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| Monday, July 23 | Tuesday, July 24 | Wednesday, July 25 | |
| Thursday, July 26 | Friday, July 27 | Saturday, July 28 | |
| Barbara Ann | |||
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Hey there folks, I hope all is going well wherever you are at. We had planned to get on the road about 10:00 this morning, but for those of you who are regular readers of my Supreme Diaries, you know that didn't happen. As usual there were a multitude of last minute things that came up, and Mom Toni and I did not get on the road until 12:20 p.m. Other than that, the trip itself was fairly uneventful. It was a beautiful day with not a cloud in the sky. We arrived at the Radisson Hotel in Merrillville about 5:30 p.m. There were lots of Job's Daughter people there and the usual hustle and bustle of lots of folks checking into a hotel at the same time was occurring. We talked to Fred Windbiel for a while. Fred is a PAGG of British Columbia, and is the husband of PSG Louise Windbiel. He is a great guy and just about the friendliest person you will ever meet. He was at his usual station of sitting outside the hotel entrance chatting with just about anyone who came by. We checked into the hotel, and saw Mom Marlene Frakes, PSG-MO, and Dad Al Howe, PASG-MO. We talked with them for a few minutes. They had just come from the HIKE Board meeting and they said things were going well. I also talked to Bill Walker-PASG-WA for a moment. He mentioned that the air conditioning in the room where the Board of Trustees meeting is going on is not functioning. It was at that moment that I started to count my blessings as an old has-been. I wished him well and cool temperatures for the rest of the meetings. As we were heading to the room we ran into Amanda LeBlanc. Amanda was the MIJD the same year that I was the Associate Supreme Bethel Guardian. She did a fantastic job, and continues to serve in Job's Daughters as she is now the newly installed Grand Marshal of Minnesota. Congratulations to Amanda. I know that she will do a great job. After that we went to our room, got the luggage situated and then when to a very special event. The musical group Chicago was playing at the Porter County Fair which is in Valparaiso, Indiana. That is about 15 minutes from our hotel. For those who don't know, Chicago and the Beatles are my all time favorite musical groups. I saw the Beatles in St. Louis back in 1966 and since they broke up in 1970, they won't be doing any more concerts. Chicago on the other hand is celebrating their 40th year as a band, and they are still out there making great albums and touring every year. I have been to several of their concerts, and they always put on a great show. Anyway, Mom Toni and I attended the concert this evening, and we had backstage passes to meet the group. The show was great and all the guys in the band were very friendly. In particular I would like to single out their bass player, Jason Scheff. Jason has been a member of the group since 1986, and is a fantastic musician and singer. He is also a friend of mine and my youngest daughter, Katie, who is also a professional singer. Jason's father was Jerry Scheff, who was the bass player for Elvis Presley from 1969 through 1977. Jason arranged the backstage passes and I thank him for that. Following the concert and the meet & greet we headed back to the hotel and I am now writing this. I know there wasn't a lot about the Session, but I hope you will allow me this special evening with one of my all time favorite musical groups, Chicago. Visit them at their website, www.chicagotheband.com or their Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/chicagotheband. Jason's Myspace page is http://www.myspace.com/jasonscheff. While I am plugging pages, Katie's website is www.katielouisemusic.com, and her Myspace page is www.myspace.com/katielouisemusic. Let me give some thanks to some folks for their nice e-mails. From down under, Brian Thompson, AGG-Queensland sent a very well thought out e-mail regarding pending legislation, Melanie Strachan, VGG-Queensland sent an e-mail regarding her travels to Session, and Margaret Thompson, BG#23 in Northern Brisbane sent a nice e-mail. She isn't able to be at Session, but will be following this year's diary. Welcome aboard Margaret. Great to have you as a guest. Finally, Emily Schoenarts, HQ #43-MO, is at Session and sends this note to everyone: Hey everyone. At Supreme Session, I will be selling puzzle piece pins at $3.00 a pin. Hope to see you all there. So see Emily for one of the puzzle pieces. Well folks, it's now about 2:00 a.m. and I need to get to bed. Tomorrow promises to be a busy day and my stamina isn't what it used to be (not that it was ever all that great). I will talk to you again tomorrow. |
