6/30/2021 “Was it the Brownies?”

To be selected State Rainbow Dad for the 2021-2022 Grand Term is an absolute honor, privilege, and huge surprise.  I want to thank GWA Kaitlyn for her selection, and I will be forever grateful for it.  Kaitlyn and I have known each other ever since she was initiated at Grand Assembly in 2014.  I had won the privilege to provide the Lambskin Lecture for her Initiation, so I was able to be a small part of her overall entry into Rainbow.  Immediately after the initiation, Mom Christi had Kaitlyn and I take a picture together.  I didn’t realize at the time, but there would be a bond created there that would last for years, and since I have had the privilege to watch Kaitlyn grow through Rainbow.    She is an amazing young lady, beautiful inside and out, and will serve Virginia with poise and grace.

Being State Rainbow Dad is something I do not take for granted.  It is a privilege to serve Virginia Rainbow and do whatever possible to help this wonderful organization and our incredible Rainbow daughters.  I have held this honor once before, for past GWA Rachel Cochrane, and though repeats are not uncommon, I was not expecting this at all.  Someone asked me after Grand Banquet if I knew, and if my emotion was genuine or part of the show.  I can promise you my surprise was genuine, the tears were real, and my declaration of love for our Rainbow daughters is heartfelt.  I will do whatever I can to support Kaitlyn and the Grand Officers this term.  I thank Kaitlyn for this honor, and I look forward to our joint travels this upcoming year.  But I must note, when Kaitlyn announced that I would have to make more brownies this year, she did not say they were for others, so don’t be surprised if she claims them all for herself! 

In Rainbow Love and Service,

Papa Joe Grist, State Rainbow Dad 2021-2022

Morning Grand Assembly Day 7/18/2020

On July 18, 2020 early in the morning (too early for me) I took off with my mom to Richmond for this year’s Grand Assembly day.  It was so different from any VA Grand Assembly I had gone to before since this one occurred amid a global pandemic.  We arrived a little before 9am and I got changed into my grand officer dress (in the car) for the morning session.  Everything was so different since I had to walk into the building wearing a mask.  After that I had to have a temperature check, then I had to go to another table and answer questions to find out if I was at risk of having or spreading the virus.  Finally, before being able to go into the assembly room I had to be checked off a list of invited people.  The morning consisted of initiation, the memorial service, and some speeches.  Then we were released for lunch before the afternoon session.

Isabella C.

Afternoon Grand Assembly Day 7/18/2020

The afternoon session for Grand Assembly Day started out rushed.  We had very little time for lunch and I ended up going to Subway at a nearby shopping center to get something since there could be no food at the lodge.  I only ate part of my lunch before we had to leave since the grand officers needed to be back at the lodge for practice.  I made it, but I think I was 2 minutes late.  I was just glad that I was not the last one to get back from lunch.  The afternoon session had the Book of Memories and the installation for the 2020 – 2021 grand year. 

Thankfully, there was a break between the Book of Memories and the installation.  I was able to change and get everything ready for the mascot presentation.  However, the surprise was on me because I found out that just as I was about to walk into the installation ceremony, I was told that I had to present the mascot to the new GWA myself.  It made for an interesting afternoon.  When everything was done, I was definitely happy that all went well and that I could stop by Sonic on the way home for something else to eat and not be rushed.  Congratulations to all the 2019 – 2020 grand officers for a great year and to all the 2020 – 2021 grand officers for your new appointments!

Isabella C.