Happy 83^rd Birthday Lily Tomlin- 09/01/22

             Lily was born Mary Jean Tomlin to her parents Lillie Mae and Guy Tomlin on September 1^st , 1939 in Detroit, Michigan. She had one sibling Richard Tomlin. Lily is known for the role of Ernestine on Sesame Street and the voice of Ms. Frizzle on the Magic School Bus. Lily was also a Rainbow girl in Michigan and Ruth Buzzi, her co-star who played Ruthie on Sesame Street, was also a Rainbow girl in Rhode Island. Tomlin married Jean Wagner in 2013.

Miss Alaska Colleen Kendall- 9/4/22

                Colleen was born between 1937-1944 in Anchorage, Alaska. She is a famous rainbow girl in Alaska for being known as Miss Alaska in 1963 at the Alaska State Fair.  She was from Nugget Assembly #13 where she was the first Worthy Advisor of her assembly and the first grand officer during their first grand term. It’s unknown if she ever got married or had children. If she’s alive today she would between the ages of 78-85 years old today.

Hello there!  Today I will be telling you about South Carolina’s Grand Assembly.

I started off from my grandparents house driving to Richmond to pick up Noelle.  After we picked up Noelle, we drove another eight hours to South Carolina’s Grand. This year, South Carolina was having their Grand Assembly in Columbia. In the car, Noelle and I watched some shows and played some games.

When we finally arrived, we changed in the car and went straight to dinner at the Lodge. We had chicken wings and rolls for dinner.  After they were done serving dinner, the Grand Representatives went around the dinner room and showed off the arrows they made for the term. On the arrows were symbols and the name of their jurisdiction they were corresponding to. Afterward, Mom Dedra announced that they didn’t have enough new initiates to dump a bucket of ice on her head. However, there was still a lot of initiates, so she let some first line signers spray her all over with silly string. It was really funny.

After that, we went back to our hotel room. In the hotel room, we realized it’s not a grand assembly without a late night snack run. So me, Mom Christi, Kaitlyn, and Noelle drove to Walmart to pick up some snacks. We bought so many. That night, we played a game we bought and chilled.

The next day we woke up early to go to breakfast with my grandparents. After breakfast, there was not any sessions that we had to go to so we went to the zoo. At the zoo, we visited many animals such as lions, tigers, and rhinos. After our long adventure at the zoo, we went to the gift shop  where Noelle and I got matching necklaces. Our necklaces both had two baby turtles on them.

After the zoo, we headed back to the Lodge to eat lunch. After our delicious lunch, we headed down to the assembly room to get started on the first session.  The assembly room was kind of like a theater so you could see the stage from up above. One of the things that we did at the first session was initiation. After that session, we went to dinner and then went to another session.

After that long day, we went back to the hotel room and ate our mac & cheese and ramen. The next morning, we went to go eat breakfast and then went to a session. Next thing that we did was having lunch at the Lodge.  After lunch, we took a break in the hotel room, and we took some naps. Alyssa and I went over to the talent show what they were having, and Alyssa judged while I watched. I hung out with some other Virginia Rainbow girls and did the trivia that they included. After that, we got ready and headed to the banquet.

At the banquet, they did the same type of things that Virginia does in announcing the new officers.  However, in South Carolina you don’t apply for the office…. you just get awarded it. At the banquet, they had some delicious ham and mac & cheese, and they had one of the best cheesecakes I’ve ever had.

After finishing all of their work for the year we went to the hotel room and went to bed knowing there was a long day ahead tomorrow. The next day, most of the Virginia Rainbow girls left but Noelle and I stayed for the installation that was beautifully done. After the installation, we headed home knowing there were eight hours ahead. Overall, I can say South Carolina was a very fun Grand Assembly!

In Rainbow Love and Service,

Ella, Ashburn Assembly #11

On July 14th through the 17th of 2022, I had the privilege of traveling to the state of South Carolina to attend their “Let’s Go Explore” Grand Assembly! This was a very exciting trip for me because I not only went as the Grand Representative to South Carolina, but I also went to support our sister state and see all those who I met back in 2016 when I first visited South Carolina. 

