THE STARS OF WASHINGTON
 
Tuesday, July 25th, 2006
 
If I could catch a rainbow
I would do it just for you
and share with you its beauty
On the days you're feeling blue.

 If I could build a mountain
You could call your very own;
A place to find serenity,
A place to be alone.

If I could take your troubles
I would toss them in the sea,
But all these things I'm finding
are impossible for me.

I cannot build a mountain
Or catch a rainbow fair,
But let me be what I know best,
A friend who's always there.
 
 

 
 
SADNESS ... PGM Mable Linbo

 

    Sister Mable Linbo, Past Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Washington, passed away July 21st.  To quote PGP Don Beck:  'she has gone to join her Les as well as Larry and Joanne Bjorkland, husband and dear friends who she had missed for many years.' 

    Her services will be: 

Date ~ Friday, July 28, 2006
Time ~ 2:00 PM
Place ~ New Tacoma Cemetery, 9212 Chambers Creek Rd W, Tacoma, WA  98467.   253-564-1311
Directions:  Take off I-5 at Exit 130 and come to So. 56th St.  Go west on S 56th some distance.  (At cross street Orchard St W, S 56th changes to S 56th W, and shortly thereafter S 56th W becomes Cirque Drive W.) 
Continue on Cirque Drive W until you intersect Bridgeport Way W.
Go left (south) on Bridgeport Way W until you come to Chambers Lane W (this is not a cross street, but comes into Bridgeport Way W on your right side.  You will have passed streets numbered 56th... - 57th...- 59th... )
Turn right (west) onto Chambers Lane W and head west.
Chambers Lane W soon changes into Chambers Creek Rd W.
Continue west on Chambers Creek Rd W until you come to the New Tacoma Cemetery entrance on your right. 
You are on your own once going through the entrance.  GOOD LUCK!  (We've been there ... do take these directions with you or go with someone who is well acquainted with the area!)
 
    Sister Mable was Worthy Grand Matron in 1988 with Brother Larry Bjorkland as her Worthy Grand Patron.  Cards to the family can be sent to her daughter Maridona Tyler at 26810 - 33rd Ave S, Kent 98032.
 
 
PRAYERS NEEDED ... MARVIN GERKING, WGP, IDAHO
 
Hi Connie,
    Thought you and others might like to know.  We were on our way to Tulsa, OK, staying a few days with our son Allan and his wife Melissa, in Denver. On Wednesday Marvin wound up in the emergency ward at the hospital.  He had a major artery 80% blocked.  They put in a stint and he is now recuperating at Allan's home for at least a week possibly longer.  Needless to say we will not make it to Tulsa.
** Diane Gerking
 
Cards:
Marvin Gerking, WGP
160 Tweedie Road
Blanchard, ID 83804
 
 
NOTICE ... NEED HELP
 
    The Grand Chapter Session Rest Stop at Indian John, West Bound, will begin at 9:00 AM on August 4th and will continue until 8:00 AM on August 7th.  Brother Orton Krueger is Chairman of this event and needs help.  Please contact him at criskakrueg@donobi.net if you are able to give him some assistance.  This is a very worthwhile project ... so all who can, please give this courageous man your help!   
 
 
 
MESSAGES FROM MY MAIL BOX
 
OV ... Hawaiian Style ...
    July 25th is the date for Crown-Amethyst Chapter's OV.  We will be celebrating the event with warm weather, Hawaiian attire and our combined Aloha Hospitality.  Please join us at 7:30 PM in the Alki Masonic Hall, 4736 - 40th Ave SW, West Seattle.
** Kathi Dewey, Worthy Matron, Crown Chapter #249
- - - -  - - - - - - - - -
 
Floral Chapter News ...
    Hi Connie, Will you please put in Stars, that Floral Chapter # 117 will be having a special night for PGM Margaret Morgan on Monday October 30th, 7:30 PM at the Masonic Hall in Monroe, WA.  Worthy Matron Wanda and Bro Jim Acord are putting together a program for Grand Shoemacher Margaret.  Please come and join us for fun, entertainment, and refreshments. 
**  Bill Wade WP

