By: Carley L., Grand Charity, Assistant Grand Editor and Rep. to WA/ID

I was initiated into Rainbow at Grand Assembly on March 28th, 2018. After only two terms I was elected into the line as Faith. I was extremely excited and couldn’t wait to start planning my installation for when I became Worthy Advisor. I quickly knew I wanted to make it beach themed, as my favorite place to visit is the beach. After my mom and dad purchased all the decorations, dress material, and carry-ins, Covid said hello there! And decided to stay for a while. After my installation was delayed for a term, my Advisory Board decided it was time to move forward and start planning for our Assembly’s first Zoom installation. At first, I was devastated. I had seen all of my Rainbow sisters have their dream Worthy Advisor installation and mine was going to be virtual. After coming to terms with this decision, I decided to look at all the positives of having a virtual installation. My family and friends who wouldn’t have been able to travel to Sacramento for an in-person installation were now able to attend. My pets, who provide me with great joy and humor, were able to sit right next to me during the installation. My family and I decorated our living room which was super cool, delivered care packages to the girls & adults of the Assembly, and had delicious food and cupcakes delivered to our house to enjoy after the installation. Even our neighbors had an outdoor viewing party, so they could all watch the installation together. Overall, the day felt really special. 

During the early days of quarantining during the pandemic, my family and I tried to remain positive and enjoy events on Zoom, but just like many others, sometimes we struggled. Instead of staring at our computer screens all the time, we started taking trips in our RV and quarantining at various beaches. I hate to say this, but in some ways, Covid was a blessing. My sister and I were able to learn virtually while having a view of the ocean and beach. I remember I was supposed to have a really hard English test Sophomore year that I didn’t have to take due to “not having school for two weeks” which turned into a whole year. I was also able to make so many memories with my family that I would not have been able to make if it wasn’t for Covid. My family went on 12 different RV trips over Covid. Most of them were to beaches because we’re kind of a beach family. I found a love for the beach even more than I had before. All of those memories are ones I will have for a lifetime. I will always remember building unusual sand castles, seeing new places I had never seen before, and having ice cream daily… maybe more than once a day. Once school started I wished I could go back to the endless fun, the seagulls trying to take our food, making Tik Toks galore, and the hours of boogie boarding with my sister, Macey in the ocean. The memories we make with our family are some of the most important memories that you will ever make in your life. I will always cherish the memories I have with my family, not only through Covid but throughout my whole life. They are the ones I know I can always count on and who will always be there for me. They are my people and I will love them until the end of time.

By: Zoee S., Grand Editor

Ah, sorry you’ve caught me cooking some delicious ratatouille! Welcome back! Here for another story are you? What am I saying of course you are! Now let’s see which one to tell. Ah ha! I’ve got it! Let me tell you about the exciting origins of a chef I met in Paris. His name was Remy and he was the best chef ever to cook ratatouille! It all started one day when Remy and his family were kicked out of their home…

Remy became stranded in the middle of Paris until he came upon the sweet scent of cooking. The thing about Remy is that he wants to be a chef, now you might think, oh that is a fine profession, but Remy was no man, he was a rat! A rat that could cook, but still a rat! So you can imagine when Remy finds himself stuck in a restaurant he tries to flee. Seeing an open window Remy takes his chance to escape only to pass by a soup that Linguini, a garbage boy had ruined. Not willing to ignore this gross-smelling soup Remy runs to the scene and starts fixing up the soup by grabbing various spices and ingredients, freezing Remy finally notices the man from earlier staring at him. Seeing the chef approaching, asking for the soup, Linguini traps Remy under a straining bowl. Linguini gets mistaken for making the soup so he and Remy make a deal. Linguini protects Remy in the kitchen while Remy teaches Linguini how to remake the soup. Remy and Linguini proceed to have their ups and downs. Until Linguini reveals Remy to be the star chef rather than himself, almost everyone quits, so Remy’s family, despite his father’s disapproval of Remy being with humans at first, steps up and helps in the kitchen to save the restaurant just in time as a very famous food critique, Anton Argo, is coming. Anton loves the food Remy made, and gives back a positive review saying how he hated Gusteau’s motto, “anyone can cook” until just now realizing because of Remy what Gusteau really meant was, “Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.” 

I told you this story simply because of its ending. When Anton makes those remarks, “not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.” I want you to understand that you might think you don’t have a talent for something or maybe you haven’t realized you do have a talent. It doesn’t matter where you come from, as long as you believe you have the skills you can do it. My last challenge to you is to go out and show off your talent no matter how small you think it is. Any talent is a welcomed talent. Who knows your talent just might help someone you never thought you’d be able to help just like Remy and Linguini.