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Hey folks, it's me again checking in with a mid-day update. Mom Toni and I had breakfast in the room this morning and then headed out to register for the session. Along the way we ran into quite a few friends. The hallways of Supreme Session are the best places to meet people as they go from one side of the hotel to the other to register, shop at the Session Sales & Doc Morgan rooms or just wander around catching the ambience of session. We talked to Mom Shirley Bryngelson, PSG-WY, and my partner in the Supreme Line. She was heading the other way than we were so we basically just had time to say hi and bye. We also talked to Dad Ken Bastin and Dad Hubert Haynes, both PASG's from Indiana and a couple of wonderful guys. We stopped for a moment at the Supreme Bethel Table and talked to Melanie Strachan, VGG-Queensland and Richard Lewis, PAGG-WY. We saw Diane Lynch, GBHQ-MO, as well as her partners in the Grand Bethel Line, Daniella Brand, GBSP and Jen Hallahan, GBJP. Mom Jan Lynch, PGG-MO was chaperoning them. They had just come from the Ritual Competition rooms where they said that the Missouri Team did a fantastic job. That was great news. From there we went to the Registration Room which was located in the Composer's Row section of the hotel. The room itself was the McCartney Room. When I asked someone where Paul was I was greeted with a blank look that told me it would not be prudent to pursue the questioning any further. We then registered and were given some really cool gifts, including some really neat bags filled with lots of goodies. After that we made our way to the Session Sales Room where those Jurisdictions with representatives in Supreme Line have their fund-raising sales tables set up. There was a ton of fantastic merchandise including various articles of clothing, dolls, stuffed animals, books and jewelry, at all of it at very affordable prices. The Virginia table was selling a really cool fan that displayed lighted messages on the blades while they rotated. I told them they should put a message for all of those who have to attend business meetings where let's face it, not every second is filled with exciting action. It not really anything that can be avoided, it's just the nature of the function. Anyway I had them put the message "Stay Awake" on the fan. Everyone seemed to get a big kick out of that. We then headed out for lunch. We at a Portillo's Hot Dog Stand, which was a really cool restaurant that served hot dogs, hamburgers, Italian Beef sandwiches and other great items. Also housed in the same building was Barilla's Pasta Bowl, which featured Italian food. We opted for Portillo's and wow, was it good. I had the Italian Beef sandwich while Mom Toni got the hot dog with everything on it, and when they say everything, they aren't just whistling Dixie. Onions, peppers, pickles, and a bunch of other stuff made this a meal on a bun. While we were at the restaurant we saw Pat Lehrman, PAGG-IL, who was there with his family as well as several people from Illinois and Brazil. Pat works for an airline and had arranged for several of the Brazilian girls to fly up here at a discount. That was a pretty cool thing to do. We talked with them for a while and then took lots of pictures. I asked them what they all said for everyone to smile for pictures and they said cheese. I told them that in Missouri when we want a group of Jobies to smile, we say DeMolay. Guess what, it works for Brazilian Jobies as well. All I can say is the name of that great Swedish Philosopher, Whoda Thunkit!!! After that we returned to the hotel. Mom Toni went to the Lobby for a while and talked to Momma Donna Goede, GG-MO for a while, as well as a number of other folks.
