Happy Fall, Y’all! 
 Camellia Star’s October 1 meeting did not happen because, sadly, we had no quorum.  However, Sister Joni had provided the kits for making greeting cards for a fun project for the evening, and the four officers present made several cards which Sister Alice then offered to mail to members of the Chapter who cannot attend meetings.  THANK YOU, Sister Alice, for doing this.  It was very nice of you and very much appreciated!  

Because of the lack of quorum, Sister Laird called for a special meeting on Saturday, October 25, to hold elections.  The special meeting and potluck was held at Noon on that Saturday, and there were nine of us present.  THANK YOU to all who came! 

CONGRATULATIONS to the newly elected officers: 
Worthy Matron, Laird Crandall
Worthy Patron, Michael Biesen
Secretary, Peggy Mecham-Carlotti 
Treasurer, Elizabeth Carter-Lorig 
Conductress, Salena Glass 

Sister Laird also discussed installation which is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, at Humboldt Lodge.  Officers, please be at the Lodge by 12:30 for a brief practice and then photos prior to the ceremony.  If you are one of those who volunteered to bring refreshments and/or if you want to help set up, you may want to be there even earlier; check in with Sister Laird about that.

Sister officers, please wear a long dress of whatever color you prefer.  (Brother Michael has told us he will be wearing tails.)  For our guests, attire is semi-formal.   

Sister Laird also gave us a report on what happened at Grand Chapter.  Thank you, Sister Laird, for sharing that information with us.  It was interesting to hear about everything, but especially the legislation that passed or failed.  

Next on our calendar is our November 5 stated meeting.  The theme is “Thanks for the Memories.”  Anyone wanting to share a special memory or two about their time in Eastern Star will be welcome to share.  Refreshments will be at 7:00 p.m., and the meeting is at 7:30.  Attire is semi-formal. 

The installation calendar for November is as follows: 
Camellia Star on November 8
Ferndale on November 15
Arcata on November 16 
Redding on November 22
Rohnerville-Redwood on November 23
       all at 2:00 p.m. 

The first stated meeting for Camellia Star will be on Wednesday, December 3.  At some point we will have a practice with our new District Grand Deputy, Janessa Bacon. 

In parting, November 5 will be Sister Joni’s last meeting at Worthy Matron, and she has a message – Thanks to all of the Sisters and Brothers from the Chapters of District 1 who helped and supported me and our Chapter over the past two years.  You are all very dear to me and greatly appreciated.  I could not have managed these past two years without you.  These have been difficult years on many levels, and I am grateful for my Masonic/Eastern Star family who have been there for me on all those levels.  Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation.  Best wishes to you all. 

See you soon! 

Star Hugs, 
Joni L. Hewston, Worthy Matron 
Michael Biesen, Worthy Patron 

Our September meeting had a “Number Please!” theme, and we learned about Telephone Tuesday.  Thank you to all who attended! 

Our October 1 meeting is “Let’s Do a Project!” in honor of National Do Something Nice Day and World Card Making Day (both on October 5).  While our Worthy Matron will not be present for this meeting, she has made packets for everyone to make cards.  Please be at the lodge by 6:45 to join in the project, or just kibitz from the side!  The cards are for you to make and enjoy however you see fit – whether you keep them, send them to a family member or a friend, or send to a member who is unable to attend our meetings! 

Also, October 1 is our elections meeting, so if you plan to stand for an elective office, please be sure your intentions are on the dais before the meeting starts! 

The attire for this meeting is Business.  Sister Laird will be presiding in Sister Joni’s absence, and will share information about our coming installation on November 8.  Officers, if you cannot make it to the October meeting, please let her know.  IT IS IMPORTANT we have a quorum for this meeting so we can have our elections! 

Our November 5 meeting will be “Thanks for the Memories.”  Anyone who wants to share a special memory or two of Eastern Star is welcome to do so.  Attire will be semi-formal.  Refreshments will be at 7:00; meeting at 7:30. 

Be sure to have on your calendar that installation is November 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.  More information to come.  

Be well, and enjoy the beautiful Autumn that is already upon us! 

