3rd degrees July 18

Fellowcrafts Ray DeCroix, Steve Ellis, David Harms, and Ron Lady will be examined on the 2nd degree and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on Saturday July 18. Doors open at 8:00AM, 1st gavel @9:00

Extra Stated Meeting in July

The Lodge is normally dark in July, but we have received special dispensation fom MWGM Dan Yandel to have an extra meeting to vote on two petitions so that the two petitioners will not be 'held up' for a month.

We need a quorum, so PLEASE show up and vote!

Breakfast Resumes JULY 12

The breakfast committee is resuming the monthly Lodge breakfast on JULY 12 from 7:30 to 10:00 AM

It will be served buffet style and the price will "donation"

Congratulations to 4 new Fellowcrafts

Entered Apprentices Ray DeCroix, Steve Ellis, David Harms, and Ron Lady were examined on their 1st degree proficiency 'old style' by WB Roger Matheny in open Lodge on May 28 and passed to the Fellowcraft degree on Jun 6, 2009.

Their 3rd degrees are scheduled @ 8:00 AM on Saturday July 18th

Delbert Kuhn has passed

Kuhn, Delbert - DUNLAP - Delbert F. Kuhn, 86, of Dunlap passed away at 7:05 p.m. Monday, May 11, 2009, at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.

Brother Kuhn joined Alta Lodge in 1959; ironically the Secretary received his 50 year pin, card, and certificate from Grand Lodge the same week he died.

He was active in the Eastern Star for many years.

Clarence Miller has passed

Clarence Miller, 93, a member since 1953, has passed to the Grand Lodge above.

Clarence was the oldest living member of Alta Lodge.

Here is a link to his obituary in the Peoria Journal Star - PJSObituary

EAST PEORIA - Clarence Gilbert "Mick" Miller, 93, of East Peoria, formerly of Morton, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2009, at home in the Riverview retirement home.

He was born in Peoria on Oct. 29, 1915, and was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Bud, Harry and Jim. He was married on June 12, 1937, in Peoria to Blanche Elizabeth Routh, to whom he would have been married 72 years this June.

Clarence served our country during World War II in the U.S. Army, and retired from Caterpillar Tractor Co. after 32 years in 1978.

He was a member of the Masons and the Shriners.

Mick was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed spending time with his family.

A loving husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa, he is survived by his wife of 71 years, Blanche Miller; three children, Marilyn (Robert) Lipps of East Peoria, Ill., Phil (Joan) Miller of Boulder, Colo., and Scott (Teri) Miller of Brownsburg, Ind.; six grandchildren, Steve (Christie) Lipps of Washington, Ill., Cheryl (Gene) Bullard of East Peoria, Ill., Bart (Lisa) Miller of Boulder, Colo., Nate Miller of Ervine, Calif., Carol Miller of Boulder, Colo., and Josh Miller of Brownsburg, Ind.; and four great-grandchildren, Jeremy Bullard, Amber Bullard, Corey Lipps and Colten Lipps.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2009, at Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria, Ill. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.

WB Richard Bohannan now a Certified Lodge Insructor

Here’s extending a round of applause to RWB Jerry Starks too!

 

From: Robert H Wright [mailto:rhwright33@verizon.net]
Sent: 05/17/2009 5:28 PM
To: Jerry Agles
Subject: Re: Congratulations to 4 new CLIs, and others

 

Jerry,

 

We can also add the name of Jerald H. Starks to the list of successful completers as he passed his Grand Lecturer exam yesterday.  Another "graduate" from our Normal Saturday Morning School of Instruction!

 

Bob

----- Original Message -----

From: Jerry Agles

To: Jerry Agles

Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 9:04 AM

Subject: Congratulations to 4 new CLIs, and others

 

Brethren…..  I’m delighted to report that four of our brethren have passed yesterday’s Certified Lodge Instructor’s Exam at Lincoln: Rich Bohannan, John Janssen, Bob Irby, and Gary Irby!   When you see these gentlemen, please offer your hearty congratulations.

2nd degrees Scheduled

Thursday May 28 --Our 4 new Entered Apprentices will be examined in open lodge on their 1st degree proficiency at 7:00 PM. We will only open on the 1st degree, so any Entered Apprentice can attend. They are being coached on the old style catechism by WB Roger Matheny, It has been a long time since this has been done so let;s have a good turnout!

