Harmony Lodge #8

Founded 1809

Our regularly-stated meeting is on the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 P.M.

MESSAGE FROM THE EAST.

LODGE OFFICERS.

Lodge Notes:

The Masonic Bodies of the Masonic Temple at 222 North Main Street, Urbana met at the Temple Sunday afternoon, November 12th for their annual Awards Recognition Program. Present were 33rd Degree Masons Clarence J. Brown, Jr., Richard L. Harless, William "Bill" Saxbe and Charles "Rocky" Saxbe for the featured recognition of Brother Steve Moore as the county's newest 33rd Degree Mason. The event was open to the public.

Brother Richard Harless opened the meeting with a chronological history of the Masonic Fraternity leading to the formation of Harmony #8 Lodge in 1809 and Harmony's progress through the first 150 years of its existence.

Members of Harmony #8 Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons (F&AM) receiving their 25 year pin were: Lewis E. Brown, James A. Arthur, John A. Dellinger, James M. Geuy, Dennis W. Grow, Roger E. Johnson, James T. Oliver, Paul A. Payne, Thomas M. Peters, Roger J. Wright and Timothy B. Wright.

Harmony #8 fifty year members recognized were: David D. Dowds, James W. Geuy, Milt I. Lewis, James M. Luellen, Chester L. Mullen, James L. Poling, Harry E. Rice, Albert C. Schafer, Dow D. Thomas and John H. Woodburn.

Sixty year members: Franklin C. Brinnon, E. Pat Hollingshead, Orland G. Kelch, Richard L. LaRue, Jack H. McKeever, Rodney M. Pence, Richard E. Stockton, Robert E. Walters and Emil L. Zirkle.

Sixty-five years of membership pins were presented to: Raymond E. Bishop.

Seventy year pins were awarded to: Donald J. Gumpert and Cline R. Keister.

Awardees for their twenty-five years of membership in the Royal Arch Masons #34 were: Clark E. Brinnon, Scott D. Harless, Nelson D. Kuykendall, Stephen H. Mast, and Wayne L. Smith.

Commandry 50 years members were: Charles H. McCulla, John C. Robison and Phillip S. Schneider. Sixty year members are Kenneth F. Bowen and Franklin C. Brinnon.

Raper Commandary of Knights Templar #19 twenty-five year members were: Clark E. Brinnon, Scott D. Harless, Orland G. Kelch, Nelson D. Kuykendall, Wayne L. Smith and Raymond W. Snarr.

Urbana Council Royal & Select Masons #59 twenty-five year members were: Clark E. Brinnon, Scott D. Harless, Nelson D. Kuykendall, Stephen H. Mast, Wayne L. Smith and Raymond W. Snarr. Council #59 fifty year pins were presented to: James B. Long, John C. Robison and Charles R. Wilson.

Urbana Chapter #530 Order of Eastern Star recognized their 60+ year members at their regular meeting in October. Those recognized were: Elizabeth Alty, Sara Brennon, Nancy Cowan, George Cox, Norma Cowan, Lois Finley, Geraldine Fueston, Virginia Heagle, Helen Idler, Mildred Kinsey, Dorothy Lutz, Genevieve Millner, Mildred Putman, Helen Richeson, Lorainne Twitty, Maragret VanCulin, Victor Vanscoy and Bonnie Ward.

The Masonic 33rd Degree is awarded to those Masons who have a long history of outstanding service to their community, their profession and to Masonry. Harmony Lodge is honored to have Brother Steve Moore recognized for his decades of outstanding service. Nomination and election to the 33rd Degree is made the Masonic Supreme Council.

Brother Clarence Brown brought a copy of The Urbana Daily Citizen printed in 1933 which included a "Who's Who in Champaign County". He noted that about half all those named were Masons and congratulated those present for continuing the tradition.

Refreshments served by the Eastern Star Order #530 and fellowship were enjoyed by all in the temple basement after the ceremony.