To start, the car ride up was a very enjoyable experience. I got to spend some quality time with just me and my mom! This was the first long trip that we were able to just ride together, and I had the best experience spending time with her! On the way, we even found a Bath and Body Works Outlet in Smithfield, North Carolina! Now that was exciting! As we continued our travels, mom and I even stopped at a Ross that was right by our hotel where she got beautiful new dresses and I got a new pair of the most beautiful rainbow ombre high heels! 

Following the Thursday night, I joined South Carolina in their arrow making showcase. The Grand Representatives of South Carolina were tasked with decorating arrows that described their states. I was so excited to see Virginia’s arrow! The arrow was decorated beautifully with the background being blue with a VA in the center in pink! The boarder of the arrow was surrounded by pennies, indicating the charity for the past term with even a paw print sticker at the base of the arrow! All the Grand Representatives did beautiful jobs on their arrows, but Virginia’s was by far my favorite!

The next day, we dove into the beginning of the sessions. But us Virginia girls had some time on our hands before the first session, so naturally, we explored the area! Dad Jenkins even found a local zoo! Ella, Noelle, and I had such a blast at the zoo, seeing all sorts of different animals and even getting the chance to feed parrots! It was very entertaining to see so many birds land on Mom Jenkins trying to get the nectar that we were feeding them! Ella even had two land on her head! It was such a funny sight!

Friday afternoon was the beginning of the sessions. The Grand Worthy Advisor, Sabrina, and her respective Grand Officers performed the initiation service doing their ritual work absolutely beautifully. They initiated three new girls into South Carolina Rainbow, and I couldn’t be more excited for them! That night, we dove into the second session of this Grand Assembly, where we got to hear remarks from South Carolina’s respective dignitaries. Each dignitary had an amazing speech and thoughtful message to leave for all of the Rainbow Community.

On Saturday morning, we had the final session for South Carolina. At this session, Lorkin and I were able to bring remarks on behalf of Virginia Rainbow as the Grand Worthy Advisor and the Grand Representative. During my remarks, I was able to surprise everyone with a fun little activity that Virginia Rainbow enjoys… the Funky Chicken! To fit with Sabrina’s theme, I told everyone that I wanted to see their dinosaur, and everyone impressed me with their dinosaur impressions! After all remarks were given, it was time to hear the announcement of the new Grand Worthy Advisor and Grand Worthy Associate Advisor. Bethany was elected to be the next Grand Worthy Advisor and Ashley was selected as the next Grand Worthy Associate Advisor for South Carolina. This is truly an exciting moment for all of South Carolina Rainbow and I cannot wait to see these girls grow as leaders!

On Saturday night we had the book of memories and the Grand Banquet. To start with the book of memories session, Sabrina gave her final message as South Carolina’s Grand Worthy Advisor and retired her crown during the book of memories. While her officers where signing, Sabrina gave each of them a grape soda pin to signify the movie “Up” reference of being an explorer. I thought it was such a cute idea! Following that session into the Grand Banquet, I had an enjoyable time talking with others that were seated at the head table alongside me. We had an enjoyable time playing games and solving puzzles while we waited to hear the announcements. When it came time to announce the new Grand Representatives, I was beyond excited to find out who my new counterpart would be! It turns out, my counterpart was one of the initiates that I presented the Rose Lecture too back in 2018 Supreme Assembly! My what a small world it is! I was so excited to meet my new counterpart and find out who the next Grand Officers of South Carolina were going to be! 

The installation service followed Sunday afternoon, but I was unfortunately not able to stay. Even though I couldn’t stay for the entirety of South Carolina’s Grand Assembly, I had the best time being with my Rainbow sisters and making more memories along the way! I cannot wait until the next time I am able to visit South Carolina!

In Rainbow Love and Service,

Kaitlyn, Grand Representative to New Jersey and South Carolina