Meeting minutes

John Stewart United Women in Faith

John Stewart United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women) held their third annual Women’s Tea event Tuesday at John Stewart United Methodist Church.  

Forty-one women enjoyed cake, tea and coffee provided by members of United Women in Faith circles. Myrta Moody Circle Leader Andrea Culley  welcomed the ladies and read a devotion. Ladies brought their own special tea cup and several shared stories of what made that cup special to them. Each participant was given an embroidered “mug rug” made by Andrea Culley. A door prize of a spring plant was awarded to one person at each table. This year the focus of the tea was affordable housing with speakers from Buckeye Ridge Habitat for Humanity, Inc., based in Marion, but serving Marion, Morrow, Wyandot, and Hardin Counties.  Donations were collected to support local Buckeye Ridge builds.

Ann Frisch, president of John Stewart United Women in Faith, introduced speakers Pam Stone and Charlie Morrell. Stone, Neighborhood Revitalization director, described how Buckeye Ridge Habitat for Humanity partners with families in Marion, Morrow, Hardin and Wyandot counties to offer home ownership opportunities. The organization builds, rehabilitates and repairs homes for low-income owner occupants and provides help with obtaining affordable mortgages. Stone provided information on the status of housing in Wyandot County and explained the need locally. Buckeye Ridge Habitat for Humanity currently owns properties on Hicks Street in Upper Sandusky and plans to begin a new build on one of the lots in late summer or early fall.

Marion ReStore manager Charles Morrell explained that ReStore offers new and gently used furniture, appliances, building supplies and home goods at below retail price. The store’s primary source of inventory comes from donations of these items. ReStore is allowed to purchase new goods from clearance sales for resell for up to 15% of its inventory. Proceeds from ReStore sales go directly to Buckeye Ridge Habitat for Humanity and are a major income generator for Habitat locally. Wyandot County residents can donate to ReStore by calling 740-386-2030. Small items may be dropped off at ReStore, 1713 Marion-Mount Gilead Road, Marion, OH. Larger items may be eligible for a free truck pickup. Habitat ReStore hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and the donation center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Both speakers answered questions from tea participants. Ann Frisch thanked the speakers and presented them with tote bags filled with gifts.

Warpole Chapter 

No. 366

The regular stated meeting of Warpole Chapter No. 366, OES opened in ritualistic long form at 7:30 p.m. May 4 for the annual inspection. All officers were present and in their stations. There were 28 members and 43 visitors for a total of 71 people present. 

The opening ode “My God is So Great” was sung. The worthy patron led the chapter in the Pledge of Allegiance and the patriotic song of “America! The Beautiful” was sung.

Worthy Matron Sharon welcomed all and then recited a poem “Life is Art.”

Two past grand matrons were presented at the altar, general grand chapter committee member and member of the service dogs committee, Gail Walsh; and grand treasurer Gayle Sutherin. Both were escorted to the east and given grand honors. Presented behind Esther’s chair was Inspecting officer of districts No. 5 and No. 10 Joella Van Winkle, who was greeted and escorted to the east.

Those presented at their seats by the conductress, Carolyn Pennington were grand officers including grand conductress Marla Barber, associate grand conductress Debbie Somerlot and grand marshal Vickie Echelbarger. Other DGM’s were Tracie Evans from Districts No. 7 and 8, six grand representatives of other jurisdictions in Ohio, Arkansas, Joyce Kuenzli; Illinois, Clair Morse; Missouri, Peggy Eberhardt; Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Islands, Thelma Ruehle; Sao Paulo, Charlotte Ballard; and Linda Taylor of South Carolina. Four triennial special assembly appointments were co-chair of housing Barb Akers, co-chair of projects Susan Corwin and co-chairs of publication Dick and Pat Eyestone. Thirteen worthy matrons and worthy patrons of other chapters were recognized. Twenty-two past matrons and past patrons of Warpole Chapter were recognized at their seats.

The following groups that were recognized at their seats include seven brothers honored by their Masonic fraternity, 16 50-year members, four officers of the District 10 Association, four grand chapter committee members, eight grand pages and grand aides for the upcoming grand chapter session district charities director for District 5, Arnie Humphreys and District 10, Letisha Ruth and 31 former grand appointments.

The sunshine collection of $96.20 was collected at the registration table and will be going to the service dogs project.

The minutes of the April meeting was read in abbreviated form and approved as read. The Treasurer’s report was given and filed for audit.

The conferring of degrees was then held for Holly Dyer, Luigi Ventresca, Lisa Lawrence and Jordan Lawrence. After an impressive initiation, the Bibles they held at the altar were presented to Holly Dyer by Luigi and Angela Ventresca and to Lisa Lawrence by Jordan Lawrence. Worthy Matron Sharon then welcomed the group’s newest members and thanked Luigi and Jordan for walking around during the ceremony too.

In necessary communications, an invitation from the Upper Sandusky Chapter Order of DeMolay and Squires for a time of tribute and thankfulness is 2 p.m. Mother’s Day, which is Sunday at the Masonic Center.

In good of the order, member Emerson Eckstein passed away April 23. He was 95 years old and a 70-year member. Resolutions of Respect will be signed by Doris Wise, Letisha Ruth and Darcie Miller and mailed to his daughter, Gail Eckstein. The charter will remain draped for 30 days. A demit request for Debra Schroll was read, and being in good standing, was granted. 

District Charities Director Letisha Ruth then announced upcoming dates throughout the summer to benefit some of the Grand Chapter projects.

The next meeting is 6 p.m. June 1. A potluck dinner will be held in the dining room. Regular street length dresses can be worn, not the chapter attire. The meeting will open in short form. Elections and the yearly audit, budget and trustee reports will be given. The worthy matron thanked everyone for coming and invited all for refreshments in the dining room. Her closing thoughts were, “Your life is a canvas, you are the masterpiece, make sure you throw all the colors you can on it.”

Closing remarks were given by the Deputy Grand Matron Joella Van Winkle, regarding the Warpole Chapter, the initiatory work and inspection of the books and then read the inspection report. Van Winkle thanked the chapter for the dinner, gift and many courtesies extended to her. Her final thoughts were to “Keep hope and joy in your heart.”

The chapter then closed in regular ritualistic form. After the retiring march, all present went to the dining room for refreshments and fellowship, which was prepared by the committee of Jenny Ham, Maria Ulrich and Heather Cano.