District Awards Dinner 2026

The 5th District Association held its annual Awards Dinner last night in Liberty Center.  Many thanks go out to all who attended and to the Association Officers for putting on another fun evening.  We started the evening off with a special presentation to David Mills of Fulton Lodge, who has been instrumental in making his venue in Swanton available to us for our annual Grand Master's Reception for the past three years. We also drew the winners of the Henry Masonic Edition Rifle (Bronson Bayden of Wauseon) and the 65-inch television (Mark Nightingale of Fulton).  This years award recipients are:

• Best Inspection: Napoleon Lodge No. 256
• Master of the Year: Jim McPike (Bryan Lodge No. 215)
• George O. Braatz Award: Sycamore Lodge No. 520
• Beehive Award: Craig Szczublewski (Fulton Lodge No. 248)
• Lewis Hackett Award: Edon Lodge No. 474
• Hiram Abiff Award: David Claar (Fulton Lodge No. 248)
• Education Award: Josh Chapin (Edon Lodge No. 474) & Patrick Lambert (Fulton Lodge No. 248)
• 5th District GMR Attendance: Napoleon Lodge No. 256
• Grand Lodge of Ohio Reception Attendance: Fulton Lodge No. 248
• Mason of the Year: Bob Rettig (Napoleon Lodge No. 256)
• Perfect Attendance: 16 total 
• Traveling Trophy: Fulton Lodge No. 248

Special presentations were also made to RWB Jim Parsons, who is finishing his third year as District Deputy Grand Master, and RWB Bob Rettig, who is retiring from the District Advisor position. We thank both brothers for their tireless efforts in helping the District and promoting Freemasonry.