New Years Eve fireworks.

The Dinning Room of the Lodge is a great place to watch the fireworks.  Out front is a bus pick up location to all other events and many are within walking distance.  There may even be a little hot chocolate.  Fireworks is to begin at 7 PM.  I'll be there at 6:30.  Weather you are going to attend First Night or not, bring the family for the fireworks, in where it is warm, and the booms aren't a loud. 

There is no act in the Lodge this year.  Only a few lights will be on.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Tomorrow night is Family Night at Lodge.  There will be a large tray of scalloped potatoes and ham.  See you there.

Today is officially, my last day as Worshipful Master (St. Johns’ Day next or December 27^th).  What an experience!  The primary job of the Master of an operative masons’ lodge was to teach and motivate.  While I did my share of teaching, I have learned so much more from you.  Of the 38 new Brothers who have joined us this year, each one has taught me something new.  Soon I will no longer be Master of the Lodge, I hope that we will continue to teach each other in the years to come.

 In my profession, I thought I was at least somewhat up on social media and many other forms of communication.  Was I wrong!  In the last two years, I and many others, have managed to drag a very old and prestigious fraternity close to the Twenty-First Century, at least in Oil City.  Now, will you help pull it the rest of the way?   We must preserve our ritual and ancient ways, but out side of the lodge room, we MUST CHANGE.

Thank all of you for making this one of my greatest memories.  I expect you to continue on and make this the greatest fraternity ever, by continuing to learn and make yourselves better.  By perfecting the ritual and memorizing great volumes, as our ancient Bothers did.  Lead by the Grand Architect of the Universe, you will improve your skills in all areas of life.  You will learn leadership skills. You will begin to understand the great truths found in the Degrees.  As you listen to and learn the Charges, they will provide a guide and a light unto your path through life.  You will make friends like you have never made before.  Know that I am here to help you. 

Continue to support Brother James Monson in his ninth year as Master.  He and Brother Dennis Butler were behind many of the innovative changes this past year.  Jim has more great plans for the coming year.  He cannot be successful alone, we all need to help, by simply attending and getting involved.  Let us show the world what a real family is.  Again, thank you all.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!!

Isn’t it great to be in a fraternity that actually suggests you to say Merry Christmas?  Also, wishing you a happy Hanukah and a Joyous Kwanzaa, or whatever greeting meets the needs of your religion.  We have different beliefs, but we are all still brothers and sisters.  All came from Adam and Eve.  We are all God’s children, regardless what you call Him. 

OK, now that the sermon is out of the way, Pam and I offer you our deepest and most sincere wish that this wonderful season draws your family closer together.  May that bond be ever strengthened and never be broken.  Our hope is that your new year be truly blessed!

Ok brothers, first mistake I made this year. (Other than taking Worshipful Master for a second year, and breathing).  There is no school of instruction tonight.  Enjoy your family.  See you next week at Family Night.

Tonight is District 53 School of Instruction at Lake Lodge in Sandy Lake at 7 PM.

The year end activities for Mason's has consumed my time for the last two weeks.  Even more for Secretary Denny Butler.  My goal is to get the rest of this internet service going the way it should be.  I have the ideas but I need Brother Steve Luxbaucher to help me.  He is tied up for a while with all the concerts he is in charge of.  We will be at his mercy to get this done right.

The District 53 re-organizational meeting was this morning.  The list of official visits will be on the calendar of the new web site when we get it up and running.  Petrolia's will be February 7th and Myrtle's will be April 3rd.  The Leadership Seminar will be February 18th in Meadville.  Anyone interested in becoming an elected officer in 2018, must attend this course.  Much more info will be coming in the next week or so.

Brother Gary Rhoads will be installed Worshipful Master in Titusville Lodge Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM.  If anyone would like to attend, I will be leaving our Lodge at 6:45 PM.

In my previous post, I left out one person who I have great respect for and who has been a real mentor to me as Worshipful Master this past two years.  His guidance when thing were not going as planned, his encouragement when I was worried, have been priceless.  Brother Richard McCleary, District Deputy Grand Master.  Thank you for your support through this troubling time.

