THE ILLINOIS ODD FELLOW

Transcription

1 THE ILLINOIS ODD FELLOW Serving in Illinois Since 1838 Our 181st Year VOL. 66, NO. 4 USPS April cents per copy Subscription $5.00 per year ODD FELLOWSHIP 199th ANNIVERSARY HOW THE ODD FELLOWS GOT THEIR NAME There are some legends, which give the name Odd Fellows: a history dating back to ancient Rome, but most likely the name originated in the 18th Century England. Until that time, only the Aristocracy had established such philanthropic societies, and it was unheard of that common men would organize a mutual aid fraternity. These extraordinary laborers were called Odd Fellows. Because of their work to relieve the distressed and to educate the underprivileged, the name of Odd Fellows was given to them. From these special sources came the characteristics of this fellowship that have brought so many remarkable benefits to people throughout the world.

2 ILLINOIS ODD FELLOW (USPS ) is published monthly by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 845 Wyatt Avenue, Lincoln, IL SEND NEWS TO: Grand Lodge of Illinois Editor Illinois Odd Fellow Paper 845 Wyatt Avenue, PO Box 248 Lincoln, IL Phone: Fax: Directors Executive Committee Grand Lodge of Illinois P.O. Box 248 Lincoln, IL Web Site: Second-class postage paid at Lincoln, Illinois and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS I.O.O.F., P.O. Box 248, Lincoln, Illinois Contributions of current news and articles pertaining to the welfare of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows fraternity solicited. This publication is mailed by the first of the month, publication and contributions must reach the editor by the 10th of the preceding month. WE DO NOT HOLD OURSELVES RESPON- SIBLE for any news or opinions expressed by the communications of our correspondents, and RESERVE the RIGHT to publish NEWS that WE feel constructive to our Order. Member of I.O.O.F. International Press Association Promoting Odd Fellowship Through Positive Communication ODD FELLOW - REBEKAH HOME 201 Lafayette Ave., Mattoon, Illinois MAY BIRTHDAYS Marcelle Nowarita 5/03/25 Marian Armstrong 5/05/25 Rosella Behrens 5/21/26 Joy Carlisle 5/30/26 Mary Lou Fitzgerald 5/30/27 Jeanne Martin 5/31/24 IN MEMORIUM CHARLES RAY THOMAS 6/1/1928 2/23/2018 Gelva I.O.O.F. #408 ROBERTA RUTH "BECKY" KUSTER 9/29/1928 3/12/2018 Kewanee Rebekah Lodge #512 DELBERT LEE FAIRBURN 4/16/1927 1/28/2018 Mason Lodge #143 ISAAC LEE MILES 12/7/ /14/2017 Memento Lodge #44 WILLIAM W. BENSON East Peoria #668 LLOYD "JIGGS" WEST 4/20/1929 3/23/2018 RAYMOND L. REEVE 10/2/1921 2/21/2018 Jacksonville Illini #4 NEWS FROM THE HOME Hello from the Home, What a busy month it has been. With some nice weather finally gracing us with its presence, it's starting to give us a little hope that spring will be here sooner than later. The residents can't wait to breathe in some fresh air and spend some time outside. We have a busy month ahead. We still have Fit to Serve come the first three Mondays of every month. It's an intergenerational program where students come to the home and do crafts and visit with our residents. We are celebrating national sibling day, we will be doing some genealogy for Ellis Island family histor y day and celebrating Earth day just to name a few things. We will also be doing a memorial service for the residents that have passed away. We have to say goodbye to our volunteer minister Jon Bell on April 1st. He has been providing church services to our residents since We will truly miss him and the services he provided. Until next month-take care and be well. Jenna Black Community Relations Coordinator 2 THANK YOU NOTE Jerald and I would like to thank everyone for all the cards, prayers, and food that we received after my hip operation. They were greatly appreciated very much. Jerald & Judy Sarnes REGION #1 MEETING Greetings Members, It is that time of the year again. It s time for our regional meeting. This year we will be holding it in Rockford, on Saturday April 28, Rockford #140 is located at 6219 Forest Hills Rd Doors will open at 9 am meeting to start at 10. We will be holding all degrees, if you have any member that needs degree work please have them join us. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided for a donation of diapers and baby wipes. Anyone wishing to attend please contact me via text, call, or , just so we can get a headcount for food purposes. We hope to see everyone there to enjoy a day of Friendship, Love, and Truth. In FL&T Mike chico Cichonski RD Cichonski.mike@att.net CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2018 Regional Meetings Region #5 April 7, 2018 at Flora Region #1 April 28, 2018 at Rockford Great Lakes Conference The Annual Conference will be held on Friday, July 27th, Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29, in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. The conference will be over by 9 a.m. on Sunday. May 13, 2018

