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The following is the start of a transcription of the WA/ID/AK 1949 GA proceedings book. I probably will never get the whole thing done, as I don't want to squish this into my scanner to try and get the OCR text reader working. I did want to provide a glimpse into how things were done back then, however. Enjoy!
PROCEEDINGS
of the
Grand Assembly of the
States of Washington and Idaho
and Territory of Alaska
Order of Rainbow for Girls
Twenty-third Annual Session
High School Gymnasium, Hoquiam
Morning Session
Friday, June 17th, 8:30 o'clockWith decorations carrying out a "Mardi Gras" idea, the Grand Assembly room was a most colorful and beautiful sight. It featured a huge Rainbow in the Grand East, with a lovely girl in a white formal evening dress sitting on a pedestal in the center of the Rainbow, surrounded by quantities of colored confetti and balloons. About the room there were hundreds more of balloons and considerable confetti, all of which added to a gay and festive atmosphere to the setting of this Grand Assembly. It was indeed "a place where dreams come true."
Call To Order Preceding the official call to order of the 23rd Grand Assembly, seven pages dressed as pixies in traditional page costumes, entered the room, singing and skipping gleefully about. Dressed in the seven colors of the Rainbow and wearing short dresses, pointed caps, and with "turned up toes," they were a very pretty sight, adding much to the gaity of the occasion.
Forming a circle between the altar and the Grand East, they pretended, with paper horns, to call the Grand Assembly to order, while one of them, Dolores Burks, P.W.A. of North Bend Assembly, played the actual "call" on her trumpet. Then the Grand Pages, in their inimitable roguish manner, took their respective stations, after which the Grand Lecturer, Sister Doreen Softky, officially called the 23rd Annual Grand Assemlby of the Order of Rainbow for Girls in Washington, Idaho and Alaska to order.
Entrance of Grand Representatives Gowned alike in white pique formals and wearing checked aprons in the rainbow colors, the Grand Representatives entered with a very clever march, one in which they formed, in outline, replicas of "Alaska," "Idaho," and "Washington," after which they assumed a straight line in the East, facing West, for presentation of the flags. Each Grand Representative carried a miniature replica of the state she represented, while about her neck was a ribbon in the color of her accessories, each identically fastened with official Rainbow pins.
Entrance of Flags The American and Rainbow flags were presented with ceremony to positions on either side of the altar by the Grand Flag Bearer and the Grand Color Bearer. In honor of the American flag, Sister Dolores Burks played the bugle call, "To the Colors," after which a choir of nineteen girls from Manette Assembly No 94 sang "I Pledge Allegiance To My Flag." Included in this choir were: Lorraine McPhee, Marilynn Arthur, Dora Lynn Taylor, Donna Adams, Carolyn Whitford, Carol Klieves, Janet Anderson, Lola Buckley, Dorothy Busby, Vivian George, Pat Livingston, Ellen Laurie, Virginia Ottervaere, Janet Anderson, Sylvia Wheeler, Lorraine Maddess and Janet Ruef.
Entrance of Grand Officers The Grand Officers wore gowns and accessories identical to those of the Grand Representatives except that the color stations' aprons were of seven solid colors and the line officers' were of gold. On the Bible which each Grand Officer carried was a crocheted white cross threaded with ribbon which matched her apron. Entering the Grand Assembly room the Grand Officers presented a very intricate and beautiful drill from which they finally emerged to form a bow between the altar and the Grand East, facing West. They entered to the tune of "Come to the Mardi Gras."
Entrance of Holy Bible With the Rainbow and American flags on either side of the altar, and with the Grand Officers and Grand Representatives in a kneeling position in their respective "bow" and "straight line," it was indeed a most impressive and inspiring sight as the Holy Bible was placed on the altar by Sister Margaret Zeed, Grand Chaplain, during which Donna June Thompson of North Bend Assembly No. 74 sang "The Lord's Prayer."
Sister Pat Wolverton, Grand Worthy Advisor, was then escorted to the Grand East by going around and finally through a large letter "P" formed by the Grand Officers.
The flags were then escorted to their proper positions, after which the Grand Representatives and the Grand Officers took their respective stations.
"Morning" As a special request the choir from Shelton Assembly No. 19 gave a very fine rendition of the song, "Morning." Included in this group of singers were: Shirley Bailey, Geraldine Carlson, Sonja Larson, Barbara Holly, Karen Condon, Aylene Laughlin, Ernestine Crane, Carol Jo Lovell and Mary Ann Knutzen with Mardeth Jacobs, the accompanist.
