August, 2014

We had a Fellowcraft degree at 6:30 PM prior to our stated meeting.  All went well and we should have a candidate for our outdoor raising on September 20 at 10:00 AM.  Note that this will also be our stated meeting for September.  A notice will be sent to the membership.  We also had a new petition presented.  The lodge is definitely growing.  Our pancake breakfasts at Stonelick Lake went well.  We were able to donate one half the proceeds to the Friends of Stonelick to help them maintain the park grounds.  The Worshipful Master also said there will be another Christmas party at the lodge.  A date will be set later.  It is with sadness that we report that Past Grand Master Robert Hinshaw passed away recently.  That's it for now.  I hope to see you in September.

Note: The map to the outdoor raising site is incorrect.  The location is the first house on the right from Lake Dr., the last house on the left from Newtonsville.  A sign will be posted.

July, 2014

The July meeting did not see a lot of business.  We did have exams returned by our newest Master Mason and Entered Apprentice.  Bro. Bell also gave his as well, wanting to have the experience even though he went through the one day class.  The trustees contracted to have the sidewalk replaced at the lodge and we now have a nice ramp up to the front door.  We also decided to have pancake breakfasts on July 26 and August 2 at the campgrounds at Stonelick lake.  They will run from 8 to 10 AM.  We are also going to have a Fellowcraft degree at 6:30 PM prior to our next stated meeting.  Also, we are planning to have our annual outdoor raising (weather permitting) at 10:00 AM for our stated meeting September 20.

June, 2014

At the June meeting, in addition to the regular business, it was reported by the trustees that they had contracted with a fire extinguisher company to replace and take care of our fire extinguishers to help us meet the requirements of our insurance.  They also reported that they had decided that instead of trying to repair the sidewalk out front they will make a ramp up to the front door.  This will also help with our insurance.
The awards, widows and family night was a success again this year.  There were between 40 and 50 people that attended.  There was plenty of food and some awards were presented.  Although our 50 year plus members could not be there we did present Bro's. Doug Schmees and Mike Howard 25 year pins.  The secretary was also awarded the second John McCollum service award, which is quite an honor.  Thanks to Bro. Gene Bell for the pictures below.

Lots of good food

Our District Deputies with the Master

The Master presenting the John McCollum award to RWB George West

There were a couple of announcements made as well.  On July 26 and August 2 the lodge will have  pancake breakfasts at the campground at Stonelick Lake starting at 8:00 AM.  The first is during the campground's annual Christmas in July event and the second is during the antique machinery show at the beach.  The Sixth District is also having an Andy Back Fund benefit concert at Amelia Lodge on July 26 from noon 8:30 PM.  Tickets are $15 each or 2 for $25.  The secretary has tickets and will have them at the next meeting.  On August 24 the Sixth District is having a benefit car show at Amelia lodge.
I hope to see you at lodge.

May, 2014

We voted on a couple of Brethren for plural membership and they were elected.  The rest of the May meeting was devoted to regular business.  The upcoming awards, widows and family night was discussed.  Please remember to bring a covered dish and meet at the lodge at 4:00 PM.  We also reviewed the requirements for the Grand Master's award this year and we are going to try to get it again.  Some announcements included a car show to be held at Amelia Lodge on June 15 and the Andy Back fund concert at Amelia Lodge on July 26 from noon to 8:30.  Several groups will be performing all kinds of music.  Cost is $15 a person or $25 a couple.  This includes a meal ticket.  Bring your lawn chairs.

April 2014

The April meeting had one Master Mason exam and a couple of petitions for plural membership presented.  Also discussed was the upcoming Grand Master's reception.  The lodge voted to sponsor the Deputy Grand Master and his lady.  We also decided to donate $50 to the Sixth District car show on August 24 to support this year's Grand Lodge session that will be in Cincinnati in October.  Some of the proceeds will also be used for the Sixth District Andy Back relief fund.  Before that will be the Andy Back Fund benefit music festival on July 26 at Amelia lodge.  This will be an all day event with several bands playing throughout the day.  The Worshipful Master also set June 14 as our annual awards and Widows event.  We will meet at 4:00 and this will be a potluck dinner with the lodge providing meat and drink.  Please add these events to your calendars. 

March, 2014

The meeting in March saw one FC proficiency.  The rest of the meeting was dedicated the usual business of the lodge.  We did donate to the Special Olympics and to a VA hospital program.  We now have two Fellowcrafts and one Entered Apprentice in the works.  We will be doing a Master Mason at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 29.  We will be doing another Master Mason at 6:30 PM on Friday, April 11.  Please come out and be with us as we welcome two new Master Masons into our lodge.
Some other information that may be of interest to the brethren is that there will be an all day music jam at Amelia lodge on July 26th from noon to 8:00 PM to benefit the Andy Back Charitable Fund of the Sixth District.  Tickets are $15 each or $25 per couple.  There will be all kinds of music and activities for kids and food for everyone.  Bring a lawn chair and enjoy some music for a good cause.
The next district meeting will be March 24 at 7:00 PM at Batavia lodge.  There will be information on the district golf outing, picnic and the Grand Master's reception, which will be held at the Clermont County Fairgrounds on May 2.  That's all for now.

February, 2014

Well, the year is off to a pretty good start, in spite of the weather for our last two meetings.  We were able to exemplify an Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft degree at the special and stated meetings we had on Feb. 15.  This makes four candidates we have active at the moment.  The new officers passed our inspection with flying colors and are bringing a new enthusiasm to the lodge that it has needed for some time.  The lodge is in good hands.  There are no special meetings planned for the period between the Feb. and March meetings but we will be scheduling at least one Master Mason degree at the next meeting.  As I reported last post we reinstated a brother.  He currently resides in Wasilla, Alaska, and is now able to attend lodge there, thus the reinstatement.  If you have not been to lodge for a while you might consider attending, especially with the great lodge education programs out LEO is presenting.  After the Fellowcraft degree at our inspection he took the candidate on a "Walk About" the lodge, explaining the duties of each of the officers.  This is just an example of programs the LEO is presenting.  I hope to see you at lodge.