ELLICOTTVILLE — The Order of the Eastern Star Cattaraugus-Chautauqua District hosted a reception for the New York state leaders of the organization on the night of their visit May 10.
Inside the Holiday Valley Lodge, leaders and their staff of officers spoke about charity projects of the organization.
Order of the Eastern Star is a worldwide, Masonic-affiliated organization, the largest women’s organization in the world. In addition to women 18 and older, a Mason can also join. Special attendees at the May 10 reception included Grand Matron Marcia Pratt of Wellsville, the highest-ranking officer of New York, and Grand Patron Mark Heitmann of Central Square in Onondaga County.
Each year, state leaders select a special fund they would like the membership to support financially. This year, Pratt selected Guardian House and Foreverly House, which celebrated a ribbon-cutting May 7.
Nationwide, there are only seven facilities providing support to female veterans. Guardian House and Foreverly House, through Veterans and Community Housing Coalition in Ballston Spa, is the only facility in New York providing this support for female veterans. The facility works to support female vets with children to fit back into civilian society while staying together as a family.
Meanwhile, Heitmann chose Feed My Sheep as his special program, saying, “Our motto of Charity, Truth, and Loving Kindness shows the world that there is no better way to express this than by helping the weakest of our state — our children.”
All chapters have been asked to provide food for the Backpack Project. The leaders of each New York county will deliver these packs to various schools. This program allows the children to have a few items to last the weekend until they get breakfast and lunch at school on Monday.
Seventy-Five Year Service Award Certificates were presented to Geraldine Yauchzy, 95, of Falconer, and Rosamond Flagg, 104, of Jamestown. Both Yauchzy and Flagg have been dedicated, faithful members, officials said, with Flagg having held the office of District Deputy Grand Matron of the Cattaraugus District and Yauchzy having held the state office of Commissioner of Appeals, New York West.
Following the reception, a bag auction was held, raising $1,096 for the Grand Matron and Grand Patron’s special projects.
EARLIER THAT DAY, a three-mile Walk-a-Thon throughout the village of Ellicottville was held. A lot of the steps were made, but mostly in and out of shops. The walk supports Masonic youth organizations across New York.
Walkers were recognized by the T-shirt they were wearing, displaying the words “Order of Eastern Star NY” and “The Jackie Howlett Memorial Walk.” The handbell picture represents the fun symbol of Pratt and the beach theme picture represents the fun symbol of Heitmann.
The first Walk was started by Howlett in 1990, walking around Lime Lake. The next four years were organized by Cattaraugus County leaders at various places. In 1995, Lois Carlsen, Grand Matron from Rockville Center, made the walk a statewide project, and it has remained that way since, walking at either Olean Center Mall, Chautauqua Institute or the village of Ellicottville. This is the 36th annual walk. This year’s walk raised $4,073. Members from other Districts across the state who could not attend will hold their own walks and add to that amount.
Presiding at the reception was Mary Myers of Randolph, this year’s leader of the Cattaraugus-Chautauqua District. Her co-leader, Lance Parker of Forestville, was unable to attend, with Bradley Keuther of Cattaraugus assisting instead.
Like all Masonic-affiliated groups, the Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal, charitable and social group. There are 111 chapters in New York. In the Cattaraugus-Chautauqua District, there are four chapters located in Forestville, Gowanda, Jamestown and Portville.
In addition to caring for members with various grants, such as nursing scholarships, educational assistance, emergency relief and general welfare, the group supports veterans. Chapters raise funds that are distributed to various veterans facilities around New York state. Chapters and counties also host bingo games, barbecues and sing-alongs, to name a few.
For more information about the organization, contact Myers by calling (716) 358-9405.