Later Mom Toni, who is a Miss International Job's Daughter Pageant Ritual Judge, had a dinner with the MIJD Committee, Miss IJD Erin, the candidates and the other judges while I went to the Masonic Dinner. Mom Toni said that the food at their dinner was really good. One thing she discovered was that our Miss Missouri Job's Daughter Lauren Mack does not like chocolate. Well, so much for the five pound specially made Godiva Chocolate good luck charm. Only one thing to do . . . chomp chomp chomp . . . Okay, my blood sugar is now around 900. I had a great time at the Masonic Dinner. The folks from Missouri at our table were Dad Charles Boehme, PABG #12, Dad Lon Goede, PAGG, Papa John Vezeau, PAGG, Dad Earl Tisdale, PAGG and Dad Al Howe, PASG. The food was delicious and the company even better. Our Associate Supreme Guardian, Tom Sapp, spoke as did our Supreme Guardian Denise Noonan who came from the other dinner to make some brief remarks. There was also a singer and a signer who opened the dinner but unfortunately I only caught the last few minutes. I guess my Supreme Travel Curse, which missed me during my trip up here, struck back with a vengeance. The hotel is laid out horizontally, somewhat like the spokes on a whell, which requires us to do quite a bit of walking to get from one place to another, each time going through a central location. Take into effect that our room is just about as far as you can get from all the activities and still be in the same hotel, and add that together with my arthritic knees, and you have the perfect recipe for a fat old Past Associate Supreme Guardian with some mighty sore wheels. Anyway, when Mom Toni and I were getting ready to leave for the dinners, I decided to let my role as a history teacher come into play and just as Columbus sailed west to get to the Far East, I decided that I would walk outside the building the opposite way, thus cutting off the trip through the center of the building, and that would be a shortcut to the area where the dinners were being held. In theory it was a great idea. Unfortunately just as Columbus didn't make it to the Far East because of a previously unknown (or if you were a Viking, little known) land mass we now know as America, I also discover a building mass known as the Star Theater. As I negotiated my way around the seemingly "increasing in size with every step I took building," the time for the dinner was rapidly drawing closer. I finally made it all the way around the theater, elated that I had managed to walk that far and find the dinner area when I discovered to my horror that I was now roughly 50 feet from where my journey had begun. Yep, I had basically walked in a big circle back to where I had started. Needless to say I was somewhat dismayed. So I had to go the regular way, down the long halls, through the center of the building, down the next long hall and arrived sore kneed and sweating at the dinner just in time to hear the final notes of the song. However I must say that those notes were beautiful, and while I do not remember the names of the performers right off the top of my head, I will be sure to get them so I can give proper credit.
Following the dinner we went to the Masonic Play, which was open to all. It was about Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, and the events that went into his decision to join the Masonic Lodge (an Initiation that never happened due to an assassins bullet). The play was very well done and a great time was had by all. Following the play it was time for the HIKE Dance. It was a blast. They had a wonderful DJ who kept the evening going with a great song selection. The HIKE Committee deserves a big round of applause for this outstanding event. There were several drawings throughout the evening. The very last one was held toward the end of the dance. I had been sitting with Jennifer Neilsen, the Grand Guide of Queensland and her daughter, Rebecca Harradine, who I believe is the Chaplain of Bethel #14 in Wynnum. Rebecca had kept she and her Mom from returning to their room because she was convinced that she was going to win the final drawing. Well guess what . . . She did. Now they have to figure out how they are going to get this big basket of goodies (including the big basket) back home to Queensland. I guess its either buy another suitcase or another seat on the plane. It could be interesting :) Well folks, that's about it for the day. I have an early call tomorrow and I need to get some shut-eye. Thanks for reading and I will be back tomorrow with more updates from Supreme Session 2007. |
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Hey there folks, it's another wonderful day in the great state of Indiana. Mom Toni began her day a bit earlier than I did as she had to judge the ritual for the Miss IJD Pageant. I began my day a bit later, but still bright and early this morning with the first business session of the week. Prior to the actual start of the meeting, Virginia did a presentation for Supreme Session 2009. It was really good, and it looks like we will have a fantastic Supreme Session 2009 in beautiful Richmond, Virginia. Then the business session got underway. Mom Shirley Bryngelson and I were honored to be the hosts. We introduced each other and then Supreme Guardian Denise Noonan and Associate Supreme Guardian Tom Sapp. We also presented them with copies of Heart to Heart & Hand to Hand, which is a song that I wrote, using the HIKE Poem from this year as a starting point. My daughter Katie sang it and we made copies for Denise and Tom. They played it later in the meeting and it received a very good reception. It is currently the background song on this page for those of you that have sound. After that they introduced some folks and then we got down to business. I won't recap the amendments at this time, but will wait until all are completed. At the morning session we only worked on one, and it wound up being tabled. From there Mom Toni went to the Royalty Luncheon, while I went to the Men of Job Luncheon. I sat at a table with Lon Goede, PAGG-MO, Earl Tisdale, PAGG-MO, and Bill Walker, PASG-WA. We had barbecued pork, and it was delicious. The entertainment was fantastic as well. A group of Indiana Job's Daughters sang several songs, as well as danced and did interpretive moves to the songs. They were great and were very well received.
