OK, it has been a while since our last post. Thanks to all who have mentioned it, and thanks for those who successfully migrated to our new site. In the future we'll try to do a better job with the updates.

We've had two meetings since our summer break, and have been busy since the first rap of the gavel. We've passed a candidate to the FC degree, received a new petition, have another waiting "in the wings", and have plans for a MM degree experience yet this month. And we're just getting started!

One interesting item is a routine function with an unexpected twist. In September we mailed the 2010 dues notices. Nothing new there. Courtesy of the MORI system, we included a Member Profile for each member. This contains the customary contact information, as well as the member's Masonic record. These apparently have been a hit with the membership, prompting many comments, and a couple concerns. We welcome both. It is nice to have your own copy of your Masonic history, and it has helped ensure we have accurate records. Everyone wins.

As you can see below, our schedule is busy. So, take a good look and make your plans accordingly.

September 13, 2009. The 15th District Awards Banquet was held at the Plaza Inn, in Mt. Victory. No, we didn't win anything this year, but it was nice to be in the running.

October 7, 2009. We will be practicing the MM degree. It is also anticipated we will be voting on our most recent petition.

October 16-17, 2009. 200th Grand Lodge Communication, Toledo, Ohio.

October 21, 2009. In addition to an update from the Grand Lodge Communication, we expect to announce final arrangements for the MM degree (see below).

October 31, 2009 (Saturday - Tentative). We anticipate portrayal of the MM degree on our current candidate. An afternoon start is expected due to travel considerations. If you are able to assist, please do.

November 3, 2009. Election day! They don't call it participatory government for nothing. Make your thoughts on candidates and issues count.

November 4, 2009. Annual meeting. Our 2009-10 slate of officers will be chosen. Attend, and make your voice heard. Maybe even take an office.

November 14, 2009. 15th District Secretary's Meeting, held at Bellefontaine #209, starting at 9am.

December 5, 2009. 15th District Past Master's Convocation, held at Mad River #161, starting at 9am.

February 20, 2010 (Saturday). Inspection in the FC degree. Lodge opens promptly at 3:30pm.


Here are the birthdays we are celebrating in October:

10-11..........Ron Phillips
10-19..........Leroy Harder
10-19..........Cedric Radcliff
10-26..........Robert Everly
10-28..........Gene McMahan


And here are the Masonic Anniversaries we are celebrating in October:

10-21-64..........Phillip winslow
10-21-70..........Phillip Weist
10-2-74............Robert Lee
10-5-77.............Rick Sigrist
10-20-93..........William Bennett

Back to work!

As previously noted, our first meeting of the year is this Wednesday, September 2nd. In addition to the customary issues, we have a candidate ready for the FC degree. Should be a fun night!

Here are the birthdays we are celebrating in September:

9-6......Scott Jackson
9-10....Arthur Keirns
9-14....Greg Rice
9-16....Phillip Winslow
9-20....John Ridgway
9-22....Don Redd
9-28....Clyde Schertzer
9-29....Milton Lightfoot

We also have a Masonic anniversary this month:

9-21-77....Steve Sigrist

Here are the list of birthdays we have for August:

5th........John McElheny
15th......Richard Hoover
18th......Larry Knapp
20th......William Bennett
22nd......Don Kennedy
27th.......Jeff Adkins
31st.......Ted Elsasser

We don't have any Masonic anniversaries listed for August.


In the most recent issue of "The Beacon" (July/August 2009), we received information on the Grand Master's One Day Class from June 13th. Totaling all 25 Districts in Ohio, the day resulted in 2,340 new Master Masons. A breakdown by District was not available, but the article mentioned that PDDGM Jerry Belt presided over the 15th District Master Mason degree, with his son as the working candidate. Congratulations to all who joined, participated in, and attended the events.


The commitments of summer quickly pass. But there are still dates to mark on your calendar:

August 12, 2009. Deputy Grand Master's Rollout Program, to be held at Latham Lodge #154, Kenton, Ohio, at 7pm.

September 2, 2009. First meeting of the fall, and conferring the FC degree.

September 12, 2009. Annual Meeting at East Liberty #247, at 9am.

September 13, 2009. 15th District Awards Banquet, 6:30pm, at the Plaza Inn, Mt. Victory.

September 27, 2009. The Grand Lodge of Ohio and the Invisible Lodge of Ohio announce a night of magic and comedy with Angela Funovits and David McCreary. The event will be held at the Makoy Center in Hilliard, OH.

Tickets are $25, and seats are limited. All proceeds will go to benefit the Royal C. Scofield Foundation for the Masonic Model SAP. Tickets can be obtained through the Grand Lodge of Ohio web site.

October 16-17, 2009. 200th Grand Lodge Communication, Toledo, Ohio.

November 14, 2009. 15th District Secretary's Meeting, held at Bellefontaine #209, starting at 9am.

December 5, 2009. 15th District Past Master's Convocation, held at Mad River #161, starting at 9am.

Here are the birthdays for July:

7-10...Dan Hicks
7-17....Stanley Foos
7-18....John Mathew
7-24....Howard Dean


We have one Masonic anniversary for July:

7-26-1940....John D. McElheny


As the commitments of June fade into memory, there are still dates to mark on your calendar:

August 12, 2009. Deputy Grand Master's Rollout Program, to be held at Latham Lodge #154, Kenton, Ohio, at 7pm.

September 2, 2009. First meeting of the fall, and conferring the FC degree.

October 16-17, 2009. 200th Grand Lodge Communication, Toledo, Ohio.

There might have been a chilly rain outside, but the warmth inside was delightful. And busy! Great pizza started the evening, with excellent conversation leading into the meeting. Our night included:

- A 25-year pin presentation to B. Robert Everly
- Our LEO, WB Rick Sigrist's Masonic Minute presentation celebrating B. Everly's MM degree from the April 4, 1984 minutes.
- The EA lecture and charge were given to our newest member.
- The EA exam was returned in an excellent manner by our newest member.
- Our DDGM, RWB Goff presented two Grand Master's pins.
- Our DDGM, RWB Goff, led the lodge in a spirited game of "Are You More Knowledgeable Than An Entered Apprentice?"

Before wishing the membership a great summer, WM Lightfoot announced we would be exemplifying the FC degree at our next meeting, September 2nd.

Remember, although we are on our summer break, there are many events this summer. Scroll down for the complete list.

Don't forget dinner prior to Lodge this week! With pizza as the featured item, what more do we need?

Here is the list of Masonic anniversaries during the month of June:

6-6-45....Joseph Spitzer
6-4-47....John Ridgway
6-14-61...Larry Knapp
6-6-62....Ralph Lee
6-4-75....Tom Hafer
6-7-78.....Richard Peterman
6-6-79.....Evan Clark
6-4-08....Nathan Hampton

And here are the birthdays being celebrated this month:

6-9.....Charles Randles
6-16....Robert White
6-19....Dan Stover
6-23....Phillip McCullough
6-30....Theodore McElheny

As we head toward our summer break, we are keeping busy. Our most recent member was initiated on the 20th. Congratulations! Due to scheduling difficulties the lecture and charge will be given at our next meeting. With more petitions still out, it sounds like we will have a busy fall.

For our next meeting we have a full night scheduled. We start at 6:30pm with a pizza dinner. W, Ned Goff, our DDGM, is presenting a special Masonic Education program, which he promises will be fun and instructive! There will be recognition of Past-Masters of LaRue Lodge, with plenty of opportunity to share favorite moments from those years. We will be presenting a 25-year pin, and the above-noted EA lecture and charge.

Food, fun, and fellowship - a hard combination to beat. See you there!