Rebekah Assembly President Linda Hoelscher paid her first Official Visit at Silver Star #336 in Fremont.
The evening began with a delicious dinner of tacos with three different choices of meat. The tables at the Irvington Lodge Hall were noisy and cheerful as people ate and caught up with old friends until it was time for the meeting.
In addition to Linda, Warden Shirley Watson and 4 of Linda’s appointive officers joined the event (Conductor Sandra Brown, Inside Guardian Terri Lamphere, Colorbearer Karen Lane and Outside Guardian Shari Chapin). Also in attendance were 3 Past Grand Masters (Paul Pike, Rita Cooper and Grand Representative Peter Sellars), Deputy Grand Master Adam Potolsky, Grand Warden Annie Cronin, and 3 Past Rebakah Assembly Presidents (Joan Pike, Marilyn Nichols and Debra LaVergne), and Past President of Theta Rho Assembly Jodie Signes. Other Grand Bodies were represented by Grand Senior Warden Bonnie Sellars and Deputy Department Commander Debbie Shuler. Deputies who had not been already introduced were Sharon Burgess District Deputy President #24, Stark Degesse District Deputy President #75, and Carol Wahrer District Deputy Grand Master #36. Noble Grand Amanda Bartlett conducted a fine meeting with 37 humans in attendance, plus Delphine Perry’s dog Mocha. The bill drill raised $175 for the Rose Parade Float.
The district meeting featured an exemplification and instructions for the Flag Ceremony, since few lodges still have a color bearer. Silver Star #336 and Hermenia #49 presented cards, and Delphine Perry presented all of Linda’s emblems. Despite not being part of the district, Clara Rebekah #34 decided to cancel their own meeting (that would normally have been the same night), and join in force. In addition to members Debra, Debbie, and Adam, they were joined by Mason Wolf, Sandy Franger, Ben Shuler, and Marianne Chiaramonte. Which means that technically, they were quorate.
President Linda talked about her history with Silver Star #336, which she had joined in 1975. She presented gifts to longtime Silver Star members Cori Klein and Pat McLean, recent Silver Star members Amanda Bartlett and Teena Gill, and newly initiated member of Hermenia #49 Katy Dickinson. Linda’s officers distributed Love gifts of little coin purses, pens, and whistles to all the attendees.
She closed with “A recipe for friendship”.
After the meeting, cake was served to celebrate Linda and Al’s 52nd wedding anniversary.
–by Debra LaVergne