At the afternoon business session, we got busy. We worked on several amendments, had some fairly intense discussions, but I think that everyone remembers that we are all here for the same thing, the good of Job's Daughters. Following the session we went back to the room, changed into our formal attire and headed for the Formal Banquet. The banquet was very well attended. Everyone looked wonderful in their formal gowns and their tuxedos. The event started off with a wonderful Jobie violinist. Excellent. After that we had introductions for the MC and our Supreme Team. Mom Toni and I shared a table with several other Past Supremes and their spouses, including Bruce Harbrich, PASG-WI, Ruth O'Connel Duenk, PSG-WI, Robert Neff, PASG-OH, Audra Piner, PSG-IN and Shirley Bryngelson, PSG-WY. During the dinner, the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Choir sang. Ken Bastin, PASG-IN is a member of the choir and both he and they did a fantastic job.
Following dinner we went to the Formal Opening. Prior to the Opening, a HIKE presentation was made and twho deserving young people received checks so they can purchase hearing devices. The the Opening opened (how's that for double-talk). It was a very beautiful ceremony and a tremendous job was done by all. Everyone stood proudly during the Bible Ceremony and Flag Ceremony and there wasn't a dry eye in the place during the Necrology Ceremony. When the 2006-2007 GG's and AGG's were introduced we all cheered and then laughed as Dad Dennis Flanery, PAGG-MO and Dad Ron Nielsen, PAGG-NE, rolled Mom Helen Kramer, PGG-MO, in on her little walker/wheeler. We also cheered when our 2007-2008 GG, Momma Donna Goede and AGG, Dad Albert Beal, came into the room. One of my favorite moments during the Opening was when Dad Mike James, PAGG-WY and HIKE Board Chairman introduced the 1000 Club recipients for 2006-2007. They included Stephanie Crabtree of Bethel #33 (who unfortunately couldn't attend), Daniella Brand, GBSP-MO, and the very first Jobie-To-Bee recipient of this award, Brooklyn Childs, J2B of Bethel #12. Congratulations to these outstanding young ladies for all of their hard work for HIKE.
Following the Formal Opening, the Missouri Delegation had a special good luck pizza party for our Miss Missouri Lauren Mack. Everyone wished her well in the Miss International Pageant on Thursday evening. After that it was back to the room where after a very long day I actually fell asleep writing my update, which is why I didn't finish this until Thursday night. Thanks folks. I will see you later. |
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Hey, I'm back (amazing how quickly that happened, isn't it ;). The day started bright and early at 7:30 a.m. with the Supreme Bethel Meeting. SBHQ Erin Duskey of Pennsylvania presided and did any outstanding job. They had the drawing for the new Supreme Bethel Officers and Jette Brownlee of Bethel #28 in Casper, Wyoming was selected as the next Supreme Bethel Honored Queen. On the local front, Sarah Duing-Davis of Bethel #34 got Supreme Chaplain, Emily Schoenarts of Bethel #43 was selected as a Supreme Bethel Representative to Mato Grosso do Sul and Sarah Heath of Bethel #49 was selected as the Installing Marshal. Congratulations to all of the Supreme Bethel Officers, Representatives and Installing Officers, and good luck tomorrow evening at the Supreme Bethel Installation. Mom Toni and I attended the All Job's Daughters Luncheon. Those at our table included Mom and Dad Flanery, Lilly Flanery, Barbara and Brianna Hall, and Ron Neilson, PAGG-NE. We had a great time and the food was good. They announced the Ritual, Performing Arts and Arts & Crafts winners during the luncheon, and Missouri did very well. The winners include (Please excuse me if some of the categories are incorrect. Remember I am pretty deaf . . . huh, what was that, who won, what category . . . yeah, you get it): Performing Arts Arts & Crafts Ritual (Not sure of the age groupings) Congratulations girls. You all did a fantastic job, as did all of competed. Following the luncheon, we had the afternoon Business Session. The Australia-Wyoming delegations did their presentation and the 2010 will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado the first week in August. Then, with several amendments to work on, we got right down to business. Again, I will try to recap the amendments once all of them are complete. Suffice it to say that everyone who wanted to weigh in on any of the issues got their chance to speak. Following the business session, everyone went to have a quick dinner. Mom Toni and I went to Outback and had some delicious down-under cuisine. Well, at least what passes for down-under cuisine in the States. Frankly it was much better when I was in Australia. Still, it was pretty good, and fueled us up for the rest of the evening.
