News & Pictures - Missouri Knights of Pythias

PGMA Dennis W. Newell, 1961 - 2005

Past Grand Master at Arms Dennis W. Newell passed away suddenly on February 20th, 2005 at his home in Raytown, MO. Dennis was a member for over 21 years at Sicilian Lodge 39 in Independence. He served as Chancellor Commander in 1990 and received his Grand Lodge ranks in 1991. Dennis served as the Grand Master at Arms during the 2000-2001 term. Illnesses forced him to abandon the Grand Lodge line thereafter, but he would always attend the conventions unless he was in the hospital.

Dennis developed Spina Bifida early in life and was confined to a wheelchair, but he never let that stop him. Before his lodge got a chairlift, he would hoist himself up the stairs to the 2nd floor meeting rooms. He loved the Order and his lodge activities were a large part of his life. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by his sister, Past Grand Chief Jackie Schasteen and several nieces and nephews.

ALL KNIGHTS AND SISTERS AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

The Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias of Missouri is having a bingo fundraiser night on Friday, May 6th, beginning at 7:00 PM at the bingo hall in Independence, MO.

There will be 16 regular bingo games with a total payout of $3,600.00!

-- PLUS --

a special 'Progressive Bingo' with a minimum payout of $500.00!

The jackpot for this game is 'progressive' and could be in excess of $5,000!

Admission fee is $20.00, which provides you with a sheet for each of the 16 regular games. Extra sheets and game books can be purchased separately. The Progressive game sheets are sold separately for $1, $2 or $5.

Bring yourself, your family and friends to Independence on May 6th for your chance to win big bucks and help support the Pythian Order at the same time. Come early to visit and eat dinner at our snack bar. Most of the Grand Lodge Officers will be present.

Sicilian Lodge Bingo Hall

10315 E. Truman Road

Independence, MO. 64052

(816) 833-4577

Doors open at 3:00 PM.

District #4 Meeting

The District #4 Meeting will be held on June 12, 2005 at Fayette Masonic Hall at 3:00 pm with dinner served afterward.

Please do not expect to have rankwork done at the meeting.

The District #4 Association is comprised of the northern Missouri lodges. Any knight, from any lodge, is always welcome.

For further info, contact Larry Wyatt II, District #4 Secretary, at (573) 443-1243

Grand Lodge Convention

To be held Oct 6-8, 2005 at the Lamplighter Inn North, 2820 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield MO. The room rate is $60.00 per night, ALL taxes included - plus a FREE hot breakfast with each night's lodging. All reservations must be made through the Grand Lodge. The menu has been determined now, and information will be forthcoming at a later date. We will be going back to a "format" much like in previous years (Thursday committee meetings/afternoons, Banquet; Friday morning opening and Friday day, Saturday morning sessions).

District news

Districts 3, 4 and 5 will hold meetings in either June or July - the exact dates and times set will be communicated as they become available - I understand Lebanon will be hosting the next Dist. 3 mtg., and Fayette the next Dist. 4 mtg. If there are candidates for rank work, it is possible (and at the discretion of the hosting lodge) to confer work at this time also.

Rank Work

There will be a 3-in-1 Rank Work class at Syracuse #437, Republic MO., on May 1st starting at 1:00pm. The 3-in-1 will be followed by a DOKK Ceremonial (Rank Work). If you have candidates that cannot attend this, every effort is being made to assist those lodges that need help in conferring the work - and another date will be scheduled by those involved.

Poster Contest

The deadline is fast approaching for these to be judged at the local level. Please see that your local lodge coordinator of this, has been or will be in touch with Larry Wyatt, Poster Contest chairman. soon.

Heartland Pythian Association

There was an Executive Board Meeting of the HPA last Friday, April 15th at the 2005 Texas Pythian Roundup in Marble Falls, TX. We accomplished several things, including the approval of the site of the 2005 HPA Annual convention - it will be held at the Ramada Inn, Enid, Oklahoma - October 21-22. Details of the schedule of events will be forthcoming. Also, we will be supporting our current Imperial Prince (DOKK) George Fox and incoming Maharani (Nomads) Melanie Curtis (both of Texas) with an advertisement in the Imperial Convention Souvenir Journal.We also are considering the possibility of having Missouri host a nationwide 'Pythian' event in 2007. There will be much more news forthcoming from HPA.

Communications

There is now a Yahoo Group for our Domain (MoKofP) - started by Charlie Mason, Grand Lodge Public Relations director. To sign up, simply go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mokofp. We already have some Brothers from other Domains that have either joined or are joining - this was done primarily because of all the growth and interest we have within our Domain - and to further communicate and express ideas and share them.

SICKNESS AND DISTRESS REPORTS

If your lodge has any news to share with us, please send an email using the E-Mail link. We are happy to report your news, good or bad.