Eastern Star
Saint Mary’s Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star working under the authority of King Solomon’s Grand Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, Inc., State of North Carolina held their annual Queen Esther Weekend, April 17-19, at the Holiday Inn University in Charlotte.
Sister S. Kay L. Grier, worthy matron, Rose of Sharon l, OES, Salisbury, presided over the business session that was held on Saturday.
At the annual banquet held Saturday evening, Sister Delores Shannon a member of Rose of Sharon Chapter 1, was crowned the winner for the Queen Esther state title and will represent North Carolina at the 2010 national convention to compete for the Queen Esther national title.
Shannon was born in Queens, N.Y., to the late Dorsey and Lucille Anderson. She received a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York.
She was honorably discharged after serving as a major in the U.S. Army Nurse Corp and Army Reserve and has been employed with the Veteran Affairs Medical Center for more than 29 years, presently working in the Primary Care Clinic with telephone triage.
She is married to Brother Hercules Shannon member of Eureka Lodge 45, Salisbury.
Musical entertainment for the banquet was provided by Melvin Rush III along with his wife Virginia Rush of Salisbury.
Each year Saint Mary’s Grand Chapter presents entering college students with scholarships. Queen Esther Weekend is an annual fund raiser for these scholarships. Each chapter raises money to compete for the Queen Esther title and the representative of the chapter that raises the most money is crowned the winner.
Grand Chapter Leaders are Sister Kimberly D. Kelsey, grand worthy matron; S.P. Robert D. Dunston, grand worthy patron and Ill.; Willard N. Freeland, grand deputy inspector general.
The hosting chapter was Evening Star 611, OES, Charlotte, where Sister Melissa Gist, serves as worthy matron.
Volunteer luncheon
On April 25, The Meadows of Rockwell held a volunteer luncheon.
Alan Hess, choir director for Bible Missionary Church had the opening prayer. Becky Eidson, the activity director for The Meadows of Rockwell, gave the welcome. The kitchen staff served a meal enjoyed by all. Hess presented Christian music and Eidson told jokes.
Special entertainment was presented by Mailvis (Michael Thomas).
There were 55 guests attending were volunteers who give so much of themselves to make others happy. Volunteers include ministers, ladies’ church groups, youth groups and advisors, church choirs and other singing groups, and Santa’s Helpers, many of whom often do parties for the residents.
Many local churches were represented, along with numerous people who are outing assistants. Volunteers range in age from 6 to 92.
Mother’s Day brunch
A Mother’s Day brunch was held May 9 at the home of Deborah Granford of Salisbury, and organized by Grace Smith, celebrating their mothers with food, family and close friends.
They celebrated five generations of motherhood ranging in age from 21 to 80.
Honored were special mothers: Moree Granford, Rena Wilfong, Emma Foster, Doris Garrison and Annie Ealy, and a host of daughters, nieces, cousins, friends and special guest Eva Brown, a Mary Kay rep, who was on hand to give a facial to the mothers .
Gifts were given to everyone who attended.
The youngest at the brunch was Kingston Granford, 4 months old. The person who traveled the farthest, Andrea Bestman, came from Raleigh.
The brunch ended with a prayer by Rena Wilfong.