Then it was time for the Miss International Pageant. What a beautiful ceremony. Jennifer Mentel Frank, MIJD 1992, served as the MC for the Evening. Retiring MIJD Erin Weisshaar of Wyoming assisted with the ceremony. All of the candidates were escorted to the stage individually by members of the Grand Commandery of Indiana. Missouri went wild with our Miss Missouri Lauren Mack was introduced. Erin gave some excellent remarks and then the 8 finalists were announced. While Lauren was not included in this group, she still did a tremendous job, and we are all so proud of her. The girls said it best when they yelled out to Lauren, "You are still our Super-Hero." In the results of the competition, Stacey McMurchie of British Columbia was selected as Miss Congeniality. Rebecca Fayer of Maryland was the 3rd Runner-Up, Krista Supervich of Alberta was the 2nd Runner-Up, Arielle Elwood of Utah was1st Runner-Up, and Brittney Utley of Indiana was announced as the new Miss International Job's Daughter. Congratulations to all of them as well as all of the contestants. You are all winners, and Lauren, you are still my Super-Hero as well. Now it's time to catch up with my e-mail. Tawnya Schultz, PGBHQ of Oregon says hello and mentions that she loves the band Chicago. I think she has excellent taste in music :). She also mentions that she runs a Myspace group for present and past GBHQ's. Her Myspace addresses are www.myspace.com/gbhq and http://www.myspace.com/tawnya_schultz. Miss Missouri Congeniality Caitlin Buress and her mom Crystal say hello and send best wishes to Lauren Mack, MMJD! They said they love her and know she represented Missouri Job's Daughters beautifully! You are very correct about that. We are all so proud of Lauren. Jody Becker, PGG-KS says she is really enjoying the dispatches from Indiana, and to say hello to Mom Carolyn Block, PGG-KS. Will do Jody. Missouri Grand Marshal Joleyne Nelson say thanks for the updates. She missed Supreme Session due to a wedding this weekend. She says to say hello to the girls from Bethel #33. Consider it done, Joleyne. Brenda Hansel, PSG-UT, says thanks for your daily diary - it helps keep her connected. Thanks to you Brenda, and good luck in your upcoming position as Worthy Grand Matron for OES in Utah. I know that you will do a great job. Mom Linda Sinley, PGG-MO says thanks for the diary, she feels like she is at Session. Thank Linda, that's how I hope everybody who reads it feels. By the way, we wish you were here have a great time with the rest of us. Lesley & Garry Wilson of Queensland say g'day and send hugs and hellos to all their friends in Jobie land. Lesley and Garry are very good friends of mine. G'day to you guys as well, and say hello to Carmen for me. Laurie Lenhardt, Council Helper of Bethel #43 send congratulations to all of the Missouri Girls and said Missouri did very well in the competitions. You are so right Laurie. They did fantastic. It is a testament their hard work and the help of their adult co-workers in Missouri. Congratulations girls, you are super. That's about it for this evening. It's been another long day, but at least I managed to stay awake at the computer. Thanks for reading and I will talk to you tomorrow. Bye for now. |
