off. His wife, Cathy and the other members present were all very happy that this hard-working Brother had been so honored!

     I’ve attached a photo of Cliff, the former GR’s of NJ, and the other present and former GR’s from other Jurisdictions (myself excluded) in attendance. This was FUN!

--Pete Peterson, Associate Grand Patron