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!!!