After much calculations and serious discussion in Lodge we have decided to change our newsletter around a little. We are now going to publish it Quarterly and we will be sending it to you via First Class mail so that you receive it within a few days, as opposed to the bulk mail method of delivery of “when it is convenient” to the mail carrier. This also eliminates the printing time and it is reproduced on a photocopier, not a printing press. The new quarterly method is therefore faster and cheaper. In fact, we will realize an annual savings of around $1100.00!

E-MAIL DELIVERY: We now have the e-mail program up and running. Upon your request and receipt of your e-mail address, we will just zap you a copy and you will not receive one in the standard mail. That would be an additional savings of $2.00 for each “E” copy, which would save the Lodge another $400, if everyone went “E.” In order to read the electronic newsletter you will need Adobe Reader (currently version 10) or the Nuance PDF Reader, both of which are free downloads.

Send the Secretary your current e-mail address, via our online form. And if you change addresses please notify us using the same form—we still can’t read your minds!

Over the years our advertisers and Avon Lake Printing have treated us very well and we really appreciate their support. However we are all reaching the dark comers of our money bags, costs are rising, ad sales are harder to get, and it is time to make a change. If you have any ideas on how we can further cut costs, please come to a meeting and let us know so we can check them out.

One final note, on special occasions—such as Inspection, etc.—we will be sending out postcard reminders to those within a reasonable driving distance.

—Ken Killinger, PM, Secretary

Petition Fees: The petition fees always have, and will continue to be, 100% cost recovery. We really don’t put any money in the bank on this issue. The prices of the necessary items have gone up, which is to be expected with today’s economy. The Petitioning fee was thus raised a small amount (roughly 11%) by vote of the Lodge. This amount is now in effect and all petitions from the date of this notice are required to include the new fee (contact an officer for the exact amount).

Annual Dues: The Trustees submitted an excellent report regarding the dues shortfall to the Lodge, authored by WB David Powers. The report was read and discussed by the Trustees, and further discussion was called for at three separate meetings, as well as by mail. Surprisingly, there was very little discussion, which may have been due to the quality of the report, which laid out the problem (and solution) very simply. The vote was taken at the Annual Meeting and our Annual Dues had to be increased roughly 60%.

We know this is a huge jump, but the truth is we should have made smaller jumps annually over the last five years. To lessen the impact, we are working on a couple methods for dues payments that will make it easier for most members to pay. Most notably, we are looking at several ways to accept credit cards—we can even take your credit card at the lodge and swipe it using a cell phone (and you can pay for your dinner that evening also, in the same way!). The Secretary is also working on quarterly billings/reminders for payments in order to reduce the annual “shock” lump-sum payment.

There was also another motion passed that now requires the Trustees to annually review the budget regarding cost vs. income, with particular attention to the cost of operation of the building, utilities, maintenance, etc. Dues may be adjusted up or down depending on their findings. The previous dues raise was only intended for 3 years and was stretched to 5 years, resulting in the significant jump this year. An annual review will hopefully help soften the blow of any future increases.

We also talked about exploring the possibility of renting the social hall. We do have a well-equipped kitchen, sufficient tables and chairs, decent parking, and a general good appearance. Addition investigation is taking place regarding what fees we could charge and what “unseen” costs we might incur, as well as a method of advertising the availability of the social hall for public use.

Finally, this year at the Annual Elections Brother Timothy Iscrupe, our Junior Deacon for 2010, was elected Senior Deacon. Unfortunately, and much to our regret, he declined the election. Brother Tim has purchased a new home and 16 acres of deer hunting enjoyment an hour out of town. The travel time to home from work to “tux-up,” then dinner and the travel north to Avon Lake for Lodge was going to be too much, and understandably so. Brother Tim was a real asset to the Lodge and we will miss his bright smile and eager assistance at our meetings. Brother Tim, we all wish you the best!

