eConnection

Keep Moving Forward.                                            February, 2008

From The Station In The East...

by Eric Small, SMC

I must say I'm impressed, you've really outdone yourself last month.  I saw some great ritual in January at Ritual Competition.  Several Brothers went all out doing multiple Preceptors, the Mag Seven, and team competitions like the Cross of Honor.

Way to go guys, this is a great foundation to build upon for the future.  For example, if your Chapter had several Brothers competing in Preceptors or other smaller parts, why not pool your collective efforts and bring a team to competition?  There's nothing more accomplishing than for a team to pull itself together and bring out the best in each member.  

Speaking of teamwork, who's excited about the State Murder Mystery Banquet?  Bring your team of mystery solvers and analyze the clues to this intriguing whodunit mystery!  The primary suspects will be played by some of your favorite Rainbows, Jobs, Ohio DeMolay State Officers, and Jimmy Johnson.  All information needed is available on OhioDeMolay.org, don't forget to RSVP with Dad Michael Cassel: CantonDeMolay@aol.com

State Ritual Competition

Congratulations to the Winners!!

DeMolay National Youth Speech Contest

Ohio Qualifier

Tri-Youth Murder Mystery Banquet

Join DeMolay, Job's, and Rainbow for dinner...and a murder!

When: February 16, Seating @ 6:00. Dinner and Show @ 7:00

Where: Canton Masonic Temple, 836 Market Ave North, Canton, 44702

Cost: $15 per person

RSVP with Dad Michael Cassel by Feb. 9

e-mail: CantonDeMolay@aol.com     Phone: 330-454-5163

B-Movie Director Eddie Cheek is looking for backers for his new movie, The Zombie Was An Alien, so he's throwing this gala shindig for interested parties and you're invited. In return for financing his motion picture, Mr. Cheek will put you in his movie. It's a killer proposition so be there!  (And don't forget your checkbook!)

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to solve a murder (or two).  Are you up to the challenge?

We want you to be fully involved in the experience so come in costume and in character!  Become part of Hollywood's B-List. Make up a name for yourself. It's optional, of course, but it will enhance your whole experience.  Who among you will become a cold-blooded killer?  A victim?  Be warned and beware, it could be the person standing right next to you!

Your Prime Suspects in "Final Cut":

Eddie Cheek: B-Movie director (and a legend in his own mind).

Billie Clubb: A casting agent who's working with Eddie to cast this picture.

Cherri Pitt: She has the female lead of Kat Klondike in Eddie's picture.

Nova Devoe: She wants the lead and she always gets what she wants.

Rock Stud: The male lead in the movie.

Quinnie Winston: He's the make up artist and a supporting actor in all of Eddie's movies.

Haley Productions' Murder Mystery Games 800.293.3302

Looking Ahead

Monthly Membership Moment

Show Me The Money
by Sean Shuler, SJC

 Brethren,
     We learn in the LCC courses that membership is the job of each of us, and that we should try to bring in two new members, one to replace ourselves and one to make DeMolay grow.  If you have not been able to do that yet, or even if you have, now is the time to do it!  Why?  Because DeMolay International is entering every first line signer of two petitions into a drawing for several CASH prizes from $100 to $500.  This program runs from January 1, 2008 to May 15, 2008 and the drawing will be in early June.  So, how much is your autograph worth?

From the Executive Officer

by Dad H. Jeffery Shaw

Please take time to read the "News and Views" link off the web site on a frequent basis. You'll find out details about many interesting things happening throughout Ohio.

2.  State Ritual Competition is over and I would like to congratulate the winners. I hope that they are now gearing up for the Regional Heartland Competition being held April 12 & 13 in Indianapolis.

3.  I'm expecting a large number of DeMolays competing in the State Speech Competition in Canton on February 16^th. This will be held the same day as the Murder Mystery Banquet and at the same location. The Grand Lodge of Ohio is helping to support this effort by offering a $100 savings bond to the junior and senior division speech winners. The winners will go on to compete at Indianapolis Indiana at a Regional Competition and those winners will go on to Anaheim California to participate in the National Speech Championships.

4.  On June 21^st there will be two major activities occurring. The first will be in Anaheim California where our own C. Michael Watson should be installed as Grand Master of DeMolay International. In addition, that same day in Columbus Ohio there will be a major parade and activity that all of Ohio DeMolay has been asked to participate. Right now, an overnight activity is being planned for that Friday the 20^th so all DeMolays possible will be available to participate in the Saturday morning parade and party afterwards for the Ohio Masonic Family.

In DeMolay Service

Dad Shaw

Tri-Youth Lock-In

My $0.02
by Dave Hartsock, SJD

 Well, I suppose it's time to throw in my two cents for the state.  As many of you know, this will be my last year as an Active DeMolay, and it's been one heck of a ride.  Over the past six years I've been sharing DeMolay and, knowing it's almost over, it brings up some mixed feelings.  However, pushing all gushy and teary emotion aside, more than anything, I'm proud of the fact that I've been a DeMolay and that I can call you all brothers.  Now, on to some business. 

In March, Ohio DeMolay will be putting on the annual Tri-Youth Lock In.  This event is being planned by a handsome, intelligent, and responsible State Officer.  Just kidding.  I'm in charge of it.  The Lock In will be held at the Mansfield YMCA located in Mansfield, Ohio, and the cost is $20.00 per person.  We'll be starting the event at 7:00 pm on Friday, March 14^th.  We'll have the pool from 7 pm until 10 pm, so if you want to swim a lot, arrive early.  After swimming, we'll have pizza and pop and team-building activities and games.  The facilities include a teen room, which has computers and a TV for video games, and conference rooms, which we may be using to watch movies.  There will, of course, also be the racquetball courts and basketball courts for those of you athletic folk.  Overall, with your support, the Lock In will be a blast.  Help me make my last year memorable and fun.

Upcoming Dates

 Mark your calendars!!

DeMolay in the News

Senior DeMolay Edward T. Schafer, Legion of Honor, was recently unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate and sworn in as the 29^th U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

        As Secretary, Ed Schafer will oversee the Department of Agriculture's $89 billion annual budget and its 106,000 employees. As a member of the President's Cabinet, he is 9^th in line to presidential succession.

        Before serving two highly successful terms as North Dakota's Governor, Ed Schafer was a highly successful businessman. Ed was president of the Gold Seal Company, the 27^th largest consumer products company in the United States, before it was sold. He surprised almost everyone when he declined to seek a third term as North Dakota's Governor.

        As Governor, Ed Schafer was very supportive of DeMolay. He was the Governor of North Dakota when the International Supreme Council and the International DeMolay Congress met in Bismarck in 1995. Many will recall his active involvement in our convention. In addition to his involvement, First Lady Nancy Schafer hosted all the ladies at tea at the Governor's Residence, and a large number of participants experienced the hospitality of Medora---the ranching community of Theodore Roosevelt, restored by the Schafer family.

       Ed was an active member of the Bismarck DeMolay Chapter in his youth. His father, Harold Schafer, himself a Senior DeMolay and a member of the DeMolay Hall of Fame, was the DeMolay Executive Officer in North Dakota and a friend of Frank Land. The importance of DeMolay to Ed Schafer was emphasized when, as Governor, he wore his DeMolay jacket to his Bismarck High School class reunion.

Please send all upates and info to Dad Justin Lowe, jlowe18@columbus.rr.com.