Invocation Rev. H. J. Harding, a real friend of Rainbow and a retired Methodist Minister, honored the Grand Assembly by giving the invocation.
Welcome to Grays Harbor An official welcome to the cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam was given by Mr. Frank Anderson, Mayor of Hoquiam. His friendly words were well received and expressed the wonderful hospitality which these two cities were extending to our Grand Assembly.
Formal Opening During the formal opening, Geraldine Reswick and Susan Melosh of Yakima Assembly, No. 1 sang "The Lord Is My Shepherd."
Grand Officers were present as follows:
Pat Wolverton, No. 27 Grand Worthy Advisor Susan McKinney, No. 37 Grand Worthy Associate Advisor Pat Turner, No. 87 Grand Charity Shan Shawgo, No. 58 Grand Hope Joanne Alderson, No. 105 Grand Faith Pat Cox, No. 114 Grand Recorder, Pro Tem Carolyn Welch, No. 31 Grand Treasurer Margeret Zeed, No. 77 Grand Chaplain Priscilla Britton, No. 51 Grand Drill Leader Mary E. Cottrell, No. 15 Grand Love Harriett Aller, No. 1 Grand Religion Darralyn Mast, No. 73 Grand Nature Lois Dunlop Grand Immortality Mary Lou Borchardt, No. 17 Grand Fidelity Ethelmae Nygard, No. 4 Grand Patriotism Florence Mae Smith, No. 66 Grand Service Gerry Coleman, No. 63 Grand Confidential Observer Virginia Cave, No. 106 Grand Outer Observer Alene Pettibone, No. 121 Grand Choir Director Zona Daverin, No. 71 Grand Musician Mae Louise Olson, No. 3 Grand Orator Doreen Softky, No. 5 Grand Lecturer Elinor Christman, No. 81 Grand Historian Carol Jean Preuss, No. 28 Grand Flag Bearer Freda Gray, No. 2, Idaho Grand Color Bearer
Grand Representatives
Marion Taylor, No. 59 Alabama Shirley Riddle, No. 65 Arizona Carmen Hansen, No. 88 Arkansas Nita Peterson, No. 6 Australia Mary Janet Moskeland, No. 42 California Lorraine Duvall, No. 105 Canada Pat Shane, No. 13 Canal Zone Pat Oleson, No. 35 Colorado Beverly Patton, No. 99 Connecticut Betty Lee Sprague, No. 54 Florida Roberta Sahlstrom, No. 18 Georgia Joan Parr, No. 33 Hawaii Polly McGovern, No. 8 Illinois Marie Shepardson, No. 118 Indiana Betty Matthies, No. 79 Iowa Shirley Wright, No. 101 Kansas Lorna Sales, No. 9 Kentucky Margaret McDowell, No. 1, Alaska Louisiana Leila James, No. 95 Massachusetts Joann Arndt, No. 7 Michigan Donna Arthur, No. 2, Alaska Missouri Joan Jasberg, No. 1, Idaho Montana Frances Roe, No. 64 Nebraska Barbara Lichte, No. 78 Nevada Suzanne Thomas, No. 67 New Hampshire Joan Gillies, No. 70 New Jersey Nancy Fairchild, No. 47 New Mexico Marguerite Schmidt, No. 111 New York Ruth Middaugh, No. 45 North Carolina Shirley Luders, No. 52 North Dakota Helen Burkholder, No. 44 Ohio Gloria Wilson, No. 69 Oklahoma Nancy Loving, No. 102 Oregon Alice Malloy, No. 48 Pennsylvania Betty Lou Kure, No. 43 Tennessee Mary Sue Clizer, No. 113 Rhode Island Rosalee McCarter, No. 55 Texas Ramona Clark, No. 72 West Virginia Phyllis Harrington, No. 85 Wisconsin
Grand Executive Committee
Mr. A. J. Swindle
Geraldine Greenleaf, No. 34 Mrs. Rose L. Mundt Jane Conley, No. 40 Mrs. M. Floss Busch Helen Gross, No. 49 Mrs. Dora M. Sweeney Pauline Nugent, No. 50 Mrs. Alta M. Kerns Joyce Magnuson, No. 74 Mrs. Henrietta Emigh Mrs. Margaret Kenrick Mr. P. C. Kerr
Introduction of "Daddy" Swindle In welcoming "Daddy" Swindle, Sister Pat said:
"There isn't a person in the world I'd rather welcome to this Grand Assembly than you, Daddy Swindle. It isn't just your many jokes and stories, or your big, black cigars that endear you to us and make us want to bid you welcome; nor is it only your friendly smile and your cheerful, encouraging words. It's because we know how much of your very life has been used in our behalf and how much the welfare and development of young girls means to you.
