Eastern Star worthy grand matron making Havre visit

Press release

L. Kaye Stam of Polson, worthy grand matron of the Grand Chapter of Montana, Order of Eastern Star, will make her official visit to Havre Chapter # 30 Saturday, Nov. 21, beginning at 1 p.m.. She will be accompanied by Worthy Grand Patron Denny Perry of Choteau, along with a number of other dignitaries from throughout Montana.

Becaues the Masonic Temple in Havre was sold this past year, the meeting will be held at the Masonic Temple in Chinook, located at 417 Ohio Street.

The day will begin with a no-host luncheon at Grateful Bread, located in the Atrium Mall in Havre, beginning at 11 a.m. Anyone interested in meeting and visiting with Stam and Perry is invited to join the group at that time. The group will then journey to Chinook for the afternoon meeting, which will be called to order at 1 p.m.

Worthy Matron Sheila Neuwerth and Worthy Patron David Sageser will preside during the meeting, which will be followed immediately by a baked ham and escalloped potato dinner being cooked by Associated Patron Sam Clawson and Worthy Patron David Sageser.

The Order of the Eastern star was developed in the 1860’s by Dr. Rob Morris, who was honored as the Master Builder of the order of Eastern Star, and is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. Men who are Masons and women with Masonic, International Order of Rainbow for Girls or Jobs Daughters affiliation are eligible to belong. The order has more than two million members with projects involving millions of dollars that benefit many people. The members of the Order of Eastern Star are dedicated women and men who sincerely reflect their spiritual values.

Eastern Star is a social order comprising persons with deep religious convictions and spiritual values, but it is not a religion. Its appeal rests in the true beauty of the refreshing and character-building lessons that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic work.

Locally, Havre Chapter has approximately 60 members who work diligently to support Eastern Star’s local charities which include the Cancer Fund, the Heart Fund, local youth groups, and needy families, as well as the State wide ESTARL program which funds scholarships to those training for religious leadership, the Masonic Home in Helena which houses the elderly, and the Electa’s Cup fund which assists members in financial need. Eastern Star also supports other members of the Masonic Family with their projects such as the Shriners’ Hospitals for Crippled children, the Knights Templar Eye Foundations, the Lions Club eyeglasses and hearing aide projects, and the Scottish Rite Language Clinics to name a few. The Chapel at the International Peace Garden on the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada, was donated by and is still maintained by the Order of Eastern Star.

Stam and Denny will preside over their “Montana Treasures” session June 15 to 18 in Kalispell to celebrate the 127th Anniversary of Montana Grand Chapter .

Information about how to become a member of Eastern Star may be obtained by calling Sheila Neuwerth at 945-0145, Pegi Wenger at 265-3221, Sam Clawson at 390-7164, or Pauline Petersen at 262-9341.