Saturday, June 6 -- 4 seond degres -- Lodge opens at 9:00 AM

May 2009 Stated Meeting Highlights

Attendance: 16
No balloting or petitions
We are now required to have our chair lifts inspected and liscensed by the State of Illinois
(notice received from Grand Lodge)
Still need work in basement.
Motion passed to hire company to fix bad gutter on north of building -- we don't have anyone with a ladder tall enough.
Need dedicated circuit for sump pump.
Problems encountered with 5/26 breakfast will be resolved.

Sickness and distress -- Bro. Delbert Kuhn passed to the Grand Lodge Above on May 11, 2009

50 years -- pins and certificates received from Grand Lodge for Bros. Richard Regier and Delbert Kuhn

New Master Masons

As of April 23, 2009

Mark Hoagland and Ralph Cotton have been raised to the Subline Degree of Master Mason

New Entered Apprentices

As of April 18...
Ray Decroix
Steven Ellis
Ronald Lady, Jr.
David Harms

April 2009 Stated Meeting Highlights

Attendance: 11
No petitions or balloting
Made annual contribution to Dunlap Summer Sports
Will donate roaster liners to Methodist Church
Sickness and Distress: Betty Casali and W B Bob Orill are now recuperating in their respective homes.

Bro. Robert Graham passed to the Grand Lodge above on March 27, 2009

Events

Thursday April 23 - 3rd Degrees (Mark Hoagland, Ralph Cotton) 6:00 PM
Food served @ 5 pm


Sunday April 26 -- Breakfast @ Lodge - 7:30-10:30
Tuesday May 5 -- District School @ Alta MOVED TZo SCHILLER per DDGM Fuller!

First Degrees Saturday April 18

Coffee etc @ 8:00 AM followed by first degrees for the following candidates

• Ray Decroix, sponsored by Gerry Mankle
• Steven Ellis, sponsored by Robert Schaeffer
• Ronald Lady Jr., sponsored by WB Roger Matheny
• David Harms, sponsored by WB Roger Matheny

They will probably be obligated two at a time, which has now been okayed by Grand Lodge

Special Beakfast

The new Breakfast crew is having a special 'half price' event on April 26 to kick off a new menu, flat rate pricing, and 'serve yourself' buffet style breakfast. Starting in May, we will revert to the 'second Sunday' schedule -- watch the calendar for dates.

Shriners Hospitals: Reasons for Option 2 on chosen hospitals

From: Ralph Semb <rws@bowling4fun.com>
To: Robert Ritter <bobritter@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 5:28:07 PM
Subject: Reasons for Option 2 on chosen hospitals

March 31, 2009

To:  Robert Ritter, Potentate

Mohammed Temple

Hi Ill. Sir Bob

I said that you would be receiving a number of updates as we process each of these.  They will give you the reasons for some of the options etc.  This one is for questions regarding those hospitals chosen.

Why the Hospitals under Option 2 were Chosen

The financial crisis facing the organization requires us to consider dramatic measures to meet a growing gap between operating revenues and expenses. Based on the assessment of headquarters staff and other professional input from across the system, it is apparent that no single action represents a viable solution to meet this ongoing problem. Option 2 calls for the cessation of hospital activities coupled with dramatic cost reductions in Headquarters, Research, and Employee Benefits.  At the same time, a balance is struck by significantly increasing revenues generated through future philanthropic endeavor and implementation of third party pay. This balanced approach moves us down the path to financial stability. Failure to take appropriate action will mean the certain demise of Shriners Hospitals for Children in approximately 5-7 years. Meeting this challenge requires bold leadership.

In evaluating the hospitals, a number of objective criteria were identified to assess each facility. While operational efficiency is important to an organization, there are strategic factors that must take precedence.

The criteria used included a list of performance measures, hospital specific information and market-related factors. A 5-point Likert Scale was utilized, with 1 indicating a superior ranking to 5 indicating the lowest ranking. The measures chosen were:

1.      Hospital Infrastructure: The condition of the physical plant and the requirement for future investment in capital infrastructure;

2.      Physician Recruitment Potential: The ability to recruit physicians to a given hospital;

3.      Academic Model Potential: The ability to achieve relevance given proximity and relationship to pediatric specialty teaching programs;

4.      Average Daily Census: The average number of patients in beds during any 24-hour period throughout the year;

5.      FTE Per Adjusted Patient Day: The number of Full Time Equivalent employees needed to staff the hospital, adjusted for outpatient activity and patient acuity;

6.      Expenses Per Adjusted Patient Day: The cost to operate a hospital on any given day, adjusted for outpatient activity and patient acuity; 

7.      Geographic and Demographic Optimization: The impact of market geography coupled with the future population demographics of the region.

