Grand Master's Musings

I have moved

2010-02-14T08:54:00.000-09:00

To continue to follow me, please go to "The End of the Beginning".

The Fat Lady Sang

2010-02-08T20:26:00.002-09:00

This is the final posting of the “Grand Master’s Musings”. It has been an enjoyable ride, but as the newest Past Grand Master for the Grand Lodge of Alaska, it isn’t appropriate for me to continue to publish under this title. I am considering creating a new Blog, but with a little different focus. Please let me know your thoughts, if you are interested in my vision for the future of Freemasonry. Likewise, please offer your suggestions on what I might call that Blog.

Thank you to all my loyal followers. I will edit this post with a link to a new Blog, if and when I decide to start one.

Bo Cline

Grand Master's Message

2010-02-08T19:59:00.003-09:00

The following is the message of the Grand Master of Masons in Alaska, as published in the Annual Communication Message booklet.

To the Members of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alaska:

Welcome to the Twenty-Ninth Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alaska. It gives me great pleasure to extend a special greeting to the visiting Grand Masters and dignitaries from other jurisdictions. I know how busy your schedules are and I really appreciate that you have taken the time to come and share in the fellowship with us. Please do not hesitate to ask, if there is anything we can do to make your stay more enjoyable.

APPOINTMENTS

The following brethren were appointed to additional duties during the year:

W James M. LeFlore as chairman of the Fund Raising committee with all sitting Worshipful Master as committee members

MW Stephen L. Cox as my personal representative to the Grand Lodge of Kansas
MW John H. Grainger as my personal representative to the Grand Lodge of Russia
RW Johnnie L. Wallace as my personal representative to the Grand Lodge of Florida
RW Ronald L. Ackerman as my personal representative to the Grand Lodge of Idaho
RW Jerry W. Pinion as my personal representative to the Grand Lodge of Arizona
Brother Jerry W. Lewis as my personal representative to the Grand Lodge of Maine

VW William Goodwin as the Grand Lodge of Alaska Representative to the Masonic Service Association of North America’s Hospital Visit Program

RW Johnnie L. Wallace (Chair), RW Jerome P. (Jerry) Wasson, and MW Henry T. Dunbar as a special committee, working with a committee from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska to survey U.S. Prince Hall Grand Lodges which are in amity with their mainstream counterparts

RW Jerome P. (Jerry) Wasson (Chair), VW V. Clifford Darnell, W James S. Zuke, and W David R. Oaks as a Ritual Performance Recognition Committee

MW Joe Dees (Chair), MW Charles Corbin, and MW Don Chaffin as the Segregations and Reference Committee

RW Philip S. Lee (Chair), RW Bobby W. Alexander, and VW James R. Herrington as the Grand Lodge Audit Committee

NECROLOGY

It is my sad duty to report that, since our last Annual Communication, 51 of our brethren have laid down their working tools and answered the call of the Great Architect of the Universe. We mourn their passing and share that sadness with their families. Our Grand Chaplain, Worshipful Brother Van O. Cheney, will conduct a memorial service later today.

STATE OF THE CRAFT

The Changing Face Of Alaskan Masonry – At the end of 2005, the average age of Alaskan Masons was 65 years old. At the end of 2009, that average age has dropped to 58½ years old. 12% of Alaskan Masons today have been members of the Craft for five years or less and are 42 years old on average. It is plain to see that Masonry in Alaska is getting younger. As I have traveled around the jurisdictions this year, I have experienced a renewed energy and enthusiasm in our Lodges. Our Lodges are branching out and becoming reconnected with their communities, their members enjoy each other’s company, they participate in more group activities, they are pursuing more Masonic education, and improving on their ritual presentations.

