Chautauqua District Order of the Eastern Star held a public reception to honor Helen A. Patti, district deputy grand matron, at the Mt. Sinai/Mecca Chapter in Jamestown recently with Worthy Matron Karen Thompson and Worthy Patron Robert Lewis presiding.
Visiting grand officers included Quentin O Bensink, past grand patron 2007; Lynne Schmitt, commissioner of Appeals West; Betty Van Etten, grand musician (Cattaraugus Dist); Linda Conti, Necrology Committee; and Jackie Olszewski, grand representative of Alberta, Canada, near the Grand Chapter of New York.
Mrs. Patti was escorted by her husband, Jim, and daughter, Nancy. Linda Lewis offered "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" as a piano solo.
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Pictured are: Quentin Bensink, district grand lecturer; Helen Patti, district deputy grand matron; Robert Lewis, worthy patron, Karen Thompson, worthy matron; David Lewis, Cattaraugus County lecturer and deputy; Shirley Engles; Betty Van Etten, grand musician, Cattaraugus County; Jackie Olszewski, grand representative of Alberta, Canada, near the Grand Chapter of NY; Lynne Schmitt, commissioner of Appeals West; and Linda Conti, necrology committee member.
Presentations to the honored guest - created by Jeri Yauchzy, past commissioner of Appeals West - included representatives of the four chapters with words of encouragement beginning with the letter of their chapter names "A" for Acacia, "M" for Mecca, "F" for Forestville and "S" for Silver. The "Keys" for success were affixed to a heart-shaped centerpiece, made by Helen's daughter.
Everyone enjoyed a time of refreshments and fellowship following the meeting.
The motto - using the initials of the grand matron and grand patron - is "Kindness Joy and Reliability Kindle Responsible Members."
The grand matron's hymn is "God of Our Fathers." The theme is: "We believe communication and participation are keys that will open our hearts to success."
Chautauqua District meetings will be held March 18, Silver Chapter, Silver Creek; April 2, Forestville; April 17, Acacia Chapter. Grand matron and patron's visit will be May 16 at Chautauqua Suites, Mayville, with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting at 8 p.m.