By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Florence’s Masonic Lodge will sell slabs of ribs and sides on Labor Day.

“These are competition quality, St. Louis style ribs,” lodge secretary Les Allison said.

The sale is a fund raiser for Marion County scholarships and charitable work done by the Lodge. In the past, the Lodge has helped the Florence library, helped with the sidewalk, and given several needy individuals cash assistance.

The lodge helps out when help is needed, but has limited resources, Allison said.

Each year the Lodge holds an essay contest and awards scholarships to Marion County students. Scholarship amounts vary, he said.

“We gave some $1,000 scholarships this year,” Allison said. “We also pool our funds with the Kansas Masonic Foundation for a secondary scholarship.”

Applications for the secondary scholarships are due in December.

The Lodge previously raised money with community breakfasts, but hasn’t had one this year. One is planned for Sept. 27, he said.

“On Labor Day while we’re handing out the ribs, the lodge is going to be selling excess supplies,” Allison said. “We’ve got 100 years of stuff.”

Racks of ribs are $20 each, and will be sold vacuum packed and frozen, or if the customer prefers, hot.

Orders can be placed by calling Allison at (620) 382-7310, Richard Blount at (620) 382-4001, or Tim Parmley at (620) 382-5428.

Orders can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Florentine Masonic Center, 418 Main, Florence.