February, 2001

Dear Sisters and Brothers: 
You are cordially invited to attend the stated meeting on Friday. February 23.2001. at 7:30 PM. for the purpose of receiving petitions, balloting and transacting any business that may legally come before the Chapter. Sister Officers may wear colored gowns. Our Special Guest will be Sister Nancy E. Howatt, PGM (MA), GGC Committee Member on the Shriners Hospitals, who will speak to us about the Hospitals.

Refreshments • are under the direction of Sister Joan L. Smith, assisted by Sisters Jackie Poisson and Nancy Molnar. This month is sponsored by Sisters Shelley Gullett, Kristen Rteard, and Lisa Russell. Congratulations on last month's spread - it was delicious to the taste and a feast for the eyes! Wait until you see what they're going to do this month!!!

Congratulations: Rising Sun Lodge has installed the following OES members as officers: Brother Raymond R. Russell, Worshipful Master; Brother Larry D. Gullett, Junior Warden; Brother G, Raymond Palmer, P.M., Treasurer; Brother Brian J. Smith, P.M., P.P., Chaplain; Brother Joseph W. Morrill, Associate Chaplain; Brother David Molnar, Junior Deacon; Brother John Callahan, Senior Steward, Brother Norman Poisson, Junior Steward, and Brother Robert G. Bianchi, P.M., Tyler. Congratulations to our Brothers - we are very proud of them. We also get to be proud of the new Mother Advisor of Nashua-Assembly #9, IORG, Sister Shelley M. Gullett, our Sister Adah.

Sympathy: Is extended to Sister Olive E. Bragdon on the toss of her brother.

Thinking of you: Our thoughts and prayers are with Sister Susan J. Whitney, P.M. as she recovers from her surgery.... and Sister Marjorie H. O'Neal who has not been well- hope you both are feeling better soon - we are looking forward to seeing you again in Chapter!

PB&J A ward - December's winner was Gail Whitney - we have missed her and appreciate her return, as she will now be the Chairman of the Multiple Sclerosis Walk upcoming in April - more on that later....

Continuity A ward - New faces & returning faces- Come join us each month and get YOUR Continuity Award! YOU miss so much when you aren't with us, and we miss YOU when you're missing!

Prefects :
Masonic Home Visits : We will be rescheduling the February trip as there was a conflict with a Grand Family visit. The next scheduled visit is Sunday May 6th at 1 PM. 

Big Brother-Big Sister: New potential members are signing up each month. They will be looking forward to YOU signing up to be their Big Brother or Big Sister - let Sue Douglas know if you are interested (888-8113) - and if YOU signed the petition for a new member, wouldn't YOU be the best choice!?!?!

Hospital Visits: Our major project this year to visiting the local Shriners Hospitals. Due to lots of snow. the January 21st hospital visit is now rescheduled to Sunday. March 25th. to the Shriners Burns Institute in Boston. We will be planning an earlier day of it, including a meal together, so be sure to sign up. Children under 16 are not permitted in the Bums Hospital, but are welcome at the Orthopedic Hospital in Springfield, coming this month. Donations to both hospitals of new stuffed animals, children's books and money will be gratefully accepted. The first visit to Springfield will be Sunday, February 25th, with a tour. Please contact Sister Lisa Brftko (888-8533) if you want to be with us.The deadline, for reservations to Springfield is February 12th, with dinner TBA - ANY SUGGESTIONS??? Butch Hobson, former Manager of the Boston Red Sox, will be joining us.

Name Badges: Contact Sister Ellie Morrill, W.M. at 888-6669 (leave a message with SPELLING) for yours - $7.00 for a pin-back, and $8 for a pocket-badge (for the Brothers). The orders are coming in faster now - don't be the only one in town without a name..... badge!

Mitten Tree : Please don't forget your yam and knitted goods! Bring them to the meetings for Sister Valerie Sonner, Chairman. It is sooo important! 

