By: Lucetta O’Brian Kappers

Let’s travel back in time…waaay back.  The year is 1973, it is Spring.  Hair is long or big or both.  Wardrobe of choice is bell bottoms and granny gowns. The music you hear is probably ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree’, or maybe ‘Big Bad Leroy Brown’. There are 12,347 Rainbow Girls in CA.

Focus on Fresno, CA, where Grand Assembly is underway.  Rainbow Girls from all over CA have gathered and are anxious to learn who their new Grand Officers will be for the next Grand Year.  One by one, Supreme Deputy, Barbara Campbell, calls each new Grand Officer.  Dazed and surprised, each of the 80 new Grand Officers made their way to the floor to meet their Grandie and their Froggie mascot. Our new GWA would be Susan Berry from Angels Camp Assembly.  We would be known as the Frisky Frogs with our new Supreme Deputy, Bernice Dyck.

And so, a year of travels in our violet travel dresses trimmed with Peter Pan collars and frog appliques and accompanied by our Froggie mascots and “Tadpoles” (Trailers) began.  What was it like?  Well, gas was 40 cents a gallon. Susan, our GWA, had this to say: “Years ago, we traveled the state of CA with no GPS, no cell phone, no email and no texting. At least we weren’t on covered wagons! What we did have was long-distance phone calls from a real phone (landline) or from a phone booth, for which actual coin money was needed. We had paper maps and mimeographed correspondence sent via snail mail and frisky excitement for our Grand year!”

Our Grand Service project was the NorthStar school for youth called “Star of Hope” with a motto of “Loneliness Hurts; Love Heals”. Our goal was to raise $8,000.00 to help add a new wing.  We traveled to 88 OVs, visiting girls in 248 assemblies in 80 districts.  At each OV. Susan would sing an original song and play her guitar.  45 RPM vinyls were sold for a dollar each to support our Grand Service project. Side 1 was “Sing a Song of Happiness” and side 2 was “Star of Hope”. Sometimes we would hear “Who Can Paint a Rainbow”.

We were probably the only group of Grand Officers to enter a frog in the “Frog Jumping Jubilee” in Angels Camp. We also got to meet Mrs. Mac (Florence Macdonald), whose husband wrote many of the marches still in use today.  We were honored to be the last appointees by “BC” (Barbara Campbell), and proud to be the First Grandies for “Sweet Bernice”( Bernice Dyck).  Incidentally, the Past Grand Officer database was started by Bernice Dyck!

 In those days, an assembly might go 3-5 years between Grand Officers.  The only office to repeat would be Assistant Grand Editor-who would become the new Grand Editor. Grand Assembly rotated between several cities, including Sacramento, Long Beach, and Fresno.

As our year wound down, the time for our Grand Assembly approached.  We would be the first Grand Assembly held at the Anaheim Convention Center.  We Entered the Grand Assembly room in our violet dresses with blue flowers, and purple sashes. Nothing could have prepared us for the sound of 7,680 guests cheering us on.  Wow!  All that practice sure paid off, as we made formation after formation!  

There were 50 Confidential Observer helpers, nicknamed the Starlets, looking lovely in their turquoise dresses.  11 of these ladies would go on to become Minnies.

The invocation was given by the Director of North Star, Dr. Mansdorfer. He had recently been in Washington DC and presented Susan a plaque with the Great Seal of the US.

Shortly after our Grand Assembly, several Frogs once again donned their travel dresses and headed to North Star, where the final check for our Grand Service Project would be presented.  We were so proud to be able to present $18,100.00!  Not only did we exceed our goal, but this was enough to fully cover cost of the wing with change to spare!  In terms of 2024 dollars, that amount was equivalent to approximately $112,660.51.

Susan was presented with a plaque expressing appreciation to CA Rainbow for the new wing. The students at the school also gave her a 16” tall miniature grandfather clock. Thus, our Frisky year came to an end, but, not the friendships, and not the memories.

This is the year we celebrate 50 years of Friskiness.  Yes, we have lost some of our sisters along the way.  They are dearly remembered, and they are missed.  And yes, we have changed—but inside each of us will always be the heart of a Rainbow Girl—and that Frisky Grand Officer!  Here’s to many more years of Friskiness!