Fragile Lodges – On the morning of October 18, 1867 at Baranov’s castle in Sitka, the flag of the United States was raised over the territory of Alaska for the first time. The fellow who raised that flag was Frederick Sloan Sargent, a Freemason. Freemasonry spread throughout the territory, where Masons tilled the soil, mined the ore, caught the fish, and cut the trees. Along the way, those Freemasons built the villages, towns, cities, and created communities throughout this great state. In each of those communities, Masons practiced their craft and established Lodges, Chapters, Courts, and Assemblies. As Masonry grew throughout the Country, it also grew in Alaska. Times have changed, and with that change remote Alaskan communities have seen a more dramatic decline in their social, civic, and religious institutions. The impact of this decline on Alaskan Freemasonry is a degradation of Masonry at those locations at the end of the trap line. Over the past decade we have experienced the loss of Masonry in the communities of Adak and Nome, we have seen lodges consolidated in Ketchikan, Juneau and Anchorage, and today Masonry in the communities of Petersburg, Cordova, Seward, and Kodiak is on life support. If we don’t see a reawakening in those communities, we are destined to see a loss of Masonry there, as well. Grand Lodge cannot enroll new members in and reinvigorate our constituent lodges. We can and will continue to provide resource material, officer training, assistance in performing degree work, and encouragement. The success or failure of any lodge however is dependent upon the energy of its members and Masonry’s acceptance within the community.

Status of Law Suit – In November 2004, three members of the Grand Lodge of Alaska brought a civil suit against two elected Past Grand Lodge officers for actions they took while serving in their respective positions. At the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge in 2005, the Grand Master declared that Grand Lodge would assume responsibility for the legal fees of the two Past Grand Lodge officers. Also, at that Annual Communication, the members of Grand Lodge approved a resolution to make it a Masonic Offense to bring legal action against a lodge or Grand Lodge or against a member of the same without first complying with all of the provisions of the Alaska Masonic Code. In 2007, the suit was dismissed by the trial judge. In September of that year, the case was appealed by the plaintiffs to the State of Alaska Appellate Court. At the Annual Communications in 2007 and 2008, the members of Grand Lodge approved a $10 per capita special assessment to pay accumulated legal fees of the Past Grand Lodge officers. According to the State of Alaska Case Management System, the assigned judge has issued an initial draft of a judgment, which is being circulated for review by the entire court. As no legal fees have been accumulated since the last special assessment was approved by Grand Lodge, I will not be recommending any additional assessment this year.

This year with the assistance and recommendation of Mrs. Debbie Ackerman, I have directed the Grand Treasurer to purchase Director and Officers Liability Insurance to cover the elected Grand Lodge officers in the performance of their duties. This insurance will remain part of the Grand Lodge’s insurance portfolio to protect Grand Lodge from any future litigation.

Grand Lodge Endowments – In March of this year, the Grand Lodge received notification from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that the Alaska Masonic Foundation for Children (AMFC) had been granted charitable status under Section 501 (c) 3 of their code. AMFC is the Grand Lodge’s Charitable Endowment, which sponsors the Grand Lodge of Alaska Visual Arts and Music Scholarship (Edward O. Weisser Scholarship) and the Alaska Masonic Model Student Assistance Program. This year, I appealed to the members of our Grand Lodge for money to support the Scholarship portion of our endowment. Thanks to the generous contributions of Alaska Masons, Grand Lodge netted $10,614.07 for the endowment fund. When this money was added to the balance in the Scholarship fund, we now are in a position to distribute approximately $1,000 annually to deserving Alaskan High School Seniors to support their pursuit of further education in the arts and sustain the fund indefinitely. Additionally, I named a Scholarship Committee to develop criteria for selection of scholarship awardees, to promote the scholarship throughout Alaskan Secondary Schools, and to make a selection of the best qualified individuals to receive this year’s grant. As of this writing, the Scholarship Committee has made their selection and will present the award at the Public Opening of Grand Lodge. Future contributions to the scholarship fund will grow this endowment and make future disbursements even larger.

The Alaska Masonic Model Student Assistance Program (AMMSAP) makes resources available to train Alaska’s Public School Teachers and Administrators on how to identify children at risk from abuse and to help them identify the tools available to prevent that abuse, so that Alaskan children can live healthy and productive lives. It is the goal of the AMFC, as identified in the Grand Lodge Strategic Plan, to grow this endowment through grants, outside funding sources, and the generous donations from Alaska’s Masonic Lodges and their members to make this a viable and fundamental program to help stem the abuse of children in Alaska.

Internet – Our Grand Lodge web site was updated this past spring by WB Tad Dean. Subsequently, our site was reviewed by Greg Stewart of Freemason Information Blog. Tad made additional updates to address the suggestions made. Later, Tad informed me that, as he codes our web site using native “hypertext markup language” (html), he had reached the limit of his capability. He suggested that if Grand Lodge wished to have a more professional looking site with additional graphics, we needed to either contract out to have our site upgraded or purchase some sophisticated web authoring software with training to perform the upgrades in house.

