Estrella Chapter No. 412

7849 Tommy Drive

San Diego, CA

meets the First and Third Tueday of each month at 7:30 P.M.

December 2006 - January 2007

Worthy Matron
Worthy Patron
Audra Smith
Coren Andrews
(619) 401-2529
(951) 698-9924

Secretary/Editor:  Annette Draper - (619) 390-1562

From your Worthy Matron:


Sisters and Brother,


First I would like to thank you for electing me to serve as your Worthy Matron for 2007. It means a lot to me that the chapter has the utmost confidence in me. I would also like to take this time to thank anyone and everyone who has made this possible in such a short time and to everyone who will continue to help and support the chapter this next year as Brother Coren and I lead the chapter in "007"

This next year is going to be a good one. We have some un meetings planned and of course our usual annual projects. I encourage each and everyone of you to get involved with the chapter, there is always something you can do to help out. We have our lodge dinners on the first Thursday of every month. I'm still looking for some volunteers to assist with these dinners. We are looking for people to chair the dinner each month. If you are interested in assisting with any of these dinners please get in touch with me.

Can you believe it, the holidays are here!! With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas rapidly approaching, which means colder weather and more traffic, remember to stay warm and drive safely while out and about. I would like to take this time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.


Star Love,


Audra

From your Worthy Patron:


As we start off the new year for OUR chapter, let me thank you for your confidence and support. The confidence you demonstrated when you elected me as Worthy Patron and the support you will be demonstrating by your attendance at chapter meetings and functions. Your support is vital to the success and continuation of our beloved Estrella Chapter. The officers that have been chosen and installed have made a commitment to you and the Chapter and recognize their responsibility to support Estrella. They need YOU to accept the responsibility to support YOUR chapter also. Attend meetings, don't wait to be asked to do something, attend meetings, attend functions. We all want Estrella Chapter to live and prosper and continue into the future. It will take all of us to make it happen. We are all important to the success of the Chapter. Audra and I and our dedicated corps of Officers will do our best to hold up our end. The rest depends on you, the members of the Chapter.


There are several events planned that should be fun and exciting and Audra has scheduled some fun theme nights to add some fun to our meetings. Remember, Estrella Chapter meets on the First and Third Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.. We have a member that travels all the way from Riverside to attend. Won't you be there too?


I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends and that your Christmas holiday is absolutely wonderful and that your new year turns out to be better than any before.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.


Star Love,


Coren

NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINES ARE


January 16

March 20

May 15

July 17

September 18

November 20


PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES TO ANNETTE AT CHAPTER MEETINGS OR EMAIL ME AT: Annette.Draper@sdcourt.ca.gov


You can also mail any article to my home at: 8518 Calle De Buena Fe, El Cajon 92021

Estrella Chapter WEBSITE


The Estrella Chapter Website link has changed once again. Sorry for any inconvenience. It is now:


http://core-it-2/estrellachapter/


Please look at the site when you get a chance. We will be posting the new officers as well as the 2006-2007 calendar. This is an easy way to keep up on what's happening in the chapter. Please contact any of the members if you have questions or just want to let everyone know how you are doing.


Don Baker

Friendship Circle


Start the New Year with a fun lunch at Cancer Dressing and Friendship Circle. Luncheon hostess will be Patricia Maxwell. We invite everyone. You can bring your friends and family as well.


Be sure to call Mary Weaver if you want to attend the Holiday Luncheon on December 12th.


If you would like to prepare a lunch or need a ride to attend, please call Olivia Martinez.


Star Love,


Olivia

Greetings from the South - I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving and will have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.


To update all our members that haven't attended our meetings or activities we are struggling to keep our Chapter going. What is your feeling about Estrella? Is it important to you to see it go on? If so, we need your help. We need sideliners and support of our projects. We have a great Chapter - Lets keep it that way.


The Bazaar Luncheon will be on March 24, 2007. Our theme will be, "It's a Small World". Draper's and Damon's will do our Fashion Show. If you have eight (8) people you can reserve a table. I would like you to be the Hostess/Host of that table please and see that your friends have coffee, etc. We had a very successful event last year and since this is our biggest money-maker we need to do well this year too. If you have any suggestions please call me.


I am looking forward to the new year. We have wonderful officers and a great Deputy Grand Matron. Congratulations on your appointment Betty.


Star Love,


Beth Martin, PM

Conductress

DUES


It's that time again. Thank you to the few that have already sent in dues for 2007. There will be a delay in the dues cards again this year. A new Grand Secretary was elected and we have to wait for General Grand to print with her signature and mail them out to Grand Chapter.