The last two years have been a whirl wind of activity.  The sesquicentennial of Petrolia Lodge has been a success far beyond any of our imaginations.  We never dreamed it possible to have a 20% increase in membership.  38 new Masons and 2 duel memberships.  In addition, last night we read 5 more new petitions that will count for 2017 rolls.  More importantly, several of our new Brothers have show a serious interest in the true meaning of Free Masonry.  Brother Berry Myers is the only appointed officer who has served in our lodge before.  All others serving in 2017 have never served as an officer in our lodge before.  Several have already shown interest in advancing through the elected chairs in the future. Most important - we have 38 new Brothers - friends. 

We are still in the process of creating several web pages to include all Masonic Bodies in and around the Venango County area.  It will be named "Masonic Families of Allegheny Valley."  I hope to have it changed over to that name by the beginning of the year.  There will be a calendar that will promote all Masonic Body events in the area.

We have started a "Family Night" currently held on the 4th Wednesday evening of the month.  All Master Masons, (regardless of which lodge you are a member of) their families, neighbors, friends, relatives, and children are invited.  Bring some food and at 6 PM we will sit down and have supper together.  After supper, there are two pool tables, game room for table games, TV room with several movies available.  Ritule work if you are interest, in the lodge room.  Or just enjoy each others company.  In addition, several field trips are being planned.  We will add any wholesome events the group would like to consider.

And more to come.  This is not the work of one person.  While all these events took place on my watch, it was an effort of many.  Brother James Monson, PM takes a lot of the credit for the creative ideas.  Dennis Butler, PM, many details for those ideas and a lot of creative ways to implement them.  Larry Shaffer, Jr. and James Monson, and Dennis Butler where first line signers on at least 20 petitions.  Neighboring Lodges supplied officers in the degree teams so our members could be mentors to the new candidates in two One Day Class's.  The ladies of Eastern Star who co-ordinated and served food, and many others who helped in the various events of the year.  Thank you all for making this a success.  Now our work really begins.  Showing our new brothers what Free Masonry really is.

Our ritual is very old and historic and must be preserved.  Out side of the lodge room, WE MUST CHANGE.  All seasoned Master Masons are needed to help with both.  Family Night is a good place to bring your ideas and begin this process.

Last, thank you all for making this some of the most memorable years of my life.

Richard Palm, Worshipful Master, 2015, 2016.

Tomorrow evening, Tuesday, is our last official meeting of 2016.  Dinner will start at 6:15, Oil City High School Choir will be singing in the Lodge room from 7 to 7:25.  Meeting starts at 7:30.

We will be voting on a new petition then Election of officers for 2017.  See you there.

I see several post of people who have taken deer in the last few days.  Don't know a one of them.  OK, Brothers.  What gives!

To our hunting brothers, be safe, shoot straight, bring back a nice one.

Still looking for at least one more volunteer to become a Guide for our degree team.  Also, someone interested in being the Lodge Tyler.  No experience necessary.  Not much to memorize.  If you are interested, contact me.

Black Friday was more like gray.  I ventured out for a while just to look around.  Not much more than a regular shopping day.  The economy is doing so well!

Reminder that there is no Family Night at lodge tonight.  Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family.

Only 5 of us went to Meadville Baldwin - Reynolds tour.  Thanks Brother Dave Grams or telling me about this event.  It was a beautiful site to see.  Since it is only available every other year, it won't be around next year.

This site is limited to any Mason or who lives in the Venango County Area and their families.  I do not know every Mason in the County.  This is also available to members of any appendent body of Freemasonry, also in the Venango Co. Area.  If you know of any of these Masons, please contact me directly and recommend them to me and I will invite them to join us.  Contact me at richpalm@zoominternet.net.

Car pooling from Lodge tomorrow, Sunday, at 2 PM for Meadville to Christmas Trees Around the World.  Supper at a restaurant of the groups choice after.  Family, neighbors, friends, all invited.

Petrolia Lodge will be conferring two First Degrees Thursday evening at beginning at 7PM.

Family Night is canceled next week because it is to close to Thanksgiving.  Don't want to keep
anyone from their families.  HOWEVER!  See the flyer on the next page.  How about a car pool to the Trees of Christmas.  We can leave the lodge at 2PM, visit the mansion as long as you like and go to dinner together at Applbee's, Red Lobster, the Italian Restaurant above Dairy Queen or anywhere the group thinks about. 

December will fall about the same so we will need to come up with an idea for next month also.

November 23rd. is Family Night this month.  Also gathering info for a trip to Meadville for Trees of Christmas and The Living Christmas Tree.  More to come soon.  It begins this coming week end.

