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New Lodges, Temples and Members

New lodge and member information
The Supreme Lodge office has the 'Start a New Lodge' colored brochures available, and we can also provide a 'New Lodge Checklist' which follows along with the procedures outlined in the brochure. Whenever the question is posed to me, 'I would like to join, but I live 100 miles from the nearest Lodge', I always reply with - "It now only takes 9 men to form a new Lodge" (not to mention that this new Lodge could always become part of a District and have functions with other Brothers and Lodges). More information can be found on Page 2 of Supreme Chancellor Dan Cowan's Program. If you do not have a hard copy of the Program, please visit pythias.org, click on the Members Area (at the very bottom on the left side menu), then click on the link 'Supreme Chancellor's Program' (the 5th item down, left side menu). And while you're there, please review all the other 'tools' within his Program.

Together, we CAN achieve M.A.G.I.C. - and this is the time of year for new beginnings.

Fraternally,
Don Grant SS
Supreme Lodge Membership co-Chairman
Tennessee
8-20-10 TennesseeThe 3 rank class for 6 new members initiated by Blue Grass Lodge #276 in Sparta, Tennessee. The 3 rank class was held on Tuesday evening, July 20 with the 6 new members being initiated in an impressive 3 rank ceremony. A delicious dinner followed the rank work. Blue Grass Lodge #276 was instituted last August 30, 2009 and In less than one year has already held two separate rank classes, the first one last November bringing in 3 new members and this rank class with 6 new members. Special visitors in attendance at the meeting were GC Charles Parker, GS Bobby Crowe, Jack Pelfrey and Josh Nelson from Rockwood who assisted in the rank work. Great news and a good job by Blue Grass Lodge, Sparta, Tennessee.
Ohio
3-8-10 OhioDOMAIN OF OHIO FOUNDERS DAY RATHBONE THREE RANK CLASS
On the afternoon of February 21st, 2010 the Domain of Ohio held a Rathbone Three Rank Class. The Grand Lodge Officers of the Domain of Ohio gathered in the newly dedicated Castle Hall for Bloomdale Lodge #278 in Bloomdale, Ohio. For the purpose of a Rathbone Three Rank Class. With 18 Lodges represented 11 Past Grand Chancellors and brothers in attendance, giving the opportunity for the work to be done by many brothers. By the end of the day 11 were knighted, taking the obligation upon the Rathbone bible. The day ended by a feed.

Grand Chancellor William Kerlin, Jr. congratulates the 11 new Knights.
North Carolina
2-12-10 North CarolinaNORTH CAROLINA LODGES BELIEVE THEY ARE FIRST

On January 15, 2010 the small city of Cherryville, North Carolina formed a new Pythian Lodge chartered under the name of Randy Huffman Memorial Lodge #263. The city of Cherryville has a population of less than 6,000 which leads the city to believe it is the smallest city in the supreme domain to contain two lodges. The other Pythian Lodge located in Cherryville is chartered under the name of Robert C. "Toad" Hayes Memorial Lodge #174 and boasts a membership of over 60 knights.

The 13 new members of the Randy Huffman Memorial Lodge #263 were initiated at the Robert C. "Toad" Hayes Memorial Lodge #174 by the rank team of Past Grand Chancellor H.L. Beam III who was also appointed Grand Deputy by Grand Chancellor Lynn Gilfus with the aid of Grand Secretary Lee Parris, Past Grand Chancellor Butch Gantt, and Past Chancellor Commander Andy Hartman. Many of the members of Robert C. "Toad" Hayes Memorial Lodge #174 were also present to aid in this rank work.

Immediately following the initiation, all new officers of Randy Huffman Memorial Lodge #263 were installed by Past Grand Chancellor and Grand Deputy H.L. Beam III. The ceremonies were performed without a flaw and all new members expressed their desire to take an active part in this new lodge.

The second first that Cherryville believes it can claim si the fact that three generations from one family were present to be initiated into the new lodge. Their names were Kelly Franklin Lingerfelt (Grandfather), Eric Kelly Lingerfelt (Son), and Joshua Kelly Lingerfelt (Grandson).

You might think this new lodge was formed out of dissension from the two lodges, but nothing could be further from the truth. Newly installed Chancellor Commander Mark Hoyle of the Robert C. "Toad" Hayes Memorial Lodge expressed his wishes for the success of the new lodge and welcomes the competition it will bring between the two lodges. Chancellor Commander Christopher Parris of Randy Huffman Memorial Lodge expressed similar wishes and hopes the two lodges can even work together on some future projects. Several members of the older lodge have even decided to hold dual membership in both lodges as an expression of support for the new lodge.

While our order seems to be declining in membership throughout the domain, we are especially proud to announce this event and challenge all lodges within our domain to make an extra effort in the coming year to increase their membership on the local level in order to strengthen our order throughout the domain.

Both lodges of Cherryville are excited about the coming year and are eager to make this year one of the best for the state of North Carolina as well as the Supreme Order Knights of Pythias.

C. Lee Parris - Grand Secretary Domain of North Carolina
Tennessee
11-11-09 TennesseeEl Teva Temple #121 Dokeys held a ceremonial on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Rockwood, Tn. and initiated William A. Barnett into El Teva Temple 121
Brother Barnett makes 3 new Dokey brothers for this year.
RV Jim Pelfrey welcomed our new member and thanked the ceremonial team who performed a good job. Pictured L to R are: Emory Morris, Bobby Crowe, Jack Pelfrey, Jim Pelfrey, Glenn King, Floyd Dillon, William Barnett and Charles Parker.

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