November/December 2007 VOLUME 14, ISSUE 6 BEACON A JOINT PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF OHIO AND THE OHIO MASONIC HOME 200th Anniversary of Grand Lodge Launched By New Grand Master Ronald L. Winnett with rounded corners, ith a festive environment for W reminiscent of 19th Century launching the 200th anniversary aprons. (See picture on of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, page 9.) Ronald L. Winnett was installed • A Bicentennial picture was as Grand Master on October 20 unveiled, depicting the fi rst in Cincinnati. meeting in Boston, when a Most Worshipful Brother group of pioneers, several Winnett embarked upon the of them Masons, decided landmark year with a variety to settle in Ohio. (See story of special events during the and picture on page 8.) installation: • A Lantern ceremony was • The Grand Master-elect and his conducted, with a replica wife, Linda, entered through lantern given to each an Arch of Steel, provided by Masonic District in Ohio, a full complement of Knights for visitations to each Templar in uniform. The fl ag Lodge in the state during was presented by a delegation the coming year. (See story from the Sons of the American and picture on page 10.) Revolution, who also provided Using as his Grand 130 historical fl ags as a Master’s theme for the year, backdrop for the ceremony. “The Wonderful World of • The District Deputy Grand Freemasonry,” the new Grand Masters were commissioned, Master said he is seeking wearing newly designed, (Story continues on page 12) involvement and cooperation purple and white aprons, from all organizations and PIONEERS TO ASTRONAUTS Many Activities Slated For 200th Year The Grand Lodge Bicentennial Key events include: Ohio Historical Committee, after fi ve years of • On Saturday, June 21, following Center’s Ohio Village. planning under the leadership of a gala parade in downtown • All during January, each of Most Worshipful Brother Ronald Columbus, the Grand Lodge Ohio’s 25 Masonic Districts will L. Winnett, has developed a broad Offi cers will reenact the host a Founders Dinner and celebration of numerous activities, Cornerstone Ceremony for the celebration, to commemorate hoping to encourage maximum Ohio Statehouse. A huge picnic the month when the Grand participation by Ohio Masons. is planned afterwards at the Lodge was founded in 1808. (Story continues on page 9) Message from the Grand Master By Ronald L. Winnett, Grand Master Since Brethren, no matter Freemasonry stands for, the 1800s, what body we are what we do for humanity, Masonry has active in, whether it is and most of all, let them enjoyed a Scottish Rite, York Rite, know how proud you are position of or Shrine, we are one to be a Mason. great respect family and must work Your Grand Lodge in the public’s together. Offi cers are committed eye, but for the Today, we live in a to rebuilding our image, last 30 years troubled world and Masonry is just but most importantly we need has been a sleeping giant. as relevant in today’s society as it every Brother to make the same We need to wake up that giant was in 1808. commitment. and rebuild our image in the mind We all need to show the pride There’s a need to change things of the public that Freemasonry is we have in Masonry and talk around, and what a better time a great institution and a valuable about it. Let everyone know what than now. asset to our communities. Next year, we will be celebrating our Bicentennial and several events have been planned throughout Grand Master To Meet Ohio Masons the year. In January, there will in Florida in January be dinners held in every district to celebrate the forming of your Grand Master Ronald L. Winnett is planning three visitations in Florida Grand Lodge, when six lodges in January to share the Bicentennial message with Ohio Masons and met in Chillicothe. These dinners their ladies who live or vacation there. would be a perfect time to bring The Ohio Masonic Home has agreed to share the cost of the luncheons non-Masons and show them “The this year, thus reducing the cost to $6 per person at each location. Wonderful World of Freemasonry.” A special program has been planned with the opportunity for the Grand Master to present veteran’s emblems to deserving brethren. Here is the schedule: The Beacon is Monday, January 21, 2008 published bi-monthly Sarasota Please report all changes of address to your lodge secretary, who, in turn, Luncheon at noon in the Sahib Shrine Center, 600 N. Beneva will notify the Grand Secretary, who Road. For reservations, contact Kenneth Gavin at 5710 Doral maintains the database that