The Grand Lodge of Alaska web site is gradually becoming our face to the world and the primary means with which we communicate with our members. In my opinion, we need to enhance it to make it more attractive and user friendly. We also need to make it more accessible for adding and updating content.

Alaska Masonic Family Group – I chose “Unity” as the theme for my year as your Grand Master and selected the trowel as the symbol to represent that theme. I figuratively wished to use the trowel to spread the cement of Brotherly Love and Affection among all Alaskan Masons, and had the specific goal of strengthening the bonds of friendship between the Grand Lodge of Alaska and our concordant bodies. I stand before you today to report that that goal has been met. On May 9, the Grand Lodge team met in fellowship with the leadership of each of the concordant Masonic bodies, at the first annual Alaska Masonic Family Group meeting. A major accomplishment of this meeting was a mutual agreement to share information between Grand Lodge and the concordant bodies and to create an Alaska Masonic Family events calendar. Additionally, the group agreed to make this meeting an annual occurrence.

Grand Lodge Records – The Grand Lodge of Alaska maintains member records of all Alaskan Masons. The information contained in these records is provided by each of our constituent lodges through monthly and annual reports. This information is essentially necessary to credit our individual members for their accomplishments on their journey through Masonry and is a historical record of our heritage. Currently the information necessary to maintain these records is contained in numerous different places. Within our lodges, it is contained in dusty file folders, in turn of the century card files, on slips of paper, and on various computers in LODGEiCal, Microsoft Excel and Word, and numerous other electronic databases. Within the Grand Lodge this information is contained in five separate and distinct Microsoft Access Databases, in Microsoft Excel and Word, in file cabinets and boxes, and in the ever-present 19th Century card file. The information provided by our lodges to update the information at the Grand Lodge is provided through the US Mail on various lodge forms, slips of paper, backs of envelopes and scrawled on napkins. It is provided through voicemail and in countless formats over email. Brothers, the information contained in our records is our history and the heart and soul of Masonry. Two hundred years from now, we don’t want our future brethren to lament that we didn’t have the foresight to protect this information from loss and inaccuracy.

Prince Hall Recognition – In April, while attending the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska, I noted that we are one of the youngest Grand Lodges in North America, and as such, I believe we should be extending the hand of brotherly love and friendship to all Prince Hall Grand Lodges who meet the standards of regularity and have treaties of shared jurisdiction. I requested assistance from our Prince Hall Grand Master in extending the bonds of brotherhood to those Prince Hall Grand Lodges that meet the criteria previously mentioned and proposed that we form a joint committee to explore this possibility.

The following day, in his message to the craft, the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Edward Miller recommended that a committee of Past Grand Masters be formed to work with the Grand Lodge of Alaska to expand on the brotherly love and friendship between our two jurisdictions. This recommendation was unanimously approved by the members present.

I subsequently appointed RW Johnnie L. Wallace, MW Henry Dunbar, and RW Jerome (Jerry) Wasson to work with the members selected by MW Miller.

OFFICIAL ACTS

Proclamations, Edicts, & Rulings –
• Proclamation naming April 2009 Public Schools Month in Alaska
• Proclamation naming January 2010 Masonic Youth Month in Alaska
• Grand Master’s Ruling authorizing the Order of Eastern Star to place the Square and Compasses on their altar during their meeting in respect for their Masonic members
• Grand Master’s Ruling authorizing Master Masons to be clothed as Masons when visiting regular meetings of Masonic Youth in Alaska.
• Grand Master’s Ruling authorizing the Alaska Chapter of the Widow’s Sons Masonic Riders Association to operate within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Alaska

Orders Issued – I issued the following orders this past year:
• To Seward Lodge No. 6 an order to file their monthly reports with Grand Lodge
• To Mt. Juneau/ Gastineaux Lodge No. 21 an order to have Chapter 21 of the Alaska Masonic Code read at a stated communication

Bylaws Approved – I approved the following lodge bylaw changes this past year:
• 3/9/2009, Kenai Lodge No. 11 – Changed the cost of Life Membership and the start time of stated meetings and designated the recipient of Lodge proceeds upon dissolution.
• 7/15/2009, Aurora Lodge No. 15 – Added the phrase “Non Profit Fraternal Organization” to the heading.
• 7/29/2009, Fairbanks Lodge No 12 – Designated the names of recipients of the Lodge’s charities.
• 10/27/2009, Eagle River No. 13 – Clarified of the wording in several sections.