In addition to these seven criteria, staff looked at performance metrics used on a daily basis to further refine the analysis. These included but were not limited to performance on the system-wide dashboard and Key Volumes reports, budgetary performance, and suggestions from the Joint Boards. With regard to this last element, staff received guidance from the Joint Boards to exclude the facilities in Canada, Mexico and Honolulu due to their international reach. Also upon recommendation of the Joint Boards, staff excluded the Twin Cities facility from consideration at this time, due to ongoing talks with the University of Minnesota and Fairview Health System. It is the desire of the Joint Boards to allow these talks to progress to a point where a more reasonable assessment can be made of this future opportunity. Staff also received guidance from the Joint Boards on maintaining services to the various regions of the United States. The Joint Boards felt that a lack of presence in any portion of the country could adversely affect Shrine membership and potential donations to the organization.

Based on these criteria and subsequent guidance from the Joint Boards the following hospitals were chosen for cessation of services.

 

1.      ERIE: This hospital has consistently struggled to maintain patient volumes since the departure of its previous medical staff almost two years ago. Furthermore, the hospital's patient population is heavily constituted with patients requiring minimal surgical intervention but long term rehabilitation.

·       Location: The hospital is isolated from any Academic Medical Center which would provide subspecialties in Pediatrics or a pediatric intensive care unit.

·       Medical Staff: Extensive recruiting efforts have been underway for open medical staff positions for the last three years.  At present, part-time and retired medical staff supplement a 0.8 FTE physician.

·       Financial Targets: The hospital does not meet established targets for staffing, expense per unit of service, and nursing hours per patient day. This is all due to an average daily census of less than 6 patients.

·       Demographics and Geography: The pediatric population is trending in a downward direction. There are two large health care systems in Erie; none has a major pediatric specialty or subspecialty program.  Erie is a post industrial city with limited growth potential.

·       Opportunities for Transition:  The current patient population can be accommodated in SHC-Philadelphia and Lexington.

2.      SPOKANE: This five-story hospital has a history of not realizing a significant volume of inpatients. Its average daily census has never been over ten in the last four years. This is due to several factors. The first was an extended period of time with only two admitting physicians. The second is the changing medical/surgical practice of ambulatory care. Third, historically, Spokane has demonstrated a trend of minimal surgical interventions and more outpatient rehabilitation services.

·       Location: Though located in the shadow of Sacred Heart Medical Center (which has a new Children's Hospital) and directly across the street from Deaconess Hospital, the patient population has not grown correspondingly.

·       Medical Staff: There are three full-time pediatric orthopedic surgeons. There are a sufficient number of physicians, but not enough patients despite organized attempts to increase referrals.

·       Financial Targets: The hospital does not meet established targets for staffing, expense per unit of service, and nursing hours per patient day due to a very low inpatient daily census.

·       Demographic and Geography: Although the pediatric population is growing in the Pacific Northwest that growth is not being experienced in Eastern Washington. The topography and the climate in winter are constraints to the transport of patients by Shriners and the convenience of access by families outside a fifty mile radius.

·       Opportunities for Transition: Available capacity at Salt Lake City and, at the conclusion of the building project, in Portland will easily accommodate Spokane's current patient population.

3.      Springfield: This hospital has been unable, for some years, to establish an inpatient service that will generate a sustained average daily census of greater than ten. Were it not for its treatment of patients from Cyprus and Puerto Rico, its inpatient population would be in the very low single digits.

·       Marketing: Despite a significant marketing campaign to raise awareness of the hospital and generate surgical referrals, little change in surgical volume has occurred.

·       Location: This is a post-industrial region with little or no future growth potential. The pediatric population is declining.

·       Medical Staff: The medical staff has three full time pediatric orthopedic surgeons who have been there for a long time. Recruiting replacements would be very difficult due to the lack of a significant academic affiliation. There are a sufficient number of physicians, but not enough patients despite organized attempts to increase referrals.

·       Financial Targets: The hospital does not meet the established target for staffing.  Expense per unit of service is on target due to a large volume of outpatient encounters.

·       Demographics and Geography: The pediatric population of western New England is trending down. The hospital is 35 minutes north of Connecticut Children's Hospital and 90 minutes from Boston Children's, both having significant pediatric orthopedic service.