The trip to Grove City Lodge is canceled.  Only three people signed up.  District School of Instruction is at Lake Lodge in Sandy Lake at 7 PM.  See you there.  Call me if you need a ride.

Just got home from listening to Kasim Hafeez speak at the Nazarene Church in Oil City.  What an amazing man.  His life and that of his family is in danger because he speaks out on radical Islam.  One point that stood out about the evening.  

"Guess who was praying for us in our election - Israel!"  We need to stand with them - again.

Last chance for making the trip to Grove City Lodge for a chance at the Traveling Gavel.  There will be at least 3 other lodges there for the same purpose.  Currently have only 3 signed up.  If we can't muster at least 20 we should not go.  Please let me know, you can post on the facebook event if you like.

Reminder of two events on Monday night November 14th. 

1.  Islamic speaker who converted to Christianity at the Nazarene church on East 2nd St. Oil City.
2.  Conferral of the 3rd. Degree, Franklin Myrtle Lodge. at 6:30 PM.

 Thank you!!!

Our fraternity, a grateful nation and I, thank you for taking the time to exercise one of your most important rights as an American Citizen.  You have accepted the responsibility to vote, and you did it in record numbers.

Message to our new brothers in Petrolia Lodge.  I need two men to be guide in the second and third degrees that will be coming up in January and February.  An important part in the degrees but won't take to long to learn.  Please contact me at 814-673-0116.

Scottish Rite Day, November 12th

Starts with tours of the building at Noon.  This is a day for Scottish Rite members and their ladies.  You get to see all the back stage areas, kitchen and various parts of the building few get to see.  Last tour starts at 3 PM, ending about 4.  If you would like to car pool, we will leave the back of the lodge at 1:15 PM to get there at 2:30.  Time to socialize until 6 PM when dinner is served.  Our new members and their ladies dinner is free this evening.  Everyone else is $20 per plate.  There will be entertainment during and after the dinner.  Later, there will be a presentation to the new members of the new Scottish Rite Jewel.  If you do not attend this meeting or have a reason for not attending, you will not received the jewel.

If you plan to attend, you MUST let me know by Sunday November 6th.  To give them an idea how much food to prepare.  Contact Rich Palm, leave a message on home phone 677-5146, cell 673-0116, email, richpalm@zoominternet.net, message or text.  Be sure to tell me if you lady will be coming with you.

There are many things going on in the next few months.  Following is a brief list with dates and times.  Each event will be followed in time, with a more detailed explanation.

1. First Degree practice at our lodge November 8^th, 6PM.
2. November 12^th.  90^th anniversary of New Castle Cathedral.  Building tours, dinner, presentation of Scottish Rite Jewel to new members.
3. Traveling Gavel in Grove City Lodge.
4. Two First Degrees conferred November 17^th, 7 PM.  Time may change.
5. Petrolia Lodge election of officer for 2017.  Two singing groups providing music.
6. Legion of Honor, Valley of New Castle, Family Christmas Party, December 10^th.  
7. Wagon of Cheer. Drawing December 17^th.
8. All You Can Eat Pancakes & Sausage, January 21^st. 
9. New Castle Gun Raffle, drawing February 4^th.

Your Lodge Needs You, to have fun.

 Grand Masters Traveling Gavel.

About a year ago, our Grand Master established the "Traveling Gavel."  The purpose is to promote visitation of brethren between Lodges with a little good natured competition to make it interesting.  This is not just any gavel. It may be viewed at the Grand Lodge web site at http://pamasons.org/gavel/.  Or from their home page under Members - Traveling Gavel.  The Lodge that has possession of that gavel at the end of November, will be prsented with it at the Quarterly Communications in Philadelphia on December 7th by Grand Master Raymond T. Dietz.  It will remain in that lodge for good.

This gavel is now located at the Grove City Lodge #603.  Their meeting is Tuesday, November 15th.  Brothers if we can take a large enough group to that meeting to, meet new friends, have a great time, and possibily win that gavel.  It has been taken by as little as 12 and as many as 44 members.  It is based on the number of members present (must have your dues card with you) from our Lodge.  There will be at least one other lodge present for the same purpose.  What a way to end this historic year in our Lodge.  Make every effort to come and be a part of history.

If you are available that night, please contact me.  We will make arrangements for transportation.  This is guys only.

Business Cards!

