Rainbow Girls

IORG

http://www.gorainbow.org/

IORG—International Order of Rainbow for Girls is a wonderful youth group affiliated with the Masonic fraternity.  As some naysayers try to paint us, it is not a cult or anything close to it.  It teaches great life values to girls eleven to twenty.  I am a follower of a Jewish carpenter, first and foremost.  If anything caused a conflict with my belief in our Lord Jesus, I would not be a part of it. That being said, I am, therefore, extremely proud to say that I was a member of the Order.  I guess a part of me still is—kind of like once a Marine, always a Marine—once a Rainbow, always a Rainbow.

As our emblem, we use the seven ROYGBIV colors of a spectrum.  I learned lessons about God and country.  The Holy Bible physically is the center of our existence.  It is also morally our compass (or at least it should be).  I learned Love through Service.  Lessons of Faith, Hope and Charity.  I learned many lessons presented to me from the ritual which I might call “tangible” lessons.  I also learned many “intangible” lessons.  Confidence.  Leadership.  Decision making. Ability to talk to a group/audience. Self assurance.  Ritual work, I believe, helped me with my school work through structured memorizing.  Kindness to our sisters in the organization.  Kindness to strangers (especially those who are visitors in one’s Assembly)   A sort of gentleness.  And, conversely, a sort of boldness.  Humility.  An oxymoron is coming as Pride was instilled as well.  Can one have humble pride?

It also gave me life-long friendships.  I met JJ in 1959 when she was installing a new corps of officers.  I talked to her on the phone this past week.  JJ and I are members of the same Order of the Eastern Star Chapter.  When I go north, she, her husband, Steve and I get together socially at each other’s home or meet at a restaurant a couple of times while I am “up there.”   

A second long-time friendship is with another woman with whom I went to school.  She had several children and saw to it that her daughters all joined.  They now have daughters of their own.  Many years after this woman and I had been long past the age of majority, she invited me to her eldest daughter’s installation as WA.  Although I seem to have lost touch with her over the last couple of years (my fault), we had a special bond for oh so many years.  I actually caught her bridal bouquet.  I would not have had the opportunity to enjoy these friendships without my having joined this beautiful order.  There are also many I know to whom  I could call in time of need.  Some of these folks I met as an adult when my niece joined Rainbow in the 80’s.  There is no time boundary for friendship.

In my assembly which covered two full towns and portions of one or two others was vibrant and active.  Most of our meetings had attendance of thirty to fifty girls plus and active Advisory Board. We held twenty formal meetings each year (and lots of fun get togethers).  For a  couple of years, we had degree work at most of the formal meetings as we had so many girls who wanted to be part of the organization.  The meetings were very structured.  No one talked unless recognized by the WA.  The MA was the only adult who spoke unless specifically addressed by the WA. There was great friendly competition for various offices.  And each officer knew her ritualistic work verbatim.

I was blessed as I outlasted many in my age group.  Partly because I did not have the opportunity to go to college, I was able to “go through the chairs” to become a WA and eventually on to being a state office. (As JJ says, “When God closes a door, He opens a window!!”)  WA’s tended to be seventeen or eighteen.  We were maturing, but certainly not yet matured. I also EARNED my Grand Cross of Colors through years of service.  I was an active member from January 1959 to December 1966 at which time I received my “majority” (aged out). I continued on as an AdvisoryBoard member for another three years.

I can proudly say that in time period, I missed only one meeting.  That was in my last year as an Advisory Board member.  The Beach Boys were in concert in Hartford.  And, I must confess that was the only night I played hooky from my beloved Rainbow Assembly.  As years passed I was on two other Boards for two other Assemblies…one in Connecticut, one in Florida.  I also had a two-year stint as a Pledge Mother…not missing any more meetings.

The Rainbow website shows pictures of several distinguished women (if you click on their pictures, you will find their profiles) who give credit for their accomplishments—at least in part—to their having been in Rainbow.  Astronaut(s), Hollywood stars and actresses, Supreme Court Justice, Business executives. Educators. Senators. Miss America.  And a whole lot more.