4.      Greenville: This hospital, much like the others, has a long history of a low average daily census. The hospital has a relatively small patient base, given its lack of outreach activity.

·       Location: The hospital is located in the Piedmont area of Western South Carolina, which has a small pediatric population that is relatively static.

·       Medical Staff: There are four pediatric orthopedic surgeons, but not enough patients despite organized attempts to increase referrals.

·       Financial Targets: The hospital has not met its staffing target and expenses are high relative to case mix. Nursing hours per patient day are continuously above standard. All this is explainable by the low average daily census.

·       Demographic and Geography: The growth in population is oriented to retirement age adults.

·       Opportunities for Transition: The Lexington and Tampa hospitals, as well as other providers in Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia could easily absorb the current patient population.

5. Shreveport: It should be noted that this hospital is efficiently run with just two full time pediatric orthopedic surgeons. However, there are a number of important strategic factors that affected the recommendation.

·       Medical Staff: The two physicians are aging. Recruitment of medical professionals has a history of being difficult due to unwillingness to relocate to the area, and the weak academic standing of the hospital's affiliated medical school and medical center.

·       Financial Targets: This hospital meets all standards of cost effectiveness.

·       Demographic and Geography:  The region is experiencing a pattern of declining birth rates over the last ten-years. Further, when the transition of the Panamanian patients to the Tampa Hospital is complete, inpatient census is likely to decrease.

·       Opportunities for Transition: Patients served by this hospital can be accommodated in the SHC-St. Louis and Houston Hospitals.

In summary, we have excess physical capacity in our hospital system.  Already faced with deficit spending, we have limited opportunity to effect a major reconfiguration of the system.  Our approach, therefore, was to concentrate opportunities within existing markets.

The hospitals described above all reside in small to medium sized metropolitan centers as defined by the US Census Bureau and the Department of Labor. Our current business model is outdated, based upon decisions dating back to 1922. Location is a critical element to the long-term success of a highly specialized pediatric hospital system and practice.

Centers of population density offer:

·       major hubs of transportation, 

·       a larger pool of potential patients,

·       the ability to generate higher referral volumes,

·       proximity to full service pediatric facilities, with access to critical care, pediatric subspecialties, and advanced diagnostic imaging resources, and

·       greater potential for affiliation with academic medical institutions. 

Option 2 retains the unique character of Shriners Hospitals for Children, while demonstrating our stated commitment to financial stewardship. 

Please Keep these reports so that you can review them on a regular basis and in fact, give us more ideas if you have them. 

Yours in the faith,

Ralph W. Semb, President and Chief Executive Officer, Shriners Hospitals for Children

 

To all Representatives both Iowa and Colorado.

Regarding:  March Joint Board Meeting.

Hi Ill. Sir Bob

I want to give you an update from the board meeting held in Tampa this past week.  I must say that this was the most "Emotional" meeting that I have attended since being elected to the boards.  Over the past few years in my State of the Hospital Report, I have made reference on many occasions that we were worried about our hospital budget growing much to fast.  In 2005, you ordered the boards to bring the endowment fund up to 12 Billion Dollars by the year 2014.  Well, it is now well into 2009 and we have gone in round figures from 8 billion to 5 billion dollars.  We have said time and time again that we can't afford to run 22 hospitals as we have in the past.  In fact, the Representatives have been approving a deficit budget since the year 2001.  With the endowment fund decreasing, the cost of healthcare increasing, we are put into a situation that is not financial stable for  Shriners Hospitals for Children  for the long term.  

The boards have wrestled with this situation and have really had a very hard and emotional week.  I must say that Staff is equally concerned and the one thing that we all came to agree on was this:  We all want to continue to care for Children.   The question is if we do not address this situation,  "For How Long".  Given what we have for income, and even with the possibility that the Representatives will approve the request to begin the process of utilizing 3^rd party pay, which will take up to 4 years to get the paper work completed, and that is with a vendor to do the collections for us, that is not enough of a fix to bring our income where it is equal to the expense. 

For this reason, the boards will make available to you the voting Representatives, up to 4 budgets that you can adopt.  Each of these will be explained over the next few months so that you have a clear understanding of the issues we face.  I believe that everyone agrees that the system must change.  But when it comes down to the details, few of us are willing to tolerate provisions that might harm them,  to sacrifice some hospitals for the greater good.  We need to look at the broad picture, instead of each stakeholder focused on his own area and then dig in for the battle.  I have been reading a book by Senator Tom Daschle and the government is in the same situation as we are.  No money.

