Recently the 15th Masonic District decided to have a more uniform presence on the internet. A "new" 15th District site was developed, setting a standard for individual Lodge sites. Although our Lodge has had a web presence in one form or another for about 18 years, we are making some adjustments.
Behind the scenes we have been working on developing our "new" site, attempting to preserve what we have had for years, while taking advantage of some features new to us. It has been an interesting transition, and we are now ready for an unveiling. Our new site is listed in the menu on the left, or can be accessed by clicking on this link: The NEW La Rue Lodge #463 site
Please take time to explore and check out the various tabs. See what you think works and what doesn't, what you want to see more of and what you want to see less of. Adjustments, additions, and unfortunately corrections, are still in the future, and your thoughts will help guide that process. To share your thoughts, just use the email address larue463@yahoo.com.
In the mean time, until all the issues are ironed out, we will be maintaining both sites. Only after the new site is fully operational will we put our minds to maintaining, preserving, or discontinuing this site.
That's all we have for now. See you in Lodge!
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Friday, December 15, 2017
It is with sadness that we
report the passing of WB Phillip Winslow.
Arrangements are being handled by Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home in La
Rue. A link to their web site for the full
obituary is included below.
As noted in the obituary,
the family has requested a Masonic Funeral Service, which will be held at
Sunday, December 17, at 4pm. We would appreciate the assistance of all who
can attend.
Submitted by,
John Mathew, Secretary
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Winter seems to be coming quickly!
How quickly you ask? We’ve already had one morning featuring
snowfall, and more are predicted to follow.
That doesn’t mean we won’t be busy, but it does mean we have to remember
to turn up the heat on meeting nights!
Since our last post we have
tried to stay busy. The most exciting
event was raising two (2) new Master Masons the same evening. No, we didn’t do the degree work “as a
group”, but individually. Along the way
there were two FC exams returned, plus a MM exam from another candidate. It made for a later evening than usual, but
it was rewarding.
On the District level other
“new” things are happening. Frequent
readers will recall our Lodge was the first in the 15th District to
feature a web presence. We started with
a basic page with xpage.com, later shifting to the geocities.com platform. When that partnership expired we moved to
blogspot.com, where we have been for many years. This year the 15th District has decided a
more coordinated and enhanced web presence is appropriate, and has taken steps
to make that happen. Enlisting the aid
of a trained specialist, our path involves transition to yet another web
presence: https://15thdistrict.org/larue463/.
If you rush to that web page
you will find it still “Under Construction”.
That is techno-speak for we haven’t had time to pull our information
over from this site to that one – yet.
When that happens we will post a notice, and send an email to the membership. Until then we’ll try to post updates as they
occur.
We have a modest update on
our roof repair issue. It is fixed! Our next step is removing the
ceiling tile in the Lodge room to clear away the fallen plaster, etc. Since that is both messy and time consuming,
we will attempt to schedule the work around meetings and other events.
Below are the calendar
listings we know of at this time.
November 1, 2017
Annual
Meeting.
Prior to the meeting, at 6:30pm, will be a fish dinner, courtesy of RWB
Spracklen. In addition to the normal
business of the Lodge, this is the meeting where we elect Officers for the
coming year. Come and make your voice heard!
November 7, 2017
Election Day.
If you are reading this, you
have plenty of time to register and be eligible to vote. Polls are open
from 6:30am until 7:30pm. Vote!
November 11, 2017
Veterans Day
This is the day to celebrate
those who have placed their lives on the line for the freedoms we love. Don't
take the opportunity just to thank a Veteran. Do take the opportunity to thank
all the Veterans you encounter, whether in person or via social media. It will
mean more to them than words can describe.
November 18, 2017
15th District Fall
Education Meeting - CANCELLED ! ! !
This meeting has been cancelled by the 15th District as it conflicts with the Grand Master's DEO School. Instead, this meeting will be held at Oliver #447 on Saturday, December 2nd at 9am, in conjunction with the Past Master's Convocation.
November 23, 2017
Thanksgiving
In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn
harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving
celebrations in the colonies. In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President
Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each
November. Take time to give thanks for what you hold dear.
November 25, 2017
The Game.
Since 1897 The Ohio State
University has played the University of Michigan. Between them they have won 79 Big Ten Championships, and 19 National
Championships. Long considered the country’s best college football rivalry, it
is considered “must see TV” in both states. This chapter takes place at That
School Up North. How can shopping possibly compare?
December 2, 2017
15th
District Past Master Convocation.
Held at Oliver #447 at 9am. Also on the agenda is the 15th District Education Meeting, postponed from November 18th. (See above).
