As a volunteer for the Modesto Police Department, I was just about to go home when Det. Sgt. Paul Owens — suffering a "bad hair day" — greeted me, with a soulful , “Hi.” I asked how he was and he said, "I'm not good. I need stuffed animals and I'm out here snatching them off of secretaries’ desks." 

He told me about the children who are brought in for interrogation who have been abused, molested or raped and are so frightened. He gives each of them a stuffed toy to calm them down and take their mind off their ordeal.

I said, "Oh you just hit a gold mine. I was planning to use stuffed animals next year for my 9-11 meeting. The plan was to give the stuffed goodies to the Police and Fire Depts. of Manteca.”

But this was desperation time, and I thought of all the little "Lucy's" that I have had given to me or have bought for gifts for visiting 2006's next year. I know I have about 40 or 50. I thought, “Gee, should I or shouldn't I?” After about 30  seconds I thought I should.  I went home and packed up almost all my Lucys and friends and hauled  them back downtown to Det. Owens.

I'm sorry, my sisters of 2006 — your Lucy that I was going to give you answered a higher priority.

Some little kid will hug and play and slobber all over your gift — and to the sweet sisters whose gift to me I gave away — I really loved my flock of lambs, but they were called to answered a higher priority.

All police and fire departments are in need of these toys. These children are caught between bad parents, bad drivers, or bad adults and suffer so much. One little act of kindness from a police officer or fireman can teach them they have value in this world.

Rose Wilfer AM

Pentalpha Chapter 339

Manteca, California

Cookies

Annually, the Former Deputy Grand Matrons (FDGMs) of San Diego and Imperial Counties of California sponsor a cookie drive for the patients and staff at the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego.  This is an annual event in which many more than FDGMs participate.  Any member may provide cookies and/or labor of love to package them for the recipients.

Sister Pat Hannum, as usual, headed the effort.  Approximately 20 sisters and one lone brother provided labor.  The cookies are baked in the days before the work day and are taken to the Normal Heights Masonic Center for re-packaging.  Cookies arrive in bags, boxes, tins, Tupperware containers and other conveyances.  Sister Pat provides small baggies in which four to eight cookies are placed.  They are then sealed with a label, which identifies the Eastern Star as the organization providing the cookies.  Sister Pat then takes them to the Naval Hospital for distribution.  The labels were provided by Bobbi Holmberg.  All told, 358 bags of cookies were sent to the hospital.

This year, Pat also took several dozen pairs of white socks to give to patients who may not have footwear to use on cold vinyl tile floors.  The socks were provided by members of Chula Vista Chapter.

While the lone brother is always accused (wrongly) as the gobbler of broken cookies, all share in having a snack while working.  There is photographic evidence to that effect.  No broken cookies are given to the hospital.  And fun is had by all.

What do you and your Chapter do to get into the Christmas spirit?

Photos:

Above: L-R:  Sylvia Bailey, Winona D. McNitt and Pat Hannum bagging and tagging cookies

Right: All the workers minus the lone brother

Submitted by Dave Long, Grand Treasurer, 2003       

Fun Walk

Fourth of July Fun Walk is an annual event in the Alpine Community of Mt. Shasta to raise money for civic improvements in the downtown area. Kathleen Whisler, Fidelity #131 (middle), and Clarice Vacent, Evening Star #10 (right), help with registration and distribution of tee shirts just before the big event. Over 5000 people participated in the Fun Walk in 2003.

Old Cemetery Refurbished

In Scott Valley, there are many old cemeteries. The towns of Fort Jones, Etna and Callahan all have their own places of final rest. Family cemeteries and plots are also found in special places, hidden away up the draws and on the knolls of private land.

Crystal Creek Cemetery is isolated and out of the way, but still close to the main thoroughfares. It started as a public burial place for the early settlers living in the area. The land was set aside as a cemetery, but its ownership has been passed on with the ownership of the farmland around it. It is now part of the ranch owned by Joe Pimentel and no new graves were added past the turn of the last century.

Joe very graciously gave the valley's Eastern Star Chapter the nod to go ahead and help refurbish he old cemetery and help ease away some of the evidence of time and vandalism.

The Native Sons of the Golden West had already erected a stone plaque listing all of the graves in the cemetery.

Evening Star is a fraternal group that still meets in Etna, twice a month. It has been doing this for the past 130 years.

They are very much interested in preserving the heritage of the valley. These members cleaned and pruned and spruced up the old cemetery. Additional work parties in the future will spread more order about the plots but will keep the natural comeliness of its historic setting.

Pictured in the group photo are Debbie Howell and Don Davis, the Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron of Evening Star Chapter. The rest are officers and members and friends who all joined in for a day of work.

Lasagna Dinner

Over a $1000 was raised locally for a new ambulance to serve all of Scott Valley and the Salmon River area.

Evening Star Chapter raised over $500 for its contribution to this very worthy cause by having a Lasagna dinner on September 6th.The event, held in the old Masonic Hall in Etna served up a man-killing size of lasagna, salad, bread, drinks and dessert to an enthusiastic and hungry crowd.

Weed Museum

Sam Catalano, Fidelity #131, spends many hours a week at the Weed Museum where he works as a docent. Stop by anytime and he will take you on  a tour, get you up to speed on the history of Weed and most likely give you a big hug!