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 

 

 
Closeout Sale.... 50% to 25% Discounts -
F.N. Kistner Company
Fraternal Emblems
600 W. Van Buren - Suite 907
Chicago, Illinois 60607-3706
1-312/441-0693 or 1-800/891-9285 or Fax 1-312/441-0695
July 2006
 
Dear Grand Secretary:
    After being in business for 100 years, the F.N. Kistner Company will be closing it's doors.  This is due to the sudden death of my associate, Jerry Wilk.
    During the next several months that we will remain open, all merchandise in stock, and listed in our 2002-2003 catalog, will be offered at a 50% discount.  Books will be less 25%.  This applies to all merchandise in stock which includes solid gold jewelry, rings, pins, antique jewels, year pins, gifts and novelty items.  Many items are not shown in our catalog.  Please call with your inquiries:
    Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
    8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. CDST
    Special ordered items will be at the regular price.
    Our anticipated closing will be October 31, 2006.
    Thank you for your patronage during these past many decades.  It was because of you we were able to be in business 100 years.  We have enjoyed our relationship with each and everyone of you and regret the unfortunate circumstance that has brought such an abrupt end to our business.
    Please notify the subordinate chapters and lodges of this information.  Thank you for your cooperation.
    Hoping to be of service to you, we remain
Sincerely & Fraternally Yours,
 
/S/ Ronald S. Moll
President
** Montana Stars #7-1717
 
 
JULY & AUGUST MASONIC FAMILY CALENDAR ....

  • July 26 ... OES:  OV; Fidelity Chapter & Afton Chapter; Masonic Temple, 405 Olympic Ave, Arlington.  Air Conditioning & Chairlift; plus stairs.  7:30 PM. 

