The reception for Worthy Grand Matron Louise Westergaard on October 6th at Scottish Rite Cathedral in Bloomingdale carried with it a distinctive theme that included a “cyber-unveiling.”
Pictured is one of the Palace Guards protecting the Scottish Rite prior to the reception getting underway. Notice also the props that appear in the picture with Grand Secretary Jeanne Puckett. These same props are in the picture with Worthy Grand Matron who, as part of her opening for the proceedings for her reception, welcomed everyone to Oz.
Then, the Order of the Eastern Star unveiled their new web site with a Wizard of Oz themed premier. The Worthy Grand Matron’s reception was blown away by beginning with the cyclone from the Wizard of Oz and Bruce Barnes, dressed in Dorothy Gale's Blue and White Gingham Dress, on the stage saying, "Hello, my name is Dorothy Gale and I'm here to welcome you to Oz!"
After Bro. Barnes changed back into his tux, he continued with the presentation, which lasted about 20 minutes. Then everyone followed the "Yellow Brick Road" into the dining room for the formal part of the reception, assisted by the other characters from the Wizard of Oz.
The Order of the Eastern Star can be found at http://www.illoes.org. That is the address you may already have on file, and to which you can link from here on our Grand Lodge web site. Just click on Masonic Links. Also make note of the Order of the Eastern Star’s new Facebook page, which is www.FaceBook.com/ILLOES.
The response has been 99.999% positive. This should be a very exciting year for OES. Along with the new Internet sites, many exciting plans have been laid out for the year, including working more closely with the Grand Lodge and Most Worshipful Grand Master Terry Seward to bring our Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter closer together.