produces Court, Sarasota, FL 34238; 941-925-4586. The BEACON mailing labels. Paul Quinn, Director of Marketing and Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Communications The Ohio Masonic Home Ft. Myers 2655 W. National Road Luncheon at noon in the Araba Shrine Center, 2010 Hanson St. Springfi eld, OH 45504-3698 937/525-3074 For reservations, contact Richard Scobie, 3153 Old Farmhouse [email protected] Drive, N. Fort Myers, FL 33917; 239-995-6872. George Braatz, P.G.M., Grand Secretary at The Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of Ohio Wednesday, January 23, 2008 P.O. Box 629 Tavares Worthington, OH 43085 614/885-5318 Luncheon at noon at Lack County Shrine Club, 424 N. Duncan [email protected] Road (Rt. 19), Tavares. For reservations, contact George R. Young, 6229 E. Rector St. Inverness, FL 34452; 352-341-3006. 2 November / December 2007 and were directed to local lodges Freemasonry is Gaining Steam for membership. I have referred By Worshipful Brother Wm. David Bannerman, fi ve people in Ohio, Kansas, and Chief Executive Offi cer, The Ohio Masonic Home Iowa for Masonic membership. One candidate was so impressed We live by the railroad tracks. Come live in our communities. with the values of Masonry, he There are between 15 and 25 trains You will wonder why you didn’t introduced me to his employee who each day that pass by our house. move sooner. was a Mason instead of trying to Sometimes we can feel the rumble You know our I-CARE coordina- sell me something at a trade show. of a train long before it passes tors and I-CARE committees are Is Masonry dying? Not if you our house. But, most of the time, available to help you anywhere in believe change is possible. Not if we don’t even notice the trains. Ohio, and probably anywhere you you believe that your Ohio Masonic We’ve become accustomed to them. live, if you ask. Our scholarships Home is a great selling point. Not We’ve adapted to the change in our have helped seven students this if you can tell others what you like environment. year with $3,000 each. about Masonry. We’re also adapting to changes Our future is even brighter. We I met a man recently who in Ohio Freemasonry. In the last have launched a companion and asked about Masonry. He had just several years, the image of Ohio home services program in the spent the weekend reminiscing Freemasonry is being recognized by Springfi eld area. Eventually, we about his grandfather and the the general public. will expand around the state. We great legacy of giving and service Early this year, I sat at a Masonic have other ideas to help you stay through Masonry and the Shrine meeting and heard members talk at home. Our Foundation is one organization. I asked him if he had about how our membership is of the largest among aging service considered carrying on that legacy. declining and that their lodge providers in Ohio. You make it all He just wrote back, asking for more wasn’t getting new members. Since possible. information. then, I have been around the state What have I seen around Ohio? This is our bicentennial. What and in other states and I have seen a In every gathering of Masons a great opportunity to talk about different story. in public, there are citizens The Ohio Masonic Home. Tell your The Ohio Masonic Home is a standing by who have asked about story about what we do in the name tool for you to use to boast about membership. Most Worshipful of Ohio Freemasonry. Ask people Freemasonry. You know we have Brother Himes reported that at least to carry on our legacy of charity villas and apartments and health two people approached offi cers and service to others. You will be services for you and your friends. at the Grand Chapter meetings glad you did. That rumble you hear? It may be the changing face of Freemasonry in Ohio. Tax Free Gifting Opportunity It’s not too late, yet. The Charitable IRA Rollover provision of last year’s Pension Protection Act expires on December 31st. Don’t miss this opportunity to make tax free gifts up to $100,000, including your mandatory withdrawal, from your traditional or Roth IRA. If you’re 70 ½ and have an IRA, you qualify. For more information, call the Foundation offi ce at Dave Bannerman (far right) speaks with Representative Jon Peterson (left) and AAHSA 888/248-2664. Executive Director Larry Minnix at the recent AOPHA Conference in Columbus. November / December 2007 3 Freedom Found Lois Rubright is up early to make campus for lunch. “For the most breakfast in the kitchen of her part, I do my own cooking,” she garden villa home at Browning said. “But the food in Browning’s Masonic Community.