Spring Newsletter 2006

Another successful (#16) Pancake and Sausage breakfast is history. Thanks to all those who worked, donated money (totaling in excess of $1,050), sold or bought tickets. We anticipate we will show a profit of more than $3,000. That brings the total raised at our 16 once-a-year breakfasts to more than $36,000. Approximately $5,000 is in the fund now for improvements.
As of the writing of this: We served 375 breakfasts in one morning, we pre-sold 336 tickets and had 147 walk-ins. The extra 108 tickets purchased and not used were like an additional $540 donation. Let's do a little math, put on your thinking caps, are you ready, here we go: We served 375 people at $5 per ticket, that equals $1,875. Our profits equaled more than $3,000 or about $1,125 more than those 375 people paid at $5 each. If we divide $3,000 (our profit) by the number of people served, we show that we earned $8 for each person that we served in exchange for their $5 ticket. Wow, and that does not even include the expenses we have taken out, like our Bob Evans sausage bill at nearly $400. Are you convinced that this is an excellent way to raise funds for our Masonic Center? Where else can you go and get all the food you want to eat for $5, including all the Bob Evens sausage you want? I can count them on one digit on one of my hands.
Confused yet? Well what it amounts to is: Our pre-sales, no shows (people who buy tickets and don't use them) and donations are what really have provided our great profit margin over the years. In addition leftover supplies are sold or returned, adding to our profit margin. Pillsbury, General Mills, of Martel Ohio, donates 150 lbs. of pancake mix, so we are very grateful to them for their generosity.
People are amazed that we make that much money in one event in 4.5 hours. Yes, we have an excellent crew working on that day, members of all the groups meeting in the temple help serve, cook and clean up afterward. But few realize how much work is involved before and after the event. No, there is no Pancake & Sausage Bunny that comes in and gets all these things accomplished. And unless we start to distribute the work load between more members, this successful event may be no more. Fewer people are doing more of the work.
For example, we need more help in the printing, cutting and distributing of 600 tickets. Our usual source to distribute posters throughout town was unavailable, so Andy Loose, filled in and picked up the slack. Extra grills and a refrigerator must be brought in and returned, since we do not have enough in our kitchen to keep up with our large crowd. Thanks to Jim Hall and the good members of Carey who allow us to use their grill. Likewise the DeMolay sausage stand provides the other grill, thanks boys. This year we rented a refrigerator.
Someone has to order and pick up the free pancake mix in Martel, just north of Caledonia. In addition someone must inventory, order and/or pick up the supplies at 5 different sources/locations.
Ticket sales were weaker this year with the Eastern Star and Rainbow accounting for about 71% of the pre-sales. The men’s groups need to do better than 29%. 140 fewer pre-sell tickets were signed out this year.
Several of our key people were unable to attend and/or had health problems preventing them from doing their usual duties. Clarence Racheter,

Bob Case and Irven Kieffer made an extra effort to help even though they experience health concerns. Bud Helge not only helped with our “younger” crew in the kitchen, but I found him in the kitchen later on Saturday evening, making sure all was back in order.
Our cooking & serving crews did an outstanding job all day and we really appreciate those who stayed to clean up since several of us had to attend an Eastern Star inspection in Crestline in the early afternoon.
All the comments I heard were outstanding, praising us on our quality and quantity of food served hot, and on real plates not plastic or paper.
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Around this time of year I try to include information about the Schoenberger Trust. The program, established more than 18 years ago through the Schoenberger family, set up funds at nearly $36,000 through the Ohio Masonic Home. Part of the interest and dividends generated through these moneys would be awarded to graduating students from the area. Although first consideration would be given to students with a Rainbow or DeMolay background, the ones receiving grants do not have to have a Masonic connection. After a certain number of years (this year) the entire fund will be turned over to the Ohio Masonic Home. The fund is managed by a firm in Toledo.
In the 18 years that awards have been given, (114) students have qualified for approximately $42,000 in grants from this Masonic-related charity.
In addition to this fine scholarship program, Warpole Lodge has a special fund which is set aside to award a scholarship each year to graduating seniors. Again it is not necessary that this winner has a Masonic affiliation and the amount of the award may vary each year due to fluctuations in the interest rate. Although the last few years $200 has been given to each qualifying student and more than 1 student per year.
For more information about these fine programs, contact Bruce Schoenberger, Jim McDonald or me.
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On Tuesday, July 4, Warpole Lodge will again be holding a 5:30 a.m meeting. See other areas of this newsletter for more information. The event has become an annual tradition since 1923. The Master Mason Degree was not always the degree performed but has been the predominate one over the years. This year we may do an EA or FC depending on the progress of our candidates.
Since 1923 a meeting was held every year in observance of Independence Day except in 1945. The only other year that the lodge was "dark" was in 1938. When we look at the candidates who received the degrees on the "4th" it reads like a Who's Who of Masonry in Upper Sandusky.
If you are a member, please attend our holiday meeting. KEEP THE TRADITION ALIVE!!!
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Our "new" royal blue carpet will be 32 years old this summer and looks very good on the surface, but the padding and backing is breaking down and a powdery substance can be found on your shoes after walking on it for a while. Due to a very nice gift from the Richard Hull family, we have new comfortable chairs that are not bolted to the floor. Replacing the carpet in the future will be much simpler.
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Raising dues is never an easy decision. Dues collection seems to be a 12-month-a-year job. But the hand writing is on the wall. we cannot afford to run our two York Rite groups on the amount of dues we collect.
Both per capita charges in Chapter and Council will increase this year with Council’s doubling from $4 to $8 per member. Using the Council as an example: Since we remit the dues of more than fifty 50-year or more members, that leaves less than 100 members who still pay dues. Add to the $1,200 amount we expect to pay in per capita, $500 in rent and $300 in the recorder’s stipend, we already will have spent more money than we will collect in our $12 dues. With that in mind the following resolutions were introduced at the last meetings in Chapter and Council:
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McCutchen Chapter #96
March 28, 2006
Be it resolved that due to increased per capita payments; declining membership; increased remitted dues of 50-year or more members; additional costs to maintain our beautiful, vintage building; and rent, we recommend that Section 7 of the By-Laws of McCutchen Chapter be amended to increase Our dues from $17 to $20.