Starry love and light, 

Joni Hewston, WM
Michael Biesen, WP 

End of Summer already, and the “BER” months are upon us!

Our August meeting was a short ante-room meeting and then a very special Game Show Night!  Brother Michael set up for our own version of the game show “Match Game” that was so popular in the 70s and apparently is back on TV now!  He came up with questions and prizes, and we all had a great time!  Thank you, Brother Michael, for that fun and unique event!

For those of you who missed it, the District had a Summer Paint and Sip event in Fortuna on August 10.  We all painted a picture of hot air balloons floating above a setting sun.  While most of us made pine or redwood trees, Brother Chris went his own way with palm trees!  Thank you, Sister Janessa, for putting that together.  It was a lot of fun, and several members are hoping we do it again soon!

August 13 was Youth Night in Ferndale.  The Job’s Daughters explained the meaning behind the design of their Bethel robes.  The Rainbow girls shared their favorite things about Rainbow – even the girl who had only been a member for 9 days!  And then Ferndale Chapter put on a special ceremony with the Star Points explaining their positions and lessons in Star, a ceremony that got the youth to participate as well.  It was a lovely evening, and a lot of thought went into the special ceremony Star did for the youth.  Thank you, Sister Liz, for organizing that event.

The following evening was a special honor night for Sister Karen, Grand Representative to West Virginia.  She had said she did not want a reception or a fuss made, so the honor night was a special surprise event that she knew nothing about in advance.  It was also Friendship Night for Rohnerville-Redwood Chapter with a pulled pork/pulled chicken dinner for all to enjoy.  Thank you, Sister Christie, for planning that event and inviting us to join in!

Camellia Star’s next meeting is on September 3 with the theme of “Number Please” for Telephone Tuesday (the day after Labor Day).  It is also our school supply drive.  Please bring whatever school supplies you can and place them in the East prior to the meeting.  They will be donated to Alice Birney School, which was the consensus at our last meeting when asked what school we wanted to support this year.  The attire for September’s meeting is Business — ladies wear a “suit (skirt or pants), nice dress, nice pants and top, jacket optional,” and gentlemen wear a “suit with tie.”   We will do short form.  Refreshments will be at 7:00; meeting at 7:30.

Our October 1 meeting was scheduled to be a “Let’s Do a Project” meeting for National Do Something Nice Day and World Card Making Day, both on October 5.  Sister Joni discovered she will not be able to attend that meeting, however, so asked how people felt about doing the card-making project she had planned, and people seemed to want to do it anyway.  So Sister Joni will provide the project packet to someone so the cards can be made.  You can use these cards however you please – keep it, send it to a friend or family member, send it to a Sister or Brother who is house-bound or who lives far away and cannot participate in our meetings… your choice.  The main thing is to have fun making the cards and then sharing them however you wish.  The refreshments and attire for the evening will be left up to Brother Michael and Sister Laird.  Please be at the Lodge by 6:45 to have time to make the cards before the 7:30 meeting.

Our October meeting is also elections.  Sister Laird will be presiding that evening, and she and Brother Michael will run the elections.  If you plan to run for an elected office, please remember to have your paper on the dais before the meeting stating what office you intend to run for and having two members of our Chapter sign the paper as well.  Sorry I will miss this meeting, but I will be in Washington with my sisters laying our father to rest.

Finally, our last meeting of this term is November 5 and will be themed “Thanks for the Memories.”  We will (voluntarily) share especially special memories made with our Eastern Star Sisters and Brothers.  The attire will be semi-formal.

I look forward to seeing everyone at our September meeting.  Remember, officers, if you cannot make it, please let me know.  We need a quorum, so do your best to be there!  Thank you!   

Star Love –

Joni L. Hewston, WM

Michael Biesen, WP

PHOTOS of the Paint and Sip, Ferndale Youth Night, and Sister Karen’s Honor Night

We hope your summer is going well, everyone!  