December 6, 2017 Masonic
Service Awards
Dinner will be at 6:30pm, with our meeting following.
December 9, 2017 15th
District Tech Meeting
Held at Palestine #158 at 1pm.
December 14, 2017 La
Rue’s Christmas in the Village 5
– 8pm.
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, live
reindeer, 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, 2017
Christmas
December 31, 2017
New Year’s Eve.
Be sure to pick your Designated Driver first!
January 1, 2018
New Year’s Day
January 2, 2018 This
is the day most of us decide whether sticking to those resolutions is going to
happen. Or not.
January 13, 2018
15th District Annual Workday
Held at Marion #70, starting at 9am.
February 10, 2018
Inspection in the EA degree.
Refreshments will be served
at 9am, with Lodge opening at 10am for Inspection.
That’s what we know for
now. See you in Lodge!
.
Friday, September 8, 2017
Where has summer gone!
We have some quick revisions
to announce for our upcoming candidate schedule.
** On September 20,
2017 we will be having a
MM practice.
** On October 4,
2017, we anticipate TWO MM degrees.
Is that ambitious, or what?
The truth is that everyone’s
schedule is busy. Finding the right
“open” dates that match everyone’s schedules is about like finding a needle in
a haystack. After several discussions, some
longer than others, this seems to be the best fit for everyone’s situation.
Is it ambitious?
Yes. Is it doable? Yes. Do we need your help? Yes!
You know what is needed, so
we won’t waste space with that description.
For the MM degree meeting we anticipate two things:
1 – To start the evening off early, we may call a Special
Meeting to start at 7pm,
rather than starting at 7:30pm. You know why.
2 – A meal prior is being considered, so we can be
ready to start by 7pm. In addition to the customary reasons, a good
meal ups our attendance by 20%.
It should be an exciting
time for us as well as the candidates.
We are sure you’d rather be part of the experience than just hear the
stories later.
We have an update on our
roof repair issue. It’s fixed!
At a cost of $3270.00, that’s the good news. As Paul Harvey might say, the rest of the
story is on page 2.
The circumstances of the
leak (placement, duration, etc.) means we are now ready for the inside repair
to begin. Those who look closely will
notice the braces for the suspended ceiling are bowed across the front of the
Lodge. This roughly approximates a line
from overhead the Chaplain, over to the Worshipful Master, and on to the
Secretary. This is the result of plaster
that has fallen from the “real” ceiling onto the ceiling panels. After some time to dry, those panels will have
to be removed to take care of the fallen plaster and dirt. Afterwards, we will need to examine and
possibly replace some of the bracing, as well as the damaged ceiling panels. It promises to be a messy and time consuming
job, but necessary to maintain the Lodge in an appropriate manner.
As you are reading this, of
you are wondering “what can I do?”, the answer is basic – contribute. Some members have already made
contributions. As you might hear
elsewhere, any size donation will be put to good use to finally bring this
issue to a full resolution.
As noted above, we’ve made
some adjustments to our calendar. As
future adjustments are received, they will be added,
September 16, 2017 15th
District Annual Meeting.
Held at Mad River #161 at 9am.
September 17, 2017 15th
District Awards Banquet.
September 23, 2017 15th District Past
President’s Golf Tournament
Held
at Kings Mill Golf Club, Waldo, OH. Sign-in at 7:30am, Shotgun Start at 8:30am. $60 per player covers golf, cart, lunch, and
prizes. Contact District Treasurer,
Larry Lance, PO
Box 52, West Liberty, 43357
(937-465-6560).
October 4, 2017 Lodge
meeting @ 7:30pm.
TWO MM degrees anticipated.
October 9, 2017 Columbus Day
October 18, 2017 Lodge
meeting @ 7:30pm
October 20-21, 2017 Grand
Lodge Annual Communication.
Held at the Dayton Masonic Center.
November 1, 2017 Annual Meeting.
In
addition to the normal business of the Lodge, this is the meeting where we
elect Officers for the coming year. Come
and make your voice heard!
November 7, 2017 Election Day.
If
you are reading this, you have plenty of time to register and be eligible to
vote. Polls are open from 6:30am until 7:30pm. Vote!
November 11, 2017 Veterans Day
This
is the day to celebrate those who have placed their lives on the line for the
freedoms we love. Don't take the opportunity just to thank a Veteran. Do take the opportunity to thank all the Veterans you encounter,
whether in person or via social media. It will mean more to them than words can
describe.
November 18, 2017 15th
District Fall Education Meeting.
Held at La Rue #463 at 9am.
