Greetings Brethren,
At our September Stated Meeting, we had 25 brothers present including Brothers Joe Rockell (our honorary member) and WB Jason Miller, WB Mike Doxsee, and Josef Irbe of Highland Lodge #762.
After our delicious meal prepared by WB Fred Lucabaugh, the lodge was opened on the Master Mason Degree.
The charter was draped for three brothers who had laid down their working tools since our June meeting; Edwin Hostetter, Vincent Matthews, and Geoff Foughty.
The lodge was then put at ease while we welcomed our guests for the evening for the presentation of Doug Harris’ Award of Gold, which was presented by Doug’s son, JS Perry Harris. Congratulations WB Doug on your Award of Gold.
While we were at ease, photos were taken of Doug and his family as well as a photo of all the brothers in attendance, which will be presented by Tim Stotlar to Helen Wilson, our resident at Compass Park, this Sunday during the Masonic Home Festival. The festival is from 9:30 – 4, if you are interested in attending. If you would like to ride down with Tim and myself, just reply to this email or give me a call at 260-438-8364.
After the pictures, the guests were excused and the lodge was returned to order. Highland Lodge #762 then presented WB Jan Henline with an honorary membership in appreciation of all of his help at their lodge over the years.
We voted favorably on one petition, and we have received another petition, so we will be having some degree work coming up over the next few months.
Tim Stotlar, our Masonic Home Ambassador, recapped all of the contact and items that he had sent to Helen Wilson over the last several months.
Tim also announced that we will be participating in the Bluffton Boo… passing out candy for Halloween.
We are asking everyone to please bring a bag of candy to the October Stated Meeting for the event. If you cannot make the meeting, you can always drop off a bag of candy at the lodge and Doug and Larry have promised not to eat it.
Steve Skiles reporting for the investment committee said that our investments are continuing to grow. Thanks again to the investment committee for their efforts.
WB Jan Henline spoke on behalf of the trustees, and reported that the roof had indeed suffered hail damage and that an insurance claim had been filed on our behalf. The claim for the flat roofs has been approved and we are now waiting on the claim for the interior portions which will cover repainting the ceilings that were damaged due to the leaks to be approved.
Please keep Brothers Joe Pfeifer who recently had stents put in and is recovering nicely, along with Leonard King…who continues his rehabilitation from his recent stroke, and Mark Penrod… who is awaiting a kidney transplant, in your thoughts and prayers.
Brother Tom Doepker will be chairing a silent auction fundraiser in November. Tom is looking for any item that you may wish to donate for the auction. Larry will be sending out more information at a later date.
You should be receiving your dues notices from the Grand Lodge somewhere in the September-October time period. If you have any questions regarding your notice, please contact Larry Tschannen or myself.
Our next monthly community breakfast will be on Saturday, September 17, from 8 to 10:30.
Lastly, our Masonic education was a game of “Guess that famous Mason”, emceed by WB Joshua Dunsmore. Josh offered a series of clues to which everyone tried to guess who he was describing. Personally, I like these kinds of interactions, so thanks again Brother Josh.
The lodge was then closed in form on the Master Mason Degree.
David Barton
Worshipful Master
Bluffton Lodge 145