What Does the OES Offer to our Prospects? What Does the OES Offer to our Prospects?

15/07/11 20:00

Greg Keffer
Worthy Patron
Adda Chapter No. 467, Kansas

Republished from
The Kansas Star Journal

At a recent Star meeting, our Grand Worthy Matron asked all who thought that the Order of Eastern Star had something to offer to a prospect to stand. I, like everyone else, jumped to my feet and was proud to stand with Kathy as a member in good standing of our wonderful Order. Our mutual goal, as stated by our Grand Worthy Patron is to initiate at least one more new member than we lose this year.

The ESJ Editors go to Romania

15/07/11 20:00

Jerold J. Samet, Editor

Our trip to Romania was one of the most heart warming trips. We landed in Bucharest and were met by The most gracious Aruna Tohaneanu and Alex Scurtu. Aruna, the head of the Order of Eastern Star and Alex, an Alumnus of Youth Leaders International became our family in Romania. Aruna lives in Bucharest with her husband and four wonderful children. Alex lives in Drobeta Turnu-Severin, about four hours away from Bucharest. Aruna had worked for weeks coordinating our time in Romania, making sure we gained access to sights on the days she planned. She even coordinated our meals in the different cities and with many of the families who hosted our meals over the Easter weekend. The families of our members of YLI accepted us into their homes and prepared wonderful meals for us to partake with their families. In Severin, we spent Saturday evening at the home of one of our YLI counselors, Ileana Wisket, and her husband Stefan for a scrumptious dinner and then went out to a very old Monastery to participate in the midnight Easter Vigil with a wonderful candlelit service with hundreds of people. On Sunday, we had great lunch at the home of the several of our students, the Grecus, and then a tour of Severin and dinner at the home of another YLI counselor, Michaela Udrischte. On Monday, we had a great meeting at the Trajan high school with many of our YLI students, teachers, alumni and the Headmaster of the high School. That afternoon, we went on a boat ride up the Danube with many of the YLI students and alumni, relaxing, chatting, and enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Danube. That evening, we enjoyed dinner with the President of the DTS city council.