By: Karen Rice Hester

Hello Mother, Hello Father, Greetings from your, long lost Daughter… and thus began one of our favorite traveling songs.  It’s hard to believe it has been 35 years since the Eager Beavers of 1989 celebrated A Rainbow of Promise and Victory sessions at California’s 59^th Grand Assembly Sessions in Fresno.  With 79 grand officers, we entered the Grand Assembly room wearing our amazing light blue crystal sheer organza dresses that had ruffled skirts and sleeves for days.  We were two by two, as our Grand Worthy Advisor, Julie Gerbrandt (Rey) and Acting Supreme Deputy, Mrs. Anna Lind entered with Noah in his Ark.  

These sessions were the culmination of an incredible year of traveling, making gnawsome new friendships and creating bonds to last a lifetime.  Together with Mr. Gene Gregg, our State Rainbow Dad and Mrs. Mary Schenck, our Mother Advisor for Grand Assembly, as Beavers, we traveled from Alturas to Chula Vista and every point in between for Official Visits and Receptions.  The summer of “free-fun” continued as we traversed the state in large caravans.  We had sleepovers, trips to water parks, beaches, and slept in a hayloft.  We used the sign of distress to communicate from car to car back in an age before cell phones.  And made plenty of phone calls home asking for mom and dad to send just a few more dollars so we could drive a few more miles.  We over packed our cars, ate too much and slept too little.  And had the best time of our lives.

Thousands of car washes, bake sales, selling fireworks and endless hours of serving dinners came together to allow us to present over $104,000 to the Blind Children’s Learning Center in Orange County.  Their mission is to prepare children with visual impairments for a life of independence through early intervention, education, and family support.  For over 55 years, this organization, originally founded by six blind adults, has sought the key to helping visually impaired children from the very start.  They include much needed follow-though during a child’s school years, building confidence and self-esteem, mainstreaming early and teaching skills needed throughout their lives.  Today this organization is still going strong and providing support to children throughout southern California.  

Keeping true to our promises, the lessons we learned as young girls became the inspiration and help us continue to thrive as we go through our adult lives.  We have many of our sisters working with Rainbow assemblies both in California and in other jurisdictions.  We have gone on to be teachers, lawyers, police officers, project managers, hair stylists, medical assistants, fundraisers and historical archivists.  Many have become wives and mothers. And a few even profess to having developed a lifelong love for quilting (thanks to having to embroider all our own squares back in the day). Favorite memories from our grand year are as true today as they were 35 years ago, and I’m sure ones you will hear repeated with this years’ Red Panda’s.  Most talk of walking onto the grand assembly floor for the first time, stepping up to the microphone to give their representative report in front of a packed room of friends and family, and meeting our new Grandies.  And for many of us, those memories are as fresh today as they were in that moment.  We are so proud to have served the state of California and represented our jurisdictions across the country.  As we share our 35^th anniversary with the Red Panda’s, we can’t help but to look back over that time of big sleeves and even bigger hair, gas was under $ 0.90 a gallon and cell phones weren’t a thing.  There was no social media, and you had to take a picture and wait until you got around to developing the film to see if your picture came out ok.  While times have changed, the memories created in Rainbow stay true.  We are so thrilled to be here with everyone celebrating.  And if you want to talk to a real-life person who survived traveling without our parents and without a cell phone or GPS, come sit down and have a chat.  We’d love to tell you the stories.

By: Liz Nicks

Imagine a day when cell phones were too expensive for a family plan, dial-up internet was just becoming a thing, and social media was non-existent. It was a time when we carried around camcorders and had to develop our film to make sure we got everyone in the frame. It was even a time when this year’s grand officers weren’t even born yet. Say What!?!

It was April 5, 1998. We were just a group of strangers, hearing our names called by Anna Lind at the last Grand Assembly sessions in Anaheim, CA. It was a whirlwind of a weekend to say the least and kicked off our 1998-1999 grand year.

Fifty-four Charismatic Camels traveled up and down the state making memories! That year we attended 41 O.V’s, four out of state Grand Assemblies, three Rainbow Camps, several Instructionals and receptions too. We had mass sleepovers, late night TP excursions, and road trips that lasted weeks and weeks. The bonds we formed and the memories we made are still fresh, 25 years later!