Dispensations & Assessments – I approved the following dispensations:

• February 2009 – established a blanket waiver to allow Lodge members to be clothed as Masons when attending Church Services, Parades, and Community events.
• February 13, 2009 – granted Glacier Lodge No. 10 permission to change the date of their April stated communication.
• August 10, 2009 – granted Matanuska Lodge No. 7 permission to change the date of their September stated communication.
• August 20, 2009 – granted North Pole Lodge No. 16 permission to change their regular meeting place for the purpose of conducting a special communication.
• November 24, 2009 – granted North Pole Lodge No. 16 permission to change their regular meeting place for the purpose of conducting their installation of officers.

Restorations – I restored Jonathan Winchester to good standing as a nonaffiliated Mason from a sentence of indefinite suspension in response to an appeal for clemency.

Requests for Amity – I submitted requests for amity to the following Grand Jurisdictions:

Arizona, PHA
California, PHA
Colorado, PHA
District of Columbia, PHA
Hawaii, PHA
Illinois, PHA
Indiana, PHA
Iowa, PHA
Kansas, PHA
Maryland, PHA
Massachusetts, PHA
Michigan, PHA
Minnesota, PHA
Missouri, PHA
Nebraska, PHA
Nevada, PHA
New Jersey, PHA
New Mexico, PHA
New York, PHA
Ohio, PHA
Oklahoma, PHA
Ontario, PHA
Pennsylvania, PHA
Rhode Island, PHA
Texas, PHA
Virginia, PHA
Washington, PHA
Wisconsin, PHA

RECOMMENDATIONS

Scholarship Committee – This year, I created the Grand Lodge Scholarship Committee as a Grand Master’s Sub-Committee. The committee performed their task admirably and has established the Grand Lodge of Alaska Visual Arts and Music Scholarship as a sustainable grant to be awarded annually. I recommend that this committee be made a standing committee within Grand Lodge to promote the scholarship throughout Alaskan Secondary Schools and to make a selection of the best qualified individuals to receive the grant annually.

Code Review Committee – The Masonic Code Review Committee identified numerous errors, inconsistencies, typos, and omissions in the Alaska Masonic Code. To avoid future irregularities in the Code and the level of effort needed to correct them, I recommend that Code Review Committee be given the authority to review all legislation passed at all future Annual Communications. Further, I recommend that this Committee be given the authority (with oversight by the Committee on Jurisprudence) to correct errors identified in the passed legislation and change other sections of the Code affected by the passed legislation to ensure consistency throughout the Code.

Ritual Consolidation – I recommend that a resolution to combine the Grand Lodge of Alaska ciphers for the degrees of Masonry and the Alaska Monitor and Freemason’s Guide into a single Alaska Standard Work and Freemasons Guide be approved.

Disciplinary Code – I recommend that the incoming Grand Master for 2010 appoint a Disciplinary Code Review Committee to review, rewrite, and restructure Part IV (Disciplinary Code) and other Sections of the Alaska Masonic Code that might be affected by a new Part IV to make Part IV of the Code more straightforward, consistent, and just.

MORI – I recommend a $1.50 per capita increase in the Grand Lodge of Alaska annual assessment for the purpose of paying the annual recurring cost to access and maintain a Grand Lodge of Alaska “Masonic Online Registry Interface” (MORI). MORI is a unified lodge management system that integrates lodge records with Grand Lodge records. This system will replace the multitude of processes and management systems currently in use by our Lodges and Grand Lodge and ultimately lower the operating costs to both. The MORI system will virtually eliminate the deficiencies noted in the Grand Lodge Records section of the “State of the Craft” above.

VISITATIONS

This year I traveled throughout our jurisdiction and several Grand jurisdictions around the country. I also experienced the truly universality of Masonry through virtual travels around the globe by way of the World Wide Web.

I visited each and every lodge within Alaska at least once, with the exception of Seward Lodge No. 6 and Fairbanks Lodge No. 12. During my visits to Fairbanks, Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, and the Matanuska Valley, I consolidated my visits to two and three lodges at one time. This consolidated “Grand Master’s Reception” proved to be popular approach to meet with the brethren from more than one lodge in a geographical area. It effectively reduced both the financial burden on the Grand Lodge Officers and provided Masons from adjoining Lodges an opportunity for fellowship.

