Our Chapter is growing. Slowly but consistently over the last three years, we have initiated five active members and have a petition to be voted on at the next meeting. Sadly, we lost several beloved members during that time. However, we have increased our membership by three since our last inspection. Our 2023 Corp of officers are consistently doing our traditional activities and planning and initiating new ones.
Friday, March 24 we had our first “Family and Friends Bunco Fundraiser”. Snacks were provided, prizes given, and a challenging game was played. This turned out to be a game for everyone. You can be a beginner as it only takes a few minutes to catch onto the game once the rules are explained. Our members are looking forward to another Bunco night.
Saturday, March 25, we had our annual Community Easter Egg Hunt. Luckily the rain had stopped, the day was bright, but a little cold. That was most likely the reason for the low attendance. We filled over 1000 eggs with candy and the 20 kids had a great time filling their bags and baskets with eggs.
Our Membership Committee has been busy initiating new programs to spread the word about OES. Two members of the committee gave an OES Presentation to the Butlerville Masons on April 8 and three made the Presentation to the Goshen Masons on April 14. An Open House with our Goshen Masonic Brothers is planned for May 13 at the Masonic Lodge, 2383 OH-28, Goshen Ohio 45122. We hope anyone who is interested in joining OES will stop by and let us tell you about our beautiful Order of the Eastern Star. Our Masonic Brothers will be there to talk about Masonic Membership. We hope this outreach will benefit our Chapter with an increase in new members.
We are reviewing scholarship applications for the two scholarships we award yearly. Of course, we continue to keep in touch with our shut-ins with cards, phone calls, and visits and our charitable giving within our communities. We support Ohio Grand Chapter charities as well. The monthly Sunshine Collection is designated to a specific charity.
Goshen Chapter #382 OES has always been and continues to be a charitable and compassionate chapter living up to the principles of our beautiful Order of the Eastern Star. We continue to have the love and support of our wonderful PGM Marie Williams. She is a real shining Star, always ready to welcome new members, attend and help with our events and meetings, an inspiration to the officers and fun to socialize with.
On April 18th Goshen Chapter #382 had their annual Inspection. We were honored to have the Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, Rick Miller, as the Inspecting Officer. There were three Past Grand Matrons and three Past Grand Patrons as well as Deputies, Grand Representatives and Visitors attending. We had two first-time Star Point Officers, and our newest member was the Warder. The members are very proud of all the 2023 Officers as they are dedicated and active. After the meeting visitors and members retired to the dining room decorated to express the Worthy Matron’s theme “Bloom Where You Are Planted”. A variety of flowers and a wooden cross served as centerpieces on the navy-blue tablecloths. Refreshments of a delicious cake and ice cream were served. Everyone enjoyed a sociable evening. All in all, the evening was a complete success.