Calendar Update – Part Deux !

(revised 3-21-16)

As mentioned in our previous post, things change.  Much like the ripples caused by casting a pebble in a pond, even the slightest change can have far-reaching results.  That describes our candidate situation pretty well.

We had good attendance for our pizza dinner, except for the candidates.  We anticipated one, or possibly two, FC degrees at our last meeting.  One wasn’t ready to return the exam, and the other was at home, suffering with a back injury.  Our adjustment requires some explanation.

We were prepared to confer the FC degree on one or both of our candidates at our last meeting, but life got in the way.  As a result, we are targeting the April 6^th meeting to “finish” our FC work.  There will be a dinner at 6:30pm that evening, menu to be determined. 

Our plan for the MM experience includes all three candidates and a Special Saturday meeting.  Ohio readers may be aware of a recent procedure change that permits multiple candidates to receive the same degree at one time.  This process has some similarity to the Grand Master’s One Day Classes held in recent years, but was deemed too unwieldy for our situation.  Instead, we will hold a Special Meeting on a Saturday, most likely in April or May, and confer each of the three MM degrees individually, with the lecture and charge done collectively.  In discussion of the situation we came up with the following questions, which might also have occurred to you:

Will that make for a long day? 

Not as long as if we tried doing this at a Stated Meeting.

Will there be arrangements for a meal? 

Yes, probably a luncheon, but at this time details have not been ironed out.

Why not take advantage of the new process permitted by Grand Lodge?  While several aspects are attractive, the resources required to confer the MM degree exceed ours.

Would the new process permitted by the Grand Lodge fit our situation in the future?

Possibly, but most likely in the EA or FC degrees. 

Does implementation of the new process permitted by the Grand Lodge restrict this plan?

No.  The new Grand Lodge process does not replace, but offers an alternative to the standard procedures. 

So, without further ado, here is our calendar as we now know it:

March 27, 2016                    Easter

April 6, 2016                         Dinner at 6:30pm.

Stated meeting.  Probable FCs scheduled (see above).

April 8, 2016                         15th District Grand Master’s Reception at 7pm at Marion #70.  Doors open at 6, and the dinner features prime rib and chicken for $24. 

April 20, 2016                       Stated meeting. 

April – May 2016                 Saturday Special Meeting for MM degrees.

(see above)

May 4, 2016                          Stated meeting. 

May 8, 2016                          Mother’s Day.  Despite the title, this isn’t an occasion to honor only your mom, but all of the women who have impacted your life.  Whether near or far, let them know how special they are.

May 18, 2016                        Stated meeting. 

May 30, 2016                        Memorial Day.  Originally called Decoration Day, it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America.

That’s what we know for now.  See you at Lodge!

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Calendar Update!

Most writers understand one of the maddening truths of life:  As soon as you put pen to paper, something changes.  In this case the pen is replaced by the keyboard, and paper is replaced by our blog. 

Frequent readers will recall we have been blessed with 3 candidates, who are friends, who petitioned at the same time.  They work different jobs, and each has a hobby (calling?) of officiating athletic contests on evenings and weekends.  To say this has been a challenge to scheduling doesn’t paint the whole picture. 

At this point in their progress we have two FC degrees and three MM degrees to confer, with at least one MM practice inserted somewhere.  Below is our best approximation of what our schedule will be prior to our summer break.  As noted above, everything depends on schedules and degree progress, making these calendar listings our “best guess” at the moment.  As we progress this schedule will be updated, including dinners as they are added.

As all members of the Friendly 15^th know, we are entering the most active period for Inspections.  Between now and the end of March, six Lodges will have their Inspections, with the final three coming in April.  Rather than list each here, we refer you to the 15^th District web site (http://www.15thdistrict.org/2016insp.html ).  There you will find the Lodge, date, degree, and time listed, along with basic dinner information, otherwise knows as the “6:30 degree”.  Contact information is listed elsewhere on their site, as most require an RSVP for meal reservations.

