Members of the Order of Eastern Star all over the world celebrate Rob Morris. He and his wife were the designers of our wonderful Order. He wrote our ritual. He was born August 31, 1818. In Florida, the tradition is to celebrate his birthday on the Saturday or Sunday closest to the anniversary of his birth. In some jurisdictions such as Connecticut, his birth is celebrated at the meeting closest to his birth date which usually means the first meeting in September as many jurisdictions do not meet in the summer.
A good biography can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Morris_(Freemason)
And some of his poems may be caught at http://www.masonic-poets-society.com/MorrisR.htm
The Florida celebration is generally in form of a picnic in each district. District 13 which is made up of Dunnellon, Ocala, Inverness, and Bell View. Hosting rotates between Chapters. This year Dunnellon was the official host.
The picnic, held indoors where AC reigns, comes in the form of a covered dish aka "pot luck." The food is always abundant and yummy. I was the last person in line. And, although some of the pots were empty, there was still plenty of food for me to have lots of choices. I am glad, however, that I snatched a deviled egg when the line started as they were long gone by the time I reached them. Steve, on the other hand, much closer to the front of the line managed to get one (or was it two).
The hosting Chapter is responsible for meat, rolls, and entertainment. The WM Joan L. asked me if we could do a Murder Mystery.
One more time I hauled out The Good, the Bad and the Guilty, a murder surrounding the death of Judge Waylon Paine, presented by the low life of Wyoming territory in the 1880's in the town of Roadkill.
Props included the Judge's desk and ransacked room, Wyatt's Rent a Horse corral, Helena's cattleranch, a miniature gallows with eight nooses made by Steve, Adela's residence, church and graveyard, and, of course, the dead horse in the road. Most of the characters were gun--tooting villians...among the green and brown plastic guns were two real ones--one a nine-shooter and the other an 1856 reproduction Navy colt six-shooter.
Costuming was western. Adela and Helena wore primarily black as they were both in mourning--one over the loss of her husbands and the other over the loss of her sons. Elvia wore a bright red hat, off the shoulder top and a pathera of various colored boas. The Chief had made a head dress. Cowboy boots. Old timey shirts, skirts and other fun parts of outfits. Many of the guests also arrived in western garb.
Jackie was hysterical as Butch Chasity, the leader of an all women's gang of robbers. She got what seemed the most laughs.
In addition, the other low life of the area which produced lol:
Adela Dee Murante (Day of Death) local Preacher and Undertaker (jobs left to her by two of her three husbands)--Nancy.
P'Elvis Swaggerin--a stranger in town--Georgia.
Chief Breaking Wind, the CowPai Chief, town barber and dentist--Arlene. (Several people joined in fanning the air when the Chief walked by)
Wyatt Hertz, the local Rent-a-Horse dealer and former sheriff and gunslinger--Swede.
Elias Trusties Heath (He's liest through his teeth) a ne'er do well former army cavalryman and foster son of the Judge--Charlie.
Helena Handcart, owner of a large cattle ranch and mother of thirteen boys--all who were gunned down at the Parkay Corral--Cathy.
And, of course, Elvia Lynn-Fection, well, you can imagine who and what she was by her name--Joan C.
All did a great job! Dessert was served after the last round just before the solution was given. I did my regular job of Director/Bailiff/Coach.
Props included the Judge's desk and ransacked room, Wyatt's Rent a Horse corral, Helena's cattleranch, a miniature gallows with eight nooses made by Steve, Adela's residence, church and graveyard, and, of course, the dead horse in the road. Most of the characters were gun--tooting villians...among the green and brown plastic guns were two real ones--one a nine-shooter and the other an 1856 reproduction Navy colt six-shooter.
Costuming was western. Adela and Helena wore primarily black as they were both in mourning--one over the loss of her husbands and the other over the loss of her sons. Elvia wore a bright red hat, off the shoulder top and a pathera of various colored boas. The Chief had made a head dress. Cowboy boots. Old timey shirts, skirts and other fun parts of outfits. Many of the guests also arrived in western garb.
Jackie was hysterical as Butch Chasity, the leader of an all women's gang of robbers. She got what seemed the most laughs.
In addition, the other low life of the area which produced lol:
Adela Dee Murante (Day of Death) local Preacher and Undertaker (jobs left to her by two of her three husbands)--Nancy.
P'Elvis Swaggerin--a stranger in town--Georgia.
Chief Breaking Wind, the CowPai Chief, town barber and dentist--Arlene. (Several people joined in fanning the air when the Chief walked by)
Wyatt Hertz, the local Rent-a-Horse dealer and former sheriff and gunslinger--Swede.
Elias Trusties Heath (He's liest through his teeth) a ne'er do well former army cavalryman and foster son of the Judge--Charlie.
Helena Handcart, owner of a large cattle ranch and mother of thirteen boys--all who were gunned down at the Parkay Corral--Cathy.
And, of course, Elvia Lynn-Fection, well, you can imagine who and what she was by her name--Joan C.
All did a great job! Dessert was served after the last round just before the solution was given. I did my regular job of Director/Bailiff/Coach.
The laughter indicated that a good time was had.
We know that Rob had a serious side, but some of his poetry indicates that he also had a sense of humor. We hope our presentation would have made him proud and given him a few laughs.
pictures coming soon.
pictures coming soon.