I represented the Grand Lodge of Alaska at several other Grand Jurisdictions and annual meetings of concordant bodies. In February, shortly after our Annual Communication in Kodiak, Beth and I travel to Garden Grove, CA to participate in the Western Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges and the Conference of Grand Masters of North America. In April, we attended the Grand Lodge of Hawaii in Honolulu and returned to Anchorage to attend the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska. June found us traveling to the Grand Lodge of Oregon in Bend, the Grand Lodge of Washington in Spokane, the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon in Prince George, and Rainbow Grand Assembly in Fairbanks. In July, we traveled to the Imperial Shrine Session is San Antonio, TX. The last week in August I had the opportunity to attend the 50th Anniversary of my father’s lodge (TF McElroy Lodge No. 302) in Federal Way, WA. In September, we traveled to Dawson City, YT for International Days and London for both the Quarterly Communication of the United Grand Lodge of England and Taurus Lodge No. 3981. We traveled to San Francisco, CA for the Grand Lodge of California and Washington, DC for the Bi-annual Session of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction in October. Finally, we traveled to the Grand Lodge of Washington’s Landmark on the Sound for the International Night Banquet and Reception of Lafayette Lodge No. 241 and then on to Reno, NV for the Grand Lodge of Nevada. The visit to Lafayette Lodge for International Night was an event I will long remember. It was very special to be counted among the many notable personalities from presidents, stage and screen stars, and famous Masons who signed the historic Lafayette bible. It was also special because the Landmark on the Sound, which was once called the Masonic Home at Zenith, was the building where I first met Beth during a Rainbow installation nearly forty years ago.

My virtual travels on the Internet have had me visiting with brethren from all corners of the world over Masonic Forums like The Masonic Society, The Sanctum Sanctorum, and the Scottish Rite’s Freemason Network. I have also connected with Masons around the country through Facebook, Twitter, and several Masonic Blogs and Podcasts. One of my most pleasurable activities this year has been keeping a live journal (Blog) on the Internet called “Grand Master’s Musings”. I hope the brethren have enjoyed reading about my exploits this year as much as I have enjoyed posting them.

APPRECIATION

At my installation as your Grand Master, I remarked that I was going to work hard for you in the coming year. At that time, I also asked each Alaska Masons to work equally hard to help improve our Grand Lodge. I am exceedingly pleased by the time and effort that I have seen given in support of our Grand Lodge this year, I would especially like to recognize the following brethren:

MW Charles E. Corbin for your imagination and enthusiasm in conceiving the Alaska Standard Work and Freemasons Guide and for the time and effort you spent preparing a consolidated ritual, so that I could take it around on my official visits to share this exciting concept with the brethren.

VW Roger Hansen and VW James Herrington for your dogged determination and tireless effort in painstakingly scanning the Alaska Masonic Code for errors, omissions, and inconsistencies. It was Roger who remarked on many Grand Master’s visits that “the only thing consistent about the current version of the Code is that it is consistently inconsistent.”

Brother Stephen Wright and the Scholarship Committee for accepting the challenge of creating guidelines for the Alaska Visual Arts and Music Scholarship and for taking the bit in their teeth to promote the scholarship throughout Alaska, screen candidates, and make our first scholarship selection this year.

VW Ken Creamer, chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee, for your good counsel and your always thoughtful review of my proposed decisions.

VW Tom Schram for your uncommon work ethic managing the Grand Lodge office.

W John Bishop, the Grand Lecturer, for traveling throughout the jurisdiction on your own nickel to present Lodges of Instruction. John has been an excellent traveling companion, accompanying me this year, while we drove on many dark and winding roads across the wilds of Alaska.

W Tad Dean for completing the much needed facelift to Grand Lodge Web Page.

MW Jared Decker for graciously volunteering and dutifully publishing the Grand Lodge newsletter, “Light of the Great Land” this year. It should be noted that this is the first time we have published a Grand Lodge newsletter since 2004.

Juneau Valley Scottish Rite for their very generous contribution of $50,000 to the Grand Lodge permanent fund.

VW Russ Shivers and my District Deputy for taking on the responsibility and conducting Leadership Training throughout the jurisdiction.