3 DISTRICT #11 MEETING AT LEWISTOWN REBEKAH LODGE In the abcense of the Rebekah Assembly President who was sick, Sharon s Fund was received by Donna Gable, Vice President and Nan Johnson, Warden. Those pictured are: L to R--Donna, Sandra Coulter, Dorothy Jenkle, Julie Edwards, Clara Kay Nott, Linda Lou Robinson and Nan. Lisa Miller and Jackie Weaver doing the Memorial. Dorothy Jenkle as Red Skelton and Linda Robinson giving the tribute to the flag. REGIONAL MEETING #4 Waterloo IOOF Lodge #27 hosted the Region #4 meeting on Saturday, March 3, The host lodge opened Lodge in form at 10 a.m. and turned the meeting over to Brother Richard Herring, PGM, Degree Captain to pick members to confer the four Degrees in a dignified manner. Eighteen new members received their Degree s. Officers present to help with the Degrees were: Grand Warden Niles Reamer, Grand Treasurer Arlan Miller, Junior Past Grand Master and Region #4 Director T. Larry Gean, Grand Instructor Richard Herring, PGM., Grand Patriarch and DDGM Ernest Higgerson, Grand Endcampment Treasurer Allen H. Jones PGM, Grand Junior Warden Richard Bright. Deputy Grand Master Jim Bott was absent due to illness. Grand Secretary Jerald was absent due to his wife recovering from surgery. The host lodge donated a check in the amount of $ to Grand Master William Maplesden s Project Fund. The host lodge served a delicious meal of fried chicken and all the trimmings. A huge thank you to the Waterloo Lodge. Thank you to all who attended, and helped in any way. A good day of Odd Fellowship was enjoyed by all. Allen H. Jones, PGM., Reporter District President Glenda Postin with her gift. 3 Tony Grauitgna, Dale Lange, Gary Davis, Bill Roedl, Brian Meyer, Dave Mathershead, Craig Crosson, Neal Rahlfingor, Richard Knoebel, Jerry Foster, Ryan Powles, Gene Voelmer, Jeremy Klein, Zach Dunher, and two others received Degrees for the Day. Rich Herring is in the middle back row.

