Rainbow Rays Winter 2017

Nebraska Grand Assembly

June 8-10, 2018

From GWA Joy… Hello Rainbow Family!

I hope you all had a joyful holiday season!

The Masonic Youth Leadership Conference happened September 23rd-24th. It was held at the Holiday Inn in Kearney, Nebraska. The theme for the conference was “To Infinity and Beyond!” They brought back some favorite alumni speakers, which were Josh Shipp andAmanda Hammit. We learned about service dogs and about success in growing membership in our Orders. Also, we were set loose in Hy Vee with a limit of about $74 to collect items for the Food Pantry in Kearney. Our after dinner entertainment was a

hypnotist. I had the honor of being part of the Masonic Family Portrait. Being part of that Portrait has been an absolute dream of mine, and I still can't believe it came true.

On November 5th I represented Nebraska Rainbow at the Daughter’s of the Nile Supreme Queen Visit for Sat-ra Temple. November 10th, Faith Hartranft and I attended the Tribute to American Veterans presented by Lancaster Lodge #54 A.F.&A.M. On November 19th, was the Grand Cross of Color Ceremony. It was held at Elkhorn-Waterloo Assembly #38. They held an amazing Masonic Family Thanksgiving Dinner afterward.

On December 2nd, Mallory Krishna and I headed up to Sioux City with a car full of donations to help out with Noah’s Hope Adoption Event at Petsmart. We met up with Lynn Broyhill Assembly #12 who was selling homemade dog treats.

So far Nebraska Rainbow has donated about 375 items! That's awesome everyone!!

I know we can get this number higher!

Happy New Year!

With Rainbow Love and Service, Joy Hartranft Grand Worthy Advisor 2017-2018

Winter 2017-2018 ● Rainbow Rays

HOW MANY WAYS CAN WE SAY

THANK YOU TO OUR MOTHER ADVISORS?

You who have served so well in 2017--Kerri Straub #2, Tina Mogensen #5, Jen Reid Jan-June and Tiffany Westerholt July-Dec #6, Cindy Pedersen #12, Laurel Wolfe #22, Sabrina Chastain #24, Ann Daudt #34, Amanda Kloke/Diane Moats #38 thank you, thank you, thank you. Every Assembly has faithful Associate Mother Advisors, Mother Advisor assistants, parents, guardians, grandparents, and many other loyal Rainbow volunteers who help to carry part of the load. The girls and I sincerely thank the Mother Advisors and each one for all you do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MRS. TINA MOGENSEN

APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF GRAND REPRESENTATIVES Say “hello” to the new Director of Grand Representatives Tina Mogensen. After serving as Assistant to the Director, Tina is stepping up to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Mrs. Sandi Hahn. Sandi has served since 2005 and will remain as a member of the Grand Executive Board. Many thanks to Sandi for her many years of service as Director and congratulations to Tina on her promotion. This is a big job as all jurisdictions don’t do things the same way, appointments are made at Grand Assemblies throughout the year, and keeping track of the commissions can be a challenge. Thanks to you both.

GRAND ASSEMBLY APPOINTMENTS

Grand Worthy Advisor Joy Hartranft announced the following appointments for 2017-2018.

GRAND PAGES Josette Charbonneau #24

Ashlynn Cooper #12 Kayci Daudt #34

Georgia Tucker #6 Addisyn Bickford #5

GRAND ASSISTANT OUTER OBSERVERS Madie Newcomb #12 Samantha Zustra #2

Eliza Donley #6 Kaylee Price #6

Chloe Biddle #38

GRAND FLAG TRIBUTES & FLAG BEARERS

AMERICAN FLAG TBA

NEBRASKA FLAG Emma King #34

CHRISTIAN FLAG Cambrie Ellege #6

RAINBOW FLAG Beatrice Smith #2

JOB’S DAUGHTERS FLAG Meghann McCurdy MNJD

DEMOLAY FLAG Joel Phillips, State Beau

MASONIC FLAG Carter Lamb #22

EASTERN STAR FLAG Sarah Mooney PGWA/JMGEB

JUNIOR CHAIRMAN of GRAND REPRESENTATIVES

Rachel Bussen #6

Congratulations to the girls and their Assemblies on these honors. Other

appointments have been made. There will be additional announcements after

acceptances have been received. 8888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Joy Hartranft Grand Worthy Advisor