At our June meeting we got everything done for our Deputy’s Official Visit.  Thank you, Sister Helene, for all your assistance and wisdom!  Associate Conductress Salena did great with all the parts she had to do in one night! It was lovely to have Sister Karen play piano for us.  And a great big thank you to everyone who came to the meeting.  We made our quorum (just barely) and had several visitors on the sidelines to make our Friendship Night special!  Thank you, everyone!

On July 20 was the 1st Annual Lee Astorino Memorial Tea and silent auction to benefit the OES Outreach.  Sister Deborah “Deb” Winn, PM, Director of Marketing at the SLC came up from Southern California to speak about the Outreach.  There were approximately 28 present to enjoy the scrumptious treats and bid on the several baskets.  Thank you to everyone who participated!   

Next meeting is August 6 and is Game Show Night!  Brother Michael has come up with the theme and plan for this meeting.  We will have an anteroom meeting and then we will participate in our own game show(s)!  Attire is casual.  Refreshments are at 7:00.  Brief anteroom meeting is at 7:30.  Game show to happen immediately thereafter!  I hope you will all be there to join in the fun!  (I believe I heard there might be prizes involved!)

August 10 is a District 1 Summer Paint and Sip event at Fortuna Lodge at 1:00 p.m.  The cost is $25 per person.  Snacks will be provided.  Bring your favorite drink to share (alcoholic or not).  All friends and family of Eastern Star Members are invited to enjoy this event with us!  You need to R.S.V.P. to Sister Janessa so she knows how many are coming and can plan accordingly.  Thank you to Janessa for putting this together!  It should be a lot of fun!

Our September 3 meeting will be themed “Number Please” for Telephone Tuesday.  It will also be our school supply drive.  Please bring whatever school supplies you can manage to the September meeting, and we will donate them to one of the schools here in Eureka.  Meeting will be short form.  Attire will be Business, which means ladies wear a “suit (skirt or pants), nice dress, nice pants and top, jacket optional,” and gentlemen wear a “suit with tie.”

On October 1, Let’s Do a Project!  National Do Something Nice Day and World Card Making Day are both on October 5, so let’s celebrate both and do a project together before the meeting!  Please be at the Lodge by 6:45 so we can get a project done prior to the meeting at 7:30.

Grand Chapter this year is October 15-18 in Visalia.  It is not too soon to start thinking about attending this year’s state convention.  If you have not been before, it is definitely quite the experience!

November 5 will be “Thanks for the Memories” and sharing of especially special memories made with our Eastern Star Sisters and Brothers.

Star love,

Joni L. Hewston, WM
Michael Biesen, WP

PHOTOS:  Lee’s “Professor Tea” hat and flowers from his garden
and  Deborah Winn talking about the OES Outreach  

Our May meeting was a lovely evening with the Worthy Grand Matron, Grand Chaplain and his wife and our Deputy present, and enough visitors to fill in every office and still have some sideliners!  It was quite a sight from the East!  Thank you to EVERYONE who came, participated, observed. 

We had our Memorial to remember Lee Astorino, Judy Pflueger, and Gene Chancellier.  Unfortunately, because I had a bit of a coughing fit when I should have been making my remarks, I did not have the opportunity to say that the poem I read during Memorial was a slightly altered version of “She is Gone” by David Harkins. Thank you to our lovely Conductresses and Chaplain for doing their work so beautifully. 

Also thank you to Sister Karen Parlato who played for us at this special meeting.  

There was a report on delivering the prizes and donation to the library.  There were 8 prizes, 2 each for varying age groups, for the Humboldt County Library Summer Reading Program on display at our meeting so everyone could see them.  Sister Peggy and I took them to the Library with the check the following Tuesday to deliver them, and they were – as always – well and gratefully received.  The Children’s Librarian said she’d save them for the grand prize drawing! 

Coming up is our meeting on July 2, and it is a BIG one!  It is our Deputy’s Official Visit (finally!), so we will be proving the Chapter and Balloting.  I need everyone who can possibly come to be there because there are so many moving parts to this meeting that have to be members of Camellia Star!  
In addition, it is Friendship Night!  I look forward to seeing our visitors on this special occasion.  

Our Deputy wants a brief practice at 6:30.  Then, if there is time before the meeting, refreshments will be at 7:00, meeting at 7:30.  If we do not have time for refreshments before the meeting, we will have them afterward.  

