Most Worthy Grand Matron's 2011 Official Visit
by Claudia Johnson, Deputy to the MWGM in Alaska
Joining the Most Worthy Grand Matron Sister Rennie Ofton on the trip to Alaska was Worthy Grand Esther, Sister Margaret Clarke; Worthy Grand Adah, Sister Marilyn Woods; the Ambassador to Alaska, Sister Violet Blair and her husband Worthy Patron Brother Alvin Blair.
First stop: Juneau Alaska, where we enjoyed the fellowship of the Juneau Chapter #7 with several no-host dinners, a potluck dinner, and then a Wine Tasting party at the home of Al and Georgene Brookman’s where we sampled their homemade wines. The Official Visit was held in one of Juneau’s finest welding shops; the members of Juneau Chapter #7 were all complimented by the unusual décor of metal pipes and other assorted equipment that graced our meeting place! Juneau Assembly #3 Rainbow Girls presented a special program with the Star Point Sisters. A sightseeing trip to Mendenhall Glacier became memorable by a sighting of a Black Bear.
Stop # 2: Soldonta, Alaska, We enjoyed the fellowship with the members of Star of the North Chapter #17 with a no host dinner, a potluck, and the Official Visit of the Most Worthy Grand Matron. A special entertainment depicting the life of early settlers in Soldotna was performed by two local residents. The next morning we enjoyed a brunch of quiche and tea before our departure back to Anchorage. Unfortunately the weather was not cooperating and several planned excursions had to be cancelled. But Mother Nature, to make up for the disappointment, graced us with another viewing of a black bear as it ran across the highway in front of us as we were driving back to Anchorage.
Stop # 3: Palmer, Alaska, We traveled farther up North for the Official Visit of Matanuska Valley Chapter #14 and were given a tour of the area with a visit to the Musk Ox Farm. Later that evening we enjoyed the companionship of the members with a potluck and the Official Meeting of the Most Worthy Grand Matron.
Stop # 4: Fairbanks, Alaska, We flew to Fairbanks for the combined visit of Midnight Sun Chapter #6 and Fairbanks Chapter #18. We were given a brief tour of Fairbanks with a stop to view the Alaskan Pipeline and enjoyed the Native Culture Center; a potluck with a featured dish of Moose Stew was enjoyed by all, along with the Official Visit.
Stop # 5: Anchorage, Alaska, Many Sisters and Brothers joined us for a no-host dinner at the Sourdough Mining Company, with the Alaskan Dusty Miller show afterwards. The Official Visit of the Most Worthy Grand Matron was a combined visit of Anchorage Chapter #8 and Denali Chapter #16. We got the opportunity to meet one of the Anchorage’s Service Dogs, Remy and her owner Laure McConnell, who is an Alaskan local. MWGM Sister Rennie was most delighted to meet them both. During the meeting we had the pleasure of having one of Denali Chapter #16 members, Brother John (Klondike) Bishop; tell his rendition of the tale of Robert Service “The Shooting of Dan McGrew.” Much to the delight of all, as the story progressed the lights in the Chapter room kept getting dimmer and dimmer; suddenly the lights went out, gunshots sounded and a woman screamed!
Our Chapters in Alaska may be small, but our spirit is huge, and the chapters perform many charitable services to our areas hoping to make a difference. We hope that our Special Guests enjoyed our hospitality, as much as we enjoyed their company!
I would like to make special acknowledgments to many sisters and brothers who gave of their time selflessly to make this trip successful and enjoyable. Sister Joan Morgan, of Denali Chapter #16, who tirelessly gave of her time and energy to provide us with transportation throughout our travels in Alaska. Her knowledge of Alaska facts and points of Interests made her the perfect tour guide. Sister Janise Markham, of Juneau Chapter #7, for all the hard work she did to make her chapter’s official visit a success and who provided us with the transportation, Sister Andrea Miller, who gave a guided tour of Juneau. Brother Al and Sister Georgene Brookman, of Juneau Chapter #7, for hosting a wine tasting party at their home. Sister Tichi Cole, Sister Billie Meissinger, and Sister Nita Douthit, of Star of the North Chapter #17, for all the hard work and the guided tour of the area. Sister Claudianne Jones, Sister Audrey Walter, of Matanuska Valley #14, who opened their homes to us for a lovely luncheon, a place to rest and change in preparation for the official visit. Sister Ashley Morris, Brother Dwight Morris, of Midnight Sun Chapter #6, for providing transportation and sightseeing. Sister Barbara Kennedy, of Denali chapter #16, has photographed Alaskan Eastern Star events for many years. In addition, to all the other Sisters and Brothers of our Alaskan Chapters, who welcomed us all warmly and made the “Official Visit to Alaska Tour” a huge success.
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