Tribune staff reports
Seymour chapter 134 Order of the Eastern Star conducted a reception Sept. 19 to honor Wanda Gray, Grand Adah of the Indiana Grand chapter Order of the Eastern Star.
The reception was at Central Christian Church, and guests were greeted for pictures in the lobby in front of stained glass windows.
Visitors were welcomed by Worthy Matron Brenda Goss. Assisting with the activities were Associate Patron Rick Smith, conductress Gale Acton and organist Rebecca Roland, who is a past grand organist.
Photographers for the afternoon were Paul Barnett and Kristie Batey.
The tribute was given by Sister Betty Swisher, a past grand matron, and Brother Fred Smith, a past grand patron.
Sister Gray then introduced state chapter Worthy Grand Matron Tina Vredenburgh and Worthy Grand Patron Larry Frost. Escorted across the East and introduced were past grand matrons and past grand patrons of Indiana Grand chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Sister Loretta Riehl, Order of the Eastern Star representative to the Masonic Home Board, and her husband, Jack Riehl, and Brother Dwayne Taylor, grand trustee, and his wife, Geneva Taylor.
The Dare to Dream Grand Family escorted and introduced were Sister Nancy Frost, wife of the worthy grand patron; Brother George Vredenburgh, husband of the worthy grand matron; Sister Jill Rice, the associate grand matron, and her husband, Jon; Brother Ron Mendenhall, the associate grand patron, and his wife, Karen; Sister Cindy Skura, the grand conductress; Sister Diana Surfus, the associate grand conductress; Brother Les Simonton, the grand chaplain, and his wife, Cheryl Simonton; Sister Alice Rogers, Grand Ruth; Sister Jenny Nicholson, Grand Esther; Sister Sheryl Lentz, Grand Martha, and her husband, Cliff Lentz; Sister Phyllis Graff, Grand Electa, and her husband, Dick Graff; Sister Charlene Holley, grand warder; and Brother Robert DeRolf, grand sentinel, and his wife, Melody DeRolf.
District deputies and their spouses, also known as the Pretty Penguins and their Snow Buddies, escorted and introduced were from districts 1 to 7, 10 to 16 and 18 to 21.
Introduced from the floor were the S&S Bouquet of Love Grand Family, grand chapter committee members, grand representatives, worthy matrons and worthy patrons, past matrons and past patrons and past grand organists, and Kylie Batey, grand drill leader of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in Indiana.
Escorted across the East were Wanda’s family, including her husband, Denver, their two sons and their families, including eight grandchildren, and her brother and sister-in-law.
Tiffany Ingles, deputy sister of Wanda Gray, provided the entertainment playing a medley of Elvis Presley tunes with titles appropriate to the Eastern Star life of the honored guest. She also played “Larghetto Religioso,” a clarinet duet accompanied by Roland on the organ.
The benediction was given by Brother Dwayne Taylor, past grand patron, with Brother Larry Frost, worthy grand patron, giving the table grace. Dinner instructions were given by Brother Rick Smith, associate patron. The Loyal Devoir of the church served the meal. Tables were decorated with blue tulle accented with blue violets and blue butterflies.