Here is our calendar, as it is presently known:

March 2, 2016                      Pizza dinner at 6:30, Stated meeting at 7:30pm.  It is anticipated we will have one, or possibly two, FC degrees at this meeting.

March 13, 2016                    Daylight Savings Time starts.  It will again be light past 6:00pm, so you can see to operate your grill.

March 16, 2016                    Stated meeting.  Possible FC scheduled (see above), or MM practice.

March 20, 2016                    Palm Sunday

                                                First day of Spring

March 27, 2016                    Easter

April 6, 2016                         Stated meeting.  Possible MM scheduled (see above).

April 8, 2016                         15th District Grand Master’s Reception at 7pm at Marion #70.  Doors open at 6, and the dinner features prime rib and chicken for $24. 

April 20, 2016                       Stated meeting.  Possible MM scheduled (see above).

May 4, 2016                          Stated meeting.  Possible MM scheduled (see above).

May 8, 2016                          Mother’s Day.  Despite the title, this isn’t an occasion to honor only your mom, but all of them who have impacted your life.  Whether near or far, let them know how special they are.

May 18, 2016                        Stated meeting. 

May 30, 2016                        Memorial Day.  Originally called Decoration Day, it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America.

That’s what we know for now.  See you at Lodge!

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We Passed!

Yes, it is official – we received the written report from our DDGM, RWB Willard Fissell.  Despite the positive things mentioned following our FC Inspection, we prefer to receive the written notice before celebrating.  We’d like to express our appreciation to all those who assisted, including those who filled a chair here or there at the last minute.  John Heywood was correct, “Many hands make light work”.

With our Inspection in the rear view mirror, we turn our attention to our current crop of candidates.  We will be initiating one on February 3, and anticipate passing another on February 17.  That will prep us for raising 2 candidates, bringing the third along as quickly as possible thereafter.  To say this will be a busy winter and spring would be an understatement.  As we get closer to the MM dates additional information will be shared.

Our calendar has cleared up considerably since our last post, but there are still plenty of things to attract your attention.

February 3, 2016                 Stated meeting, EA scheduled.

February 10, 2016              Ash Wednesday

February 14, 2016              Valentine’s Day.  Consider this your reminder to make arrangements to show that special someone in your life how much they mean to you.

February 15, 2016              President’s Day. 

February 17, 2016              Stated meeting, FC scheduled.

March 13, 2016                    Daylight Savings Time

March 20, 2016                    Palm Sunday

                                                First day of Spring

March 27, 2016                    Easter

April 8, 2016                         15th District Grand Master’s Reception at 7pm at Marion #70.  Doors open at 6, and the dinner features prime rib and chicken for $24. 

May 30, 2016                        Memorial Day.

That’s what we know for now.  See you at Lodge!

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OK, it is finally Winter

No, it doesn’t feel like winter yet, but that’s OK.  It will soon enough.  As much as we all like images of that fluffy white stuff falling softly to earth on Christmas Eve, the rest of that package deal can get uncomfortable.  We are more than happy waiting to use words like drifting, blizzard, ice-covered, and wind chill in our daily conversation.

Thanks to all who assisted with our recent degree work, our participation in La Rue’s Christmas in the Village, and other such pursuits.  No matter the activity, more hands make the work easier for all. 

Our last meeting featured our DDGM, RWB Willard Fissel, conducting his first Pre-Inspection Visit, assisted and coached by RWB Fred Somerlot.  Preceded by a lasagna dinner, it was quite an evening. 

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

Two local activities shape our calendar for the short term: 

-  At the 15^th District Annual 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 more 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.

-  We initiated two (2) EA candidates at our first meeting in December, and have a third EA candidate scheduled for January 20^th.  To the best of our recollection, the last time we initiated two candidates at the same meeting was May 18, 1977.  That father-son duo also took their FC degrees the same night, September 7, 1977.  Depending on how this unfolds, we might try duplicating this feat in the near future.