The theme this meeting is International Joke Day (July 1) and What’s Your Favorite Dad Joke?  We’d love it if you would share some jokes with us.  Attire is casual.  Opening is short form.  (We have had long form meetings all year so far; it is time to relax a bit.) 

In addition, this is the night our members are to bring all the things they want to add to a basket to be auctioned at the special tea in July.  We are planning two baskets.  One has more of a garden theme, and the other is more of a tea theme.  Camellia Star members are asked to bring something to contribute to one basket or the other!  Sister Jaelen has volunteered to make the baskets all pretty for display at the tea. 

Speaking of which, the First Annual Lee Astorino Memorial Tea is on Sunday, July 20, at 2:00 in Fortuna.  We will need lots of help with setting up and cleaning up, so please put the date on your calendar and plan to help if you can.  It would be greatly appreciated.  

Our August meeting has a Game Show Night theme to it.  More information to come.   See you all soon! 
Star Love, 
Joni L. Hewston, WM 

PHOTOS: 

#1 – Donation to the Humboldt County Library Summer Reading Program

#2 – Worthy Grand Matron’s Official Visit to Camellia Star 

Spring is Springing!  Flowers are blooming! 

Our April 2 meeting was themed “Peanut Butter Jelly Time!” (Thank you, Sister Liz, for playing that song.)  Sisters Peggy and Liz brought ready-made PB&Js and also the fixings if you wanted to make your own!  Thank you, ladies!

Our May 7^th meeting is our Deputy’s O.V.  The theme is “Lost in Space!” in honor of National Space Day.  The attire will be semi-formal.  Please mark your calendar and be sure to attend so we have a quorum and can show off for our Deputy!  Refreshments at 7:00; meeting at 7:30.

June 4 will be our Memorial meeting, our Worth Grand Matron’s Official Visit, and honoring World Bicycle Day.  Those officers participating in the Memorial ceremony should wear white. This will also be a semi-formal occasion.  Refreshments at 6:45; meeting at 7:30.

Having attended the WGM’s O.V.s in both Ferndale and Fortuna, I can tell you that Sister Alice really is looking for a regular meeting and getting to meet our members.  At those meetings, she had the Grand Chaplain and his wife with her, but no huge entourage.  Camellia Star officers, please be sure to put June 4 on your calendar and come to the meeting because we really, really do need a quorum!

July 2 will be Friendship Night (and the rest of what we need to exemplify for our Deputy).  International Joke Day is just the day before the meeting, so in that spirit, we will share our favorite Dad Jokes that evening.  Come armed!  Attire will be casual.

I hope you have put July 20 on your calendar for the first annual Lee Astorino Memorial Tea in Fortuna.  Please remember that each Chapter will be responsible for providing at least one basket for the silent auction.  Other donations for the silent auction are also welcome.  Please note that all food, decorations, items for auction, etc., are to be donated by the individual and/or Chapter to maximize the donation to the Eastern Star outreach program.  We ask that anyone wishing to partake of the tea food and drink pay for a ticket, even if that person is working at the event or has made a donation.  

I have been in touch with Shoshanna at the Humboldt County Library regarding the Summer Reading Program.  The theme this year is “Level Up at Your Library.”  We generally provide 9-12 prizes for the event as well as make a cash donation to the library for books and supplies. 

Thank you all for your help, support, and participation!  Have a truly lovely spring!

Star love,

Joni Hewston, WM

Michael Biesen, WP

Greetings, Sisters, Brothers, and Friends –

I am sorry for not getting information in to the Trestleboard sooner.  I was sick for most of a good deal of November and December, missing our stated meeting on December 5, which had a “Holidays Around the World” theme.  Thank you to Sister Laird for moving to the East to preside.  Thank you to Sister Peggy for helping with the meeting and for sharing some holiday traditions from around the globe. I am so glad we had a quorum.  Thank you, everyone!

January 1, of course, we did not have a stated meeting since our by-laws specify we do not meet on New Year’s Day.  I hope everyone had a lovely day with their family and friends. Happy New Year to one and all!