If you have a business, bring in a card.  We have an old photo album that we will try to arrange them in.  In the spirit of brotherhood, Mason helping Mason, our bothers looking for your professional help can look these over.  Also a good place for brothers looking for work.  They should be a better person to consider for employment.  Must be a business owned or run by a Mason.

Welcome to the Brothers I just invited to this forum.  It is limited to Masons and their families in or around the Venango County area.  It is only a few months old and I am still learning how to use it myself.  My plan is for this to be for all Masonic Bodies in our area, rather than by some District boundaries.  Lot of bugs to work out but it seems to be working well so far.  Would appreciate any suggestions to improve it.  We still haven't created an actual web page yet.  Want to get a proper name first.

Brothers, you may not realize that you were a part of Masonic History on Saturday.  Each and everyone of you preformed in the highest Masonic form.  Though numbers are important to the higher levels of our fraternity, as it should be, brotherhood is our concern.  You have embarked on a journey of a lifetime.  It is something that I am not able to explain well.  Each of you will grow in a different way.  The "Seasoned" Masons are around to help guide you in that journey but the journey is yours to make.  "Though the journey is difficult, the farther you trace it, the easier it will become."

In the months to come, we will meet to discuss this.  We can never establish a particular night of the week to meet that will suit everyone's schedule.  We will work that out some way to reach all that want to learn.  Bare with me, this next two months will continue to be very busy and will take up much of my time.  January, I hope that will change.  I hope to begin this process in November if at all possible.

"Unofficial" reports are as follows;

Erie Consistory - 20 new Master Masons
Coudersport Consistory - 30
New Castle - 115

These numbers will change in about a week when all is tabulated.

Members joining Scottish Rite is about 200 at New Castle.  Others are unknown.  Those joining from Petrolia Lodge is 16. 

There were about 450 to 500 men in New Castle Consistory that day.

One last thing tonight.  To all newly raised Master Masons.  You and your wife (or girlfriend) are invited to our regular stated meeting this coming Tuesday evening for a free dinner that starts at 6:30 PM.  Members are $10 each.  Program after the meeting is recognition of our Veterans.  Find out and observe the meaning of the 13 folds of the flag.  So we have an idea how many dinners to prepare, please sign up on the list at the Lodge or call Denny Butler or Rich Palm.

What a day.  We now have 8 new brothers who came to New Castle, and 2 through Coudersport.  10 new members!  In addition 17 Petrolia Lodge members are now 32 degree Scottish Rite Masons.  15 through New Castle and 2 through Coudersport.

Over all, about 130 new Masons, and over 200 new Scottish Rite Masons came through New Castle today. More to come after about 12 hours sleep.

You are wearing me out reading all the great stuff that I have to delete.  It is taking me longer and longer to get through it.  Hope it lightens up after the election.

Good Stuff Guys!

Ok everybody, Get Ready, Set, ...............

The big day is only 3 days off.  We will be car pooling from the back of the Lodge, leaving at 5:15 AM.  Parking is available behind the Grace Church about a half block away.  Do not park of First St.  There are businesses open who will not appreciate us taking there customers parking places.  Remember to ware a suit and tie or jacket and tie.  Mentors, as soon as you get to New Castle Consistory, find you candidate and find Rich Palm.  I have a letter that the candidate must have to register.  I have  name tags for mentors and candidates.  If you are going to drive, use the following address in your GPS.  110 E Lincoln Ave., New Castle, PA 16101.

Best name so far seems to be Masonic Families of the Oil Region.  Comments?

Still looking for a new name before we actually create a real web site.  How is this one?

Oil Region Masonic Familes

Reminder to Petrolia Lodge Officers.  1st Degree practice will be Tuesday evening at 6 PM.  We will be conferring a 1st Degree on November 17th at 7:30 PM.  Of the 12 candidates who petitioned for the One Day Class, one is unable to make that date due to work schedule and has opted to take the degrees the traditional way.

Morrison Funeral Home Visiting Hours

The family of Mary McNellie, Brother Donald McNellie's wife and Brother Phillip McNellie's mother, will receive friends on Sunday October 23rd. from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM.  Brothers and their wives or girl friends are encouraged to support Don and Phil.

Death in our Family

Sad to report a death in our family.  Brother Donald McNellie, our Treasurer, lost his wife Mary today.  She has suffered for many years with dementia.  Our prayers are with you brother.  

