Shenandoah Lodge 1983 Christmas Banquet

Shenandoah Lodge 258 was chartered in 1944. Headquartered in Waynesboro, VA and serving the Stonewall Jackson Council, the lodge name was derived from the Council camp, Camp Shenandoah, which at the time was located on the banks of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. Shenandoah comes from the Indian word “Sherando” which translates to “Daughter of the Stars.”

Virginia OA patch collectors know that Shenandoah does not issue as many patches as other Lodges in the state. This Christmas Banquet patch was the only activity patch issued in 1983. It features the stylized  Indian Chief with full bonnet OA logo often referenced as the “MGM Indianhead” that was created in 1975 and used through 1998 as the national symbol of our Order.

With regard to patches, 1983 was a significant year in that the Lodge Executive Committee voted to issue a white bordered version of the  standard Shenandoah Lodge flap for Ordeal members. For the prior 21 years every member of the Lodge wore the same red bordered flap. It wasn’t until 1986 that a blue bordered Brotherhood version was issued, and 1988 when the red bordered Vigil flap approved.

1983 was also significant for Shenandoah Lodge because it hosted the new Section SE-8’s very first conclave at Camp Shenandoah.

Since I’ve not been able to locate any newsletter articles about the specific event the patch above was issued for, I can’t relate the attendance, location, or details, but it’s very probable that Dr. Richards Miller was presented the Lodge Founders Award at this Christmas Banquet since he received it in 1983 according to the Lodge history published in 2004. I hope that if you are aware of additional details you’ll share them in the comments.

Sources:

• Shenandoah Lodge, Sixty Years of Service, 1944-2004