  • July 28 ... CHIPS:  (6:00 PM to closing) Music in the Park at Bothell Landing CHIP's to Sponsor all Food Booths (all monies raised per Bothell Parks representative to be donated to CHIP's)
  • July 28 - 30 ... AMAR:  Campout/Picnic at Granite Falls, contact Mary Strous 360 802 0670.
  • July 28 - 30:  CHIPS:  Bellevue Arts Fair Tentative
  • July 29 ... GL:  Seafair Torchlight Parade; 2:30 PM.  Tux.
  • July 29 ... OES:  Tri-Line Meeting; Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  • August 1 ... OES:  OV; Langley Chapter & Tula Chapter; Langley Masonic Center, 2812 E. Grimm RD, Langley; 7:30 PM. 
  • August 2 ... OES:  OV; Naomi Chapter, Narcissus Chapter & Crystal Chapter; Corinthian Masonic Center, 1005 W. Pioneer, Puyallup; 7:30 PM. 
  • August 3 ... OES:  OV; Lakeside Chapter & Kirkland Chapter; Bellevue Masonic Center, 16229 Northrup Way, Bellevue; 7:30 PM. 
  • August 3 ... GL:  Warren G. Harding No. 260, Poulsbo.  Dinner:  6:00 PM.  TU
  • August 4 ... GL:  HV; 7:30 PM.  TU
  • August 5 ... GL:  Outdoor Master Mason Degree, Granite Falls; 10:00 AM; Ladies; TU.
  • August 6 ... GL:  Joint Church Service with Prince Hall Grand Lodge, DuPont; 4:00 PM; Ladies; TU.
  • August 6 ... OES:  Western Washington Grand Representative Picnic; Masonic Park, Granite Falls; Noon. 
  • August 6 ... AMAR:  Scholarship Benefit/Auction at Thorp.  Contact Giny Rieck 509-946-8483.
  • August 7 ... OES:  OV:  Pilgrim Chapter, Esther Chapter & Key City Chapter; Sequim Masonic Center, 700 S. 5th AVE, Sequim; 7:30 PM.
  • August 8 ... OES:  OV; Montesano Chapter; Masonic Hall, 308 S. 1st St., Montesano.  7:30 PM. 
  • August 9 ... OES:  OV; Lackamas Chapter, Martha Washington Chapter & Henry Wentworth Chapter; North Bank Masonic Center, 888 - 17th ST, Washougal; 7:30 PM. 
  • August 10 ... GL:  HV; 7:30 PM.  TU
  • August 10 - 13:  EKS:  Summer PNSA, Great Falls, MT.
  • August 11 ... GL:  OES Golf Tourney, McChord AFB; 1:00 PM.  CTU.
  • August 11 ... OES:  6th Annual Charity Golf Tournament; McChord AFB.  Benefit for Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders. 
  • August 12 ... GL:  District 21 & 22's Meeting; BBQ in the Park, Monitor.  Noon; Ladies; CTU.
  • August 13 ... OES:  Rainbow Dream Camp; Granite Falls.
  • August 15 ... OES:  OV; Astral Chapter, Oasis Chapter & Harmony Chapter; Wenatchee Masonic Center, 811 N. Chelan AVE, Wenatchee; 7:30 PM. 
  • August 15 ... GL:  Cornerstone for Adams County Services Building, Othello.  GL opens at 9:30 AM.  Ceremony:  10:30 AM.  Tux.
  • August 16 ... OES:  OV; Magnolia Chapter & Ivanhoe Chapter; Millwood Masonic Hall, 3219 N. Argonne RD, Millwood; 7:30 PM. 
  • August 17 ... OES:  OV; Syringa Chapter & Grace Chapter; Yakima Masonic Center, 511 N. 4th Street, Yakima.  7:30 PM. 
  • August 17 ... GL:  Garfield No. 41 BBQ, LaConner; 6:00 PM; Ladies; TU/CTU.
  • August 18 ... GL:  District No. 20 Golf Tournament; TBD.  CTU.
  • August 18 ... AMAR:  OV at Canal; 5:00 PM Dinner; 7:00 PM Meeting.
  • August 19 ... GL:  Kennewick First Methodist Church, Kennewick.  GL opens at 8:30 AM; Ceremony: 9:00 AM.  Light Refreshments.  Tux/TU.
  • August 19 ... OES:  OV; Madrona Chapter 100th; Masonic Center, 8th & 'O', Anacortes; 7:30 PM. 
  • August 20 ... GL:  WMA Summit, TBD; 1:00 PM; Ladies; TU.
  • August 21 ... OES:  OV; Greenwood Chapter & Doric Chapter; Greenwood Masonic Center, 7910 Greenwood Ave N., Seattle; 7:30 PM.
  • August 22 ... OES:  OV: Cyrene Chapter, Mt. Baker Chapter & Stanwood Chapter; Masonic Temple, 106 Warner ST, Sedro Woolley; 7:30 PM. 
  • August 24 - Sept. 5 ... CHIPS:  Evergreen State Fair in Monroe; 12 days - 12 hours per day.  1500 to 2000 children expected.
  • August 25 ... GL:  District Meeting; Districts 8 & 9, Anacortes; 6:00 PM.  CTU
  • August 26 ... OES:  Reception for WGM of BC & Yukon, Victoria, BC.
  • August 26 ... GL:  Outdoor EA Degree, Quilcene-Jefferson Lodge No 107; 10:00 AM; TU.
  • August 26 ... GL:  District No. 11 Meeting, Quilcene Jefferson Lodge No. 107, 4:00 PM, Ladies; CTU.
  • August 27 ... AMAR:  Golf Tournament, Alderbrook Golf Course/Hood Canal.  Contact Dave Hubbard 360-458-1477 or Karen Ekrem 253-833-3761.  This is a Grand Court Ways & Means Event. 
  • August 29 ... GL:  Whidbey Island No. 15 Past Masters' Night; 6:00 PM.  TU.
  • August 29 ... OES:  OV; Evergreen Chapter's 125th.  Goldendale Masonic Temple, 219 S. Columbus AVE, Goldendale.  7:30 PM. 
 