To back up just a bit, we had a very nice installation on November 17, with a theme of “Kindness costs nothing, yet it is a most precious gift” (Katrina Mayer).  Thank you to everyone who helped with this installation from those who agreed to be installing officers to the Chapter officers who agreed to take stations this year to the guests who came and supported us from the sidelines.  You are all so wonderful and helpful! 

We also had a food drive, and I took quite a carload of food donations to Food for People shortly after.  Thank you to everyone who donated.  Most of the donations were not brought upstairs but rather left in the cars so the boxes and bags would not have to be lugged up and back down again!

Some fun District-wide events either have happened or are being contemplated for this year.  One that has already happened, rather spontaneously, was attending the play “Cinderella” in Ferndale in December.

In other news, our Chapter had been having a hard time connecting with Sister Susan Bonnett to deliver to her a 25-year pin and certificate.  It turns out she is in the Santa Rosa area for medical treatment.  Sister Helene was able to visit with her and pass along the pin and certificate for us.  Helene let us know that Susan is doing well despite her illness, and she sends her love and wishes everyone a happy new year.  If you would like to send a card to Susan, please send it in care of her sister: Kristin Bonnett, 2653 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, CA  95407.

Our February 5 stated meeting went well.  THANK YOU to everyone who came and helped with the meeting!  Our theme of the night was “For the Birds” in honor of Feed the Birds Day.  A theme-appropriate We’re So Glad You Came gift was won by Sister Salena, just back from a Conductress Weekend where she got to learn quite a bit!

Next meeting (March 5) will be “Napping Under the Apple Tree with Johnny Appleseed” in honor of Johnny Appleseed Day on March 11.  Attire will be business casual.  We will do long-form opening.

For your information, “Business Casual” means ladies wear dress, skirt/slacks outfit, jacket optional, and gentlemen wear slacks and nice shirt or polo shirt (no t-shirts).

Also for your information, our Worthy Grand Matron’s visit will be at our June 4 stated meeting, and we will do long form opening at each meeting before then to keep in practice with our Ritual work.

Just a reminder, in case you have not paid yet, dues are $85.21 general, or $75.21 for life sponsors. Dues should be sent to Secretary Peggy Mecham-Carlotti at P.O. Box 117, Bayside, CA  95524.  Thank you.

Looking ahead, our April 2 meeting theme will be “It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time!” because April 2 is Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. 

May 7 will be our Deputy’s official visit, so we will need to have brushed up on proving the Chapter, the Associate Conductress’ initiation work, balloting, etc., by then.  We will discuss this more as May approaches. 

June 4 is our Worthy Grand Matron’s Official Visit.  She wants to visit a regular stated meeting with our Chapter – not one of the all-District meetings, this one is just us and our usual visitors/helpers.  It is also Memorial, so we will be doing the Memorial Ceremony.  The Chaplain and Conductresses need to wear white for the occasion.  Also it just happens that World Bicycle Day is June 2, so we will use that as the theme for the evening, since the Worthy Grand Matron is into bicycles with baskets filled with flowers.    

Again, thank you to everyone who comes to our meetings.  We have a great group in this Chapter and in this District, and I appreciate you all very much.  For example, Sister Alice (Martha) has volunteered to do both Martha and Electa at our meetings, since she knows both parts.  Thank you for that, Sister Alice!  You are a gem!
 

Best wishes to everyone, and until we meet again,

Star love,

Joni Hewston
Worthy Matron

Camellia Star Chapter

Photos

First, Installation of the 2025 officers

Second, 2024 Food Drive

Third, most of the Worthy Matrons and Worthy Patrons of 2025

Fourth, some Brothers having a good time

Hello, everyone!

At our meeting on October 2, there was some concern for a bit as to whether we would have a quorum, but we made it!  Whew!  Because of the lack of people present for 7:00 refreshments, we held those until after the meeting.  The theme of the evening was “Teddy Bear Picnic,” and nearly everyone brought a plushy friend or two… or three… to share.  We had all sorts of fuzzy friends, including a gopher, an elephant, an owl, LOTS of bears, a German Shepard, and more! Some of the friends were old and dear treasures from childhood, and some were relatively new.  It was fun to get to meet them and hear their stories!  Thanks to all who brought their plushy friends with them!

