History of Rainbow in Virginia

Rainbow started in the Commonwealth of Virginia in November 1973 as a group of interested people known as “The Newport News Rainbow Club.” Mr. and Mrs. Fred Trestrail were instrumental in this activity.

Edna D. McLaurin Assembly LT was instituted on December 8, 1973 under the guidance of Mrs. Agnes McLeod, Supreme Worthy Advisor and Mrs. Edna D. McLaurin, Supreme Inspector in South Carolina. Tammy Trestrail was the first Worthy Advisor and Mrs. Nancy Trestrail. Mother Advisor.

In May 1974, MW Stewart W. Minor, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia gave approval for the Order of the Rainbow for Girls in Virginia. Transportation Lodge #337, Newport News, became the official sponsor of Assembly #1 in September 1974. At that same time, Monitor Lodge #197, Hampton, voted to sponsor Hampton Assembly #2.

Mrs. Nancy Trestrail was appointed the first Grand Deputy in Virginia and Mr. Omar W. White was appointed Grand State Organizer. A School of Instruction was held at Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, Virginia in August 1975. There have been seven Grand Deputies in Virginia: Mrs. Elinor Duncan (1978), Mrs. Edna Hover (1976-1978), Mr. Dale Cooley (1980-1985), Mrs. Susan H. Rennagel, Mrs. Nancy Martin and Mr. Donald Litewski (1985-1993).

The following Assemblies were issued Letters Temporary

from Supreme Assembly but were never instituted:

The following Assemblies were instituted and constituted

under the Grand Jurisdiction of South Carolina/Virginia:

The following Charters have been returned to Supreme Assembly: Edna D. McLaurin #1, Ruth Givens McCarl #4, Chester #7, Norfolk #8, and New River #9.

Caroline Assembly in Bowling Green was granted Letters Temporary in 1992 and Clover Hill Assembly in Midlothian was granted Letters Temporary in 1996. These assemblies are not currently meeting.

In August 1993, Virginia became a Grand Jurisdiction under the direction of Mrs. Margaret Kofoed, Supreme Worthy Advisor. Mrs. Susan H. Rennagel became the first Supreme Deputy.

Ashburn Assembly #11, sponsored by Ashburn Lodge #288, was constituted in April 1995. In April 1996, a leadership session was held at Corinthian Lodge in Norfolk which included workshops and instruction. Rainbow leadership retreats have been held at the Virginia Elks Youth Camp in Clifton Forge, Virginia since 1996.

In July 2000 at Supreme Assembly in Buffalo, New York, Mrs. Susan Rennagel was elected to the House of Gold and served as Supreme Parliamentarian and Supreme Drill Leader.

Fredericksburg #12 received their Letters Temporary in 2004, and in 2005 received their Charter

The following Grand Assemblies have been held:

A Rainbow Full of Hopes and Dreams Session, 1993-1994, Erin C. Jenkins, Grand Worthy Advisor

A World Full of Rainbows Session, 1994-1995, Christie L. Denis, Grand Worthy Advisor

Follow Your Yellow Brick Road Session,1995-1996, Deanna Rockhill, Grand Worthy Advisor

Discover the Difference Session, 1996-1997, Amy Ernst, Grand Worthy Advisor

Catch the Spirit Session, 1997-1998, Angela Marie Newcomer, Grand Worthy Advisor

Live the Promise for Tomorrow Session,1998-1999, Janae Fraer, Grand Worthy Advisor

Count Your Blessings Session, 1999-2000, Noelle Nochisaki, Grand Worthy Advisor

Unite in the Glow of Love and Faith Session, 200-2001, Monique Fraer, Grand Worthy Advisor

Dreams Begin Where Rainbows End Session, 2001-2002, Kristina Groves, Grand Worthy Advisor

Paws and Listen to the Music Session, 2002-2003, Christine N. Norman, Grand Worthy Advisor

Dare to Dive Deep Session, 2003-2004,  Meghan Knowleton, Grand Worthy Advisor

Building on the Past Lighting the Way to the Future Sesson, 2004-2005,Katie Norman, Grand Worthy Advisor.

Continuing the Tradition of Rainbow, 2005-2006, Mary Hutt Grand Worthy Advisor.

 

October 23, 2002

updated, May 19, 2006