Quick Links
Editor's Notes | Receptions/District Meetings | Upcoming Dates |Health Announcements | Sorrow | Grand Chapter Announcements
Good News | Chapter Fundraisers | General Information | Charity Foundation News | OES Home News |

---

Upcoming Dates  -- see Chapter & District Fundraisers below
June 1, 2023	UPCOMING DATES - 2024-2025      Nov. 21th - Home Board      Nov. 23rd - Wine and Roses Ball, Jumping Brook Country Club      Nov. 28th - Happy Thanksgiving      Dec. 1st - Spirit of Christmas Reunion      Dec. 2nd - Ocean #214/34 - Reception      Dec. 4th - Charity Foundation      Dec. 5th - Emmaus #183/33 - Reception      Dec. 6th - Athene #201/37 - Grand Floral      Dec. 7th - Feast of Saint John      Dec. 8th - State Christmas Party      Dec. 10th - Fairview #219/37 - Grand Officers night      Dec. 12th - Corporate Board      Dec. 13th - Stewart #166/39 - Honor night      Dec. 14th - 37th District Meeting      Dec. 15th - State Christmas Church Service      Dec. 19th - Home Board      December 25th - Merry Christmas      January 1st - Happy, Healthy New Year
	Grand Chapter Fundraisers & Get-Togethers
	WINE AND ROSES BALL - NOVEMBER 23, 2024 The Wine and Roses Charity Ball will be held at the Jumping Brook Country Club, Neptune.  See flyer attached. cb_invite_1.docx flyer also attached for ad Ad_book_2024.docx
	Christmas Party - December 8, 2024 Dashing Through the Snow, State Christmas Party to be held on Sunday December 8, 2024 at 2:00pm, cost $25.00 at Muscantcong Lodge, Budd Lake NJ   RSVP to Deborah LeDoux, debbie9011@gmail.com See flyer attached Dashing through the Snow Christmas Party.pdf
	Christmas Church Service - December 15, 2024 You are invited to attend the Statewide Christmas Church Service on Sunday December 15, 2024 at 2:00 pm.  To be held at Stanhope United Methodist Church, 2 Route #183, Netcong, NJ  07857.   Refreshments to follow.
	Come join Sister Sharon and Brother Joe on a Cruise Sailing from Bayonne to St. Marten, St. Lucia, Barbadoes and St. Kitts January 16, 2025 to January 27, 2025 Book now with: Cruise Concepts Travel, Pompton Plains, NJ - 973-616-9662 Eastern Star St. Lucia 2025.pdf
	Upcoming Trip 2025-2026
	Come join Sister MaryElaine and her mystery man Bus Trip to Chicago from July 7th to July 12th, 2025, 6 days, 5 nights. Departs from Masonic Fellowship Hall parking lot.  Trip cost $835.00.  For more information please contact Diane Schmolze.  See flyer with more information.   Chicago trip 2195267-7E05062000.pdf
	**REUNIONS & GET-TOGETHERS**
	Spirit of Christmas Reunion - December 1st.

---

Good News and Health Announcements

---

Nov. 21st	Sister Michele Hess, PGM, RWGT Sister Michele is home recovering from shoulder surgery.  She is not able to drive, but able to get out when she has a ride.  Keep her in your prayers, cards can be sent to her home.
Nov. 7th	Sister June Pfeifer, PGM Sister June continues to be with her family in Nevada.  Pleaes continue to send cards and prayers.  Cards can be sent to her home here in New Jersey, and will be forwarded to her in Nevada.
Nov. 7th	Sister Mary Lee Batesko, PGO, Gloria Chapter #159 Sister Mary Lee is still having some problems with her memory and family would appreciate visits to help Mary Lee at this time.
Nov. 7th	Brother Ken Billingham, PGP Brother Ken has been out an about through the state, but still continues to heal from his hip surgery.  He thanks everyone for his cards and prayers.

Sorrow
Nov. 19th	Sister Arleen Reuss, GR of Oklahoma Sister Arleen, passed away today, Tuesday, November 19th.  Keep her family, and friends in your prayers.  She will be greatly missed by Emmaus Chapter.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Visit the website for more information at Echo Lake Funeral Home, Westfield, NJ.
Nov. 7th	Beverly Ann Hubbard, PGO, Ocean Chapter #214 Sister Beverly Ann passed away on Tuesday November 5th.  OES services will be held at Ely Funeral Home, Neptune on November 13th at 7PM.  For more information visit the website of Ely Funeral Home.

