******************** It saddens me to announce that PS John Kearns, husband of Great Pocahontas Virginia Kearns passed away this morning in Beacon, NY at the ripe old age of 95. He will be sadly missed by all the past members of Mawenawasigh Tribe and Tioronda Council. You can send sympathy cards to Great Pocahontas Virginia Kearns at: 36 South Remsen Ave. Apt 102, Wappinger Falls, NY 12590. John P. Kearns, Sr
VILLAGE OF WAPPINGERS FALLS - John P. Kearns, Sr. of the Village of Wappingers Falls, entered into rest Thursday, May 14, 2009 at Castle Point VAMC. He was 95. Mr. Kearns was born November 10, 1913 in New York City. He married the love of his life, Virginia E. Fraleigh on August 24, 1947 in St. Peter's Church in Poughkeepsie; Mrs. Kearns survives at home in Wappingers Falls. John was the foster son of the Patrick Lally family; he enjoyed working on their family farm for many years, from a small child. During his time there, he discovered his love for cooking; he spent much of his life cooking, starting at age 12. John served his country in the United States Army during World War II. During his service he received several decorations and commendations such as the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with Bronze Arrowhead, and the Good Conduct Medal. Before his retirement, he was a cook for Matteawan State Hospital for several years. In his spare time, he belonged to such organizations as The Improved Order of Red Men and the Degree of Pocahontas. He also was an avid bowler. In addition to his wife, Virginia at home in Wappingers Falls, he is survived by his sons, John P. Kearns, Jr. and his wife, Rosalie of Hyde Park, Robert Kearns and his wife, Camille of Lake Hurst, NJ, and Leo M. Kearns and his wife, Georgia of Wallkill; his daughters, Ellamarie "Cissy" Cservak and her husband, Ronald, Gigi Baisley and her husband, Michael, and Jean M. Voght, all of Wappingers Falls; grandchildren, Angela, Ronald, Jr., Benjamin, David, Matthew, Nicholas, Jared, Brandon, Jennifer, Christopher, Melissa, Heather, Jason, Jesse, Brian, Joseph and Danny; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, including niece, Thelma Turner, and nephew, Don Turner. John was predeceased by his son, Dennis J. Kearns; his daughter, Patricia A. Kearns; and his grandchildren, Barbara and Mark. Family will receive their friends on Friday, May 15, 2009 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano and Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A funeral service will be held following visitation at 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John's name to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515 Northampton, MA 01061. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com. ******************** "Congrats to our new National Pocahontas Denise "DeeDee" Forrest from Mista Council #48 in Rochester." The 2009 NYS Annual IORM/DoP Convention will be held in Rochester, NY at the Holiday Inn Airport from Sunday, July 19th to Tuesday, July 21st. "Great Incohonee David Wilson and Deputy Great Incohonee Helen Wilson at our convention 7/22/08 and The new GS Ted R Schoonmaker and GP Virginia Kearns." "2009 Dual Convention" The 2009 Dual Convention will be held July 19th-21st at the Holiday Inn-Airport in Rochester, NY. "Great Pocahontas Visitations - 2009." April 18th - Rochester, NY (Mista Council) - At the Holiday Inn Airport. April 25th - Beacon, N.Y. (Tioronda) April 26th - Albany, NY (Juniata) May ?? - (Keo-Kee) Watertown, NY June 20th-21st - Johnstown, N.Y. (Mohawk) "2008/2009 BOARD OF GREAT CHIEFS." "Great Pocahontas... Virginia Kearns". "Great Wenonah...Shirley Lange". "Great Minnehaha...Nancy Pohzehl". "Great Prophetess...Joyce Espy" "Great Keeper Of Records...Elaine Schoonmaker". "Great Keeper Of Wampum...Darlene Warner". "Great First Scout...Cathy Savosky". "Great Second Scout"...Karen Feldweg". "Great Guard of Tepee...Elizabeth Pohzehl". "Great Guard of Forest...Mary Jane Melfi". "1st Great Trustee...Denise Forrest, NP GCUS". "2nd Great Trustee...Amanda Haessler". "3rd Great Trustee...Fran Koch". "You can direct all inquiries about this page to me (Art O'Donnell, PS, Webmaster) through the e mail address at the bottom of this page. Also, please sign our Guest Book at the bottom of this page and come back and visit often." "Indian Castle Church Weekend" "June 20th-21st, 2009" "Please plan on attending services at Indian Castle Church. Red Men's Day at Arlington" Red Men's Day at Arlington will be held August 21st to 23rd, 2009
(Reservation Deadline is: August 8th.) Hotel Headquarters are: Contact: Elaine Schoonmaker, PNP at 585-323-1295 or 585- 738-1363. The 738 number only during the day. "2009 Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge" The 2009 "Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge" ceremony will take place May 1st - 3rd. "Who are the Degree of Pocahontas" The name of the Degree of Pocahontas is taken from the celebrated character in Indian history, Pocahontas, whose brief life presents a touching and beautiful picture of grace, beauty and virtue as well as constant friendship to the palefaces.