How quickly time flies, it seems only yesterday that I was initiated, passed and raised to the sublime degree. Now, here I am writing my final Temple Light article as Master of Mid-Century Lodge. It has been a tremendous experience of personal growth and light in masonry. I would like to spend some time today to thank the wonderful brothers I have met along my journey through the line and in my travels throughout the district. Those of you who have taken the time to give me brotherly council and words of encouragement to “hang in there” when times were difficult and who shared in the celebrations of a job well done. I would like to specifically thank all of the members of the committees and my officers for another year of excellent work on behalf of Mid-Century Lodge and finally to thank these few specific brothers for your tremendous help to me personally. In no particular order…

Thank you,

RWB Steven Behm for always stepping in and lending assistance to Mid-Century even before you had the extra responsibilities of being a deputy.

WB Kenyon Killinger for all you do for Mid-Century and for all of good council that you have provided.

WB David Powers for all of your hard work in lodge and on our website. Did you know Mid-Century Lodge can send you a tweet?

Bro. Kris Kramp for always helping out the lodge in any way that has ever been asked of you.

Bro. Tim Iscrupe for always helping out the lodge in any way that has ever been asked of you and for having the presence of mind to take notes during our meeting with the Canadians.

Bro. Harold Loebick for keeping the lights on and for the fresh paintjob in the entranceway.

WB Carl Behm for showing me what a true mason is.

WB Mike Hathaway for helping out in last minute emergencies, providing this year’s lodge education and for teaching me my ritual exams way back when.

Please remember the annual meeting and election of officers the first Tuesday in November at 7:30pm. Please plan to attend to show your support for your new line of officers.

Finally, Mid-Century Lodge is still looking for brothers to fill a position as stewards. This is my last time to inform you of this. If you think you may be at all interested please talk to me.

Brian Iselin,
Worshipful Master

First, our annual corn and dog roast will be held August 27th from 4pm to 7pm or until we run out of food. Come one, come all and bring friends and family. Bring the man you would like to become a Mason.

Next, Mid-Century Lodge needs you. The lodge is in need of a brother or two to join the officer line as Stewards. PLEASE take this under consideration. Can you give back to Masonry and your lodge? I can tell you from experience that joining the officer line has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I struggle to express in words how much it means to me to be able to represent our lodge as an Officer and how much greater my understanding of Masonry (both the first three degrees and the other degrees in both S.R. and Y.R.) is because of my involvement in the officer line. If this is something that you have an interest in please call me, email me or see me at the lodge so that we can discuss the issue further. We are in SERIOUS need of a few brothers to step up.

Next, we still need volunteers to help with the actual labor of some much needed lodge building repairs. If you can help do some work, please call Hal Loebick or myself so that we can set a date and get it done.

Finally, a desperately needed dues increase will be proposed at the first stated meeting in September.

Remember brothers, your lodge can only exist with your help. Without the support of the membership lodges and Masonry WILL eventually cease to exist. Financial support is much needed but, without the membership coming to meetings, helping with the building and going through the officer line we will not last. How can we pass on our great ritual to future generations if we cannot even get officers or if we cannot keep a place to practice our craft? PLEASE come and help us make Mid-Century Lodge the lodge that some of us remember and that the rest of us know that it can be. We cannot do it without YOU and we need your involvement NOW.

– Brian Iselin, Worshipful Master

This Month I would like to discuss Brotherhood. As you know Brotherhood is a key component to the Grandmaster’s theme for the year. It is also one of the great aspects of our fraternity. This year I ask you, what better way to increase in our Masonic Brotherhood than spending some time with your brothers helping to restore our Temple? We have a beautiful building and it is need of some simple house cleaning and minor repairs. The building committee is going to meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from about 6:30-8:30 to perform much needed minor repairs and housekeeping to our Temple. Please come and help. The Following is a list of Items that we have come up with to start. Over the course of the year we may add or remove items from this list but it is where we are going to start. If you see something on the list that you would like to help with in any capacity (time, work, expertise,  donation of supplies etc…)  please come up to a building committee meeting, or contact me and let’s get it done!

