Palestine Chapter No. 114, OES

05/25/2026

ADVENTURERS:
Watch words:
Caring ~ Dignity ~ Enthusiasm ~ Faith ~ Journey
Bible Verse:
Let all that you do be done in love. —1 Corinthians 16:14
Sisters and Brothers,
You are cordially invited to attend the 1175th stated meeting of Palestine Chapter No. 114, OES to be held at the Newton Masonic Hall, 460 Newtonville Avenue, Newtonville, MA on:
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 7:00 pm
—OFFICER’S ATTIRE:
Sisters: Long dresses or long skirt
Brothers: Sports or suit coat. Collared shirt and tie
—BUSINESS: To receive petitions, hear reports of committees and transact any business which may legally come before the Chapter.
—COLLATION: Rebecca Mushnick and her committee
—HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our Sisters and Brothers celebrating in June, July and August.
—THANK YOU for supporting me during my difficulties.
The cards, calls & well wishes were greatly appreciated and certainly helped make my recovery bearable.
Star love, Rebecca Mushnick, PM, WM
—CHATEAU FUNDRAISER:
Plan to Dine-out for Lunch, Dinner or Take-outThursday, June 4, 2026.
FUTURE EVENT:
Annual Lobster Clambake – July 18, 2026
Auburndale Cove, West Pine Street, Auburndale, MA
Adults $45, Children $22 and Non Seafood $20
RSVP with Paid Reservation by July 10th to
Joan M. Atkinson
495 North End Blvd., Unit 14,Salisbury, MA 01952-1747
Checks Payable to: Palestine Chapter No. 114,OES
All reservation MUST be honored.
—IT'S TIME TO ORDER: 2026 Proceedings @ TBD
Please indicate Spiral or bound — Thumb Drive @ $18.00 each
2026-2027 combined Roster and Beauty book @ $15.00
Please send or give a check, payable to Palestine Chapter No. 114, OES, to the Secretary on or before the meeting on June 2nd. If bringing to the meeting please place in an envelope and indicate what you are ordering.
—OES EVENT FLYERS: are posted in the GOINGS-ON section at
http://palestinechapter114oes.org
—FROM THE EAST
We certainly got off to an unconventional start to our year, this year. I’m very hopeful that we’ll have a nice, smooth remainder of the year I’ll do everything I can to make this a successful year.
In Star Love,
Rebecca and John
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Please notify the secretary of any change in address, email address, or telephone number. Help to keep us up to date.

OUR VISION — Palestine Chapter is committed to making ourselves known as a charitable organization and visible within the surrounding communities; increasing fellowship through particpation in social activities for our members and by sharing a fraternal bond to unite in making a positive impact on...

05/25/2026

05/24/2026

New York State’s “Creepiest Spots” Road Trip takes you to visit 10 haunted, abandoned, and history-filled places across Upstate New York, each with its own unsettling story. Start at the ruins of the Overlook Mountain House, where empty concrete walls, window openings, and stairways still stand from a once-grand Catskills hotel. From there, paddle or boat out to Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island, where Francis Bannerman built a Hudson River arsenal after buying the island in 1900. Rolling Hills Asylum adds the chance to stay overnight in one of the state’s best-known haunted sites, while the old Catskill Game Farm brings an eerie walk through the remains of a former zoo. Camp Santanoni offers a quieter kind of chill, with its remote Adirondack Great Camp, first used by the Pruyn family in 1893 and now preserved as a National Historic Landmark. Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Defiance add Revolutionary War drama, while Letchworth Village, 13 Curves, Fort Ontario’s star-shaped walls, and Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre round out the loop with ghost stories, ruins, old legends, and plenty of dark New York history.

📍Overlook Mountain House Ruins (Woodstock)
📍Bannerman Castle (Pollepel Island)
📍Rolling Hills Asylum (East Bethany)
📍Camp Santanoni Historic Area (Newcomb)
📍The Old Catskill Game Farm (Catskill)
📍Fort Ticonderoga & Mount Defiance (Ticonderoga)
📍Letchworth Village Ruins (Thiells)
📍Cedarvale Road & “13 Curves” (Syracuse)
📍Landmark Theatre (Syracuse)
📍Fort Ontario (Oswego)

05/24/2026

One of Maine’s most spectacular and unique engineering marvels, the Bailey Island Bridge...affectionately known as the Cribstone Bridge...is a historic wonder unlike any other structure on Earth. Located in the town of Harpswell, this legendary 1,150-foot-long highway crossing connects Orr’s Island to Bailey Island and stands proudly as the only known granite cribstone bridge in existence.