I  include with this email, the same document that is given to the Imperial Officers and Trustees as well as the hospitals so that we are all looking as the same paper.  Again, I reiterate, we all want to continue to care for the children we have as well as those children that will need our help in the future.  If we do nothing, adopt a budget that sees us continue to withdraw the funds from the endowment fund, in as few as 5 years, we could close 22 hospitals, and in effect, have a small fraternity with no philanthropy to represent.  A summary of the options are to look at some alternatives that all include 3^rd party pay.  Getting all the necessary things in place at all hospitals, should the Representatives agree to taking insurance,  will take almost 4 years to initiate.  Why you may ask, because with 20 hospitals in 20 states dealing with different health care facilities and providers in each state as well as the many different providers with each family, all require contracts and that in itself will take a long time to execute.  You will see in the document below the hospitals that will be suggested to be closed.  The alternative that the board recommends is one will be for a 5 year solution that will keep  Shriners Hospitals for Children open for what we hope will be forever, but is does suspend the operations at 6 hospitals.  The others would be a huge decrease in the present budget with huge cuts in future budgets that in affect will curtail the services we perform. 

Here is the document that I spoke of. Please contact me if you have any questions.  We are all exhausted in dealing with this situation, and we hope that you will all help in finding a cure that can keep  Shriners Hospitals for Children taking care of children into the future.  Those Children that are In the hospitals that are on the closure list, they will all be taken care of in our other hospitals.  This information has been given to all the hospital Administrators, Chief of Staffs, Directors of Patient Care Services, and the Chair and Vice Chairman in a Teleconference on Thursday afternoon.  I feel that it was necessary that they be informed first, as the media will be on this immediately after, and that they were.  I also felt that each of you be informed and a copy of the talking point be given to each of the representatives, so that you can offer your thoughts and we may have the chance to answer them before we get to San Antonio.  Remember, you will be given the opportunity to vote on a budget and we the Boards will do our best to make it work.  This will be an effort to have each of you help in this dramatic and emotional situation we find the finances in. 

SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN

Talking Points

 At the meeting of the Boards of Directors and Trustees on March 23-25, several actions were taken to address the future direction of Shriners Hospitals for Children (SHC). The deliberations by the members of the Boards focused on meeting the growing shortfall in cash flows necessary to operate the hospital system. This shortfall, at a minimum currently stands at $200 million.

Financial viability is deemed dependent upon both revenue enhancements and cost reduction measures throughout the system. The success of each will require the cooperation of the Nobility, leadership and staff.

The revenue enhancement initiatives include:

- Continuing prudent management of the endowment

-Exploring third party pay

        a. pursuit third party pay for eligible patients, 3-4 year implementation

       

-Increasing Philanthropic/Development efforts

       

        a. increase number of development directors

       

        b. create corporate giving partners

       

        c. develop a planned giving and major gifts program

       

        d. create a nationwide signature event

The cost reduction efforts include:

-Across the board reduction to the operating expense budget

        a. immediate reductions of 5% to 7% in hospital's operating budget for 2009

                This would not apply to hospitals affected by consolidations

        b. Modify employee benefit offerings (i.e., suspend employer match to defined   contribution plan, freeze defined benefit pension plan to existing participants, reconfigure investment strategy for pension plans,  and consolidate to single HMO offering)

       

        c. 8% reduction to Headquarters in 2009 operating budget

       

        d. Consolidate into four major research centers in the U.S. (Northern California, Boston, Philadelphia and Portland; continuing the research in Canada)

        e Actions for 2010: reduce nine hospitals by additional 3% operating expense and Headquarters by additional 5%, implement third party pay

-Assessing the inpatient versus outpatient models of care

       

        a. identify hospitals to transition from inpatient hospitals to ambulatory centers      providing day surgeries only

               

-Taking action to address excess capacity across the system

       

        Reconfigure the hospital system:

       

        a. Possible closure of 5 hospitals (Erie, Spokane, Springfield, Shreveport,

                and Greenville)

       

        b. Uphold the suspension of the Galveston Hospital

       

        c. Transition patients to other SHC hospitals

Year 2011 the financial stability is regained

         2011- Resume modest growth

         2012- Assume favorable results from third party pay; budget would grow by      3.2%

         2013-continue on the path of previous year projection of $35M from third party pay continued implementation of third party pay has a financial projection of net revenue of approximately $70M

The Planning committee recommended a multi year plan offering a potential path to financial stability. As adopted by the Boards, the options outlined in this plan will be presented to the Imperial Council in July 2009 in San Antonio, Texas. As implemented, these options would allow Shriners to fulfill their philanthropic mission of Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Information will continue to be updated regularly through several means of communication.

