The joint project of the 2012 and 2013 Worthy Grand Matrons and Worthy Grand Patrons is to provide funding to refurbish the kitchen at the OES Home in Mt. Vernon. We have set a goal of $75,000 over the next two Grand Chapter Years and have named the campaign, “Pitch In for the Kitchen.”

The sunshine collections at visitations by the 2012 Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron will be designated to their Special Project, “Pitch In for the Kitchen.”

The Open House at the OES Home will be held on Sunday,

June 24, 2012. We hope you will all join us on that date.

We are so proud of our Ohio Eastern Star Home and its residents. Thanks to the efforts of the Administrator and her staff and the Trustees, it is a place not just to live, but a place to live well. We know that through the continued generosity of our members, this dream of “Pitch In for the Kitchen” will become a reality.

Jean Watters, Associate Grand Matron

F. Lon Lowry, Associate Grand Patron

Collection of Medicine Bottles, Pull Tabs and Plastic Bottle Caps

A fun project for me has been collecting medicine bottles, both prescription and over-the counter, for Matthew 25 Ministries. These bottles are sterilized and are used to dispense medication to the “less fortunate” in third world countries. Please save the pull tabs off the aluminum cans for the children at Shriners’ Hospitals. We are able to supply many items for the children and the parent house (from the tab fund) that are not covered by the Imperial Council’s allotment. Please save the plastic bottle caps from all Coke products. The funds derived from these caps are used to supply playground equipment for students at Bauer Elementary School in Miamisburg. Again, let me remind you….if you are collecting the medicine bottles, pull tabs or Coke caps for another charity, please continue to do so. Our goal is to collect only those items that are destined to be thrown in the trash, so that we can recycle them for the above mentioned charities. Please sort these items because they all go to different places. They can be given to anyone from District 20, including the Worthy Grand Matron. Don Huber (513) 755-2739 is the chairman of this project.

MUSIC PROGRAM

We have been encouraged by the interest that has been shown in our Music Program. Now that we have distributed the set of 3 music CDs to enhance your Eastern Star meetings, we are sure that others will be interested in the program. You will find on this website the form to order your own set of CDs!

The CD music project was developed for those chapters which do not have an organist. It has never been our intent to replace any of our talented musicians. There is nothing that can compare to live music to make our meetings more enjoyable. The recorded music idea was to enable chapters to enjoy their meetings, even though they may not have their own organist.

Of course, having the CDs will also be a back-up for the chapter whose organist at the last minute becomes ill, who may be away on vacation, or for whatever reason cannot attend a meeting.

You may find that some tunes on these CDs are appropriate for marching or as vocal ode accompaniment. We endeavored to provide many marches, familiar odes, and all the “Welcome” songs or tunes we have ever heard to give you a wide range of possibilities. If you are unsure of the words to a song, you will have to rely on neighboring chapters!

This music process will take practice, just like the other officers practice. However, when your “organist/music operator” becomes familiar with the player and the music, you may wish to branch out to other CDs for marching music, or instrumentals for use during presentations or the sunshine collection. You may want to use tunes geared to the Chapter’s theme or the theme of the evening, i.e. Hawaiian, Christmas or OSU music!

Another possibility would be to purchase a religious or familiar/popular tune karaoke CD with a vocal track to learn a song, and then use the accompaniment only track for an opening, patriotic or closing ode. The possibilities are endless, once you become familiar with the process.

Click here for CD Order form

Children's Dyslexia Centers, Inc.

(formally 32 Degree Masonic Learning Centers)

In creating the Children's Dyslexia Centers, Inc. it has been our mission to provide professional treatment - free of charge - to children with dyslexia.

Services are made available to children on a first-come, first - served basis.

We're also committed to increasing public awareness of dyslexia as well as improving the standards of care through research and education. (AASR, Northern Jurisdiction)

Support of this project "will bring the joy of reading and learning to children with dyslexia." Watch for more information through your Districts and Chapters. Please help in this most worthwhile project .

Updated 10/18/2011