The highlight of this landmark is its mind-boggling architectural design. Instead of using standard concrete pillars or steel suspension cables, the entire foundation of the bridge is built out of roughly 10,000 tons of solid, locally quarried granite slabs. Builders stacked these massive rectangular stones entirely by hand in a clever, open-latticed, crisscross fashion. Amazingly, the structure is held together by gravity alone, without a single drop of mortar, glue, or cement locking the blocks in place. This unique design was a brilliant solution to a difficult problem. The narrow channel it crosses, known as Will's Gut, is notorious for fierce ocean tides, winter ice floes, and powerful waves. By leaving the stone foundation completely open like a giant jigsaw puzzle, the raging ocean tides and currents can safely ebb and flow straight through the gaps without putting stress on the bridge.

The history of the crossing goes back to the early 1920s. For decades, the hardy local fishermen of Bailey Island had to brave the rough open waters in small boats just to reach the mainland. When the state finally agreed to build a connection, engineer Llewelyn Edwards came up with this clever dry-stone blueprint. Construction began in 1927, and the bridge officially opened to horse-drawn carriages and vehicles in 1928. Today, it is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, topped with a smooth asphalt road that allows visitors to cruise safely over the water while enjoying sweeping panoramic views of Casco Bay!

05/23/2026

Sunday Funday!
What could be more fun than craft beer, friends and local music?
Not sure what you are in the mood for? We have THIRTEEN taps for you to choose from!
Music? Today we welcome Professor Pop! Local solo artist performing acoustic classic rock, pop, folk and country from the 50s to the 90s that you forgot you remember!
Speaking of forgetting, Don’t forget, our neighbors on the second floor of our beautiful Stone Mill Marketplace, The Wellness Collective at Stone Mill Marketplace are having an Open House! You definitely want to check it out!!! We will be hanging out with them too!
An afternoon of FUN that will stay with you ALL week!

🍻Taproom Sunday 12-7pm
🎸Professor Pop 3-5pm

🤩family friendly🤩pets welcome

04/22/2026

ADVENTURERS:
Watch words:
Caring ~ Dignity ~ Enthusiasm ~ Faith ~ Journey
Bible Verse:
Let all that you do be done in love. —1 Corinthians 16:14
Sisters and Brothers,
You are cordially invited to attend the 1174th stated meeting of Palestine Chapter No. 114, OES to be held at the Newton Masonic Hall, 460 Newtonville Avenue, Newtonville, MA on:
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 7:00 pm
—OFFICER’S ATTIRE:
Sisters: Long dresses or long skirt
Brothers: Sports or suit coat. Collared shirt and tie
—BUSINESS: To receive petitions, hear reports of committees and transact any business which may legally come before the Chapter.
—INSTALLATION: Officers not previous installed.
—COLLATION: Prepared by Sister Denise Lymperis and her committee
—HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our Sisters and Brothers celebrating in May.
—TO OUR SICK and SHUT-IN MEMBERS:
Always remember you are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, smarter than you think,
And loved more than you know.
GRAND CHAPTER REMINDER: Anyone who wishes to go to Grand Chapter Must have a current dues card. If you haven't paid your 2026 dues you cannot attend Grand Chapter.
GRAND CHAPTER HONORS: Assisting Grand Patron, Stephen E. Donahue, PGP
IN MEMORIAM: Phyllis K. Melick, PM - 53-year member
Initiated on 9-27, 1972 / Called home on March 4, 2026
50-YEAR MEMBERSHIP PIN PRESENTATON:
Mary Louise Hughes - Initiated on May 4, 1976
—OES EVENT FLYERS: are posted in the GOINGS-ON section at
http://palestinechapter114oes.org
—FROM THE EAST
We are still here. We would love to welcome visitors as we finish our installation as Rebecca and John advance to the East of Palestine along with the other officers that were unavailable to be installed last month.
Memorial Day is a solemn day to honor our military men and women who have died so that we are able to live free. We thank them for their service. Have a thoughtful day of remembrance as we honor their sacrifice.
Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers!
In Star Love,
Joan and Steve
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Please notify the secretary of any change in address, email address, or telephone number. Help to keep us up to date.

Our Installation was held last night, April 7, 2026 and many of our Officers were unable to attend due to health issues. Thank you to all those who attended and suupported us.

