01FEB07, 1630: We will have our meeting tonite. Look forward to seeing everyone there!

01FEB07: I will make a decision on if we get a Snow Day by 6PM tonite. Please watch here. I might put it earlier if I know what it's going to be like, but NLT 6. It's a big night with elections and all, so I want to hold the meeting if we possibly can.

31JAN07: I received an email from Sam and Ellie's daughter Heidi, who sent the following: A memorial service will be held on Saturday February 10th at 11AM with a luncheon following the service. The details are below. Sam and the family have requested the Chapter to perform an Eastern Star Service at 1100 (I will be sure that's the time for the OES service, since it's also the time of the memorial service itself starts). Memorial Service Evans Funeral Home, 16000 Annapolis road, Bowie MD 20715, 301-464-8836 Luncheon Comfort Inn, US 50 & 301 @ MD 3, Po Box 730, Bowie MD 20718, 301-464-0089, request the Plott Family Rate, $100 per night excluding tax. Donations are preferredNational Breast Cancer Foundation, http://nationalbreastcancer.org/contribution , 2600 Network Blvd, Suite 300, Frisco TX 75034. But if you would like to send flowers, Sharper's Florist, Clinton MD, 301-567-4600

26JAN07: I am so very, very saddened to report that our dear Sister Ellie Plott has gone from labor here to rest on high. She passed away on Wednesday. I have no details on services, but will post them here as I find out. We will miss Ellie dearly, and wish Brother Sam comfort during this difficult time.

26JAN07: Thank you ALL for coming to our meeting yesterday. The discussion was not a comfortable subject, and I appreicate your candid remarks and your suggestions. I will recap at our next meeting.

25JAN07: I hope everyone can make it to our meeting this afternoon. If you know of someone that's unable to drive, please offer to pick them up so they can join us. If you are close to someone that doesn't come to regular chapter meetings - please give them a call and invite them to join us. If someone cannot come, please ask them what their suggestions or comments would be, and bring those with you to the meeting on their behalf. I will see you this afternoon!

19JAN07: All members are invited and encouraged to attend an informal meeting to discuss membership issues that are affecting the chapter. To be more accessible to our many members who prefer to drive in daylight, we will meet at 4PM next Thursday, 25JAN, at the Chapter. We do need support and input from our extended membership, especially those that cannot make it to regular meetings. Please come.

19JAN07: Sickness and Distress: Please share your prayers for Sister Ellie, as she continues to struggle with the infections and fever that are making her recovery more difficult. She remains in the hospital. Because sleep is so important, her phone has been disconnected. Cards can be sent to their home address - and the chapter has sent flowers as well.

19JAN07: Sickness and Distress: Sister Sam's stepfather lost his fight with lung cancer, and has gone to rest on high. Brother Dave Miller will be missed by his family and friends, and the many Sisters and Brothers he had in the fraternity. Our prayers go out to Sam and the family.

18JAN07: A few reminders in preparation for tonight's meeting: I will have the paperwork for you to submit an ad or a booster for the sessions book. Placing a name in the booster section is $5.00 - a great way to place the names of family or friends. Ads come in various sizes and prices ($20, 30, 45, and 90). Also, if you are planning to attend the Honoring for the Grand Officers, checks are due tonight.

18JAN07: Brother Dan Johnson had a motorcyle accident Monday night. He suffered a concussion, but is home from the hospital. He's understandably very sore, but getting better. Please join me in passing along our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

08JAN07: Congratulations to Brother Jesse Brogan! He's been appointed to be the Grand Representative to Utah by the Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron. We had a delightful visit from them at our last Chapter meeting, and Jesse received the appointment at our meeting. We're tickled pink!! Now we'll have good reason to remind Brother Jesse to "Go West, Young Man!!"

03JAN07: HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wishing you all peace, love, and happiness in the upcoming year!

03JAN07: Sorry I haven't updated the page the past few days - been a little under the weather, and then the web hosting site was down for maintenance.