Betty Garwood Supreme Patriotism Supreme Inspector

Thelma Domingo Past Supreme Inspector &

Member House of Gold

HHHEEELLLLLLOOO NNNEEEBBBRRRAAASSSKKKAAA!!!!!!!!! From Supreme Inspector Betty Garwood ~ Dec/Jan 2017-18

Reminder to Seniors

ü Eastern Star Grand Chapter

$1000 April 1 deadline ü Eastern Star Chapter scholarships

in your area $500; check with the Chapter or your school counselor

ü Your sponsoring chapter/lodge may have a special scholarship… check it out; ask questions

ü Grand Lodge-3 possible $1000 scholarships May 1 deadline

ü Sesostris Shrine for Lincoln, Weeping Water and Plainview girls; $1000 May 31 deadline

ü “Mom” Scheurich Educational Loan $500/semester interest free loan; apply anytime wwwQUICK LOOKSwww

wNebraska will host the Ice Cream Social for the Supreme Family at SA in July. w2018 Supreme Assembly calendars available for $15; coins $10. wYou can put an ad in the SA Souvenir Book wStill looking for a 75th Anniversary of Nebraska Grand Assembly celebration chairman. Kick-off is in 2 years! wI don’t think I told you the Supreme Worthy Advisor Joanie Jacka who visited GA in June complimented our girls on their work. Good job ladies! wPGWA Courtney Cardisco welcomed a new daughter in August. wSympathy to the family of Edna Hesson of Omaha. Edna was one of the first in Nebraska to join Eastern Star on her Rainbow membership. wAnother special PWA Omaha #1, Katherine Kirby celebrated her 100th birthday.www

Grand Cross of

ElkhornAssembly No. 38 the fall Grand Cross activitiesThanksgiving Dinner for the Masonic Family. The Grand Cross degree, tributes, and breabreaking ceremony were all done in the Assembly ceremonial Sarah MooneyCeremoniesChaplainMarshal, Truth, MaVision, Victory, Keeper ofCrown Bearer, Madisyn TritzBearer, CeremoniesGrace, Rachel BussenChastainMoats- Tributes,Mrs. Mary Most Worshipful Brother Myers, Grand Master attendedwith dignitaries who represented every organization in the Masonic family. Service never stops. After the ceremonies, an abundant Thanksgiving dinner was enjoyed by all. Elkhorn Waterlooof their hospitality.

Fall Grand Cross Team & Directors----------------------------------------

Call, write or email…

Phone Fax 402.494.8690

Sadly, last year no Rainbow Girl received a Grand Lodge scholarship.

The one application received was incomplete and disqualified. Don’t

miss these opportunities!

Grand Cross of Color

Elkhorn-Waterloo Assembly No. 38 hosted the fall Grand Cross activities which included a grand Thanksgiving Dinner for the Masonic Family. The Grand Cross degree, tributes, and bread-breaking ceremony were all done in the Assembly room. The fall ceremonial team consisted of Sarah Mooney-Master of Ceremonies, Hayly Daudt-Chaplain, Annabella Glatte-

, Kaydi Daudt-Sister of Makayla Leiting-Sister of

, Mallory Krishna-Sister of , Brileigh Uhing-Grand

Keeper of the Door, Sophie Hanna-Crown Bearer, Madisyn Tritz-Cross Bearer, Makayla Leiting-Mistress of Ceremonies, Morgan Chandler-

Rachel Bussen- MacKenzie Chastain- Kaydi Daudt- Madeline

Bread Attendants and , Torrey Brown-soloist,

Mrs. Mary Ann Stevens-Musician. Most Worshipful Brother Rick

, Grand Master of Masons attended. The sidelines were filled with dignitaries who represented every organization in the Masonic family. Service never stops.

