I would like to share a few brief comments about the Order of the Eastern Star in California. Though I was raised in the Masonic Home of Georgia, I concentrated on my career and marriage and put off becoming involved in Freemasonry for too many years. Recently, however, I became an active member of Burbank Chapter No. 352 of the Order of the Eastern Star. Our Chapter meets at the Burbank Masonic Center at Irving Drive and Glenoaks Boulevard.

One of the great things about being in Eastern Star is sharing the Order's Ritual with so many fine ladies. I am particularly grateful for having met Imogene Jordan Dewey of Acacia Chapter. Imogene recently received her 75-year pin. She is one of 80 Eastern Star members receiving this honor in California in 2002. Imogene was 22 when she was initiated on March 24, 1927. Her father was the Worthy Patron of Acacia Chapter No. 21, and Imogene's sister served as Adah for the event. She did it again when Imogene received her 50-year pin.

Today, regrettably, Imogene's sister has passed on, but Imogene, at age 97, is still going strong. Her speech is eloquent, her delivery is letter perfect, and her diction is better than some performers I work with in my budding career as a television actor. The Eastern Star Ritual is giving me some good stage experience, but my most treasured benefit of Eastern Star membership is getting to know ladies like Imogene. They don't call her a model Eastern Star and "walking ritual" for nothing!

Linda Skipworth, Grand Electa, Grand Chapter of California, Order of the Eastern Star (left), congratulates Imogene Jordan Dewey upon the latter's receipt of her 75-year membership pin.