2009 PAST EVENTS

Community Events

Masonic Events

Social Events

2008 Events

COMMUNITY EVENTS

EMMETT TILL ACADEMY BLACK HISTORY ASSEMBLY

On February 27, 2009 , Bro. Chris Calhoun represented Union Lodge at its adopted school Emmett Till Academy. He also gave a brief historical presentation on the man Prince Hall, the founder of “African-American Freemasonry” in the United States of America. The presentation also touched on Prince Hall’s place in Black history month as the founder of the first public school for African-American children in America. Bro. Calhoun, presented a student with two tickets to a Chicago Bulls game to recognize his academic success . The members of Union Lodge expect to be role models to the students as a group of positive African-American men working in the community.

UNION SPONSORS BULLS TICKET FOR STUDENT

On March 22nd Union Lodge gave Emmett Till Academy’s top male student two tickets to the Chicago Bulls game. Bro. Adrian Cooley, W.M. also attended the game with his two nephews.

NURSING HOME PRE-EASTER VISIT

April 11, 2009 the members of Union Lodge #155 visited the Washington Heights Nursing Home and gave out fruit and candy baskets to the residents. Some members brought their children to teach them the importance about giving back. Over 140 baskets were delivered.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S "WALK AND ROLL"

On May 17, 2009, over twenty lodges and chapters from the Illinois Prince Hall Masonic Family participated in the charity event to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Present were Bro. Adrian Cooley W.M., Bro. Chris "Juice" Calhoun S.W., Fellowcraft Brad Bozeman and Fellowcraft Wes Hampton. The Brothers and Sisters either did the 5K walk, 10K skate, or 15K bicycle ride. Bro. Calhoun, Bozeman, and Hampton did the 5K walk, while W.M. Cooley did the 15K bicycle ride with his wife with their two children riding with them.

REAL MEN READ

On May 20, 2009 the Brothers of Union Lodge #155 participated in Emmett Till Academy's annual "Real Men Read" program. Union adopted the school in 2008. Till Academy started the Real Men Read program in 1996. Each participant was assigned a class room to read a book to its students. Bro. Adrian Cooley W.M., read a book to third graders about a young Michael Jordan growing up titled "Salt In His Shoes" by Jordan's mother, Delores Jordan. Bro. Abdulrahim Ali, J.W. read a selection to Fourth Graders. Bro. Art Ciegotura, S.S., read a book to the seventh graders. Our adopt-a-school coordinator, Bro. Chris Calhoun was the Brother who arranged for the Brothers to be a present at the program.

Union donated the book "Black Square & Compass: 200 Years of Prince Hall Freemasonry" by Joseph A. Walkes to the school library. The lodge donated the book to the school library to make sure that that its adopted school had a book on Prince Hall Freemasonry and the man Prince Hall. It is a part of an effort by Union to promote the good works of Prince Hall Freemasonry to the public.

_{Bro. Adrian Cooley, W.M. of Union Lodge #155, F&AM, PHA presents Principal Mary Rodgers and Librarian Mrs. Jacobsen the book "Black Square & Compass: 200 Years of Prince Hall Freemasonry" by Joseph A. Walkes}

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WHITE SOX OUTING

The lodge was able to donate six White Sox tickets to three well-deserving students at our adopted school, Emmett Till Academy.  On Tuesday, September 22nd,  Bro. Adrian Cooley W.M., Bro. Vernell Byrd S.D., and Bro. Brad Bozeman attended the game and sat next to one of the students. Bro. Byrd, Bro. Bozeman, and Bro. Calhoun perform a great job to get the tickets delivered to the students. A special thanks goes out to out to Bro. Richard Nelson, Monarch #99, who donated the tickets. Bro. Nelson said he was impressed by Union's efforts with our adopted school and he wanted to contribute.

Bro. Brad Bozeman (center) with Emmett Till Academy students after donating Sox tickets 

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MASONIC EVENTS

GRAND LODGE MID-YEAR SESSION

On February 28 - March 1, 2009 the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois held its annual Mid-Year session in Decatur, IL. Several Brothers from Union Lodge #155 and Elijah S. Betts Lodge #23 attended and supported the session.

ST. JOHN'S DAY
June 28, 2009

St. John's Day was held at Grant AME Church. Several lodges from the 1st District were in attendance.

(Left to Right) W. Bro. Ronald C. Bell II DDGL Elijah S. Betts #23, R.W. Bro. Corey Hawkins Grand Marshall (MWPHGL of Alabama), R.W. Bro. Aubrey K. Barlow Grand Junior Warden Elijah S. Betts #23, W. Bro. Delvecchio Alston, Worshipful Master New Beginning #970 (MWPHGL of Alabama), W. Bro. Adrian Cooley Worshipful Master Union #155, R.W. Bro. Dwight Coleman Asst. DDGM New Beginning #970, W. Bro. Jerome Williams Worshipful Master Lewis Hayden #6 (MWPHGL of Georgia) 

SOCIAL EVENTS

BOWLING MEET & GREET

Union Lodge held its 2nd annual bowling party at the Park Manor Bowling alley on March 27, 2009. The lodge was able to raise money to help support its community endeavors.

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REUNION WEEKEND 2009

June 6-7, 2009, several Brothers and Sisters traveled from the North Shore, Downstate, and even from Florida. We had representation from other at least  sixteen lodges and seven OES chapters that either came to the Friday Golf Outing, the Friday Night Party With "The U", or our specially convened lodge meeting on that Saturday morning. The purpose of the weekend was to invite our "mother" lodge Elijah S. Betts #23 and all of Union supporters from across the state for fellowship and to bring new members into the fold.

That Friday afternoon, several Brothers and OES Sisters teed off at the Odyssey Golf Course in Tinley Park, IL. Also, Friday night at the Checkerboard was awesome with the live band "Innosphere" who played a tremendous set. That Saturday morning, our degree team did a joint Third Degree with the Elijah S. Betts #23 degree team. There were five men raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason: One from Union #155, two from Elijah S. Betts #23, and two from Rufus Mitchell #107. 

Brothers at the Friday Golf Outing

Union Lodge #155 and visiting Brothers at the Friday Night Party With The "U"

Brothers of Union #155, Elijah S. Betts #23, Rufus Mitchell #107 and other visiting Brothers after the Third Degree, Saturday, June 7, 2009

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BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
ON July 26, 2009 an open invitation tournament for five-on-five basketball was held. Five teams competed for a trophy. Several guests came to watch the games.  Union Lodge #155 entered its own team but unfortunately couldn't advance to the championship.

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JOINT PICNIC and SOFTBALL GAME
with Stone Temple Lodge #137, Naomi Chapter #124 (OES), and Imani Chapter U.D. (OES)
August 15, 2009

An excellent time was had by all members, families, and guests. Plenty of food was cooked by the Brothers.  The Sisters helped entertain the kids with face-painting and games.  Union Lodge #155 won the softball game 8-7.

SOFTBALL GAME vs. The "P.H.A. Hit Squad"
On September 6, 2009 Union Lodge #155 played a softball game against a handpicked team composed of members of more than seven different PHA lodges.  Union's team was composed of mainly Union members with some from its mother lodge Elijah S. Betts #23 and three other Brothers to fill up the position. The "U" prevailed 12-10 in a fun game where all shared laughs after-wards.

CATER TO "U" FUNDRAISER

September 8, 2009, the "Men of Vision & Excellence" (MOVE) social club of Union Lodge #155 held a fundraiser. There were Hors d'œuvres, fruit, chocolate fountains, and professional massage therapists giving complimentary massages. The poet and author A.J. Bryson delivered spoke word.

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