Ocoee Lodge No. 97, I.O.O.F.

Representing Tennessee was K. D. Toney, Department Commander; Sister Linda Weaver, Rebekah Assembly President; and Brother Mitchell Kinder, Grand Master

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows held its 76th annual Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia in May of 2009. The ceremony consists of music, speeches by leaders of the Order and laying of wreaths by the  officers of each state or Jurisdiction. The Odd Fellows were given special  permission to conduct this annual event by President Franklin D. Roosevelt who  was himself a member of the Order in New York. Mitchell, Sherra and Joshua Kinder are pictured in the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Mitchell Kinder is currently serving as Grand Master of the Odd Fellows of Tennessee. Kinder stated that the ceremony is very moving as you  reflect on those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. He further stated that the event makes you proud to be an Odd Fellow. Mitchell and  Sherra Kinder are both members of Ocoee Lodge No. 97 in Cleveland and were  honored to attend and participate at Arlington.

Ceremony for the Unknown Soldier at Arlington by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Department Council

Ladies Auxilary Patriarchs Militant

Guards for the Unknown Soldier

Presentation of the Wreath by Tennessee Officers

Also in attendance with Mitchell Kinder was his wife, Sherra and son, Joshua.

Taylor Elementary School Project

Ocoee Lodge No. 97,  Independent Order of Odd Fellows, recently donated 15 jackets for the Safety  Patrol at Taylor Elementary School. The reflective jackets are needed to assist  the students of the Safety Patrol as they work in the rain and inclement  weather.

Pictured in the front row are Taylor Elementary students:  Dawson, Logan, Taylor and Ginger. Pictured in the back row are Mitchell &  Sherra Kinder, members of the Odd Fellows Lodge, Taylor students Kallie,  Savannah, Bryer, and Whitney, along with School Resource Officer Travis Mull and  Dr. Sherry Shroyer, Principal.

Dr. Shroyer stated “Our students are so  thankful for this gift to our Safety Patrol. This is a great blessing to our  student team of volunteers who are willing to brave the elements to make sure  that all of our students are safe!”

The annual Grand Lodge Session of the Odd Fellows of Tennessee met June 21st – 24th, 2009 at the Knoxville Airport Hilton in Alcoa, Tennessee. Several members of Ocoee Lodge No.  97 of Cleveland were in attendance. Two local members will serve appointed offices during the coming year. Members are pictured with the newly elected Grand Master of Tennessee. Pictured from left to right: Tim Goodwin, Grand  Conductor; Lonnie Jones, Grand Guardian; Scott Hilgadiack of Gallatin, Grand Master; Roy Climer; Mitchell Kinder, Immediate Past Grand Master; and Sherra Kinder. Also, in attendance but not pictured is Harold Wofford, Sr.

Ocoee Lodge’s very own Mitchell Kinder and Robert George have authored 3 pictorial history books of Cleveland and Bradley County.

Bradley County – “Images of America Collection”
Authors: Robert L.  George and Mitchell T. Kinder
# of pages: 128   Publisher: Arcadia  Publishing

Cleveland – “Images of America Collection”
Author: Robert L.  George
# of pages: 128   Publisher: Arcadia  Publishing

Cleveland – “Postcard History Collection”
Authors: Robert L.  George and Mitchell T. Kinder
# of pages: 128   Publisher: Arcadia  Publishing

If you are  interested in purchasing your own copy of one or more of these books, please  contact Mitchell Kinder via email mtkinder@aol.com