On September 24, 2011, Smithfield Assembly No. 5 visited Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The Grand Lodge of Virginia performed a wreath laying ceremony.  We watched the changing of the guards.  It was very cool to see how the soldiers have to walk.  Afterwards, we went to the museum and walked around the cemetery to see some of the famous graves.   Thank you to our military service men and women who have given their lives on the fields of battle.

The second day of the haunted temple, we were assigned rooms to work and we still painted faces.  We were all assigned to the bridal room.    We were very busy and had tons of fun scaring people.  Each of the rooms were decorated with skeletons, caskets, and scary creatures that sang and make scary noises.  We were able to turn off the skeletons when we didn’t have customers coming through, they were singing the same song over and over again.

Overall, we all had a really great time.  All of the actors did a great job.  We cannot wait till next year! We not only showed that all 3 youth groups could work together for one united cause but we could have fun doing it, teach people about our Masonic Youth groups and make some money at the same time.

Halloween weekend, October 29th and 30th 2011, Smithfield Assembly No. 5 along with DeMolay from Kempsville and Norfolk Chapter and the Jobies from several area Bethels gathered at Norfolk Masonic Temple on Granby Street for a haunted fundraiser. We had been meeting for months and planning the scary event.

The first day of the haunted temple was so much fun. Our Assembly was assigned to do the face painting. Abbey, Lindsey, Kendra and I dressed up as zombie ballerinas. Michelle was a lady bug, Lauren was a vampire, along with her prospect Lilian. Nellie was a leprechaun and her prospect Sydney (who is now a Rainbow Girl) were vampires. We didn’t have many face painting customers the first night, although Michelle did paint several small children’s faces. Instead, many of us walked through the haunted temple many, many times! The first time I went through I was scared, so I plugged my ears, closed my eyes and held on to Michelle’s arm so hard! What I didn’t realize was that Michelle had her eyes closed too! It was so much fun! It was really scary too.

On Wednesday, November 9, Michelle Baise, JPGWA in Virginia was initiated into Faith Court No. 12, Order of Amaranth, Newport News.  Many of the initiating officers were Rainbow adults.

The initiation was very special because it marks the first time in Virginia that three generations of the Masonic family are members of an Amaranth Court.  Present were Grandma and Grandpa Martin and Mom Dianna Baise.

I hope Michelle has many happy years serving the Order of Amaranth.

Mom Rennagel
Supreme Hope, IORG
Destiny Court No. 14