So, below here is some good news as far as donations is concerned;

The International House of Pancakes (IHOP) raised $448,000 for Shriners Hospitals for Children during the month of February.

IHOP celebrated National Pancake Day by giving out a free stack of buttermilk pancakes to customers on Feb. 24 at more than 250 locations in 7 western states: Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. In return, guests were encouraged to donate what they would have paid for their pancakes, or more, to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Prior to the big day, IHOP introduced a four-week point-of-purchase fundraising campaign at the participating locations. When guests paid for their meals, they were given an option to add between $1 and $5 to their bill, with proceeds benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children. This component of the campaign raised $176,000.

The health care system has been the beneficiary of National Pancake Day at select IHOP stores since 2006. Imperial Donor Relations Director Tom Smith as worked with IHOP for many years and we thank him for his help in making this year's event such a success.

Shriners Hospitals for Children — Houston kicked off the event locally on Feb. 19 with a Pancake Pandemonium Party for kids at the hospital. Houston City Council Member Wanda Adams visited and presented a City Proclamation to kick off National Pancake Day. In addition, Houston Texans player Eric Winston was a celebrity "pancake flipper" at an area IHOP on Feb. 24.  Watch a video from the Houston event on our Web site at

http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Houston/News/news03050901.aspx

Jet Foods/David Ragan

On March 1, our fundraising program with Jet Foods and David Ragan kicked-off.

 

From March 1 through April 30, 2009, customers at 53 Jet Food Stores in Georgia will be given the option to add a donation to Shriners Hospitals for Children to each purchase they make. A special mobile is provided for donors to write their name for display in the store.

For more details and a list of participating Jet Food stores, visit our Web site at http://www.shrinershq.org/Shrine/News/news01300901.aspx

I again ask you for your thoughts.  This is a time in the history of our philanthropy that we all need to be businessmen with business minds to think of how we can make  Shriners Hospitals for Children something that Donors will want to donate funds to, without seeing the Red in the balance sheets. 

My best to your Lady Delores.

Fraternally Yours,

Ralph W. Semb, President and Chief Executive Officer, Shriners Hospitals for Children

Work in Progress List from Grand Master

Due to the increased amount of unfinished work in many parts of the state, I feel actions need to be taken to help solve this problem. We can not afford to lose prospective members because some lodges cannot possibly complete all of the degrees for the large number of candidates waiting to advance. Also, some lodges are unwilling or unable to teach the candidates what is necessary to move them through the degrees in a timely manner. There are many factors that have caused the list of unfinished work to grow. It is time to turn this around. We need to take steps that will allow these candidates to fulfill the wish they had when they turned in their petitions, that of becoming a Master Mason.

 

As you are aware, on June 6^th, 2009 we will host a Grand Master’s class in five locations around the state. We will confer the 2^nd and 3^rd degrees.  This is not designed so much for new candidates, but more to assist you in moving candidates that may not be advancing because of work schedules, family matters, or other time restraints. To receive degrees in this class, the candidate must have received his 1^st degree and have passed his catechism before May 1^st, 2009. Attached you will find a list of the unfinished work for your lodge. My suggestion for you is to contact each person on the list who has received his 1^st degree and has not advanced recently and make every effort to convince him to take advantage of this opportunity to complete his degrees in one day. If you have questions concerning this class, please contact your DDGM or the Grand Secretary’s office.

 

To take my actions one step further, any lodge with a large amount of unfinished work that is not actively attempting to move their candidates through the degrees in a timely manner will be “strongly encouraged” by the Grand Master to host a Blue Lightning event in the near future to prevent these candidates from losing interest and walking away from us. It is our goal to keep the unfinished work list down to only current and recent candidates with no man waiting more than six months to complete his degrees. We offer as much help as we can, and now it is up to you, as lodge members, to direct some real effort into making each candidate a Master Mason as soon as possible. Please help me in this undertaking.

