​HAPPY  NEW  YEAR, Sisters and Brothers.  What a wonderful way to start the new year off with two new members.  You would have been so proud of your officers as they exemplified the initiatory work.  Julie and CJ Huff were initiated at our December meeting.  Jim Buckingham made a beautiful presentation when he presented Julie with The Holy Bible which she held at the Altar.  CJ was presented with the Eastern Star Book of Symbolism.  All members gathered around the Altar after the meeting closed and the Worthy Patron led us in repeating our Obligation.

We are not meeting during the months of January and February.  However, I will try again this year in February to have a “fun” day, to just play games, socialize, and eat.

When we meet in March, we will have an initiation practice to get ready for our inspection by our Worthy Grand Patron, Rick Miller, April 25th.  Our Worthy Grand Matron has asked the Chapters to celebrate our blessings this year this Easter Season with those less fortunate, by providing items listed below.  Please bring your items to the March meeting.

If you know a Military family, or someone who is anyway struggling this year, please let me know.  This would be another wonderful way of getting the Eastern Star name out and being willing helpers in the service of humanity.  Thank you so much in advance for your generosity.

Suggested items for the Easter basket are: 
Box of cereal, Package of Rice, Peanut butter, Package of Oatmeal, Stuffing Mix, Package of Pasta, Macaroni and cheese, Chicken Noodle Soup, Canned fruit, Tomato Soup, Canned Tomatoes, Can of corn, Canned Tuna, Chicken, or Beef, Can of Mixed Vegetables, Dessert Mix, Can of carrots, Can green beans, jar of applesauce, Canned beans, Box Crackers.

Our Chapter Achievement Program is a different approach to the original Chapter Excellence Program.  We will be participating in the Achievement Program, which runs from June 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023. There are three levels of achievement and four Sections to receive points.  I will be busy reviewing those points going back to June 2022, to add those points up.  I will talk more about the Sections at our March Meeting.

Darl Waltermire has moved to Primrose Senior Living at 8580 Twp. Rd. 237, Findlay and would welcome cards and/or visitors.

Dear Sisters and Brothers, please keep all our members in your prayers as always.  Stay healthy and safe. See you on March 14th 2023.

Charlotte Ballard, Worthy Matron  
Steve Tong, Worthy Patron

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Happy Fall.  Steve and I hope you had a wonderful Summer.  The next three months are going to be very busy for Eastern Star Officers.

Please join us for an Open Installation of your 2022-2023 Officers on October 25th, Marla Barber, Grand Conductress, will be our Installing Officer.

Our theme this year is ‘Celebration’, the 40th year of our Complex.  Each month we will recognize a different Celebration.  Do come and participate in each of the celebrations.

In November, we will hold a regular meeting, at 7:30pm, at which time we will celebrate ‘Thanksgiving’.  As we recall the many Blessings that God has provided, let us be very thankful.

During our December meeting, the Officers will be initiating a married couple.  Be sure to attend and support our Officers as they exemplify the beautiful work of the Order, as well as welcome our two new members.  We will also celebrate Christmas at this meeting as we recall that “Jesus Is The Reason for the Season”.

Stay well and safe as we journey through the Holiday Seasons and keep our members, who are not able to be with us physically, in your thoughts and prayers.  We know that each of them would enjoy a card to show our members are thinking of them.  God’s Blessing on all of you.

Charlotte Ballard, Worthy Matron  
Steve Tong, Worthy Patron

​Dear Sisters and Brothers, 
 
Steve and I hope you are enjoying your summer.  Please remember we continue to meet in the months of July and August and would appreciate your support at our meetings. 

The meeting of June was highlighted by the Election of Officers and a tribute to our American Flag.  We have a full core of officers for the year 2023.  Steve and I are very thankful to everyone who said yes when asked.  This appears to be and exciting year for our Complex as it will be forty years since it was built.  There is a committee working on celebrations for the building next year.  Stay tuned for more information on the coming events. 

As your Worthy Matron elect, my theme will be Celebration; each month will be a new celebration.  Do I have your curiosity sparked? Come and see for yourself what will take place. During our July 12th meeting the Chapter will give Elaine Hoover her “50 year pin”. What a remarkable milestone.  Congratulations, Elaine. Our State Meeting will be held on August 10th, at the Crown Plaza in Columbus.  At this meeting we will learn the plans of our Associate Grand Matron and Associate Grand Patron.  It is always very interesting information they relay to us. 

Scott has so kindly opened his home for a picnic on Sunday September 11th.  This is open to the whole Chapter and their family members.  Anyone interested in joining Eastern Star will be invited.  Let's get the invitations out to friends and family to peak their interest and show them what Eastern Star is all about.  We are not only charity-oriented, we also have good fellowship throughout the year. 

Please continue to keep all members in your prayers so that they may enjoy good health and safe travels. 

