On August 5, 2017 Batu, Zoe, Zoey, Joella, Katie, Sami, Dalanie, Gigi, and I went to the Norfolk Assembly Installation of Officers. I got to ride down with Vanessa, Zoe, Zoey, Batu, and Joella. Mom Paula drove us. I always like riding down with Mom Paula because it’s always entertaining to see Vanessa annoy Mom Paula 😊. The car ride down was very fun and entertaining. Fun tip, don’t fall asleep in the car! They will take pictures of you while you sleep! I was ecstatic when I saw how pretty the Chesapeake Bay is. I was also excited to go under a tile tunnel because it felt like I was in Japan.

We finally arrived at the Norfolk Masonic Temple around 1:45 pm and saw Pia get installed as Worthy Advisor. It was a very beautiful Installation and Pia wore the most gorgeous cream-colored dress. Pia’s theme is, “Life is a Journey Enjoy the Detours”. Her symbols is the compass, colors are blue, green, orange, and yellow, her mascot is the Kola bear (Penny), her service project is Pin Ministry, her charity project is for Hope for Life and Supreme 2018.

After the Installation, everyone went downstairs and ate some cake pops and spaghetti. While we were eating and socializing we saw the two newest Girls of the Assembly eat baby food as it is a tradition at Norfolk. Then Batu, Vanessa, and I rode home with Mom Paula. Overall it was a very fun trip and I hope to go to more installations in the future.

In Rainbow Love and Service,
M’Balu

On August 5, 2017, there was a sleepover at Norfolk’s Lodge. It was fun and playful. We setup blankets and pillows upstairs in their assembly room. The girls from our Assembly were, Dalanie, Zoey W, Katie, Sami, Gigi, Zoe N, and myself. The moms present were, Mom Robin and my mom, Mom Ange. Most of the girls were in a corner of the room and were playing games. Rachel, our Past Grand Worthy Advisor, got us some McDonalds, and I snarled down two burgers…. I was really hungry! We went out to a park nearby and played tag. There was a man dressed as a panda. Everyone got a kick out of that. After that, we went home and resumed our games. I named a salt packet Peppar (Swedish for pepper). My mom came around 10:00 PM with snacks and Capri Suns. She also got some apple juice, which Dalanie, Zoey W., and I gulped down (mostly Dalanie and I). Oh! And I also got pictures of everyone sleeping except Dalanie, My mom, Zoe, and me. Overall, I had an amazing time, and I wish I could go again!

In Rainbow Love and Service,
Joella

This year I had the opportunity to attend the NJ Grand Assembly with Kate B who had been appointed the Grand Representative to NJ at our Virginia Grand Assembly in July of this year.  The NJ Grand Assembly took place at the Hilton Hotel in Parsippany from August 11 – August 13, 2017.  Their Grand Worthy Advisor, Jenna Brink, selected the theme:  “Have Courage and Be Kind”; and her mascot was Cinderella.  Kate’s mom drove up with Kate, my mom, and me, and we were able to attend the Grand Officer Banquet and the Opening Session.

Kate and I were seated at the Grand Officer’s table during the Banquet and I was even able to get some phone numbers of the girls so I can keep in contact with them.  After the Banquet was over, we went over to the ball room that was the Assembly Room for the Grand Assembly Sessions.  I was surprised that they sat me in the East and I was introduced as a visiting dignitary.  Kate and I were both showered with gifts and everyone was very kind to us the entire evening.  We got three gift bags each: one from NJ Grand Assembly, one from the Grand Rep. Counterpart, and one from NJ OES.

I noticed differences between the NJ Grand Assembly and that of Virginia.  The Mother Advisors of the different Assemblies are introduced behind the Bow and then got to sit in the East.  All the visiting Grand Officers and Grand Representatives are introduced as a group behind the Bow and then go to the East as a group but then get to go up to stand with the Grand Worthy Advisor in the East and be individually introduced before going to their seats.  I think that’s neat!

They had two types of parades/contests during the opening session.  The first was for the Assembly and Pledge Group Banners.  NJ has nine active Assemblies and six active Pledge groups.  The banners were judged and the winner got to have a pizza party during Grand Assembly.  The second parade/contest was for the costumes for the Grand Representatives and some of them were pretty amazing!  The Grand Representatives dressed up to represent their appointed State/Grand term for that State.  My favorite one was the Dr. Seuss where the Grand Representative actually had a bookshelf that she pushed around the room.

There were several soloist songs sung and there were several Grand Officer Reports given.  I found it interesting that they announced the 2017-2018 Grand Officers during the opening session and even the Grand Worthy Advisor is appointed as a new officer and is not the Grand Worthy Associate Advisor for the prior year.  For the 2017-2018 Grand Year Amy Wilkie is the new GWA and her theme is:  “Don’t Just Fly, Soar with NJ Rainbow” and her mascot is Dumbo.  There was also a slide show of all the pictures throughout the year.  They also have the Grand Officers sign the Book of Memories during the Opening Session so that meeting is really long and lasted from 7:30pm until after 11pm. 

Once the Opening Session was over, we were able to meet up with Mom Renn, Mrs Susan Rennegal, our Supreme Worthy Advisor, since she was there as well! Kate was able to meet her new counterpart, Lydia, and she is also their Grand Hope.  We were very tired by the time we could finally go to bed, but we had a good time!

In Rainbow Love & Service,
Isabella C.

On July 22nd 2017, sisters Sierra, Taylor, and Victoria attended the DeMolay Conclave dance held at Christopher Newport University. It was very fun to see so many of the Masonic Youth just dancing and enjoying themselves. There were a few slow songs and some of the Richmond girls even got asked to dance! JPGWA Rachal Murray and GWA Libby Whitehouse were there, as well as girls from a lot of our Assemblies. We got to see some of our old friends as well.  Over all it was a fun night!