The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/105037
A-12 Wednesday, January 23, 2013 The Press-Dispatch Odd Fellows need new members to continue By Andy Heuring For more than 137 years, the Petersburg Odd Fellows Lodge has been taking care of the Walnut Hill Cemetery and educating the orphans. But that may come to an end in a few days. The Odd Fellows are scheduled to have a meeting on January 28 with the state level organization to determine the fate of their organization. Bill Clardige and Frosty Western are two of the few active members remaining in the fraternal organization that has a motto of "Bury the dead, educate the orphan." The Petersburg lodge owns and operates Pike County's largest cemetery, Walnut Hill, located on the north east edge of Petersburg off of Highway 61. The organization has gone through its ups and downs. They have flourished with as many as 150 members and the meeting building overflowing during meetings, lots of members taking part not only in the local organization, but also on the state level with members being elected to state positions. They also have had several down times. Western joined the organization about 30 years ago in the early 1980s when their membership was down. "They were about to close the lodge so they started a membership drive. He said one of the older members at that time, Elmer Walker, was asking people to join and ran across Charlie Howard. Charlie said, 'Give me 12 applications and I'll get you 12 new members.' It kind of made Elmer mad, but Charlie went around and got 12 new members," said Western. He said he joined with about 20 new members, mostly who were recruited by Howard. Claridge joined about 10 years later. He said his son Phil had been on him for several years to join, but he worked second shift at AMA X and couldn't attend the meetings. So he didn't join. Then about a year before he retired, he decided to join. "I wanted to see what was going on and next thing I knew I was joined," said Claridge. The group has about 35 or 40 dues paying members, but only a handful are active. "What we need are new members who want to be active," said Western. He and Claridge have been trying to keep up the lodge and their caretaker's residence. They derive the income to maintain and operate the Walnut Hill Cemetery from selling plots and donations. T hey maintain the lodge with membership dues. However, Claridge and Western said they aren't getting enough dues to maintain the lodge. "We haven't had a meeting for a couple of years. You are supposed to have six people for a quorum. We usually have two or three," said Western. Western said they used Frosty Western and Bill Claridge stand in front of the Walnut Hill Cemetery sign. The cemetery is to have several activities, owned and operated by the Odd Fellows Lodge, which is contemplating their future after being in exisincluding making chocolate tence since 1876. peanut clusters and selling them during the holi"We don't know what will 28 with the Grand Lodge. Lodge would take con- we've got." This will include days. During their meethappen," said Claridge of Western said if the lo- trol and sell off the assets. control of the Walnut Hill ings they would have fried chicken and BBQ. "I always their meeting on January cal lodge folds, the Grand "They will take everything Cemetery. enjoyed the fellowship back when we had meetings," said Western. Claridge and Western said anyone interested in belonging to the organization and helping take care of the cemetery can contact them about joining. Western can be reached at 789-3439 or Claridge at 354-9234. Western said he joined because he thought the club had an admirable goal to take care of the cemetery. It was something of which he wanted to be a part. They are hopeful others will think the same thing and be willing to donate their time to the cause. The TRADING POST ReSTAURANT Tuesday—Friday PlATe luNch SPecIAlS 11 am To 2 pm Friday eveNING buFFeT 4 To 8 pm Weekend OPeN MeNu Saturday • NooN to 2 pm exPReSS bReAkFAST buFFeT Saturday aNd SuNday • 8 am to NooN SuNDAy buFFeT NooN to 2 pm 1 Mile South of Winslow off Hwy. 61 789-5428 Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: 7am to Closed 7am to 7am to 7am to 7am to 7am to 2pm 2pm 2pm 2pm 8pm 2pm hoME CoMfort CEntEr TOUCHDOWN! Watch the BIG GAME in a comfortable recliner or bean bag! Sh new op our webs ite engl hOM erts ECoM CEnt f o Er.cO rt M Starting at 299 $ Corner of 231 & Division, Jasper 482-2246 OPEN: Mon., Tues., Thurs. 9-5:30; Wed. & Fri. 9-7; Sat. 9-3 cing finan le b Availa