MIJD East Coast Activities

Pennsylvania
I have heard a great deal about the east coast, but until this weekend I have hardly been past the Mississippi River.  I have enjoyed the trees and hills here; it is such a different sight than the area in Wyoming that I am from.  As we drove closer and closer to Elizabethtown, PA for the Grand Bethel Weekend, I got increasingly more excited.  The schedule looked promising and so did some of the sight seeing opportunities; I could tell that this was going to be a good trip.

Before the weekend started, the Duskey family took us to see Hershey Chocolate World.  We got a grand tour of the factory- complete with singing cows.  I was anxious to browse the gift shops and was temped to buy a five pound chocolate bar.  Faith Duskey, GG, drove us around the city of Hershey and I got a kick out of the Hershey Kisses streetlamps and chocolate street names. I had a great time laughing with the crazy Duskey girls!!  Love you! 
 
My first impression of the PA Job’s Daughters was great!  I jumped into a game of Hollywood Squares when I arrived and many of the girls did their best to make me feel welcome.  I enjoyed the group activities and was blown away at the facilities of the Masonic Conference Center.  After dinner I did a little swimming and of course stayed up way too late having girl talk with my roommates.  The next day was packed with activities including the Grand Bethel meeting, at which the Majority Ceremony was given.  After that we changed clothes for a hike along the grounds (beautiful!), a talent show, and finally the day wrapped up with an Oscar dinner and dance- Yehaw!  I now know that one thing is for certain- PA Jobies know how to have a good time!  The next morning came incredibly quickly (hey, who needs sleep anyway?) and church started bright and early at seven.  Some of the PA Jobies and I did a skit about Christmas and we concluded with prayer and a Christmas carol.  Needless to say, the weekend was busy, but I enjoyed all of the food and events.  I hope that was not my last Grand Bethel Weekend.

Also on Sunday we were able to attend a regular meeting of the Bethel in Mechanicsburg.  I was glad to see Erin Nicole’s home bethel and watch her, her sisters, and Bethel perform their Ritual work.  I managed to win a trivia prize and a random drawing prize while I was there, too.  Following the meeting we had refreshments before making our way to tour some of the area. 

One of my favorite places that we visited was Gettysburg, PA.  We unknowingly went to Gettysburg on the anniversary of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.  That explained the fact that there was no available parking- and why there was a huge crowd gathered to hear a reenactment of that famous day in history.  We were privileged to hear Tom Brokaw speak, and to witness the address delivered by a Lincoln look-alike.  After that we watched the exhibit of the progression of the battle and gained a better understanding of the positions of the troops as well as the landmarks of the battle.  I was impressed by the grounds and the monuments and memorials surrounding the area.  My only complaint was that we were not able to spend more time there.

Thank you to the Mary Etta Wright Grand Bethel for the sweatshirt and donation to by travel fund.  Your support is greatly appreciated. To the Duskey family: thank you for taking me to see Hershey, I loved it!  I would also like to send out a special thanks to the adults and especially the Daughters who made my trek to Pennsylvania so memorable.  The laughter, memories and friendships are what I will cherish for years to come.

North Carolina

Unfortunately, our visit with North Carolina was brief.  We left Monday morning and made it for supper in Raleigh.  The Bethel Guardian and Guardian Secretary met us at a place called Fat Daddy’s- yummy!  We visited throughout the meal about the progress of the Bethel and the upcoming holiday season.  I looked forward to meeting some of the girls on Tuesday night.  Apparently the rain followed us south, because it started raining sometime Tuesday and continued that night and the following day.  Three Daughters, and a handful of council members and mothers met us at the Golden Corral for an informal gathering.  The girls are busy with school and were anxious for Thanksgiving break.  The Bethel was placed under reorganization and has plans to get prospective members interested to keep their bethel growing.  Of course I ate too much food but we had fun getting to know each other.  The rain didn’t let up so we called it a night so everyone could make it home safely 

Virginia Pageant

The pageant weekend in Virginia started the Friday after Thanksgiving.  I was able to stay with the “misses” during the pageant, and we definitely had a good time together.  During their competitions on Friday, I was able to meet the contestants and alternates.  Their competition consisted of judge and master of ceremonies interviews, robe judging, and ritual recitation.  I was interested to hear that they had the girls repeat the proficiency work for the recitation.  