Details will follow in the next day or so.  

New Members

 For the benefit of our new members who have just recently been invited to this web site.  As you know, when you post something to your own facebook account, it will show up on this site as well.  Please continue to do so, however, know that our Masonic values forbid us to discuss politics and religious nocturne.  Government or religion in general are allowed.  You will note that I try very hard to edit our facebook page regularly.  If something you have posted disappears, that was probably me doing it.  I read them and often post the good ones to my own facebook page.  But this site should be safe for the youngest of our children to read.

Creating a Web Site

We are trying to improve this web experience and include others.  When we settle on a name, we will create a web page with all the links.  We need suggestions for a new name.  Please think it over and offer your suggestions.  Needs to be short and refer to the local area. 

1.  Venango Area Masonic Families
2. 
3. 
4.

 One Day Class

We voted on five new petitioners for the One Day Class last night at a Special Lodge meeting.  All five passed with no problems.  There will be 10 candidates going to New Castle Consistory and two going to Coudersport Consistory on October 29th.  Each one will have a mentor that went through the April One Day Class we held in April of this year.  My thanks to the new Brothers for stepping up to help.  The plan is for the car pool to leave the back parking lot of the Lodge at 5:15 AM.  That's right "AM."  We are to be in New Castle Consistory by 6:30AM.  There will be coffee and donuts.  Candidates will go to one room (to be announce) and the mentors to another for refresher.  Lunch will be served at no cost.

For those interested, Scottish Rite degrees well be conferred on new members at no cost that afternoon.  Some in the car pool will leave after lunch.  Most will be staying of the Scottish Rite Degrees.  Petitions are available at our Lodge or at the Consistory.

Anyone interested in joining the Shrine, they will be doing a degree right after the Scottish Rite Degrees that will only take about 45 minutes.

Watch our facebook page for updates or call me at 814-673-0116.  I'm still working so you will probably get the voice mail.  Leave a message, I'll return the call between runs.

Petrolia Lodge will have at least one candidate traveling the old way through the three degrees.  You will be hearing more about this as information comes together. 

This site is now posting to twitter also.  Bare with me, I've never used twitter before.  Hope someone can help me before I make a mistake.  Keep in mind that anything that does not fall into Masonic values, I will delete when I figure out how.

Trip!   Trip!  Trip!

From now till the beginning of the year, hunting seasons will occupy many of the men.  Been thinking of a trip the women can take.  One suggestion was Kraynak and Daffins.  Most everyone has made that trip at one time or another but nice to revisit.  Is there someplace else that could be added?  Another trip altogether different?  Need some suggestions that I can look into to come up with a plan.  Or should I just get out of the way.

What would you like to do?  This is all new to all of us.  Saturdays could be most all day.  Sunday's because of church and kids, is limited to leaving about 1PM to 7PM.  Help!

The official schedule is out for the One Day Class in New Castle.  You can find it on our facebook page under "Events."  We must be in the Consistory by 6:30 AM.  We will be car pooling from rear parking lot of Petrolia Lodge, leaving about 5:15 AM.  Note that there are a lot of other events taking place that day as well.  Be careful who you car pool with because of all these events.  The will come together better as we get closer to that day.  Questions - call Rich Palm.

Our Kinzua and Benezetti Trip was a success and it was a very enjoyable day with friends.  You can see many photos take by sever of the members on the facebook page.

Reminder of Tuesday evening, the October Stated Meeting at 7:30 PM.  A lot going on, voting on new petitions, reading of new petitions. 

The program for the evening is Scottish Rite.  Brother George Washington will present the program and explain the up-coming Scottish Rite "Reunion" that will take place right after the One Day Class on October 29th.  You can join Scottish Rite at no cost for the first and probably the last time ever.

This is not a ladies night event.  We will make up for that next month.

Saturdays trip will be reversed.  I'm being told that the Elk are easier to find later in the day by two people who are in the Benezetti area often.  We will still leave at the same time (7AM) but we will go to Kinzua RR Bridge State Park first.  Bring binoculars and cameras.

Family night is tomorrow evening (Wednesday).  We will discuss the final preparations for our Benezett Kinzua trip on Saturday.  Bring the family, neighbors, friends and some food to share.  Dinner at 6 PM.

Prospective member open house.