Building Committee Projects (in no particular order):

• Thorough Scrubbing of Interior of the Temple, including Social Hall, Ante Room, Preparation Room, Library, Lodge Room.
• Re-Organization of all storage areas both upstairs and downstairs, including storage closets, safe, upstairs cabinets and kitchen. Repairing or disposing of broken or un-needed items.
• Painting of interior areas of the Lodge such as Kitchen, Entrance Hall and upstairs.
• Restore Wood paneling in the Lodge with Restoration Oil.
• Finding new homes for old Altar and the old Organ.
• Updating the landscaping and fixing the Wood on the front of the Lodge building.
• Restoration of the Old Display Case to be turned into a museum showcase.
• Other Items as needed or discovered.

Please come and help!

Fraternally,
Brian F Iselin, Worshipful Master

Brother McCutcheon was born June 14, 1915 in England and came to the United States when he was 5 years old. He has lived in Avon Lake since moving to the U.S. He was made a Master Mason October 24, 1961. He was a carpenter by trade and built many homes in Avon Lake.

A great time was had as Brother McCutcheon shared stories on the development of Avon Lake and our Lodge.

Ken Killinger, Secretary

My Brothers it is now January, we are at the start of a new year and I for one want to make it the best year Mid-Century Lodge has ever had. With the help of our officers I have been able to establish the following new committees. The Outreach Committee which is helping Mid-Century Lodge’s seniors, widows and worthy distressed brethren. The outreach committee is chaired by senior Deacon Larry Foore. The Fundraising Committee which will be chaired by Senior Warden Kevin Taras. The Fundraising Committee will be putting on dinners and other events to help us raise money for lodge expenses and charitable endeavors. The Telephone Committee chaired by Junior Warden Kris Kramp. This committee will be in charge of contacting each and every brother of Mid-Century Lodge to ensure the lodge is doing what it can for all of you. The Grand Master’s Award Committee chaired by Junior Deacon Tim Iscrupe and finally, I will chair the Building Committee which will be discussed in detail later in the message. All of the committees are looking for some help. If you are interested in helping in any capacity however big or small on any of the new committees please contact the chairman of that committee. I guarantee he would be thrilled to hear from you.

The second part of my message this month involves part of the Grand Master’s theme for the year, specifically the part about charity. I have set some goals for this year in several areas of charitable contributions and I know that with the support of the lodge we can exceed each one of them. The first area of charity is the food drive. I am setting a goal of donating 500 cans of food between December 2010 and the annual Meeting in November. Last Year’s average meeting attendance was about 18. If everyone were to donate 2-3 cans of food at each meeting we can meet that goal. The second area of charity is the Temple itself. We have a beautiful building and it is need of some simple house cleaning and minor repairs. The building committee is going to meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from about 6:30-8:30 and perform these minor repairs and housekeeping to the temple. Please come and help. Charity does not always mean donating money, by helping with the temple repairs you are donating your time and experience to help he lodge.

If however, donating money is more your style, this year I have set a goal of collecting $1500 to donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. More information on the foundation can be found inside the newsletter. As some of you know My Wife and I have a very close friend who has CF. Nearly all of the medicines that she takes now which are simply put, keeping her alive were developed with funds raised through the CF Foundation. I can’t think of a better endorsement than that. If every lodge member could find $10 we would exceed this goal. If you can afford more that may help offset the cost from a brother who cannot afford to donate.

So I ask you, my brothers, will you help Mid-Century Lodge live up to our potential? Your officers are trying and with your support we can do more than ever, help more people than ever and make Mid-Century Lodge one the premier Lodges in the state of Ohio!

Brian Iselin, Worshipful Master

• Worshipful Master: Brian Iselin
• Senior Warden: Kevin Taras
• Junior Warden: Kristopher Kramp
• Senior Deacon: Larry Foore
• Junior Deacon: Tim Iscrube
• Secretary: Ken Killinger, PM, KYCH
• Treasurer: Hal Loebick

The Master’s appointments for the ensuing year will be announced at the Installation of Officers. Installation this year is on Saturday, November 20 at 5 p.m. at the Avon Lake Masonic Center. It is open to members and their guests.