January Newsletter

January-February 2018
 
Dear Brethren,
 
A new year is about to begin, and with it will come a lot of excitement. We are sending this out early for a couple of reasons:
 
  1. Our regular January meeting has been moved to January 9 at 7 p.m.; we expect a MM exam;
  2. Dues are due December 31 to avoid suspension for non-payment.
 
Also, in February we have our regular meeting on the 6th (it will be pre-Inspection), with our annual Inspection on February 23 at 7 p.m. It will be in the EA degree, with refreshments to follow.   As you can see, things are heating up in a hurry and your participation is really needed and wanted. Hope to see you at Lodge soon.
 
Fraternally yours,
TMC
Tim M. Churchill, Secretary

Grand Lodge Communications 2017

Hello brothers,
 
I have returned home from two days at the 208th Annual Grand Lodge Communications at the Dayton Masonic Center.  We had a great time during the proceedings and I really enjoyed touring this incredible building.  If you have not had the opportunity to see the Masonic Center, you can get a glimpse of it online and a brief history here: http://daytonmasonicfoundation.org/
 
Proposed legislation was minimal this year, with only three items up for consideration.  The first being 2017-1, asking to reinstate the phrasing in Section 11.05 which was a previous ban on all gambling, raffles, etc,.   This was overwhelming voted down. Proposed legislation  2017-A, asking to make changes the wording for Honorary and Plural Memberships in Sec 29.03 and 29.04 was held over until 2018 after a vote was cast to remove the request for immediate consideration.  Proposed legislation 2017-B, changing chapter 34.02 on the use of alcohol in the building, was held over until 2018 as the request for immediate consideration encountered 25 "no" votes.   I will bring a copy of the published proceedings to Lodge during our November meeting if anyone cares to review the committee reports.  I expect that the Grand Lodge of Ohio will make them available online as well.
 
Your new Grand Lodge Officers for 2018 are:
 
Eric R. Schau / Grand Master
Jess N. Raines / Deputy Grand Master
Keith W. Newton / Senior Grand Warden
Richard A. Dickerscheid / Junior Grand Warden
Steven E. Cokonougher / Grand Treasurer
C. Michael Watson / Grand Secretary
Robert D. Stands / Grand Chaplain
Timothy S. Wheeland / Grand Orator
Steven M. Grindle / Grand Marshal
Paul A. Weglage / Senior Grand Deacon
William M. (Bill) Carter III / Junior Grand Deacon
Ronald L. Runion / Grand Tyler
 
Closer to home, your Grand Lodge appointed district officers for 2018 are:
 
Paul Kelly (Bryan) / D.D.G.M.
Robert "Joe" Stotler, Jr (Hicksville) / D.D.G.M.
 
Dan Hall (Omega) / D.E.O.
Marty Lawrence (Sycamore) / D.E.O.
 
Matt Gloor (Liberty Center) / District Adviser
 
The next Grand Lodge Communications date is set for October 12-13, 2018, at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky.
 
On a fun note, there was an art exhibit that just opened at the Dayton Art Institute, which is located right next to the Masonic Center.  It features the works of Alphonse Mucha, a popular name in Art Nouveau in the early 1900's.  He was also the Grand Master of Freemasons in Czechoslovakia and had Masonic influences in some of his work. The irony is that everyone I talked to at Grand Lodge seemed to have no knowledge it was going on right next door.  My wife and I really enjoyed the exhibit though.  More information on the artist can be found here:
 
 
Best Regards, and I hope to see you at our November stated meeting for Officer elections.
 

Lodge Outing: University of Toledo Homecoming Football

Brother McKibben is organizing a group outing to the University of Toledo Homecoming game against Eastern Michigan at the Glass Bowl.  The date is October 7, game time TBD.  We would like to get a group of 15 or more of us to come out to the game.  If you are interested RSVP by July 15 by contacting Rick via email at rahfmckibben@windstream.net

Steak Fry and Awards Night


Fulton Lodge held it's annual May Steak Fry on May 16, and taking opportunity to present two 50 year service pins, one to Jack Joyner, the other to our 31 year secretary, Tim Churchill. We also had a presentation by Pike Delta York Schools Destination Imagination on their way to World Competition in Tennessee. Proceeds from the dinner were donated to D.I. to help offset their travel expenses.

