Unity #29

Location

Unity Chapter meets on both the 2nd and 4th Mondays in April and September.

About Us

Officers

Calendar

Newsletter

Welcome to our website.  Check into the various headings to learn more about us.  If you are already a member of our Order, we invite you to join us at a meeting.  If you are interested in joining the Order of the Eastern Star, the phone number is listed above and we will get the information to you.  You qualify for membership if you are a Mason or are directly related to a Mason.

HISTORY OF UNITY CHAPTER #29, ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR

Unity Chapter #29 had its inception on March 19, 1890, in the Hall of Fidelity Lodge #39, A.F. & A.M. Sixty persons were present to organize the Chapter. The group was under dispensation until May 28, 1890, when the charter was granted. The first officers were Abbie Crane, Worthy Matron, and Eugene Wood, Worthy Patron.

The name UNITY was selected because the group assembled to organize were united in the purpose of forming a chapter. The name has been significant because, through the years, the Chapter has remained united in carrying on the purposes and ideals of the Order of the Eastern Star.

In the early years, the Chapter met in the homes of members for its social events because it was difficult to heat the large hall, and wood and water had to be carried up the long flight of stairs. Kitchen facilities, also, were inadequate. But, in spite of these difficulties, Unity Chapter grew and prospered.

Records indicate a variety of methods to raise funds for yearly charitable projects and to aid Fidelity Lodge in projects for the hall. Really early projects included quilt block committees, dimity balls, book parties, and taffy pulls. The next era of projects included cake walks, silent auctions, salad luncheon -  card parties, paper drives,  bakeless bake sales, and chow mein luncheons. More recent projects include successful floral deliveries for Mothers Day and Valentines Day, Election Day Salad Luncheons, and Super Bowl Spaghetti Dinner.

Over the years, proceeds from these activities have allowed the Chapter to support not only Minnesota Grand Chapter projects but also projects that benefited the Austin area. Donations have been given to the Austin Public Schools, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Austin Public Library, Mower County Humane Society, and Hormel Institute, to name a few. Some of the projects within the hall that benefit all groups which meet there include: carpet, drapes, kitchen equipment, dishes and silverware, card tables, cup racks, chairs, etc.

Through the years, Unity Chapter secretaries have recorded many special events in our minute books: receptions for Grand Officers, honorings of Past Matrons and Past Patrons and the stations of various officers, memorials to lost members, and other special observances.

Members have served Minnesota Grand Chapter as Grand Officers, Grand Pages, Grand Representatives, District Instructors, security, and chair -person and members of various committees.  Several members have served in various positions at the General Grand Chapter level, also.

Currently, Unity Chapter has several members serving at a state level, not only in Grand Chapter but also in another Masonic body:  Betty Volkert, Grand Representative to Alabama; Neil Hanson, First Vice President of the Minnesota Grand Representatives Association and a director of the Masonic Cancer Center Fund, Inc; Pam Mount, President of both the State Secretaries Association and Anulus Aureus (an organization for Past Appointed Grand Officers.

And, recently, Unity Chapter received members from Halcyon Chapter in Albert Lea, as Halcyon Chapter consolidated with Unity Chapter.

            OFFICERS FOR 2011 - 2012

Worthy Matron                                Mary Hanson

Worthy  Patron                                Neil Hanson

Associate Matron                           Peggy Adams

Associate Patron                            Forrest Miller

Secretary                                          Kathy Foster

Treasurer                                          Harriet Lettman

Conductress                                    Pam Mount

Associate Conductress                  Betty Volkert

Chaplain                                           William Newell

Marshal                                             Louise Andreson

Organist                                            Betty Rabine

Adah                                                  Dorothymae Graves

Ruth                                                   Renee Anderson

Esther                                                Helen Hecimovich

Martha                                               Harriet Delaney

Electa                                                 Joyce Wendt

Warder                                              Stephen Neiswanger

Sentinel                                             David Madison

Trustees:

Betty Rabine (1) Stephen Neiswanger (2)  Joyce Wendt (3)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2011 - 2012

April 10                        Installation of officers at 2 p.m.