OES:  Events with Worthy Grand Matron

GL:  Events with the Grand Master
EKS:  Events with El Katif Shrine, Spokane
CHIPS:  Childhood Identification Program
AMAR:  Amaranth
TU = Team Uniform - consisting of blue blazer, grey slacks, white or blue Masonic shirt and team tie.

CTU = Casual Team Uniform - blue Masonic tee-shirt, slacks. 

 
 
A NEW TWIST ON ENGLISH COMPOSITION
 

Every year, English teachers from across the country can submit their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays. These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of teachers across the country. Here are last year's winners..... 

  • Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master. 
  • His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.
  • He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it. 
  • She grew on him like she was a colony of E. Coli, and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.
  • She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.
  • Her vocabulary was as bad as, like... whatever. 
  • He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.
  • The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine. 
  • The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.
  • McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.
  • From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p. m. instead of 7:30. 
  • Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.
  • The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease. 
  • Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p. m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p. m. at a speed of 35 mph. 
  • They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.
  • John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
  • He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the East River. 
  • Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.
  • Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.
  • The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work. 
  • The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.
  • He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something. 
  • The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
  • It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.
  • He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.

** Shared by Glynis Tucker

 
 
INVITATION

All Aboard the Orient Express

 Official Visit of the Worthy Grand Matron

Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

August 3rd, 2006

 

Kirkland Chapter #176 & Lakeside Chapter #202

Bellevue Masonic Center

16229 Northrup Way

 

 

 

 

Please join us for a special and fun evening.

 
 
  
BLUE LODGE AGENDAS
 
ALPHA LODGE NO. 212 ...                                     .
August 3 ... Stated Meeting; 7:30 PM. 
 
DAMASCUS LODGE NO. 199 ...                                .
August 5 ... Pancake Breakfast; 7 AM - 10 AM.
 
DISTRICT NO. 8 ...                   VW  G. Santy Lascano, Deputy of the Grand Master
August 5 ... Open Air Degree; Granite Falls; 8:00 AM.
 
DISTRICT NO. 9 ...                   VW Charrison Lochaby, Deputy of the Grand Master
August 7 ... Masonic Breakfast, Frank's Place; 7:00 AM.
 
FIDALGO LODGE NO. 77 ...                                     .
August 8 ... Stated Meeting; 7:30 PM.  Casual Dress.
 
FRANK S. LAND LODGE NO. 313 ...    W Bob Starowski, WM
July 30 ... Executive Committee Meeting; 2:00 PM.
August 5 ... Total Testosterone (Thommpson, Chr)
 
LANGLEY LODGE NO. 218 ...                                    .
August 7 ... Dinner; 6:30 PM.  Meeting: 7:30 PM.  Casual.
 
MOUNT BAKER LODGE NO. 36 ...                               .                                             .
August 1 ... Stated Meeting; Casual Dress; 7:30 PM.
 
SULTAN MONROE LODGE NO. 160 ...                          .
August 1 ... Stated Meeting; Official Visit of District Deputy; 7:30 PM.
 
 
(If you wish to have your Blue Lodge Agenda in this section, please let me know!)
 
 
 
 
MASONIC NEWS
 
You are cordially invited to attend
Hermanos del Arte Lodge #314
Annual Installation of Officers
at the Grand Hall in Brewster, Washington
Highway 97 in Brewster
Saturday, July 29th, 2006
at 12:00 Noon
Followed by an outdoor BBQ and potluck!
 
