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Editor's Notes





























Posting Requests to  Patti L Rhinesmith, RWG Secretary at NewJersey.OESGC@gmail.com   
GC Ofc 908-725-0222

Notary services are available, please call Grand Chaper Office for assistance. 


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PHOTO GALLERY ON WEBSITE
Please contact Grand Chapter Office if you are interested in putting any photos on the website. 

 
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VOLUNTARY DONATIONS 2025-2026

Please continue support Voluntary Donations, and mail your check to the chairman, Cathy Fusaro.  As the Chapter Secretaries will not be mailing them out this year. 

The NEW envelopes for 2025-2026 will be in the Fall Star Journal. 


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One Call

Sign up for One Call - Expires 5/31 of each year.   Cost is $10.00

ONE CALL NOW.2024.docx


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All "Star Journal" issues, current and past can be found on the NJOES home page, under the information tab.

There are two issues printed yearly, March and September.



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Aug 28, 2023 Grand Representative of New Jersey Newsletter

NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2025 GRANJ.pdf

NEWSLETTER OCT 2024 GRANJ.pdf




June 2025

Letter from the MWGM and MWGP 2025-2026





Receptions and District Meetings
Sept. 8th Tuckerton Chapter #54 - Monday September 8, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Honor Night honoring Cindy Sheldon, GR of Vermont
To be held at Tuckerton Lodge, Tuckerton.  Seating is limited, light refreshments to follow.  Admission: items for Tuckerton food pantry.
For reservations please contact Pat Hoagland, PGO, Secretary



Upcoming Dates  -- see Chapter & District Fundraisers below
UPCOMING DATES - 2025-2026
 
         June 9th - Molly Pitcher #198 - Receiving RWAGC
         June 10th - Fairview #219 - Receiving RWAGM
         June 12th - Gloria #159 - Homecoming of Jr. PGP
         June 13-15th - NJ Demolay Convention
         June 16th - Ocean #214 - Receiving of RWGC
         June 23rd - Northern #38 - Honor Night Sheila Sugar, and Receiving of RWG Treasurer
                          
 ****There is a change of Location for the June 23rd Receiving/Honor Night,
                                     Northern Chapter had to change the location due to a Masonic function being
                                     held at their original location.  The new location is Harmony Masonic Lodge,
                                     519 US 206, Newton, NJ.  

         June 25th - Prince Hall OES Informal Opening
         June 28th - Smithville
         June 30th - TBA - Receiving of New Trustee
         July 7-12th - Bus Trip to Chicago
         July 26, 2025 - Christmas in July
         August 8-10th NJ Rainbow Convention - Grand Visitation
         August 12th - Trenton Thunder (Master Mason Night)
        



  PM & PP Director and Governor meeting - Saturday June 21st
Meeting of the PM & PP Association will be held at Olive Branch Lodge, Freehold on Saturday June 21st with lunch at 12 noon and meeting to follow at 1pm.  Cost of the luncheon is $15.00, please make checks payable to the PM & PP Association and mail to the Secretary, Michele Hess.  Reservation deadline is June 14th. 


May 24th

Voluntary Donations for 2025-2026

 $8,000.00 - Lupus
 $8,000.00 - Shriners Hospital
 $4,000.00 - Charity Foundation
 $4,000.00 - PM/PP Association
 $2,865.00 - OES Home
 $2,000.00 - Rainbow
 $2,000.00 - Demolay
 $2,000.00 - Raritan Valley Lodge
 $1,000.00 - Grand Representatives Association
 $3,000.00 - Tunnels to Towers
    $825.00 - Amaranth Diabetes Foundation
    $700.00 - Doctors without Boarders
    $500.00 - Save the children
    $500.00 - Mt. Zion Lodge diaper fund
    $382.59 - St. Judes
    $250.00 - Golden Assembly
    $250.00 - Scotch Plains Dyslexia Center
      $50.00 - Daughters of the Nile Foundation
$23,055.06 - Corporate Board
$63,377.65 - Total

Previoiusly disbursed
  $3,000.00 - Rainbow
  $3,000.00 - Demolay
  $1,000.00 - OES Home - Lydia Chapter rock
    $100.00 - Eastern Star Home
 $7,100.00 - Previously disbursed

$70,477.65 - Total donations from proceeds




 

NJ OZIEL GRAND CHAPTER - ANNUAL GRAND SESSION - June 25-27, 2025

Sisters & Brothers,

NJ Eastern Star has been invited to attend the Annual Grand Session for NJ Oziel Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation being held June 25-27, 2025 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill, 2349 West Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002.  

Visitors will be received on Wed, June 25 @ 8:30am followed by lunch at 2pm.  Registration cost to attend is $100/person, includes lunch.  Deadline to register & give payment is Mon, May 19.