The Degree of Pocahontas is the Ladies Affiliate of the Improved Order of Red Men. A National Fraternal Organization that believes in ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The Degree Of Pocahontas History" The Degree of Pocahontas is the women's affiliate of the Improved Order of Red Men. It was organized in 1885 and soon councils had sprung up across the United States. The organization takes its name from the famous Pocahontas, daughter of the powerful Indian Chief, Powhatan, of the Algonquian Indian Tribe, who befriended the early English settlers at Jamestown and allowed herself to be held hostage after her father threatened to destroy the entire settlement. Because of her friendship with the English, Powhatan ordered his tribe to provide food and clothing during the terrible winter of 1614. This help ultimately allowed the English colony to grow and flourish and is today considered the first permanent English settlement in North America.The Degree of Pocahontas, as a separate organization, engage in fraternal and social affairs and provide an excellent program for women seeking an ideal fraternal association... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The Degree Of Pocahontas Goals" "Flag Recognition Program" -- A program to honor those patriotic Americans who display the flag regularly. "Faith of Our Fathers Chapel" -- Chapel erected at Freedom Foundation, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to memorialize the ideals and principles of our founding fathers. "Annual Pilgrimage to Faith of Our Fathers Chapel" -- Annual meeting to renew and strengthen our beliefs in the American Way of Life. "Princess Pocahontas Memorial Day" -- Annual meeting held in March at the Princess Pocahontas Statue in Gloucester, Virginia to honor Pocahontas, whose life of grace, beauty and virtue is a pattern for the Degree of Pocahontas. "Braille Press" -- Financial support to aid and promote books for the blind. "Retarded Children's Program" -- Support of various projects and programs of the Association of the Retarded, including the Special Olympics.
"Red Men's Day at Arlington National Cemetery" -- Annual ceremony to honor our unknown soldiers and all brave Americans who have fallen in battle to protect our Freedom. "Red Men's Week" -- Week of December 16 designated as national Red Men's Week, commemorating Boston Tea Party in 1773. The Degree of Pocahontas has various family oriented programs and charitable projects and teach by example in the traditional American Way of Life. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The Degree Of Pocahontas Charitable Programs" The National Charity project of the Improved Order of Red Men is ALZHEIMERS. Since 1991, the Organization has given over a quarter of a million dollars to the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's disease knows no social or economic boundaries; but it does incline heavily toward older people, affecting seven to nine percent of Americans over the age of 65, yet it strikes those in their 40s and 50s as well. Indeed, some of our own members have been stricken with this dreaded disease. Our members not only give generously, but work with local Alzheimer's Chapters across the nation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The Degree Of Pocahontas Youth Activities" The Degree of Anona is a junior organization composed of girls from 8 years to 15 years of age. It operates under the auspices of the Degree of Pocahontas, which is the ladies branch of the Improved Order of Red Men. Its main purpose is to inspire American girls with love of country, and good citizenship, while advancing the idea of responsibility and its acceptance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The Degree Of Pocahontas Questions and Answers" Q. How do I become a Member? Q. What if there is no council in my town? Q. Is it expensive to join? Q. Is the Adoption (initiation) Ceremony difficult or embarrassing to go through? Q. Must I memorize a large amount of unwritten or secret work? Q. Will I be required to wear Indian Dress to the meetings? Q. Can a man belong to the degree of Pocahontas? Q. Do you have to be an Indian to belong? Q. How is the Degree of Pocahontas associated with Indians? Q. What are the primary purposes and beliefs of the Order? Q. What do you do at your meetings?