November 23, 2017 Thanksgiving
In
1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn
harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving
celebrations in the colonies. In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President
Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each
November. Take time to give thanks for what you hold dear.
November 25, 2017 The Game.
Since
1897 The Ohio State University has played the University of Michigan. Between them they have won 79 Big Ten Championships, and 19 National
Championships. Long considered the country’s best college football rivalry, it
is considered “must see TV” in both states. This chapter takes place at That
School Up North. How can shopping
possibly compare?
December 2, 2017 15th
District Past Master Convocation.
Held at Oliver #447 at 9am.
December 25, 2017 Christmas
December 31, 2017 New
Year’s Eve.
Be sure to pick your
Designated Driver first!
January 1, 2018 New
Year’s Day
January 13, 2018 15th
District Annual Workday
Held
at Marion #70, starting at 9am.
February 10, 2018 Inspection in the EA degree.
Refreshments
will be served at 9am, with Lodge
opening at 10am for Inpsection.
That’s what we know for
now. See you in Lodge!
.
Monday, August 14, 2017
Where has summer gone!
Since our last post time has
seemed to fly by. Some of us have
enjoyed vacations, others participated in stay-cations, and some of us just
plain worked! No matter how you’ve spent
it, we are halfway through August and close to the unofficial end of summer –
Labor Day. Already some of our more
industrious members have been focused on the first Lodge meeting of the fall,
and the plethora of activities that follow.
As you check our calendar
listings below, you will notice we anticipate moving our most recent candidates
along “earlier” rather than “later”.
Time will tell if this works as planned, but we feel confident. We also hope to have the outstanding MM exams
returned.
The Deputy Grand Master’s
Roll-Out Program schedule has all but ended, as the last of the presentations
are scheduled for this week. Members of
our Lodge attended the session in Columbus, and returned impressed. It was short, to the point, and presented
ideas considered workable by those present.
Our favorite line of the presentation was that the DGM did not intend to
reinvent the wheel, just improve on some design flaws. It is good to have leadership with a sense of
humor.
We have an update on our
roof repair issue. The official answer
is “Not yet - again.” The circumstances
of the leak, and the type of repair needed, requires a combination of things
that have been in short supply: an
extended period of warm, dry weather, combined with being at the top of the
repair list. You may have guessed by now
that particular trifecta has not occurred, but we are getting closer.
Our calendar below
highlights many events, meetings, holidays, and a few special occasions.
July 18 – August 17,
2017 Deputy Grand Master Roll-Out
Programs.
Held
in various locations throughout Ohio. All sessions
scheduled for 7-9pm. Please refer to the Grand Lodge web site for
specific locations.
September 4, 2017 Labor Day
September 6, 2017 First Lodge meeting after summer break
Pizza
dinner @ 6:30pm. Two FC
degree presentations are anticipated.
September 16, 2017 15th
District Annual Meeting.
Held at Mad River #161 at 9am.
September 17, 2017 15th
District Awards Banquet.
September 23, 2017 15th District Past
President’s Golf Tournament
Held
at Kings Mill Golf Club, Waldo, OH. Sign-in at 7:30am, Shotgun Start at 8:30am. $60 per player covers golf, cart, lunch, and
prizes. Contact District Treasurer,
Larry Lance, PO
Box 52, West Liberty, 43357
(937-465-6560).
October 4, 2017 Lodge
meeting @ 7:30pm.
One MM degree anticipated.
October 9, 2017 Columbus Day
October 18, 2017 Lodge
meeting @ 7:30pm
One MM degree anticipated.
October 20-21, 2017 Grand
Lodge Annual Communication.
Held at the Dayton Masonic Center.
November 1, 2017 Annual Meeting.
In
addition to the normal business of the Lodge, this is the meeting where we
elect Officers for the coming year. Come
and make your voice heard!
November 7, 2017 Election Day.
If
you are reading this, you have plenty of time to register and be eligible to
vote. Polls are open from 6:30am until 7:30pm. Vote!
November 11, 2017 Veterans Day
This
is the day to celebrate those who have placed their lives on the line for the
freedoms we love. Don't take the opportunity just to thank a Veteran. Do take the opportunity to thank all the Veterans you encounter,
whether in person or via social media. It will mean more to them than words can
describe.
November 18, 2017 15th
District Fall Education Meeting.
Held at La Rue #463 at 9am.
November 23, 2017 Thanksgiving
In
1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn
harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving
celebrations in the colonies. In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President
Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each
November. Take time to give thanks for what you hold dear.
November 25, 2017 The Game.