Having said all this, Christina, invited me to a meeting to an Assembly to which her daughter is a member.  I had not been to a Rainbow meeting in at least six years. I accepted her invitation.  I was horrified . Well, maybe that is too strong a word, but I certainly was very disappointed. I walked into the building.  Only one gentleman spoke to me, and that was barely.  I found a seat.  Christina arrived and sat next to me.  Only one young lady greeted me at all.  She, I must say, was very pleasant.  I don’t expect a standing O, but the treatment was borderline rude (or maybe not so borderline…down and out rude).  The Mother Advisor totally ignored me, as did the girls.  Albeit, after the meetings, she did say a couple of words to me.  Sort of terse.  Almost as though they did not want visitros.  None of other adult Broad members said so much as a “How-de-doo.”  One cannot, however, expect anything better from the girls if the people who is supposed to be THE adult leaders are not hospitable. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE FRIENDSHIP  that the extended hands in our emblem denotes!!???!!!  Honestly, I felt (as my mother might say) as welcome as a skunk at a lawn party.

What a difference a couple of days make!!  These folks should take some lessons from those wonderful folks in Valdosta (previous posting).

Okay, so the hand of friendship was not extended.  Let’s get to the ritualistic work.  Too much reading from the book.  Granted, several girls were filling in offices that were really not theirs.  Two of the six were excellent and filled in several stations (the gal that greeted me filled WAA and Charity; also Hope did a good job).   And the DL who has no speaking part did nice floor work.  But, there is no excuse for the Worthy Advisor and the Mother Advisor to read their parts.  NEVER would have happened in days gone by.  Too much competition.  Now, I know life has changed.  We depend on multitudes of media which were not available “in my day.”  But that should not change certain aspects of our organization.  Maybe, the fact that only six girls were available for a meeting, rather than the multitudes of fifty years ago, stems (at least in a large part) from the sloppiness and demeanor and the less than friendly attitude.  We were extremely structured in our meetings. In this meeting,  structure was almost non existent.

The MA drove me nuts.  I am not a perfectionist on much of anything in my life, but I do like to see well run meetings.  Again, in the “old days” a person speaking stood up.  This is for many reasons.  One very practical reason is that one’s voice projects better.  It is, therefore, possible for more people to hear what you have to say when one stands to speak.  The MA did all her speechifying (except the required ritual standing) in a sitting position.  Legs crossed in a most uncomely manner with her tat blaring out from her leg.  The whole demeanor-- to me--presented a very unladylike attitude.  What an example for the girls! 

I think that it will be quite some time before I attend another local meeting of the Order at least at that Assembly.  I am, however, looking forward the next Supreme Assembly in a couple of years.

 I am aware that times change.  But…

OFFICIAL VISITATION AT VALDOSTA

My snowbird Iowa/Dunnellon, Florida friend Lois called me back a bit. 

I picked up the annoying machine that was ringing. The conversation went:

                “Hi, how are you?”

                “Fine, and you?”

You know, the regular non-committal, nonsense words, small talk one speaks into that infernal creature known as a phone.

The conversation continued:

                “Hey, do you want to go traveling?’

                “Sure” I replied.  I had no idea where or to whom I was speaking.

                “Who is this?” I continued.

    “It’s Lois!”

I knew she would be coming south soon, but kind of lost track of time.  I did not expect to hear from her yet.  Too early in the season.  Wait a minute!  It is November, after all.

She proposed a trip to Valdosta, Georgia on November 19, 2011.  Like most of us, she prefers to travel with someone.  Sounds good to me.  I had no idea why we were going, but I have always enjoyed being with her.  So, sure, I’d go.