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

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.  (Go Bucks!)

January 2, 2016                  This is the day most of us decide whether sticking to those resolutions is going to happen.  Or not.

January 6, 2016                  Regular Meeting, featuring an FC practice. 

January 9, 2016                  15^th District Annual Work Day at Palestine #158, starting at 9am.

January 11, 2016                College Football Championship Game.

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

January 18, 2016                Martin Luther King Day               

January 20, 2016                Regular meeting, featuring an EA Initiation. 

February 14, 2016              Valentine’s Day.  Consider this your reminder to make arrangements to show that special someone in your life how much they mean to you.

February 15, 2016              President’s Day. 

March 20, 2016                    Palm Sunday

                                                First day of Spring

March 27, 2016                    Easter

April 8, 2016                         15^th District Grand Master’s Reception at 7pm.  Place to be determined.

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

See you in Lodge!

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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!

.

Where has Summer Gone?

It seems like just yesterday we were suffering through the monsoon rains of spring.  Yes, we know that was just 2 weeks ago.  After 2 weeks of summer, we were hardly ready for this week’s transition to fall.  Such is the weather in Ohio.

The 2015 sessions for the Deputy Grand Master Rollout Programs have already begun.  We were fortunate to attend the first one, on July 28^th in Findlay.  RWB Robert Rill Jr. presented his view for the future of our fraternity.  He endorsed continuing the efforts already in place, while making common-sense improvements and adjustments.  His presentation addressed two points sure to be of interest to our membership.

Social Media.  Grand Lodge, individual Lodges, as well as individual members increasingly use social media.  Web sites fit this category, but represent just a small portion of what is currently available.  Grand Lodge is interested in making a more interactive form of social media available to members.  With the assistance of those who know computers and programming, Grand Lodge is preparing such a program.  As of this time it does not have a catchy title.  The format will be similar to Face Book, with links between Grand Lodge, Masonic Districts, individual Lodges, and members.

- It will be MORI driven, in that it will be a “closed community” limited to members.  Your membership number will be required to log in.

- Lodge Officer directories will be accessible, not just the Worshipful Master and Secretary, which are currently listed for Grand Lodge purposes.

- Calendars will be made available to list events at the Lodge, District, or Grand Lodge level.  Each member in Ohio will be able to access this information. 

- Announcements will be available through this system, presumably anything that is for the good of the Order.

- There is currently not a deadline to have this system in place, but preparations have already begun. 

Approachability.  This is a concern of the DGM, and the entire line of Grand Lodge Officers.  They want each of us to feel comfortable to talk with them, ask questions, express opinions, etc.  Each of them might have a title significant to the Fraternity, but they are members just like us, and want to be treated as such.

The Deputy Grand Master Rollout Program sessions present an opportunity to hear thoughts, ideas, and plans for the fraternity directly from the source.  They are informal, and present an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification.  The session is repeated in various locations to cut travel time and ensure everyone has an opportunity to attend.  Below are the dates and locations for the remainder of this year’s sessions, all of which start at 7:30pm:

Wednesday, August 12 at the Mansfield Masonic Temple, Mansfield, Ohio

Friday, August 14 at the Cuyahoga Falls Masonic Temple, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Tuesday, August 18 at Guernsey Lodge # 66, Cambridge, Ohio

Thursday, August 20 at Paramutha Lodge # 25, Athens, Ohio

Tuesday, August 25 at Scioto Lodge # 6, Chillicothe, Ohio

Here are some additional dates for your consideration:

September 2, 2015             Lodge.  This is our first meeting after the summer break.

September 7, 2015             Labor Day.  Dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers, it constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

September 12, 2015           15th District Annual Meeting.  Held at Mad River #161 in West Liberty, starting at 9am.  This is the meeting where Inspection dates are finalized and District Officers elected.