NOTE -  Oziel requires reservations for NJ OES members to be submitted in-advance as a group Jurisdiction.  Individual reservations will not be accepted by Oziel nor are "Walk-ins" allowed at the door on the day of session.   

For those wishing to attend, Sis Dawn Smith will be taking reservations for our group.  Please see Sis Dawn In-person , Email dsmith12@aol.com or TEXT (856)906-3400 and include your Name, OES Title, Email Address and Phone Number.   

Checks should be made payable to:  NJ Grand Chapter (in memo line note "Oziel GS").  Please hand deliver to Sis. Dawn or Sis. Patti Rhinesmith.  Do NOT MAIL payment as unfortunately US Mail is too unreliable for timely delivery to meet deadline.  Reservations will not be made without payment or accepted after May 19.


You may see Sis Dawn at the following events:
5/8 - Emmaus Chapter
5/9 - Stewart Chapter 
5/10 - Home Away From Home Day (Crescent Shrine)
5/13 - Fairview Chapter 
5/18 & 519 - Grand Session (Atlantic City)


Fraternally,
Sis Dawn Smith
RWG Conductress







   
  Grand Chapter Fundraisers & Get-Togethers
  Bubba's Christmas-in-July Party!  - July 26, 2025
To be held at the Visscher's Home.  Time 3:00pm, $20.00 per person. Checks to be made payable to "Grand Chapter Voluntary Donations" "St. Jude Hospital" in the Memo line.  Please contact Karyn Visscher for more information and to RSVP.  kbvisscher@gmail.com

   
Upcoming Trip 2025-2026
  Woodloch - November 17th to 21st, 2025
4 Nights/12 meals (Monday Lunch through Friday Breakfast).
Cost: $775. per person double, $635 per peron triple, $940 per person single. 

There is something for everyone at this beautiful lakefront resort.  Activities Galor, over 30 scheduled each day.  See flyer for more information.

Make your reservations with Lynn Billingham.  Deposits will be accepted after May 1st, payable to "Grand Chapter Voluntary Donations".

See Attached Flyer
Woodloch.pdf



  Chicago Bus trip - July 7th to July 12th, 2025
Come join Sister Mary Elaine and Brother Greg on a Bus Trip to Chicago from July 7th to July 12th, 2025, 6 days, 5 nights. Departs from Masonic Fellowship Hall parking lot.  Trip cost $835.00.  For more information please contact Diane Schmolze.  See flyer with more information.  

Chicago trip 2195267-7E05062000.pdf


   
   
  **REUNIONS & GET-TOGETHERS**
  Murder Mystery - Saturday, August 16, 2025
Hosted by: The Mouseketeers, Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 4:00 PM
Burlington Lodge, 2308 Burlington-Mt Holly Road, Burlington, $30 per person
Come join us for an unforgettable evening filled with suspense, intrigue,
and mystery! Meatloaf dinner, coffee, tea, soda & dessert.  BYOB
Make checks payable to Robin Bernice and send to Beth Willer




 
May 15 Ink and Paint Club - Sunday September 7, 2025
Join the first reunion of the Ink and Paint Club at Clifton Masonic Lodge, Clifton, NJ,  Cost $25.00, Dues $5.00,  Checks payable to Janet Dewes and mail to Deborah LeDoux. Social hour 2pm - Dinner 2:30pm.   Deadline for reservations is August 27, 2025.

Dec. 7, 2025 Spirit of Christmas - Sunday, December 7, 2025
Save the date - To be held at Clifton Masonic Lodge , tentative time 2:00 pm  More information to follow.

   

Good News and Health Announcements

June 3rd Adonis "Cookie" Dean, GO, Starlight #107
Sister Cookie was involved in an incident at her home.  Please keep her in your prayers, cards can be sent to her home.


May 26th Michele Hess, PGM, Northern #38
Sister Michele had surgery on Friday May 23rd for a reverse shoulder replacement, and is home recovering.  Cards can be sent to her home, and phone calls are welcomed. 


May 23rd
Joanne Parsels, PGM, Haddonfield #140
Sister Joanne had knee replacement surgery on Monday May 19th and is home recovering.  Cards can be sent to her home. 


Sorrow
June 7th Kevin Fourcaud, WP, Stella #20
Brother Kevin pass away over Memorial Day weekend.  Graveside services will be conducted on Monday at 1pm, Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Paterson.


June 3
Diane Pritchard Clayton, PGO, Shekinah #82
Sister Diane passed away on May 30th, and funeral services will be held on June 17th, at Zion Methodist Church.  visitation 10-11 am, church service to follow.  No word yet on an Eastern Star  service.  Visit Adams Perfect Funeral Home for more information.



