Dalton Lodge holds Annual Inspection in the Master Mason Degree

Shown above LtoR Brother Thomas Milburn, Worshipful Master Ralph Milburn, Staff Sgt. Bro. Stoops and Brother Butch Stoops

On February 4, Dalton Lodge held its annual Inspection in the Master Mason Degree. Worshipful Master, Ralph Milburn had the Officers and Craft honed in on the work at hand. Right Worshipful Brother Douglas Boone gave a very favorable report on the Books and Ritual of the day. Eighty-six brethren were in attendance from around the Super Eighth District. There was twenty-seven Dalton members (37% of membership) present, including Thirteen Past Masters. There were Seven father-son members, three uncle nephews, and one grandfather-grandson combination present. Junior Deacon Paul Jellison raised his son Shawn to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason and presented him with a set of Working Tools. Other presentations were made by Robert Secoy, the Candidates uncle, and the Worshipful Master.

Shown above is Staff Sgt. Brother Stoops Posting the Colors, WB Milburn's Grandson

February Schedule

February 2 Dalton Lodge Special MM Degree 7:00 pm
February 4 Dalton Lodge Inspection MM 9 am, followed by Wilmington EA Lunch noon
February 10 Yellow Springs Inspection EA Dinner 6:30 work 7:30 pm
February 11 Blanchester Inspection FC 9am, Lunch followed by Clarksville FC 1:00 pm
February 16 Dalton Stated Meeting
February 17 Xenia Inspection MM Dinner 6:00
February 18 Winter Program Dayton AASR 9:00 am Lunch noon
February 18 Beaver Valley Inspection EA 9:00 am followed by Lunch, Knollwood EA 1:00 pm
February 25 Cedarville Inspection EA 9:00 am followed by Lunch and New Burlington FC 1:00pm
March 3 Grand Masters Reception Roberts Center Dinner at 6:30 pm

January Schedule of Events

January 13 New Holland Inspection MM 7:00pm
January 14 Bloomingburg Inspection MM Breakfast 8am followed by Jeffersonville Inspection FC Lunch 12:00pm
January 19 Dalton Lodge Stated and MM Degree
January 20 Jamestown Inspection MM Dinner 6:00pm
January 21 Sabina Inspection EA Breakfast 8:00am followed by Fayette Inspection EA Lunch 12:00PM
January 23 School of Instruction place TBD
January 28 Grand Lodge Visitation 8:00am Coffee and Donuts program at 9:00am
Masters Recognition Valley of Dayton AASR 6:00pm

Note: Dalton Lodge Officers will be practicing MM degree every Thursday evening in January at 7:00pm

Dalton Lodge Host Awards Night

Three members receive Fifty year pins and certificates from Worshipful Master Ralph Milburn and District Deputy Grand Master Douglas Boone. Shown from L to R WB Ralph Milburn, WB Gary Tolle, Bro Paul Terrell, WB David Allen, Bro Brad Terrell (son of Paul Terrell) and DDGM Douglas Boone. Bro Brad Terrell of Hillsboro Lodge #38 pinned on fathers pin.
Two members received Forty year pins. WB Ralph Milburn and WB James Walker were presented their pins by their brothers and the DDGM. Shown from L to R Bro Thomas Milburn, WB Ralph Milburn, WB James Walker, WB Jack Walker of Wilmington 52, and DDGM Douglas Boone.

WB C. J. Moore receives his Thirty-Five year pin from WB Gary Tolle, WB Ralph Milburn and DDGM Douglas Boone. Shown from L to R WB Milburn, DDGM Boone WB Gary Tolle and WB C.J.Moore. A Chili Dinner was enjoyed by all in the dinning room following the meeting.


