Yankee Doodle Days 2014

Another year is in the books for Grand Ledge Yankee Doodle Days and for us at the Masonic Lodge in Grand Ledge.  For the past few years we have been asked to provide the food at the beer tent here in town.  So as usual we set up our booth in the back of the tent to food for the hungry patrons.

A very interested bit of information is that we actually flew these pigs in.  Wait for it….so I guess you can now say pigs have flown.

Two hogs tied down in the aircraft.

This year we did something a bit different.  We decided we would try and roast a pig and that we did.  Our brother Jeff spearheaded that big task and spent most of the night cooking it.  They put it on the roaster at around 10pm on Friday and Saturday at 11am it was ready for eating.

Brother Jeff AKA the Grill master

 So during the parade we started to cut it up and prepare it for the many people that lined up to take part in eating it.  There were times when I looked over and there must have been at least 20 people in line.  A big thanks to brother Ed for keeping Jeff company and assisting him all night at the grill.

Brother Ed

Brother Kevin

Process of cutting up the pork for the sandwiches.

I don't have the numbers for this years festivities but from the way the sales were going I think overall it was a big success.  The rain held off and it wasn't overwhelmingly hot, making it pleasant to be one of the workers.  I want to again thank all of the workers that helped out this year.  A big thanks to all of the committees that worked on this for us.

I will update this when I get the numbers in.

New BGP

We did some traveling last week.  Five of us brothers, Gill, Kim, Ryan, Mike and myself went over to Grand Rapids on Wednesday for our new district meeting.  The state has changed up the districts and we landed in the "Lucky" 13 which has 14 lodges in it.

My congratulations go out to Worthy Brother Gill for being elected as the new BGP for the district.  I know you will do us proud.

After the meeting we received a outstanding tour of the lodge.  If you ever get the chance to travel to this lodge you will not be let down.

Lodge activities over the summer

Yankee Doodle Days in Grand Ledge MI

 The Masons here in Grand Ledge have been asked over the last couple of years to assist in the Yankee Doodle Days here in town to help run the beer tent and provide food and support.  We had a very successful year this summer.  We had a couple candidates come out of it along with some laughs and camaraderie between the brothers.

Blood Drive at the Lodge.

This year we started to assist the Red Cross by holding a blood drive in the lodge basement along with the Eastern Star.  It was a slow event and we didn't get the turnout that we had hoped but it may be the start of something good.  I had been told in the past that it was held here for years.  I've attached some pictures that I took during the set up.

Dinners out at local resturants

One of the few pictures that we got when we got together.  The wives and kids would join us and fill the tables.  This one was taken at Cancun in Grand Ledge.  Our largest turn out was at Delucas on Willow and we had over twenty people at the dinner.

Scholarships

Below is a scholarship that we gave out this year.  Attached is the article that was in the local paper.

The Grand Ledge Masonic # 179 awarded a financial contribution for the amount of $500 to    Bryanna Leach, a sophomore at Grand Ledge High School, towards her costs of attending the Washington Journalism and Media Conference this summer being held at the George Mason University in Washington DC. Bryanna was nominated as a National Youth Correspondent to attend this conference because of her academic record and sincere interest in journalism and media.

In her letter to the Grand Ledge Masonic Lodge she indicated that she is extremely excited about this once is a lifetime opportunity and student leadership experience and traveling to Washington DC. She will be recognized as one of the most promising young leaders in journalism and media and will join other scholars from across the country to share in this unique experience where she will attend seminars and speeches by industry leaders and be challenged to work with her peers through simulations and group discussions. Bryanna indicated that while she will also earn one college credit, she will develop her leadership skills and gain a greater insight into the issues surrounding the future of journalism and what she can do now to be a part of this exciting field

The $500 check was given to Bryanna Leach at the Grand Ledge Masonic Lodge #179 by Worshipful Master Charles Munson and Secretary Robert Lindsay.

