The Citizen, 2003-05-28, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2003. PAGE 7.
Long-time Rebekahs look baek at Lodge history
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
June 2 will mark an historic day
for the Morning Star Rebekah
Lodge, in Brussels.
The organization will not only
celebrate its 70th anniversary, but
will recognize Retta Hoover as the
only surviving charter member.
The charter was granted to
applicants Walter Huggans, Rebecca
Huggans, William Baeker, Florence
Baeker, Nathan Chapman. Muriel
(Elliott) Allen, Burton McDonald,
Sadie McDonald, William Little and
Corrie Dunbar who was later named
the first Noble Grand
In speaking with three long-time
Rebekahs, Marie McTaggart, who
received her 60-year pin at the
celebration, Mary Lowe and Mary
Davidson, both 53 years, it is quite
apparent that the group has
definitely enjoyed their membership.
Saying they can’t tell much
because the Rebekahs is a secret
organization, Lowe and Davidson
laugh as they remind each other of
events which took place many years
ago.
They talk about the initiations
which sound like a lot of fun for
those observing, but the tales told in
preparation were apparently
sometimes frightening for
prospective participants. At least one
disappeared before the event. It
seems goat riding might have been
involved.
A lot of things have stayed
remarkably the same over those 70
years while others have changed
with the times.
The group still raises funds for
numerous organizations including
the eye research, the Arthritis
Society, Champs, United Way and
Children’s Aid Society. With each
new Ontario president comes a new
charity of choice. However, with
funds more difficult to raise in recent
years, the Morning Star Lodge has
focused more strongly on local
events such as the fall fair, and Santa
Claus parade.
Variety fairs and euchre suppers
were once the staple of their
fundraising activities.
Where long dresses were once a
must for meetings and in particular
at special occasions, shorter skirts
and even slacks are now worn by the
women. Though the women say the
long skirts made the occasion seem
more special, they also admit the
dresses were getting pretty
expensive at $150 for the last ones
they purchased. Some lodges still
opt for the more formal attire while
Brussels has gone more casual over
the last 10 years.
The number of lodges has also
declined over the years they say and
each district seems to take in a larger
area.
The Morning Star Lodge does not
do the same benevolent work it once
did, providing everything from
walker and wheelchairs to hospital
beds to those in need.
Another change not easily
accepted by the three half-century
plus members is the lack of
memorization undertaken by
younger members.
Where the charges and degrees
were once expected to be memorized
and no one but the Vice Noble Grand
could have a book open during the
meeting, reading is now the common
method.
Davidson and McTaggart boast
that Lowe could still remember all
her charges with a little prompting to
get her started. She smiles and
admits it’s true.
For her dedication to the
organization, Lowe was awarded the
Degree of Chivalry some years ago.
It is the highest honour in the
Rebekah Lodge.
Membership in the lodge has
remained relatively stable, seeing
declines and resurgences over lime.
They began with 31 members and
now have 42 men and women in the
Rebekahs.
As life-long members, they say the
motto of the lodge holds true in
explaining why they have remained.
“Friendship, love and truth,” said
McTaggart.
“I liked it a lot,” added Lowe. “I
met so many people.”
“We got out to see a lot of other
lodges and how they do things," said
Davidson. “And we socialized
afterwards.”
All three said the lodge was a
learning experience for them as well.
It is evident that membership in
the Morning Star lodge created a
camaraderie which still remains
today.
Woman opens her House of Hair in Hullett home
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
Laura Passchier opens her new
hair styling salon in Hullett next
Monday with excitement as she will
have the opportunity to meet the
people of her new community.
Passchier spent many of her
formative years in Listowel before
attending Festival School of
Hairstyling in Stratford. She then
returned to Listowel where she
worked at Mainly You for three
years.
However, after marrying in
February, she soon found the drive
too much and moved up her plan to
open her own shop.
With the help of husband Corey, a
room in their country home has been
transformed into a cozy salon.
Passchier offers the full hair
service of cut, colour, perm and
highlights. She also waxes and does
ear piercings. One thing she does not
yet do is hair extensions, but if there
is significant interest, Passchier says
she would look into taking a course.
Since graduating from Festival
Hairstyling, Passchier says she has
continued to take courses to update
and improve her skills.
At present, Passchier say she will
be open at almost any hour as she
builds up her clientele, but asks that
customers call for an appointment to
ensure prompt service. Her expected
hours of operation will be Monday
through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
at least, and later some nights. She
will also work a few hours on
Saturday.
With her doors open for business
June 2, Passchier is offering a special
on all chemical services throughout
the month, leading up to her grand
opening later in June.
Laura’s House of Hair is located at
40762 Hullett-McKillop Road, just
off Bandon Line. Call 523-4802 for
an appointment.
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New business opens
Hullett resident Laura Passchier’s shop Laura’s House of
Hair will be open for business June 2 and she looks forward
to meeting her new neighbours. (Janice Becker photo)
Blyth to bid for
national campout
By Mark Nonkes
Wingham Advance-Times
Blyth could gain wide exposure as
it’s bidding for a national campout in
2006.
At the May 20 North Huron
council meeting, Clerk-
Administrator John Stewart reported
that municipal staff are collecting
information on the Blyth
fairgrounds, the village and
surrounding area as they prepare a
proposal to host the national
association of family campers and
RVers.
John Stewart said the Ontario
chapter recently stayed in the
campgrounds for a weekend and
were very happy with their
experience.
The Ontario group has suggested
Blyth for the 2006 convention which
would mean that about 1,000
campers would flock to the village
and use some of the facilities for
meeting space.
Doug Gough,
R.I.B. (ONT.)
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