That night we had an informal dinner, with a special guest speaker.  Mrs. Carter, a woman living Williamsburg, Virginia during the pre-Revolutionary War era, told us about her life.  She was dressed in costume and could answer any question that we asked about that era, current events and people during that time.  She was very entertaining and I learned a great deal about the Williamsburg area and people that were critical in shaping the America we live in today.   After dinner the contestants and alternates changed clothes and we met for a fun party.  There was karaoke, dance revolution and lots of laughter.  It was great to see all of the girls having a good time with each other.  

While the pageant girls took the written test, I was able to tour colonial Williamsburg.  The buildings were in amazing condition and the shops were fascinating to browse through.  We were able to stop for hot cider and freshly baked sweet potato muffins and gingerbread cookies.  I was amazed at the history that was still intact and enjoyed a colonial marching band that swept through the town- as they passed the people hopped in line behind them.  I loved it!   

Pageant night ran smoothly.  Both Sara and Bev gave their closing remarks with grace and everyone was anxious to find out who the new misses would be.  Tara Reynolds was crowed Miss Job’s Daughter of Virginia, and Rebecca Horne was crowed Miss Congeniality.  Each one of the contestants and alternates represented their bethels wonderfully.  Everyone got his or her groove on for the dance following the pageant. 

The next morning was the official Supreme visit meeting.  Church was first and the message was about the “Attitude of Gratitude” and very fitting for the Thanksgiving weekend.  Each Daughter on the floor was a Princess or Honored Queen in Virginia and all of those capes and crowns looked majestic.  Their work was great and the dream catcher ceremony was very special. 

I would like to send a special thanks to Sara, Bev and their mothers for all of the laughter we shared together, and to Georgeanna Murto and Dee Boze for taking us on the tour of Colonial Williamsburg- all of you made my trip to VA unforgettable. 

Delaware

What a fun group of girls!  While the Jurisdictional Guardian Council had a meeting, I went out with Jessica, Miss Job’s Daughter of Delaware, her older sister Jennifer, Jurisdictional Bethel Honored Queen, and Amanda, Jr. Miss Job’s Daughter of Delaware for a night on the town.  They took me to a place called the Coal Pit for an amazing chocolate shake.  Afterwards we did what girls to best- shopping!  I doubt I need to mention that we had a good time together and I was especially happy because Delaware has no sales taxJ.

The Jurisdictional Council met us for dinner the following night and treated us to some of the best ribs I have ever had.  The meeting that followed was equally good.  Jessica presided beautifully and the meeting ran smoothly since all of the girls knew their parts.  It seems that the Jurisdictional Guardian Council is doing its best to promote and bring the bethels in Delaware together.  They brought up some good issues regarding a how a JGC works that will hopefully be addressed soon.  Dinner after the meeting was great, and it gave me time to meet more of the Delaware Jobies, many of which I saw the following weekend at Maryland’s pageant. 

Special thanks to the girls who took the time to give me a taste of Delaware and to the Daughters for the gift bag full of Delaware stuff!  I appreciate your hospitality and smiles.

Maryland Pageant

Before Maryland’s pageant weekend, we were able to spend some time with Mike and Bobbi Hoglund’s family as well as Lori Schuessler, GG of Maryland.  Shortly after we crossed the border we stopped for some famous Maryland crab cakes.  I can say first hand that there is a good reason that they are famous!  For the next couple of days we stayed with Hoglund’s and enjoyed some home cooking, relaxation and all of the other comforts of staying in a home J 

The first meeting we attended was a Grand Visit of the Grand Guardian Council in Maryland at Bethel 35.  It ran smoothly and I was impressed with the programs that their GGC has implemented to encourage girls to travel and gain membership.  After the meeting we rode with Schuesslers to their home where we spend the next few days.  