Lois and I first met on a tour affiliated with General Grand Chapter in Oregon in 2003.  My Florida friend Lynne was supposed to join me on this trip, but her daughter lived in Portland.  She wanted to spend more time with her.  So, I boarded the tour bus by myself.  And being the wall flower that I am (hahaha), I soon started chatting with a bunch of ladies from Iowa.  There was only one of me.  And, as I said, there was a bunch of them.   We had a nice bus tour of portions of Oregon, spending some time at Seaside where Lewis and Clark ended their pilgrimage.

Wind forward several years…Steve and I went to Dunnellon Chapter (2007), I think.  The Chapter I had been attending just consolidated with Gainesville.  Dunnellon was closer, so I thought that I would start visiting some Chapters closer to my home. 

This very nice and attractive lady in the AM’s seat said, “It’s nice to see you again!”

“What,” I thought, “is she talking about??!!?”  I replied, “But, I’ve never been here before!”  The next time I went to one of their meetings, she asked if I had been to GGC in Oregon and did I take a tour and did I remember a bunch of ladies from Iowa.  Yes, Yes and Yes.  Lois was one of them.  She even had a picture of me.

When Lois became WM and her husband Rich became WP the following year, I pro temped for them on a regular basis.  They nominated me for one of  the Florida-WGM’s-Deeds-of-Kindness awards (given for extra special service).  This was really, really extra special since I no longer hold a dual membership in Florida.

The summer of 2010 we traveled west to Wyoming on auto trip.  We stopped and spent two days with them in their Iowa home.  Steve and Rich bonded.  When they came south last year, we traded dining in each other’s home.  They took us on a wonderful trip up the Rainbow River on their pontoon boat.

So, from that initial, short-lived meeting, we have become good friends.  I was really looking forward to our special travel, but still did not know a lot of details.  I learned later that the WGM of Georgia was initiated in Iowa in the same Chapter in which Lois and Rich are members.  WGM Lynn Marie and Lois had been lifelong friends.  Lynn Marie was planning to be in Valdosta…only a two-three hour ride.  We were going to go to an Official District Visitation with a luncheon.

She picked me up shortly after eight in the morning.  The adventure started. 

About half way, I realized that I had left my camera at home.  “Lois, can we turn around?  I forgot my camera!”  Well, Lois assured me that she had hers and that she would not turn around.  Of course, she knew how goofy I can be.  And that I knew she really could not nor should not turn back.

The trip went very quickly with our constant yakking.  Lois thought it was a noon luncheon.  We got there around eleven.  Everyone had already started eating.  Fried chicken.  Potato salad.  Green beans.  Rolls and Butter.  Iced tea. (Of course, this is the South…I expected only sweetened (icky and syrupy) tea, but, apparently, there are others beside me who like tea unsweetened.  And they had that as well).  Yellow cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate cake with white frosting.

Then, I began to see why they call it SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY.  The WGM came over, threw her arms around Lois and then around me.  We were treated like honored guests.  The WGM’s mother Jeanette is her traveling companion and Grand Martha.  Lois knew her as well.  And, it seemed Lois knew a whole bunch of people.  Everyone was sooooooooooo cordial.

In 2009, I had attended Georgia’s Grand Chapter with my friend Marianne.  I had talked to a woman named Kay who invited me to come to Valdosta Chapter sometime.  I said that I would try.  We all know what that most likely means…that it probably would never happen.  Well, Kay, I MADE IT.  Kay was in the kitchen.  She was the chair of the luncheon (and Treasurer of the host Chapter).

Lois brought out her camera.   Of course, the batteries were dead.  So, I thought that we have no pictures of our excursion.  Sorry!! And, Lo! And Behold! Kathleen forwarded a handful of pictures seen below.  Thanks Kathleen

Every jurisdiction handles Official Visitations (as well as their Grand Chapters) differently.  I have now traveled to four states for an official and been to Grand Chapters in at least seven jurisdictions.  My Missouri friend Linda has told me about her Officials.  In Missouri, they are “district” officials.  Many other jurisdictions have single Chapter Officials.

