Olive Chapter honors 50- year members

Olive Chapter held its regular meeting June 5 at the Masonic Hall with Gertrude and Joseph Harper presiding as worthy matron and worthy patron in the East.

Preceding this meeting was a carry-in salad supper at 6 p. m. Promptly at 7 p. m., in an open meeting, Sibby Middleton and John Rogers were escorted by the conductresses behind the altar for special introduction as 5-year members of Oliver Chapter No. 13. The worthy matron of Olive Chapter greeted them with a "50 Years" poem and thanked them for their service to Oliver Chapter. Worthy Grand Patron Mike Towner, assisted by Worthy Grand Matron Isabel Adams, read their records of 50 years in Olive Chapter, presented them with their certificates and pins, plus a special handmade pin symbolizing footsteps in life to them. Jean Shepard, who was unable to attend, and lives at Mesquite, Texas, was entitled to this honor also. However, her twin daughters Kathy and Carol was in attendance on this occasion in honor of their mother. Secretary Edith Peterson presented the 5- year members present with their life membership cards. The worthy grand patron played a few "older clips" of 50 years ago on the computer for memories. The couple were then given grand honors. The chapter declared a recess for a regular meeting. The worthy matron thanked the 53 members for their attendance.

Introductions for the evening were Worthy Grand Matron Isabel Adams and Worthy Grand Patron Mike Towner. They were properly presented behind the altar for introduction, escorted to the East, given grand honors and seated in the East, after Charlotte Swaim sang, "May You Always" accompanied by Larry Swaim on the piano to them. Further guest was Past Grand Matron, General Grand Chapter Committee Member on Education and Grand Trustee of the Grand Chapter or Kansas Shirley J. Palmer. She was escorted to the East and was given grand honors. The appointative and elective grand officers were Associate Grand Matron Karen Adams; Grand Marshal Judith Caputo; Grand Esther Kathryn L. Johnson; General Grand Chapter, "Friend of a Feather" Special Project, and member of the Fraternal Correspondence of the Grand Chapter of Kansas Rojean Ward; Grand Guard Sonny Peterson; Grand Teller Edith Peterson; Special Page to Grand Esther Carol McEwen; worthy patrons and worthy matrons Mick Lawrence, Suzie Cawthorn, Effie and Dean Mitchell, and Juanita Phillips; and Grand Musician of the Grand Lodge of AF&AM Larry Swaim. Escorts present with grand officers were Elvin Adams and Kay Towner.

Correspondence and invitations were from Pittsburg, Topeka, Fulton, Columbus, Chanute and Hiattville.

The charter was draped by the chaplain in memory of Melvin Brown, who died June 4. Members stood in a reverent attitude while the worthy matron read a poem in his memory. Under Good of the Order, the worthy grand matron and worthy grand patron were prepared for graduation in OES by Charlotte Swaim and Sonny Peterson. They were presented to each star point, given a short speech and diploma the color relating to that station until they had attained the five degrees, and promptly received their life memberships to Olive Chapter from Charlotte and Sonny. Grand Esther Katherine Johnson responded for the appointative and elective grand officers. The worthy grand patron thanked Olive Chapter for a wonderful evening, congratulating the 50year members for their services, and stated the watchword of "Compassion is what life is all about."

The worthy grand matron thanked the chapter for a good fun evening, stating her projects for the year to be cancer, heart research, Alzheimer's disease, and Ronald McDonald tabby tops, and to give thanks for all the freedom we have in America. It was noted visitors attending this meeting were from Meriden, Ottawa, Weir, Derby, Pittsburg, Gridley, Fulton and Hiattville.

After the meeting closed, refreshments of decorated white or chocolate cake, punch and mints were served by Michelle Defebaugh and Charlotte Swaim.

-- Submitted by Edith Peterson