"I personally have had an opportunity to become very well acquainted with some of the qualities that make you such an outstanding Supreme Inspector. I can appreciate as never before your by-word, which is always, "Let the girls do it; this is their organization."
"We could have this same large group meeting in this same place at any time, but we could never have a Grand Assembly here without you, Daddy Swindle.
'There are millions of people in the world, it is true,
Millions of people, but only one you.
So we count ourselves lucky and shall to the end
That out of these millions we've you for a friend.'"
He was then introduced as the Supreme Confidential Observer of the Supreme Assembly and Supreme Inspector in the States of Washington, Idaho, and Territory of Alaska, after which he was greeted with Supreme Honors and most enthusiastic applause.
Welcome to Sub Deputies Mrs. Rose L. Mundt, Sub Deputy in Central Washington; Mrs. M. Floss Busch, Sub Deputy in King County; Mrs. Dora M. Sweeney, Sub Deputy in Alaska; Mrs. Alta M. Kerns, Sub Deputy in Southwest Washington; and Mrs. Henrietta Emigh, Sub Deputy in Lower Central Washington, were welcomed as follows by Sister Pat:
"I have rediscovered this year some of the reasons why you are our Supreme Sub Deputies and why we are so proud of you as such. You not only know girls very well, but you understand us and like us and you have, I konw, our best interests at hard. We know we can call on you at any time and be assured of good judgement, help, and advice. Because of all the assistance you've given me this year, I should like to say to you personally that,
'I hope I may always prove to be
Your friend in need,
Your friend indeed,
Just as you've always been to me.'"
The Sub Deputies were escorted to the Grand East where they were introduced and greeted with Supreme Honors and much applause. Sister Pat then made a personal presentation to each one, with the Sub Deputies being the recipients of the following gifts appropriately presented: Mrs. Mundt, a rose; Mrs. Busch, a frying pan; Mrs. Sweeney, a paper airplane; Mrs. Kerns, a dog strap; and Mrs. Emigh, a pair of one year baby socks.
Response on Behalf of Sub Deputies Mrs. Henrietta Emigh, Sub Deputy in Lower Central Washington
"Grand Worthy Advisor, "Daddy" Swindle, Distinguished Guests, Rainbow Girls, and Friends;
"To express a "Thank You" for the very sincere Welcome on behalf of the Sub Deputies is an especial privilege and honor.
"We are glad that we can come here with that common feeling which is engendered by the same ideals and the same noble principles for which the name Rainbow stands. These associations develop the best in our characters and widen our viewpoints as we plan for the betterment of your Grand Assembly.
"We are happy to meet with you and share that feeling of oneness which binds us together in our work, our ideals and our efforts toward the same goal. Even though we may not learn each of your names, we are gladdened by the fact that you are here and that you are a member of Rainbow.
"We appreciate the many plans the committees have made for our entertainment, the beautiful Assembly Room and the various and numerous extra efforts that have had to be made to make this Grand Assembly meeting possible.
"'Pat,' we have been very proud of the work you have done for Grand Assembly this past year. You have not only inspired your Rainbow members but have given messages of wisdom and inspiration to all that have heard you.
"Your life is a story in volumes three,
The Past, the Present, and the Yet-to-be.
The Past is finished and laid away.
The Present you are living day by day.
The third and last of these volumes three
Is hidden from sight -- God holds the key.
"But God has a Promise for each of us and our hope is that
"Whatever you wish, we wish for you,
Whatever you plan, we hope you'll do,
Whatever you do we hope your success
Will bring you the greatest of happiness.
"'Daddy' Swindle, you are the sweetheart of every person here and we know you are loved by all that know you.
"We are happy that along the Road of Yesterday sweet old
Fashioned Flowers grow, Forget-me-nots and Rosemarys,
That really are happy hours.
So this occasion each year brings anew a chance to meet and
Share Sweet Fellowship with you our friend so rare,
The best found anywhere.
"Again, we thank you, Pat, for your gracious welcome, and wish for you, your officers and each member of this Grand Assembly the Easterners' prayer:
"We pray the Prayer the Easterners do,
May the Peace of Allah abide with you,
Wherever you stay, wherever you go,
May the Beautiful Palms of Allah grow."Through days of labor and nights of rest,
May the love of good Allah make you blest,
So I touch my heart, as the Easterners do,
May the Peace of Allah abide with you."
to be continued....
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