 

In accordance with code #199, at the first stated meeting following its receipt, read this communication in open Lodge and enter it at length upon the records of the Lodge.

 

Daniel C. Yandel

Grand Master

 

Bob Orrill Out of Hospital

WB Bob Orrill was released Monday, 3/29/09 and will be recuperating at home

Death - Robert Graham

Graham, Robert	View/Sign Guest Book
Farmington - Robert W. "Bagpipes" Graham, 69, of Farmington passed away at 6:36 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2009, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Born Feb. 7, 1940, in Peoria to Gavin and May (Crandell) Graham, he married Colleen Susie Thurman in Lewistown on April 7, 1967. She survives, along with two sons, Keith (Tera) Graham of Cuba and Gavin (Elizabeth) Graham of Mapleton; and three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kourtney and Kristen. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Thomas Gavin Graham. Robert was a superintendent for P.J. Hoerr in Peoria for 23 years, retiring in 1991. He was a 46-year member of the Farmington Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1571, the Alta Masonic Lodge and Labors Local 165 for 45 years. He also was a U.S. Navy veteran. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 31, 2009, from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at the Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home, Farmington, with Moose services at 7:45 p.m. and memorial services following. Pastor John Schurter will officiate. Cremation rites have been accorded. Burial of the ashes will be at a later date in Yates City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Farmington Rescue Squad. To view Robert's memorial DVD or submit online condolences, you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com.

New Fellowcraft

Congratulations to Bro. Ralph Cotton, who received his second degree last night (3/26/2009)

Stated Meeting Highlights-- March 2009

• Good attendance -- 25, including 5 visitors
• 4 Petitions passed ballot - 3 invitations to petition and 1 regular
  (1st degrees scheduled for 8 AM, Saturday Apil18)
• New Breakfast Committee takes over -- pilot went well, see calendar for April and May (Alta calendar)
  
• Building and Grounds
  Water damage from bathroom leak -- repairs still needed
  Gutter problem causing water leak in NE corner of basement
  New leak in Mens room urinal needs fixed
  

• Sickness and distress
  WB Bob Orrill still in hospital - about ready to come home
  Betty Casali still recuprtating - will hopefully be home soon

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Want to enter news to this blog? email blogit@alta748.org

Bob Orrill update

As of Monday, March 16, Bob is much improved but was still hospitalized
with GI problems. He MIGHT get out today (March 17). Either way he will
be recuperating for several weeks.

Past Master Grebner Hurt on Job

According to the March 17 Peoria Journal Star, Ed Grebner was injured in an air compressor malfunction accident.  Here is a link to the PJS story --Grebner Accident

Its easy to subscibe to a blog

Ask me how

From cell

Example

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

Entry from cell phone.

Entry from cell phone.

2nd Degree -- Cotton (corrected 3/20)

2nd degree for Ralph Cotton @ 6:00 possibly 2 more

1st eastern disrict upcoming events

Brethern:

 

3/3/09        Grand Lodge Officers presentation            Illinois Lodge #263 @ 7:00 P.M.

                            This is to include the Second Eastern District also.

 

3/10/09    Three 1st Degrees                                           Illinois Lodge # 263 @ 6:00 P.M.

 

3/24/09    Will receive the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Daniel C. Yandel

                                                                                         at  Illinois Lodge # 263 @ 7:00 P.M.

                This event must be attended by all Lodges in the First Eastern District

                The Second Eastern District members are welcome.

 

3/31/09  Three 2nd Degrees                                        Illinois Lodge # 263 @ 6:00 P.M.

 

4/7/09    Three 3rd Degrees                                         Illinois Lodge # 263 @ 6:00 P.M.

 

4/14/09  Grand Lodge School of Instruction             Illinois Lodge # 263 @ 7:00 P.M.

                            This school must be attended by all Lodges in the First Eastern District

 

4/21/09  Three 2nd Degrees                                        Illinois Lodge # 263 @ 6:00 P.M.

 

4/28/09  Receiving the RWSGW, Terry Seward        Illinois Lodge # 263 @ 7:00 P.M.

 

Fraternally,

 

William R. Fuller, Sr. DDGM 1E

[Fwd: Mason Day-American Passion Play]

Sir: Would you please pass this on.

Last year the American Passion play in Bloomington IL . offered a one day special to all Masonic bodies, the cast and crew would once again like to offer a special rate for the performance on March 22nd 2009. With a current dues card in hand tickets at the door will be reduced to $15.00 and dinner will be $10.00.