4 FLORA LODGE #151 SUPPORTS LOCAL PEOPLE There was a benefit in Flora called Music for All. Where three bands played one local band of Flora named the Benefits is a non profit band, which plays strickly, for raising funds for local people in need as well as for local projects. On February 24, 2018, they played at Flora Eagles Lodge and in conjunction with the Odd Fellows Flora Lodge #151 there was a raffle for a mini bike and had a 50/50 drawings, silent auction and chili dinner. This benefit was arranged to raise money for the Elementary band students wishing to learn to play music but without the funds to do so. Brother Rick Tucker is Warden at the Flora #151 Lodge and also a drummer for the Benefits. We had a great turnout and Good Times were had by all. Brothers and Sisters of Flora #151 want to Thank Brother Rick for all his efforts on putting this awesome event into action. Great Job Brother Rick! PALACKY #630 PRESENTS 50 YEAR JEWEL Palacky Lodge #630 honored Brother Robert Bob Kalousek with his 50 year jewel on February, 15, Brother Robert Kalousek grew up knowing all about the Odd Fellow way of life. His parents were active members of both the Odd Fellows and Rebekah s. In fact, it was his father Louis Kalousek who sponsored him into Palacky Lodge #630 in He, along with PGM John Mrizek, came out to Brother Kalousek s house to conduct his initial interview. Throughout the years, Robert has served in numerous capacities for Palacky Lodge #630, including Noble Grand on a few occasions. Since Palacky Lodge bought its own lodge hall in 1997, Robert as served on the Building Board Committee and has physically helped maintained the property. What Robert is probably best known for is his exceptional work on the degree teams. Brother Kalousek has the distinction of elevating the Past Grand Charge into an art form for more than 40 years now, by speaking the entire charge from memory. The eloquence and the timber of his voice, resonates with the candidates as he looks them in the eye and speaks from the heart as he gives that powerful charge. As if all those accomplishments are not enough, the very best thing about Brother Kalousek is that he conducts himself like an Odd Fellow should; he lives Friendship, Love, and Truth as a way of life and his inspired his daughter, Kimberly Kalousek to follow in his footsteps. BRIGHTON #366 AWARDS 5 YEAR PIN Allen Jones presents a 5 year pin to newly elected Noble Grand Dave Scheffel. PG Robert Kalousek being presented with his 50 year jewel by his daughter PG Kimberly Kalousek. F L T L-R: Allen Jones and Dave Scheffel. 4

5 SAMARITIAN REBEKAH LODGE #120 On Saturday, March 17th the Elgin Rebekah s held a Traditional Irish Dinner. ELGIN #12 HOLDS GAME NIGHT Brothers and Sisters, Elgin #12 is again hosting another Left-Right-Center game night a week from Saturday night. No skill necessary, just a bit of luck helps. in FLT jim Samaritan Rebekah Lodge #120 Invite you to an evening of Shamrocks and Leprechauns Food and Fellowship With the serving of a Traditional St. Patrick's Day Dinner When: Saturday, March 17, 2018 Where: Elgin Odd Fellow Lodge 7N300 IL. Route 31 South Elgin, IL Donation: $10.00 per person or 2 people for $15.00 Time: Doors open at 4:00pm Dinner served at 4:30pm to 6:30pm Proceeds to benefit Rebekah charities May there always be work for your hands to do. May your pocket always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine on your windowpane. May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you. May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. -- An Irish Blessing DISTRICT #50 HELD SOUP SUPPER District #50 IOOF of Illinois Soup Supper The next meeting of District #50 Odd Fellows will be hosted by Friendship Lodge #24 at the IOOF Hall, Rushville IL on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Have a Blessed Easter 5 Meal at 6:30pm & Open Meeting at 7:30pm Memorial name/info:norma Pigg, N 1700th Rd,Bushnell RAFFLE DRAWING OFFICER ELECTION Hope to see you there! Bonnie Hensley, Secretary/Treasurer

6 DISTRICT #16 SPRING MEETING District #16 Spring meeting, March 10th held at the LeRoy lodge hall. R A President Sharon Landry being presented by Susan Schove and Warden Denise Doran. Assembly Appointees...presented by Fran Davis, Susan Schove, Illa Ziller, Val Dotson, Christy Clark, Sandra Coulter, Denise Doran, Clara Kay Nott. More $ presentation from a fund by Heather Jones for Sharon. Presentation of Sharon s fund...sharon, Fran Davis, Clara Kay Nott and Nan. 6

