Brethren and Friends all,
I hope you are enjoying summer and your warm weather hobbies. It’s another beautiful blue-sky day in Springfield as I write this article. Remember to take a minute to check in on your friends and neighbors.
The Grand Master’s One Day Classes are complete, with the final classes taking place on July 25. Thanks to these eight events, we welcomed more than 800 new Master Masons in Ohio! Welcome Brethren!
Most Lodges go dark in July and August, but the work of a Lodge Secretary never stops. They have been reviewing Annual Return information and updating Lodge records before the year-end close on July 31. On August 3, 2026, the Annual Returns will be available in Grand View for each Lodge to print, sign, and return before August 31, 2026. Please thank your secretary when you see him next. They are doing a great job keeping your member records current.
The Ohio Historical Connection renovation initiative at Ohio Village is just about completed. There are a few soft opening events for limited visitors during the remainder of this year while the work is completed. The venue is not open for meetings this year. A Grand Opening is scheduled in the Spring of 2027. Ohio Village Lodge No. 10 is moving to a new location in the village. Watch for more details to come.
New Endowment purchases must be received in the Grand Lodge Office by August 31st each year. Endowments purchased from September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026 will mature and begin payout to your Lodge in November 2027.
The 2026 Membership Renewal Notice email is scheduled by the second week in August and a mailing to all members is scheduled in September. You can pay by credit card in your Grand View membership account or send it to your Lodge Secretary. Yearly membership renewal dues must be remitted on or before the Annual Meeting of your Lodge each November.
Have you ever visited the Dayton area? For Masons in Ohio, the Dayton Masonic Center is a beautiful landmark in the Gem City. If you have never visited, you are in for a special treat at GL2026. The 217th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of F&AM of Ohio will be held there on October 16, 2026. Registration is open now at www.glohio2026.com to make your meal and hotel reservations. You can also register directly in Grand View by going to My Portal/Events and go to October 16th on the Event Calendar OR select the 2026 Annual Communication Reservation tile. Click once, then follow the electronic form. Helpful tip in Grand View - do not use the back button.
Pre-print reports are made available on September 15th each year in Grand View. Look for the new Tile selection on your Grand View Portal page. Take a few minutes to review Committee reports and legislation in the pre-print report in preparation for the Annual Communication.
It’s an honor to serve the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The office staff is committed to serving you, so please call us at 614-885-5318 or email at gloffice@freemason.com if we can be of any assistance.
It's a Great Day for Freemasonry!
Keith W. Newton, PGM
Grand Secretary
