Story by JIM LAMBRIGHT; Photos by TRICIA HOWARD

A new year has begun for the Forney-Terrell Chapter #557 Order of the Eastern Star. On June 6, 2009 at 7:00 P.M., the 2009-2010 officers were installed. The installation ceremony took place at the Brooklyn Masonic Lodge on Highway 80 and FM 740 in Forney, TX.

The following were installed as Officers of the Chapter for 2009-2010:
Worthy Matron:Tricia Howell
Worthy Patron: Robert Howell
Associate Matron: Karen Lambright
Associate Patron: Ken Nichols
Secretary:Rebecca Anthony
Treasurer: Gloria Shelton
Conductress: Laura Simmons
Associate Conductress: Pamela Geihsler
Chaplain: Walter Riter
Marshal: Susan Seabolt
Organist: Gwen Smith
Adah: Carry Riter
Ruth: Marilou Quinn
Esther: Jennifer Hoffman
Martha: Imelda Cabler
Electa Jeannie Flowers
Warder: Bill Shelton

Phyllis Macon presided as the Installing Officer. Mrs. Macon conducted a beautiful ceremony with the assistance of Opal Farley – Installing Marshal; Geraldine Poteet – Installing Chaplain; Billie Miller – Installing Secretary; and Nadina Cherry – Installing Organist. The ceremony was witnessed by a large gathering of family, friends and community members. Nadina Cherry played a very special arrangement of beautiful music for all to enjoy.

Tricia Howell, newly installed Worthy Matron, gave a wonderful speech and announced the theme for the year will be “May we fill our lives with Love and Friendship”, the motto “For where Love is, there too, is peace and joy and happiness”. The Bible verse for the year will be First Corinthians 13:7, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (KJV).

Mrs. Howell’s report of the previous year’s works included a $500 college scholarship given to Jenna Rushing, a very worthy and deserving Forney High School Graduate class 2009. Donations were made to the Terrell State Hospital; thank you baskets given to all of the schools in the Forney ISD for Teacher/Staff appreciation week in May; a successful Teacher appreciation dinner and program in April; a tremendous dinner and auction fund raiser in November, and generous member support of the financial and emotional needs of our community throughout the year. She also thanked the members of Forney-Terrell Chapter #557 OES for their hard work and dedication during the 2008-2009 year.

Mrs. Howell also dedicated this year to all the Past Matrons and Past Patrons, quoting “for their service to this beautiful order because without leaders and mentors we cannot reach for stars or fulfill our dreams”. Mrs. Howell also extended a very hearty thank you to the Installing Officers for the beautiful and heartfelt installation ceremony.

After the installation, dinner and desert were enjoyed by all present. Mrs. Howell thanked her hostesses for the evening, Billie Miller, Laura Simmons, Wendell Miller, Tim Simmons and Jim Lambright.

The Forney-Terrell Chapter #557 Order of the Eastern Star welcomes any and all to visit the Chapter. The Chapter meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 p. m. For more information, please visit the chapter’s website at www.brooklynlodge.org.

This story and any accompanying photo(s) were originally published in the Forney Messenger and are Copyright © 2009, Forney Messenger, Inc. and have been used by permission. The Forney Messenger is the publisher of Kaufman County’s oldest newspaper and may be found online at www.ForneyMessengerInc.com