Please note that there is a bear available for adoption.  Sister Marlene Hover left behind a beautifully dressed bear with a lovely hat.  She is very pretty and needs a new home.  If anyone is interested in adopting this sweet bear, please contact Sister Peggy Mecham-Carlotti.

The ”We’re So Glad You Came” gifts went to Sisters Liz Lorig and Tricia Coombs!  Thank you, ladies, and thanks to everyone who came to the meeting.  And a special thank you to Sisters Lynnie Horrigan who filled in as Associate Conductress and Jean Thomson who filled in as Esther.  Thank you, also, to Sister Tricia for filling both the Associate Matron and Conductress stations!  And, of course, thank you to the seven Camellia Star officers who were present.  

Another highlight of our evening, of course, was elections.  Congratulations to our newly elected officers for 2025:

                Joni Hewston, Worthy Matron

                Michael Biesen, Worthy Patron

                Laird Crandall, Associate Matron

                Liz Lorig, Treasurer

                Peggy Mecham-Carlotti, Secretary

                And – drum roll please –

                Salena Glass, Associate Conductress!

We will have an open installation on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.  Practice will be that morning at 11:00.  It has yet to be decided whether we want some sort of lunch as a group in between practice and installation.  While it was not mentioned in the meeting, please be advised the installation is semi-formal, and the colors are all the colors of the rainbow.  The theme will be something along the lines of “Kindness costs nothing, yet it is a most precious gift.”  There are no other installation details available yet, but think flowers!  There will also be a FOOD DRIVE!  So, if you would like to participate, please bring non-parishable food in non-breakable containers for our Food Drive.  Thank you!

In sadder news, it was announced that a former member of our Chapter, and a many times Past Patron, Wayne Hooper, had passed away very recently, and his memorial was held this past Thursday.  Brother Michael was at the memorial and said it was standing room only.

Looking ahead, the theme for our November 6 meeting is “Marooned Without a Compass,” and Brother Michael has already gotten into the spirit with a little game he has planned.   Attire is … whatever … we’re marooned, right?  So casual attire seems appropriate.  Sister Alice kindly offered to bring refreshments – thank you!  We will try to have refreshments at 7:00, and then the meeting at 7:30.  Meeting will be short form.  I look forward to seeing you all there!

Announcements: 

Congratulations to Helene Nicholson who is the new Deputy Grand Matron for District 1!  I am sure she will shortly be scheduling First Meeting Practices with the various Chapters.

Save the Dates:

                November 6 – “Marooned Without a Compass” – Last meeting of the term for our Chapter

                November 10 – Arcata Chapter Installation

                November 16 – Rohnerville-Redwood Chapter Installation

                November 17 – Camellia Star Chapter Practice and Installation

                November 23 – Ferndale Chapter Installation

                                      Note:  All installations are at 2:00 p.m.

                December 4 – First meeting of the new term for our Chapter – Toy Drive!

                January 1, 2025 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!  No meeting  —  enjoy the holiday with your family and friends!

Thank you, one and all!  I look forward to seeing you soon.

Star Light and Love –

Joni Hewston, Worthy Matron

Camellia Star Chapter No. 63

PHOTOS from our Teddy Bear Picnic meeting in October.

Thank you to everyone who attended our September 4th meeting.  We had 9 officers present and several guests!  It was so nice to see so many people.  It was also wonderful to see all the school supplies donated for Alice Birney School.  There were items in the East and in the West, plus I received three more bags of donations down at the cars, and more donations the following night.  Thank you to everyone who participated in this project!  You are all so much appreciated!

Along with the school supply drive, refreshments of school lunch type foods were provided prior to the meeting.  The “Thank You for Coming!” gifts went to Sisters Lisa McCombs and JoAnna Matlock!