10DEC06: Christmas Celebration Dinner - What a blast! We had so much fun. The food was excellent, the decorations were beautiful. We had holiday music to set the scene. The tree - a little odd (well, a LOT odd), reminded us all that the beautiful things in life are those with character and charm. Many of the Brothers from the Lodge joined us, adding to the merriment.We had such a good time, and I'm sorry those of you who missed it weren't there to share. The ham was delicious, and served as the centerpiece for all the trappings: salads (cole slaws, pistacio, and strawberry versions), delicious sweet potatoes with our "famous pecans", mac and cheese (the good stuff!), rolls, and of course some of Phyllis G's delicious "I couldn't make it again if I tried" punch. After dinner, we had cake and coffee. Then the entertainment - the gift auction. It was a good bit of fun! I was auctioneer, and though I made a few "mistakes", much to the amusement of the crowd, it went well enough. Sister Phyllis, though you did not know it at the time, many of the "warnings" I gave you were the exact ones Sister Patti and I used to get from the auctioneer at the estate sales we used to attend somewhat regularly. He seemed to take great glee in pointing out that we were not "properly educated in the protocols". The good news, though, is that we raised $146 for our Toys for Tots donation - and I have to thank everyone that was so generous with bringing their gifts, and then with their bidding! There were some fun gifts to go home with too -- Jesse Junior went home with a full set of Foot Spa lotions and tools - a few people went home with Pots of Gold (who says you can't get more than you expect!!), and there were candles and salamis (not to be confused, as I learned), and mugs and jars and coffee and tea and cookies and candies! Young Trevor was a lot of help in the auction -- and quite a big spender, too (thanks for sharing your grandsown, Frank and Marge -- he was a lot of fun!) Everyone left with a favor - Christmas mugs that Sister Phyllis had spent over 6 months collecting from various shops - we had an absolutely wonderful collection of them, and it was my favorite part of the decorations. A lot of work, and it showed! There were door prizes for just about everyone. I must put forth a special thanks to Sister Phyllis Grainger, who has worked very hard on this event. She's been preparing for months, and did the lion's share of the work to make this such a fun and memorable day. Please take a few moments to thank her - even if you didn't attend - because it was such a lot of work and turned out excellent! I'd also like to thank Brother Frank and Sister Marge for helping to set up, and Sister Mary Milan for her dedication with cooking and cleanup. And Sister Phyllis Mowrey for bringing sidedishes. And then, for all our sisters and brothers who helped with clean-up, which saved us considerable time and effort at the end of the night.

05DEC06: Christmas Celebration Dinner is Saturday, 09DEC. I hope you will be joining us and our Brothers from the Lodge, as we have our dinner and party this Saturday at the Chapter. Phyllis Grainger has gone to great lengths to put all the trappings together for a great evening. Chapter will provide the food. We ask that you bring a gift, weighing as close to a pound as you can get it. Looking forward to seeing you all on Thursday night, and then at the party on Saturday!

23NOV06: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Wishing you a peaceful and joyful day.

22NOV06: Prayers for Sister Sam and the whole family. For those of you that may not have heard, Sam's sister Martha passed away last week. Martha was also a Sister of our Order, and many of you may remember meeting her when Sam was installed as Worthy Matron. Martha lived in Sam's home town of Garrett, Indiana.

22NOV06: Worthy Matron returns from New Zealand and Australia. I was hoping to be able to update the web pages while I was gone, but internet access was $36/day, which I thought was a wee bit excessive. If you have news that needs to be posted, please let me know.

29OCT06, 1431: The Eastern Star Service for Sister Mary Swanson will be at 1130, 01NOV, at Evans Funeral Home in Bowie. I thank all of the officers and members that have been coordinating this while I have been busy at work. You have my most sincere gratitude!! (Betty, please let Frank and Marge know that this is WED -- I think I gave Frank the right date of 01NOV, but said it was Tue, not Wed).

29OCT06, 1100: I have to to to work today. For all those that I've left messages for, the number I think I am going to be at is 443 479-3279. I have to get a guard to open the building, so I am not exactly sure what time I will get inside. I think I should be there by 1400, and then thru at least 9PM. That's your best bet at getting me today.

29OCT06: Sad news about our Sister, Mary Swanson. After a long struggle, Mary has gone from labor here to rest on high. Her daughter has requested an Eastern Star service. The viewing will be local, 01NOV, 1100-1300 at Evans Funeral Home here in Bowie. The funeral will follow thereafter, at 1330, Holy Trinity. I regret that I don't have more detail than this, and will try to get a specific time for the service. I will need the phone tree to do the calling for this - it will be short fused, and with an afternoon service, I know it will be difficult for some of you to get there. I will be unable to attend, as I leave the country the day before. I will post what details I can as soon as I get them.

