Highlights of the History of

Midlothian Chapter No. 85

    The history of  Midlothian Chapter began on October 20, 1983 in a very warm gym of the Powhatan War Memorial Building.  Brother R. Lee Wayland, W.G.P., presided over the ceremony of Institution assisted by Sister Polly Boaz, Grand Marshal, who led 43 of the original 45 members to a place around the Altar where they took the obligation of the Order of the Eastern Star.  The officers, chosen by the members previously, were properly elected and installed by Sister Doris Carter, W.G.M.  These newly installed officers had never been in a chapter room before and had no idea into what they were getting themselves into.

    Brother Joe Talley, so instrumental in getting this new chapter started, presented six pedestals to the new chapter.  The wood for these pedestals was taken out of the original Midlothian Lodge building as it was being enlarged.  The Altar Bible was presented by Chris Goehns, mother of Sister Pat Lanier, a member of this new chapter.  The following night, the members assembled again in Powhatan Chapter’s meeting room where Sister Rose and Brother Roy Johnston, and Sister Barbara and Brother Earl Burtchett – W.M., W.P. , A.M. & A.P. respectively were initiated in behalf of the entire group of charter members.  Brother Joe Talley presided as Worthy Patron Pro-tem, with Sister Jo Frame as Worthy Matron.  The new chapter was duly “launched.”

    Midlothian Lodge 211 offered the use of their temple as a home for the new chapter.  Grand Chapter provided the essential emblems and badges.  Brothers Joe and Earl went to Hampton and brought back a beautiful signet donated by Colonial Chapter No. 40.  Sister Kitty Staton gave the chapter a lovely Bible marker.  Sister Barbara made pedestal covers and an altar cover and kneeling pads.  Brother Woody Woodhull spearheaded a search for a star rug, and he and Sister Ida Woodhull presented the chapter with its first banner.  It still hangs on the wall by the piano.  In later years, Sister Kitty led a campaign to raise money for a larger, more permanent carpet with the O.E.S. emblems on it.  This rug was purchased and after many months, finally persuaded to lie flat.  The traveling jewels for the Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron were donated by the A. M. and A.P.

    During the first seven and one-half months the chapter operated Under Dispensation.  U.D. might also have stood for Un-Disciplined.   The members began to travel at once.  Sister Doris Carter, W.G.M., whose theme was Golden Apples, labeled these new Stars, her “Green Apples.”  What they lacked in knowledge they made up in enthusiasm.   Midlothian Chapter U.D. became Midlothian Chapter No. 85 when the top four line officers were invited to the East at the Grand Chapter session in May, 1984 to officially receive the chapter’s charter. 

    Midlothian Chapter # 85 was not the first star chapter in the area.  In 1985, “Aunt Billie,” Sister Wilma Ferebee, presented the Worthy Matron with the minute book of the original Midlothian Chapter of the Eastern Star that was instituted May 31, 1921.  It remained Under Dispensation for a year and then became Midlothian Chapter #43.  Their largest membership was 26 with only about 14 active.  This led them to surrender their charter November 27, 1922.   The  members  of this early chapter represented families important in Midlothian’s history: Jones, Jewett, Winfree, Hudspeth, Horner, Fisher, Bass, Spears-Dance, Morrissette, and Miss Lula Powell – the much loved school marm.  At least one of their descendants is a member of Chapter 85.

    The chapter members can look back with fond memories on the good times they have had together - some in the chapter room, but more outside of it.  At the meetings, the officers took pride in their ritualistic work and did it well.  They made the chapter room beautiful and threw an air of love and service around their activities.  When more money than dues was needed to meet the expenses and provide funds for charitable purposes, the chapter went to work making and selling Brunswick stews, barbeques, preparing dinners for special groups, and as fundraisers, getting rid of “good stuff” at yard sales, making crafts, baked goods, jams and relishes – selling dish clothes and gift wrap and ornaments; making a cook book, turning hymn books into angels… and the list could go on and on.  All of this was enjoyable labor allowing the chapter to provide scholarships, aid local families in need, provide funds for the OES Home, youth groups, Angel Tree, Christmas Mothers, and many other established charities. 

    Brother Joe Talley, our chapter “father,” and Sister Alice Ryburn, our chapter “mother,” told the new Stars that if they were to have visitors attend their meetings, they had to visit other chapter meetings,  and so they visited – often filling as many as three vans.  They were “on the road again.”  The visiting paid off.  The minutes record that on several occasions there were well over 100 visitors present.  “Mama Alice” told one Worthy Matron that they were doing a fantastic job on bringing in visitors, but they needed to work on their own members.

    Members earned many travel pins over the years as they attended other chapters’ meetings (often serving as protems) and supported the Worthy Grands at Official Visits across the state.  They made wonderful friends in this process and learned a great deal about the Eastern Star from observation and Area Schools.

    Grand Lecturer, Sister Helen Tripp, was very impressed when all Midlothian’s officers attended an Area School in Petersburg one Saturday morning.    She was not pleased, however when most of them left before lunch to go to an afternoon Official Visit in Fork Union and then across Afton Mountain to attend an evening Official Visit in Waynesboro.  What a wonderful day that was,  a bit tiring, but fun all day.