Brethren,
    Just a reminder that the Open Installation of Officers for Hermanos del Arte #314 will be this Sat. (July 29th) 12:00 noon, Brewster Grange Hall. Dress for the day is casual team uniform for the Masons. If you don't have a CTU wear something comfortable. NO TIES OR JACKETS please. Ladies are free to wear whatever they wish. I would suggest something cool and comfortable.
    For the local Brethren: we will set up and open lodge at 10:00 am, call off session, and set up the tables outside for the picnic which will follow immediately after the installation. Our lodge will furnish the hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and soft drinks and the rest will be potluck. So bring your favorite dish to go with your hamburger. Does any Brother(s) wish to volunteer to be our chef(s)?
    After the picnic concludes we will need to close lodge and clean up the building as another renter will use the building Sunday for church services.  For those who are uncomfortable with the heat we will have tables inside and the A.C. on inside the Grange Hall.
    Hope to see you Sat.
** Bill R. Wood, Worshipful Master Elect
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
    Did you know that there is a cemetery in Springfield, Illinois and one in Clinton Township, Missouri that has a large Masonic section that is set up as a lodge room?  There are large stone chairs for the Master and Wardens and a large stone Altar with a Bible.  The area is so large that a person would have a difficult time shouting loud enough to be heard from one station to another. 
** The Rite Bulletin, Valley of Everett, Volume 15, Issue 8.
 
 
THE ULTIMATE EMAIL
 
    I must send my thanks to whoever sent me the one about rat droppings in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet towel with every envelope that needs sealing.
    Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.
    I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.
    I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for  participating in their special e-mail program.
    I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.
    I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.
    I can't enjoy a good Latte from Starbucks anymore because they WOULD NOT send any coffee to that poor Army Sgt who requested it.
    I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.
    Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an email to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.
    Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.
    I no longer can buy gasoline without taking a man along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.
    I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put "Under God" on their cans.
    I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.
    And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face... disfiguring me for life.
    I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.
    I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops or the Salvation Army.
    I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore, and Uzbekistan.
    I no longer worry about sudden cardiac arrest, since I can now cough myself back to life instead of wasting time calling 911.
    I no longer have any sneakers -- but that will change once I receive my free replacement pair from Nike.
    I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have  their recipe.
    Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my behind.
    Thank you too for all the endless advice Andy Rooney has given us. I can live a better life now because he's told us how to fix everything.
    And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 I dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.
     If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to  grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician, who is a lawyer.
    Have a wonderful day, and you are welcome!!
 

 

 
LOWRY'S HINTS
 

HINT 1:  Simple way to organize your picnic table:   Use a muffin pan to hold your condiments such as mustard, catsup, relish, and onions. You won't have to pass a lot of separate bottles and jars.

         * * * * * * * *
HINT 2:  When going on a picnic, here are some things NOT to forget:  
Sunscreen  
Blanket  
Insect repellant  
Band-Aids  
Wet wipes  
Other Fun Stuff to Bring:   A single-use camera, bottles of bubble mix, shovels and pails, some colored pencils and sketch pads, a baseball or beach ball, a jump rope, and a book or radio.  

Games to Play:  
Croquet  
Badminton  
3-legged race  
Hide and Seek  
Scavenger hunt

         * * * * * * * *

HINT 3:  When going on a picnic, here is a thrifty way to cover food to keep those pesty bugs from enjoying your lunch too.  Instead of buying those expensive plastic food covers, purchase shower caps from your local Dollar Store.  They work perfect and are very cheap. You can get 15 shower caps for about a $1.00.  
 
 
RECIPES
 
Oven-Fried Mozzarella Sticks
Don't bust your waistline with high-fat, fried cheese sticks. Our slimmed-down version hits the spot and is much healthier for you

2 sprays olive oil cooking spray, divided
8 oz canned tomato sauce
2 tsp ground oregano, divided
3 slice reduced-calorie wheat bread, torn
1 tsp dried thyme
8 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 finger-like strips
2 Tbsp honey mustard
 
    Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.  In a small saucepan, combine tomato sauce and 1 teaspoon of oregano; set pan over low heat and simmer 10 minutes.
 
    Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine bread, remaining teaspoon of oregano and thyme; process until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Place crumbs in a shallow bowl. (Tip: Use the ends of the loaf of bread for the bread crumbs since those slices are often uneaten.)
    Coat cheese sticks with honey mustard. Transfer cheese to bread crumb mixture and turn to coat. Arrange cheese on prepared baking sheet and lightly coat with cooking spray.
    Bake until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Serve with warmed tomato sauce on the side. Yields 2 cheese sticks and about 1/4 cup of sauce per serving
 
Chef's Tips:  We renovated Mozzarella Sticks by:
Coating the cheese with honey mustard instead of eggs.
 