After the ceremonies, an abundant Thanksgiving dinner was enjoyed by all. Thank you to Elkhorn Waterloo Assembly for all of their hospitality.

Fall Grand Cross Team & Directors ----------------------------------------

Need something? Call, write or email… MRS. BETTY GARWOOD

Supreme Inspector 520 Timberline Drive

South Sioux City, NE 68776 one 402.494.5159 Cell 712.223.5159

Fax 402.494.8690 Email bgar4425@aol.com

SUPREME ASSEMBLY 2018 It is time to start thinking about traveling to Hampton, Virginia for the “Reach for the Stars” Supreme Assembly session July 26 to August 1, 2018. Sheli Rice and Sue Hedges have volunteered to coSheli will handle the registrations and Sue will be the Tour Director. Attendees will make their own transportation arrangements so if you plan to go, you might want to start looking for bargain flightsSession details and costs will coming out soon! Grand Assembly pays $50 of the expenses for any girl who participates in the or Supreme ritual competition.

ANOTHER TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY

COMING UP FAST!We are hoping to make a trip to

the SUPREME ASSEMBLY TEMPLE IN MCALESTER, OK

for GWA Joy’s spring event. Plans are just beginning. We are trying to determine the best date to coincide with as many spring breaks as possible. It like midthe best time. Cost will depend on method of travel. We would liketake a bus IF we can get enough girls and adults committed to take the

trip. Otherwise we will be looking for drivers.include meals, Friday travel and hotel, Saturday at the Supreme Temple with an initiation in the Supreme Assembly room ifpossible, Sunday return home. Girls and Adults, iinterested in going, please contact Betty G

SUPREME ASSEMBLY 2018 It is time to start thinking

about traveling to Hampton, Reach for the

Supreme Assembly session July 26 to August 1, 2018. Sheli Rice and Sue Hedges have volunteered to co-chair the trip. Sheli will handle the registrations and Sue will be the Tour Director. Attendees will make their own transportation arrangements so if you plan to go, you might want to start looking for bargain flights. Session details and costs will be

soon! Grand Assembly pays $50 of

the expenses for any girl who participates in the Supreme choir

ritual competition.

HER TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY

COMING UP FAST! We are hoping to make a trip to

SUPREME ASSEMBLY TEMPLE IN MCALESTER, OK

for GWA Joy’s spring event. Plans are just beginning. We are trying to determine the best date to coincide with as many spring breaks as possible. It is looking

mid-March will be the best time. Cost will depend on method of travel. We would like to take a bus IF we can get enough girls and adults committed to take the

Otherwise we will be looking for drivers. Cost will

Friday travel and hotel, Saturday at the Supreme Temple with an initiation in the Supreme Assembly room if possible, Sunday return home. Girls and Adults, if you are interested in going, please contact Betty G now!

MMMOOOTTTHHHEEERRR AAADDDVVVIIISSSOOORRRSSS’’’ CCCOOORRRNNNEEERRR

(NOT JUST FOR MOTHER ADVISORS…IT IS OKAY FOR EVERYBODY TO READ THIS PAGE!)

ANNUAL REPORTS & FEES There are no big changes of which I am aware except need signed Code of Conduct form from adults. Please double-check that you are sending me everything that is required. Check it off! When you send your Annual Reports to me, you will need to include the following: 2 copies of Annual Report; make 3 copies keep one for your records. Put seal on each. 1 check to Supreme Assembly for dues/fees 1 check to Grand Assembly for dues/fees 1 check to Grand Assembly for Grand Cross/Service to Rainbow nominations IF applicable. 2 copies of Assembly Roster; make 3 copies keep one for your records. Financial Report and Audit Mother Advisors Identification form for 2018 All Advisory Board Members MUST have background checks. All Adults need to sign a Code of Conduct.