Pasty Supper

It's finally here, the day we all wait for all month...Pasty Supper.  As I write this there are brothers making fresh Pasties down in the kitchen of the lodge.

Part of the magic that happens behind the scenes. 

 The pasties are made from scratch on the day of the suppers.  About nine years ago some brothers went up north and learned how to make them from another lodge that had a successful pasty program.  Mike Beck and Steve Suchek have been the organizers and the life of the program.  Steve is away on a deployment right now and the rest of us are helping Mike keep the program alive and growing.  We start around 10 am making them and by 3pm they are done and the supper prep begins.

The supper is from 5-7 pm the third Friday of the month.  The only exception will be next month and it will be held on the 22nd of November for our raffle.    We also offer take out and frozen sales if that is what you desire.

Speaking of the raffle, if you haven't got your ticket or two yet stop by and purchase one or two.  It will be a 50/50 raffle with the prize being $10000 if we sell all 2000 tickets.  The tickets are $10 a piece so the odds are really good.If you don't know where to go, send me a message here and we will make sure you get one.  This raffle will help the lodge with its several local events that it does with the community, such as scholarships.  

We still haven't hit the $1000 night for the suppers, but we are getting really close.  Stop in for a taste of the U.P. today.  

A big thanks goes out to all the folks that make this happen.  It is a large task to accomplish the suppers and the pasty builds.  I tip my hat to all of you.  Thanks again for what you do.

Grand Ledge Color Cruise

Fall is here and the trees are changing, what better time to see it than a ride down the river on a paddle boat.  There is everything from food, crafts, exhibits and even horse drawn wagon rides.  There will be crafts and artwork in the basement of the Masonic lodge so feel free to stop in and see us, look around and share in a laugh or two.  Come join us in celebrating one of the last nice weekends before the cold weather arrives.

Keep us in mind for all of your rental needs.  Our hall is a great place to hold, graduation parties, meetings, dances and birthday parties.  For those of you that are looking to get married on the island, we are right across the parking lot, everything you need in one spot.  Give us a call if you have the need  or are looking for a great place to hold your event.

Grand Ledge Lodge 179 Pasty Dinner

GRAND LEDGE, Mich. - Fall has officially arrived in Michigan which means that the weather will start to cool off, the leaves will start to change, and warm dishes sound more delicious. To get into the spirit of fall, the Grand Ledge Lodge 179 will be hosting a Pasty Dinner on Friday, October 18 from 5PM - 7PM.

The Pasty Dinner is always a delicious and enjoyable event - one you won't want to miss out on! There will be two meal options, both a large dinner and a small dinner. The large dinner costs $8.00 and includes a 1 lb pasty, coleslaw, a beverage and dessert. The smaller option costs only $6.00 and includes a 1/2 lb pasty, coleslaw, a beverage and dessert - talk about a great deal!

Since pasty's are a favorite for any Michigan resident, we'll also be selling frozen pasty's, 2 for $10. This is a great option for all the deer hunters, or perfect for those that have busy days and want something quick and easy for dinner.

While you're enjoying the great company and delicious food at the Grand Ledge Lodge 179, make sure to pick up your 50/50 tickets for $10! Only 2000 tickets will be sold which means your odds of winning are pretty good! The minimum prize will be $500 and the maximum will be $10,000 - with Christmas right around the corner, the extra cash will be a great thing to have! The drawing will be held at our Nov. 22nd Pasty Dinner, so make sure to pick up your tickets while they're still available!

If you're interested in purchasing a raffle ticket, or you would like more information about the Grand Ledge Masonic Brothers, email cgmunce@me.com. The Grand Ledge Lodge 179 is located at 200 West River Street in Grand Ledge, MI. We are proud to be part of the Grand Ledge community but work hard to assist those in need on a local and national level. To stay in touch with our lodge, visit our Facebook page or stop by our website. 

For more information on Grand Ledge Lodge 179 Rentals, visit our Facebook page.