The group at the hotel just before the walk started.

Last month, the Cattaraugus-Chautauqua District, Order of the Eastern Star hosted a reception for the New York State Leaders of the organization on the night of their Official Visit to the District.

It was held at Holiday Valley Lodge, Ellicottville/ Leaders and their staff of officers spoke about charity projects of the organization. The highest-ranking officer of New York State, Mrs. Marcia Pratt, Grand Matron, from neighboring Allegany County, was in attendance. She resides at Wellsville. Her co-partner, Mark Heitmann, Grand Patron, is from Onondaga County, residing at Central Square.

Order of the Eastern Star is a worldwide organization, the largest women’s organization in the world. It is a Masonic affiliated organization. In addition to women, 18 years and older, a Mason can also join. Like all Masonic affiliated groups, we are a fraternal, charitable, and social group. There are 111 Chapters in New York State. In the Cattaraugus-Chautauqua District there are 4 chapters, located in Forestville, Gowanda, Jamestown, and Portville.

In addition to caring for members with various grants, the organization supports veterans. Chapters raise funds that are distributed to various veterans facilities around New York state. Chapters and Counties also host bingo games, barbecues, sing along, to name a few.

Each year our State Leaders select a Special Fund they would like the membership to support financially. This year Pratt has selected Guardian House and Foreverly House. Nationwide there are only seve facilities providing support to our female veterans. Guardian House and Foreverly House through Veterans and Community Housing Coalition in Ballston Spa is the only facility in New York State providing this support for female veterans. They are working diligently and faithfully to support female vets with children to fit back into civilian society while staying together as a family. May 7, Pratt attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Foreverly House.

Heitmann has chosen Feed My Sheep as his special program. He said “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 County in the State will deliver these Packs to various schools. This program allows the children to have a few items to last the weekend until Monday when they get breakfast and lunch at school.

Seventy-Five Year Service Award Certificates were presented to Mrs. Geraldine Yauchzy, 95, from Falconer, and Mrs. Rosamond Flagg, 104, from Jamestown. Mrs. Flagg was not in attendance and the certificate was accepted by Francelia Skoglund of Jamestown who delivered the Service Certificate to her at her home. Both Mrs. Yauchzy and Mrs. Flagg have been dedicated, faithful members. Mrs. Flagg has held the office of District Deputy Grand Matron of the Cattaraugus District and Mrs. Yauchzy has held the NY State office of Commissioner of Appeals, New York West.

Following the reception, back at the hotel, a bag auction was held, raising $1,096 for the Grand Matron’s and Grand Patron’s Special Project.

A 3-mile Walk a Thon throughout the Village of Ellicottville was held Sunday. A lot of the steps were made but mostly in and out of shops! The Walk supports Masonic youth organizations across New York State. 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 hand bell picture represents the fun symbol of Mrs. Pratt and the beach theme picture represents the fun symbol of Mr. Heitmann. The first Walk was started by Jackie in 1990, walking around Lime Lake. The next 4 years were organized by

Cattaraugus County Leaders at various places and 1995 Miss Lois Carlsen, Grand Matron from Rockville Center, NY made the Walk a State Project and it has remained that way since – walking at either Olean Center Mall, Chautauqua Institute, or Village of Ellicottville. This is the 36th annual Walk. This year’s Walk raised $4,073.00. Members from other Districts across the State who could not attend will be holding their own Walks and adding to that amount.

Presiding at the reception was Mary Myers of Randolph, this year’s leader of Cattaraugus-Chautauqua District. Her co-leader, Lance Parker of Forestville was unable to attend. Bradley Keuther of Cattaraugus assisted.

Anyone wishing more information about the organization may contact Myers by calling (716) 358-9405.