RECOMMENDATIONS for 2018 2018 Recommendations go to Mrs. Laurie Sieg, Chairman of the Grand Executive Board. Grand Officers must be present for Grand Assembly Installation on Sunday, June 10; no exceptions. Grand Representatives should be, but special circumstances will be considered. If your Assembly has specific guidelines which you follow in making recommendations and want followed in the appointment process, please note those very specifically on your recommendation forms or in a cover letter. Give very specific details of a girl’s qualifications and the basis for a recommendation. Use the recommendation form format provided. There is a page for the girls recommended for Grand Officers to complete. Reminder: While both girls and Advisory Boards may suggest the offices preferred, there are no guarantees that the office preferred will be the office to which a girl is appointed. Every grand office is equally important! While I understand the perception differs, I assure girls and adults alike that no office carries more importance than any other. Responsibilities may differ, but the importance of the offices is equal.

RUSHEE EVENTS Do you remember an Assembly can receive $25 for hosting a Rushee party/event up to 4 times a year? There is a form which can be emailed to me; when received, I will let GA Treasurer Greg Mason know you should receive a check!

NOT ENOUGH TIME? Even when you think you don’t have enough time or girls to do Opening and Closing, do something! Review ritual. Practice something. Make the most of every meeting.

Membership Growth is critical to every Assembly. We can’t share the Rainbow without girls.

GRAND REPRESENTATIVES Check with your Grand Representatives from time to time to see if they are corresponding with their counterparts. You might give this task to an Advisory Board member or parent. IF a girl has not received a commission or if she has attempted to communicate with her counterpart and received no response, let me know. I will contact MY counterpart in those jurisdictions for assistance! AND $$$$ Grand Assembly provides $200 for expenses to every Grand Representative who attends the Grand Assembly of the jurisdictions they represent. After attending the session, make a Report to Tina Mogensen who will notify Greg Mason and a check will be issued to the girl. The girls get this information in their GR packets at Grand Assembly.

TRADEMARK AGREEMENT Grand Assembly pays to be able to use the Rainbow emblems and “Rainbow gets girls ready for life” trademarks. If you would want to have a t-shirt, other merchandise, a brochure, etc. with one of the four trademarked logos made for your assembly, contact me for approval. You have a copy of the agreement in your files. Supreme wants to assure the quality of anything that has our emblem and brand on it.

WINTER GEB MEETING The Grand Executive Board and Deputies will meet on February 10. If you have anything for discussion, please let me know. This is a good time to bring up any suggestions for Grand Assembly which could make your lives easier. I can’t promise it will happen, but I can promise we will listen.

AWARDS Power of One Medals/Stars for each new member Dad Walt Miller for 3 new members—no time limit Supreme Necklaces until about July 1; contact Sheli Rice Grand Worthy Advisor Contests until Grand Assembly Grand Cross 1 girl, 1 adult, 1 Service to Rainbow for each 3 initiates per year. No carryover from year to year. Build a Bow tickets to Worlds of Fun for seven (7) new members initiated during a term Assembly of Excellence be working toward goals Positive Growth Pizza Parties Don’t forget to collect

2018 EVENTS • School of Instruction Every term! • Tentative Trip to McAlester to visit the Supreme Temple

March 2018 • Grand Assembly June (7), 8, 9, 10 • Grand Visitations TBA • Supreme Assembly July 26-Aug 1 (start and end dates may

change depending on travel)

Every day reminder: Mother Advisors, I appreciate all you do. BJG

Winter 2017-2018 ● Rainbow Rays

Plainview#38 Plainview Assembly has had a busy few weeks! November 12th all the members participated in the Masonic Family Thanksgiving meal with Mount Vernon Chapter #84 OES and Plainview Lodge #204. Great fellowship and food was had by all! Sunday, November 19th Grand Faith, Hayly Daudt and Grand Confidential Observer, Kaydi Daudt traveled to Elkhorn Waterloo to help with the Fall Grand Cross Ceremony and stayed to participate in another Thanksgiving Feast with their Masonic Family and all of the Grand Cross Team.