To back up just a little bit, August 31 was a beautiful reception honoring Grand Electa, Sister Deanna Bay.  The decorations were beautiful, with hand-made gorgeous large paper roses all around the room.  Watching Deanna and her special escort (a gaggle of grandchildren) walking up to the East was adorable!

The following day, September 1, was a brunch reception for our Deputy Grand Matron, Sister Lisa McCombs, and was a lovely event, followed by a LOT of wonderful food for brunch.  Anyone who walked away hungry had only themselves to blame!

Coming up, Rohnerville-Redwood Chapter will host a Revelation Night party on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7:30. Revelation Night is the evening that the 2025 Grand Officers and Deputy Grand Matrons will be revealed. R-R have a big screen in their dining room to stream live the announcements. There will be a Dessert Potluck, so if you have a favorite dessert you would like to share, please bring it.  I plan to attend, so if you need a ride, let me know.  It will be a lot of fun!

Camellia Star’s next meeting will be on October 2 and have a “Teddy Bear Picnic” theme.  Please bring with you to our picnic your stuffed best friend, whether it be a teddy bear, an elephant, a rasta banana, a bat, or whatever is your favorite plushy!  Refreshments will be at 7:00 and the meeting at 7:30.  Attire will be business casual. The meeting will be long-form for the Camellia Star officers.

The October meeting is also elections, so be sure to have your signed paper on the dais before the meeting starts stating what office you aspire to, if you are running for an elected office.  You do not have to be present to run, but I do need a paper you signed, along with two other members of our Chapter who nominate you for the office.

I mentioned at our September meeting that Brother Lee had been tickled by the fact that there is a “Marooned Without a Compass Day” in November and had wanted that theme for the November 6 meeting; however, he did not tell me what he had in mind for that meeting.  So if you have any ideas as to what to do for the “Marooned Without a Compass” theme, please let me know!  Thank you!

Best wishes to one and all –
Joni Hewston, Worthy Matron
Camellia Star Chapter No. 63

PHOTO:  Worthy Matron Joni with some of the many donations for the school supplies drive at Camellia Star’s September meeting

Our meeting on August 7 was a nice one.  We had a potluck that included hot dogs and various side dishes and desserts and enjoyed each others’ company prior to the meeting.  Then we had an ante room meeting to accomplish our business before going our separate ways. 

Reports were made of the successful Afternoon Tea benefiting Paws for Purple Hearts which raised about $1,683, plus a donation from a generous benefactor (who will be missed very much) of another $1,000, and of the delivery of the prizes and monetary donation to the Humboldt County Library for their Summer Reading Program.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, with a “Salute to Teachers!” and a school supply drive.  For your information, this was another service event that was brought up by and supported by Brother Lee.  Refreshments are at 7:00, meeting at 7:30.  Attire is business casual. Please bring school supplies to adorn the East and spill over into the West. The supplies will be donated to Alice Birney School.

In the meantime, I hope you have all RSVP’d and plan to attend the reception for our Grand Electa Deanna Bay on August 31 at 7 p.m. in Loleta and the brunch honoring our Deputy Lisa McCombs on Sunday, September 1, at 11:00 a.m. in Arcata.  Both of these ladies are very special people, and it’d be so great to support them and show them our appreciation and love.

Looking ahead, our meeting on October 2 is a Teddy Bear (and other animals) Picnic with refreshments at 7:00 and meeting at 7:30.  It is also elections night, so if you aspire to any elected office, please remember to have your signed paper on the dais stating what office you aspire to with two signatures by other members of the Chapter nominating you for that position.  You do not have to be there in person, but your paper needs to be present for me to read under elections.  Thank you!

Please remember we are a small Chapter, so it is important to attend the meetings if you are able to ensure we have a quorum so we can conduct business and vote on things. 

Both our September and October meetings will be long form for our officers so we are sure to conform to the OES rules about such things.

Also please check the articles being posted on northcoastmasons.com by our Chapter and other Chapters, by Masonic Lodges, youth groups, etc., to keep up with everything that is going on in our District area. 

I look forward to seeing everyone on September 4.

Take care, and be well, and thank you for being you –

Joni Hewston, Worthy Matron
Camellia Star Chapter No. 63