News Index

News Index

Editor's Notes

Posting Requests to: Patti L Rhinesmith, RWG Secretary at NJOESGC@optonline.net or GC Ofc 908-725-0222

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Do you need the services of a Notary?
Patti Rhinesmith, RWG Secretary can help you with that.
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Do you shop Amazon.com? Did you know that you can benefit the Eastern Star Charity Foundation when you do, at no additional cost? The next time you plan to shop on Amazon, simply log in as Smile.Amazon.Com. You can then designate the Eastern Star Charity Foundation as the charity you support. You use your existing Amazon account, there are no additional fees, and it's very easy to do! Please spread the word to family and friends, and any businesses who make purchases on Amazon - as long as they designate the Eastern Star Charity Foundation of NJ as the charity they support, the Charity Foundation will receive a small donation from most purchases. We appreciate the support!
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MWGM, MWGP letter regarding Funeral Services:

Most Worthy Grand Matron's Letter on Funerals

Release Form can be found in FORMS   www.njoes.com/forms.html

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August 27, 2020 letter from the MWGM & MWGP
mwgm_ltr_5_covid19 8-27-20.pdf

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Please join us on Tuesday December 8, 2020, at 7:30 pm, when we will have a lecture on The Craft in the Clubhouse - Freemasonry & Baseball!

Explore with us the relationship to the Masonic Fraternities and America's favorite Pastime. Enjoy an interesting history of the sport by Brother Nathan Tweedie.  Brother Nathan has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Masters of Science in American History from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He's a member of the New York State Baseball Umpires Association, Society for American Baseball Research and is the former Manager of On-site Learning at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

This series is opened to friends and family. Feel free to invite others to participate. Below is the link to register.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtceyorj0iGdZEA3tEEIAhHkPPAD7DzdHq

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Please send all voluntary donations to the: Grand Chapter OES Office, 111 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Please designate in the memo line of your check or checks what the check is for.
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The MWGM and MWGP along with Grand Chapter are inviting you to the Be Loyal to the Royal Bingo , on (date to be announced)       at 8pm via WebEx.

Please email our MWGM at njhines@comcast.net so she can email you your Bingo card and invite to the Bingo Party.
There is no cost to participate. The MWGM & MWGP will be making a donation for each winner to the "To be announced" in honor of the winners. Winners can match the donations if they choose. There will also be some surprises during the games. Please join us for some fun and fellowship.

You can make donations PAYABLE to Eastern Star Charity Fdn of NJ (in memo: - to be announced) and send your donations to: Kerry Milone-Clapp, 8 Allen Terr, Netcong, NJ 07857

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The STAR JOURNAL September 2020 issue may be found under the Information Tab on NJOES home page.
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The NJ EASTERN STAR HOME website is up & running.
Please check it out. https://www.njeasternstarhome.com
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THE Eastern Star Charity Foundation of New Jersey, Inc. - "Rays of Caring Capital Campaign. "Be a Ray of Light to our Sisters and Brothers in Need".
Flyer Download
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UPDATE FROM THE EASTERN STAR HOME PRESIDENT - DEBBIE LEDOUX
Update on the Eastern Star Home. I want to thank everyone for your donations to the Eastern Star Home during these difficult times. Because of the added expenses of Covid your donation is appreciated. As of today the Home is open for both indoor visits and outdoor visits when weather permits. If you would like to visit with a resident, you need to call the Home and make an appointment. At this time only two people can visit at a time with a resident. If you would like to make a donation to the Home, please make a check payable to New Jersey Eastern Star Home Inc. and in the memo line, put where you would like it to go. Please mail all donations to Carole Moore, PGM. Thanks in advance for your help and please stay safe.

Please see the attached flyers from the home.
Renew_Refresh_Project.pdf
LTC_Flyer.pdf

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Needed BINGO prizes - The NJ Eastern Star Home is in need of BINGO prizes. Here are some of the suggestions, stuffed animals, jewelry, books, blankets/scarves, tissues, or any other item you might want to donate. All donations can be dropped off at the Eastern Star Home and put it to the attention of Bridget Pody, Director of Activities. On behalf of the Home I thank you for all your help.

Receptions/GO Honor Nights/District Meetings
Nov. 23, 2020	Grand Floral Degree - Online/Virtual meeting Hosted by Molly Pitcher #198 and Monmouth Chapter #251 for the 34th District. 7:30pm. Please send an email to mollypitcher198@gmail.com to request the online link and registration to attend.

