GREETINGS FROM YOUR MOST WORTHY GRAND PATRON

On March 25^th Evelina and I flew from Oklahoma City to Washington D.C. and from there to Venice, Italy where we joined up with Sister Barbara and Brother Tom, and twelve other Eastern Star members, from the United States, which included Sister JoAnn Sheppard and Sister Colleen Babb.  We were met by Sister Brunella Mastoero and Brother Bob deBruyn, our Deputies to Italy.

In Venice we had to take a water taxi to our hotel as the city stretches across 110 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy.  We were met at the hotel by the Worthy Matron, who invited us on a boat tour of the islands along with members of the Chapter.  The following day we had a Chapter meeting at the Venice Masonic Hall followed by dinner at a typical restaurant in the area.  The Italians certainly know how to serve food.  I think the typical meal last about 3 1/2 hours.

Venice population is only 271,000 but the annual tourist exceeds twenty (20) million.

We then traveled by bus to Torino, an industrial city in northern Italy, which hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics and is surrounded by the Italian Alps.  Torino is also famous for the Shroud of Turin and Fiat Auto Plants.  Again we had very enjoyable Chapter meetings and typical Italian meals.

After Torino we traveled to Piza and of course visited the Leaning Tower of Piza and from there we traveled to Florence (or Firenze) which is the capital city of the Italian Region of Tuscany.  The statute of David by Michelangelo has its home in Florence along with several magnificent copies.

After Florence we traveled to Rome and viewed the magnificent city.  One of our Members, Louella Stevens from Washington had the privilege of seeing the Pope at Mass.  This made the trip for her.  In Rome we were met by six other Eastern Stars from the United States who were going to make the southern part of the trip with Sister Barbara.  As this was income tax season I need to return and do some income tax returns.

The only complaint I heard during the trip was about prices.  The prices are about the same as the United States, except the dollar is only worth about 60% of the Euro, the monetary system in most of Europe.

I had the honor to deliver a Charter to Athena Chapter No. 19 in Italy.  It is also a wonderful feeling to issue a Charter to a new Chapter.

Until we meet again, love one another.

William E. Owen

Most Worthy Grand Patron