Any questions contact C Walden Crouch or Tina Fowler at the Passion Play office (309) 829-3903 Toll Free: (800) 354-9640

www.americanpassionplay.org

Thanks
Bill Tanner
Home 309-828-6755
Cell 309-826-8323

Monthly Breakfast Changes -- Old Crew retires

After about 20 years of fixing Lodge Breakfasts, the faithful crew of Perry Camp, Ivan, Dennis, and Jimmy Rickey have decided to "retire". A new committee has been formed and after skipping March will do a breakfast April 26th and return to the second Sunday schedule in May.

The menu and serving will also change --

• There will be fewer choices - to be announced later but will include popular breakfast items
  
• We will no longer "cook to order" - you will serve yourself buffet style
• There will be a fixed price of $6 for adults - pays for all you can eat

This is still a popular Lodge event -- come out and support us!

Annual Spaghetti Supper Date Set (March 14)

The Alta Lodge Annual spaghetti fundraiser supper will be held March 14 at the lodge hall.

• Serving will be from 5 p[m till 7 pm
• Price - $6 for adults, $3 children
• Public is welcome
• Desserts fom the ladies are always appreciated -- help from the men that afternoon is needed as well.

Richard Childress, Junior Warden

Orrill Surgery Report READ COMMENTS!!

Wanda and I were there for the surgery - he went in at 4:15 pm and got out about 11:30 pm. He had a bypass then surgery to repair the aneurysm. According to the surgeon:
-- everything went well and according to plan but he is not 'out of the woods' yet
-- he has a serious infection that has weakened the blood vessels
-- he couldn't repair everything but took care of the main damage
-- another part of the aortic artery could still 'blow' later
-- the infection is still being treated with antibiotics and will be for some time
-- he is in a drug induced sleep and will be for 48-72 hours
The surgeon wants everyone to focus on the positive -- other patients that have had this surgery died on the table. Bob has a chance at least of returning to a normal life.

Dick Bean, Secretary

Bob Orriill

Bob has been in St Francis with GI problems since last Thursday; that condition is improved, but as of this morning he has been moved to ICU room 4014 with a circulatory problem We all need to support Bob and Pam in their hour of need.

Dick Bean

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Deaths

• Past Master Wilbur Tarr recently passed away.
• WM Casali's sister Nina Cato passed away last week.
• Bro. David Chinn's Masonic Service was Monday, Feb 16 -- see separate blog entry
  
• Verna Rickey, wife of PM Ivan Rickey and mother of PM's Dennis and Jimmy Rickey passed away Saturday - services are Tuesday Feb 17
  
• Byron "Dan" Oesvch, of Pekin, son-in-law of PM Jim Scott passed away. Dan was an active Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner -- services in Pekin are pending
  

Sickness and Distress

When it rains it pours....

Betty, our WM Les Casali's wife, has been recovering from a broken hip so Les has been spending quit a bit of time with her in the nursing home.

Last week, Les had to deal with the death of his sister, Nina Cato of Peoria

This week Les is dealing with health issues of his own. Please include Les and his family in your prayers and let's all pitch in and pick up the load where we can.

Building News

We had a serious water leak in the men's room last month. It caused some water damage in the basement but an insurance claim will pay for the damages (warped doors, etc.). Come to Lodge and see how you can help!

Both electric chair lifts (landing to upstairs and landing to basement) are installed and in uses.

A new cement ramp has been poured from the front sidewalk to the front door, eliminating the step up at the door. Your Secretary and Chaplain appreciate it very much!

FW: Masonic Services Notice

Forward/Reply by: WB Richard D. Bean

Secretary, Alta Lodge #748 AF&AM, Peoria, Illinois

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From: Lodge [mailto:alta748@alta748.org]
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 7:08 PM

Subject: Masonic Services Notice

Just added to the calendar….

Monday, February 16, 2009
1:45p-2:15p
Alta 748 - Masonic Funeral
David Chinn, 84, 49 yr member (Wilton's,Peoria)
Pallbearers needed; regular service and burial at Swan Lake Cemetery follows

WB Richard D. Bean

Secretary, Alta Lodge #748 AF&AM, Peoria, Illinois

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WB Richard D. Bean

Secretary, Alta Lodge #748 AF&AM, Peoria, Illinois

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Welcome to the new alta news blog

Keep tuned in to the news!

For now, send items to alta748@alta748.org