Upcoming Dates -- see Chapter & District Fundraisers below
Nov 6, 2020	Winter Wonderland Club Reunion postponed to April 24, 2022
Nov 1, 2020	PGM & PGP Annual Meeting postponed to Nov 7, 2021
Oct 18, 2020	Believe in Dreams Club Reunion postponed to Oct 18, 2021
Oct 25, 2020	This Moment in Time Club Last Reunion postponed until Oct 24, 2021
Nov 2020	Eastern Star Home Birthday Celebration Canceled the Home will have something special for the residents & employees
Dec 6, 2020	The Spirit of Christmas Club Reunion postponed until Dec 5, 2021
Jul 1, 2020	See info & pictures for MWGM & MWGP Jewelry . Jewelry Info Jewery pictures

Health Announcements

Nov 23, 2020	Joanne Parsels, PGM Sister Joanne had a procedure done for her Essential Tremors, on her right hand and now has no more Tremors in that hand. She was only allowed to have one hand done at the present time. She is now resting at home. Please keep Joanne in your prayers. Send all cards to her home.
Nov 17, 2020	Carol Johnson, PGO, Secretary of Alpha Chapter Sister Carol recently had gall bladder surgery, and had complications from surgery and ended up back into the hospital. Please keep her in your prayers, and send cards to her home.
Nov 17, 2020	Wendy Milley, PGO Sister Wendy recently had back surgery and is home resting, please keep her in your prayers. Cards can be sent to her home.
Oct 22, 2020	Carl Milley, PGP Brother Carl had a heart cathterization and two stents put in, but is now home recovering. Please keep him in your prayers, and send cards to his home.

Sorrow
Nov 30, 2020	passing of Brother Wilfred R. Parsels Jr., PGP Brother Wil passed away Sunday November 29th. Services will be held on December 12th, at the Godfrey's Funeral Home, Palermo, NJ. Visiting from 11am to 12 noon at the funeral home, followed by Services at Seaside Cemetary where Masonic and Eastern Star services will be conducted. Outside services will be conducted due to Covid. Please keep Sister Joanne in your prayers.
Nov 9, 2020	passing of Gail F. Naia, Right Worthy Grand Treasurer Sister Gail passed away on November 6th, with her family at her side. Gail F. Naia, born Gail Florence McClain on December 20, 1944 in East Orange, NJ. Mother of 2 daughters, Gail K. Cooley of Piedmont, SC and Michelle N. Hack of Marlton, NJ. Grandmother to Patrick, Morgan, Kirsten and Kevin; and Great-Grandmother to Eli, Sophia and Wattsyn. Gail worked for the Department of Defense in Finance and Accounting and then as a Program Analyst in the Communications Directorate before retiring. A devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and beloved friend. Gail was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star at Vehslage Lodge Chapter, No. 158 in 1963 and affiliated in 1972 with Gloria Chapter No. 159 in Toms River, NJ. She served as Worthy Matron for Gloria Chapter 1981-82, 1988-89, and 2001-02. Gail served the Order as Grand Rep to VA, Worthy District Deputy, and Worthy Grand Ruth. She was currently serving as Right Worthy Grand Treasurer. Best know for her butterflies and a huge heart for her family, friends and OES family. In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations to be sent to either "Grand Chapter Vol. Donations", c/o Judy Brown, PGO/Co-Chairman, or "NJ Eastern Star Charity Foundation, Inc.", c/o Kerry Milone-Clapp, PGO/Secretary. Services will be held on Tuesday November 10th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Carmona - Bolen Home for Funerals, 412 Main Street, Toms River, New Jersey, 08753. The OES Service will be heard at 4:30 p.m. However, due to the current pandemic there is a limit of 50 people permitted to be in the building at any time. Therefore, other than the Officers performing the service and our Top 3, we cannot guarantee that you will be permitted in the room at the time of the OES service. If you are attending, you will be required to wear a mask while indoors and social distancing will be maintained. We understand that this is a hard time, but the overall health of our community is of paramount importance. Finally, there will not be a repast, however, a celebration of life will be planned for after we are able to meet again. We appreciate your understanding and consideration during this unprecedented time. Message previously sent from Gail's daughter. It is with a broken and heavy heart that I forward the below message from our Sister Gail's daughter and with her permission, I send the following message from her: I write this message as I pack and prepare to return home to NJ to spend time with my mother as we face her final days. What I am sharing with you will most likely come as a shock, and I cannot express how sorry I am to share this news of her illness and current health status all at one time. I can say that at first we were not aware of the gravity of the situation and by strict orders were following her direction and not to "over share". As you know, my mother is a private person, and up until this past week or so -- she remained in the driver's seat. Gail became ill the end of September and had to be taken by ambulance due to not being able to breathe. Her diagnosis was and is pneumonia. In the days of COVID we often forgot that there are many other ailments that have serious repercussions. Her sister Charlotte has been able to visit her in-between times were she had to undergo another COVID test -- which all were negative. About 2 weeks ago she was moved to ICU where I was able to only visit through glass. The prognosis is not good and Charlotte, my sister Michelle and I can only honor Gail by doing what we know and feel her wishes would be. Unfortunately on Tuesday we found ourselves at a crossroads and had to make decisions for my mother on her behalf. We have begun palliative care and have negotiated (prayers please) that we can be in her room with her. She is currently on a ventilator; however that is on borrowed time and as predicted her body can no longer withstand the treatments. I can say that she has seen many of the cards, and those give comfort to Michelle, Charlotte and I. There is no doubt that Gail is well loved, and you should have no doubt regarding her love and devotion to her OES family. I am comforted in her home with the many, many OES mementos and the beautiful afghan commissioned to commemorate all her years of service to her beloved Star. In closing I would like to remind everyone of Gail's OES symbol...the butterfly. In these difficult days I would ask you to think of her butterflies and the deeper meaning of the transformation, breaking free...to finally fly. In Love, Gail K. Cooley (aka Little Gail) Loving Daughter OES Sister
Nov 1, 2020	passing of William Huber, PP of Bordentown Chapter #257 Brother Bill passed on November 1st. Visitation hours will be Thursday, November 5, 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at the Huber-Moore Funeral Home, 517 Farnsworth Ave., where Masonic services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Please keep his daughters, sons and grandchildren in your prayers. Details to follow. Brother Bill was also very involved in the Shrine.... and he was known as "Willie the Clown".
Oct 29, 2020 Nov 23, 2020	passing of Steven Wack Son of Brother David Wack, PGP Brother David Wack, PGP, son passed away October 29, 2020. In keeping with Steven’s wishes services will be private. Please keep David and Shirley Wack in your prayers. Cards can be sent to their home. ***A note from Brother David and Sister Shirley Wack.....We want to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and cards on the passing of our son Steve.
Oct 26, 2020	passing of Bob, Husband of Sister Marie Cloan, GR of Georgia Sister Marie's husband Bob passed away on Sunday October 25th. Due to Covid-19, all services are private. A celebration of life in honor of Bob will be held at a later date. Please keep Marie and her family in your prayers. Cards can be sent to her home.