Dues for 2007 are as follows:


$25 plus $14.20 Grand Chapter Assessments (includes $3.00 Home Endowment). Total = $39.20


If you are a Life Sponsor of the Home, you will not be assessed the $3.00 so yours will be a total of $36.20.


We have many paid life members with life sponsorship and you don't need to send any dues.


Our 50 year life members need not pay dues as well.


Enclosed with this newsletter is your payment envelope indicating the amount you owe.


There are a few that owe for 2006 as well.


A life membership can be obtained by paying $325.00. With life membership and life sponsorship your dues are zero.


Any member that feels they are unable to pay dues please contact the Worthy Matron or the Secretary to discuss. Pursuant to Sec. 248 of the Constitution the chapter is allowed to remit dues of deserving members by majority vote. (Names are not revealed to the chapter)


I appreciate you keeping me informed of any changes in your address and telephone number. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by mail or leave a message on my home phone and I will return your call.


Happy Holidays to each of you and a most joyous and prosperous New Year.


Star Love,


Annette

AFTER CHAPTER CHAIRMAN


Please contact Beth Martin at 619-449-6399 if you would like to sign up to take an after chapter.

A Different Christmas Poem – Author unknown

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the

snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.


A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my

child. "What are you doing?" I asked without

fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your

sleeve, You should be at home on a cold

Christmas Eve!"


For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in

drifts. To the window that danced with a

warm fire's light, Then he sighed and he said

"Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm

here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm

proud to stand here like my fathers before me.


My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"

Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram

always remembers." My dad stood his watch

in the jungles of 'Nam', And now it is my turn

and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in

more than a while, But my wife sends me

pictures, he's sure got her smile.


Then he bent and he carefully pulled from

his bag, The red, white, and blue...

an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.


"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."


"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a

feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."


Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."


CALENDAR OF EVENTS


Date

Time

Event

Dec 3, 2006

4:00 PM

Past Matrons/Past Patrons at the home of the Martin's.   Bring $5 gift exchange if you would like.

Dec. 5, 2006

7:30 PM

First Meeting

Dec. 7, 2006

6:00 PM

East San Diego Lodge Stated Dinner

Dec 10, 2006

10:00 AM

Impact Session-see flyer enclosed

Dec 12th

Friendship Circle Holiday Luncheon

Dec. 19, 2006

7:30 PM

Stated Meeting-Christmas

Jan. 2, 2007

7:30 PM

Stated Meeting-New Year's -Reobligation

Jan. 4, 2007

6:00 PM

East San Diego Lodge Stated Dinner

Jan.  9, 2007

9:30 AM

Cancer Dressing Station and Friendship Circle

Jan 16, 2007

7:30 PM

Stated Meeting

Jan 28, 2007

Dist 53 OV


December Birthdays


4

Louise Hobbs

16

Cinthy Woempner

17

Betty Dial, Sean McVicker

24

Tina Louise Pitts

26

Joy Hiler

28

Dorothy Cass


January Birthdays


1

Gi Gi Gilmore

2

Cilissa King

3

Karen Hogan

4

Ruby Nyberg

6

Frances Lindner

8

Wava Meyer, Jean Nilson

10

Tom Wenker

15

Candace Galipeau

18

Kari Sprowl

24

Susan Gonzales

27

Betty McCoy

28

Sharon Baker

29

Carol Fishell-Marotta, Alexandra McLellan

30

Mittie Pratt

31

Mae Ella Owens


Estrella 2007 Officers


Worthy Matron

Audra Smith

(619) 401-2529

Worthy Patron

Coren Andrews

(951) 698-9924

Assoc. Matron

Patricia Maxwell

(619) 582-9165

Assoc. Patron

Bill Maxwell

(619) 582-9165

Secretary

Annette Draper

(619) 390-1562

Treasurer

Don Baker

(858) 277-7559

Conductress

Beth Martin

(619) 449-6399

Chaplain

Peggy Parker

(619) 443-1600

Marshal

Suzann Wallace

(619) 469-4004

Organist

Candace Galipeau

(805) 878-6713

Adah

Joan Ramsey

(619) 448-5056

Ruth

Ruth Covalt

(619) 262-2150

Esther

Barbara Brower

(619) 465-8378

Martha

Lucille Fleischman

(619) 255-8080

Electa

Ashley Trosper

(619) 596-4068

Warder

Mary Weaver

(619) 582-7426

Sentinel

Bonnie McVicker

(619) 390-7550


Committees for 2007


Audit

Joan Ramsey, PM

Barbara Brower, PM

George Martin, PP

Property

Patricia Maxwell, AM

Beth Martin, Cond.

Barbara Brower, PM

Budget

Annette Draper, PM

Beth Martin, PM

Don Baker, PP

Membership

Audra Smith, WM

Coren Andrews, WP

Annette Draper, PM