Since
1897 The Ohio State University has played the University of Michigan. Between them they have won 79 Big Ten Championships, and 19 National
Championships. Long considered the country’s best college football rivalry, it
is considered “must see TV” in both states. This chapter takes place at That
School Up North. How can shopping
possibly compare?
December 2, 2017 15th
District Past Master Convocation.
Held at Oliver #447 at 9am.
December 25, 2017 Christmas
December 31, 2017 New
Year’s Eve.
Be sure to pick your
Designated Driver first!
January 1, 2018 New
Year’s Day
January 13, 2018 15th
District Annual Workday
Held at Marion #70, starting at 9am.
February 10, 2018 Inspection in the EA degree.
Refreshments
will be served at 9am, with Lodge
opening at 10am for Inpsection.
That’s what we know for
now. See you in Lodge!
Monday, May 8, 2017
Where has the time gone!
It seems like just yesterday
we were relaxing after our MM Inspection.
That was three months ago! Time
does fly when you are busy, and we have been busy.
The most notable adjustment
in our routine has been candidates. We
are awaiting the MM exams on the last of our trio of candidates. Work schedules and health issues have been
contributing factors, but this should be resolved “soon”. In addition, we have initiated two additional
candidates. Unfortunately our summer
break will result in a pause in their progress, but that is an issue we are
happy to have.
The Deputy Grand Master
Roll-Out Program schedule has been released, as noted below. These are excellent opportunities to learn
first hand what is in store for Ohio Lodges from the person who authored the
plan. They are informal by nature, being
a presentation followed by a Q&A session.
Over the years each of us has probably received a written directive, and
after reading it wondered “What made them think this
was a good idea?” These sessions
are your chance to find out. The Grand
Lodge site has the full schedule, but here are the sessions closest to our
area: July 27 – Columbus, August 7 – Lima, August 8 – Tiffin.
We have an update on our
roof repair issue. The official answer
is “Not yet.” The circumstances of the
leak, and the type of repair needed, requires a combination of things that have
been in short supply: an extended period
of warm, dry weather, combined with being at the top of the repair list. You may have guessed by now that particular
trifecta has not occurred, but we are nearing closer.
Since we spoke above of
summer breaks, even if we aren’t holding a tyled meeting, activities still
occur. Our calendar below highlights
many events, meetings, holidays, and a few special occasions.
May 29, 2017 Memorial Day.
Formerly
known as Decoration Day, it commemorates all men and women who have died in
military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on
Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.
June 4, 2017 Ohio
Masonic Home Day, Springfield, Ohio. See schedule
link on the left side of this page.
June 21, 2017 First
Day of Summer. Break out the sun
screen!
June 23, 2017 Ohio Special Olympics.
Opening Ceremony (http://www.sooh.org/events.php)
June 24, 2017 300th
Anniversary of Modern Freemasonry
15th District Picnic, 2pm, hosted by East Liberty #247.
July
4, 2017 Independence
Day. Celebrate the birth of a nation!
As
of this date, 241 years and counting.
July 18 – August 17,
2017 Deputy Grand Master Roll-Out
Programs.
Held
in various locations throughout Ohio. All sessions
scheduled for 7-9pm. Please refer to the schedule below, or the Grand Lodge web site for
specific locations.
September 4, 2017 Labor Day
September 6, 2017 First
Lodge meeting after summer break
September 16, 2017 15th
District Annual Meeting.
Held at Mad River #161 at 9am.
September 17, 2017 15th
District Awards Banquet.
October 9, 2017 Columbus Day
October 20-21, 2017 Grand
Lodge Annual Communication.
Held at the Dayton Masonic Center.
November 11, 2017 Veterans Day
This
is the day to celebrate those who have placed their lives on the line for the
freedoms we love. Don't take the opportunity just to thank a Veteran. Do take the opportunity to thank all the Veterans you encounter,
whether in person or via social media. It will mean more to them than words can
describe.
November 18, 2017 15th
District Fall Education Meeting.
Held at La Rue #463 at 9am.
November 23, 2017 Thanksgiving
In
1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn
harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving
celebrations in the colonies. In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President
Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each
November. Take time to give thanks for what you hold dear.
November 25, 2017 The Game.
Since
1897 The Ohio State University has played the University of Michigan. Between them they have won 79 Big Ten Championships, and 19 National
Championships. Long considered the country’s best college football rivalry, it
is considered “must see TV” in both states. This chapter takes place at That
School Up North. How can shopping
possibly compare?
December 2, 2017 15th
District Past Master Convocation.
Held at Oliver #447 at 9am.
December 25, 2017 Christmas
December 31, 2017 New
Year’s Eve.
