Things have settled down,
for a while. Our “best laid plans”
referenced last month proved to be just a bump in the road. Whew!
Since our last post we have
had an excellent fish fry dinner, election of officers at our Annual Meeting,
and Installation. That might sound like
we are ready for a rest, but our calendar indicates otherwise.
Here are the elected and
appointed officers installed at our last meeting:
Worshipful Master Brian Lightfoot
Senior Warden Greg
Markley
Junior Warden John
Dray
Treasurer Rick Sigrist
Secretary John
Mathew
Lodge Education Officer Rick Sigrist
Senior Deacon Mark
Wamack
Junior Deacon Cedric
Radcliffe
Senior Steward Pearl Gamble
Junior Steward Mike Wells
Chaplain Milton Lightfoot
Tyler Richard
Spracklen
Trustee Pearl Gamble
Our next stated meeting is
special in several ways. As our calendar
notes indicate for December 7, we will
have a pizza dinner, a MM degree is
scheduled, and our DDGM, RWB Willard Fissel, will be presenting our Masonic
Service Awards. This is always an
interesting experience, but this year it promises to be extra special. Two of our long-time members, WB Gene McMahan
and WB O.M. Roux, will receive awards for 65-years of membership. These Brothers have actively participated in
our Lodge for many decades, well past their times sitting in the East. Until last year WB Roux was the longest
serving Chaplain in our Lodge, stepping down because he felt like taking a
break. Until this month WB McMahan
served as Junior Warden, having served for so many years we’ll have to research
when he wasn’t serving in that capacity.
Using skills learned as the former proprietor of one of La Rue’s best eateries,
he also prepared and supervised more Lodge dinners than anyone can
remember. Come join us for a fun
evening.
Taking a larger view of December,
it is a month of parties, events, and festivities. It is hard to resist being
included in gatherings at work, with family, and within our social groups.
Culminating with New Year’s Eve celebrations, December is probably the
brightest month of the year. Each community has special displays and programs,
Nativity scenes and services. Even if you enjoy the bustle of the season, these
are a great way to relax, recharge, and reconnect with the things most meaningful
during the holidays. Don’t know where any of these might be? Just ask your
family or neighbors! Chances are they will point you in the right direction.
We feel one celebration
merits special mention. La Rue’s Christmas in the Village celebration will be on
Thursday, December 15th. A stroll
through town reveals that preparations have already begun – yes, even before
Thanksgiving! Downtown decorations are
going up, window displays are being planned, and areas are being designated for
location specific activities. The
family-friendly celebration has a number of attractions. Keeping with tradition, the parade starts
things off at 5pm. The event continues with performances by the Elgin band and show choir, local church choirs, the
Marionaires, carriage rides, train rides, live reindeer, food, and visits with
the Big Guy – Santa! And did we mention this was all free? This is truly an event that only a small
community could do right.
With that in mind, below is
our anticipated schedule for the balance of 2016, and what is known for
2017. Adjustments will be made as
necessary, so check back often.
November 19,
2016 15th District Fall
Education Meeting, 9am at Boggs #202.
November
24, 2016 Thanksgiving
December 3,
2016 15th District Past
Masters Convocation, 9am,
held at Chester #238.
December 7,
2016 Pizza dinner at 6:30pm. Stated
Meeting. MM degree scheduled. Presentation of Masonic Service Awards.
December 15,
2016 La Rue’s Christmas in the
Village. From 5 – 8 pm.
December
25, 2016 Christmas.
December 31, 2016 New Year’s Eve. Be sure to pick a designated driver!
January
1, 2017 New Year’s Day.
January 2,
2017 This is the day most of us
decide whether sticking to those resolutions is going to happen. Or not.
January 9,
2017 College
Football Championship Game
January 14,
2017 15th District Work
Day, 9am, held at East Liberty #247.
January
16, 2017 Martin Luther King Day
February 11,
2017 Inspection of La Rue Lodge in
the MM degree. Lodge opens at 11am, lunch at noon,
resuming degree work following lunch.
February
20, 2017 Presidents’
Day
March 25, 2017 Grand Master’s One Day Class, 9am, at Palestine #158.
March 31, 2017 15th District Grand Master’s Reception,
7pm, at All-Occasions Catering, Waldo, OH.
June 24, 2017 300th
Anniversary of Modern Freemasonry
15th
District Picnic, 2pm, hosted by East Liberty #247.
That’s what we know for
now. See you at Lodge!
.