Tomorrow, Sunday September 25th, at 2:30 PM.  I will be meeting with some men interested in Freemasonry.  If you have a friend who would like to know more about or fraternity, feel free to bring them also.  There wife or girl friend is also invited.

If you can't make it tomorrow, contact me, I am willing to meet with them at any time.  We can still take petitions up to the October 4th meeting and still get them into the One Day Class on October 29th.  But don't wait.  Time is about to run out.  Even if they would want to join another Lodge, bring them along, we can get them to the right person.

If they would be good with taking the degrees the old way, one month at a time, we can still get them in under the current dues structure up to the December meeting, but not after.  Questions, call Rich Palm at 814-677-5146 or 814-673-0116.

Franklin's Myrtle Lodge will be conferring 2 Entered Apprentice Degrees Monday September 19th beginning at 6:30 PM.  Please be there by 6:15 in suite and tie. Brother Gary Rhoads will be conferring one of them. Hope to see you there.

Added one more feature to this site.  You should automatically receive an email of any post made to the Lodge's blog.  I don't want to flood you with the same message over and over again.  If you do not want to receive this email, you can block it in your email filter.  If you have not received a text from me, please be sure to give me your mobile phone number.  Still trying to improve what we are doing.

Please be aware that I sensor this site very carefully.  While I agree with nearly all of them, I want this site to be relatively free of political rhetoric, foul language or any thing that may be considered un-Masonic.  Please continue to post to the site as you have been. 

Brother Gary Rhoads did a great 1st Degree last night.  What a night for me.  6 years ago, I conferred my first 1st Degree in Titusville Lodge.  The Candidate was Gary Rhoads.  Of all the degrees I have conferred, Gary is the first to confer a degree himself.  Thank you Brother for making the day for me also.

An Entered Apprentice (First Degree) will be conferred Wednesday evening beginning at 7 PM, at the Titusville Lodge.  Brother Gary Rhoads will be the conferring officer.  Gary will be the Worshipful Master of Titusville Lodge in 2017 and is currently joining Petrolia Lodge for duel membership next month.  Please be at Petrolia Lodge by 6:15 PM to car pool to Titusville Lodge.

Suggesting a trip.  Need your response, can you go, and how many in your group?  Need suggestions to add to trip.   Saturday October 1, 2016.  (First day of squirrel season)

7 AM                    Leave Oil City
8:45-11 AM          Benezet, Elk Visitor Center
11:30-1 AM          St. Marys, Hoss's Steak & Sea Food
2-3:30 PM            Kinzua Park
5 PM                     Oil City

Before you ask, I checked with the Straub Brewery for a tour.  They only have tours from 9 to 10 AM on Saturdays and must be scheduled in advance.  I'll call anyway to see.  If they are willing, what should we do with the kids that will be on the trip.

Cost - Hoss's on your own.  Car pool - chip in a little for gas to drivers.

Masonic funeral Wednesday Morrison Funeral Home 6:45 PM.  Suit and tie.  All Masons are asked to attend to say fair well to departed Brother Perry.

This is what was sent to them.

In Pennsylvania, conceal carry permits are in high demand. The public has many questions about obtaining a permit and where it’s permissible to carry a weapon. As a service to the public, Petrolia Lodge is hosting a special program and you are invited to attend.
On Tuesday, September 6, Venango County Sheriff Eric Foy will deliver a Conceal Carry program at Petrolia Masonic Lodge. The lodge is located 19 E. First Street in Oil City, PA. The program will begin at 8:15pm. Sheriff Foy’s educational address will focus on guidelines and procedures for obtaining a conceal carry permit and how they affect your rights. Other topics will be firearm safety, encounters with law enforcement, and issues surrounding the use of deadly force.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend. The program is free but, please note, no one is permitted to bring a weapon into the Lodge.
For more information, please contact Mr. Richard Palm, Master of Petrolia Lodge #363. Mr. Palm can be reached at 814-677-5146.

The following artical appeared in the Derrick Paper on Wednesday.  At least a little of it is what we sent to them.  The dates and time are right at least.

Posted: Wednesday, August 24, 2016 2:12 am

From staff reports

Venango County Sheriff Eric Foy will host a public safety program dealing with concealed carry rights at Petrolia Lodge 363 in Oil City from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6.

The program looks to inform residents about the rights and restrictions that come with a concealed carry permit.