Creating our own seasoned bread crumb mixture for maximum crunch.
 
Using part-skim mozzarella cheese instead of the whole-milk variety.
 
Baking the sticks instead of deep frying them
Weight Watchers:  4 points per 2 sticks. 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
 
Raspberry Rhubarb Jam
 
6 cups sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb
4 cups sugar
1 package (6 ounces) raspberry-flavored gelatin
1 can (21 ounces) raspberry pie filling
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
 
Easy Baked Chicken
 
1/2 cup butter
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 (10-3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (8 ounce) carton sour cream
1 (4 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
1/4 cup wine
1/4 teaspoon salt
   Ground pepper to taste
1 (3 pound) chicken, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup slivered almonds, or cashews
 
TO PREPARE:  Sauté onion in butter until limp. Add cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, mushrooms, wine, salt and pepper. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
    Combine sauce with chicken in a 3 quart casserole dish. Top with almonds or cashews and bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until bubbly.
    Serve as is, or over rice. Especially good if served in patty shells.
    A versatile dish that's good and easy – can be served so many different ways!   SERVINGS:  8
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
Chocolate Cupcakes with Creamy Frosting
 
Ingredients for Cupcakes:
* 2 cups almond flour
* 1 cup Splenda
* 6 Tablespoons butter
* 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 5 eggs, separated
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 5 Tablespoons cocoa

Preheat oven to 325°.  Whip egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff. In separate bowl, using electric mixer, cream butter with egg yolks until light yellow and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and Splenda. Beat until well mixed. Add about 1/3 of whipped egg whites to the butter/egg yolk mixture and mix lightly. Fold the whole thing in to the whipped egg whites and fold lightly. Add 1 cup of almond flour and fold lightly. Add remaining almond flour, baking powder and cocoa and fold thoroughly, being careful not to break down whites. 
    Fill paper muffin cups in muffin tin about half full. Bake at 325° about 15 to 20 minutes until cracked on top.

Ingredients for Frosting:
* 1 pkg Jell-O Sugar Free Vanilla pudding
* 1 8 oz. container mascarpone or cream cheese
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 3 pkts Splenda
* Half 'n Half (to thin to make spreadable if needed)
    Whip mascarpone or cream cheese in food processor or with electric mixer until smooth. Add cream and mix again briefly. Add pudding mix and Splenda and mix well. Add Half 'n Half in 1/2 teaspoon amounts if needed. Makes enough to frost 32 cupcakes (2 batches) and will store in fridge or can be frozen. This recipe can also be spread in fudge pan, frozen and cut in squares as a treat.
    Chocolate Jell-O Pudding can be used for Chocolate Frosting or fudge.
    Makes 16 cupcakes. 3 grams of net carbohydrate per cupcake unfrosted, 6 net grams when frosted.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
Planet Hollywood Cap'n Crunch Chicken

Chicken Crunch:
2 cups Cap'n Crunch cereal
6 eggs
2 cups corn flakes
1 cups milk
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
25 to 30 chicken tenders
3 T. granulated onion
Vegetable oil for deep frying
3 T. granulated garlic
Creole mustard sauce, recipe follows
1 T. pepper

    In food processor, grind cereals until crumbly but some 1/8-inch chunks are still visible. Spread in a shallow pan. In a bowl, combine flour, onion, garlic and pepper. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs and milk.
    Dredge chicken in seasoned flour. Dip in egg mixture, coating evenly. Dredge in cereal mixture, coating well. Arrange on wax paper.
    Preheat oil in deep fryer to 325 degrees. Deep fry chicken in batches for 3 1/2 minutes or until golden brown. Drain.  Makes 4 servings.