Our Grand Assembly sessions were held March 27-30, 1999, in Fresno. It was a “Rainbow Caravan Across the Sands” and our blue floral dresses made for a beautiful mirage in the warm desert landscape. Of course warm was not really the temperature, our sessions took place on ICE! Carpet covered ice, where our floor girls wore layers of thick socks to stay warm and their hoops created the perfect personal igloo! 

Our sessions kicked off with a heartwarming surprise, when we dedicated our Grand Assembly sessions to Bill and Anna Lind. They had no idea, in fact Mrs. Lind approved a program dedicated to the Grand Deputies. We swapped that page out before print and presented them with a final version the day we checked in! The look on Mrs. Lind’s face and the finger shaking was well worth it!

Our Mean Mama Camel was Mrs. Darlene Cabral and our State Rainbow ‘Rad Dad’ was Mr. Bill Hutchison. Mr. Hutchison passed this last December and will forever remain in our hearts and our memories. Mr. and Mrs. H, and Mr. and Mrs. Cabral were always on the road with us, ready with hugs, support, directions, and sweets! We were a lucky bunch, having them as our mom and pop!

Our first Grand Assembly session began as our Thomson Three took to the floor! Our Grand Lecturer is the cousin of our TWIN Grand Drill Leaders. How awesome is that! The Charismatic Camels then danced their way in to songs from The Prince of Egypt, and of course, Prince’s ‘1999!’, making way for Mrs. Lind and I, as we rode in on LIVE Camels! It was hoot watching Mrs. Lind climb up in her formal. I remind my Grandies every year that we hold the title for the only GWA to ride in ON her mascot! (Love you GWAfia!)

Our Grand Service Project was The Blind Babies Foundation, a non-profit based out of the Bay Area. California Rainbow raised an amazing $85,876.37, and we were beyond proud to present that oversized check! We had a blast meeting our new Grandies Sunday night, at Revelations, when the Zany Zebras were announced. Monday sure was tough though, removing our jewels and singing ‘Rainbow Dreams’ for the “last time!”. 

Needless to say, our GA sessions were only icing on the cake. We had an amazing year and I am beyond proud to be a Camel. Our core of officers have remained true sisters, supporting each other as life happens, emotionally, physically, and financially. We currently have over 85 camel babies, one of which is this year’s Grand Drill Leader (Go Alyssa!!), and more who are Rainbow Girls and Future Rainbow Girls. 

This organization has changed our lives and we are stronger and better women because of it. We all need to continue to support each other and this order, sharing when you can and where you can. “Keep the spirit of Rainbow in your heart” (-Vickie Diem).

By: Linda Cunningham

“Panda’s back again, check my hairpiece let’s begin”… That was our signature Grandie Song in 1993-1994 song to the beat of “Whoomp, there it is” as we traveled up and down California during our year as the Playful Pandas; lead by our GWA Pam Hardy aka “Pamda”.  It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years since that fateful day on April 4, 1993 in Fresno, that Mrs. Anna Lind appointed us as Grand Officers.  There were 67 appointed, and do you know that a group of pandas is called?  An “embarrassment”? 

Playful Panda travels were back before the days of GPS and cell phones we relied on Thomas Guide paper maps to get us from here to there, often getting lost along the way all while wearing our pansy shift dresses and hair pieces as we traveled and raised $67,000.00 for our Grand Service Project, The Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinic.  We had 52 Official Visits along with receptions, Northern and Southern Camps, Schools of Instruction, Washington/Idaho, Oregon and Nevada Grand Assemblies to attend with our Mama San Barbara Heeney and Panda Pop Harry Wagner to support us every step of the way.  

On our travels there were no Starbucks and Dutch Bros., Redbull and Monster Energy Drinks, so we had Mountain Dew and Jolt soda to keep our energy up after slumber parties and miles of traveling.  We had phone trees to get messages out, cassettes, CD’s and often could be found displaying spoons on our noses for endless hours of laughter. “Friends” the TV show first debuted, the Northridge Earthquake rocked Southern California and the World Wide Web was just in its infancy.  A gallon of gas averaged $1.10 a gallon and most Grand Officers preferred our epic bangs sprayed with Aqua Net to go with our hairpieces.  