Grand Chapter Announcements
  LOST AND FOUND
Please check with Sister Jeanne Gionfriddo, WG Marshal if you lost or found any items. 

Here is a list of the items found during the year 2024-2025.  Blue Bowtie, Bee Pin, Reading glasses, sunglasses, black shawl, round charm that reads "Because I knew you", small pierced earing, cufflink. 

See attached PDF
Lost and Found.pdf
 
   

 


 Now Available
Updated Grand Chapter Highlights Book - $25.33
A synopsis of NJ Eastern Star 1870-2020.  The Highlights Book has been published and is available for sale through the Grand Chapter Office.  The cost is $25.33 each, which includes postage.  Please make your check payable to "Grand Chapter OES of NJ" and mail to Grand Chapter Office, 111 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater, NJ  08807-3101


 
 
Proceedings available for 2022-2023 - CD's $15.00
Wallace/Byrne (2022-2023) - 7 CD's available


Proceedings available - Book $35.00

Affsa/Afsa (2017-2018) - 1 Book

  

Good News
  Shining Stars

   
2025-2026 MaryElaine & Greg's appointed Grand Officers - 2025-2026

MaryElaine & Greg's Grand Representatives - 2025-2026

Kentucky - Edward Myers, #22/38
Louisiana - William Guynn, #22/38



2024-2025 Sharon & Joe's appointed Grand Officers - 2024-2025

Sharon & Joe's Grand Representatives 2024-2025
2023-2024 Joanne & Jim's Grand Officers for 2023-2024

Joanne & Jim's Grand Representatives 2023-2024
2022-2023 Jeannette & Bernie's Grand Representatives - 2022-2023

Jeannette & Bernie's Grand Officers - 2022-2023
  
2021-2022 Daria & Bruce's Grand Officers - 2021-2022 

Daria & Bruce's Grand Representatives - 2021-2022

2019-2020 Norma & Dan's Grand Representatives - 2019-2021
 
2018-2019 Lynn & Ken's Grand Representatives - 2018-2019
Chapter & District Fundraisers & Notices
 


General Information
   

 
Charity Foundation News
Jan 13th, 2025 Charity Foundation Scholarship applications
The deadline has passed for this year 2024-2025. 

Once received, information for the new OES year 2025-2026 will be posted. 



Jan 21, 2023 Charity Foundation Life Skills Grant Application

OES CHARITY FOUNDATION LIFE SKILLS GRANT APPLICATION PDF.pdf

CF flyer - Linda Penin.pdf.................

Dec. 2023 The OES Charity Foundation meeting will be held on June 4, 2025 at 7:00 pm, in person.   It will be virtual to those who want to attend by zoom, by using the link provided by below.  To receive the meeting link please send an email no later than 6pm on the day of the meeting.

To receive the meeting link each month please send an email to:  oescharityfoundationnj@gmail.com

You may not know that being a Member of the Order also makes you a member of the Charity Foundation.  As members of the Eastern Star Charity Foundation, you are always invited to attend the monthly meetings held on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7pm. 

As the time of the meeting approaches, you will receive the link/invite for the meeting from that email account (approximately 6pm).

Normally, these meetings take place in the Board Room of the OES Home.  Due to Covid-19 we have been meeting via Grand Chapter's WebEx account.  We invite you to attend these meetings from the comfort of your own home.

As the time of the meeting approaches, you will receive the link/invite for the meeting from that email account (approximately 6pm)

The Board holds an Executive Session prior to the public portion of the meeting.  Our Executive Session may run slightly over, so please do not be discouraged if you are asked to wait in the "waiting room" (or to log off) for a few minutes. 

Please request the meeting link monthly.

Jan. 27, 2023 THE Eastern Star Charity Foundation of New Jersey, Inc. -
"Rays of Caring Capital Campaign.  "Be a Ray of Light to our Sisters and Brothers in Need".  

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FLYER.pdf


OES Home News - website:  www.njeasternstarhome.com
  Message from the President of the New Jersey Eastern Star Home Board

Letter attached
President Article.pdf

Nursing week flyer
Nursing Week for the Eastern Star Home.pdf





  Message from the Activities Director of the NJ Eastern Star Home - Simone Rudich

Letter attached
Newsletter Article NJESH.docx 



  FORMS FOR THE NJ EASTERN STAR HOME

OES Home - flyer.pdf

Renew_Refresh_Project.pdf

Becoming a resident_Flyer.pd


Tree-of-Life-Order-Form-LEAF.pdf

Tree-of-Life-Order-Form-ROCKS.pdf

Delegates Alternates and Officers Election Report Form.docx