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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 72Section 3, Page 20 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE .WNE 28, 1973 Rebekah Lodge active since 1947 AUDREY MaCGREGOR Rebekah Lodges have been established for more than 150 years. What is Rebekah's? It is one of the first organizations to fight poverty, relieve the distressed and assist the needy. They teach the meaning of Faith Faith in God and Faith in your fellow man. They are crusaders for Peace and Harmony, The Oddfellows lodge No. 67 Exeter has been active since 1871 and it was felt a Rebekah Lodge could also be an asset to the community. On June 2, 1947, ten men and women went to Clinton where they were initiated and they became the ten charter members and later the first of- ficers of lodge No, 338. Mrs. Elizabeth Fletcher, President of the Rebekah Assembly of Ontario called a meeting in the old opera house (now I.G.A. parking lot) Exeter on June 9, 1947, for the purpose of instituting a Rebekah lodge. The first Noble Grand was Mrs. Wm. Cann and the Vice Grand was Mrs. Jim Kirkland. Other officers were Mrs. Gertrude Hamilton, Mrs. Adeline Ford, Mrs. Norah Taylor, Mrs. Gladys Chambers, Mrs. Mable McKnight, Mrs, Irene (Sweet) Blackwell, Mrs. Grace McKnight, Wm. Cann, Mrs. Amy Etherington, Mrs. Gwen Gibson, Mrs. Jean Morgan, Miss Mary Gardiner, Wm. Etherington and Mrs. Lena Willard. The degree staff of Edleweiss Rebekah Lodge, Seaforth, con- ferred the degree on some 40 candidates. All new members were proud to be residents of Huron County and thus the name "Pride of Huron" became the name of the new lodge. Twenty original members are still active in the lodge. Through the years, 266 members have signed the register and today there are 153 members. There have been 25 Noble Grands - Mrs, Kay Cann, Mrs. Lena Kirkland, Mrs. Gladys Chambers, Mrs. Irene Blackwell, Miss Mary Gardiner, Mrs. Gwen Gibson, Mrs. Ruby Beaver, Mrs, Verna McDonald, Mrs. Honor Dick, Miss Ruth Skinner, Mrs, Jean Johns, Mrs. Luella Taylor, Mrs. Mary Fisher, Mrs. Gladys Skinner, Mrs. Lois McFalls, Mrs. Alice Bowen, Mrs. Lillian Pym, Mrs. Iva Idle, Mrs. Mary Hem, Mrs. Lila Smith, Mrs. Audrey MacGregor, Mrs. Bernice Ford, Mrs, Mary Fisher (second term) Mrs. Gladys (Gerald) Skinner, Mrs, Loretta Ball. Of these, four have been District Deputy Presidents - Mrs. Kay Cann (1953), Mrs, Gladys Chambers (1959), Mrs. Ruby Beaver (1965), Mrs, Lois McFalls (1971), Mrs. Kay Cann and Mrs. Lena Kirkland both received the Decoration of Chivalry from the Rebekah Assembly of Ontario in recognition of faithful per- formance of lodge duties, Fifty- six members proudly wear their 20 year veteran jewel as active members of the Order. Our musician, Mrs. Lena Willard, has been faithful at the piano for the full 26 years. We have seven mothers and daughters as members. Mrs, Ella Fisher has thirteen members of her family as members of Oddfellows and Rebekahs - Glen & Mary Fisher, Ben & Marie Fisher, Harold & BeIva Rowe, Bob & Iva Blair, Wayne Rowe, Ross Rowe, Bill & Audrey Rowe, Dennis Rowe. We furnished a room at South Huron District Hospital, and through the years we have donated a portable rescusitator, a bake-heater, a T,V., heated crib, mixer and a blender. Uniting our efforts with the Oddfellows, under the C,P.T. program, head office records show that Exeter is one of the leaders in the province. A great number of people in this com- munity have used free of charge, crutches, wheelchairs, hospital beds etc. when needed. We help sponsor a trip to United Nations each year by a youth in Huron County. We help families in need of money through disaster, and the lonely and needy are remembered at Christmas time, Groups in nursing homes are entertained at Christmas, at parties and pic- nics. Gifts are sent to the Children's Aid at Christmas. The booth at Exeter Fair has been a project since September, 1947. When proceeds were $93.49. Proceeds have greatly increased over the years. We have also entered floats in community parades. This town is blessed with a great many Senior Citizens who needed something to do, so in February, 1954, our Rebekah Lodge helped organize the Senior Citizens Club. Each February we serve lunch at their meeting to help celebrate their birthday party. We have co-operated with the Oddfellows in furnishing the lodge rooms and in any social activities when asked to par- ticipate, It has always been a pleasure to work in such har- mony with the men of the Exeter Lodge, The accomplishments of our Lodge have been numerous, varied and successful, Social activities are always interesting. We have entertained every lodge in the surrounding area and returned visits, exchanged ideas and taken part in many friend- ship nights, The friendliness when visiting other lodges is always warming to the heart. These women who take time in their modern world to-day to come together and learn fraternity and practise brotherhood are much closer to understanding of the words Peace, Faith and Humanity. These are not objects which can be handed out to members, but are the rewards for living up to the obligation of Friendship, Love and Truth. Smyth's SHOE STORE We Salute Exeter's 100th birthday! JIM GLASGOW Put your best foot forward in the next century in a pair of shoes PAUL NE WANDS MAIN ST. PHONE 235-1933 EXETER