Fulton Lodge #248 Steak Fry

Fulton Lodge #248 Steak Fry
May 16, 2017: Grill hot @ 6:00 p.m.
Menu: Cook Your Own Steak
What to bring, besides your lady/family/guest:
Wardens: Steaks . . . Deacons: Baked Potatoes
Stewards, Secretary, & Treasurer: Salads/relishes
Master, Chaplain, & Tyler: Breads/rolls & Butter
All other members: Desserts
This will also be awards night, honoring several Fulton Lodge members,
plus a special presentation by PDY Destination Imagination groups.
Dress is casual. RSVP to Secretary (419-822-3736

Benefit for Tatum Untied Cancer Support

I'm not sure if you are aware of the non-profit that I've started in Tatum's honor, or of our goals, but I assure you we will improve the quality of life of those battling cancer, and have a significant impact on the direction of research into treatments and an eventual cure for cancers. To that end, we are having our first fundraiser to Benefit the non-profit on Saturday May 13, 2017. Any support that I might get from my Masonic brothers would be VERY much appreciated. I'm not looking for donations, but it would mean a lot to me if some of my brothers would be interested in attending. It will be a great evening of fun and will support a worthwhile cause.
Thank you in advance for any support you may be able to provide.

Fraternally yours,

Chris Hummel

Loyd H. Kelley Obituary

While I did not know him personally, Loyd was a long standing Mason in the 5th District:
 
Loyd H. Kelley, age 82, of Liberty Center, passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital early Wednesday morning April 19, 2017.  He was born in Toledo on January 26, 1935 to the late Clarence Harold Kelley and Rachel (Sharples) Kelley.  Loyd graduated from Swanton High School in 1953.  He was a Veteran having served with the U.S Army from 1957 – 1959.  On August 26, 1961, Loyd married Thelma “Jeanie” Vollmar and together shared 53 years together until her passing on February 19, 2015.  Along with being a passionate farmer, he worked as a tool and die maker at Doehler Jarvis for over 30 years before their closing and later at Leader Engineering before retiring. 
 
Loyd was a member of the Wauseon Masonic Lodge #349; where he served for over 60 years and was a past master of Swanton Lodge #555.  Loyd is survived by his sons, Wayne Kelley and Dennis (Cindy) Kelley; daughter, Luann (Dan) Boyd; sister, Betty (Gene) Baker; grandchildren, Amanda Kelley, Nichole (Jack) Kruntz and Loyd T. Kelley; step-grandchildren, Michelle (Jamie) Bates and Christopher (Wendi) Brown; nine great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.   In addition to his parents and wife, Thelma “Jeanie”, he was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Lora Lee (Tom) Urban; daughter-in-law, Loretta Kelley and special cousins, Harold and Marilyn Wittes.  
 
Friends will be received on Sunday, April 23, 2017 from 3:00–7:00 PM at Barnes Funeral Chapel, 5825 St. Hwy. 109 in Delta; with a Masonic Service beginning at 6:30 PM.  A funeral service honoring Loyd’s life will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday also at the funeral home.   Pastor Jeff Davis will be officiating.  Interment will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Grand Rapids, OH.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Shiloh Christian Union Church Building Fund, 2100 Co Rd 5, Delta, Ohio 43515, American Heart Association, 15120 Collections Center Dr, Chicago, IL 60693 or American Diabetes Association, 300 Galleria Officentre, Suite 111, Southfield, MI 48034 in his name.  Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website atwww.barnesfuneralchapel.com.

Inspection thoughts and more...

We had a great night of travel to Bryan last night brothers. Five of us wedged into my Honda to drive to Bryan 215 for their annual inspection in FC. This week has a couple of events, in addition to our EA/Stated meeting on Tuesday, next Friday is Napoleon 256's FC inspection, if you are looking to travel. A bunch of us are planning on going early for their Jiggs Dinner (cost $8) at 6pm, with inspection at 7pm. I hope to have your company for that.
 
Thinking ahead, Liberty Center 518 will inspect in FC on Saturday, March 18 at 9am. I am asking any brother of Fulton to put this on their calendar to attend. Fulton has not been known in recent years as a "traveling lodge", but I think for this inspection we could make an exception and give a good surprise to Bryan and Sycamore who usually dominate the traveling trophy, in a good spirit of fun competition of course ;)
 
See you all on Tuesday night for a brand new EA brothers!
 
Craig Szczublewski
WM, Fulton Lodge 248 F & AM

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