Summit Lodge celebrates the season

More than 125 guests were in attendance at the Summit Masonic facility on Shepard Road to enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast prepared by Russ Sypen, of Twinsburg, and his band of brothers and helpers.

All the children had an opportunity to visit with Santa and have their photograph taken with him. The Rainbow Girls of Brecksville served as elves -- whose sleigh bells could be heard for miles.

Charles Saxton of Macedonia, the current Master of Summit Lodge, was Santa's helper.

The photography team was Larry Landals of Twinsburg Township and Ruth and Dennis Bradley of Twinsburg. Craft tables, headed by Nina Landals, were available and all the children had a chance to make a Christmas-themed craft to take home with them.

Other Santa's helpers included Lee Pilous of Twinsburg and Charlie Steach of Northfield.

Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely recognized fraternal organization in the world. Today, there are more than 2 million Freemasons in North America alone.

Charity is an important tenet of the Masonic fraternity. The 110,000 Freemasons in Ohio provide approximately $15 million in annual charitable giving. This year, Ohio Masons gave $50,000 in college scholarships, contributed $200,000 to Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games, and funded $70,000 in training for school teachers to recognize at-risk students. They also provided $12 million in elderly care and helped many needy Ohio families and individuals through their charitable foundation.

General information is available at www.freemason.com. For local information, contact Sypen at 330-425-2401, or see www.summit213.org.