---

Grand Chapter Announcements
	LOST AND FOUND Please check with Sister Debbie LeDoux, WG Marshal if you lost or found any items.  UPDATE - 6/18/24 From last year Debbie has a gray sweater, a bumble bee pin and a silver tag that has "Because I Love You" on it. Found at Grand Session - reading glasses. Found at the MWGM receiving one stud earring with crystals in the shape of a flower.
Now Available	Updated Grand Chapter Highlights Book - $25.33 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 $25.33 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
	Proceedings available for 2022-2023 - Books $35.00, CD's $15.00 Wallace/Byrne (2022-2023) - 8 CD's available Proceedings available - Books $28, CDs $15 Capel/Parsons (2016-2017) - 11 CD's Bingenheimer/Robinson -(2015-2016) 4 CD's McGinley/Costello (2014-2015) - 3 CD's

---

Good News
2024-2025	Sharon & Joe's appointed Grand Officers - 2024-2025
	Sharon & Joe's Grand Representatives 2024-2025
2023-2024	Joanne & Jim's Grand Officers for 2023-2024 Joanne & Jim's Grand Representatives 2023-2024
2022-2023	Jeannette & Bernie's Grand Representatives - 2022-2023 Jeannette & Bernie's Grand Officers - 2022-2023
2021-2022	Daria & Bruce's Grand Officers - 2021-2022  Daria & Bruce's Grand Representatives - 2021-2022
2019-2020	Norma & Dan's Grand Representatives - 2019-2021
2018-2019	Lynn & Ken's Grand Representatives - 2018-2019

Chapter & District Fundraisers & Notices
Oct. 19th	Shekinah Chapter #82 - Luck of the Irish Shopping Spree Raffle - March 12, 2025 LUCK O THE IRISH RAFFLE POSTER.pdf

General Information

Charity Foundation News
Jan 21, 2023	Charity Foundation Life Skills Grant Application OES CHARITY FOUNDATION LIFE SKILLS GRANT APPLICATION PDF.pdf CF flyer - Linda Penin.pdf.................
Dec. 2023	The OES Charity Foundation meeting will be held on December 4th, 2024 at 7pm. It will be virtual using the link provided by below.  To receive the meeting link please send an email no later than 6pm on the day of the meeting. To receive the meeting link each month please send an email to:  oescharityfoundationnj@gmail.com You may not know that being a Member of the Order also makes you a member of the Charity Foundation.  As members of the Eastern Star Charity Foundation, you are always invited to attend the monthly meetings held on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7pm.  As the time of the meeting approaches, you will receive the link/invite for the meeting from that email account (approximately 6pm). Normally, these meetings take place in the Board Room of the OES Home.  Due to Covid-19 we have been meeting via Grand Chapter's WebEx account.  We invite you to attend these meetings from the comfort of your own home. As the time of the meeting approaches, you will receive the link/invite for the meeting from that email account (approximately 6pm) The Board holds an Executive Session prior to the public portion of the meeting.  Our Executive Session may run slightly over, so please do not be discouraged if you are asked to wait in the "waiting room" (or to log off) for a few minutes.  Please request the meeting link monthly.
Jan. 27, 2023	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".   CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FLYER.pdf