Be sure to pick your
Designated Driver first!
January 1, 2018 New
Year’s Day
That’s what we know for
now. See you in Lodge!
.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Well, if our last post was just
to share 2 events and one circumstance, this one can afford to be a little more
detailed.
First, yes, we did pass our MM Inspection, as witnessed by
50 Brothers, which included many District Deputies and District Officers, both
past and present. Through some
interesting shuffling of members among the speaking parts, and assistance of
visiting Brothers for non-speaking parts, things went well. As with all endeavors, many hands make for
light work, especially those who are so willing to assist. Were we the picture of perfection? No.
Did we successfully communicate the significance of the degree work to
the candidate? From all accounts, that
answer is “Yes”.
Second, the drain issue appears to be resolved. Frequent readers will recall that on two
successive Inspections the rest rooms overflowed, requiring them to be shut
down. After the first incident we
thought the issue had been successfully addressed. Now we know it has. Since we share the building with Lynch’s Cash
& Carry, who provided ingredients for our Inspection meal, it was important
to get this right. Along the way we
learned many things about the plumbing through the building, including how it
is routed, where “our” pipes are, and how it leaves the building. It was an educational experience for us and
the building’s owner, who was satisfied with our resolution.
Third, our roof issue has not yet been resolved, or paid
for ( $3270 ).
Unfortunately the “fix” requires not just being next on the schedule,
but a series of dry days for the repair to work. At this point we are neither at the top of
the list, nor have we had the required period of dry weather. The leak has not been horrible, and we have
been successful in catching the water in garbage cans. Although effective, we are hoping our next
report will include results instead of hopes.
Fourth, there have been some legislative changes that have
impacted how our Lodge conducts business.
Years ago we were approved for non-profit status as a 501-C-10. No, we are not tax exempt, just recognized as
a non-profit. That means your dues and
donations ARE NOT tax deductible, although
donations to the Ohio Masonic Home are deductible. Now we are also required to register with the
Secretary of State as a non-profit.
Those who follow legislative events will recognize this as a result of
the rules passed relating to Homeland Security issues. To maintain access to our funds, and be able
to adjust them according to needs of the Lodge, we recently completed and filed
the appropriate documents. Yes, it cost
us $25 to register as a non-profit, even though we were already granted that
status. What this does for us is to
maintain our flexibility to shift funds and change investments as our needs
change.
Fifth, we have more candidates! Our MM degree at Inspection left us with one
remaining candidate from our “class of three”.
Since then we have received and approved one petition, and have been
informed another will be delivered shortly.
Subject to schedules and availability, we are expecting a busy spring
and fall.
The remaining items for
presentation relate to the calendar.
* - As this is being typed
there are five Inspections remaining within the 15th District, which
puts us just past half way. A complete
list of Inspections can be found at the 15th District web site,
accessible by using the link to the left.
* - Coming up shortly are
events related to the Grand Master’s One Day Class, and the 15th
District Grand Master’s Reception.
Although deadlines have passed for meals at the events on March 25 and
31, the June event promises to be a different kind of experience. To celebrate the 300th Anniversary
of Modern Freemasonry there will be a picnic at a park, hosted by East Liberty #247. We were
informed this would be a family friendly event, and that spouses or significant
others, kids, friends and relatives are welcome. Specifics (food?) are still being clarified,
but this gives candidates from the One Day Class a chance to get to know other
members of the Fraternity, and for us to get to know them. FYI -
At last report, over 1,600 candidates will be participating in the One Day
Classes throughout Ohio.
* - The Ohio Masonic Home
Day in Springfield is celebrating their 125th Anniversary
this year. It will be held on Sunday,
June 4. Opening ceremonies will start at
11am, and the day will conclude after the 3:30 parade. The
full schedule of events can be found at their web site: http://ohiomasonichome.org/ohio-masonic-home-day/schedule/
Here is the rest of the
calendar as we know it now:
March 20, 2017 First
Day of Spring.
Celebrate by putting your snow shovel in storage.
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.
May
29, 2017 Memorial Day. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it
commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on
Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.
June 4, 2017 Ohio
Masonic Home Day, Springfield, Ohio. See schedule
link referenced above, or on the left side of this page.
June 21, 2017 First
Day of Summer. Break out the sun
screen!
June 24, 2017 300th
Anniversary of Modern Freemasonry
15th District Picnic, 2pm, hosted by East Liberty #247.
July
4, 2017 Independence
Day. Celebrate the birth of a nation!
As
of this date, 241 years and counting.
That’s what we know for
now. See you in Lodge!
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