An official is verrrrrrrrrry different in a district than In individual Chapter visitations.  I had never been to a “district” official before.  All Chapters in a given district consolidate, meeting at one Chapter’s residence, to share the work from luncheon preparation, costs and running the meeting.  The more Chapters in a district, obviously, the easier the task.  I understand that particular district had seven Chapters at one time.  But, as in too many places, we have become an aging organization and have lost some of our Chapters. Now, there are two.  So, everything was split down the middle. 

That District also has two Grand Officers (one from each Chapter)…Grand Chaplain (her Chapter’s WM and a nurse) and Grand Adah (her Chapter’s AM).  The second Chapter in this District was Nashville.

One Chapter normally does ritualistic opening, one usually does introductions and one closes. Before the Chapter can actually be “opened” all WMs have to declare their respective Chapters open (and later closed).

The room, expected to be very crowded, had “saved” places on many of the seats.  But, again Lynn Marie WGM had taken good care of her friend Lois and--vicariously by virtue of my being Lois’s friend-- me.  Lynn Marie had saved us seats next to her mother.

The traveling gowns for the Grand Officers were sequinned tops and satin bottoms in royal blue.  Grand Chapter appointees (non officers) also wore these gowns.  The exception were Grand Star Points who wore the colors of their office.

There was an EMT and a nurse (one of the WMs) in the Chapter.  GOOD THING! Never have I seen so much need for one.  Before the meeting started, someone fell.  It turned out that after a few moments on the floor, she got up, dusted herself off and proclaimed herself okay!  But the EMT was there immediately.

Opening ceremonies had begun when in the northeast section of seats, there was a flurry of activity.  Bible had just been opened.  Prayer about to be said.  The EMT in very high heels was sitting on the opposite side of the room.  She yanked off her heals and bee-lined across the room.  One of the Grand Officers was having a problem.  Close the Bible.  Sit and wait.  A whole passel of folks went out with her.  They dribbled back in.  The patient eventually came back about an hour later, but remained seated for the rest of the day’s activities.  Debbie (the WM and nurse) praised the EMT for having her equipment with her as Debbie had left hers in her car.  She mentioned that she knew that it did not do much good there.

There are many Grand Session appointments for which announcements are made at Officials.  (In Connecticut those appointments are made and announced in a regular Chapter meeting at each home Chapter of the particular participants with no fan-fare).

The WGM and WGP were presented with a corsage/ boutonnière (not unusual) with the greenery coming from many dominations of bills…fives, tens and maybe a couple of ones, or even perhaps a twenty.  Very nice!

The WGM and WGP arrived a day early.  She reviewed the books.  Over forty joined them for dinner the previous evening.  The actual Official consisted of many introductions, speeches, honorings,  announcements, thank yous.

Lynn Marie has as her emblems the lady bug and wishing well.  She gave a gorgeous pin to both Lois and me with these emblems along with a daisy.  It is a pin that can be worn anywhere.  Many of the pins that we have gathered over the years are sort of Eastern Starish.  This one was not.  I love it.

Kathleen, the photographer and the lady sitting on the left side of Lois, and I got into a discussion about being a Yankee.  I am proud of my being a Yankee. For my family, it goes back earlier than the word which seems to have first appeared around the 1690’s in Southern New England.  Of course, over the years, depending upon who and where the word is spoken (or written), the name Yankee has been broadened.  But, to me, a TRUE YANKEE is a New Englander of many generations. So what!  I’m a snob!  I don’t like sharing my Yankeeness with all those others. 

Kathleen has lived in Georgia for a long time, but claimed to be a Yankee.  When I asked her from where she had come, she told me Pennsylvania.  When I declared my snobbynish about her nativity, she told me that her ancestors were from Massachusetts.  Of course, both of us were laughing through the entire conversation.  Okay, so she really is a Yankee.  But, she further added that since she has stayed, she is (as am I) truly one of those d---Yankees, of which many Southerners call those of us who do stay.  D---Yankee, by the way, is all one word.