Fireworks

The Mt. Shasta Resort provides the community with a spectacular viewing area of the fireworks display from part of its golf course. Those coming to ooh and aah are asked to make a $1 donation per person to help pay for the next year's fireworks. Members of Fidelity #131 man the collection points. DGM Kathleen Whisler and Worthy Matron Marleen Facey await the hundreds of viewers who will soon arrive to get the best spot.

Masonic Float

Eastern Star members and Masons were invited to ride on the Masonic Family float. Members tossed wrapped candy to the children along the route. The float won awards in two of the three parades it was entered in last year. Some of those who rode the Masonic Family float included Kathleen Whisler, Deputy Grand Matron Dist. 2; Norma Madden (standing beside the float); Glenn White; Jean Monroe; Chester Facey, Worthy Patron of Fidelity; Marleen Facey, Worthy Matron; and Winn Madden, representing the Shriners in our area.

Breakfast Buffet

In south Siskiyou County, everyone knows where the best breakfast buffet is on the Fist Sunday of each month. This popular meal is prepared and served by members of Siskiyou Masonic Lodge and Fidelity Chapter to help with the maintenance of the Community Building and Lodge. The First Sunday Breakfast draws crowds from all over and the crew feeds between 300-500 people depending on community activities.

Alex Komlofsky, who assists with dishwashing duties was initiated into Fidelity Chapter early this spring (and then talked his wife into joining also). Irene Clar, PM, will gladly carve a slice or two of ham for you.

Kids ID Program

Our chapter participated in the Solano County Fair this year n July by helping to man the Masonic Child ID Booth. The Fair ran for 10 days and there was at least one if not two ladies per 2 hours shift at the Fair each day from 11AM to 10 PM. We dressed in our Friendship Dresses and looked like real ladies. We distributed information n the Order of Eastern Star; Job's Daughters, Rainbow for Girls and Masonic brochures. We ran the computer and had the challenge of taking a 10-day-old baby's picture and thumb prints. After the children had their pictures taken they were rewarded with a sample pack of Jelly Belly candy provided by the Jelly Belly Company.

A total of 2492 Child ID photos were taken in the 10 days. We increased our total over 2002 by 288 children. It was a very successful 10 days and all of us had fun in the process. Our members contributed a total of 180 hours.

Handmade Blankets

Article in the Anaheim Bulletin by Eleeza Agopian: Some Children will soon warm up, thanks to the Order of the Eastern Star's Chispa Chapter #151, based in Anaheim. The group donated 15 handmade fleece blankets and several stuffed animals to the Anaheim Police Department, which will give them to children caught in emergencies.

Each blanket is 54 inches by 54 inches and were hand-sewn with different colors.

Parade

We also participated in the Annual Vallejo 4th of July parade. We held a decorating party and Bar B Q on the 3rd of July at the home of the Worthy Matron. Five sisters rode on the decorated truck the next day, Marie O'Neil, Associate Matron; Dolores McKendry, P.M. DGM, district 15; Patricia Whitehill, P.M. Treasurer; Linda Frost, Associate Conductress and Onetta Munkres, P.M. Secretary. The Worthy Matron Rosita Miller and Worthy Patron Dean Miller rode in a convertible provided by a local car lot and chauffeured by Glen Munkres, P.P., Associate Patron.

Photo: Front Row rear of the truck Marie O'Neil with blue outlined umbrella, Dolores McKendry with yellow outlined umbrella. Back against the back of the truck cab is Patricia Whitehill, P.M. Far side is Linda Frost, and Onetta Munkres, P.M.

The loving hands of Eastern Star

Reported in the Kern Valley Sun:

It was evident upon a recent visit to the one of the Eastern Star Cancer Dressing sessions that more than talent goes into the handiwork created by these ladies. Each and every piece is designed and compassionately stitched, quilted, knitted or crocheted with heartfelt love.

When the term cancer dressing is used, many think of bandages but, for the ladies of the Eastern Star it goes much further. Their labors of love include: lap robes, both fabric and crocheted; butterfly pillows which protect recent surgery patients against seat belts, cushion sore areas, give comfort when coughing, prop up legs and arms, and for use behind the head and neck; angel and teddy bear pillows for children; mastectomy pillows; crocheted hats and turbans for women and girls who have lost their hair; pillow cases; bone shaped neck pillows; and “Kathy Kaps” made of gingham or cute print fabric and some are made with yarn pig tales for young girls. They are always eager to add new items and welcome any suggestions.

In “Kathy Kap” story, Kathy was a beautiful young mother who had cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy. As a result of the treatment she lost her hair. Although she wore a wig, she confided to a friend how uncomfortable the wig was after treatment and for sleeping. The friend said “Let me experiment on a cap for you”. By the third try, a perky gingham cap, comfortable and cute was complete; thus the name “Kathy Kap.

The order of the Eastern Star began this charity in 1953 and the local valley chapter set up their Cancer Dressing Station shortly after starting their local chapter in 1971.

The ladies meet on the third Tuesday of each month (except July, August and December) at the Masonic Lodge in Kernville. Normally they have between eight and ten members turn out for the sessions followed by lunch at one of the local restaurants. Besides members they also have local volunteers join them such as Joe Brown who has worked with the group for many years following the death of her beloved husband Brownie.