Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. There is much to be thankful for!
Our SD OES Christmas tree at the Capital is decorated and I wanted you to have a chance to see it. Uncle Matt, my husband Jon Gonsor, PGP, and our granddaughter Elainna Willis and I did the decorating. It is a small tree, but beautiful, and every inch decorated with blue birds, song birds, bird nests with bird eggs, tiny bird houses, and pretty gold stars which are decorated with a blue bird perched on one of the points of each star, and a small banner with the name and location of each Chapter in South Dakota on another point. There are stringers of popcorn and cranberries and lots of lights. George’s leprechaun “holds up” the Grand Chapter sign identifying our tree. The theme of the Capital Christmas Tree display this year is “A Prairie Christmas”. There are around 82 decorated Christmas trees on display and it is a truly magnificent, awe inspiring sight to see this beautiful display of trees and decorations. The Shriners have decorated the HUGE Grand tree on the second floor and it is Grand! The Pierre Masons and our OES Nursing Home in Redfield also have beautifully decorated trees. Our Masonic Organization is well represented! There are around 82 decorated trees. If you can fit it into your schedule, come and see the Capital Christmas trees. They will be displayed at the Capital from now until December 8th. Just park in the parking lot located behind the Capital and come on in. The trees are displayed from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day, from now until December 28th.
One thing for which I very much give thanks, this Thanksgiving, is for my sister, Sister Deb McNary. Deb is our Grand Organist this year. As many of you know she had a very serious car accident 4 1/2 weeks ago and was severely injured. Her car was t-boned by a semi. Praise God that she survived and is healing!! She has been in the hospital at Sanford for the past 4 weeks and has now “graduated” to the Swing Bed unit at Vermillion’s Sanford Hospital. She will be there for 8 more weeks and then from there will need to have 3 months of rehab. Her course is a long and difficult one but she has a great attitude and is healing. If you wish to send her a note, I will include her new address.
Deb McNary
Sanford Vermillion
20 South Plum Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Nancy Gonsor, WGM
