Welcome!

Posted on August 9, 2012 by ocoeelodge

Welcome to OcoeeLodge.com! We hope you enjoy reading of some of our happenings. Be sure to sign up on the right to follow our blog via email and stay informed of the happenings of our Lodge. Also, by clicking on the links above, you can read about our history, scroll down to learn about our latest happenings, and most importantly learn the mission of Odd Fellowship. If, after learning about us and you want to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Or, if you are interested in joining, please see the instructions on how to join us. We would be glad to hear from you! Thank you for visiting with us at Ocoee Lodge!

Sincerely,
The Members of Ocoee Lodge No. 97
Independent Order of Odd Fellows

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Supporting Our Community: Cleveland Emergency Shelter

Posted on September 25, 2014 by ocoeelodge

Ocoee Lodge No. 97, I.O.O.F. of Cleveland, Tennessee recently voted to purchase laundry detergent for the Cleveland Emergency Shelter. The Shelter works with the homeless in the Cleveland area. Lonnie Jones obtained the detergent from his wife, Lisa Poe-Jones, who owns Blue Springs Laundry. The Lodge presented 200 pounds of detergent to the Shelter. Poe-Jones stated each bucket provides enough detergent for 300-320 loads each. Accepting the donation on behalf of the shelter is Theresa Palacio, Case Manager by Ocoee Member, Sherra Kinder.

Cleveland / Bradley TN Emergency Homeless Shelter

Cleveland / Bradley TN Emergency Homeless Shelter

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Ocoee Lodge hosting Men’s Clothing Drive for The Caring Place of Cleveland, TN

Posted on March 8, 2014 by ocoeelodge
Make a Difference Day 2014
 
For the Make A Difference Day 2014, Ocoee Lodge No. 97, IOOF of Cleveland, TN has decided to support The Caring Place and we are asking YOU to help us in our project! 
 
We want you to know that The Caring Place is a non-profit organization located in downtown Cleveland that continually supports the low income and homeless community by actively aiming to meet their specific needs regarding food, clothing, bodily care and household essentials.
The Caring Place is actively supported by many groups, churches, business and individuals in our community and is known throughout our community as a trusted and reliable resource for those in need.
 
Caring Place Statistics from 2012:
1,349: Average number of households served each month.
46,188: Total number of children who were assisted through The Caring Place. 
323,680: Total number of pounds of food given to those in need.
206,580: Total number of diapers given to struggling families.
219: Number of homeless served.
See more details here: http://thecaringplaceonline.org/
 
They are currently in greater need of specific items and that is where YOU can help!!!
1. They are in need of gently used clothing for men and mens shoes and socks.  
2. For the homeless population, travel size bottles of shampoo, washcloth, bar of soap, gloves, socks, razor, travel size toothbrushes/toothpaste, etc.
3. Their last need: If you have any **LARGE** size shopping bags (like from the department stores) they need those BADLY as well! (They have an abundance of regular sized plastic bags like the ones from Walmart-they don’t need those.)
 
IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE AND in order to facilitate this clothing and supplies drive, we, the members of Ocoee Lodge, are going to be accepting these items at the following functions (please just see one of us before or after the meeting) that one or more of the members of Ocoee Lodge will be in attendance at:
Saturday, March 15th: Joint Official Visit at Manchester #201 & Dorcas #88, Manchester, TN
Thursday, March 20th: Grand Master’s Official Visit at Excelsior Lodge #342, Thorn Grove, TN
Saturday, March 22nd: Grand Master’s Official Visit at Clinton Lodge #18, Clinton, TN
Saturday, April 5th: Joint Official Visit at Harpeth #2 & Naomi #68, Pegram, TN
Saturday, April 12th: Joint Official Visit at Pythagoras #23 & Deborah #5, Clarksville, TN
Saturday, April 26th: Joint Official Visit at Sweetwater #280 and Sweetwater Rebekah #25, Sweetwater, TN
Saturday, May 10th: East Tennessee Odd Fellows Association Meeting, Ocoee Lodge, Cleveland, TN
Saturday, May 17th: Joint Official Visit at Tennessee #1 and Banner #6 & Bi-Annual Meeting, Gallatin, TN
 
We will be presenting these items to The Caring Place the week of May 19th. We hope you will help us fill this need!
 
So, now is the time! Get your spring cleaning mind on and share your gently used men’s clothing and shoes, and other needed items to help us Make a Difference in 2014! 
Sincerely & Fraternally,
The Members of Ocoee Lodge No. 97, IOOF
Cleveland, TN

 

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1910 Postcard Odd Fellows Sign Ocoee Street Cleveland, TN

Posted on October 10, 2013 by ocoeelodge
Circa 1910 postcard showing the Odd Fellows Sign in Cleveland, Tennessee

Circa 1910 postcard showing the Odd Fellows Sign in Cleveland, Tennessee

 

Circa 1910 postcard of a crowded Ocoee Street, looking south to the tower of the old Bradley County Courthouse and the Ocoee Hotel in the distance.  The three link Odd Fellows sign is prominently featured in this image.  At this time, the lodge rented the upstairs of the Gwin Furniture Store.  In 1915 the lodge relocated to Church Street and remained there for the next 80 years.  Ocoee Lodge No. 97 was chartered in 1856.  The area out of which Bradley County was created was known as the Ocoee District.  Several pre-Civil War enterprises bore the name Ocoee.  These included a local newspaper, the first bank in Cleveland, the Ocoee Hotel, the main street of Cleveland as shown above and of course our own Odd Fellows Lodge.  Today the lodge is located one block west and three blocks south at 173 Broad Street, S.W.

