1969 Grand Session

The Grand Assembly Room was decorated to depict the warmth of the home and the hearth-fire. A lattice fence surrounded the assembly room with hanging baskets and potted marigolds distributed along the way, and across the peak of the roof over the Grand East was "AS WE STAND IN YOUTH," the theme of this 1969 Grand Assembly. In the East below the raised platform and in front of the podium rested the hearth-fire, the rounded orange fireplace with chimney. In the North, South, and West were window frames with curtains behind each station, and as we looked above to the West, was the motto "HAPPINESS IS NOT A DREAM." Thus the setting of warmth and hospitality.

The Grand Choir entered the Grand Assembly Room dressed in their traditional white formals with orange sashes singing the "Official Rainbow Song." Their choir books were brown with burning logs n the face, thus denoting the hearth-fire.

The Grand Officers entered the Grand Assembly Room dressed in orange empire dresses set off by a band of brown floral print, with the nine Grand Pages in like dresses only of the floral print and a band of orange: thus the colors orange and brown. As the Grand Choir sang "Look to the Rainbow" the Grand Officers formed a Rainbow, an R, a heart, marigold, house, and a fire forming the logs and flames. The beauty of the setting, Grand Officers marching proudly with smiling faces as they performed the intricate formations, the music flowing easily and strong, and the lovely voices of the Grand Choir echoing true and clear, all helped make a picture to behold. Grand Worthy Advisor Paula Sampson dressed in a gold satin embroidered gown with a slightly gathered skirt and floating back panel.

In describing her Charm Bracelet, GWA Paula said:

Each charm holds the memories of you, your assembly, of Rainbow, and of Alaska.

From my assembly in Ketchikan, the seal of the Territory represents Alaska and the city of my home. The ivory bear from Juneau symbolizes freedom to enjoy the natural beauty of this magnificent state. The Alaska scene from Sitka is Alaska... The golden heart of Alaska is Fairbanks, and the charm from Assembly #1 embodies this, as well as the thought that we carry Alaska with us, in our hearts, wherever we go. From Forget-Me-Not Assembly, the golden replica of our state flower suggests that Alaska remains always in our dearest memories. The sturdy cache from Delta represents a storehouse for Alaska's treasure, resources and opportunity. From Palmer, a small gold moose symbolizes the peaceful solitude we can find away from the hurried pace of daily living. Hands clasped in friendship from Friendship Assembly means the bonds of our Rainbow sisterhood, and also the friendly outlook of Alaskans. Anchorage #5 traditionally gives an anchor, representative of their beautiful city, and the hope and safe harbor we find at home. Gold nuggets are often associated with Alaska, and mine from Nugget #13 suggests the rugged and pure qualities of our Alaskan pioneer heritage.

The most familiar star in the sky is our North Star. Encircled by tiny nuggets, it shines on my bracelet, a gift from North Star Assembly, and a reminder of its guiding light. A cache silhouetted against the sky, from Turnagain Assembly, symbolizes security, safety, and protection. The scallop shell charm from Seward is especially meaningful, for it holds inside a cluster of nuggets, representing the planning and work of the people of Seward to produce this Grand Assembly. From Kodiak, the Kodiak bear represents strength and independence. The duck, poised in flight, given to me by Cordova, symbolizes the freedom of though and action we enjoy, not only as Alaskans, but as Americans.

Unfortunately, due to that infamous Southeastern weather, I was unable to make official visits at Petersburg and Wrangell. However, I still received from Petersburg a salmon for my bracelet, representing the fjords and streams of Southeast. The totem pole from Wrangell embodies the native lore and crafts of the first Alaskans.

And so, this bracelet is Alaska. Because it is a gift from you, it is also Rainbow.