I am sad to say this is the final story I will be telling; the last time I am hosting this storytelling corner as the narrator. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. It was very fun. However, I must say adieu, I will miss telling you stories. I hope I have at least inspired you in some way to keep reading and spread the love and passion of storytelling. It’s not easy being a narrator but I’ve found I had a talent for it, so I shared it with the world, just as Remy did with his cooking. I hope you too can share your talents, everyone has one, you just might have to dig deep to find yours if you haven’t already. Goodbye.

By: Dana Regier, Supreme Inspector

It’s time for a road trip… that was how the thought began when Mr. Regier and I started talking about Supreme Assembly in Oklahoma City.  The more we thought about it the idea of driving became an adventure that we wanted to take.  The trip is just over 21 hours and 1,431 miles.  If we drove, what challenges did we need to work through and what opportunities were available?  So, we started to build the plan.

We started by reviewing the route and then we started to see that we could use the trip as the chance to travel Historic Route 66.  The highway was established in 1926 and originally ran from Chicago, Illinois through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and ended in Santa Monica, California.  A total of 2,448 miles and we now thought that we could travel a good portion of it with our trip to Oklahoma.  The highway has become part of our American history and culture from a TV series in the early 1960’s as well as being the primary route that those fleeing the dust blow of the 1930’s used to travel to California.  You might recognize some of the historic places and iconic scenery in the Pixar movie Cars.  We now had our goal, a road trip that would get us to our destination, but also provide us with the opportunity to see our country in a way we had never done before.

We would take four days to travel to Oklahoma City and had planned stops in Flagstaff, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Amarillo, TX and then our arrival in OKC.  There were key things that we wanted to make sure we stopped at and others that happened as we traveled.  We watched for signs that would say ‘Take the next exit for Historic Route 66’ and these side trips provided us the opportunity to see original stretches of the highway that have not been replaced by Interstate 40.  During our trip we stood on the banks of the Colorado River, went to the Road Kill Café in Seligman and arrived in Flagstaff, AZ where we visited the Lowell Observatory.  No trip down Route 66 is complete without a stop in Winslow, AZ where we did stand on the corner and also found the local Masonic Lodge.  Day two sites also included Holbrook and the Tepee Motel and then the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert with its breathtaking scenery.  On our arrival in Albuquerque, we visited their historic old town including the San Felipe de Neri Church.  This is where we also did one of the most interesting and exciting parts of the trip and that was the Musical Highway located just outside of Albuquerque in Tijeras.  Yes, it is a musical highway where if you drive the designated speed limit and have your tires on the rumble strips you can hear the song “America the Beautiful” It took us several tries but it actually works and is amazing… you might want to add it to your bucket list or check and see if there is one in California (hint).

As we continued our road trip we also stopped at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, Cadillac Ranch and the Texas Panhandle War Memorial and Museum.  We had amazing food and met interesting people including Tex who gave Mr. Regier his own personal tour of a vintage car collection.  Our last stop before arriving at our final destination was the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum.  

Now you may say that is a long trip and how did you keep from going crazy for those many hours on the road and I would share that there was so much to see that the time was not the obstacle that I thought it would be.  There were several things that we noticed while on the road… first there are a lot of trains and super long ones as well, the scenery changes slowly as you travel east from the agricultural valley of California through the high desert and mountains of Northern Arizona to the breathtaking vistas in New Mexico.  As we traveled, we noticed the tribal nations we traveled through including Hopi, Navajo, Zuni and many more.  I became aware of the vast resources and people who are what make up our wonderful country.  That our diversity is a strength that should be celebrated and our resources and land should be protected.  It was on that road trip that I remembered how blessed we are to live where we do and that we have the opportunity to get in our cars or hop on a plane and travel to places we want to see and learn about.  Above all, it reminded me that while we have many challenges to overcome as a nation and many wounds to heal there is greatness in who we can become if we just stop and take the time to learn about each other, to share our cultures and our faiths and above all do it with kindness and curiosity knowing that God created each of us. Remember it takes many colors to make a rainbow just like it takes all of us to make America.  So, where is your next road trip to and what can you learn along the way?

By: Mollyann S.

Earth Day Adventures!