Grand Chapter Announcements
Now Available	Updated Grand Chapter Highlights Book - $24.33 A synopsis of NJ Eastern Star 1870-2020. The Highlights Book has been published and is available for sale through the Grand Chapter Office. The cost is $24.33 each, which includes postage. Please make your check payable to "Grand Chapter OES of NJ" and mail to Grand Chapter Office, 111 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater, NJ 08807-3101
	Looking for excess Paraphernalia/Flags/Poles For Chapters in need, please contact Sharon Rosequist, RWG Trustee. 3 electric Signets are still available. Complete set of Chapter Officers' badges, excellent condition, contact RWG Secretary.
	Proceedings available - Books $28, CDs $15 Affsa/Affsa - 11 Books Capel/Parsons - 11 CD's Bingenheimer/Robinson - 3 CD's McGinley/Costello - 4 CD's

Good News
February 2020	Daria's Choices
2019-2020	Norma & Dan's Grand Representatives
2018-2019	Lynn & Ken's Grand Representatives

Chapter & District Fundraisers

Nov 4, 2020 CANCELLED	Haddonfield #140 Queen Esther at Sight & Sound - $125 The trip to Sight and Sound on Nov 4, 2020 was cancelled due to COVID restrictions.
Mar 10, 2021	Fairview #219 Queen Esther at Sight & Sound Any questions contact Joan Smith, PGM by phone or email.
	Starlight Chapter Cookbook - "Our Favorite Recipes" Approx 350 recipes by OES members & friends. Hardcover, $15. Postage $7.25 for 1 or 2 books; $13.65 to mail 3-6 books. Payable to Starlight Chapter, mail to Barbara Repp, WDD #39
	"Bethlehem Cooks" - $8 Cookbook of Old Favorites & New. Contact Lauretta Korejko, Secretary

General Information