Dues are due.  $20.00 payable to Findlay 
Chapter No. 23 OES.  Mail to:
Barbara Pace
316 Edinborough Drive
Findlay, OH  45840
 
Charlotte Ballard, Worthy Matron   
Steve Tong, Worthy Patron 

​Dear Sisters and Brothers, welcome to Spring

The long winter is finally over and it is so much fun to see the flowers popping up and watching them bloom in their beautiful colors.
At our stated meeting on April 12th we will have a practice Initiation.  We will also be honoring the Station of Martha.  Any Sister who has held that Station is invited to come and be recognized.

We will have a special meeting April 26th for our Inspection  Please come and support our officers as they exemplify the Ritualistic Work. You will be so proud to be a part of our Chapter.  They all  do a superior job in performing their parts.

Our Chapter will be honoring the recipients who will receive their 25 and 50 year pins in May.  We will also honor the Station of Electa.

Just a reminder that June is our Election of Officers month.

Many of our Chapter members have experienced illness or death this year.  Please keep all our members in your prayers and give them extra support.  I know our members in nursing facilities, or those who are unable to attend our meetings for health reasons, would appreciate a card or phone call.  The purpose of Eastern Star is to care for our Sisters and Brothers.  Please take an extra minute and check on them.

We hope to see you April 12th.

Charlotte Ballard, Worthy Matron  
Steve Tong, Worthy Patron

​Happy New Year Sisters and Brothers,

We do not meet in January but keep the 15th of January on the calendar and come to the Complex for a few hours of fun and games.  We will have a “carry-in” and eat at 11:00 am, then play games and visit.  Our Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron are encouraging Chapters to get together to socialize outside of our meetings.  So we are happy to comply with their wishes.

There is no meeting in February, but on Saturday, February 19th, we will meet at Ralphie’s in Kenton at 12:00 pm.  Your Worthy Patron and I will provide lunch to our officers to say thank you for their service to our Chapter.

On March 8th we will return in regular session and will have a practice initiation at that time.

The Chapter will also be hosting a Baby Shower in March for our newest member, who is expecting in April.  Date and time for the shower will be announced later.

The Chapter wishes to thank Brenda Boster for all her years of service representing our Chapter on the Temple Board.  Janet Blanchard will be our new representative on the Board for 2022.

Your Worthy Patron and I pray you had a safe and Happy New Year.  Please keep all our members in your prayers.  A phone call or card to one of our members who has been ill would be greatly appreciated.

See you January 15th.
  
Charlotte Ballard, Worthy Matron  
Steve Tong, Worthy Patron

​Greetings Sister and Brothers,

Happy Autumn, our new year of officers will begin on October 26th at 7:30, when our installing Officer will be Past Matron, Sharon Basil, so please plan to attend.  We have a great core of officers and they would appreciate your support.

This year our theme will be Patriotism and Butterflies.  The butterfly has four broad colorful wings and we have four strong branches of service men and women.

Our November Meeting, on the 9th, will end with a presentation by Dan Tussing in observance of  Veterans Day, the 11th of November.

Remember to bring a $5.00 gift to the December 14th meeting for our fun and games entertainment.  Don’t forget to wear your favorite Christmas outfit.

Please keep all our sisters and brothers in your payers, as many of our members are presently experiencing health problems. The Chapter will be dark the months of January and February 2022 but hope to see you back in March.

Charlotte Ballard, Worthy Matron
Steve Tong, Worthy Patron

​Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
 
A lot has been happening in our  Chapter the past several months.  I am so pleased as your Charity Director for District 26 to tell you that we collected  $66.00 of dollar bills with the letter D on them for Service Dogs to help Disabled Adults, $100.00 in one dollar bills with the letter F for Freedom and $42.50 worth of  Dimes for Service dogs to help Disabled Children . A basket of food items, valued at $91.45 for the Silent Auction for the Charities and Grand Chapter Service Dogs Program, netted $100.00.  $150.00 from both Rawson and our Chapter to the Charities at a Silent Pie Auction.  Thank you so much to all who contributed.

Our June meeting is designed to election of officers.  It is with pride I inform you that we have a full corp of officers for the year 2022. Our installation for officers will be October 26.  Charlotte was elected Worthy Matron and Steve Tong, Worthy Patron.  Please come and support your officers.

We initiated Alexia Wetherill, granddaughter of Judy and Don Kinney, in May and will initiate Hannah Weaver, granddaughter of Ross and DiAnne Weaver, at our July meeting.  We are delighted to have our two new members this year and look forward to initiating more candidates next year.  Keep those petitions coming in. This is the first year that we are meeting during the months of July and August; plan on attending the meeting August 10th when we will give our 50 and 25 year recipients their service pins.

Please keep all members, who are physically unable to attend in your prayers.

Until our next meeting July 13th, please stay Safe and Well.