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Sugar Creek Lodge No. 429, IOOF, Appleton, TN

Posted on October 10, 2013 by ocoeelodge
Sugar Creek Lodge No. 429, IOOF, Appleton, Tenn. 1913 appeal for Brother Billie Wilburn

Sugar Creek Lodge No. 429, IOOF, Appleton, Tenn. 1913 appeal for Brother Billie Wilburn

On January 30, 1913 the brothers of Sugar Creek Lodge No. 429, IOOF, Appleton, Tenn. sent an appeal to the lodges across the Jurisdiction of Tennessee seeking aid for Brother Billie Wilburn.  Brother Wilburn died leaving a widow and four small children.  Wilburn had mortgaged his home for $75 and was unable to pay it.  His lodge brothers were now seeking to redeem the house.  Donations were to be sent to A.A. Sills, Secretary of the lodge.  Appleton is in Lawrence County, near Lawrenceburg, Tenn.  We trust the Odd Fellows responded to the call.

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2013 Ocoee Lodge Official Visit for Grand Master, Lonnie Jones

Posted on September 15, 2013 by ocoeelodge

This gallery contains 10 photos.

About 65 members and guests joined together on Saturday, September 14th, 2013 at Ocoee Lodge Hall in downtown Cleveland as we honored Lonnie Jones, Grand Master and his staff of Officers, of which, most were present. The theme of the Grand … Continue reading →

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2013 Grand Lodge

Posted on September 15, 2013 by ocoeelodge

At the 2013 Grand Lodge Installation Ceremony, Lonnie Jones was installed as Grand Master; Sherra Kinder as Deputy Grand Master and Roy Climer as Grand Warden. All three are members of Ocoee Lodge.

After the Installation Ceremony , pictured left to right is, Sherra Kinder, Deputy Grand Master; Karen Hamilton, Rebekah Assembly President; Lonnie Jones, Grand Master & Roy Climer, Grand Warden.

After the Installation Ceremony , pictured left to right is, Sherra Kinder, Deputy Grand Master; Karen Hamilton, Rebekah Assembly President; Lonnie Jones, Grand Master & Roy Climer, Grand Warden.

Lonnie Jones, Grand Master and Karen Hamilton, who was installed as President of the Rebekah Assembly, shared their joint program to “Tee Up to Plant the Seed of Friendship, Love and Truth.” Ocoee Lodge wish Lonnie and Karen a great year in service to the order together in unity!

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2012 Grand Lodge

Posted on August 17, 2012 by ocoeelodge

Pictured left to right are:
Lonnie Jones, Deputy Grand Master
Doug Galyon, Grand Master
and Sherra Kinder, Grand Warden

The Grand Lodge in Tennessee, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, recently held its annual Session at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  Douglas Galyon (center) of Philadelphia, Tennessee was elected Grand Master.  Galyon is a member of Sweetwater Valley Lodge No. 280 in Sweetwater.  Also, pictured is Lonnie Jones of Cleveland who was elected Deputy Grand Master and Sherra Kinder, also of Cleveland, who was elected Grand Warden.  Both Jones and Kinder are members of Ocoee Lodge No. 97 in downtown Cleveland.  Odd Fellows promote their motto of friendship, love and truth while seeking to improve and elevate the character of mankind.

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Oak Grove Elementary School Project

Posted on August 8, 2012 by ocoeelodge

Oak Grove Elementary School Project
Teddy Bryson, Principal
and Harold Wofford, Sr., Ocoee Lodge Member

Ocoee Lodge No. 97, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, recently purchased a new bulletin board for  Oak Grove Elementary School. The bulletin board is in the main hallway at the  entrance to the principal’s office. Pictured in front of the bulletin board,  from the left, is Ted Bryson, Principal and Harold Wofford, Sr., Noble Grand of  Ocoee Lodge No. 97 of Cleveland. This is the second school that the Odd Fellows  Lodge has worked with recently to supply something needed by the school.

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2009 Official Visit at the Museum Center

Posted on August 8, 2012 by ocoeelodge

Presentation to Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home

Ocoee Lodge No. 97,  Independent Order of Odd Fellows, held their annual Official Visit for the Grand  Master of the Odd Fellows of Tennessee at The Museum Center at Five Points on March 14, 2009. Over 90 members and guests were present for the special evening. Ocoee Lodge is the home lodge of Brother Mitchell Kinder, the Grand Master of  Tennessee for 2008-2009. As a highlight of the evening, the local lodge made a  $2,500 donation to the Chattanooga campus of the Tennessee Baptist Children’s  Homes. Shown making the presentation is Noble Grand Harold Wofford, Sr. to Rev. Carl Willis, director of the Chattanooga campus.

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