03/28/2026

EXPLORERS OF HOPE:
Watch words: Kindness, Peace and Love
Bible Verse: If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. —Romans 12:18
Motto: Hold Fast and Forget Not
Sisters and Brothers,
You are cordially invited to attend the 1173rd stated meeting of Palestine Chapter No. 114, OES to be held at the Newton Masonic Hall, 460 Newtonville Avenue, Newtonville, MA on:
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Early Meeting — 6:00 pm
Installation of Officers — 7:30 pm
—OFFICER’S ATTIRE:
Sisters: Formal colored gowns
Brothers: Tuxes with colored accessories
—BUSINESS: To receive petitions, hear reports of committees and transact any business which may legally come before the Chapter.
—REHEARSAL for INSTALLATION: Sunday, March 29 at 3pm
A MUST for ALL incoming and outgoing Officers
—INSTALLATION COLLATION: The Worthy Matron-Elect, Rebecca Mushnick, would appreciate if members would bring donations of finger deserts, vegetables, cheese and crackers, chips and dip and a small quantity of sandwiches.
Please call or text Rebecca at 508-365-9436 with what you are bringing if you have not already let her know.
—PROPOSAL/VOTE: To give Honorary Membership to Suzanne F. Ward, WGM and Todd O. Galarneau, WGP
—INSTALLATION INVITATION
Palestine Chapter No. 114 OES
Extends fraternal greetings and cordially
invites you to be present at the
Open Installation of Officers
by
Sister Cheryl Ann Fournier, PGM
Installing Grand Officer Brother R. Todd McDuffie, AGP
Installing Grand Patron Sister Maryellen Abraham, PM
Installing Grand Chaplain Sister Carol L. Jones, PGM
Installing Grand Marshal Sister Janet E. Stevens
Installing Grand Organist
Tuesday Evening, April 7, 2026 at Seven-Thirty O'clock
Newton Masonic Building
460 Newtonville Ave., Newtonville, Massachusetts
Joan M. Atkinson, PGM, WM
Stephen E. Donahue, PGP, WP
Rebecca L. Mushnick, PM, WM-Elect
John H. Bailllio, ,PP, WP-Elect
Gail M.F. Baillio, PM, Secretary
Collation to follow in the Banquet Hall By Vote of the Chapter.
As no separate invitations are being sent, please accept this as your invitation to join us for the evening
—HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our Sisters and Brothers celebrating in April..
—TO OUR SICK and SHUT-IN MEMBERS:
To let you know that every day
A special thought will go your way,
With sincere wishes, sincere Prayers
That God will keep you in his care.
INSTALLING HONORS: Joan M. Atkinson, PGM
April 13 - Installing Chaplain - Billerica Chapter - 7PM
April 18- Installing Chaplain - Hannah Shaw Chapter - 1PM
—OES EVENT FLYERS: are posted in the GOINGS-ON section at
http://palestinechapter114oes.org
—FROM THE EAST
Steve and I hope were happy to serve the chapter for the previous year. We wish a productive and prosperous year to Sister Rebecca and Brother John.
We also wish our members a happy and healthy Easter with your family and friends.
In Star Love,
Joan and Steve
—––––
Please notify the secretary of any change in address, email address, or telephone number. Help to keep us up to date

With our installation completed and our new officers installed, we are ready to begin our Explorers of Hope year.  We are humbled and uplifted by the confidence placed in us to serve in the East of Palestine Chapter and look forward to sharing time with each of you during the coming year.