Creole Mustard Sauce

1/4 cup sliced green onions
2 T. horseradish
2 T. chopped garlic
1 T. red wine vinegar
2 T. chopped onion
1 T. water
2 T. chopped celery
2 tsp cider vinegar
2 T. chopped green pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp Tabasco sauce
1/4 cup hot mustard
Salt and cayenne pepper to taste
2 T. yellow mustard
    Combine all ingredients and mix well. Serve on the side with chicken. Makes about 2 cups.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
COOKING TIP ... Canning - Jars vs. Cans:  Generally canning with glass jars is best, simply because you can see the produce. It's easy to check for damage, leaking, and discoloration. Glass jars are also cheaper, easier to use, and you can reuse them over and over again! Tin cans may not break like a glass jar, but if you use tin cans for canning, you'll need to buy a sealing device.
     Glass jars commonly used today have either a porcelain-lined cap, which consists of a screw top and rubber ring, or a self-sealing cap, which consists of a flat lid with sealant around the rim and a screw-on band that holds the lid against the lip of the jar. The band can be reused, but you should use a new lid for each process. Old-fashioned clamp-type jars can still be found, but do not use decorative replicas for canning. With this type, the glass lid and
rubber ring are held in place with a long clamp during processing, and then a short clamp is snapped down for a tight seal.
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COOKING TIP ...  Making Even Slices Through a Cake:  Use unflavored dental floss to slice evenly and cleanly through a cake or torte. Simply stretch a length of the floss taut and press down through the cake.
 
 
HELOISE

  • Make Banana Ice Cubes:  If you have extra bananas, slice ripe ones into 1-inch pieces.  Freeze in sealable plastic bags or bins. Then you can pop them into shakes instead of regular ice cubes.

  • What is a Brochette?  A brochette, often called a shish kebab, consists of threading small pieces of chicken, meat, vegetables or fish on long metal or wooden skewers. This is then cooked on a grill or under the broiler. You can even make fruit kebabs using pineapple!

  • Having a Problem with Bugs in Your Cupboards?   Remove everything and wash the areas with hot soapy water. Look for the source and get rid of insect-laden foods. Put new food into sealed containers, or sturdy plastic zip bags, until you are sure the critters are gone.

  • When Shaping Ground Meat:  If you are making meat loaf or meatballs, handle the meat carefully. Don't pack it too tightly because it may become rubbery when cooked. You can use a fork for the mixing and a spoon or ice cream scoop for shaping.

  • Make Your Own Bath Salts:  Mix 3 cups of Epsom Salt, 1 tablespoon of glycerin and a couple of drops of essential oil, such as lavender or eucalyptus. You can add a few drops of food coloring. Put into a pretty glass jar. For a soothing bath, place 1/2 to 3/4 cup of this mixture into the hot water. Relax and enjoy.

 

JOKE ..
 
    I had an offer from a large company and they offered to fly me out to the meeting on business class. During the return flight we were given gourmet brownies and cookies. Not hungry, I decided to save them for later, so I placed them in an airsickness courtesy bag. 
    After the plane landed I got up to leave and a stewardess approached me. She asked, "Sir, would you like for me to dispose of that for you?" 
    I said, "No thanks, I'm saving it for my kids."
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    The newly-married husband came home from the office to find his young wife in floods of tears. "Darling, whatever is the matter?" he asked. 
    "Sweetheart," she sobbed, "the most terrible thing has happened! I cooked my very first Beef Bourguignon for you, and I got it out of the oven to season it, and the phone rang. When I came back from answering the phone," she sobbed again. "I found that the cat had eaten it!" 
    "Don't worry, darling," said her husband. "Don't cry. We can get a new cat tomorrow."
- - -  - - - - - - - - - - - - -
   