W John Paul Jones and the members of the Sessions and Arrangements committee for your assistance in making this year’s Annual Communication a highlight of Alaskan hospitality. I extend a special thanks to the members of my mother lodge, Matanuska No. 7, for all their support and generous contribution to the refreshments in the hospitality lounge.

All Worshipful Masters for all of your hard work in managing your Lodges and your dedication to the Craft.

MW Jared Decker, RW Johnnie Wallace, RW Ron Ackerman, RW Jerry Pinion, RW Jim Grubbs, and RW Jerry Wasson for your companionship and your good counsel and advice this year.

All Alaska Masons who contributed to the Alaska Visual Arts and Music Scholarship and exceeded my wildest dreams by giving more than $10,000.

And, to my wife Beth for all of her companionship and her tireless work behind the scenes this year. Beth, you are my best friend and the love of my life. This would have been an extremely lonely journey without you.

This has been an extraordinary experience and one that I will never forget. I thank you, the Grand Lodge of Alaska, for your confidence in me and the honor of serving you as your Grand Master this past year.

John R. “Bo” Cline
Grand Master

29th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alaska

2010-02-08T19:32:00.009-09:00

The Twenty Ninth Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge ended Friday afternoon, February 5th, with the installation of officers for 2010. All of the officers in the progressive line moved up one chair. MW Johnnie L. Wallace was installed as Grand Master, RW Ronald L. Ackerman as Deputy Grand Master, RW Jerry W. Pinion as Senior Grand Warden, RW James Grubbs as Grand Treasurer, and RW Jerry Wasson as Grand Secretary. RW James R. Herrington is the new kid on the block, having been elected and installed as Junior Grand Warden.

The festivities, however, began on Wednesday evening with the Grand Master’s Banquet. Dignitaries from all of the concordant bodies as well as distinguished guests form the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska and the Grand Lodges of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, and British Columbia and Yukon were introduced. It was a very enjoyable evening, which concluded with a wonderful choral presentation by Cantora Arctica, a group of mostly Mat-Su Valley women of all ages and backgrounds -- joining energies once a week to sing! Other special guests included my parents (WB John Kelly Cline and Marge Cline), Beth’s Parents (Brother Donald S. Dodds and Leeann Dodds), Beth’s Uncle and Aunt (Brother Brian Winsor and Jill Winsor), Beth’s brother and his wife (David S. Dodds and Michele Dodds), our son, his wife, and our new grandson (Joshua Cline, Kenyatta Cline, and Zachary Cline), and our daughter (Megan Cline).

Grand Lodge officially opened on Thursday morning with a welcome to the city of Anchorage by Mr. Larry Baker, Senior Policy Advisor for the Municipality of Anchorage, representing Mayor Dan Sullivan. Additional features of the Public Opening included the presentation of the Flags of the United States by the Heroes of ’76, welcome by various members of the Alaska Masonic Youth Groups, and the first ever presentation of the Alaska Masonic Visual Arts and Music Scholarship. Following the public opening, Grand Lodge was opened in ritual form for its regular business.

The Fellowship Banquet was held on Thursday evening with most of the same guests as Wednesday evening’s Grand Master’s Banquet. In addition to the friendship, fellowship, and good food, presentations of various Masonic awards were made, and a very enjoyable talk was given by Mark A. Tabbert, Director of Collections for the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria Virginia. Awards presented included the Grand Master’s Award of Excellence, the James A. Williams perpetual award, the Buckley C. Hazen perpetual award, and Military recognition presentations. The Grand Lodge of California made a presentation of a crystal gavel to RW Johnnie L. Wallace and the Grand Master was given a special presentation by the Grand Lodge of Oregon, a Certificate of Appreciation from the Masonic Service Association of North America, and a Certificate of Appreciation from the George Washington Masonic Memorial. I was also given my grandfather’s Masonic pocket piece by my mother, which proclaimed that he was made a Mason in St. Andrews Lodge No. 35 in Renton, WA in 1920. I also had the pleasure of presenting the Alaska Mason of the Year medallion for 2009 (name of the recipient omitted pending formal presentation in Lodge).