We were sitting in the back row.  The chairs are movie-theater style with a step down to the row below.  One of the ladies had dropped something under the chair in front of her.  It seemed as though I was the one volunteered to fetch it (most agile, I think).  Anyway, I dropped down on the step and had almost reached the runaway item when the WGM started a new paragraph. “We have some visitors from out of state!”  Oh, great…I’m down on the floor retrieving the runaway item (which I did manage to find and pick up).  I tried to get up and back to my seat, but I had a long dress on.  As I started to get up, I got my foot caught in the hem and was sort of stuck. Wrestling with the dress now wrapped around the shoe, I finally was able to stand.  Lois and I were the only two visitors from “out of state.”  I was still struggling to regain my footing, arms flapping and flailing. Fortunately, she introduced her long-time friend—Lois--first.  Hooray!  Then she mentioned that I was Lois’s friend and introduced me.  Laurel and Hardy had nothing on my routine!  Neither did Kramden and Norton!

The WGP brought smiling star pins for each of us.  I will wear my two pins with pride (the wishing well with its lady bug and daisy and the smiling star).  Whenever I look at the smiling star, however, I remember my dance from the floor to a standing position. My friends, when reading this, will be nodding their heads;  as, only I can get myself in such a position at such an untimely time.

When I talked to WGM Lynn Marie later, she said that when she looked over to the area where we were sitting and did not see me, she thought I had left, perhaps for a rest room call.  No, Lynn Marie, I’m here.

The two-time hurried activity of the EMT and my disappearing under the seat caused some unexpected excitement for the day.   

After the meeting closed, a reception followed for the two Grand Officers. A receiving line was the beginning of the reception.  Then, of course, food.  The food (all homemade goodies) looked yummy.  I grabbed a piece of homemade apple pie, a strawberry, and a lime tart from the back end of the table (kind of cut to the end of the line) and ate them in the car.  Lois had asked me to get her a couple of brownies which were also downed as we started on our way—homeward bound.   A three hour drive loomed ahead of us.  Lois wanted to be close to home when the darkness came upon us.  So, we left after rushing through the receiving line.

This ol’ Yankee girl still has problems with all that huggin’ and kissin’.  People tell me that I will get used to it.  But, after twenty something years in Florida, it is still difficult for me to hug folks I don’t know.  I forced my way through the line.  I guess I should remind myself that there are no strangers.   Only friends that I have not yet met.   

Thank you Georgia for your wonderful hospitality.  We enjoyed ourselves!

DUNCAN

Duncan

It seemed as thought everyone knew Duncan.  And anyone who knew Duncan loved him.   And, he left this earthy world to join our Heavenly Father too young for those of us left behind.  He was 68—but only eleven days from his sixty-ninth birthday.  His passing really got to Steve as Steve is fifty four days older than Duncan. 

I last saw Duncan about six weeks ago, left on my adventure to the North and came home to find out that he was very ill, indeed.  He left us to go to his to his eternal home a couple of weeks after I returned home.

Duncan had fought his way through a myriad of ailments and illnesses over the last several years.  Diabetes.  Heart. A bout of cancer. Partial leg amputation.  He was doing well and had gotten good reports from his doctors for about a year.  But about a month ago, cancer reared its ugly head once again, this time attacking his lungs.  He was on the “prayer list” for the two Sundays I attended church and passed on the afternoon of the second one.

He was sweet, funny, gentle, great smile, stubborn.

His stubbornness showed in his tenacity of fitting his various ailments.  But, it showed in a gentle way as well.  After his leg amputation, when he was able to drive once again, he drove his white Dodge truck as though there was no challenge.  He had an automatic lift in the back that would pick up his wheel chair and bring it to the ground.  He would never accept help in this process.  Well, except a couple of times, he actually allowed me to close the tail gate on the truck as he wheeled away.  He quickly progressed from this chair to a prosthesis. Today, wonderful work is done with these aids—almost like one’s own limb. The Masonic Lodge held a benefit earlier this year for a lad in town.  Duncan was there.  He showed off his leg and enjoyed the attention the ladies gave it…asking any who wanted to touch to so do.

