“Intentional Connection” is a term WB Dave Olmstead, Secretary of J. B. Covert Lodge, No. 437, uses to describe his very busy Lodge. Located east of Cincinnati in the 6th Masonic District, this Lodge has a membership of around 250 members. Over the last five years, they have raised more men than they have lost to suspension, and they have not had a repeat Worshipful Master in modern memory. In September, the Lodge will celebrate its 150th Anniversary with a reconsecration ceremony conducted by MWB Jess Raines.
What is the key to this Lodge’s success? They choose to be active and involved in their community as well as in the Lodge room. They don’t always host or sponsor every event that they participate in, but they are visible and engaged as volunteers. Currently they are volunteering to help with the Union Township Police Night Out. They just held a joint event with the Boy Scouts to properly retire and dispose of used and worn American Flags (pictured above). This is the eighth year for the Flag ceremony.
While the Lodge is not wealthy, it is generous in terms of time, talent, and treasure.
Here is a list of giving by J. B. Covert Lodge since November 2018:
- Van load of toys to Inner Parish Ministries
- Over $500 to The Ohio Masonic Home
- $200 to 6th District Sweats for Vets Program
- $1,000 to the Widow of Detective Brewer of the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office thanks to directed gifts of several members
- $1,500 in Scholarship to Isaiah Brinson of West Clermont HS through the Kyle Adkins Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Over $400 to Masons in need nationally after catastrophic events through the Masonic Services Association - paid for by member donations and a portion of the 2018 raffle proceeds
- $400 to Brothers in Need
- $500 to Boy Scout Troop 443 for Camperships
- $1,000 to Special Olympics- paid for by member donations and a portion of the 2018 raffle proceeds
- Numerous bushels of Lettuce & Spinach, Cucumbers, Sugar Snap Peas, Tomatoes and Peppers to Milford Miami Ministries and Summerside United Methodist Church Food Pantry from our community garden
Congratulations to J. B. Covert Lodge for a job well done.
They are practicing Freemasonry in many ways – in the Lodge room and in the community.
