2018-100718-GrandOfficersDay-NH

On October 5th, Mike and I along with Zoe and Monica Kirby headed to New Hampshire for their Grand Officers Day at the Nashua Masonic Temple. We piled into the car at 5am and were on our way. Zoe traveled to the event as Grand Representative to New Hampshire and Ohio from North Carolina. We viewed the sunrise around Roanoke, Virginia, had stops for gas and snacks and encountered heavy traffic as we came off the Tapan Zee Bridge to Hartford, CT. Needless to say we were somewhat late in arrival in Bristol.

We are very grateful to my Niece Jennifer and Brother Jimmy and his family for allowing us to bed down at their place in Bristol, Rhode Island. As long as we had one extra day, we took advantage of the time and showed Zoe and Monica a small part of a very small but beautiful state. An art show in Bristol, a drive through Newport, views of the Newport Mansions and time on the Cliff Walk. All added to Zoe’s time as Grand Rep.

On Sunday October 7th we headed for the Masonic Temple in Nashua for their State Grand Officer’s Day. We were warmly and enthusiastically greeted upon our arrival and had time to change and mingle with my old friends and make new friends. (What a coincidence that Zoe’s Counterpart was from my Rainbow Assembly in New Hampshire .. a very happy time).

As you can see from the program, they had a full afternoon planned which also included a Grand Representative’s Drill Team to start off the afternoon and concluded with a Grand Officers Drill. Also Yours Truly was presented with my 50 year pin in Eastern Star by Barbara E Gaskell, Worthy Grand Matron, Richard G Fortier, Sr, Worthy Grand Patron, Nancy E. Brooks, Worthy Matron of Pilgrim Chapter No. 55 OES and Lisa K Hollis, Grand Marshal.

Zoe extended her greetings to the members of New Hampshire Rainbow from North Carolina and presented the Supreme Inspector, Joan Smith, GWA Madeline Going and her Grand Representative Counterpart Abby Busby with a North Carolina “Together We Shine Brighter” 2018 commemorative coin.

Zoe, Monica and Mike (and me) were all very impressed with the NH girls doing such a fantastic job on their ritual. Not only was their memorization great but so many were able to put their emotions into their words. So very impressive. There was so much life and enthusiasm as well as the great ritual.

After a brief stop at the refreshment table, we joined my Sister Barbara and Brother-in-law Scott at Lilac Blossom for a great Chinese Dinner. Our ride home was stalled by an accident in Nashua that delayed our arrival in Bristol by an hour. We headed home on Monday morning, again at 5am. For the most part our journey was uneventful until the last hour when we encountered another accident. This time a semi with the cab on fire. The driver was very fortunate to escape.

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