Wow, Earth Day clean-up was a blast!  New Hope Assembly has been cleaning up the  American River on Earth day for over 15 years. Due to COVID-19 our assembly streak of attendance was broken. This year was the first time in two years New Hope was able to participate again. I got to experience this amazing opportunity for the first time on Sunday, April 24, 2022.  Elliana St.Clair, one of our newest members, also got to experience this extraordinary opportunity for the first time. Megan, Elliana, Ms.Ishizaki, Mr. Larson, and I met at our lodge in Auburn and got fueled up at Baked and Brewed Cafe®. We drove over to the American River Canyon while eating our delicious bagels. Once we arrived at our destination, we got signed in and headed over to the trail. Together we hiked the Clementine trail. We saw over 100 people who also showed up early in the morning to hike the trails and pick up trash. Speaking of, while we were cleaning up the trash on our trail, we learned about new plants and flowers from Ms.Ishizaki. The hike itself was beautiful. There were a lot of wildflowers and plants growing this season, not to mention the weather.  Although it was a little breezy and cool in the morning, as the day went on it got warmer and very nice in the sun. We took a few group pictures and went to return our trash pickers and throw away the trash bag we had. After which we got to play a game. Megan, Ellianan, and I sorted through pictures of animals that could be found in the canyon and matched them with the skulls sitting out. Once we matched all the pictures we matched their scatt to the pictures and the skull. With a little extra help from Elliana, we finished the game and headed back over to the car. We met parents at Taco Tree®  and had an amazing lunch. Hiking and picking up trash for a few hours can really work up an appetite! I enjoyed getting to do such an amazing thing for my community on Earth Day, especially with my amazing assembly and adults. I can not wait for next year to participate in this wonderful event again! 

By: Jessica H.

Recycled’s Report – Grand Assembly
from a Mascot’s Point of View

Hi there, my name is Recycled and I am Golden Star’s current Mascot. Let me tell you a little about myself; let me see –  Oh, I’m a Giraffe, my Worthy Advisor’s name is Jessica, and of course, my name is Recycled. I know you’re probably wondering why? Well, my Worthy Advisor’s District has a weird tradition. At every Installation when a Worthy Advisor gets their mascot they are given 10 seconds to unwrap us, then 5 seconds to look at our tag and the first word they see is our name. I know, it’s like really weird. Jessica has a flamingo and mint green sloth both named Walmart so it gets kinda confusing over here. 

So Jessica took me with her to Fresno, CA for this year’s Centennial Grand Assembly and it was super cool. Everyone was in fancy dresses and suits – I was confused about what it was at first. There were California Poppies all over, as well as other fun decorations. We got to sit in the front row – I was so excited to have such great seats. We also got to sit with Jessica’s district, but we call them Golden Starchbrook. A member of our Assembly, Arizona, was in the choir for Grand Assembly. It was fun seeing them all walk in with their pretty dresses. I also loved the Milestone Making Mercats dresses – my Worthy Advisor and I do love a nice royal blue. Speaking of my Worthy Advisor, Jessica Hoffman, received this year’s Grand Editor Award. The trophy even has her name on it and looks super heavy. 

I saw Jessica cry a couple of times at sessions, but one of them was during Majority. It was when she saw Isabella Lynch, PGWA, taking her Majority on the grand floor. The new Grand Officer’s mascot is a Wolf – I hope they don’t try and eat me. A little birdie told me that the Grand Officers are going to be called The Pioneering Wolf Pack. 

The new State Mother Advisor is Mrs. Garcia, I haven’t had the opportunity to meet her yet, although Jessica seemed excited about it, as well as the other members of Golden Starchbrook. Mrs. Garcia is the District’s Area Grand Deputy. The new Grand Worthy Advisor is Sydney Warney – I didn’t get to meet her yet either. I did hear Jessica talking with others about how she and Sydney were initiated together at Grand Assembly in 2015. Also, their moms were Grand Officers together making them Baby Elephants. She was happy for Sydney; Jessica wouldn’t stop crying, especially when she hugged her at the after-party. 

I even got to do some service on my own at Grand Assembly. One of the newly initiated Rainbow sisters had fallen and scraped her knee – ouch. Jessica and her mom ran to the Medical Office when they heard about it and Jessica saw how sad the new sister was. Jessica asked her if she wanted to hold me to help her feel better. She did and Jessica told her and her mom my name and how I got it. It seemed to help a little, and I could tell Jessica was feeling happy. Showing some kindness to a new Rainbow Sister even if she wasn’t in a nearby assembly. 

So that was my first Grand Assembly. I hope everyone’s first was one to remember. This is Recycled the Giraffe from Golden Star Assembly, signing off for now, but I hope to talk soon. Bye-bye now.

By: Kenna W.

Got the Gold!

Hello CA IORG! Kenna W. reporting for duty! Today we are going to be going over all the things Natoma Assembly has been up to this past term! Do I see a torch off in the distance? I do! It must be coming from District 32’s OV of Going For The Gold with District 32! Oh boy was this such an amazing event. Not only was this the first Official Visit of our very own Grand Worthy Advisor Sydney W. and Supreme Inspector but this was also the day that we found out that we would be supporting Pawsative Teams for the next year! Pawsative Teams is a non-profit organization that trains and places facility, service, and therapy dogs for people with disabilities in San Diego. And speaking on behalf of Natoma I can say that we are more than happy to support this amazing organization for the next year. 