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Hey there folks. Well, it has been quite the day. We started off at 8:00 a.m. with the morning business session. At 9:00 it was time for the Supreme Officers Elections. This was an unusual election in that there were more than the usual amount of vacancies. Of course, the two tops spots, Supreme Guardian and Associate Supreme Guardian were filled by Janine Cooley of Wisconsin and Mike Hoglund of Maryland respectively. However, with the resignation of the Supreme Guide this past year, the office of Vice Supreme Guardian would now be open. Marilyn Olson of Wyoming was the only one to stand and was elected unanimously, while Robert Clore of Virginia was elected as the Vice Associate Supreme Guardian. In the election for Supreme Guide and Supreme Inner Guard, Elaine Gray of Queensland and Dave Robblee of Wyoming were elected. Then it came time for the election of Supreme Marshal. Mom Toni stood for election. For those who are unfamiliar with the way Supreme Elections work, whoever wishes to be elected to that position will go to the microphone, say their name, spell it and then their jurisdiction. For instance last year both Mom Toni and Elaine Gray stood for Grand Marshal, and Elaine was elected. Mom Toni had debated with herself over whether to stand again this year, but a conversation with our daughters finally determined her to go ahead and do it. So anyway, Mom Toni stands, goes to the microphone, says her name, spells it and announces her jurisdiction of Missouri, and then sits down to wait to see who else is going to stand. Suddenly it dawned on her that no one else was standing. The Associate Supreme Guardian, Tom Sapp, who was running the elections, then called for the vote and Mom Toni was elected as the new Supreme Marshal and the room burst into applause. She was in tears as she accepted the position. Then came time for the election of the Supreme Outer Guard. Four men stood, and after a couple of ballots, Rick Holloway of Idaho was elected. Following that came the elections for the two open positions on the Board of Trustees. Those elected for three year terms were Louise Windbiel, PSG-BC and Ron Nielsen, PAGG-NE. Yes, the Ron Nielsen who helped carry Mom Helen Kramer into the Formal Opening. Congratulations to all of those elected. I know they will do a great job. After elections we began work on more amendments. After a short while it was time to break for lunch. Then it was a bit of a madhouse as folks came up to congratulate Mom Toni on her election. It was pretty overwhelming, and brought back memories of my own election as Supreme Outer Guard seven years ago. We then went to the Grands and Past Grands Luncheon. We shared a table with Mom Marlene Frakes, PSG-MO, Dad Albert Howe, PASG-MO, Mom Marci Key, PGG- MO, Dad Dennis Flanery, PAGG-MO, and Dad Ron Nielson, PAGG-NE. As has been the custom here at Supreme Session the food was very good. We were entertained by a young lady who sang a very beautiful song. All too soon the luncheon was over and it was time to resume the business session. We did a lot of work during the afternoon session. As before I will recap all of the amendments later, but I will mention that we adopted a Youth Protection Program. While there are still some details to be worked out, we now have a program in place and that is great news for our Daughters.
Following the afternoon session Mom Toni and I attended the Past Supremes Dinner. Once again the food was good and the company even better. It is always a great time when those who have gone through the Supreme Line get together to reminisce. A lot of memories were flying back and forth as everybody had a wonderful time.
Later in the evening the Supreme Bethel Installation was held. Retiring SBHQ Erin Duskey of Pennsylvania did a marvelous job as the Installing Officer. Our own Sarah Heath of Bethel #49 also did a great job as Installing Marshal. Jette Brownlee of Wyoming was installed as the new Supreme Bethel Honored Queen All of the Missouri folks cheered as Sarah Duing-Davis of Bethel #34 was Installed as Supreme Chaplain, Emily Schoenarts of Bethel #43 was Installed as a Supreme Bethel Representative to Mato Grosso do Sul. Congratulations to all of the new Supreme Bethel Officers and Representatives.