An elder in the First Presbyterian Church, he was also active in the local Masonic Lodge—Past Master (served twice), Past District Deputy, Past Chairman or Member of various state committees.  The other Elders (Kriss, Kay, Kathy and Dave ) were “honorary ball bearers.” 

I went to his calling hours.  Steve and I went to his funeral.  Steve said he had never been to a bigger funeral in his life (probably true as he goes to very few).  Duncan’s, however, was huge by our standards—well over two hundred people.  Just about everyone from the tiny church had paid their respects either at his calling hours or at the funeral (many at both).  At the funeral there was a reserved section for his Masonic brothers…filling six or seven rows (several were seated elsewhere in the congregation with their spouses).  Many others had been there the night before.  His Pastor and a co-worker who was also a Pastor (a long time friend who eulogized Duncan) conducted the service at the funeral home. 

A grave side service was conducted by the Masonic brothers.  I found it interesting that two brothers on their beautiful trike Harleys did all the traffic control through the town to the cemetery.  Catfish and Drifter.  The funeral procession was, as one can imagine, quite long.  A few years back, the world seemed to understand the proper etiquette for funeral processions, but not so much today.  However, the first Harley pulled out to the left and pulled across the road.  No one could get by.  The entire caravan moved out with, of course, headlights turned on.  A few vehicles moved out from side streets, etc.  Fortunately, the road was two lane, and their impatience did not interfere.  The distance travelled was only a couple of miles.  Not too many turns impeded the progress.  But, at the one light where traffic could have severed the long line, Catfish pulled his Harley across that lane of traffic.  There doesn’t seem to be police escorts very much these days.  So, the Masons did a great job of traffic control within the town.

At the cemetery, Steve joined the other brothers, presenting his sprig of acacia at the proper time.  The service was very moving and touching.  The last grave-side service presented by a Masonic body that I witnessed was my Dad’s in 1986—twenty five years ago. (I have participated in many Eastern Star graveside services, but the Masonic ones have been more allusive)  At my Dad’s service I had held it together pretty much until Steve laid his acacia, and then I burst into tears.  Gig Yodkins comforted me at that time.  He was big burly former policeman.  His Dad and mine served on the police force together.  His Dad had perished in the ’55 flood when Gig was a young man.  His Dad’s badge had been retired.  But when Gig decided to join the police force, the badge was “unretired” through Gig’s years of service.  It was “re-retired” afterwards.  This service brought back those memories…thoughts that had not surfaced in years.  Thinking of my Dad made me really have to fight an outburst of tears.  I did shed tears for Duncan, but I certainly did not want to make a scene.

Duncan, through God’s “Amazing Grace,” I look forward to seeing you once again.

Winchester's Historic Masonic Lodge

Leaving our hosts' home we headed back to Old Town Winchester.  We had seen signs for a pedestrian mall.  The lady I spoke to the evening before had told me the Masonic Lodge was on this mall.  The whole mall is very old and very historic.

I had a lot of interest in this Masonic Lodge room.  It is almost personal to me.  During THE War (American Civil War, War Between the States) the Town of Winchester, Virginia changed hands Yankee to Confederate some fifty or more times (most of the townies say it is over seventy time).  Churches, the Masonic Lodge, houses, stores were used as hospitals, prisoner of war holding pens, etc.  Lt. Col. Homer Sprague, my great grandfather's lieutenant colonel of the 13th Connecticut Infantry Volunteers, was captured at Opequon (Opequan) or Third Winchester.  Before being sent to Libby prison, he was temporarily held in the Masonic Lodge room.  He was a Connecticut Mason (Hiram #1). 

Other historical opportunities in that Lodge Room are that George Washington once presided and President William McKinley (lieutenant at the time) was initiated, passed and raised  in three days before he eventually transferred to his home state of Ohio.