02/20/2026

EXPLORERS OF HOPE:
Watch words: Kindness, Peace and Love
Bible Verse: If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. —Romans 12:18
Motto: Hold Fast and Forget Not
Sisters and Brothers,
You are cordially invited to attend the 1171st stated meeting of Palestine Chapter No. 114, OES to be held at the Newton Masonic Hall, 460 Newtonville Avenue, Newtonville, MA on:
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
7:00pm
—OFFICER’S ATTIRE:
Sisters: White gowns
Brothers: Tuxes with black accessories
—BUSINESS: To receive petitions, hear reports of committees and transact any business which may legally come before the Chapter.
—COLLATION: Valentine’s Day in March prepared by the men of the Chapter.
—REHEARSAL: Please reserve Sunday March 29 at 3PM for installation rehearsal. All incoming and out going officers are required to attend.
—PROPOSAL/VOTE: To give Honorary Membership to Marsha L. Coocen, PGM and John J. Schurman, III, PGP
—TO OUR SICK and SHUT-IN MEMBERS:
Never regret a day in your life:
Good days give happiness;
Bad days give experience;
Worst day give memories.
You are thought of often and missed.
—THANK YOU to our Sisters and Brothers who have offered a prayer, shared with their prayer groups and/or have sent our granddaughter, Emily, words of encouragement. —With Star Hugs and Love, Jim and Diana Spurrell
—PALESTINE CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS are now available. Contact Stephen Donahue Chairperson at [email protected] or Gail Baillio for an Application. Applications are to be postmarked byApril 1, 2026
—HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our Sisters and Brothers celebrating in March.
—ANNUAL MEETING
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Worthy Matron; Worthy Patron; Associate Matron; Associate Patron; Secretary; Treasurer; Conductress; Associate Conductress; Trustee (3-year term ) and a Trustee for the Chapter Benevolent Fund (3-year term).
If a nominated candidate for any office is unable to be present at this meeting, and is elected, she/he must have a letter of acceptance to the Secretary before this meeting.
Anyone wishing to hold an elected office for the year 2026-27 must have their 2026 dues paid before or at the annual meeting on March 3rd.
Anyone wishing to hold an appointed office for the year 2026-27 must have their 2026 dues paid before the Installation of officers April 7th.
ANNUAL REPORTS: Presented by the Worthy Matron, Secretary, Treasurer, Trustees and Auditing Committee. The Floral Report will be given by the Sunshine Representative.
All signed reports submitted to the secretary, MUST be on white Acid Free paper, as they will become part of the permanent record.
—ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE in Memory of our Departed Sisters.
—OES EVENT FLYERS: are posted in the GOINGS-ON section at
http://palestinechapter114oes.org
—FROM THE EAST
Steve and I hope you are surviving the winter and staying warm. We hope to see you at our annual meeting so you can keep informed by hearing the reports of the chapter.
We are also holding our annual Memorial Service for our departed members from this past year.
Because we had Christmas in February, we are having Valentine’s Day in March with the men of the chapter providing us with a tasty collation. We look forward to greeting you.
In Star Love,
Joan and Steve
—FROM THE SECRETARY
Anyone wishing to hold an office for 2026-27 must have their dues paid by the annual meeting. — Gail

With our installation completed and our new officers installed, we are ready to begin our Explorers of Hope year.  We are humbled and uplifted by the confidence placed in us to serve in the East of Palestine Chapter and look forward to sharing time with each of you during the coming year.

01/22/2026

EXPLORERS OF HOPE:
Watch words: Kindness, Peace and Love
Bible Verse: If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. —Romans 12:18
Motto: Hold Fast and Forget Not
Sisters and Brothers,
You are cordially invited to attend the 1171st stated meeting of Palestine Chapter No. 114, OES to be held at the Newton Masonic Hall, 460 Newtonville Avenue, Newtonville, MA on:
Saturday, February 3, 2026
7:00pm
—OFFICER’S ATTIRE:
Sisters: Long dresses or long skirt
Brothers: Sports or suit coat. Collared shirt and tie
Christmas Festive Attire Encouraged
—BUSINESS: To receive petitions, hear reports of committees and transact any business which may legally come before the Chapter.
—COLLATION:Christmas in February
—REHEARSAL: None
—HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our Sisters and Brothers celebrating in February.
—TO OUR SICK and SHUT-IN MEMBERS:
Life is a winding staircase, best taken one step at a time.
—CHATEAU WALTHAM FUNDRAISER
Plan to Dine-out for Lunch, Dinner or Take-out on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
—PALESTINE CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS are now available. Contact the Secretary for an Application. All applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2026.
—OES EVENT FLYERS: are posted in the GOINGS-ON section at
http://palestinechapter114oes.org
—FROM THE EAST
Sisters and BrothersAs our December meeting was cancelled because of “weather” it would be fun that we have a holiday celebration this month. Please wear your Festive/holiday attire.
We also have Brother Jeff Odhner who will entertain us with his violin.
In Star Love,
Joan and Steve
—FROM THE SECRETARY
Please notify me of any change in address, email address, or telephone number. Help to keep us up to date. — Gail

With our installation completed and our new officers installed, we are ready to begin our Explorers of Hope year.  We are humbled and uplifted by the confidence placed in us to serve in the East of Palestine Chapter and look forward to sharing time with each of you during the coming year.