25OCT06: Collington Lodge is turning 40! Their Anniversary Celebration is tomorrow night at the Crofton Country Club. If you run into one of our brothers or their ladies, wish them a happy anniversary. And if by chance you're going to dinner, then we can meet there to wish each other well. As of Sunday, it was not too late to make your reservation, so if you would like attend, please call Senior Warden Denmark or Secretary Calloway.

20OCT06: Spaghetti dinner at Odenton tonite. Also, at the bottom of this section, I put info on upcoming OES events around Maryland - these are things from the flyers read in Chapter. So please check that section too.

19OCT06: Hello Vera! And welcome to all of the other members that have checked the page today! Don't forget Odenton #29 invited us to Spaghetti and Meatball dinner tomorrow (friday, 20OCT) nite. All you can eat. I think they said the cost was $10.

08OCT06: Our Associate Matron Chair will be empty, as Sister Cathy has had to return to West Virginia. We don't know when she'll be back.

27SEP06: Very sad news. I'm so sorry to report that Sister Charlene's Mom, Mildred, went from labor here to rest on high. Charlene and the family will be traveling to Ohio to be with the rest of the family. Services will be held there. If I get further details, I will put them here.

25SEP06: Coming Soon - More info on the many items we heard in Correspondence at our first meeting back!

12SEP06: Brother Frank and Sister Marge - thank you for coming last night, and I'm sorry I got there late. Sisters Ellie and Betty - thank you for calling to say you wouldn't be able to make it. Sister Karen, if you read this, I appreciate the personal time we had to go over some of my specific questions.

11SEP06: Rehersal is Tonight, 7PM. Please leave me a message if you will not be there. Thank you.

11SEP06: Take a few moments to reflect. Today is the 5th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country. At some point during the day, please do something to honor the memory of the many good people that lost their lives that day five years ago. It's a good idea to fly your flag, as well.

30AUG06: Rehersal Reminder. Rehersal is scheduled for 11SEP, 7PM. I hope you are all enjoying your summer, and I'll see you in September.

28AUG06: Did anyone attend the Shrimp Feast? Please email or phone me - I'd like to put something in the newsletter about it. Thanks.

21AUG06: Sickness and Distress: Sister Ethel Morris was called from labor to rest on the 8th of August. Respecting the family's wishes, the Chapter didn't hold a service. Sister Ellie is recovering from surgery. And Brother Lee and Sister Phyllis were involved in a 4-car accident - they are bruised and very sore and Phyllis has a broken rib but other than that, they are very lucky.

20AUG06: The Grand Chapter's Shimp Feast will be held at Odenton Chapter #29, next Sunday, 27AUG, 2-6PM. If you haven't made your reservations yet, please call Ida Fuller as soon as possible. Details are on the Worthy Grand Matron's Events Letter on the Grand Chapter website.

20AUG06: Gathering of the States. As it turned out, I was unable to attend The Gathering of the States this past weekend. If any of you did attend, please let me know how it went so I can put something in the newsletter.

09AUG06: The OES Grand Chapter of Maryland hosted the Visioneer Conference in Hagerstown this past weekend. I was unable to attend due to my trip to England, but I did speak to Dawn Meade, the Membership Committee Co-Chair, who was planning to attend. I will get a report from her upon my return.

09AUG06: The Gathering of the States is coming up the weekend after next (18-20AUG) - it's close (Annapolis!), and you might want to consider joining us. Details are on the Grand Chapter web page (see the link at the bottom of this page to get there, then click on the WGM's events newsletter, which is highlighted in bright yellow). This will have members from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. I am not sure if Delware will be there too.

04AUG06: Sister Mary Swanson seems to be doing better. Though I haven't heard from her daughter personally, Betty tells me that she was going to be moved to a rehab center mid-week.

24JUL06: Sister Mary Swanson has congestive heart failure, and has taken a turn for the worse this past week. Her daughter Georgette has asked us to be prepared for an afternoon service, as many of Mary's friends wouldn't be able to make an evening service.

