January 2020 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 23
Columbia increases commitment to charitable giving DALLAS – Columbia Lodge increased its commitment to charitable giving at the December meeting. The overall financial commitment was raised from $1,200 to $1,800, with the Larry Tutson Christmas Toy Drive and the North Texas Food Bank remaining high on the list of recipients at $500 and $400, respectively. Three organizations will receive $300 each. They are Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, Texas Best Choices Animal Rescue and the Genesis Women’s Shelter. Dec. 3 was Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is a national movement that started in 2011 at the beginning of the Christmas season, the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, as a different approach to the commercial consumer push to purchase that gears up around Black Friday. In the spirit of the season, Colum-
bia Lodge presented its annual contribution to the North Texas Food Bank. Member Lin Been presented a check to Texas Best Choices Animal Rescue in Quinlan. Texas Best Choices is a non-profit, nokill animal shelter dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of dogs and puppies, that is completely funded by donations and adoption fees. Ranger Randell Fields was presented the Humanitarian Award this year for his tireless efforts to provide support to lodge members and facilitate lodge functions throughout the years. Ranger Randell has been a member for many years and his ideas and hard work have contributed continuously to the fun and success of the lodge and the hall. December’s steak dinner was a lot of fun! The steaks were grilled
to perfection by Bobby out back, and the old oven did a perfect job on the crispy-skinned jacket potatoes. Side dishes included Stanley’s famous eggs, a brussels sprout and gruyere casserole, mac and cheese, mushrooms and onions, kale salad and more. Thanks go to everyone who brought food and to those who stayed to clean up. The Home Association has hired a professional CPA, who will take over some of the more pressing duties associated with the changing direction of business at the Hall. With the professional efforts of the new general manager, the business side is expected to continue to increase revenues and activities. The responsibilities associated with a more robust business, including payroll, tax issues and a whole host of other important challenges, warrant this kind of
a change in structure. As the result of a year full of successful events highlighting Dallas’ best artists and musicians and the recognition of the Texas Dancehall Preservation Society as an historic dance hall, the lodge is looking forward to the new year with the funds and plans to make repairs and improvements to the historic Hall. The damaged windows and window frames in the upstairs ballroom on the front side of the building facing the street are currently being assessed for rescue. There are six windows that need some work, with some of those being on the current critical list. The grant from the Texas Dancehall Preservation Society is in the amount of $2,500 to go toward the repair of these windows. Each window is expected to require between $1,500 and $2,500 to repair on average. The
Home Association is currently comparing bids for this work. It’s time to lean into our New Year’s resolutions, and the agents suggest that we look at making “Sons-centric” resolutions to benefit the lodges and their communities by bringing these together in more creative and abundant ways. You might like to bring your neighbors and friends to the Hall and encourage them to become members. Conversely, you might take lodge members out to the places in your community where you like to get involved and make some introductions. You could suggest and organize some fun events that bring people together in this way or simply make a point of attending the regularly scheduled meetings and events and bringing along some visitors. – Anni Howe
Pershing to meet again on Feb. 5
Laubach Lodge holds Christmas celebration Darryl Engelke, a member of Laubach Lodge, visits with Director Suzanne Hildebrand and Willow during the lodge’s Christmas party.
Celebrating November birthdays at the Pershing Lodge meeting were, from left, Robin Mittwede, Carrie Burnett and Janilla Kilborn. Not pictured is Santos Estrada.
Director Suzanne Hildebrand visited with the Laubach Lodge Humanitarian Award recipient and her granddaughter during the lodge’s Christmas party. Pictured are, from left, Suzanne, Sadie and Patti Siltmann.
Celebrating December birthdays at the Pershing Lodge meeting were, from left, Mary Ann Keller, Beth Warne, Monnie Nordland and David Johnson. Mary Ann, Beth and David went home with the birthday cash.
SAN ANTONIO – The next meeting of Pershing Lodge is set for Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in the meeting room at the Home Association Building. A potluck meal is planned. No meeting will be held in January due to the New Year’s Day holiday. Director Stan Steiger and wife Karen attended the December meeting. Stan presented Marilyn Habermann with her 70-year membership pin. She became a member Jan. 6, 1949. Ray Acosta, vice president of programs at St. PJ’s Children’s Home, accepted the donations of gifts for the children served by the home. Chaplain Tony Valek reported on the passing of Imagen Clements, Dorothy M. Fisher, Nita Jo Holcek, Avis Marie Mittwede and David G. Smasal. Ron Plouch won the $35 attendance prize and Mary Ann Keller won the split-the pot-drawing. – Dorothy Pawlik