Cold!

We have updates to the information posted on November 1^st.  As you might have guessed, some things have changed.  Yes, it is still Fall, or Autumn for readers of the Farmer’s Almanac.  Yes, it has turned cool, with the first whispers of snow.  But for the real news you will have to read on.

At our Annual Meeting we elected officers for 2014-15.  The complete list is provided elsewhere on our web site.  After our WM-Elect, Brian Lightfoot, studied the list of Masonic Service Awards, several things were set into motion.

First, our Installation of Officers will take place at our second Stated Meeting in November.  WB Mark Wamack will preside at the closed Installation, assisted by several members of Latham #154. 

Second, our presentation of Masonic Service Awards has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 3rd.  There will be a dinner at 6:30pm, with Lodge opening at 7:30pm.  This year we are fortunate to be presenting a 70-year award, to WB Joseph Frank Spitzer.  MWB Steven E. Cokonougher will be in attendance, and will preside over that portion of our meeting.  A brief check of our history suggests the last visit of an active Grand Master to our humble Lodge was by MWB Jerry C. Rasor in 1978.  You might want to mark this on your schedule in ink.

Third, as our Pre-Inspection visit nears by RWB Charles Buck (December 17^th), we are also reminded of the many holiday celebrations between now and our Inspection on January 17^th.  One of our favorites is La Rue’s Christmas in the Village, scheduled for Thursday, December 18 from 5-8pm.  This is an annual celebration in downtown La Rue. It is certainly a family-friendly event, starting with a parade at 5pm. Previous years have featured choirs caroling, free refreshments, carriage rides, live reindeer, and the Big Guy (Santa) making a special appearance. And did we mention free food?  If you haven’t attended in the past, it is truly an event that only a small town can do right.

As usual there are a number of calendar listings to note. 

November 19, 2014            Installation of Officers for 2014-15.

November 27, 2014            Thanksgiving

December 3, 2014              Masonic Service Awards presentations, MWB Steven E. Cokonougher presiding.  Dinner at 6:30pm, Lodge opens at 7:30pm.

December 6, 2014              Past Master Convocation at Marion #70 at 9am.

December 18, 2014            La Rue’s Christmas in the Village, from 5-8pm.

December 25, 2014            Christmas

December 31, 2014            New Year’s Eve.  Please select a Designated Driver!

January 1, 2015                  New Year’s Day.  Your first opportunity to stick to those resolutions, or not.

January 17, 2015                Annual Inspection in the EA degree.  Dinner, catered by Coonie’s, will be served at 6:30pm. 

Lodge opens at 7:30pm.

Along the way we will add more dates and information.  Check back often.

That’s all we know for now.  Stay warm, and we’ll

See you in Lodge!

.

Fall!

Judging from the last post, it has been a while since we’ve provided an update.  The wait is over!

Although we are still celebrating our new lift chair (see below), other things are on the horizon.  Next up is our Annual Meeting, during which we elect the slate of officers to serve for the coming year.  As usual, a dinner is part of the program, starting at 6:30pm.  Rumor has it that RWB Spracklen has been very successful fishing this year, and we will be enjoying the fruits of his harvest.  By the way, attending doesn’t mean you have to accept an office, just that you enjoy the fellowship.

The Annual Communication of Grand Lodge is now in our rear view mirror, but the effects will be felt for some time to come.  The first impact was announced during the DGM’s Roll Out Programs this summer – training sessions for Wardens and Deacons.  The first of these in our District is scheduled for November 15^th at Oliver #447.  Previously known as the District Secretary Meeting, and later the District Education Meeting, it is now known as the Wardens and Deacons Training Meeting.  As you might guess from the title, the focus is now on Wardens, Deacons, and LEOs.  Other Brethren are welcome to attend, and who knows, you might learn a thing or three.

We anticipate additional information from Grand Lodge concerning the other activities mentioned in the DGM’s Roll Out Programs.  Until then, we have received a summary of the proceedings of Grand Lodge, along with an Edict from the Grand Master. 

On Friday, October 17^th, at the Ohio Grand Lodge session, proposed legislation 2014-2 was approved.  This legislation removed section 11.05, Gambling and Penalties, from the Ohio Masonic Code.  In short, this permits Lodges to hold gambling activities subject to the laws of the Ohio Revised Code.  To say this is a big deal doesn’t do it justice, and it isn’t as simple as it might sound. 

Despite the vote, at this time we have more questions than answers.  Here are some samples:

What does the Ohio Revised Code say on this topic?

How might this impact our Lodge 501-C-10 status for taxes?

How might this impact the Ohio property tax exemption for our Lodge?

To give Grand Lodge time to research these and other questions, MWB Cokonougher issued an edict putting on hold the execution of this legislation for a period of 90 days.  This will expire on January 18, 2015, unless extended.

If you’d like us to email you a copy of the proceedings, or the edict, let us know at larue463@yahoo.com.

As usual there are a number of calendar listings to note. 

November 5, 2014              Fish Dinner and Annual Meeting. 

Dinner at 6:30pm, Lodge opens at 7:30pm.

November 15, 2014            Fall Education Meeting at Oliver #447 at 9am.

November 27, 2014            Thanksgiving

December 6, 2014              Past Master Convocation at Marion #70 at 9am.

December 25, 2014            Christmas

December 31, 2014            New Year’s Eve.  Please select a Designated Driver!

January 1, 2015                  New Year’s Day.  Your first opportunity to stick to those resolutions, or not.

January 17, 2015                Annual Inspection in the EA degree.  Dinner, catered by Coonie’s, will be served at 6:30pm. 

Lodge opens at 7:30pm.

Along the way, after our Annual Meeting, our Installation of Officers will be scheduled.  As soon as that date is known, it will be added to our list.

That’s all we know for now.  Stay warm, and we’ll

See you in Lodge!

.