Thank you all for coming to the service (13JUL06) - it was a lovely service, and I think Mary Jane's family and friends appreciated it. The funeral is today (see details below). If you would like to post a message in the guestbook on the Washington Post web page, click here

OES Service has been moved from 7:30 PM til 7:45 PM (late afternoon, 12JUL06). You can come 15 minutes later if you like - please try to be there by 7:15 PM

Eastern Star Service for Mary Jane Petrie will be at 7:30 PM, Wed, 12JUL - Beall Funeral Home. (10JUL06) See previous entries below for more information. Please call either the Secretary or the Worthy Matron if you will be at the Eastern Star Service Wednesday night. Thank you. Funeral Services at 11:00 AM on Thursday at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Church Circle, Annapolis, MD. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory payble to Johns Hopkins Medicine for the Affective Disorders Research Support, 100 N. Charles St, Suite 410, Baltimore, MD 21201, c/o Jessica P. Lunken. I've included the family's listing from the Post

(10JUL06) Eastern Star Service for Mary Jane Petrie will be at 7:30 PM, Wed, 12JUL - Beall Funeral Home (6512 Crain Hwy, Rt 3 South, Bowie, 301 805-5544). We will wear short blue dresses. The viewing hours are 2-4 and 7-9 for those that cannot make the service. The funeral will be Thursday morning at 11:00 AM, in Annapolis. The family's obituary will be in the Washington Post tomorrow, and will include more details.

Sad news - Sister Mary Jane Petrie (09JUL06). Sisters and Brothers, it is with great sadness I tell you that our sister Mary Jane Petrie was called from Labor to Rest yesterday, 08JUL06. Her daughter has requested an Eastern Star Service, and expects to know tomorrow around noon when she'd like to have the service, which will be at Beall Funeral Home here in Bowie. Please come here for more information - I will post it as soon as I can.

Congratulations are in order for Past Patron Jim Trowbridge! (07JUL06) Brother Jim was inducted into the Montana Masonic Hall of Fame. He and his wife Harriet (a Past Matron), have lived in Montana for over 10 years. Jim was very activate with Masonry in Maryland for about 20 years and continued to be active when he moved to Montana. Their contact info is in the roster.

Sickness and Distress: Carol Clary: (07JUL06) I understand that Carol Clary went to the hospital on the 30th of June for back pain. Hopefully, the doctors can do something to relieve her pain. Sister Carol's contact info is in the roster.

Upcoming event: Baysox Game. (06JUL06) Collington Lodge will be attending a Baysox Baseball game on 22JUL, 5:30 PM. It's a fun evening out, and I hope you will join in the fun! Tickets are $35 which includes the game, buffet dinner (chicken, burgers, hotdogs - a nice little feast!), and fireworks. Please call Bob Madel, Jack Calloway, Ray Denmark, or Ron Block for tickets.

4th of July Storm (06JUL06):Hope you all fared okay with the storm on the afternoon of the 4th of July. What an incredible show of power that was! We lost power and didn't get it back til yesterday some time after I left for work. The neighborhood had several huge trees toppled, and debris everywhere! It was wild! But I see the fireworks still went from Allen Pond, so I hope you did get the chance to enjoy them.

Happy Fourth of July (04JUL06)! I hope you all have a safe and fun day. They say it might rain around dusk, so let's hope we get our hotdogs and fireworks in !! And if we don't, we can still spend the heat of the day celebrating our great nation with the people we love.

Rainbow Fire: Some of Nature's Beauty at it's Best! (22JUN06) In a breathtaking blaze of glory, nature puts on one of its most spectacular sky shows. Reds, oranges, blues and greens create a flaming rainbow that stretches above the clouds. But this circumhorizon arc, as it is known, owes more to ice than fire. It occurs when sunlight passes through ice crystals in high cirrus clouds. It is one of 15 types of ice halos formed only when the most specific of factors dovetail precisely together. This blanket of fire, covering hundreds of square miles, is the rarest phenomenon of them all. It was spotted in the US on the Washington-Idaho border around mid-day last Saturday. To create a rainbow of fire, clouds must be at least 20,000 ft high and the ice crystals within them align horizontally instead of their usual vertical position. The sun also needs to be at least 58 degrees above the horizon. Then, the magic can begin. (I've added this as the new rainbow atop this page)