7 GRAND PATRIARCH Well its been a busy time, went to the region #2 meeting at Farmington, on the 24th of Feb. had a good time and a great meal. Met some very nice and friendly Brothers and Sisters and saw a very good staging of the degrees. There were 5 candidates, 1 for Initiator y and 4 more for the other three degrees. I congratulate them and hope they go on to the other orders. On March 4th it was Waterloo. Gail Ann Byers gave an interesting talk and demonstration of the reading machines, and Rober t Seif fer t explained the scholarship procedure before the meeting began. Rich Herring ran the degrees and all of the participants preformed admirable, especially the voice of Goliath, performed by yours truly. There were 17 candidates, 2 from Mississippi valley and the rest from Waterloo. Another great meal, if this keeps up I won t be able to fit through the doors to get in. Next up is Mt Zion, then the GE/ LEA round up. Get your donations in for the cake walk and the auction, the fun starts at 10:00am, so come on out for a day of fellowship and fun on Sat. Mar. 24th at Friendship Manor in Lincoln, Ill. Keep signing up them candidates, that s where the encampment and Patriarchs Militant recruit our members from. I don t know the ratios, but it seems we need about 10 Odd Fellows to get one for Encampment, and the Patriarchs Militant, and maybe it s more Odd Fellows than that. So, till we meet again, be safe and be well. In F.L.T. and F.H.C. Ernie Higgerson Sr. Grand Patriarch DEPUTY GRAND MASTER Greetings!!! This is just a short reminder for your Lodges to keep filling those pint jars with change. S e v e r a l L o d g e s have already turned in a jar to Grand Lodge Office & it looks like we are well on our way to filling that 5 gallon bucket! I would like to see all Lodges turn in their change by June 1st. All of this change will be taken to Baltimore and handed to the Sovereign Grand Master for him to turn over to the International Youth Committee for their projects. This is just the type of project that shows the other Jursidictions that ILLINOIS CAN MEET ANY CHALLENGE! By the way, we collected 2 pint jars of change at the MT ZION Regional Meeting on March 10th (About $135.00) Keep up the good work and THANK- YOU to all! Jim Bott, DGM MT. ZION HOSTED A DEGREE DAY On March 10, 2018 the Mt Zion Odd Fellows Lodge hosted a Degree Day, with 14 I.O.O.F. members receiving their degree work, thirteen from the Mt Zion Lodge. Mt Zion Lodge NG Shane Sloan started the meeting day at 10 a.m., then turned it over to the degree team, assisted by Mt Zion Lodge members, who carried out the Degree work in excellent form. There was a good fellowship before and after the degree work and the excellent meal provided by the Mt Zion Lodge, with Chefs Jeff Miller and Paul Higar preparing grilled steaks, hot dogs and hamburgers with the fixings. Back Row: Left Right: Dustin Dalluge, Sam Wilcoxen, Kevin Johnson, Adam Creason, Kent Newton. Middle Row: Left Right: Todd Thornton, Gary Chisenall, Phillip Bowman, Stephenie Moore (Tuscola), Todd Harding. Front Row: Left Right: Rob Perkins, Jeremy Conour, Shane Mallory, Jeff Wilkins. Jon Thomas, Secretary Mt Zion I.O.O.F. Lodge #300 7

8 CHANGES OF ADDRESS As the mailing list for the ILLINOIS ODD FELLOW is published and corrected by the Grand Lodge Office, please send all changes of address and names of deceased members to the Grand Lodge Office. Write to: GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS, IOOF, P.O. Box 248, LINCOLN, IL Send In Memoriam to P.O. Box 248, Lincoln, IL The Illinois Odd Fellow The Illinois Odd Fellow (USPS ). Published by the Grand Lodge Office of Illinois, P.O. Box 248, Lincoln, IL POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Illinois Odd Fellow, P.O. Box 248, Lincoln, IL Periodical Postage Paid at Lincoln, IL And At Additional Mailing Offices USPS LEGEND LODGE #212 TO HOST AUCTION Saturday, May 5th, Legend Lodge 212 (605 S Hugh St Plano IL) is hosting an auction for the Christensen family. For those who do not know; we lost Past Grand Donny Christensen to cancer in February. He was a painter, handy man and collector of many tools (attached is a picture of just some). His wife, Denyse, has asked for help getting rid of his tools. We will be placing these up for auction and all money will go to Denyse and the kids to help with expenses. There will be a live auction and silent auction for the tools, as well as, some of the knives that he also collected. We will also have food and drinks available. We will be opening the doors at 1:00 pm. Please come out and support our brother s family. If you have any questions please contact Past Grand Mathew Yingling at or Mathewyingling@yahoo.com. In F, L & T Jessica Yingling Noble Grand Legend Lodge 212 Senior Adviser IOOF Generosity United Youth Group No. 1