Excerpt of address by RE Keith E. Dash:
My Companions, I am pleased to report that the initiative of “Restore, Rebrand and Retain” was highly successful.
Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the 25th Anniversary of Holy Ark Chapter No. 304 could not be properly celebrated until the restriction could be lifted. This year, we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the consolidation of Hamburg Chapter No. 313 and Angola Chapter No. 304, by naming a class of seven candidates in honor of the founding High Priests who came together with the merger, namely RE George Dash, (304) and RE Ronald Baumler (313). The Chapter conferred all the degrees upon these candidates over a six-month period which represented a gain of over 18% in membership.
The Chapter was engaged in many activities this year, including raising over $3,000.00 for operations and charity efforts, Presenting a 60-year DeMolay Award to RW Carl Swan during a special DeMolay Night in which Brother Marc Bohn, Past Grand Master DeMolay International was present.
He further reported that we have four Holy Ark Companions who have joined the Zerubbabel Society this year namely Keith Dash, Ed Gerecke and Gary Fazio, and John Petelin and thanked them for their devotion to Royal Arch Charities. In addition, ME Williamson was awarded the General Grand Chapter Ritualist Award in March, and “Holy Ark’s Companion of the Year” award last month. He further expounded that RE John Haslam, RE Velott Jr, RE Dash, and RE Peter Stein, all members of Holy Ark Chapter No. 304, received the coveted DeMolay Legion of Honor.
We traveled to Fairport for a Chapter Room Dedication, Raymond’s Ponds for the Degrees, hosted the Grand Lecturers Convention, donated monies to the district Charity Table Chapter held at Ames No. 88, enjoyed a Steak Bake fundraiser, as well as a catered Ladies Night/wine tasting with Awards in which Companion Ed Gerecke was bestowed a Meritorious Companion Apron.
The High Priest continued, “We my Companions have accomplished much; more needs to be done. We must keep that fire in which we have kindled burning both within ourselves and showing our Lodge brethren, here is where you receive Master’s Wages, receive the real word and the Light we all seek”.
In closing he humbly thanked everyone for this honor to serve, and pledged his support to the newly elected and appointed officers in all of their endeavors. He concluded with: “May the New Year bring you peace and prosperity, good health, and happiness. Holiness to the Lord.”