Grand Lodge to hold state convention

CLEVELAND -- The 195th annual state convention of the Grand Lodge, Free & amp; Accepted Masons of Ohio, will be held Friday and Saturday at the Renaissance Hotel, Public Square.
Steven J. Krekus will preside, and the event will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the grand ballroom. Installation of the 2004 grand officers will conclude the event at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The Masons are the oldest and largest men's fraternity in the country. Application for membership is open to qualified men who are at least 19 years old, have a belief in a supreme being, are of good moral and social repute, and have been a resident of Ohio for at least one year. Interested men should inquire with a Mason in their local area or contact state headquarters at (800) 292-6092.
Among the reports to be given at the convention will be those related to the organization's charitable contributions. The fraternity provides about $15 million in charitable giving annually toward college scholarships, Ohio Summer Special Olympics, training of teachers to recognize students at nonacademic risk and elderly care.
General information is available at the Web site, www.freemason.com.