    Several members remembered a special evening when 18 of them went out to dinner and then to an official Visit at the Scottish Rite Temple in Richmond.  After all “titled” folks had been presented the  presiding Worthy Matron asked all who had not been introduced to stand and then one from each chapter was to give the name of the chapter and everyone from that chapter be seated.  Midlothian had 16 “nobodies” present which caused quite a stir.  Worthy Grand Patron, Bob Baker, commended Midlothian Chapter on its traveling, growth, and activities, and the $1675.00 they had turned in at Star Festival.  A sister in the back row was heard to say: “If Bob Baker mentions Midlothian chapter one more time, I’m going to leave.”  What a great time the members were having!  

    Grand Chapter sessions were very special and always looked forward to eagerly from the first one, attended  in 1984 with its headquarters in the John Marshall Hotel, to the latest session in Roanoke.  Several members attended General Grand Chapter Sessions, and enjoyed visiting  other  Grand Chapter sessions  across the U.S. and into Canada.    On long trips, half the fun was getting there. Yards of yarn and embroidery floss passed through the hands of those who traveled together.  Quilts, afghans, countless dish clothes and lots of plastic canvas items were created by the ladies, as the men did most of the driving and all joined in the conversation and laughter.   The members had several picnics in the rain and one very memorable picnic in the shady church yard of an African-American church on the way to Gretna.  This seemed to cause some concern on the part of their congregation.

    Not all traveling involved meetings.  The members, often in a group with other chapters or Lodges, enjoyed several bus trips to the Eastern Star International Temple, The George Washington Memorial, and other Masonic landmarks, and places of interest in the Washington D.C. area.  They enjoyed trips to the azalea gardens in Norfolk and to an apple festival and bazaar at Graves Mountain.  Many of the members also   cruised down the James River on the Annabelle Lee and around Hampton Roads on the Spirit of Norfolk.  A number of the members took one or more bus trips  to  New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.  Some of the members even went together on the big cruise ship to the Caribbean.  Closer to home,  the  group enjoyed trips to Swift Creek Playhouse and other places to eat and be entertained .   

    A picnic was always fun whether at a park, or a member’s home beside the river, or in the wonderful pavilion built on the lodge grounds.  These picnics/stews were at times a joint venture of the OES, two lodges, the Jobies, and the DeMolay.   Many of our chapter members served as adult advisors to the youth groups.  The chapter members served as secret dads and moms for the Jobies, and were proud to have the young people present some of their work for the members before the chapter meetings.   The chapter is blessed to have many former Jobies, a Rainbow girl, and a member of the DeMolay as members of the chapter now.

    Midlothian Chapter No. 85 is the latest chapter formed from all new members of the Eastern Star and has in its relatively short history been honored by a number of Grand Chapter appointments.   The Past Matrons and Past Patrons have served on numerous Grand Chapter committees – many of them as chairpersons.  Brother J. Earl Burtchett served as chairman of Directory Publishing twice and as chairman of Star Festival one year.  Brother H.H. “Moe” Staton served as chairman of the $100 club several years, chairman of ushers, directory sales, tote bags, and  jewelry.    Brother Duane Arbogast served as chairman of Directory Sales, $100 bags, Ushers & Sentinels.  Sisters Kitty Staton, Meg Witt, and Barbara Burtchett served as Grand Historians.  Sister Dottie Butler served as chairman of Necrology before joining Midlothian, and as Chairman of the OES Home Outreach Ambassadors more recently.  Sister Barbara Burtchett was the first Asst. Lecturer for District 37 appointed from Midlothian Chapter.

    The Chapter was further honored by the appointment of the following Grand Representatives:  Sister Kitty Staton – Minnesota;  Brother Earl Burtchett – Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island;  Brother Edgar Butler – Wyoming, Sister Mary Arbogast – West Virginia;   Brother Duane Arbogast – West Virginia,  and dual member Sister Earldine Rudd – Vermont.

    Midlothian chapter members were delighted when Brother Joe Talley of Powhatan Chapter, later a Midlothian member, was appointed Grand Sentinel by Sister Mary Lee Cox-Loyal. Barbara Burtchett was Midlothian’s first grand officer, appointed by  Cathy Childress as  her Grand Marshal, followed by Joyce Clarke’s appointment of Dorothy Butler as her Grand Esther.  W.G.M. Rhonda King appointed “Moe” Staton as her Grand Sentinel, and Verna Vierick appointed Mary Arbogast as her Grand Chaplain.   Dual member, Anna Helms, served as Setha Bennett’s Grand Marshal.

    Two members of Midlothian Chapter received Masonic honors as Brother John Quinley was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia and he appointed Brother Walter Young as his Grand Marshal.     

    The STARLIGHT NEWS, established during the Childress-Hogan Grand Chapter year, was edited and published for most of its first ten years by Earl and Barbara Burtchett.

    Midlothian Chapter made an impact on the Grand Chapter when Brothers Moe and Earl, backed up by several past grand's, got a resolution passed to allow dual membership in Virginia.  This action pumped new life into a number of small chapters. 

