Monroe Lodge #19 - Lodge Hall Re-dedication


Dave Burns, Noble Grand reports:

We were very pleased with the turnout for our hall's re-dedication. On Sept. 29th 2002, our Grand Master, Paul Fenton did the re-dedication. We had a lot of visitors from various parts of the state. I hope to have pictures soon, and The Monroe Press was there, and we made the front page. I don't know how long this link will work, but here is the story in the paper. Monroe Evening News

The members and visitors assembled on the 2nd floor of the lodge hall for the formal portion of the day. I welcomed everyone and did some introductions. Besides our Grand Master, we also had the Grand Patriarch Al Reau, the Grand Matriarch Ruth Boetcher, The President of the LAPM Helen Wilson, and many other dignitaries. (Our prayers were with our Department Commander and his family).

Sister Katie Burns read some notes of regrets from people who could not attend. I then read a very brief (but hopefully interesting) history of the Monroe Odd Fellows.

Charlie Trombley made a special surprise presentation of plaques to Bob Stockard, Char Stockard and Virgil Parker. These three members of Monroe Odd Fellow and Rebekahs pretty much kept the lodge hall going for years and years by keeping the bingo going. If any one of them would've quit, the Monroe charter would have probably been picked up long ago.

I thanked Charlie Trombley and Lila Wilson for all their hard work during and after the move of the lodges from Wyandotte to Monroe.

Grand Master Paul Fenton gave a nice re-dedication speech to make the day official. Of course, he called me Bob, but that's what I have come to expect!

All members who were present from Monroe #19 Odd Fellows, Lincoln Park #513 Rebekahs, Indian Encampment #153 and Auxillary, and Enterprise #5 Patriarchs Militant and Auxillary then stood and were acknowledged.

The audience was then told that they were free to roam around and look at our game room, our meeting room and other parts of the lodge hall. Then we all went downstairs and had a delicious lunch.

From my viewpoint, we had a wonderful afternoon of Odd Fellowship. We are proud of our lodge hall, and were pleased to have all the visitors come and see it.

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