After that it was time for the Coronation Ball. This was a fantastic dance held in the atrium of the Radisson Hotel. Everyone had a great time as they danced the night away. I basically wandered around taking pictures and talking with everybody. When the dance finally wound down I headed back to the room to do this update. It was been a long but wonderful day. Mom Toni sends her thanks out to every body for their support and looks forward to working her way up the Supreme Line. Now I must take the time to say thanks to some of those who have sent their congratulations. Mom Kerrie Hearne, PBG #48 sent congratulations via text message as did Laurie Lenhardt. Brian Thompson, PAGG-Queensland sends congratulations from he and his wife, Margaret. Timmie-Lynn Poglajen, PGG from Montana says thanks for the Supreme Diaries and congratulations to Toni. Chantay Vargo, PHQ from California sends congratulations to Mom Toni. Chantay is a talented actress, musician and a good friend of mine and my daughter Katie. Mom Linda Sinley, PGG-MO, sends her congratulations. She still thinks Mom Toni is nuts, but feels that she will do a great job. Well, you are probably right on both counts ;) There are still more coming in, but I tell you what folks, it is nearly 3:00 a.m. and I am bushed, so that's about it for now. We have another long day tomorrow so I'd better hit the sack. Good night folks. |
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Hey folks. Well, we are down to the last day of Supreme Session 2007. We started the day with a fairly quick business meeting. We adopted the budget and Denise and Tom said their goodbyes. Following the meeting Mom Toni and I went to the Alumni Luncheon. Once again the food was excellent and the company even better. I shared a table with Marlene Frakes, PSG-MO, Al Howe, PASG-MO, Hubert Haynes, PASG-IN, Katherine Haynes, HIKE Board Member, Ken Bastin, PASG-IN and Sandy Gibson, PSG-Alberta. When we were finished eating, we all shared ideas for increasing membership in Job's Daughters. There were lots of great ideas and hopefully some of them will be put into action. We were supposed to honor Barbara Holmes with the first Distinguished Alumni Award, but she was not in attendance (maybe the first Alumni Luncheon she has missed). Since this was a secret, we did not share who was going to get honored, and later that evening Barbara was honored at the Supreme Council Installation. The only thing they missed was my version of the song Barbara Ann, especially re-written for Barbara Holmes. Actually they didn't miss very much considering what I sound like when I sing. For those who want to hear it, Click Here..
Following the Alumni Luncheon, we went to the Supreme Council Installation Rehearsal. This was where everybody got put through their paces in preparation for the Installation later this evening. I will be serving as the Installing Junior Custodian, and as some of you know, that involves quite a bit of walking. Well, my arthritic knees had managed to hold up for most of the week, even with all the walking I have been doing, but towards the end of my part of the rehearsal, they started locking up, so I think that I will be using my cane for the Installation. No big deal, but at least I won't be taking a tumble because my knee locked up at an inopportune time. As with most rehearsals there were some things that worked right off the bat while others had to have a bit of tweaking. We finished up around 4:00, and headed back to the room to get ready for the Installation.
After a shower, a quick McDonald's run and a change into our formal attire. Mom Toni wore a dress borrowed from Mom Marilee Smiley, PSG-MI. It was pretty close to the dresses that the new Supreme Officers were wearing so Mom Toni fit in with the theme fairly well. Thanks to Marilee for letting Mom Toni borrow the dress. Then it was time to head down to the SGC Installation of Officers. We all milled around while waiting for pictures to be taken. I had mine taken with the Installing Officers as well as with the Past Supremes. After that, the combined Wisconsin/Maryland Choir sang a beautiful selection of Rogers & Hammerstein songs. After that, the Installation got underway. I did my thing helping to escort in the distinguished guests and yes, I had my cane with me. It really helps when my knees are acting up, which is more and more often these days. Anyway, Ruth O'Connell Duenk-PSG-WI was the Installing Officer while Ken Bastin, PASG-IN, was the Associate Installing Officer. They did a great job getting the large number of Officers and Deputies Installed. Of course all of the Missouri folks in attendance cheered loudly when Mom Toni was Installed and then introduced as the new Supreme Marshal.
Both new SG Janine Cooley of Wisconsin and ASG Mike Hoglund of Maryland gave excellent opening addresses. I think that they will do a fantastic job. They both received some fantastic gifts from their jurisdictions, as well as from some individuals. After about 2 hours or so, The Supreme Guarding instructed Mom Toni to call the Annual Session of the SGC duly Installed, and the Installation came to a close. There was a beautiful Closing Ceremony and the new Officers left to a standing ovation. Mom Toni said that she really enjoyed the whole experience.