    The members of the chapter have done a lot of enjoyable things over the years.  The members at the O.E.S. Home were important to the chapter.  Transportation was often provided for them to visit the chapter’s meetings.  When a Brunswick Stew was made by the chapter, enough to feed the residents and staff was sent to the Home.   These sisters and brothers were invited as guests of the chapter to their annual homemade ice cream socials.  The residents were always remembered at Christmas and one Christmas each resident was adopted by a member of the chapter who selected a special gift for their sister.  The gifts were taken to them on Christmas Eve as the chapter  members joined the residents for lunch.  The members of the chapter reserved places at the Sunday dinner table at the home once a month and enjoyed visiting with the folks there. 

    For many years that chapter had a special event in August to remember the birthday of Rob Morris, the founder of the O.E.S., and to raise money for ESTARL.  This started out as a purely HOMEMADE ice cream sale, but evolved into a lots of different types of desserts, topped with ice cream buffet.  Members, visitors, and guests enjoyed good fellowship and gained weight on their purchases.

    The Womanless Wedding in 1990 provided enough laughs to last a long time.  Bearded Brother Moe Staton in a wedding dress made out of hunter’s camouflage was the center of attention.   All of the men were really good sports as the ladies dressed them up and everyone howled with delight at their antics.  

    Sister Rebecca Saunders provided a chance for the members to enjoy   the musical talents of Sister Wendy Rosen and her friends, Brother Dick Holt and his quartet completed a Valentine’s event during one of Sister Kitty’s years, and Sister Jean Weatherford and her talented group, including a new member, Sam Shealey,  furnished wonderful entertainment for both the Lodge and Star members.

    Sister Mary Arbogast, a very talented lady with a needle, gave all of the members a chance to show off their craftiness by requesting the samples of their work be brought and displayed in the dining room during one of our chapter meetings.  There were displays of beautiful cards made by Sister Becky, a special quilt made by Kitty and several beautiful ones that Mary had made; scroll art wood pictures made by Edgar and Earl; knitted items from Earldine and a doll Barbara made; lawn art created by Moe, and many other unique items.  Some of these items had found their way into booths at Star Festival over the years.  Several of the members are very good artists.  Everyone enjoyed sharing these talents.

    Star Festival was a wonderful day for the members of the chapter as they got to see friends from across the state and buy and sell crafts and other good things with the money going to support the OES Home.  Midlothian members sold breakfast, and lunch, books and crafts, Christmas “stuff,”  formal wear, and lots of other good things over the years.  It was necessary for someone to arrive before dawn to claim  just the right spot for the chapter’s tables.

    Midlothian Stars proved their athletic ability during Sister Bonnie Boone Enderle’s grand chapter year as they joined her in an evening of skill and laughter at the bowling alley to raise money for her special project.

    Sister Kitty Staton, in her latest term as Worthy Matron,  had as her theme – Memories.  What a delightful time the chapter members had sharing special memories – some of life in the Eastern Star, more just memories of their younger days.  What a blessing memories are.

    The chapter grieved at the death of each of our members, but especially at the passing of Brother Joe Talley.  In his memory a scholarship fund was set up and named for him.  This has benefited a number of students over the years and continues to do so.

    The Chapter was taken by surprise in the summer of 2000 when the Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron resigned and asked for demits.  The Associate Matron and Associate Patron, Sister Meg Witt and Brother Duane Arbogast stepped into the vacated positions without missing a beat and the chapter pulled together and became stronger. 

    From its institution in 1983 to its 25^th anniversary in 2008, Midlothian Chapter has been a chapter in action.  With a membership of 45 at its beginning, the chapter grew to 102 members in 2003, and presently has 86 members. Dues have increased $15 to $35, and the meeting hour changed 7:30 P.M.  Over the years one hundred thirty new members were initiated into the chapter.  42 affiliated, and nine became dual members.  Along the way the chapter has lost some fine members – many of them to their eternal home.

    As one looks through the minutes of the meetings for the past 25 years, there seems to be a lot of repetition in activities.  Some years gained more memories than others.  Some years had more new members, some years lost more members.  A great deal of money has been raised  and almost as much has been disbursed.   The chapter has no Certificates of Deposit or other major savings accounts because.  Over the years Midlothian Chapter members have donated $13,585 to needy individuals and families in the local area;  given more than $12,000 for Scholarships.  Sent $15,124 for the support of the OES Home, more than $3,000 to the Masonic youth groups,  and donated more than $4,000 each to local charities and special charities supported by the Masonic family. 

    The Order of the Eastern Star, and more specifically   Midlothian Chapter, has provided its members with the opportunity to help others, given them a sense of accomplishment,  and provided the opportunity to make very special friends, both locally and across the world.  Midlothian looks forward to 25 more good years!

SURVIVING CHARTER MEMBERS

Barbara I. Burtchett

Doris Dickerson

Dick Holt, Sr.

Pat Lanier

Jill Quinley

John Quinley

Herman “Moe” Staton

Catherine “Kitty” Staton