Dan A. Reynolds
PGM Dan A. Reynolds
I.O.O.F. Grand Master of Texas from 2020 & 2021
From: Athens, Texas
GRAND MASTER'S PROGRAM
2020 - 2021
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REPORT OF THE GRAND MASTER
TO THE GRAND LODGE I.O.O.F. OF TEXAS: The term 2020 - 2021. It was what I had been working toward for two years. I had looked forward to it with great expectations. The signs were already beginning to show as we held the 2020 Grand Lodge Session that it was going to be anything but usual because of a new virus we had never heard of before. We had no way of knowing the impact this virus would have, not only on our lodges, but businesses and society as a whole. Right after the 2020 Grand Lodge Session was over, all kinds of things happened. They happened really quickly. Masks were required. Stores were closed. Schools were closed. Restaurants were closed. People were getng sick and dying. All of this directly affected the workings of the Grand Lodge of Texas as well as individual lodges across the State of Texas. By now I would have liked to inform you that I had been able to visit all the lodges in the State. However, I was only able to visit a few. Plans to visit others had to be canceled because of COVID-19. Rebekah Assembly President Loreta Vernon and I had really looked forward to going to Washington D.C. for the laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. That was the first of many events we had looked forward to that had to be canceled. Seems like it was one disappointment after another. Many of the events were things like the annual picnic in Corsicana. Most Odd Fellows and Rebekah’s don’t attend, but those who normally do, were disappointed. The annual Pilgrimage to the Retirement Home in Ennis and the annual Christmas Party at the Retirement Home in Ennis were canceled. These were canceled to protect the residents from the virus. Like the picnic, not many Odd Fellows or Rebekah’s attend these events. Not only did this disappoint the members who enjoy coming to these events, it disappointed the residents who look forward to them each year. During my years as Grand Warden and Deputy Grand Master, Assembly President Loreta Vernon and I went to the Retirement Home on Christmas Eve and spent the night. On Christmas Eve we made hot chocolate and played Bingo with the residents who wanted to do so. After the residents went to bed, we placed fruit and stockings that we had stuffed with various items at each of the residents’ places at the table in the dining room. We got to help play Santa Claus by helping the Home staff put their presents under the tree. We really enjoyed visiting with the residents. We were really looking forward to Year Three, but... disappointed again! We were able to have two Special Sessions. In the second Special Session, a resolution was passed allowing the Grand Lodge of Texas to sell the Retirement Home to the Friendship Towers Board. You all were provided with the details on this before the Special Session, so I won’t explain it again. In January, the decision was made to cancel the 2021 Grand Lodge Session. The decision was not made hastily. Foremost was the health and safety of our members. After talking to some of the members who usually attend, I found that most felt uncomfortable about spending the night in a hotel. The instability of Navarro County and the City of Corsicana on how many people can congregate, etc., also played a role. Even with all the unknowns at the time, a decision had to be made back when it was. Had we continued with plans to hold the session, we would have started accruing non-refundable expenses for things like catering. We canceled before that happened. I really hated having to cancel because it didn’t seem fair to Deputy Grand Master John Woolsey to have to wait another year for what he has worked so hard for. He and I talked and he agreed that canceling was in the best interest for the safety of our members. Because the session was canceled, the Officers, Committees, and the budget will stay the same as they were this year. Sadly, we lost our Grand Warden, Brother John Higginbotham, to the virus. A replacement for that office will be appointed soon. During the year 2020, three lodges were demised - Winnsboro Lodge No. 19, Sherman Lodge No. 45, and Abilene Lodge No. 325. It is always a sad duty to have to shut down a lodge. Seems like all the news was bad news. On the bright side, several lodges have added new members over the past year. Even with all of the obstacles placed in front of us this year and all of the disappointments we suffered through, we are still here. With persistence and determination, 2021 - 2022 will be a better year!
In F. L. & T.,
Dan Reynolds Grand Master
In F. L. & T.,
Dan Reynolds Grand Master