Greetings Brethren,
At our October Stated Meeting, we had 32 brothers present including Brothers Joe Rockell (our honorary member) and Ken Humont… a member in Milwaukee, WI who recently moved to the area.
After Larry’s awesome fish fry, the lodge was opened on the Master Mason Degree.
The lodge was then put at ease as we prepared for the presentation of WB Allan Penrod’s Award of Gold and to welcome our guests for the evening (Allan’s wife Jane, his granddaughter Sarah, his great-grandson Kam, and Deeda Skiles). Allan’s Award of Gold was presented by our Treasurer WB Doug Harris and Allan’s son, Mark Penrod.
Congratulations WB Allan on your Award of Gold!
While we were at ease, photos were taken of Allan, his family, and his trusty companion Sadie as well as a photo of all the brothers in attendance. I had to chuckle when I noticed that Sadie had a Grand Master’s pin on her harness. Nice touch WB Allan. After the pictures, the guests were excused and the lodge was returned to order.
WB Fred Lucabaugh read a poem entitled “An Old Master’s Wages” at the request of WB Allan Penrod, which was very appropriate for the evening.
We voted favorably on one petition and I appointed 2 investigating committees for 1 new petitioner as well as 1 transfer to our lodge. The plan right now is to do both EA degrees on Tuesday, October 18, at 6:30. We will confirm this once we have been in contact with the candidates.
We will be participating in the Bluffton Boo on Monday, October 31, from 5-6 p.m. at the City Gym. Several brothers brought in bags of candy last night for the event. The goal is not to run out of candy early, so if you would like to bring a bag(s) to the lodge for the event, there is still time to do so. All members are invited to come and help us with this event.
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 been completed. However, the crew was not as careful as they should have been. The President and Quality Manager from Advanced Roofing both have been to the lodge and agreed with our assessment, so they will be cleaning and power washing the affected areas. If the power washing does not work, they will be painting the areas.
Please keep Brothers Alan Coldiron, Leonard King…who continues his rehabilitation from his recent stroke, Mark Penrod… who is awaiting a kidney transplant, and Mike Rouner…who has kidney stones… in your thoughts and prayers. We have told Marge King, Leonard’s wife, to let us know if she needs any work done around their house while Leonard recuperates. All of our brothers should know that we are there for them if they need help, so if you happen to speak with any of these brothers, please extend the same offer of help to them.
Brother Tom Doepker is chairing a silent auction fundraiser which will run until the December Stated Meeting. Quite a few items have been donated so far and the bidding sheets are in place and the bidding is officially open. It is not too late to still donate an item.
You should be receiving your dues notices from the Grand Lodge in the very near future. If you have any questions regarding your notice, please contact Larry Tschannen or myself.
Our next monthly community breakfast will be on Saturday, October 15, from 8 to 10:30. Just a reminder that the proceeds from the October and November breakfast will be split evenly and contributed to the Shepard’s House in Fort Wayne and the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
WB Fred Lucabaugh will be chairing a benefit breakfast for Kelly Harris, who is suffering from an aggressive brain tumor, at the Lodge on Saturday, October 29. Kelly is a former employee of Paul Reiff and has helped out at our lodge of multiple occasions serving food at various banquets and during Hector’s cookie class. Please come out and support this worthy cause.
SW Tim Simpson will be coordinating our 1st ever Chili Cook Off on Saturday, November 5 from 3-5 p.m. The entry fee is $25 and is open to anyone. Anyone can also come and sample the different chilies for $5 and a vote for your favorite chili will cost $1 per vote. Family members are welcome to enter the contest, to sample, and to vote.
JS Perry Harris said that he had a friend who had some church pews in his barn that were already padded and asked if the lodge would be interested in them. Since the pews are much more comfortable than the current seats, the trustees will be seeing if they are in good enough condition for us to use.
Lastly, for our Masonic education, WB Michael Hostetter divided everyone into groups of 2 or 3 for a 17 question of Masonic trivia. The questions were both difficult and interesting. Thank you WB Michael.
The lodge was then closed in form on the Master Mason Degree.
David Barton
Worshipful Master
Bluffton Lodge 145