Charlotte Ballard, Worthy Matron
Steve Tong, Worthy Patron

​Greetings Sister and Brothers,

During our April 13th meeting we will be initiating Alexia Weaterly.  Granddaughter of our Conductress, Judy, and Associate Patron, Don Kinney.  We are sure that will be a wonderful evening for them.

We also have another petition to ballot on that evening.  If the petition is accepted, we will initiate her in May.  How wonderful to be receiving two new members to our Chapter.

Please remember to add your volunteer hours up and report them on the “sign-in-sheet” which is located next to the Registration book on the table.

Our Chapter will also have a Silent-Pie Auction in May.  A basket will be placed in the dining room for your donation.

Pat Williams and I have been busy cutting coupons to send to our Service Troops.  The coupons are separated into four categories: food items, nonfood items, pet items, and baby items, and add the value of the coupons to get a dollar amount.  We also figure the dollar amount for current ad expired coupons.  The coupons are used in the commissaries both in the US and overseas.  To date we have sent $16,085.75.

Please also remember that June will involve the Election of Officers.  Hopefully, Hancock County will be healthier and we can have a more normal meeting to elect our 2021-2022 officers.

It is important to note The Most Worthy Grand Matron and Most Worthy Grand Patron have cancelled the General Grand Chapter scheduled for October 28th

The Charities Extravaganza has been cancelled this year due to COVID. The Charities is partnering with the Grand Chapter Service Dogs Committee to raise money for the project.  The Service Dogs Video is up and running on the OES Website under News or the Ohio OES You Tube Channel.  It is Definitely worth your time to view it.  On the 26th, we will be doing a Walk-with Dogs, asking  members to donate a few dollars for the event.  If anyone is interested in joining me on the walk, I would be happy for the company.

As your Charities Director, I ask you to continue saving your F dollars for Freedom and D for Dogs.  All donations are to be turned in, in June.

Please keep all our members in your prayers, many are suffering from health issues.

As more meetings are now opening thanks to the COVID vaccine, I hope you will feel comfortable in coming to Chapter.  Most importantly our prayer is that each of you remain safe and well.  God Bless you 'til we meet again.

Charlotte Ballard, Worthy Matron  
Steve Tong, Worthy Patron

​Sisters and Brothers,

Happy New Year Sisters and Brothers, Steve and I pray that all our members are well and have escaped the COVID.  We will be dark during the months of  January and February.

We are thankful for the development of the vaccine for this dreaded disease and if we are able to meet in March, the meeting will be a busy one  We have a petition for a new member to vote on and we will have a practice Initiation.  If our Chapter Meetings are back to normal and we are able to have an Inspection, the petitioner will be our inspection candidate.

Continue to save your manufacture coupons.  I will have a report on the amount of money the coupons added up to and we were able to send to the Troops to use in the Commissaries. This is one of our Charities projects.  The other project will be a Bakeless Bake Sale at our May Meeting.

Remember to save the dollar bills with the letter “D” for the service dogs for disabled adults’ and continue to save “F” dollar bills for Freedom to give to the District Charities.  The dimes will be used for service dogs for disabled children.

So very important: remember to add your volunteer hours up for our report to send to Grand Chapter.  Include the number of hours spent cutting coupons.  This report will be due at our May Meeting.

Until we are able to meet in person, hopefully in March, please stay safe and well.

Charlotte Ballard, Worthy Matron
Steve Tong, Worthy Patron

​Happy Fall Sisters and Brothers: 

What a year 2020 has been!  The Pandemic has caused us to make many changes in our meetings.  After being dark during the months of January and February, we had our March meeting and then were unable to meet for the next few months.  At the present time, we are not able to sing our opening and closing ode, patriotic ode, however we have become quite good at humming .  At our September meeting, our Worthy Patron, Scott, had us whistling the patriotic ode.  Eastern Star members are very flexible and imaginative in their abilities! Saturday, October 11th, is the day we meet our Deputy at Trinity Chapter in Lima at 2:00PM. October 13th will be a regular meeting when Worthy Patron, Scott and I thank our officers for serving our Chapter this past year.  Even though we were not able to have our Inspection this year, because of  COVID, the officers exemplified the work beautifully during our only practice initiation.

October 27th will be the 127th Installation of new officers for Findlay Chapter No. 23, for the 2020-2021 year at 7:30pm.  Carole Gramm Wise, Worthy Grand Matron will be our Installing Officer. ‘America’ will be our theme.  Your Worthy Patron Elect and I have an exciting year planned for you.  We hope you will come to see what takes place.

November 10th will be a tribute to our Veterans.  Dan Tussing will present a special program. December 8th we will have a ‘carry-in’, eating at 6pm.  Meat will be provided.  Please bring a hot or cold dish to share.  Come dressed in Christmas clothing or something red. We will be dark in January and February. Please come and support your officers this year.  We need you very much.  Until then stay safe and healthy. 
  
Charlotte Ballard, Worthy Matron-elect    
Steve Tong, Worthy Patron-elect