Look at those beautiful Butterflies! They remind me of Natoma’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream 237th Installation Of Officers. With Aubree D. as our Retiring Worthy Advisor and Penryn B. as our Incoming Worthy Advisor. Penryn’s Dress was absolutely beautiful as was the ceremony. A big congrats to Sophia F. on being chosen to serve our assembly as Faith! Can’t wait to watch you shine as you move up the line! All the girls looked so amazing with their wonderful floorwork and their outstanding dresses! I simply cannot wait for this next term! 

Where might our next stop be too? Oh right! Natoma has been hard at work with their service! Every first Thursday of the month, Natoma serves at our stated meeting dinners! We also walked with the Masons at the Folsom City Founders Day Parade which was followed by some delicious chili! Natoma has done some awesome fun events as well! Such as A Top Golf Membership Event, A Founders Day Swim Party, and camping on Santa Cruz Beach! 

Be sure to watch for us on Facebook! Until next time California Rainbow!

By: Arizona E.

“I want to apologize to all the women I have called beautiful before I’ve called them intelligent or brave. I am sorry I made it sound as though something as simple as what you’re born with is all you have to be proud of when you have broken mountains with your wit. From now on I will say things like you are resilient, or you are extraordinary. Not because I don’t think you’re beautiful but because I need you to know you are more than that”.  

“I want to Apologize” is a poem by Rupi Kaur about how women are more than just their appearance. I chose to write about this poem because I think it is important that the girls of our order should know the same. Insecurities regarding physical appearance are sky-high and I wanted to take this as an opportunity to acknowledge that you are worth more than your appearance. For me, I discovered music, books, and authors that made me see that. It’s easy to fall victim to the thoughts and feelings of others, but the only opinion that really matters is yours. You have to live in this body your whole life. I’ve learned in high school that while it seemed important at the time, your hair, makeup, outfit, that when the year or even the day is done and over with, you won’t remember what shoes you were wearing. Your shirt becomes irrelevant. Your makeup is an afterthought. While I’m not saying that your appearance doesn’t matter or you shouldn’t try to look nice, I’m saying that it isn’t the only thing that matters. If you want to look nice, do it! But do it for yourself. Always do what makes you happy, because like I said, you’re stuck with this body your entire life, why not do what you want with it. Wear whatever you want. Experiment with makeup. BUT, do it for you. 

By: George Whitten, State Rainbow Dad 2023

Hellooo California Rainbow! My name is George Whitten, and I am your Pioneering Wolf Pack State Rainbow Dad for 2023. I want to say a big thank you to Mrs. Regier for her confidence in me and for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve California Grand Assembly. I am thrilled to be able to travel with Grand Worthy Advisor Sydney W. and all the “Wolf Pack” Grandies and adults throughout California and other jurisdictions during 2022-2023. My home Assembly is Petaluma-Marin in Petaluma, Ca. (Novato Assembly became Marin Assembly and merged with Petaluma Assembly a few years ago). I retired in 2018 after working for 40+ years as a maintenance machinist in the oil industry. I joined Petaluma-Hamilton Lodge in 1990 and served as Master of the lodge in 1995 and again in 1999. During my first term as Master, I regularly visited both Petaluma and Novato assemblies. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the order and the fact that the girls oversee their assemblies with input from the advisory board. After my term as Master, I continued to attend assembly meetings and I guess I caught the “Rainbow bug” and have been involved ever since. I have served as Rainbow Dad several times, attended Grand Assembly starting in 1999, received the Grand Cross of Color in 2000, and been a board member for quite some time. During my time in Rainbow, I have had the pleasure of escorting all the Petaluma Assembly appointed Grand Officers to the floor at Revelations (except Marissa Simpson – I could barely control myself let alone take her down the stairs safely). I enjoy riding my Harley Davidson motorcycle (when I can) and have made several trips around the country. I also enjoy going to Sonoma Raceway each July to watch the NHRA drag races. As a machinist, I am a bit of a gearhead, and I like repairing mechanical stuff and doing most of the work maintaining my vehicles (that will help this year) and keeping things working in our food booth at our annual fund raiser during the Marin County Fair over the Fourth of July weekend. (Which is on again for this year)! I am super excited about the next 12 months of being State Rainbow Dad and look forward to a great, prosperous, busy, and FUN year for the “Wolf Pack”!