December 2000

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

You are cordially invited to attend the stated meeting on Friday, December 22, 2000, at 7:30 PM, for the purpose of receiving petitions, balloting, initiating and transacting any business that may legally come before the Chapter. Sister Officers will please wear white gowns, and Brothers their red bow ties and cummerbunds. This is our Christmas Party too, so do come enjoy with us!
Rehearsal of Officers -will be held on Sunday, Dec. 17th , at 6 PM, for all officers. Refreshments - are under the direction of Sister Joan L. Smith, assisted by Sisters Jackie Poisson and Nancy Molnar. This month is sponsored by Sisters Charlotte Callahan, Shirley Nason and Cheryl Imbody.
Thinking of You - Sisters Chris Mulcahy, Olive E. Bragdon, Gladys C. Will, P. M., Virginia M.Jennings, and Jeannette L. Healey, P. M. are at home feeling less than chipper and would still welcome some encouragement. (Sister Jackie Cole is back - see below.) Brother Jim Brady is seriously ill in California - please send your prayers and thoughts to him at PO Box 2268, Barstow, CA 92312.
The crystal ball is still broken - if you are ill, in the hospital or have just suffered a loss that we should know about, PLEASE - call or have a loved one or friend call to let your Worthy Matron, Worthy Patron or Secretary know.
Sympathy : is extended to Brother Randy S. McMullen on the loss of his mother.
Congratulations : Sister Stacy and Dominic Desrosiers on the birth of their first child, a daughter, Jacqueline Marie on November 4, 2000.! Congratulations - she's a beauty!
PB&J Award - November's winner was Sister Jackie Cole - Congratulations and welcome back! If you have missed seeing (and hearing) her and us, join us all next month!
PB&J is awarded monthly to the person (or couple) who have been away the longest (over 1 year?). Sideliners are the Peanut Butter and Jelly of the Star Sandwich which nourishes our beautiful Order here in Nashua. Do come sit with us. You are missed!
Continuity Award - Won by everyone who attended our first meeting - the only way to get it again is...to come back! The first time you come this year, you can pick your own award from our basket - then as you continue to return each successive month you can continue to pick one each month after that, as you continue to attend. But if you miss -oops - got to start again the next month after your return. There will be some new surprises each month in the basket!

Projects :
Masonic Home Visits : If you (and your family) are interested in joining us on our next visit to the Home on Sunday, February 11th , please contact Brother John Jackson, W.P., so he can put you on the list to join in the fun.
Big Brother-Big Sister: Sister Susan I. Douglas, P.M. will be Chairman of this new addition to the Initiation experience. If you would like to be the "welcome wagon"/ contact point/question-answerer and new friend for a new member this year, please sign up with Sister Sue. Our new members will enjoy having someone who takes a special interest in them personally, and sees that they are reinvited to meetings each month, at least for a few times until they are used to being here and feel at home.
Hospital Visits : Since our major project this year is visiting the local Shriners Hospitals, the first hospital visit to Boston is being scheduled for Sunday, January 21st, to the Shriner's Burn Center in Boston. We will be planning a day of it, including a meal together, so be sure to sign up. Children under 16 are not permitted in the Burns Hospital, but are at the Orthopedic Hospital in Springfield. Donations to both hospitals of new stuffed animals, children's books and money will be gratefully accepted. Our next visit will be to the Springfield Orthopedic Hospital in February, TBA.
Name Badges: Contact Sister Ellie Morrill, W.M. at 888-6669 (leave a message with SPELLING) for yours - $7.00. Order going in soon!
Mitten Tree : If you knit or have yarn for the Tree, please bring them to the meetings for Sister Valerie Sonner, Chairman. It is sooo important this time of year!

Shriner Clown Pins: See Sister Susan I Douglas, P.M. for your pins - 6 designs, all adorable - this is a General Grand Chapter project that she is representing. They cost $5.00 each.
Suppers : There are lots of suppers coming up - if you would like to join the fun in the kitchen , please call Sister Jean at 603-882-1088 to sign up.
Nashua Masonic Family Directory - The new edition will be going to press soon! Get your information to Sister Lisa for any changes or additions, especially the e-mail addresses, and to renew or add your ads. She can be reached at 603-672-6976.

Nashua Assembly #9, International Order of Rainbow for Girls: Meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7:00 PM. This month the meetings are on Dec. 11th and 21st.
Beverage Tabs continue to be collected by the Assembly for donation to the Shriner's Hospitals. Thank you to Brother Norm Poisson and the Mill-Around Square Dancers for the gazillion tabs you gave to the Rainbow at the breakfast (if you missed the breakfast it was GGRREEAATT! (Sorry, Tony!)
Rainbow Charity Project - Non-perishable food items, paper goods and toiletries are being collected by the Assembly for donation to the Nashua Pastoral Care Center and the Nashua Soup Kitchen. The box is located on the third floor in the alcove at the far end of the hall along Main Street.
Rainbow Pledge Group meets the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 PM. If you know of girls 8 - 10 years of age who would be interested in becoming associated with the Rainbow as Pledges, please contact Mom Lisa Britko at 888-8533.
Breakfast - The Pledge Group serves a fabulous breakfast at the Temple from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM on the third Sunday of each month, Sept. - June. The next breakfast will be held on Sunday, December 17th. The cost is $4.00, and everyone (including your friends) is invited. The SPECIAL will be pancakes, including Gingerbread ones!
Holiday Cookie Sale - Cookies that you ordered last month can be picked up at the December 12th Masonic meeting, at the Pledge breakfast on December 17th, or at the OES meeting on December 22. This is to benefit the Pastoral Care Center.

Masonic Home Visits : Our first visit to the Masonic Home had to be changed to an earlier date, but the remaining dates are firm (so far), so WATCH THIS SPACE for future visits.
Word for the Month - POTENTIAL (Please come to this month's meeting to hear about this month's word!)

Matthew 2: 1-2
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came three wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews ? for we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.
Luke: 2: 10-14
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will to men.

From the East - Brother John and I have just one phrase for you...

With fraternal love,

If there is any change in your address, please notify our Secretary so that she may correct her records. So that none may be forgotten, please notify the Worthy Matron or the Secretary or any glad or sad tidings.