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Order of Eastern Star holds combined meeting

On April 18, Master Steven Schmitt and fellow members of Silver Lodge welcomed Eastern Star members to an open meeting to congratulate Most Worthy Lynne Schmitt as 2018 NYS Grand Matron (the most recent Grand Matron from Chautauqua District since Agnes Enlund of Jamestown served in 1974. The only other Grand Matron from the Chautauqua District in the history of the organization was Esther M. Bates of Westfield in 1962). A portrait of MW Lynne was presented by her husband, Steven and family and later displayed on the wall in the fellowship room among the other special folks from Silver Creek connections.

FORESTVILLE — Forestville OES 247 and Silver Chapter 288 held a combined district meeting at Masonic Hall, 22 Main St., Forestville April 16 at 7:30 p.m. with Katrina Hughes presiding. Members welcomed MW Lynne M. Schmitt, NYS OES Grand Matron for 2018, Mary Prue, District Deputy Grand Matron and John Olszewski Jr., District Grand Lecturer, for their official visit.

Other Grand Officers present were: Linda Blodgett, Associate Grand Marshal; Donna Johnson, Associate Grand Warder; Steven Schmitt, Grand Sentinel; Geraldine Yauchzy, Grand Adah; Mary Meyers, Grand Electa; Beth Benchley, Grand Representative of New Hampshire; and Frances Stevens, Grand Representative of Oregon.

The officers opened the meeting in Ample Form and presented the Floral Ceremony.

Lynne Schmitt spoke about her Special Olympics project and shared a story of a child’s difficulties and various ways of helpfulness with understanding their needs for training, the struggles and determination and strength to try again.

Blodgett encouraged everyone to attend Fisher House, a place in Oriskany where families can stay when visiting a family member there. 10×12 foot American flags may be ordered and prepaid $10, each to be flown at Oriskany for Pilgrimage Day in July. Indicate who they are in honor of or in memory of. A

tag will be attached accordingly. They may be brought home after the celebration.

Pictured are state Grand Matron Lynne Schmitt and family: John Olszweski, (father); Katrina Hughes, niece; Jackie Olszewski (mother), Lynne, Steve, husband; Sue Tytka, sister in law, Jim Tytka, brother.

Chautauqua District will operate the ice cream booth at Oriskany. Volunteers are needed.

Saturday, June 9 will be Lynne’s Homecoming and official visit of Grand Matron and Grand Patron Leland P Barnes at Chautauqua Suites, 215 West Lake Road, Mayville. Reservations for dinner are made through Ruth Ostrom, 814-757-8568. Send $30 to her at 4507 Egypt Hollow Road, Russell, PA 16345 by May 18. 5 p.m. cash beverage, 6 p.m. dinner – 3 choices of entree, 8 p.m. meeting.

There are many official visits upcoming. Check with District Lecturer, John Olszewski, for schedule and for Walkathon donations. Ruth Ostrom also has a pledge list. John also has information for rooms at Oriskany as well as at Binghamton for Grand Chapter session in October.

Forestville Eastern Star cutline: Officers of the evening as they appear in the photo are, from left, front: Steven Schmitt; Lynne M Schmitt, John Olszewski Jr,; Mary Prue; Katrina Hughes. Row 2: Elizabeth Leonard; Frances Stevens, Dawn Hitcome; Row 3 Martha Woolley, Linda Blodgett, Lois Bentzoni, Lori Petersen; Kathy Parker; Margaret Heiden; Ruth Ostrom; Top row: Beth Benchley, Lance Parker; Francis Petersen; Donna Johnson; Betty Schroeder; Kachina Grace; and Greg Heiden.

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