From the desks of the Worthy Grand Matron & Patron and Grand Marshal ~ December 31, 2022

I hope that everyone had a happy and healthy holiday season. For those of you with health challenges, our thoughts and prayers are with you for an improved new year.
Fours months have flown by and the miles are piling up. Four days after installation a group of us headed off to Toronto, Ontario for Grand Chapter. Soon after we returned was the Grand Officers Fun Reception and Fashion Show. The officers were quite creative in their styles. There were lots of laughs and good fraternal bonding. I have to thank Priscilla Chapter for all their hard work and support as they support Rodney, Tracie, and me this year.
Next up was the Unity Picnic at Wellington State Park. The weather was great and the Masonic cooks provided a good feast. This is an annual Fraternal event that should not be missed.
Group meetings came next followed by the Deerfield Fair fund raiser. We had excellent weather and the crowds were back. Whether you came for half a day or stayed for the whole event we all appreciated your help. It is a lot of work, but we pull together and have fun getting the job done while earning travel points and funds for the various groups.
October started out with a quick trip to the opening of Rhode Island's Grand Chapter followed by a trip to Granby, Quebec for Quebec's 100th and last Grand Chapter. Quebec will close its Grand Chapter on February 28, 2023 and the Chapters will fall under the jurisdiction of General Grand Chapter, like most of our overseas Chapters. We wish Sister Madeline Weidner, WGM, a successful, though short, term.
On to Rainbow Grand Officers Day with five new girls initiated, a great job done by all. Also in Nashua, we celebrated Pilgrim's 100th Anniversary that has been on hold for two years. Great stories and memorabilia about the Chapter and its members. October was also Installation season and we were able to make about half of them. Don't worry, I hope to pop in to all the Chapters at some point before the Visitation season gets in full swing. We ended October with another trip to Rhode Island for International Weekend. This was a social weekend and I got to visit with my counterpart from Nova Scotia/PEI who don't attend Can-Am due to the snow in February. Because to the change of dates, the crowd was small, wtih only 56 members registered. We had games during the day. John and Rodney played cribbage and did well. Everyone dressed up for the Halloween banquet. The seven of us from New Hampshire had a good time.
November and Visitation season started with Portia-Henocon-Asteria Chapter No. 14 leading off on Saturday morning November 5 and Serenity Chapter No. 26 closed out the day after the delicious pizza party lunch. Good work, good companionship, and good food. Then came the Grand Representatives Annual Meeting and election of officers. Congratulations to Sister Andrea Bartoszak on her election as President. She and her officers have good plans for their banquet at next year's Grand Chapter and for the Reception in May. Speaking of Grand Representatives, Rodney, Tracie, and I have been busy playing catch-up. Many states did not appoint new people during COVID.
New appointees are; Roberta Langis from Puritan Chapter to Rhode Island; Elizabeth Newell from Ellacoya Chapter to Scotland, Stephanie Lyons from Mt. Eustis Chapter to Louisiana, Phyllis LaPointe from Crescent Chapter to Arkansas, William Carter from Rockingham Chapter to Virginia, Bruce Putnam to Illinois and Clifford Stark to Tennessee both from Mizpah Eunice Chapter, Stephanie Auclair from James Farrington-Pleiades Chapter to North Dakota, and Amanda White from Pilgrim Chapter to Washington. Best wishes to all for a good correspondence and I hope you can make some of your grand Chapters.
On January 7 we will be holding a School of Instruction in Priscilla Chapter At 9:30 a.m. Please note change of time. Dress is casual, no jeans. Bring your questions and concerns. There will be another Breakfast for Service Dogs the 28th of January in Boscawen. The next Visitation will be at Pilgrim Chapter at the end of January and our Deputies do their first in Ruth Chapter in February.
Hope you have made reservations for Can-Am in Boxboro, Massachusetts. If you can make it for Saturday Degree Work, led by our Worthy Grand Patron, Rodney Sewall, Jr., with the assistance of Grand Conductress, Elizabeth Nemchick, and Associate Grand Conductress, Diane Fortier, they would enjoy your support.