Following the Installation, it was a madhouse with everyone rushing to congratulate the new Supreme Guardian. Finally we all left, changed our clothes and a group of us headed out into the night in search of something to eat. We drove for quite a while, but we finally came to the restaurant we had been looking for. It was open round the clock and it was name of all things, "Round the Clock." Funny how these things work. Our group included Mom Toni, Jan Lynch, PGG-MO, Diane Lynch, GBHQ, Kim Underwood, BG #12, Katie Underwood, GS #12, Michelle Childs, GDoE #12, Sarah Jeffers, PHQ #21, and Shelly Haas, GT #12. We all chowed down on the fantastic food. After that is was back to the hotel. I got back to the room and sat down to write this report. I hope you enjoyed it. Once again it is late and I really need some sleep. Good night for now and thanks for reading. Gotta catch some ZZZzzzzzzz. Good night folks. |
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Hey there everybody. It's Sunday and everything is all over but the drive home. We slept until 10:00 a.m. and boy, did that feel good. Then it was up and at 'em. We packed the bags, loaded them into the car and made one last trip to the lobby to check out. While we were there we ran into Sheila Lardner, PGG-SK, and a group from Saskatchewan. Apparently their earlier bus to the airport had failed to arrive and now they were waiting for a later one, hoping that it would get them to the airport in time for their flight, although hope was fading fast. We wished them luck as we headed out. Hopefully they made it in time for their flight back home. Otherwise it sounds like they were in for the sort of Supreme Travel disasters that usually befall me.
Before we left Merrillville, we made a stop at the Albanese Candy Factory. Mom Toni had wanted to go there since we had arrived in town, but we just never seemed to have the time to get there. Well today we made time and it was really cool. There had all kinds of candy, including tons of sugar-free stuff for diabetics like me. We bought a bunch of candy and then hit the road.
Our daughter, Kim Underwood, rode with us on the way home, and honestly did the bulk of the driving. Mom Toni and I slept for a good part of the way home. While on the road, we got a call for our other daughter Katie. She and her Aunt Eva had left earlier in the day, and had stopped at a restaurant in Highland, Illinois, which is about 30 miles outside of St. Louis. The name of the place was the Blue Springs Restaurant and Katie said it was fantastic. So when we got to Highland, we stopped there to eat. Let me tell you something, Katie was right. It was a homestyle restaurant, so they brought out bowls of mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, coleslaw, green beans and beets. That is in addition to your main dish. It was might fine and definitely hit the spot. After we ate, we got back on the road and made the short trek into St. Louis.
Now it's time to acknowledge the friends who have sent notes and e-mails about the diaries.
Carmen (Wilson) Jenkinson, MIJD 2000, says thanks heaps for doing
the Session Diaries and sends her congratulations to Mom Toni.
Carmen is a very special young lady and did an outstanding job as
MIJD. Thanks Carmen.
Dad David Kirk, Grand Secretary of Queensland says Thanks again for the diary and that it makes him realize how much he misses being at Session. He also sends his congratulations and best wishes to Mom Toni. David is a good friend from down under. We went to an Aussie-Rules football game together when I was in Australia and had a great time. Thanks David. Olivia Schafferius PHQ, PGBHQ, PBG #23 Northern Brisbane sends her congratulations and support. Olivia is the daughter of David Kirk. Mom Sue Stallings from Bethel #19 says that the Supreme Diaries are informative and entertaining as always, and sends her congratulations to Toni. Sue also works with my old DeMolay Chapter, Carondelet. Carolyn Woods, the mother of Missouri DeMolay Deputy State Master Councilor Justin Woods sends her congratulations and best wishes to Mom Toni. Carolyn is a good friend and a hard worker for all Masonic Youth. Mom Kathy Rodemacher, BG #1 says thanks for the diaries and congratulates Mom Toni. Thank you Kathy. I really appreciate it. Abbey Croissant, PGG-IL, sends her best wishes to the entire Missouri delegation and congratulations to Mom Toni. Carrie Curry, Grand Marshal of Illinois, sends a note and wishes to introduce herself to Mom Toni. Thanks Carrie, I believe you just did ;) It has been a fantastic week here at Supreme Session. I would like to congratulate the entire Session Arrangements Committee for putting together a tremendous Supreme Session. This was a very well organized and well executed session and all involved deserve a round of applause. I hope that everyone has enjoyed these updates as much as I have writing them. This is the 10th year that I have done a Session Diary, and every one of them has been a blast. Take care folks. I'll be seeing you around. |
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