There was an error in Wally’s recent column (Courier-Herald, Jan. 28). He has been contacted directly but it also seemed in order to offer some additional information.

Wally mentioned that the organization of Free and Accepted Masons is for men only, which is correct. He then mentioned an affiliated group – Eastern Star, saying it is for women only. That is incorrect. In fact, The Order of the Eastern Star must have Master Masons as members in order for a chapter to exist. And, of the group of 18 officers in a chapter, at least two must be brothers. Nine of the officers must be sisters, and the remaining seven may be either sisters or brothers.

The Order of the Eastern Star exists worldwide in over 20 countries, with some 500,000 members. It is the largest organization to which both women and men belong.

Crystal Chapter #68, OES was chartered here in Enumclaw in 1902. The women must be wives, daughters, mothers, widows, sisters or other female relatives of Master Masons. The full list of women and men who have been or are members is extensive, however several of the Masons mentioned in Wally’s article were also members of Crystal Chapter.

The Enumclaw Masonic Center, which is the “home” of Crescent Lodge #109, and Western Cascade Lodge #61 (formerly of Buckley), is also the “home” of Crystal Chapter.

Judy Nielsen, Past MatronCrystal Chapter #68

Enumclaw