SHINNSTON, WV (Hinton News) – The West Virginia Independent Order of Odd Fellows Drill Team Association held its 55th Annual Dinner/Meeting on Sunday, July 31, 2022, in Jimmy’s Diner (9th time), Shinnston, WV, with Glendora Headley, President, presiding. She welcomed all with an original poem, followed by an Invocation.
This Association is composed of three teams which performed Drills at installations of past national leaders from W.V. in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Sovereign Grand Lodge and International Association of Rebekah Assemblies. Past Sovereign Grand Masters: Harold L. Scott. in Calgary, Canada, Carl C. Williams, in Edministon, Canada. Past IARA President: Alberta Hudkins, in Pittsburg, PA. There were 145 members from all over W.V. on the three teams, now 23 remain living, after 55 years.
On behalf of the Association, President Headley expressed appreciation to Jimmy Salerno and Mario Salerno Spino (of the Diner) for their hospitality and delicious food; she presented them with a framed picture to hang in the Diner – an article recently printed in the Shinnston News/Harrison County Journal, depicting Jimmy’s Diner as “Business of the Month.”
After a varied, very tasty buffet dinner, a business meeting followed.
Wanda F. Ashcraft, Secretary, read the minutes, and as Treasurer, gave report; same approved. She collected current dues.
Bill of Secretary was approved for payment and a monetary donation was given to Camp Kno-Koma camp in W.V. for diabetic children.
The group remembered several who were ill or in distress. All who were absent were missed.
President Headley recognized Dorotha Parsons, who received a national award at the national convention of the American Legion, designating her as “National Volunteer of the Year” for her many years – 33,000 hours of service to the VA Hospital in Harrison County.
Deborah R. Siers, Vice-President, presented a lovely, touching memorial for three deceased members:
Donald Headley
Roseann Turner
Cleone Fansler
She exhibited lovely flowers, in colors of white, purple and gold, as she gave tributes attesting to their leadership roles in local, state and national groups, rendering much service to W.V. and national Odd Fellowship.
Election of officers, some officers retained:
President – Glendora M. Headley
Vice-President – Deborah R. Siers
Secretary/Treasurer – Wanda F Ashcraft
Guests were introduced. Glendora M. Headley introduced her nephew, Danny Smith, and Harold L and Nancy Curfman, from Illinois. Nancy Nestor introduced her daughter-in-law, Kathy Nestor. Wanda F. Ashcraft introduced Marjorie E Jackson and Robert P. Bice, III.
Door prizes were won by:
Wanda F Ashcraft
Kathy Nestor
Marjorie E. Jackson
Mary M. Bess
Harold L. Curfman
Next meeting (56th) will be:
Sunday, July 30, 2023
In Jimmy’s Diner, Shinnston, W.V. at 3:30 p.m.
Present:
Glendora M. Headley
Deborah R. Siers
Wanda F. Ashcraft
Marjorie E. Jackson
Robert P. Bice, III
Nancy Nestor
Kathy Nestor
Danny Smith
Mary M. Bess
Dorotha Parsons
Betty M. Pritt
Harold L. Curfman
Nancy Cufman
It was a good meeting, bringing together old and new friends, with a common interest in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as all remembered happy memories of yesteryear, and those gone before, in honoring three national leaders from W.V. (all deceased).
