We passed!

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OK, we’re not really bragging, just expressing relief. March was such a busy month, both for the Lodge and the community. The last day of February we had “The Flood”, which saw much of our community under water. Things dried out long enough to have our Pre-Inspection visitations, with “The Flood – Part 2” the following weekend. While many of us were pumping or cleaning, the rest of us held meetings, a MM practice, celebrated the newest recipient of the Grand Master’s Excellence in Youth Award, and conducted the MM degree on our newest candidate. A week later we conferred the MM degree for our annual inspection on a pro tem candidate for the pleasure of RWB Paul Robinson. To say we’ve been busy barely covers the situation.

As mentioned above, the 15^th District held its reception for the Grand Master of Masons in Ohio on March 25^th in Milford Center. It is always enjoyable sharing an evening with the leaders of our fraternity. This year we were pleased that one of our nominees, Ben McKinniss, was a recipient of the Grand Master’s Excellence in Youth Award. Ben is a senior at Elgin High school, and anticipates attending Ohio Northern University this fall. He has been active in sports as well as academics, 4-H, church and community activities, and serves as an excellent example of the qualities of character and leadership which form the basis of the award. We are especially pleased to note that for each of the past seven years a nominee from our Lodge has been a recipient of this recognition. While we would love to take credit for some part of this good fortune, we don’t deserve it. The real credit goes to the deserving youth that can be found in each of our communities.

Although Inspection season has ended for our District, plenty of activities remain. For a sample, please check out our calendar below:

January 15 through April 2, 2011. Inspection season. Finished!

April 15, 2011. Chester Lodge #238 spaghetti dinner from 5-7:30pm. $8 for an adult, $4 for a child.

April 28, 2011. Marion County Scottish Rite dinner, held at the Marion Masonic Temple. Dinner starts at 7pm, with presentations to follow. RWB Joseph Hickman and RWB Fred Somerlot will receive their 33^rd degree jewels that evening. RSVP requested.

April 30, 2011. Boggs #292 steak dinner from 4:30-7pm. $12.

June 12, 2011. Ohio Masonic Home Day.

June 24-26, 2011. Ohio Special Olympics – State Summer Games. At the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Venue to be announced: http://www.sooh.org/events.php

September 10, 2011. Annual Meeting, at Mt. Gilead #206 @ 9am.

September 11, 2011. 15^th District Awards Dinner, hosted by Oliver #447 at the Plaza Inn @ 6pm: http://www.plazainn.net/

October 14 & 15, 2011. Grand Lodge Annual Communication, held in Cleveland, Ohio.

November 12, 2011. 15^th District Secretary’s Meeting, held at East Liberty #247 @ 9am.

December 3, 1022. Past Master’s Convocation, held at Bellefontaine #209 @ 9am.

As the following list indicates, we have several Masonic Anniversaries for the month on April:

4-18-62……Howard Dean

4-2-65……..Don Redd

4-19-67……Richard Spracklen

4-5-78……..Arthur Knickel

4-4-79……..Ron Phillips

4-4-84……..Robert Everly

4-18-90……Brian Lightfoot

4-19-95……Randy Blue

4-27-02……Ted Williams

4-7-04……..Tom Tucker

4-9-05……..Charles McConnell

4-9-05……..Robert White

Those celebrating birthdays in April are:

4-7………...Arthur Knickel

4-10……….James Weist

4-14……….Terry Hafer

4-18……….Jeff Davis

4-26……….James Thuma

4-27……….Joseph Spitzer

We’re now taking a brief break from our activities to enjoy spring, appreciate the flowers poking through the ground, and the seed catalogues that fill the mail box. Till the next meeting, stay dry!

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