MS Walk: Come sign up to participate in the spring event - we will be choosing which venue to walk in - Manchester, Hanover, or Seacoast. We have two Sisters with MS - let's show them how much we care - AND celebrate the coming of SPRING... together!!

Shriner Clown Pins: See Sister Susan 1. Douglas, P.M. for your pins - 6 designs, - this is a General Grand Chapter project that she is representing. They cost $5.00 each, and are adorable!

Suppers : The list of suppers include the following: February 18th (Family Life), and February 28. Please call Sister Jean at 603-882-1088 to sign up. 

Nashua Assembly #9, IORG meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7:00 PM. There is a new slate of Officers, and the Worthy Advisor Is Miss Ashley Steele, the daughter of our Sister Leslee E. Steele. We are all delighted that Rainbow Girls and Job's Daughters who have either been "active for 3 (three) years or reached majority" or have attained the age of 18, are now eligible for membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. without a Masonic affiliation

Rainbow Pledge Group meets the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 PM. Do you have a daughter or grand-daughter or neighbor - Ages 8-11 ? We need pledges! Breakfast - The next breakfast will be held on Sunday. February 18th. The cost is $4.00, and everyone (including your friends) is invited. The SPECIAL this month will be omelettes and proceeds go the Pledge girls for their projects.

Galaxy Voyagers Ball - Saturday, April 7th is the Ball, but come join us for the weekend - because it will be held at the Cabot Motor Inn in Lancaster, NH"! We will be gathering a table or two so sign up with Brother John, W. P., 598-2682. Banquet & Ball tickets are $25 each, and Ball-only tickets are $10.00 each.

'"SEE SPECIAL INFORMATION BELOW regarding the Alzheimer's Research and the Grand Chapter Educational Scholarship Fund, the special projects of our Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron. We know they will appreciate your support!

Upcoming Visitations: The Worthy Grand Matron and her Suite: Fit. Feb. 16. Epiphany - Bethany #50, Concord; Sat. Feb. 17. Peabody - Mount Washington #35, Tilton - with reception for the Grand Secretary; Wed.. Feb. 21. Tide Mill #67, Hampton. 

Word for the Month - Acceptance- (Please come to this month's meeting to hear about this word and how it can affect our lives!)

From the East • Brother John and I would like to ask you all to join us and BUTCH HOBSON in Springfield at the Shriners Orthopedic Hospital - Let's hope the weather cooperates this time! All welcome - sign up by February 12th!
 
Special Projects
The WGM and WGP's special projects for 2000-2001 are Alzheimer's Research and the Grand Chapter Educational Scholarship Fund. Mary Ann Flanders and Kathleen Nelson are trying to visit Chapters in their areas to speak about these projects. It is estimated that there are currently 4 million known cases of Alzheimer's Disease in the United States, and the number is on the rise. The Alzheimer's Associations the only national voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research for the causes, treatments, prevention and cures of this disease; and providing support to sufferers, their families and care givers. 

Mary Ann is making a quilt to be raffled off to support these two projects. The quilt's design is based on the WGM and WGP's "Galaxy Voyagers" theme. The front shows the sun in the center, surrounded by the planets, with spaceships in the corners. The back shows the Earth in the center with spaceships all around going in all directions. The background color is black with stars, with everything else in various colors. Tickets are $1.00 each, and the drawing will be held on August 24th. All money will go to Alzheimer's Research and the Grand Chapter Educational Scholarship Fund - no money will go to expenses. Raffle tickets cannot be mailed, but you can get tickets from Mary Ann or from your chapter's secretary. 

"It's a terrible thing to lose a mind, but it's also a terrible thing not to develop a mind through education."
Mary Ann Flanders
188 Ocean Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Tel. 431-7401

With fraternal love,

Ellen (Ellie) M. Morrill, Worthy Matron 37 MacDonald Drive Nashua, NH 03062-1855 603-888-6669 Home, 603-424-3820 Work aew@autoelectric.com (e-mail address)

John W Jackson, Worthy Patron 18 Valhalla Drive Nashua, NH 03062-1630 603-598-2682

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.