    One morning I was called to pick up my son at the school nurse's office. 
    When I walked through the main entrance, I noticed a woman, curlers in her hair, wearing pajamas. "Why are you dressed like that?" I asked her. 
    "I told my son," she explained, "that if he ever did anything to embarrass me, I would embarrass him back. He was caught cutting school. So now I've come to spend the day with him!"
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    There was a job opening in the country's most prestigious law firm and it finally came down to Robert and Paul. Both graduated magna cum laude from law school. Both came from good families. Both are equally attractive and well spoken. It's up to the senior partner to choose one, so he takes each aside and asks, "Why did you become a lawyer?" 
    In seconds, he chooses Paul. 
    Baffled, Robert takes Paul aside. 
    "I don't understand why I was rejected. When Mr. Armstrong asked me why I became a lawyer, I said that I had the greatest respect for the law, that I'd lay down my life for the Constitution and that all I wanted was to do right by my clients. What in the world did you tell him?" 
    "I said I became a lawyer because of my hands," Robert replies. 
    "Your hands? What do you mean?" 
    "Well, I took a look one day and there wasn't any money in either of them!"
 
 
AND A WORD FROM YOURS TRULY ...
 
 
    I feel like a wilted petunia in all this heat ... how about you?  How many of you are as spoiled as we are ... as we leave the air conditioned house and ride in an air conditioned car to an air conditioned store!  Ah!  But just the way we like it, huh!  This past Sunday, Ted ... the new Deputy of the Grand Master in District No. 30, hosted his District Meeting at Deer Park's Mix Park.  The park has plenty of trees ... except for where I was always sitting or standing, it seemed!  I know that the temperatures soared over 100, but it didn't discourage a marvelous turn-out to see and hear Grand Master Chuck McQuery.  We served baked chicken; Longhorn Ribs and potato salad; cole slaw; barbecue beans; 4-Bean Salad (whose counting??); rolls, butter, cake & cookies.  Ted had many helpers ... like Chuck & Mary Callen (you know them, huh!); Norm (Grand Marshal this year) and wife Pat; Right Worshipful Doug Tucker, Senior Grand Warden; Ill. Sir Doug Morgan, Potentate of El Katif Shrine; Deputy of the Grand Master in District No. 8 - Santy Lascano; VW Jim Mendoza from Puyallup; VW Dave Emerton from Vancouver; VW Alan Spreen from Steilacoom; Kurt Kimberling, a member of the El Katif Divine; plus others.  It was Masonry and Brotherly love in action that day as everyone, no matter what their titles were ... pitched in and helped make the day a success.  I know that Ted is very grateful!  We had a couple of door prizes and Sister Ina King, Grand Representative of Idaho in WA, was a winner of one of them.  Grand Master Chuck received a Western Straw hat and a Starbuck's gift card.  First Lady Diane received a gift certificate to Wild Flowers Quilt Shop in Ritzville.  They seemed pleased!  Oh yes ... the Shrine Band came and entertained us with tunes they were practicing for the forthcoming PSNA next month and, during the course of the day, they made Grand Master Chuck an honorary member of the Band.  It was a fun day even though it was hotter than a fritter!  I sure appreciated the cold water over the head ... and am glad my hair is wash and wear!
    Been a bit negligent in getting the Chapter Reminders into the STARS.  Maybe next week! 
    Until next time ... Star hugs and happy thoughts. 
** Connie 

 

 

 
    I would sure appreciate your sending me your Ode Cards when finished!  Sure helps with this publication!   I received several Ode Cards at Grand Chapter and have found them, me thinks!  I can't remember who gave them to me, but I know that I received Ode Cards from:  Tyler Chapter. 
 
 
    Remember! Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
 
Star hugs and God Bless America! 
Connie
 
 
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Connie Shrum
Grand Chaplain, GC of WA
Past Matron x 2;
Associate Matron, Zillah Chapter #111, Newport, WA
Martha, Bethlehem Chapter #87, Deer Park, WA
GGC Triennium Committee - Eastern Star Journal
Email:  starsofwa@washingtonoes.org
Creator & Editor:  'Stars of Washington'   Newsletter
 
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 DISCLAIMER:  Occasionally, there will be an error in these documents.  Your job is to find it!  Good Luck