Ronald Smith attends Masonic bicentennial event

Local attorney, Ronald R. Smith, celebrated the bicentennial of the Freemasonry in Ohio with Masons from across the state at a day of special events in Columbus on Saturday, June 21.

The theme of the celebration, "From Pioneers to Astronauts -- 200 years of Ohio Freemasonry" was reflected in a grand parade down High Street, to a corner-laying enactment at the Statehouse and then a family picnic that took place at the Ohio Historical Society.

Ron Smith, a member of the newly formed Seneca Lodge 790 in Republic, participated in the parade by driving his 1948 Jeepster as a member of the Jeepsters Toledo Unit with the Zenobia Shrine, Toledo. Other Jeepsters from the area also participated.

The parade included every branch of the Ohio Masonic fraternity, including Shriners from Zenobia and Toledo. It began at 10 a.m., at Nationwide Boulevard and ended at the Statehouse behind the bronze statue of President William McKinley, who was an active Mason. The reenactment of the public cornerstone-laying ceremony took place immediately following the parade. The masons and their guests finished their day with a picnic at the Ohio Historical Society's Ohio Village, which included family activities and an 1860s-style baseball game.

The Grand Lodge of Ohio was formed at the Old Statehouse in Chillicothe in January 1808. There are currently 532 local Masonic Lodges in Ohio with a combined members of 114,000. Annually, Ohio Freemasons contribute $15 million to charities that include Special Olympics Ohio, college scholarships and elderly care. The Grand Master Mason Ohio is Ronald L. Winnett.

For more information about the Masons Bicentennial Celebration, visit www.freemason.com or call 800-292-6092.