Since our Grand Assembly sessions “Around the World with Rainbow” in Anaheim, where our seafoam green dresses trimmed with white eyelet ribbon around the neckline floated onto the Grand Assembly floor, many of our Playful Pandas have traveled and lived around the world.  From the Netherlands, Australia, England and Hawaii and all of the United States in between, we still often find time once or twice a year to get together as many as we can to celebrate our sisterhood and the amazing year of memories we made. As well as popping in here and there to celebrate our “Panda Cubs”.  This year, we’re so proud to call Hannah Ray not only a Resiliently Ruby Red Panda, but a Playful Panda Cub!  

Many of our Playful Pandas have since carried on lives of leadership and service and as moms, teachers, Air Force Officers, school principals (3), an anesthesiologist, a university professor and even a write in candidate for State Assembly this year, proving that the “embarrassment” has continued on as successful and fearless women!

By: Sandra Little-Mendoza

The year was 1984.  Contrary to popular belief, dinosaurs did not roam the earth, but that was the year of the great Sensational Seal migration that converged upon the Anaheim Convention Center, better known as Grand Assembly.  The Sensational Seals were 77 strong, adorned in radiant yellow dresses and enormous hairpieces.  The theme of Grand Assembly that year was Winning the West with Rainbow, and the convention center was packed with girls and adults from the West and beyond, arriving with great expectations of exemplary ritual work, talent and speech competitions, stories of all the travels that had occurred during the year, the revelation of new Grand Officers, and the grand finale, the exciting presentation of the Grand Service Project, an astounding $79,000 donated in great love to John Carpenter’s Heaven on Earth Ranch for Handicapped Children.

40 years later, a smaller, but no less grand, pod of Sensational Seals will return to Grand Assembly, most not able to wear their radiant yellow dress and definitely not wearing a hairpiece,  but prepared to celebrate a walk down memory lane. We will laugh as we reminisce about the 67 Official Visits we attended, the two summer camps we had fun at, the two assemblies we instituted, the Grand Assemblies in Nevada and Arizona we officially converged upon, all of the Grand Receptions we were honored with and a million other memories that were made that year.  We will remember our beloved Lois Cook, the Supreme Deputy who appointed us and gave us such an incredible opportunity.    We are not a boastful group, but we will secretly whisper among ourselves how proud we are that two of our own have significant leadership roles in California Rainbow: Mrs. Regier, Supreme Inspector, and Mrs. Warren, Director of Grand Officers-yes they were Sensational Seals and we proudly claim them as our own.

To the Resiliently Ruby Red Pandas we thank you for carrying on the magical tradition of Grand Assembly and serving our organization with grace and dignity. May you remember this past year and all of the memories made with as much fondness and laughter as we do of our year.  The Sensational Seals of 1983/84 salute you and thank you for your service, and we welcome you to the exclusive and sentimental rank of Past Grand Officer.

By: Amber McCrae Kugelberg 

Step into the enchanting world of Oz as we celebrate two decades of the Llegendary Llamas and “There’s  No Place Like Rainbow.” The yellow brick road stretched out before us, a winding path of possibilities and  adventures. 

In 2004, the LLegendary Llamas embarked on their Wizard of Oz-themed Grand Assembly sessions,  setting the stage for an incredible journey. Over the years, we have witnessed the growth of our llama  family with graduations, weddings, babies, careers, and new cities. Yet, amidst the changes, the  connections between llama sisters have remained steadfast, a testament to the enduring spirit of  sisterhood. 

What makes our llama community truly extraordinary is the diverse array of journeys our members have  undertaken, similar to the diverse paths traversed in the enchanting Land of Oz. From roles as teachers,  educational administrators, and textbook developers to business owners, tax professionals, paralegals,  and contributors in hospitality, immigration, and non-profit organizations—each llama has ventured into  service industries, leveraging their skills and passion to make a positive impact. 

