Tecumseh Lodge in 2021
2021 got off to a slow start due to the lingering COVID pandemic. The lodge's Lodge Leadership Development and Lodge Appreciation Banquet, which in recent years have been held in January, were delayed until the Spring Fellowship in April. This required trimming a bit from all three programs, as well as ending the Fellowship on Saturday night to reduce time spent together, but the weekend was still a success. Everyone there learned a bit, had a lot of fun, and helped us recognize our lodge leaders. Last year's Vigil Honor class were presented their certificates and shared their Vigil names in our usual tradition, and the 2021 Vigil Honor class members were tapped out by their guides. We also recognized two very deserving youth leaders, Will Bartram and Will Finley, who were both presented with the Founders Award.
Twenty of our members attended the Hilltop Happening, the C-4 Section Conclave, held at Seven Ranges Scout Reservation and hosted by Sipp-O Lodge. As with every conclave, there were trainings, competitions, patch trading, and tons of fun. Three members sealed their bond in Brotherhood, and Jon Santini III was elected to serve as the C-4 Section Secretary for the 2021-22 year.
Our first Ordeal came together very nicely, and was both a joyful and sad event. We inducted 56 new Ordeal members into our Lodge, as well as having 20 members seal their bond with Brotherhood membership (pretty amazing, considering we only had 24 new Brotherhood members all last year!). In total, 128 people attended the event. We completed the 5-mile perimeter trail that was begun several years ago, and which will see use this summer. On a sad note, however, this was to be our last ever Ordeal weekend at Chief Logan Reservation, which is slated to be closed in September.
That's it so far, but the year is far from over!