From the desks of the Worthy Grand Matron & Worthy Grand Patron ~ April 1, 2025

Greetings Earthling Sisters and Brothers !

The snow has finally melted from our roof and the solar panels are able to do their jobs. Most of our Chapters are dark in January and February, so the days tend to blend together as we go to work, return home and miss spending time with you. We were grateful to start a new tradition with my best friend and her family by sharing Thanksgiving together. And our niece, Makenna, flew up to surprise Wil for his birthday in January. Bright spots in the darkness of time ....
Congratulations to Priscilla, Crescent, Portia-Henacon-Asteria and Serenity Chapters on their visitations last fall ! We enjoyed touching down in each of these star bases, spending time with old friends and making new ones. As we move into more visitations, please make sure to have at least one rehearsal with your instructor. Reminder that we are collecting donations at visitations for Liberty House Veterans: canned tuna, canned chicken peanut butter and jelly, canned pastas, cereal, NEW men's boxer briefs (L-XXL), men's white t-shirts (L-XXL), full-size shampoo and body wash or razors. No monetary donations.
In January we were honored to attend the Installation of Officers at the Bektash Shrine. We have known Potentate Evan MacIntosh and his wife, Lady Amanda, for several years and it was wonderful to cheer them on as they took the reins of the Shrine. We were able to attend their annual Valentine's ball in February, and while we did not win the challenge - we tied - it was a fun and festive evening.
Several years ago, as our counterparts (the Rascals) and I were playing a little rochambeau to see who will host the annual CanAm gathering - I volunteered NH to host, an honor we haven't had since 2019. In my wildest dreams I would not have imagined the amazing fun, friendship, silliness and visitors that we experienced ! Over 400 members from New England, Canada, New York, Michigan, South Carolina - plus a visit from MWGM Billie Bradfield and RWGC Barbara Ann Holmes. The NH Cosmonauts beautifully showed off opening and introductions - great practice for Grand Chapter - and the combined degree team shows that our ritual has no boundaries. We were pleased to present two Grand Representative appointments - Sis Kathleen Popores (Oregon) and Bro Marc Auclair (Oklahoma). Thank you to all who helped and attended - especially my fraternal Mom, Barbara Gaskell. She agreed to Chair the event and did an amazing job with many of you pitching in. THANK YOU !!
Make sure to get your teams together for the 9th annual mini-golf tournament on May 31st. Cross your fingers for fun in the sun ! And make sure to get out there and practice before the tournament.
As the days become longer, the weather warms and my sandals call to me, I look forward to seeing what our Chapters have planned for fun and fellowship. Be sure to share your events with the other members via eGuidepost and include your community via social media.
Shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.

In Stars and Moons,


Elizabeth N Nemchick
Worthy Grand Matron

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Worthy Grand Patron's Log:
Earth date: 2025.04.01

One of my favorite Star Trek quotes comes from the 2016 film Star Trek: Beyond. In the scene, Captain Kirk is questioning his place in the universe, begins to have doubts as to whether the decision to join Starfleet was the right one and whether he is making a difference. In response, Commodore Paris says to him, "There is no relative direction in the vastness of space. There is only yourself, your ship, your crew. It's easier than you think to get lost."
To me, this means that each one of us has moments in their lives where they question their place in the universe - wondering whether their lives have meaning and if they are making a difference.

As the Starship Wanderer enters into the eighth month of its epic journey through the stars, the crew continues to boldly go into realms unknown and make new connections, which in turn helps to bring our Universe a little bit closer together. As we head towards a long awaited Spring, I look back on the past three months and contemplate the events that have happened since my last log entry.
In January, our Executive Officer, a.k.a. Deputy Grand Matron, Diane, our Chief Science Officer, a.k.a. Deputy Grand Patron, Norm and our Engineer's Mate, a.k.a. Grand Marshal in training or Deputy Grand Marshal, Alison had their first away mission with their first Visitation at Rockingham Chapter in Manchester. The mission was a success and they got their feet wet for further missions to come. Captain Beth and I stayed on the Ship for that Visitation, but had full confidence in our Deputies and proudly await for the opportunity to join them on their future missions. During that Visitation, our newest GGCCM of Landmarks, Karen Tuttle got to hand out some of her newly minted Trading Cards for the Trading Card Contest. If you didn't get yours don't panic, more opportunities are forthcoming at our future Visitations.
In February, the USS Wanderer stopped at Starbase Nashua for our annual Can-Am session hosted by New Hampshire. The weekend was out of this world! Friday night's dinner everyone was encouraged to dress in a sci-fi themed costume. Most Worthy Grand Matron Billie Bradfield joined us for the weekend, and she wore the exact same costume as our Worthy Grand Matron, Sister Beth. We also had a visit from Laura from Hero Pups and her newest trainee dressed as Baby Groot. On Saturday, we started with introductions and Most Worthy Grand Matron Sister Billie was introduced as the Supreme Commander of the OES Galaxy - a title which she liked, and said that she could really get used to. The afternoon session brought an exemplification of our initiatory Degree from a combined Degree team from Grand Officers of our New England and Canadian jurisdictions. At Saturday evening's dinner, an announcement was made for Sister Karen Tuttle that she will be filing for Right Worthy Associate Grand Conductress to be voted on at the next triennium in Arizona in 2027. Dinner was followed by entertainment from comedian Juston McKinney and many laughs were heard. To put a cherry on the sundae of the weekend, Sister Beth and I had breakfast on Sunday morning with some members and a loophole was discovered in the ice cream selfie portion of my Travel Program. After some discussion it was decided that if you take an ice cream selfie with the Worthy Grand Patron, the points double from five to ten. Something to consider as the local ice cream shops reopen.
Finally, in March we travelled to a "Galaxy Far, Far Away" and had some culinary fun at Admiral Ackbar's Snack Bar at the Ellacoya Temple in Holderness on March 16. There were so many delicious dishes that even Jabba the Hut would not go away hungry! Attendees (judges) cast their votes for best soup/stew/chili, best baked savory and best baked sweet, but I think that everyone who attended walked away a winner.
Coming soon.... how the rest of the Visitation season goes as well as the field trip to the Star Trek museum and Fort Ticonderoga NY. Be sure to see the flyer in the following pages. We would love to completely pack the Charter bus!
Remember to keep collecting your Grand Officer trading cards. There are lots of visitations left and opportunities to complete your collection. By now you probably have a good idea who the hard to find cards are. I will continue to update you along the way.
Like Captain Kirk found, I also know that I have found the place where I am supposed to be in Eastern Star and the people that I am supposed to be with in all of you.

Until we meet again - Live Long and Prosper and May the Force be with you.

Hailing Frequencies Closed.
Wilmer J Nemchick
Worthy Grand Patron