Our llegendary grand service project, “No Limits” theater group, has been at the heart of our service  since 2003. Over the years, it has expanded its impact in the community, offering virtual learning, pop-up  events, and even creating a virtual learning library for families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. In an  extraordinary achievement, the Founder and Executive Director, Michelle Christie, recently received the  distinguished honor of being selected as a CNN Hero. This recognition is not just a testament to her  dedication but also shines a spotlight on the incredible work of the “No Limits” community. Moreover,  “No Limits” has been thrilled to introduce Zoey, the new therapy dog, to their team. In the true spirit of  Oz, Zoey plays a pivotal role, supporting the programs and spreading happiness and positivity like a  rainbow after a storm.  

As we reflect on the Llegendary Llamas’ journey, we are reminded that true sisterhood is about  supporting one another through every step of life. Whether it is the yellow brick road or the belief that  “the journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step,” our llamas have embraced the spirit of adventure  together. We are excited to see what the future holds for the llamas and our beloved CA Rainbow. Our  journey continues, promising new adventures, growth, and shared moments that propel us forward with  the same zeal that carried Dorothy on her unforgettable quest. 

Here’s to 20 years of llama llove, llaughter, and endless possibilities – a magical journey that is truly like  no other!

By: Carol Luther Hall

It all started in Long Beach at the 1968 Grand Assembly; the 1969 Red, White and Blue Dollies were born!!! Yes, we were appointed 56 years ago!! So, we now celebrate our 55th year of being “Gayle’s Gals”.

The 39^th “Peace and Harmony” sessions were held in Fresno from March 29^th to April 2^nd 1969.  All 78 of us wore red organdy formals with white netting under skirts and red taffeta sash cummerbunds tied in the back with a big bow. We had matching pantaloons and wore American Flag necklaces.

We were the last Grand Officers appointed by Mrs. Florence MacDonald, our Supreme Inspector and Supreme Worthy Associate Advisor. She served in Rainbow from 1950-1969.  Barbara Campbell became our new Supreme Deputy.

Our Grand service project was the Kelso Village School for special needs children in Fresno County with the goal of mainstreaming them into the unified districts. 

We were the first Grand Representatives to carry the flag of our jurisdictions and to march into the Grand Assembly room with flags, this became a permanent occurrence at all California Grand Assemblies.

Even though our lives and events through the years have led us on different paths, we are grateful for the memories and relationships we built together. We have a lasting bond of friendship, love, and devotion to our Rainbow and each other.  We still have a group of “Dramatic Dollies” that meet every other month or so for lunch, crafts, swimming, games, baking, and holiday parties.  Still having fun together 55 years later!!!

By: Peggy Stephan Keigler

“Owls flock to Fresno,” is the headline of volume 48, number 4 of the Pot of Gold newspaper published in April, 1979. In looking back over the paper it is hard to believe 45 years have passed since the Adorable Owls presided over Grand Assembly. Our colors for the year were violet and blue and our theme was “Fill your heart with Sunshine.”  We didn’t have many of the fun things you have today like talent, poetry, art, and ritual competition. But we did have plenty of enthusiasm and Grand Assembly was definitely the highlight of the year. 

We had 81 Adorable Owl Grand Officers and had 91 official visits. We visited Grand Assemblies in Nevada, Oregon and Washington/Idaho.  We attended Supreme Assembly in Kentucky and enjoyed a fun filled Supreme Tour that included Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. There was Grand Chapter, Grand Lodge, Grand Bethel, and NORCAL DeMolay Conclave. We also participated in the re-relaying of the cornerstone at the California State Capitol.

Our Grand Service Project was Children’s Village USA. (Now Childhelp USA. www.childhelp.org) The goal was to educate our members about the realities of child abuse in the hope that we could help prevent abuse in the future.  We also raised over $51,000 to upgrade and remodel a residential cottage at Childhelp’s Beaumont, CA facility. The completed cottage was cozy, comfortable and filled with rainbows and owls. 