The sheriff's address will focus on guidelines and procedures for obtaining a concealed carry permit and will also touch on firearm safety, law enforcement encounters and issues surround the use of deadly force, a press release from the Pennsylvania Masons said.

The event is open to the public and the release notes that weapons will not be permitted in the lodge.

More information can be found by contacting Richard Palm, the master of Petrolia Lodge 363, at 677-5146.

26 people last night at Family Night.  More food than we could eat.  Going to have to start an exerciser class after Family Night.

Ideas for activities are:

Trip to Kinzua Rail Road Bridge, new State Park just opened.
Trip to Pittsburgh Pirates game.
Trip to Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio
Kayak, canoe, boat trips/floats

Open to other suggestions.

Some of our younger members are going to college or into the miltary, or just leaveing the area for work.  Keep in mind that if you will contact me with your new mailing address, I will contact the Worshipful Master of the Lodge nearest you new location and ask him to assign a Brother to contact you.  Your new family will be able to help you in so many ways.  My number is in the notice.

I chatted briefly with Michael Moffett.  Michael was on of our new members who joined us in the April One Day Class.  He finished Air Force basic training and is now in Tech School for Civil Engineering.  Keep us posted Michael.

At Petrolia Lodge's September 6th Stated meeting Sheriff Eric Foy will be presenting a program on Conceal/Carry Permits and more importantly, our rights and responsibilities after we have one. If you currently have a permit and a weapon, please feel free to bring it with you, however, we ask that you leave it in your vehicle which will be close by. The program will be open to the public and will begin at 8:15 PM in the dinning room. Please invite anyone who may be interested.

Welcome all Mason's and their families.  This site is designed for Petrolia Lodge #363, located in Oil City, PA.  This site will be open to all Masonic bodies in and around Venango County, PA.  I hope that all of us can work together to promote the values of FreeMasonry.  All ideas and suggestions will be looked at and acted on.  All are free to post to this site but please understand that in an effort to maintain our high values, all posts will be read and approved by one of our administrators before it is posted to the site.  So your post will not show up instantly as it would on most other sites.

I strongly suggest you consider coming to our Masonic Family Night on the 4th Wednesday of each month.  Be sure to check the calendar each month as we hope to take some trips to various events and sites when possible.  These may not always fall on Wednesday.  If this works, I would like to have additional Family Nights each month.  We hope this will develop into a memorable event(s) that everyone will look forward to.

We are still learning the capabilities of this site.  Each post has the ability to automatically post to; Facebook, email, text, twitter, hangouts, google voice, G+, and several others I still don't understand.  Please be patient, we are still learning.

Richard Palm, 677-5146
Worshipful Master
Pertolia Lodge #363

Gene H. Huston
Gene H. Huston (33°) is the oldest living Past Master (1960) of Petrolia
Lodge No. 363 and a member of the Venango Lodge of Perfection.
Accompanying this narrative is a 1960 picture of Gene, as well as the
Lodge 363 officers that year (Showing Gene Huston, center, Lloyd Fox,
second from right, also Dick Burgert).
Gene turned 94 this year. He resides in the Memory Support Unit at
Garden Spot Village, New Holland, PA (Lancaster County), a senior
residential care community. He has health issues, which include
profound dementia. That said, he is up and about most days and retains
selective memories of his time in Oil City. Gene enjoys visits from family
and friends. His granddaughter made him a great-grandfather in 2015.
Gene was born and grew up in Franklin, moving to Oil City around 1950.
In those times he was active in community service, including Kiwanis, the
Community Chest, and the Tuberculosis Society (a disease that claimed
his mother, when he was just eight years old, as well as a brother).
Gene is a combat decorated WWII US Navy vet. Gene served in the Battle
of the Atlantic, dodging torpedoes from German wolf packs. Then he
volunteered for hazardous duty in occupied China with Naval Intelligence,
where the unit’s duties included getting shot-down American pilots back
across the lines from Japanese-controlled territory.
After the war Gene went to college on the GI bill and became a Licensed
Professional Engineer in both PA and NJ. He worked in Electrical
Engineering for Penelec in Oil City and Johnstown, as well as General
Public Utilities in Parsippany and Reading, PA.
He sends congratulations, greetings, and warm best wishes to Petrolia
Lodge No. 363 in its 150th year.

Gene H. Huston, Worshipful Master, Petrolia Lodge #363 1960.  Oldest living PM of Petrolia Lodge.