OES Home News - website:  www.njeasternstarhome.com
Sept 17	Message from the President of the New Jersey Eastern Star Home Board I hope everyone had an enjoyable Summer. I have been elected to serve as President of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Eastern Star Home. I am very honored that the Board of Directors have placed its trust in me to lead them and look forward to serving our Home for the upcoming year. No one person can do it alone and I am honored to have the members of the Board of Directors that are serving this year to keep our Home running smoothly and I thank them for their service to our residents and Home. Delegates Meeting Our Annual Meeting of the Delegates was held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, in the Chapel. I want to thank everyone who attended. It is important to keep the Chapters informed as to what is going on at our Home. At our re-organization meeting the following officers were elected, Debbie LeDoux, GO, President; Judy Wood, GO, Vice President; Jessica Walton, GO, Secretary; Diane Schmolze, PGM, Assistant Secretary; Carole Moore, PGM, Treasurer; Cheryl Butler, GO, Assistant Treasurer. Elected to the Board for a three-year term were Cheryl Butler, GO, Shirley Alcolea, Kim Lorenc, GO, and Katherine Robinson, GO. We welcome them to the Board and look forward to serving with them. Home Day Sister Sharon Rosequist, MWGM will be doing a Home Day this year. It will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Crescent Shrine. More information will be announced at a later date. I hope to see you all there. Refresh and Renew Project Nursing Unit A Refresh/Renew project has been completed. We are now focusing on Nursing Unit B and the Shower Room on that unit. We thank everyone who has donated to the Refresh/Renew Project. It is because of your generosity that this was possible. If you would like to make a donation, please make your check payable to the “New Jersey Eastern Star Home, Inc.” put Refresh/Renew on the memo line, and mail it to Carole Moore, PGM, Treasurer. All donations made to our Home are Tax Deductible. Rehabilitation Unit We have a state-of-the art Rehabilitation Unit and hope that you will consider our facility should you or someone you know need our services. They provide Physical therapy, Occupational therapy and Speech therapy. All inquiries should be made to Shelretha LaSure at the ES Home. Volunteers We are now open for volunteers. The residents miss the BINGO games, arts and crafts, sing-alongs, the plays/Chapter meetings that some of the Districts used to do, etc. If you would like to volunteer to run any of the above, please call Simone Rudich at the ES Home. The Board of Directors and the Home thank you for your dedication to the residents and our Home. Simone is always looking to help with getting the wheelchair residents to the Boutique and to the salon. If you are interested in helping, please contact her at the ES Home. Bequests When planning for the future, you may not only be thinking about how to help your family, but also how you might benefit one or more charitable organizations. A charitable bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. You can create a bequest of any dollar amount. When you are preparing your will, please think about including our NJ Eastern Star Home. Tree of Life The Tree of Life has received some new leaves and rocks, make sure you check it out the next time you are at the Eastern Star Home. If you would like to have a leaf or rock added to the Tree of Life, you can obtain the form by calling the Eastern Star Home at 908-722-4140. The forms for Leaves and Rocks are also printed in the Star Journal. Leaves are $500 and rocks are $1000. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Home, I thank you for supporting this project. Gown Boutiques We are planning for a gown Boutique for September 21, 2024, at Atlas Chapter from 9am to 3pm. I want to thank the Home Board, the Elected Line and the many volunteers and the DeMolay Boys that are always there to help us. Where can you purchase a gown for $5, it’s a bargain, come to Atlas Chapter and check out the gowns, skirts, tops, tuxedos, and shoes. Donations There are other opportunities for giving that will benefit our Home, besides those previously mentioned. You can contribute towards the Commemorative Gardens, which provides a beautifully landscaped outdoor space for our residents to enjoy. We have had to make several repairs to the Commemorative Gardens this year. There are the Resident Welfare Funds for both our members and the general public residents. You can designate a donation for our Building Fund which helps maintain our facility. No matter where you chose to direct your donation, remember that the NJ Eastern Star Home is a 501c(3) Organization, and your donation is tax deductible. Please designate your choice on the memo line of your check, and mail it to Carole Moore, PGM, our treasurer. Claire-Marie Scheffbuch Wing Due to the generous donations received in the past from the Estate of Sister Claire-Marie, a wing of our facility will be dedicated in her name. The date of the dedication will be announced in the future. We are hoping to have the dedication around the end of September. We are truly grateful to Sister Claire-Marie for everything that she has done for our Home. Awards We have had several employees receive awards this year. Dr. Dawn Giakas our Administrator was honored with the prestigious Excellence in Leadership award, bestowed by Leading Age New Jersey & Delaware during the 2024 Awards Program which illuminates the facility with her remarkable accomplishments. This accolade symbolizes not only Dr. Giakas’ personal triumph but also the collective celebration of NJESH’s transformative journey under her stewardship. Gus Guido has been unanimously chosen as a distinguished recipient of the Asia’s Golden Icon Award 2024. The Asian’s Golden Icon Award recognizes individual achievers that have significant impact in the community or have shown excellence in their area of expertise. Nicholas Patullo jumped into a freezing river to rescue the occupants who were trapped in a car underwater. Nick received the Valor Award from the 200 Club of Somerset County for Bravery. I congratulate them on their awards and thank them for their dedication. There are articles in the Journal on the three of them. In closing I want to thank all the employees who work at our Eastern Star Home for their dedication and support of our residents and Home. To all our members, thank you for your continued support to our residents and our home. In Star Love, Deborah Lynn LeDoux, GO President
