OK, it is finally Autumn

While we like the change of the seasons as much as anyone, we admit to a certain preference for warm months.  This year the transition from warm months waited until after Halloween, but has gotten more serious lately.  As this was being typed it is 50 degrees, rainy, with winds of 20-30 mph, gusting to 40-50 mph.  At this is the warmest day this week!

Regardless of the calendar and the weather, we are knee-deep in the “Masonic” season.  We’ve already had the 15^th District Annual Meeting, Grand Lodge Annual Communication, our election of officers, and are now looking Installation square in the face.  To say this is a busy time hardly does it justice, and we kind of like it that way.

The two local activities to shape our year have been the 15^th District Annual Meeting and our Lodge elections.  At the District meeting our Inspection date and degree were established:  Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 10am, in the FC degree.  Yes, you read that correctly, it will be in the morning.  Coffee, juice, and doughnuts will be available prior to the meeting.  Those wishing a full substantial breakfast are being redirected to Coonie’s.  They have catered our last couple Inspections and offer full breakfast service on Saturdays.  With the District holding most of its functions at 9am, we felt 10am was a good compromise to complete Inspection without taking over an entire evening.

Our Lodge elections have been completed.  Those elected and appointed are listed on the tab “Current Officers and Contact Information”.  Installation of our 2015-16 officers is scheduled for our next meeting, November 18^th, with a pizza dinner prior at 6:30pm.  WB Mark Wamack, KYCH, is scheduled to be our Installing Officer.  An additional feature of the meeting will be a degree planning session.  We received and approved three (3) new petitions, and anticipate an EA degree (or 2, or 3) at our meeting on December 2^nd.  Some members recall doing 2 degrees in a single meeting, but not 3.  It promises to be interesting.

Below are dates significant to our Lodge, community, and District.  We suggest marking your calendars accordingly.

November 14, 2015            15^th District Fall Education Meeting.  Held at La Rue #463 in La Rue, starting at 9am.  Coffee, juice, and doughnuts will be available prior.  You do not need to be an LEO or officer to attend, and no reservations are necessary.

November 18, 2015            Pizza dinner at 6:30, Meeting with Installation of Officers at 7:30pm.

November 26, 2015            Thanksgiving.  More than an opportunity to stuff ourselves and watch football, it can be a time of reflection, introspection, and appreciation of the blessings we enjoy.

December 2, 2015              EA degree(s).    Pizza dinner prior.

December 5, 2015              15^th District Past Master Convocation.  Held at Mt. Gilead #206 in Denmark, starting at 9am.

December 16, 2015           Lasagna dinner at 6:30pm.  Pre-Inspection meeting with DDGM Willard Fissell at 6pm.

December 17, 2015            5 – 8pm, LaRue’s Christmas in the Village.  One of the things we love about small towns is their sense of community, and ours is no different.  Previous years have featured a parade, carriage rides, food (hot dogs, cookies, and hot chocolate), face painting, musical groups (Marionnaires, Elgin Show Choir, local church choirs), and an opportunity for the little ones to share their wish list with the Big Guy (Santa!).  Did we mention this is all free?!? 

December 25, 2015            Christmas.  The reason for the season goes deeper than presents, trees, and candy canes.

December 31, 2015            New Year’s Eve.  This is an excellent opportunity to select, appoint, or otherwise pick a Designated Driver BEFORE the celebration begins.

January 1, 2016                  New Year’s Day.  This is a chance for that fresh slate we all talk about, crafting the new (and better) you, and a better community you are part of.  And possibly watch some football.

January 2, 2016                  This is the day most of us decide whether sticking to those resolutions is going to happen.

January 6, 2016                  Regular Meeting.

January 11, 2016                College Football Championship Game. (Go Bucks!)

January 16, 2016                Inspection in the FC degree.  Coffee, juice, and doughnuts available prior, with Lodge opening at 10am.

January 20, 2016                Regular meeting.

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

See you in Lodge!

.