LYNDS CHAPTER NO. 1 ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR Communication 

Today we honored Iris M. Frakes, a 50 year member of Easter Star. A lady adored by all.

She was born May 6th, 1915 and she past March 31st, 2007.

             

For our Dorothy Ince whom we honored In February. God Bless her, a 50 year member of our Chapter and resting eternally now.

 

Freedom Military Lodge, No. 1775 was Chartered last month as a regular Lodge under The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC. Our mission and purpose is to honor, support, and serve the members of the Uniformed Military Services.

You may wonder what your good officers are up to at the gatherings called by The Worthy Grand Matron, as in the case of  January 20th, 2007.

Normally:

Saturday        Secretaries and Treasurers Workshop, Midvale    9:00-Noon
Saturday        Conductresses Workshop, Midvale            1:00-4:00

And yes, we were there in good form, our Secretary Tracie Fielden, PM, our Associate Worthy Matron Ann Martin     our faithful Associate Conductress Krystal Snook  and the mischievious self... Sherry L. Ettinger  Conductress... All learning diligently.

 Ahhhh but see, Tracie had something else in store for us as after meeting follies.

What fun is camaraderie if you can't share a little tire changing in the snow? Personally, I think she should be teased incessantly. (Cheesy grin)

Tthe Second Chance Prom Annual Fundraiser was held Saturday June 3rd, 2006 "Memories are Ballooning".   Christ United Methodist Church, 2375 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah...  Portraits were available to capture the memories... and there were memories. 

Many of our members give of themselves to other organizations within the Masonic fraternity. Here are some early snapshots from the Masonic Youth event at Lagoon, May 29th, 2006, including of course our own John and Ruth Lay. Okay so we were too cold to take many after lots of everyone arrived...

<Note: I will be keeping this article up indefinitely in honor of our lovely lady Gladys sporting the umbrella in the center>

Article from The Eastern Star Journal ... an official General Grand Chapter publication 

Volume V Issue VI Summer 2005

First Chapter in Utah named for MWGP Lynds by PM Gladys M. Allen

In the month of May 1892, Stanley C. Boom, Deputy Grand Patron, arrived in Salt Lake City with authority to establish a chapter in Utah. Brother Boom obtained a petition to form a chapter, signed by 56 Masons and ladies as charter members, which was forwarded to the Most Worthy Grand Patron, Benjamin Lynds. This petition was granted and a charter was issued on June 6th, 1892.

    At the meeting on June 15th, 1892, the degrees were communicated to the charter members. In honor of MWGP Benjamin Lynds, the first chapter in Utah was named Lynds Chapter #1. 

    On June 15th of that year the first regular meeting of Lynds Chapter was opened in the Masonic Temple at 165 South Main Street. Petitions for membership were read and the degrees were communicated to 43 candidates. From those beginnings our chapter continued to grow and the light of Eastern Star spread throughout the state. Over the years Lynds has contributed members to many chapters that were formed in Utah, so Lynds is considered the Mother Chapter. 

    At the June 15th meeting in 1892, dues were $2.50 for ladies and $5 for men. The first bill against the chapter was for stationery supplies furnished by the Kelly Company.  The descendants of the Kelly Family are still members of Lynds. 

    Charter member William Rowe offered the Odd Fellows Hall for practice if needed. It seems there were considerable repairs going on at the Masonic Temple on South Main and it wasn't always the best of shape. 

    Christopher Diehl, one of Utah's most prominent Masons, was one of the first candidates initiated in Lynds Chapter.

    The first Friday of each month was officially set as meeting night for the chapter. In 1893 the Booms again served as Worthy Matron and Patron. The treasurer reported that during the six months of operation of the chapter in 1892, the total receipts were $185 and the expenses paid were $182.85. There certainly wasn't much surplus to worry about! In 1893 it was decreed that no liquor would be served at chapter affairs. Temple rent appeared to be about $4 per month.  The by-laws were formally presented and adopted. Art. 8 section 5 reads: "Upon the death of a member an assessment of $.25 per member shall be levied, collected and paid into the funds of the chapter. Not more than $40 may be used for funeral expenses of a member." Art 9, section 3 reads: "any member failing to pay dues for one year is subject to charges by the chapter and, upon conviction, shall be suspended." A separate ballot was required for all petitions. During October, charges were read in chapter against five members and the trials were set for November. One was given more time at his request. Two pleaded guilty and were suspended and two were tried and, upon evidence of delinquency being proven, were suspended.

    The period of 1905-1929 could be called the growth period of not only Lynds Chapter, but the Order of the Eastern Star in Utah. More chapters were established at this time than at any other time in our history.

    The Flora Estes jewel; was presented to the chapter in 1906 to be passed down to the Past Matron of Lynds. This jewel had been passed down for many years until about 1941 when record of it was lost. The jewel has been found recently and the tradition that started in 1906 is continuing. A ballot box was purchased during this year also. Apparently the hat just wasn't working anymore.

    In 1909 it was no longer necessary to give a password before entering the chapter. In 1911 Lynds contributed to a large medallion at City Library, honoring the first city librarian, a member of Lynds Chapter.

    Card parties, dances and other forms of entertainment were held each year for charity projects. In 1914 the chapter became active in Red Cross work and purchased war bonds. In the time up to 1920 a great many petitioners were rejected - more, in some years than were accepted. One fact contributing to this was that prior to 1920 if you were rejected you could immediately apply again. In fact, it is recorded that one former member of Lynds Chapter applied for re-affiliation some 25 times. And a single applicant applying five to 10 times was not unusual.

    In October of 1920 a special session was opened at 3 P.M., six candidates were initiated, a recess was called and at 4:30 the session resumed and five more candidates were initiated. Another recess was called for a 50-cent special dinner. Order was resumed at 7:30 P.M. when six more were initiated  - a total of 17 in one day. That year the chapter received 50 new members and membership totaled 339.

    The years 1940 to the present may be called the Modern years. In 1942 the chapter's Golden Anniversary was celebrated and an Eastern Star rug was presented that is still in use today. During the war years, 1942-45, Lynds members were very active in Red Cross, Grey Ladies and USO. Many members were lost at this time because the economy made it difficult for some to pay dues. The chapter had decided to buy new badges for the officers at this time, but it took 15 years to raise the money for them.

    At the 100-year anniversary of the chapter, the Worthy Matron was Gladys M. Allen and the Worthy Patron was Bruce R. Betts. Throughout the year Bruce shared many of the above items of interest. WM Gladys started the year with the following: "Twas the night of installation (with appologies to Clement Moore) and all through the hall, everyone was scurrying - Maryann, George and all. The officers were waiting by each little chair, in hopes they'd do right, for company was there." (...and more.)

    So here is the chapter in 2004 - 112 years strong. This year WGM Joanne Martin, representing the Utah Grand Chapter officers, presented Lynds Chapter #1 with a trophy for initiating the most new members of all the chapters in the Grand Jurisdiction of Utah. Lynds Chapter is proud to receive this recognition.

<ed. and we plan to keep it this year too>

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Our Mardi Gras event  2005 was a roaring success as we welcomed our Grand Officers to our Chapter in Lynds fashion. Care to take a peek? Mardi Gras Celebration

The Annual Ladies Luncheon 2005  was a blast as well. Held at the Ladies Literary Club the event was enlivened with the Wedding Dress fashion show of many Eastern Star ladies. The grand prize drawing was for a highly coveted hand sewn quilt.  Ladies Luncheon 2005

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Last modified: December 16th, 2007