Today is the first day of Summer. (21JUN06) Hurrah! Hope you find time to get out and catch a bit of sunshine. After all, it is the longest day of the year! SUMMER POEM -- Summer slows me -- stretches moments, -- compresses hours. -- Sky-stitch swallows fly -- no-thread needles, -- mend-weave tracings -- build an image, -- rustle loose-leaf whispers in my mind. (By John Bailey)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, Brothers!! (18JUN06)

Collington Lodge open to the public on Tuesday, 20JUN. (17JUN06) Please consider stopping by for the special dedication being made by Collington Lodge following their meeting on 20JUN, this Tuesday night. Here is how their notice reads: The next stated communication is June 20. There will be a short meeting ending about 8 o'clock and then the lodge will be open to the public. In keeping with the theme of dedicating the year to the Veterans, Father Pat Kemp (retired Catholic Priest) will speak of his experiences of June 6, 1944 (D-Day). Father Kemp was in the navy and served on a LST ferrying soldiers to Omaha Beach. He has appeared on the History Channel relating his experiences about D-Day. Dress will be causal including the officers. Invite your family, friends and neighbors to come out and listen to a veteran from the Greatest Generation.

The lodge thanks all those who helped with Bowiefest. (17JUN06) Although it looked like rain most of the day, it was one of the best Bowiefest's the lodge has had so far as raising money for the C. Elizabeth School. About $975 was raised.

Today is Flag Day. (14JUN06) I hope you have a chance to put your flag up if you have one. If not, spend a moment or two just gazing upon someone else's flag. It will make you feel good.

BowieFest was good fun (03JUN06) The weather started cool and the rain spit for the first hour or so, but then it went away. The wind and clouds kept it cool for most of the day, which was nice if you were out and about. Collington Lodge was able to walk around with their cotton candy this year (they made sure of that!!) and they seemed to do well with their booth. Sam J and I helped them tear down, as they seemed to have enough helpers throughout the rest of the day. All in all, a good day at Allen Pond!!

Reminder for BowieFest (01JUN06) Saturday, 03JUN, is BowieFest. Hoping you get the chance to come out and do the fun things going on at Allen Pond that day. If you are there, please stop by Collington Lodge's Cotton Candy booth. If you'd like to help the Brothers at the booth, please let the Lodge know (link to their site is at the bottom of this page). Look forward to seeing you there!

Grand Visitation Thanks (31MAY06) I didn't get a chance to write this before I had to put the notice up for the wreath laying, but I wanted to thank all of you for a wonderful Grand Visitation. I thank you for your support, for your excellence with the ritual, and most of all for continuing our Peace Chapter tradition of making our many guests feel welcome. I want to thank everyone that helped with refreshments, with a special thanks to Phyllis Grainger and Mary Milan, who stayed into the early morning hours of Saturday finishing up.

Memorial Day Wreath Laying (28MAY06) We will be laying our wreath at the Bowie Memorial Day Ceremony. Monday morning, 29MAY, 1045 (ceremony starts at 1100). The Bowie Veterans Memorial, across from Ascention Church, Old Bowie.

"Mysteries of the Freemasons" (18MAY06) The History Channel played "Mysteries of the Freemasons" on 18MAY, from 8-11PM. I've recorded it and will make a DVD. Let me know if you'd like a copy.

UPDATE ON DEPUTY (18MAY06) Well, I've missed Karen on the last time I called her, and her return call to me. But -- she did call the Secretary, and knows about our practice on Tuesday at 7PM, so the really important message has been relayed (Thank you Betty!!)

WM BACK FROM GERMANY (17MAY06) Hi everyone. I'm back from my TDY to Vegas and Germany, so will get back to relatively daily updates on the page. Hope everyone enjoyed the meeting on the 5th - I'm sure Cathy did a great job!! I had a message on my voicemail that says we have a new Deputy from Unity Chapter (Karen Janczy). I haven't called her back yet (will do that today, hopefully). As it turned out, I didn't even come close to having time to typing up those minutes from Sessions while on my trip. More to come. Happy to be home!