1.18.2007

Life on the road

In our many hours of travel, we sought to entertain ourselves various ways: books on tape, fruit roll-up tongue tatoos, Christmas music, conversation, and taking pictures of road signs. I was not thinking clearly enough to get a picture of the Mason-Dixon line sign (either time we crossed it!), but we did snap a picture of the Preble sign for our friend Megan P. and a picture of the health facility sign for my sister and her "odd fellow" (this is apparently a chain of health facilities since there is one near where my parents lived in MI.). I am not sure who you send there!


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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Odd Fellows is:
The Sovereign Grand Lodge
Independent Order of Odd Fellows

They have many retirement homes.
The Rebekah Lodge is for females.

They also have Junior Lodges and Theta Rho Girls' Clubs.

You might compare it to Knights of Columbus or Elks.

-Aunt Susan

Rachel said...

Thanks- interesting! Did you learn this in your new job? Why are the girls called Rebekahs when the boys are odd fellows?

Anonymous said...

I learned about Odd Fellows when I was a kid. Here is a little bit of the history. -Aunt Susan

To Improve and Elevate the Character of Man

In 17th century England, it was odd to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to those in need and of pursuing projects for the benefit of all mankind. Those who belonged to such an organization were called "Odd Fellows". Odd Fellows are also known as "The Three Link Fraternity" which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was founded on the North American Continent in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 26, 1819 when Thomas Wildey and four members of the Order from England instituted Washington Lodge No. 1. This lodge received its charter from Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England.

Odd Fellowship became the 1st national fraternity to include both men and women when it adopted the beautiful Rebekah Degree on September 20, 1851. This degree is based on the teachings found in the Holy Bible, and was written by the Honorable Schuyler Colfax who was Vice President of the United States during the period 1868-1873. Odd Fellows and Rebekahs were also the first fraternal organization to establish homes for our senior members and for orphaned children.

Rachel said...

Thanks for the info- I still don't quite understand why Rebekah was chosen as the token female for giving aid when I think she is mainly known for giving aid to Jacob over Esau, but maybe it is because she watered Abraham's servants camels?

Rebekah said...

I think the important part of the history is that it is the "beautiful Rebekah."