Grand Lodge News The Ohio Masonic Home

Brethren and Friends all, Spring has arrived in Ohio, and in typical Ohio fashion it is snowing in Springfield as I write this column in April. It’s a good time to check in on your friends and neighbors. Living our tenets is a much-needed therapy for us all. With the greatest of these being Relief, it’s the perfect time of year to reflect on our Fraternal legacy as Masons responsible for assuring the future of our great fraternity, as well as providing relief to our Brethren, widows and orphans when those needs arise. The brotherhood we share, the philanthropies we create and support, the alliances we build in our communities – all depend on our vision, leadership, and financial support. The Grand Lodge of Ohio Charitable Foundation was established to offer support to both members and non-members at their time of need. Our deepest gratitude goes to those having the vision to create such a tool for Ohio Freemasonry to proudly support. There are five separate funds for you to consider when designating your giving: Relief - The Charitable Foundation Relief Fund was the initial vision our forefathers had when creating the fund to offer aid. Continue our tradition of providing relief to our Brethren, widows and orphans. It’s a great place to consider when making your charitable donations each year. Scholarship - Thank you to our Masonic License Plate program supporters. Because of you, the Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund has received over $37,400.00 since Sep 2021. These funds are applied directly to the Scholarship Program for High School Scholarship recipients around the state.

Veterans and First

Responders fund continues to grow since its’ inception thanks to your support. Initiatives are underway to provide aid where needed to thank your Veterans and First Responders for their dedication to serve and protect. Museum and Library fund is used to maintain and preserve our history as well as provide resources to share with our membership and community alike.

Masonic Model Student Assistance Program

fund is supporting programs around the state for both students and teachers. A recent MMSAP program in Columbus brought together Masonic Youth from around the state for a day of education and fellowship. For more information on any of these Charitable Foundation efforts, go to www. Freemason.com. Many Lodges also support charities at their local level. Hospice, Local Community Kitchens, Habitat for Humanity, groups that provide beds or food for children, and Special Olympics Ohio. If your lodge needs assistance connecting with your County SOO group to volunteer or make donations, you can find their regional map with contacts for your county at www.sooh.org/regional-map. It’s an honor to serve the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The office staff is committed to serve you, so please call on us if we can be of any assistance. It’s a Great Day for Freemasonry! Keith W. Newton, PGM, Grand Secretary

grAnd MAster reCeives 60-yeAr serviCe AwArd

Congratulations Most Worshipful Brother C. Rolland Lattanner, Grand Master of Masons in Ohio, 1983-1984, who received his 60-year service award from MWB Timothy S. Wheeland on Tuesday April 5, 2022, at the Northwest Masonic Temple! In attendance (from left to right): DDGM Adam Michael, RWB Frank Carson, RWB Greg Brewer, MWB Doug Kaylor, MWB C. Michael Watson, MWB Steve Cokonougher, MWB Timothy Wheeland, MWB Ron Winnett, MWB Michael Himes, RWB Ebby Brewer, RWB Wayne Fischer, RWB Ward Weber, RWB Ken Cohen, RWB Cliff Nicol as well as Brothers from MWB Lattanner’s home Lodge New England No. 4 & Family.

March 26, 2022 Over 743 new Master Masons raised! Welcome to Ohio Freemasonry!

SAVE THE DATE

FALL GRAND MASTER'S ONE DAY CLASS

September 10, 2022 – Dayton Masonic Center

Brothers & MAsons!

How often do you have 208 years of Masonic Service in one picture with only four Brothers present? Not Often! This picture of the Well Brothers was taken last fall at a family gathering. They have been members of Harrisonville Lodge No. 411 combined for 208.5 years!! All are 50-year members with Bro. Larry Well being the longest Mason (54 years). The family has been active inside the Lodge during this time as well! Jerry is a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 12th District, Past Master, and current Lodge Education Officer. Larry is a Past Master and the current Chaplin of Harrisonville 411. Although Vernal and Richard have not held a formal chair at Harrisonville, they have continued to be active and present at Harrisonville throughout the years! The Well’s Family Tradition will continue to hold strong in the future! Vernal’s son (Jackie) has been a Harrisonville Mason for 42 years, and Jerry’s son (Ryan) has been a Harrisonville Mason for 13 years! Pictured (from left to right): Bro. Vernal Well - 53 years., Bro. Richard (Dick) Well - 51 years., WB Larry Well - 54 years., and RWB Jerry Well - 50 years. SPRING 2022 5

fAther & son

Featuring WB James (Jim) Hieb, PDDGM, Current Junior Deacon, and Bro. Kyle Hieb, current Senior Steward of Stonington Lodge No. 503.

Question for Jim: This is the 2nd time through the officer chairs at Stonington Lodge No. 503, what brought you back into the line?

I’ve always believed that Past Masters have a responsibility to step back into the line when a vacancy exists. Too often, we see young officers feeling forced to skip officer chairs. That is unfortunate because they miss out on the experience of holding each office. I remember a wise Past Master (he happened to be my father-in-law and Kyle’s grandfather) telling me, “cherish each officer chair, learn from the experience, and don’t skip chairs because it will only cheat you in the long run.”