California Rainbow had 250 assemblies and approximately 10,000 members.  While it is hard to imagine life without technology, 40 years ago things like computers and cell phones did not exist for personal use.  Our correspondence was done on a typewriter. This necessitated the lugging around of a portable typewriter wherever we traveled.  It also meant licking and stamping thousands of envelopes as well as visiting hundreds of post offices throughout the state. As for phone communication, well, that required 10 cents to be deposited into a pay phone if you wanted to call home. Now, if you wanted to take pictures that required an actual camera with film and flash bulbs. If you wanted to actually see the pictures you had to take them to be developed. And if that wasn’t enough, we had to remember to bring the maps and directions…..no GPS or navigation for us. Somehow we managed to make it to all of the official visits and events. There is little doubt that we won’t ever forget our gigantic hairpieces!  The hairpiece boxes were so large they took up half of the trunk and in order to keep them looking decent, they had to visit the beauty parlor on a regular basis.

Admittedly, many memories have faded over the last 45 years. However, what will never fade is the gratitude I have for the opportunity to have been a Rainbow Girl.  Not only did it afford me the opportunity to learn and live many important life lessons, it gave me the chance to come to know and love many extraordinary people……my Rainbow Sisters, my fellow Adorable Owls, and amazing adult leaders. Even now, I am blessed to have the love and guidance of our Supreme Deputy, Bernice Dyck and our Director of Grand Officers, Pat McBride.  Where would we be without these amazing ladies?  They have given so much to the success of California Rainbow as well as continued advice and counsel in our personal lives. They are true treasures in our pot of gold!

I wish you happiness, sunshine, rainbows and joy. But most of all, I wish you love!

By: Judi Hopper

Golden Realm was a brand new assembly in 1963 and we were so excited to be on our way to Grand Assembly. But that was then and this is now… Then – because of the number of members in California, every assembly was only allowed to send eleven girls to Grand Assembly. Now – we can bring our whole assembly to enjoy the week. Then – most assemblies joined with other assemblies in their District and came to Grand Assembly by bus. Each assembly had an assembly song that they sang all the way there and drove their chaperones wild. Now – assemblies come by car, van, bus and plane and still love to see the chaperones beg for mercy. Then – Grand Assembly always started with a Devotional service and every girl wore a suit, hat and gloves. Now – we start with an amazing Informal Opening planned by the Grand Drill Leaders. Then – we did not have an Informal Opening, but on Tuesday afternoon the Grandies were allowed to have a Theme March. Our Grand Worthy Advisor, Vickie Dennis, chose a bedtime theme and we all wore our hair curlers onto the Grand Assembly floor. Now – I don’t think that would go over very well! Then – the Grand Choir was made up of girls from the assemblies that were not yet fully constituted and were meeting under Letters Temporary. Now – each assembly has the opportunity to send one or two lucky girls to Grand Choir. Then – Revelations was one of the most exciting events at Grand Assembly. Now – “Ditto!” Then – a newly appointed Grandie got her mascot naked and dressed it herself. Now – the Grand Officers work for weeks planning a great outfit for a mascot they haven’t even met yet. Then – each new Grand Officer was whisked away on the night of Revelations to a party with just the new and ‘old’ Grandies. Now – everyone is invited to the Revelation Party. (Have you seen Mr. Hopper cookie scouting?) Then – the 1964 “Pink Ladies” were excited to be the first to wear traveling shifts. They were pink and white striped and were so short they would not meet today’s Dress Code. Now – one of the new Grand Worthy Advisor’s first decisions is to select the new travel outfit on Monday afternoon of Grand Assembly. Then – we voted on our Grand Service Project and were dedicated to our task of building up the Rainbow Scholarship fund. Now – it is a thrill every year to hear how many girls receive Rainbow scholarships and think we had a small part in that. Then – our Grand Officer dresses were mailed to us weeks before Grand Assembly and we were in charge of keeping it a secret and getting them altered if needed. Ours were a gorgeous bright pink with a pale pink overlay of embroidered eyelet. Now –the dresses are a secret to the Grand Officers until the weekend of the Grand Worthy Advisor’s reception. Then – Rainbow was a happy place in our lives where we worked together with dedicated adults, learned important lessons, had great fun and made life-long friends. Now, over fifty years later –well, some things never change!