The by-laws presently read:

Section 7: The annual dues shall be 17 dollars ($17), payable on or before the first day of June. If such dues are not paid on or before June 30, notice shall be given at once by mail to each (Continued From Front)
member who has not paid his dues. Failure to receive notice shall not excuse the nonpayment of dues.

The by-laws would then read:

Section 7: The annual dues shall be 20 dollars ($20), payable on or before the first day of June.

If such dues are not paid on or before June 30, notice shall be given at once by mail to each member who has not paid his dues. Failure to receive notice shall not excuse the nonpayment of dues.
If such dues are not paid on or before June 30, notice shall be given at once by mail to each member who has not paid his dues. Failure to receive notice shall not excuse the nonpayment of dues.

The rational for this resolution is to make sure we remain financially solvent. We have not had a dues increase since 2000.

If this resolution is accepted, a vote on the amendment will be taken at Our stated meeting on April 25, with a two-thirds majority required for its passage.
First reading, at stated assembly, March 28, with a notice being sent to all members of future vote.
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Upper Sandusky Council #98
April 11, 2006
Be it resolved that due to increased per capita payments; declining Council membership; increased remitted dues of 50-year or more members; additional costs to maintain our beautiful, vintage building; and rent, we recommend that Section 4 of the By-Laws of Upper Sandusky Council #98 be amended to increase our dues from $12 to $20.

The by-laws presently read:

Section 4. The annual dues to be paid by each member of this Council shall be Twelve Dollars ($12.00), due and payable in advance at the first Stated Assembly in June of each year. No notice of the time of payment other than this By-Law shall be required.

The by-laws would then read:

Section 4. The annual dues to be paid by each member of this Council shall be Twenty Dollars ($20.00), due and payable in advance at the first Stated Assembly in June of each year. No notice of the time of payment other than this By-Law shall be required.

The rational for this resolution is to make sure we remain financially solvent. We have not had a dues increase since 2000.

If this resolution is accepted, a vote on the amendment will be taken at our stated meeting on May 9, with a two-thirds majority required for its passage.
First reading, at stated assembly, April 11, 2006, with a written notice being sent to all members of the future vote.
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We all know about the increasing cost of all things like natural gas and gasoline and we see the same increases at our facility. We increased Chapter dues by $5 in 2000 while Council’s only went up $2. Even with raising dues in each body to $20, belonging to both will only cost a member 11¢ per day. Another 11¢ if you belong to Warpole Lodge.
The lodge dues remain a bargain thanks to a great extent to the large bequest from Ollie Eblin. To give you an idea of what other facilities are doing: Several lodges in the area have annual dues of nearly $100 and some Chapters and Councils are considering increases to nearly $50 for each. Scottish Rite dues went to $100 more than a year ago.
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Don’t forget, the annual elections of officers in both McCutchen Chapter and Upper Sandusky Council will be held at their stated meetings in May. Chapter on May 23 and Council May 9.
Installation of officers in both McCutchen Chapter and Upper Sandusky Council will be held at their stated meetings in June. Chapter on June 27 and Council June 13. Both groups will have strawberries for refreshments following the installations. All these meetings start at 7:30 p.m. with Council considering an open installation.
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Friday, April 21, will be the inspection of Warpole Chapter, 366, OES at 7:30 in the Center. They plan to have two candidates that evening with several more to receive the degrees at a later date.
At the Thursday, June 1st meeting, the group will be holding its meeting in the dining room to give members with problems climbing stairs a chance to come to a meeting on the first floor. A dispensation has been obtained allowing us to do this.
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Hats off to all Warpole’s Lodge officers who passed their inspection with flying colors. In addition they hosted an excellent chicken BBQ between sections of the Master Mason Degree.
Thanks to Jamie Berridge, Bill Sturgeon and Wess Danner who spearheaded the project and anyone else who helped in any way.
More than 40 people enjoyed the BBQ which consisted of 1/2 a chicken, potato salad, applesauce, roll with margarine, dessert and beverages. The meal was served by several of our wives and the Rainbow Assembly.
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Darla Hudson reminds us to support the Relay for Life Team from Warpole Chapter OES on June 9 & 10

She also wants to promote the Ohio Charities Extravaganza on Friday, June 23 at the Villa Milano in Columbus, $25 per person, reservations are due by May 25. Contact her for more information.
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Attend our 82nd Annual Independence Day Celebration Held On Tuesday, July 4, 2006
at 5:30 a.m.
Activities Include:
• Memorial Service
• Masonic Degree
• Ham & Egg Breakfast
• Golf Tournament

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