On the first of December, they took us out to see Baltimore and its surrounding attractions.  First we went to Fort McHenry, a fort that was made famous during the War of 1812 and the inspiration of Francis Scott Key’s Star Spangled Banner.  A video explained the events that transpired at the fort and concluded with a curtain rolling back to reveal Old Glory waving in the misty morning as our national anthem was played in the background.  It brought us to our feet and a lump in my throat.  We toured the fort and I learned a lot from the self-guided tour.  From there we went to the inner harbor in Baltimore.  We went shopping for most of the afternoon and had Phillip’s for lunch- the cream of crab was to die for!  Before going to dinner at Hard Rock Café, we stopped in Barnes and Noble.  Dinner was great and I enjoyed Patience and Rochelle’s company.  My favorite tour in Maryland was to the aquarium.  Wow!  The facility was much, much larger than I expected and put together very well.  The exhibits were fascinating and I was continually amazed at all of the little sea creatures.  After a little practice, I learned how to say the name of the Hawaiian fighting fish.

The pageant started the following day.  The contestants and alternates met at the Scottish Rite building (gorgeous!) for their competition.  Their pageant consists of a take home test, an on-site written test, regalia judging, oral recitation of a messenger part, judge’s interview and MC interview which is not judged.  I helped out as a runner of scores and met the girls throughout the day.  Mike, Kim and Greg Hoglund made dinner and quickly after I changed into a formal for the pageant.  It was held in the auditorium of the Scottish Rite building- possibly for the last time in that location.  The contestants did a great job, and I enjoyed hearing their biographies.  Rebecca Fayer won Miss Maryland, her father, the AGG of Maryland, was very excited.  She has big shoes to follow after Stacey Marley.  Following the pageant, we were escorted into the room for the dance.  The Quad Squad was in attendance and we had a great time together- I love those girls! 

Breakfast the next morning was our Official Visit.  It was an Irish theme and we had a ball with the games.  If someone caught another person crossing any body part, they would get to take their Irish pin that was handed out earlier.  We certainly had a lot of fun with that as well as the Irish word search and word scramble.  During breakfast, brief introductions and remarks were given.  Following the breakfast, many of those in attendance went to a local nursing home as part of a community service project.

Special thanks to the Schuessler family for providing a bed, food and laughter while I was in Maryland.  Also thanks to the Hoglund family for letting me stay at their house before the pageant.  I felt like home there and was so excited to see a Christmas tree setup!  Dad Fayer, thank you for the fireman’s shirt!

  Huntington, West Virginia

Although our meeting with the girls from Huntington was brief, we left feeling hopeful.  Their Bethel has been under reorganization for a number of terms, and their membership is down to three active members.  Only two of them were able to meet with us, along with three parents and their ABG.  Most of the discussion revolved around whether or not to close their bethel, and about ten girls from another town in West Virginia that are anxious to join the Order.  After much deliberation and negotiation, they were given to March 1^st to double their membership, or they would be prompted to remove their charter.  As for the girls in Clarksburg, it is possible for them to be initiated by a Bethel in Ohio, or pending they get 15 members they could charter another bethel.  I am anxious to see how it works, and wish the two girls from Huntington the best of luck.

While we were in Huntington, we met with Pat Wolf, Assisting Supreme Deputy, and her husband Ron.  We went out for dinner before the meeting at a place called Marshall.  I was excited to hear that Matthew McConaughey dined there during the filming of the movie “We Are Marshall.” The time we shared was great and filled with a lot of laughter.  I am looking forward to seeing them again at the Ohio Statewide Initiation. 

Louisville, Kentucky

We arrived a few days before the visit, and had some time to do some sight seeing in Louisville.  Of course we stopped by Churchill Downs, but my favorite was the Louisville Slugger Museum, where a massive slugger is standing outside the door.  You can’t miss it.  I enjoyed the shop and the tour through the factory- it was fascinating to hear all of the statistics and to watch the formation of a wooden rod to a precisely calculated bat within 30 seconds.  The museum part of it was equally impressive, and we even had time to check out the batting cage and watch a 90 mph pitch- insane!  All of that baseball made me hungry for a ballpark frank.

Jobie Love,
Erin Leigh Weisshaar
MIJD 2006-2007

 Published as received