See you on the road.
Deborah E. Moore, Worthy Grand Matron


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"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." - Mark Twain

My Right Honorable Sisters and Brothers, thank you all, for all that you do. Thank you for all the support, kind words and encouragement that you have given Sister Deborah and me these past few years. Many famous historians have noted that most great ideas, movements and inventions were done by one person or a small group of people. Let us do our best to make this world a better place. This is not a time to point fingers-as nothing productive ever comes from that. Greek philosopher Aristotle said, "That when you point a finger at someone three fingers point back at you." We are a sacred band of Sisters and Brothers of different social, cultural, political and economic backgrounds. Let us show the world that you can accomplish more with love than with hatred. Let us do our best to stay socially active and to help a Sister or Brother in need. You always amaze me and always inspire me.
Inhale, exhale and close your eyes for a moment. Take this moment to think of the many causes and charities you and our fraternity have helped over many years-quite the lengthy list. We will of course never solve all of the world's problems but we must continue to strive to make it a kinder and better place for all. I know that you do not do these things for honors or awards; but rather because this is what one does for all of mankind and this is what one Sister or Brother does for another. I am most humbled and honored to be your friend and Brother.
I again would like to thank you for electing me as your Worthy Grand Patron. It was never my intention or goal to be an officer in a Chapter or to be a Grand Chapter Officer. However, somewhere along the way I fell in love. I fell in love with all of you; and I do mean all of you. Also, I fell in love with our honorable and noble Fraternity. My inspiration and strength comes from each and every one of you. I could not do this alone nor would I want to. It is you the Sisters and Brothers, committee members and event organizers who do most of the heavy lifting. For that, I and many others are most grateful and appreciative.
What A Wonderful World
I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying how do you do
They're really saying
I love you

I hear babies cry
I watch them grow
They'll learn much more
Than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Ooh, yes

This song was written by George Weiss specifically for Louis Armstrong, as he was inspired by Armstrong's ability to bring people together. Recorded in 1967, released in 1968, and instant hit. To this day, it remains one of the most calming and soothing songs ever written.
Many noted astronomers have observed that there are more stars in the sky than grains of sand on all the beaches and deserts on planet earth. This is one of the many reasons that make me believe in other forms of life somewhere in the universe. Making me believe that no one ever walks alone, but is always with a true and trusted ghost like spirit who will guide and support them in their journey through life and beyond. Thank you all for allowing me the honor and privilege of making this journey with each and every one of you. I love you all-just the way you are.
My Sisters and Brothers, till we meet again smile, be kind, and strive to make each day a sentimental journey.

Star Love, Rodney W. Sewall Jr, Worthy Grand Patron

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My elementary school students and I always had something in common on the first day of school. We all had butterflies. Usually after the first hour of school the butterflies subsided for me and for most of the students. Those butterflies came back for me in full force though on Open House Nights when it was time to stand in front of all their parents talking about the upcoming year. It can be difficult standing up to speak in front of a group of people regardless of the number of the years we've done something or the age of the group.
My first station in Priscilla Chapter was Electa. Being the last of the Star Points to say their part during an initiation doesn't help with the butterflies, and there was no way my butterflies were going to let me take my mind off my own part to listen to the Star Points before me. Visitation brought on even more butterflies! My very first Visitation is one I'll always remember. Two Grand Officers, who are no longer with us, sat in the northeast and talked much of the evening. Of course, many of us repeatedly looked in their direction with an evil eye willing them to be quiet, to no avail. Once it was time for my part, I started off fine, but the conversation grew louder (so I thought), and I stopped to look in their direction. The prompter thought I was stuck and needed assistance and couldn't figure out why I wasn't continuing. The Worthy Grand Matron realized and when she stood to give her remarks she reminded all in attendance how important it was to be respectful to the officers doing the work.
I know I am not the only one to get a case of butterflies. Unfortunately, it happens to many of us. We know our parts and say them letter perfect or near perfect at rehearsal or at home, but the minute we're reciting our part our heart beats faster than it should, our voice gets shaky, or our knees start knocking. Those butterflies can affect us in so many ways.
When you're out traveling in the next few months and sitting somewhere on the sidelines, you'll be able to sit back without butterflies and truly listen to the lessons of our Order. No two people recite their part in the same manner and their delivery may allow us to see the lessons in a different light. I guess we're like snowflakes with no two being alike.
If you're not sure of the Visitation schedule or other events planned, please consult the OES Guidepost, eGuidepost, or even the Grand Marshal's link on the New Hampshire OES website. There will be lots going on and we'd love to have you join us as we journey here and there.
"Encourage, lift, and strengthen one another. For the positive energy spread to one will be felt by us all. For we are connected, one and all." - Deborah Day

Chickadee dee dee,
Tracie L. Carpenter, Grand Marshal