Grand Faith, Hayly Daudt, was initiated into Mount Vernon Chapter #84, OES on November

16th in front of many visitors and guests from area Chapters. Her Grandfather, Larry Foster, served as Worthy Patron for the initiation.

December 9th, all members of Plainview Assembly traveled to Norfolk to help the Shriners host a Christmas party for the Shrine Hospital patients they have sponsored in the area. The girls helped greet the children and their families, do crafts, hand out gifts, and had lunch with 15 patients and their families. Afterwards, they were invited to a Christmas gift exchange with the Norfolk Jobs Daughters. We had a great time with our Masonic family at this event and can’t wait to do it again!

Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children Update

Dear Betty,

Wanted to drop you a quick note and thank you and the girls so much for all the wonderful stuff you’ve put together for the new cottage! We are about ready to open and we’ve been working hard to get thing set up and the donations are really going to help! We will be getting our new residents on January 3rd and I think we should all be proud of what our Fraternity has managed to do.

Please thank all the girls for me on behalf of myself and the Board of Directors of the Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children!

Thomas L. Hauder Past Grand Master of Masons of Nebraska AF & AM

Hello Winter!

Athena Assembly has been very busy this fall.

On Sunday, September 10, 2017, Athena Assembly had our fall installation and Kathryn Rice was installed as Worthy Advisor. We would like to thank everyone who was able to attend the installation.

We had a great time at the Backstage Tour at the Henry Doorly Zoo in November.

Athena #24 In December once again decorated Christmas Trees at the Plattsmouth Masonic Home. On Sunday December 10, 2017, we initiated our third girl for the year.

We will be assisting both Bellevue Lodge and Alpha Chapter at their installation of officers in January.

We will be serving a lunch for the Nebraska Grand Chapter’s supervisors in January as well.

In February we will be bowling

with our Masonic family and having a lock in.

Baker’s Community Rewards go to www.bakersplus.com/communityrewards Athena Assembly # 24 IORG organization number is 316447. Once you are enrolled you do not need to re-enroll every year.

Athena Assembly’s business meetings are usually the first Sunday of the month at 2:00 PM at the Bellevue Lodge.

Lynn Broyhill #12

Winter 2017-20182018 ● Rainbow Rays

Hello Nebraska Rainbow!

We hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season!

Benson Diana has been busy these past few months. We had a great time attending the Masonic Youth Leadership Conference in September! It was a great experience with wonderful speakers and activities.

In October, we had a fun night at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch! Our Worthy Advisor Madisyn Tritz and her mom both work at the Patch and were able to provide us with free tickets to attend – what a fun night!

We also held another Highway Cleanup in October, and closed out the month selling desserts at Tangier Shrine’s Hamburger Night.

In November, we had a great time at the Grand Cross of Color Ceremony. Thanks to Elkhorn for hosting, and for the great supper and fellowship afterwards!

December brought the holidays, and our annual Winter Ball Fundraiser and Dance! We also helped Board Member Bonnie Naylor’s work by creating a canned good display out of food they had collected to donate.

We held our Assembly Christmas Party on December 20th, which was a lot of fun.

We are excited to share that Benson Diana Assembly #2 turns 75 years old this year! We invite all of you to attend our Open House 1-4pm on Saturday February 3rd, the actual date we turn 75. We are hoping to gather lots of Majority Members and past Board Members to help us celebrate this special day.

We hope you all have a wonderful 2018, and we can’t wait to see you soon!

Benson Diana #2

Winter 2017-2018 ● Rainbow Rays

Dear Nebraska Rainbow,

Thank you for letting us be a part of your baby dedication ceremony at Grand Assembly. It is exciting to be associated with such an awesome group of girls. We loved the beautiful memory work and getting to meet all of you. We were especially excited to go through the ceremony with our new friend Ava. We look forward to seeing you all next year and hope you can attend Grand Assembly in 2028, when we hope to be initiated into Nebraska Rainbow.