September 13, 2015           15th District Awards Dinner.  Held at the Plaza Inn in Mt. Victory.  Dinner costs $15.50, including tax and tip, and starts at 6pm.  Reservations are required by September 11, directed to RWB Larry Lance, District Treasurer.

October 12, 2015                Columbus Day.

October 23-24, 2015           Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, held at the Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio.  Details will be posted as they become available.

November 14, 2015            15^th District Fall Education Meeting.  Held at La Rue #463 in La Rue, starting at 9am.

November 26, 2015            Thanksgiving.

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

           

Along the way we will add more dates and information.  Check back often.

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

See you in Lodge!

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Summertime!

(Almost)

This is one of those topics certain to stir a discussion.  As usual, it depends on what landmarks are in use.  Judging by the equinox it is still spring - and a marvelous one it is.  Using other measures suggests it already is, or will soon turn to summer.  Two of those measures are Memorial Day and the summer break from Lodge meetings.

Memorial Day is generally considered as having been established on May 5, 1868, by an organization of Union veterans.  Originally called Decoration Day, it was a time for decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers.  Through legislation passed in 1968, the observance was moved from May 30^th to the last Monday in May, effective in 1971.  Summer, otherwise known as “tourist season”, is generally considered to run from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day.

Lodge meetings operate on a different schedule completely.  (How else could you explain the year starting November 1st?)  Historically the vast majority of Lodges take a break during the summer months.  Many reasons have been offered, but the need to attend to crops and livestock combined with the recent invention of air conditioning seem the most likely.  That doesn’t mean that Lodges are idle during the summer months, as our schedule below will attest.  It does suggest that Stated Meetings are put on hold.

Such is the case for our Lodge.  Our next scheduled Stated Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 2^nd, at our usual time.  Be careful not to confuse the issue:  we are not canceling any meetings; we are just stating that if you show up before September 2^nd you will be very lonely.

Since our last post you will note that we have added an additional page to our site:  La Rue Area Activities, Events, and Services.   The title of the page provides insight into the contents.  Take a few minutes to check it out, even if you live in the area.  You might find or learn something new.

The 2015 schedule has been posted for the Deputy Grand Master Rollout Programs in Ohio.  These sessions present an opportunity to hear thoughts, ideas, and plans for the fraternity directly from the source.  They are informal, and present an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification.  The session is repeated in various locations to cut travel time and ensure everyone has an opportunity to attend.  Below are the dates and locations of this year’s sessions, all of which start at 7:30pm:

Tuesday, July 28 at the Findlay Masonic Temple, Findlay, Ohio.

Friday, July 31 at Jefferson Lodge # 90, Middletown, Ohio

Tuesday, August 4 at the Northland Masonic Temple, Columbus, Ohio

Wednesday, August 12 at the Mansfield Masonic Temple, Mansfield, Ohio

Friday, August 14 at the Cuyahoga Falls Masonic Temple, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Tuesday, August 18 at Guernsey Lodge # 66, Cambridge, Ohio

Thursday, August 20 at Paramutha Lodge # 25, Athens, Ohio

Tuesday, August 25 at Scioto Lodge # 6, Chillicothe, Ohio

Here are some additional dates for your consideration:

May 25, 2015            Memorial Day.  An opportunity to express appreciation for those who have sacrificed to keep our country free.

June 14, 2015          Flag Day

June 21, 2015          Father’s Day.  An opportunity to honor fathers and fatherhood, and celebrate the contributions they have made in our lives.

July 4, 2015              Independence Day.  Celebrating the birth of a nation doesn’t have to include parades, picnics, and fireworks, but it is fun when it does.

September 2, 2015             Lodge.  This is our first meeting after the summer break.

September 7, 2015             Labor Day.  Dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers, it constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

October 23-24, 2015           Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, held at the Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio.  Details will be posted as they become available.

Along the way we will add more dates and information.  Check back often.

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

See you in Lodge!

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