By: Rhea Burns

Where did you come from, where did you go, where did you come from Cotton Eyed Joe? Has it really been 15 long years ago? “A Boot Scootin Time in 2009,” The day was April 4^th, the location was Fresno, CA, the arena was rumbling with the sound excitement…and a few other surprises that California Rainbow was waiting for. There were forty of us grand officers that had come from across the great state of California, we represented thirty-one different assemblies. This was the time that we were supposed to float out from behind the curtains and amaze the Grand Assembly with our beauty, grace, and totally fabulous dresses. For those sitting (more like jumping hysterically) we were nowhere to be found, we had the biggest surprise. “We’re soarin’, flying’” and there we were, the Epic Eagles, we were soaring down the sides of the arena, we had changed the informal entrance forever, putting our own unique mark on Grand Assembly. There we were shimmering and gleaming in the light, our gold dresses just shined, and the deep orange waist and bow on the back of our dresses was beautiful. It picked up just the right amount of sparkle from the jewel encrusted lace bodice. As the grand officers twirled, two stepped, and kicked up them heals California realized that they had been completely transformed into an old Western town, every grand officer was playing the part wearing cowboy boots and stomping down the biggest line dance I had ever seen. Then the rumble came of another sort, Mrs. Martin was driving a John Deere tractor into the arena, and there I was praying that she wasn’t going to dump me off the back of it. Everyone was out of their seat cheering and completely entranced in that moment.

That day 15 years ago was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I was surrounded by the most talented and beautiful girls (inside and out) in the world. We had become sisters that year, and truly bonded under the wings of our state Mom Mrs. Rita Smith, and our State Dad Mr. Dave Smith. We kept Mrs. Martin on her toes and interjected everything we could to make our week personal and special. We had the honor to dedicate the 79^th annual California Grand Assembly to Glenn & Sara Lee Martin, and they truly deserved it. They were always there laughing at our jokes and shenanigans, providing comfort when we were stressed or upset, and making us into the family that we are today. 

One honor of that week was to be able to present a check of $80,750.88 to Family Soup, our Grand Service Project. An organization that is dear to my heart and really makes a difference in the lives of families with children with disabilities. What are some things that Family Soup is up to now? Some of their current projects and new programs include: iCan Bike, Early Start Family Resource Center, Family Empowerment Center, Special Needs Project, and Disaster Preparedness Workshops. They are continuing to operate their Able Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program and have seen a huge increase in involvement with it. Their iCan Bike Program uses adapted bicycles, a specialized instructional program, and trained staff to teach individuals with disabilities to learn to ride a two-wheel bike independently, a simple thing that many people don’t think about that gives individuals with disabilities independence and confidence. This February Family Soup is partnering up with the County of Sutter to provide classes to help families prepare for disasters by preparing an emergency evacuation plan. These classes are very important because they focus on the unexpected and can mean the difference between life and death. Family Soup is continuing to offer facilitated support groups for parents and caregivers targeting different special needs, activities to bring parents and siblings together, and training and partnerships in collaboration with community agencies. 

So where did we go Cotton Eyed Joe? The Epic Eagles have transformed, we have spread our wings, soared to new heights, and ventured around the world. Very literally! We have changed hair color, gained new wrinkles, visited new places, and accomplished some of the very best things that you can do in life. We have lived and enjoyed every day! We are now moms, spouses, and aunts. We are now college graduates with associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, masters, and doctorates. We are now business owners, teachers, government workers, professors, therapist, counselors, engineers, caregivers, and volunteers. Many of us work every day to make the world a better place, to engage in humanity, and connect with people. We have taken the lessons of Rainbow and the wisdom of our majorities and placed them into our everyday lives. We love others and ourselves, we embrace religion and let it guide us, and we spend time with nature to connect to it. We sadly have felt the loss of life and have come together to remember it. We have expressed our patriotism and used our voices to stand up for what we believe. We have made promises and have kept them, we have served unselfishly in so many ways, never forgetting the lesson of service. We continue to have faith and hope, and believe in charity. I could not be any prouder of these Eagles! We are celebrating our 15-year anniversary this year, that is 3,652 days since our opening “Where did you come from, where did you go,” and I believe we came from a beautiful legacy of Past Grand Officers, and continue to represent that legacy as we continue to go along in this journey of life.