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           15^th District Annual Meeting. 

Held at Mad River #161 at 9am.

September 17, 2017           15^th District Awards Banquet. 

Held at the Plaza Inn, Mt. Victory, OH, at 6pm.  (http://plazainn.net/)

September 23, 2017           15^th 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            15^th 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              15^th 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                15^th 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!