Lodge Picnic Report -BY Hobb Miller

The temperature was warm, the food was good, the company was great, and we had a terrific time! Although the skies looked somewhat threatening throughout the day, the clouds gave way to sunshine from time to time and provided us with excellent weather. The occasional sprinkling was not enough to dampen the spirits of even the faintest of heart.
On Saturday, August 24th, about 20 lodge members with their families and guests, about 65 total, met at Dover Lake Park in Peninsula, Ohio for a fun-filled day. While many folks tried out the water slides and inner tubes, Chef Joe (W. M. Joe Duncan) was busy grilling the burgers and hotdogs. He and his wife Dixie set out a table filled with pasta and chicken and salads and relishes. WOW! Everyone else brought a dish to share, and, as usual, we soon had a feast on our hands. During and after lunch we had a chance to socialize, and then Joe passed out the door prizes. Then a few folks went out in the pedal boats, some tried out the kiddies rides, and others returned to the water slides, but almost everybody, before the day was over, could be seen experiencing the WAVE.
As the day wound down, folks returned to the tent for snacks and replenishment, before finally jumping on the wagon to return to parking lot and go home.
Let’s have another big hand for the Master. Good job, Joe!

Special Olympics -By Todd Vargo

Hello Brethren,

I volunteered for Special Olympics on July 13. This is the largest wheelchair sports event in the nation. It was the 22nd consecutive year for the National Veteran’s Wheelchair Games. 125 Masonic volunteers make this event a success.
It was the final day of the games, and a hot day at that. The day started out a bit confusing as to where we were needed. We ended up at the Natural History Museum and the event for today was a Motorized Rally for disabled veterans. The Rally was basically a Cleveland trivia game that leads through the Natural History Museum, and around the lagoon in front of the Art Museum. Each contestant maneuvered his or her wheelchair through the 1-mile long course, stopping at checkpoints to answer trivia questions about Cleveland. At some checkpoints, the contestants picked a poker card to build a tiebreaker poker hand. I was very impressed with George Jones, the veteran whom I escorted. He was from Virginia and got most of his questions right. Some questions were simple, and some even had me stumped, although our instructions were to not give any hints.

I had a great time talking with George along the way. I sure hope he won.

New brothers breakfast -By Jonathan Bock

A one-day event was put together on July 27 to recognize the new brothers and their sponsors and to answer any questions the new brothers may have regarding the Masonic order. The event was attended by the W. M. Joe Duncan and his first lady. Those in attendance had a good meal and enjoyed the fellowship and education of Free Masonry. There was a brief planning session afterward to prepare for other upcoming events. Hope to see you then.

A TRIP TO LAKEVIEW -BY Richard F. TeLoeken

Several of our Masonic Brothers told me to look for a monument in Lakeview Cemetery. It is located on a small hill northeast of the Garfield Memorial. It is easy to spot the 30-foot broken column after ascending the dozen steps to this section . The apron with the all-seeing eye is about 5 feet wide . Perhaps the most surprising part of this memorial is the bias relief carving of the weeping virgin, with the sprig of acacia, Time unraveling the hair, the scythe, the urn, the hourglass, and the book .

LODGE HISTORY - Forward By Roman Vaynshtok

With this issue of Kernels we begin publishing the history of Collinwood Lodge #582. Not many of the new brothers know the rich history of our Lodge. From now on every issue of Kernels will have a section about our Lodge history. We are grateful to worshipful brothers George H. Frazine (W.M. 1910, 1911), John Lowthian (W.M. 1919), Harold S. Beebe (W.M. 1952), Jay F. Capes, Jr. (W.M. 1954), and Charles J. Krall (W.M. 1967) for making an enormous effort putting the Lodge history together.
I would like to ask “old timers” and other well-informed brothers to share your memories and enrich our written Lodge history.
Also I would like to take an opportunity and remind brothers that the Lodge greatly appreciates any Masonic affiliated items donated to the Collinwood Lodge archives. You can reach me at (440) 729-2228.

HISTORICAL
A petition for the establishment of Collinwood Lodge #582 F.& A.M. was presented to the Grand Lodge of Ohio at its 90th Annual Communication held October 25th and 26th at Toledo, Ohio.
Lodge Chartered October 26th, 1899.
Number of Charter Members-36.
Lodge Constituted February 20th, 1900.
First Meeting Place-774 East 152nd Street,Cleveland,Ohio.
FIRST OFFICERS
Bro. C.T.Raymer Worshipful Master
Bro. F.J.Sheppard Senior Warden
Bro. H.H.Miller Junior Warden
Bro. W.F.Parsons Treasurer
Bro. C.W.Sheppard Secretary
Bro. L.A.Hall Senior Deacon
Bro. Chas. Gunn Junior Deacon
Bro. R.C.Sheppard Tyler
Bro. F.A.Clapp Senior Steward
Bro. F.S.Matteson Junior Steward

I. The Formative Years (1899-1924)
Collinwood was named after Charles Collins, Chief Engineer for the Lake Shore and Michigan Railway, which later became absorbed by the New York Central. Originally the village name was spelled Collinswood and it was incorporated in 1883. In 1873 the Railroad made this point, later called Collinwood, a Division Terminal and built a switching yard, engine house, yard office, and a passenger station. This brought workmen into the territory, some of whom built homes and owned their own farms. Accordingly, businesses blocks and hotels were constructed so that the town grew and prospered and, by 1899, had a population of about 3,800. Eventually it was to become a part pf Cleveland.
Anyone living there, and being desirous of joining the Masons, had to petition either Thatcher Lodge # 439, in Nottingham, OH., or Woodward Lodge # 508, at Euclid and E. 105th in Cleveland, OH. The majority joined Thatcher and, despite the difficulty of getting to and from lodge because of the lack of transportation, did attend regularly with one of their number, Brother Charles T. Raymer, becoming Master. This Worshipful Sir received the honor of having a Lodge named in his memory - Charles T. Raymer Lodge # 683, our sister lodge in our present temple building. He was our first Master.
Many of the Masons living in Collinwood, however, thought they should have a Lodge in the immediate area for two reasons: First, because of the difficulty in getting to lodge. Second, because the town was growing much faster that Nottingham and, accordingly, had more potential Masons.
Therefore, they drew up a petition, which they presented to the Grand Lodge of Ohio, holding its Communication in Toledo, on October 25, 1899. The then Grand Master, Most Wor. Bro. Edwin C. Guilliford, was personally acquainted with many of the petitioners and, through his personal efforts, they received a Charter immediately without having to work under a special dispensation. On being notified the Charter had been granted, the brethren immediately secured quarters in the Smith Block, 770 Collamer St. (now 774 E.152nd St. and diagonally North-West across the street, still standing, from our present temple).