Other members receiving awards not present:

40yr WB William Wolfe
35yr Bro Gary Tilton
25yr WB Don Williams and Bro Jerry Walls

Brother Chester Wilson Honored in Painting

Keith's painting pays tribute to Wilson
Local artist Ron Keith’s second painting in his planned Homecoming Christmas collection was unveiled Monday at a meeting of the American Legion Post 179, Marion Unit, in Blanchester. Why? Because Chester “Red” Wilson, a 63-year member of the Post, is a figure in the painting.
This year, Keith’s original painting portrays soldiers outside the old Blanchester train depot as they arrive home. Also included in the painting, in the lower right hand corner near where the artist signed his name, is one of Clinton County’s oldest veterans, the 89-year-old Wilson, observing the activity outside the depot and tipping his cap.
Wilson broke out in a big smile after the painting was unveiled and he saw to his surprise that he was portrayed in the piece of art.
As he did last year with his first painting in the series, Keith will donate this latest work to Blanchester ALIVE. It will be auctioned off about 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Blanchester Auction Center, with proceeds going to Blanchester ALIVE.
Last year’s painting by Keith, of the Bindley Building in downtown Blanchester, fetched $550 at auction.
Blanchester ALIVE’s aim, according to founding member Diana Miller, is to bring together local business owners and community members who share a vision of instilling new life and vitality into the Blanchester business community.
The painting by Keith, one of Clinton County’s finest visual artists currently creating, will be on display at the First National Bank of Blanchester starting Wednesday, Nov. 23.
Postcards as well as 13-by-19 inch prints of the painting will soon be available.
Wilson is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the 83rd Infantry Division during World War II. He received the Military Order of Purple Heart and was decorated with the Oak Leaf Cluster.
Brother Chester Wilson is the Grandfather of WB Todd Wilson DEO Eighth District
Courtesy of Wilmington News Journal

114th Installation of Officers

Ralph Milburn has been elected and installed as “Worshipful Master” of Dalton Masonic Lodge No. 578. Milburn was installed by Past District Deputy Gary Cooper, Past Master Justin Gray Installing Marshal, Past Master Mike Hibbs, Installing Secretary and Past Master Mike Roever, Installing Chaplin. This 114th annual installation of officers was held November 17, at the Wilmington Masonic Center. Dalton Lodge has been serving Clinton County since 1898.
In his position as Master, Milburn is the presiding officer and head of the Lodge. The title of “Master,” instead of “President,” reflects the Masonic tradition of using ceremonies and titles from the stonemasons of the Middle Ages. When the great cathedrals of Europe were being built, the Mason in charge of a building site was referred to as a “master of the work.”
Other officers installed during the ceremony were Corey Pratt, Senior Warden, Mike Popson, Junior Warden, Gary Cooper, Treasurer, Mike Hibbs Secretary, Scott Baker, Senior Deacon, Paul Jellison, Junior Deacon, Dan Kennelly, Senior Steward, Mike Roever, Junior Steward, Gene Williams, Tyler and Douglas Cooper, Lodge Education Officer, and Don Williams Chaplain. The installing officers presented the Master the Jewel, Apron, Hat, and Gavel of his office. The incoming Master, Milburn presented the traditional Past Masters Apron to Mike Roever.
Preceding the installation the traditional Oyster Stew was enjoyed in the dinning room.
Freemasonry is the oldest, largest, and most widely recognized fraternal organization in the world. Today, there are more than 2 million Freemasons in North America alone. Charity is an important tenet of the Masonic fraternity. The 107,000 Freemasons in Ohio provide approximately $15 million in charitable giving annually. This year they gave $100,000 in college scholarships, contributed $200,000 to Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games, and funded $70,000 in free training for hundreds of Ohio school teachers to recognize students at non-academic risk. They also provided $12 million in elderly care, and helped many needy Ohio families and individuals through their Charitable Foundation. General information is available at www.freemason.com . For local information, please contact: Mike Hibbs, 289-2200 Lodge Secretary.

1978 Memories

I believe these two Brothers have been doing this for a while. Left WB Ralph Milburn Chaplain
Center WM Gary Cooper and 65 year member Leo Binghman received his award and pin.