Of course, learning that our Worshipful Master might be appointing Kyle as a Steward played a large role in the decision to accept the Junior Deacon chair as well.

Question for Kyle: When you got appointed into the line, did you already know that your father would be serving as Junior Deacon?

Yes, I did. I didn’t want to be appointed at the time, but when Dad said that he was going to do it too, that helped change my mind.

Question for Kyle: When you found out your father would be in line with you, did that make you nervous? Is there any added pressure having your dad in the same line as you?

It didn’t make me nervous, but there was added pressure. Sometimes pressure can be a good thing, and this is one of those times because it makes me try to be better. Dad was a deputy; he is well known throughout the district. Living up to his reputation is incredibly difficult, but even trying to do so makes me a better Mason. The Brothers of Stonington have all been understanding and supportive, and I am extremely grateful for that.

Question for Jim: What does going through the line with your son mean to you?

This might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. While serving the Grand Lodge as a District Officer for six years was special, serving with my son in the officer line trumps everything.

Yet it is humbling to admit that Kyle is already showing signs of being a better ritualist than I ever hoped to be. I’m going to cherish every moment and pray the brethren allow us to continue on this journey together over the next few years.

Question for Kyle: What does being an officer with your father mean to you?

I am Senior Steward right now, which means that if everything goes according to plan, in 2027 (I won’t be skipping any chairs), I will be the third generation in my family to be the Worshipful Master of Stonington Lodge, which itself is cool. The fact that I will be Master the year after my dad only adds to that. I know that he’ll leave big shoes to fill, but as long as I remember to be myself and not try to be him, I don’t see it being a problem.

Question for Both: How has your bond as father and son changed since you’ve both been Raised to Master Mason and more so since you’ve been working together?

Jim: Now that Kyle is a college graduate and moved back to the area, being involved in the Fraternity

deputy grAnd MAster Bro. steven M. grindle r rollout sChedule

RW Brother Steven M. Grindle, Deputy Grand Master, has announced his schedule of rollout programs for the summer of 2022.

RWB Grindle’s rollout programs will be presented across the state starting on August 7, 2022. The rollout program presentation is designed to inform the Brethren and their ladies across the state regarding the details of the plans that will be implemented during the 2022-2023 Masonic Year!

Date/Time District/Lodge Address

Sun., August 7, 1:00pm Dist. 2, Huber Heights Lodge #777 7778 Wildcat Rd. Huber Heights, OH 45424 Sun., August 7, 7:00pm Dist. 6, Amelia Lodge #590 290 Judd Rd. Amelia, OH 45102 Mon., August 8, 7:00pm Dist. 7, Scioto Lodge #6 57 E. Main St. Chillicothe, OH 45601 Tue., August 9, 7:00pm Dist. 17, Paramuthia Lodge #25 12 W. Carpenter St. Athens, OH 45701 Wed., August 10, 7:00pm Dist. 23, Guernsey Lodge #66 730 Wheeling Ave Cambridge, OH 43725 Thur., August 11, 7:00pm Dist 14, University Lodge #631 2436 W. Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43235 Sat., August 13, 1:00pm Dist. 10, Lima Lodge #205 2165 N. Cole Street Lima, OH 45801 Sat., August 13, 7:00pm Dist. 20, Ashland Lodge #151 31 W. 11th St. Ashland, OH 44805 Sun., August 14, 1:00pm Dist. 21, Canton Lodge #60 836 N. Market Ave. Canton, OH 44702 Sun., August 14, 7:00pm Dist. 22, Quarry Lodge #382 366 Eastland Rd Berea, OH 44017 Wed., August 17, 7:00pm Dist. 11, Toledo Ft. Industry Lodge #144 5025 Secor Rd. Toledo, OH 43623

(Father & Son, Continued from Page 6) together has given us an opportunity to be together more. I’m not sure if our bond has changed or not, but I’d like to say that I hope he is learning from me. More importantly, I’m also learning from him – he is very good at what he does.

Because I served as a District Officer, it was initially unfair for Kyle when visitors from other lodges attended Stonington meetings. Kyle would introduce himself as “Kyle Hieb,” and the response would be “oh, you are Jim Hieb’s son.” So for a short time, he just introduced himself as “Kyle,” and that provided him the opportunity to be his own man. I think he realized, though, that he is stuck with me, and others are realizing he has all the makings to be a great Mason in spite of me.

But Kyle has something up on me that I will never achieve. I did not grow up with any Masonic connection in my family until I married my wife, Christa. Yet, Kyle can boast of being a 4th generation Mason because of my wife’s father and grandfather. I’m happy that he can say he is a 4th generation Mason.

Kyle: I would say it has made us closer. If Dad wasn’t involved, I probably would’ve been one of those Masons that you never see after they get Raised. However, he prevented that by teaching me the rituals and encouraging me that I could do this job because I had people supporting me, both in my family and at Stonington.

Jim: To all the fathers who have son’s considering becoming a Lodge officer, I can only say, ‘support your son in every way you can and if you can manage it, jump back in the line with them.’ The experience is priceless!