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Mohawk Council #338 and Teroga Tribe #569 will host the Visitation and GCNY Board Meeting as well as the Church services on Sunday morning.
"Holiday Inn of Crystal City"
2650 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Va. 22202
(Phone: 1-800-HOLIDAY or 703-684-7200.)
Price of the rooms are $ 89.00 + tax
Registration fee is $ 125.00.
All the information that comes down to us describes Pocahontas as being a woman of remarkable grace, beauty and kindness of heart; of the character of Pocahontas, it is remarked that considering all circumstances it is not surpassed by any in the whole range of history and that for those qualities which do honor to our nature - a humane and feeling heart, and unshaken constancy, in her attachments - she stands almost without a rival.
The Degree of Pocahontas patterns itself after the virtues of this Indian Princess. Teaching kindness, love, charity and loyalty to ones nation.
Love and Respect for the American Flag...
The American Way of Life...
Keeping alive the customs and legends of a vanishing race...
Creating and inspiring a greater love for the United States of America...
Linking our members together in a common bond of Friendship and Love...
Helping those in need with organized charitable programs...
To start a Degree of Anona in your home town, contact your local Degree of Pocahontas Council or the National Office, P.O. Box 683, Waco, Texas 76711.
A. Contact a local Council or member who will provide you with an application blank.
A. Contact the National Office, P.O. Box 683, Waco, Texas 76703.
A. No -- The initiation fee and annual dues vary with the individual councils' laws and facilities that are offered.
A. No -- this ceremony symbolizes the precepts of our order. It is done in good taste and is beautiful to behold.
A. No -- You will be required to know the password and the secret signs of the Order, both of which may be learned in a few minutes.
A. No -- The only time the Indian Regalia is worn is during the Adoption Degree. Occasionally the council officers may wear Indian costumes at various public affairs, but this is done with discretion.
A. Yes -- In this way a husband and wife can participate in the same organization; however, he must be a member of a tribe in good standing.
A. No.
A. Only through our customs, terminology and ritualism, which is patterned after the early American Indians. For example, The Masons take their teaching and work from the history of the Ancient Masonic craft.
A. The Motto, or precepts, of the Order are Freedom, Friendship and Charity.
"Freedom" -- We endeavor to preserve and uphold the American Way of Life and its guarantee of Liberty. Freedom has been the hope and aim of the oppressed of every land. It is now the proud boast of every American. We dedicated our lives to its maintenance.
"Friendship" -- Is the binding link and unswerving loyalty of one to another, which makes sweet and lasting the relationship that one member bears to another.
"Charity" -- Is giving with an open hand and willing heart in time of need, assistance to weak or unfortunate and measured not by wealth but by moral worth. Charity exemplifies the Brotherhood of Man.
A. Our meetings are conducted the same as any organization. Aside from our ritualistic opening and closing, the regular business of the tribe is conducted. Various projects are planned and discussed and regular programs are presented. Social affairs are apart from these.
Links to other sites on the Web
NY State IORM
Improved Order Of Red Men-National Website
Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge
Red Men's Day at Arlington
"People have visited us since 1/27/02."