In Rainbow Love and Service,

Piper & Jemma Mason

Winter 2017-2018 ● Rainbow Rays

Cindy Pedersen has lived in South Sioux City for over 20 years. She was born in Ohio and moved to Iowa as a young girl. She later graduated from Woodbury Central High School in Moville, IA and from St. Lukes School of Nursing in 1981. She has been an RN for 36 years, currently working for a staffing agency. Cindy hasbeen married to the best husband a girl could have for 9 years and between them they have 5 adult children who have blessed themwith 8 wonderful grandchildren. Their children and their families live in 5 different states so they do a lot of traveling. Cindy and her husband also had the Christmas light show near the high school. This will be the first year they won’t be doing a Christmas light show and hope it brightened Christmas a little more for people.

Cindy has been one of the adult

leaders for the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls for about 18 years and was a Rainbow girl once herself in Moville. The organizationhas always been near and dear to her. Two of their daughters were Rainbow Girls. It’s an organization for girls ages 11-21 with a group for the younger girls ages 6 to 10.

They work with the girls on citizenship, service to their communities, homes & churches. The girls learn public speaking skills, teamwork, organizational skills and work ethics. Girls have the opportunity to become better leaders. There is the belief in a Supreme Being. It’s a sisterhood for girls around the world and they form life lasting friendships.

Cindy has had the opportunity to see a young shy girl blossom into a beautiful, confident young woman. She has been the Mother Advisor off and on for about 16 years now and

Congratulations to Cindy Pedersen! Cindy Pedersen was named South Sioux City’s “Volunteer of the month” in November! Below is the article that appeared in their November monthly newsletter.

wouldn’t trade any of these moments for anything. These girls make her proud to be an advisor. The future of our country and our world is brighter because of this and other Masonic Youth Organizations.

Mom Schuerich Educational Loan Fund If you were once in high school, just

graduated from high school, are currently in high school, getting ready to start high school in the fall, or will be going into high school in the future…continue reading.

If you are a current member of Nebraska Rainbow or a Nebraska Majority Rainbow girl…continue reading.

If you are currently in college or are planning on going to college anytime in the future or know of any Rainbow Girls or Majority Rainbow Girls… continue reading.

If you have amassed a large fortune and are ready to pay for four years of college right now, you may stop reading.

If you are still reading, this message is for you:

College is a tremendous opportunity, but it can be a huge expense. Luckily as a member or majority member of Nebraska Rainbow, you have the ability to reduce that expense.

First, our wonderful sponsoring bodies of Masons and Eastern Star have several scholarships which you can apply for as a graduating senior, and some you can apply for once you are in college. Grand Lodge provides two and Grand Chapter has one scholarship, plus your local Lodges and Chapters often sponsor a scholarship or two. Most are due around April 1st. If you are watching the Super Bowl and haven’t heard anything about these scholarships, contact me and I’ll get the info to you.

Another opportunity unique to

Nebraska is the Mom Scheurich Educational Loan Fund. This loan program is in honor of Ola M. Scheurich, the first Supreme Inspector, and was established in the early 1960s. To be eligible you only need to be in good standing with your Assembly at the time of your application or at the time of your majority and be attending college. You can apply for a loan at any time during the year. Once approved by the committee, you are eligible for $500 per semester, $1000 a year, up to $5000 total. The loans are interest free, but you do have to pay them back within 10 years. If you would like more information about the scholarship, please contact me. You can reach me via phone, email, text, Facebook, and even snail mail.

Sincerely, Robyn Mason 402-484-5756, robynkt@gmail.com

Upcoming Events Nebraska Grand Assembly

June 8-10, 2018 Crete, Nebraska

Supreme Assembly July 29-August 1, 2018

Hampton, Virginia

If you have any events you would like added to this area or the

website, please contact Kerri at kstraub73@gmail.com!

Nebraska Grand Assembly International Order of the Rainbow for Girls Kerri Straub, GEB 15113 Butler Ave Omaha, NE 68116 NeRainbowRays@yahoo.com

Masonic Youth Leadership Conference 2017