	Skilled Nursing Week The following was done for Skilled Nursing week at the Home. • Eastern Star Home gave out approximately 140 prizes to staff members of the facility, PT and Dietary. • Prizes were given out for Bingo, Star Search and Guess the candy amount. • Gave out prizes of appreciation to all staff. So, everyone received something. • Held staff Bingo and Star Search, which was extremely well received by staff and included our residents as “star” holders. • Each day was a different theme, “Wear Pink Day”, “Funky Hat Day”, etc. • Lori made up goodie baskets for each unit to Enjoy on Sunday. • Held an appreciation Breakfast on Monday morning for all staff. • Tuesday, they had a Mary Kay representative with demo’s and give-a-ways. • Ice Cream treats for staff on Wednesday. • Reverend Johnson came in and did a “Blessing of the Hands” for staff. • Had Chris Giakas Entertainment for our Sock Hop Lunch and he also played for patients and residents in Unit 2 and Sub-Acute, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience. • Sodexo provided lunch on Thursday for our Sock Hop. Staff enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, onion rings, milk shakes and root beer floats. • On Friday and Saturday, we had Pizza lunch for all staff. Simone and Lori put their heads together to come up with different ideas for prizes and events for the employees. The Employees of the Home want to thank everyone who donated to the Skilled Nursing Week. Because of your generous donations we were able to honor the employees.
	Nicholas Patullo Received the Valor Award Nicholas Patullo, Director of EVS and Safety & Security, NJESH On the afternoon of January 22, 2022, the Hillsborough Fire companies were dispatched to an area on South Branch River Road for a vehicle in the river with occupants trapped inside. Arriving before the fire apparatus, Nick and 2 other firefighters were first on the scene and Nick jumped into the 30 degrees, freezing cold river, along with another firefighter and a police officer and accessed the situation and immediately began rescue operations. They forced open the driver’s side door and were able to get the lone occupant, an elderly female who was hanging upside down, still with her seatbelt on, removed from the vehicle. She was unconscious and immediately turned over to the EMT’s, who were able to revive her. As a result of these quick and selfless actions of these men, the victim survived the accident. She just passed away in 2024, due to unrelated health issues. Their actions, specifically placing the wellbeing of the victim above their own personal safety and operating in extreme conditions with no protective gear, underscore the duty and commitment of Nick and his fellow firefighters. This selfless act of Nick’s shows the integrity and empathy that NJESH benefits from having this heroic employee working for us. He brings this spirit with him to work each and every day to the benefit of our residents, staff and visitors. On May 15, 2024, Nick and the other emergency responders received a Valor Award from the 200 Club of Somerset County for their bravery. The Board commends Nick for his heroism.
	New Jersey Eastern Star Home’s Director of Nursing, Agustin (Gus) T. Guido III, has been unanimously chosen as a distinguished recipient of Asia’s Golden Icon Award 2024. The Asia’s Golden Icon Award 2024 recognizes individual achievers that have significant impact in the community or have shown excellence in their area of expertise. Gus is deserving of this award; he has been an avenue of change for the healthcare community. Gus has managed facilities with Traumatic Brain Injury, Ventilators, Sub-Acute Rehabilitation, and Long-Term Care. Since taking the role as Director of Nursing at New Jersey Eastern Star Home, Gus has led our team with no facility acquired COVID deaths for the past 4 years, his passion for education led to the facility’s 2 day staff education fair, that was highlighted and became an example on a national level, where he implemented fun and interactive ways for staff to learn about state required topics, such as Dementia, Fall Risk, Infection Control, and many other topics. Gus is a published author, and has been elected as the Vice President of the New Jersey Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care. New Jersey Eastern Star Nursing and Rehabilitation Administration, staff, and colleges are proud to celebrate Gus’ achievement, as it is a positive reflection of the knowledge, and excellence in the healthcare field.
	May 9, 2024 Dear Family and Friends, I hope this letter finds you well. First off, on behalf of the residents as well as myself we would like to thank everyone for their generous donations to contribute to our monthly boutique as well as our community. Our monthly Boutique is a social event our residents are always looking forward to attending. You are all truly making a difference for the residents and community here at New Jersey Eastern Star. Here at New Jersey Eastern Star Home we aim to develop various programs, that encourage and allow our residents to strive in growth and their personal capabilities and cater to their diverse interests. Thanks to your contributions, our residents have had the opportunity to create festive holiday decorations to display in their rooms and throughout our facility. Moreover, your donations have enabled our residents to make and supply much-needed beds and blankets to our local animal shelter. These activities, exemplify just a fraction of the positive impact of your generosity. I am reaching out to see if you would be willing to help me spread the word around the community to see if anyone would be interested and willing to donate supplies to help enrich our seniors through programming and more as well as, to our monthly boutique. Below is a list of items our residents have expressed interest in seeing at our next monthly boutique. As always, any donations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time. Kindly, Simone Rudich Director of Activities New Jersey Eastern Star Home 111 Finderne Ave Bridgewater, NJ 08807 908-722-4140 ext. 3527 srudich@njeasternstarhome.com  SEE ATTACHED FLYER...Newsletter Article NJESH.pdf
	FORMS FOR THE NJ EASTERN STAR HOME OES Home - flyer.pdf Renew_Refresh_Project.pdf Becoming a resident_Flyer.pd Tree-of-Life-Order-Form-LEAF.pdf Tree-of-Life-Order-Form-ROCKS.pdf Delegates Alternates and Officers Election Report Form.docx