Hello Brethren!
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed time with family and friends.
The Grand Lodge Officers are now entering the time of the year where our travels pick up and we have the pleasure of visiting with many of you at a Grand Master's Reception or a Lodge Inspection. As I have mentioned previously, “Brotherhood” is the foundation of our Fraternity and I am encouraging our Lodges to schedule fellowship and friendship events. With these events we can build our bonds of Brotherhood with our current members and also meet new or potential Brothers. I am also encouraging the Brethren to get back into Lodge and take part in the many activities being offered.
If you have not already started planning for this year's Open House Event on April 22, 2023, I hope you will get started soon. The key to the success of any event is the planning and getting the word out. The Grand Lodge has plans to advertise the event, but each Lodge can advertise locally. There is much to be done and I encourage all of the Brethren to get involved with the Open House in some manner. I have been asked if the Ohio Masonic Youth Groups or appendant bodies can be part of the Open House Events. My answer is “absolutely, they can.” The purpose of the Open House is to raise awareness for our great Fraternity.
Lady Jane Anne and I have chosen to support our Ohio Masonic Youth Groups. Recently, we, along with the other Grand Lodge Officers and Ladies, attended a Worshipful Master Appreciation Event put on by the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton. At this event the Valley arranged for the local DeMolay leaders to present two public ceremonies: The Ohio DeMolay Tribute to Motherhood and The Ceremony of Light. Both were well done. If you have not witnessed these impressive ceremonies I would encourage you to ask your Worshipful Master to make arrangements for your local DeMolay Chapter to present one or both ceremonies at your Lodge. These ceremonies would make a great addition to a youth or ladies night event.
As a reminder if you would like to help support our Ohio Masonic Youth Groups with a financial donation please visit the Grand Lodge website, freemason.com, to donate or make your check payable to the Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation with a notation on the check for the “2023 First Lady’s Charity.”
Each year the Grand Lodge officers and Ladies visit Taggart’s Ice Cream Parlor to partake in the Kitchen Sink Degree. Up to a few years ago the members of the 21st Masonic District did not know how fast the Kitchen Sink Degree was completed. Once they began to time the degree, I had the fastest time. This past year I was dethroned as the record holder. Now the district has come up with a fund-raising event to benefit the Grand Lodge of Ohio Charitable Foundation that is scheduled on April 29, 2023. This event is being billed as the “Thrilla in Vanilla,” which is a challenge between myself and WB Jason Short to see who is the fastest to consume a Kitchen Sink (6 scoops of ice cream with all the trimmings) from Taggart’s Ice Cream Parlor. The event is planned to be streamed live statewide to see who will win a custom championship belt and bragging rights. You have a unique opportunity to have your District, Lodge name, business or personal name engraved on a side plate by becoming a “Belt Sponsor” for a donation of $500.00 (Checks payable to 21st Masonic District of Ohio). Please send your intent to sponsor or any questions to ewm21ddgm@gmail.com. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for the Charitable Foundation with this event. Belt space is limited so get your sponsorship in early.
In other Charitable Foundation news, a special tie has been designed and is available for purchase on the Grand Lodge website, freemason.com. The cost of the tie is $35.00 (or more if you choose). The proceeds from the sales of the ties will support the Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation. In addition, the Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation Tie will be sold at Grand Masters Receptions this year.
ANNOUNCING: Your Deputy Grand Master and Grand Secretary have been working on a store where you can purchase Masonic clothing items. Visit our website:
freemason.com for the Grand Lodge of Ohio Store.
Fraternally,
Steven M Grindle
Grand Master
Grand Lodge of Ohio