April 11                        SWOT Night

April 25                        Honor Masons

May 5-7                        Grand Chapter in St. Cloud

May                               Mothers Day Floral Delivery (?)

May 9                           Apron Night honoring Mothers, Grand Chapter Reports

June 13                        Honor P.M. & P.P. and 50 yr members

                                      Melon Feed

September 10             Area Conference at Unity Chapter #29

September 12             School of Instruction - Rob Morris Night

September 26             Honor the Station of Esther

October 10                  Friendship Night honoring Present and Former Grand

                                      Representatives

November 8                Election Day Salad Luncheon

November 14              Honor Veterans

December                    Christmas Open House for Unity Chapter

December 12              "Angels Among Us" Night

January 9                    Stone Soup / Fleece Blanket Night

February 5                   Super Bowl Spaghetti Dinner

February                      Valentines Day Floral Delivery (?)

February 13                 Men's Night      

March 12                      Pizza Night

                                      Election, Memorial Service, Reports

Mystery Trip and possible Iowa Exchange to be scheduled

February and March Newsletter

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

January's meeting was full of pleasant surprises. First of all, Minnesota Masonic Charities granted a two for one match request for our local Salvation Army food shelf. Last fall we made approximately $324 on a project that was not part of our budget; so, we designated those dollars to go to the food shelf. I wrote a grant to Charities and they sent us a check for $648. Therefore, we have just under $1,000 to present to the Salvation Army. I have asked Brother Bill Newell to work with the Salvation Army to set up a presentation time and subsequent publicity. Bill is on their Board.

Hopefully, that will take place soon.

Also at Monday's meeting, an EMERA award was presented to Sister Bonnie Newell. This award is granted to those Sisters or Brothers who have never served as Worthy Matron or Worthy Patron but have done much for their Chapters. As many of you know, Sister Bonnie chairs our annual Election Day Salad Luncheon, and, along with Brother Bill, chairs our Mothers Day and Valentines Day floral deliveries. Both are very successful projects. Plus she is a very faithful lunch provider. Congratulations, Bonnie.  We had visitors from Urania Chapter in Mapleton. They asked to attend our meeting to present an EMERA award to a brother in their chapter.

We had four Grand Officers visiting, the six visitors from Mapleton, and our own sideliners. Also, three non members came to tie fleece blankets for children at the Shrine Hospital, Twin Cities Unit, and to share stone soup with all of us. 

Doesn't that sound like a great evening!!

Do you remember when PGP and our PP Jim Foster started Unity Chapter's Super Bowl Spaghetti Dinner? Well, it was 11 years ago and the event grows every year. Visitors from neighboring chapters, as well as chapters from the twin cities area, and local members and non members keep coming. We definitely must be doing it right. What I enjoy, in addition to seeing everyone come, is the fellowship we enjoy with each other as we work to make this another successful Unity Chapter project. We did not raise the price. It is still $8.00 for spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and dessert. So, set aside Sunday, February 5, and come up and join us. Serving is from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Keep in mind that we do the cooking and the dishes; you just enjoy yourself.

Our next stated meeting will be Monday, February 13, and it is Men's Night.

We will be delivering flowers on Valentines Day, February 14. If you can help, please let Bonnie and Bill Newell know.

Pizza is scheduled after our March 12^th meeting. That night we will have election of officers and reports, including the Worthy Matron's report of the year. Our memorial service will honor those members who passed away since our meeting March 2011.  Please come up and honor those who have served so well over the years.

We have two members who achieved 50 years of membership: Sister Mary Aultfather, who now lives in the cities, and Sister Frances McIntyre, who now belongs to Unity Chapter from the consolidation of Halcyon Chapter in Albert Lea. The pins will be presented in the future at their convenience. But, congratulations are definitely in store. That is a wonderful achievement.

Finally, I'd like to thank all of you who have served as officers or on committees and those who attended the meetings as a sideliner. You really made the year what it was. Your faithfulness and dedication was and is truly appreciated.

Fraternally yours,

Mary A. Hanson, Worthy Matron