...from the desk of the Most Worthy Grand Patron

GREETINGS FROM YOUR MOST WORTHY GRAND PATRON

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

As I write this article I have completed one year of service as the Most Worthy Grand Patron. The first part of the year was a little rough going as I was in the hospital for eighteen (18) days during the holidays. I am planning on celebrating Christmas and New Year’s twice this year to make up for missing last year.

I was able to institute a new chapter in Ajijic, Mexico and visit thirty Grand Chapters this past year, in addition to visiting subordinate Chapters in Aruba and Hawaii. Do you know one word that means hello and good-bye? This would have been a good word for me to know when I was young and getting the brush-off from the girls. The word is Aloha. According to the people in Hawaii, in the Hawaiian language, Aloha can mean hello or welcome, or it could mean farewell or good-bye.

Speaking of friendly welcomes, Sister Barbara Benton and I received one at our Homecoming in October at the “National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum” formerly the Cowboy Hall of Fame here in Oklahoma City. I don’t know the exact number present, six-hundred and fifty (650) or so. The entertainment for the evening was provided by our Worthy Grand Organist, Dennis Jordan and the Grand Organist of California, Don Snyder. Everyone seemed to have a great time.

In November I had another Homecoming at Jacksboro, Texas. I was born in Jack County, Texas and when the members of Jacksboro Chapter No. 390 found out where I was born, they asked me to attend their 100th Anniversary. I felt like a local boy that had made good and was returning home. It turned out that the Worthy Matron and Secretary were related to me by marriage (small world).

In early December the General Grand Chapter family held their Christmas Party in Washington D.C. We took a side trip by bus to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall in downtown New York City. I always thought that traffic was bad in Dallas, Texas before an Oklahoma – Texas football game. Dallas traffic is nothing compared to New York City traffic, and wouldn’t you know it, our driver had a fender bender downtown and we got to meet a couple of New York’s finest. I can understand why they are called “ New York’s Finest” as they were extremely nice and were excellent Goodwill Ambassadors for New York City.

It has been quite a year and I am looking forward to a new one. I hope you and your family have a happy and successful New Year in 2008.

William E. Owen

December 2007