The business of Grand Lodge was completed by 11:30 AM Friday morning, in time to break for refreshments before calling to order again at 1:00 PM to complete the balloting and announce the officers for 2010. Legislation that were passed by the members of Grand Lodge included those resolutions related to improving the Alaska Masonic Code, a resolution to make the Scholarship Committee a standing committee of Grand Lodge, a resolution to delete the requirement for the Secretary to read the minutes of the previous stated meeting at the succeeding stated meeting, an emergent resolution to consolidate the three ciphers for the degrees of Masonry with the monitorial work into a single Alaska Standard Work and Freemasons Guide. Recommendations that were approved by the members of Grand Lodge included the authorization of the Code Review Committee to make all portions of the Code consistent with any legislation that was passed during Grand Lodge, the approval of a $1.50 increase in the Grand Lodge per capita assessment to the Lodges for the purpose of paying the recurring charges for the Masonic Online Registry Interface (MORI), and the recommendation to create a Disciplinary Code Review Committee to review, rewrite, and restructure Part IV of the Alaska Masonic Code.

This was a very rewarding Grand Lodge session and I owe special thanks to the officers and members of our Grand Lodge, most especially to my Sessions and Arrangements Committee, to the officers and members of my Mother Lodge (Matanuska Lodge No. 7), and to my wife Beth. Thanks to all of you who made this a special year in my Masonic career.

Ground Hog Day

2010-02-08T08:21:00.007-09:00

On Tuesday, February 2 the Alaska Masonic Library and Museum Foundation, assisted by the Alaska 2nd Circle Committee of the Masonic Society conducted its first annual fundraiser. The funds raised will be used to cover operating expenses of our Library and Museum. This event took place the night before the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alaska and included several visitors from around the state and around the country, including visitors from the Grand Lodges of California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Wyoming, Vermont, and Nevada.

Fellowship was a key ingredient of the evening, where our guests enjoyed each other’s company, while participating in a “Paring Food with Beer” presentation. German food and German beer highlighted the festivities, and the participants received an education about different beers and ales, how they enhanced the food being enjoyed, and how they were enhanced by it. From my perspective, it was a very enjoyable evening, and I heard several guests remark what a great time they were having. It was plain to see that the evening was planned to please everyone, and to unite them in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness.

The fundraising activity included a silent auction of various items donated for the purpose. The auction was enthusiastically received and bidding was quite lively, with some items being bid up far above their market value. The following is a list of the various Masonic books, which had been signed by their authors and what they sold for:

Book	Author	Donated by	Sold for
Building Boaz and Building Hiram	Dr. John Nagy	Dr. John Nagy	$40
Lifting the Veil	Dr. John Nagy	Dr. John Nagy	$10
American Freemasons	Mark Tabbert	Bo Cline	$225
The 32 Secret Paths of Solomon and The Alchemical Keys to Masonic Ritual (2 sets)	Timothy Hogan	Timothy Hogan	$30
Committed to the Flames	S. Brent Morris & Arturo DeHoyos	S. Brent Morris & Arturo DeHoyos	$45
Idiots Guide to Freemasonry	S. Brent Morris	S. Brent Morris	$30
Morgan – The Scandal that Shook Freemasonry	Stephen Dafoe	Bo Cline	$25
Masonic Enlightenment	Michael Poll	Michael Poll	$12
Mystic Fire, Rosicrucian Writings of A.E. Waite	Michael Poll	Michael Poll	$25
The Masters and the Path	Leadbeater	Michael Poll	$20
Collected Rosicrucian Thought	Michael Poll	Michael Poll	$20
Robert’s Rules of Order (Masonic)	Michael Poll	Michael Poll	$25
Our Stations and Places	Meacham	Michael Poll	$22
Masonic Words and Phrases	Michael Poll	Michael Poll	$10
Knights & Freemasons	Michael Poll	Michael Poll	$42
A Reporter’s Life (First Edition)	Walter Cronkite	Judy & Richard Fletcher	$120
The Reef (First Edition)	Nora Roberts	Judy & Richard Fletcher	$30
Deciphering the Lost Symbol	Chris Hodapp	Chris Hodapp	$30
Solomon’s Builders	Chris Hodapp	Chris Hodapp	$30
A Laudable Pursuit	Knights of the North	Chris Hodapp	$20
Freemasons for Dummies	Chris Hodapp	Chris Hodapp	$25
Conspiracy Theories & Secret Societies for Dummies	Chris Hodapp	Chris Hodapp	$20
Templar Code for Dummies	Chris Hodapp	Chris Hodapp	$15

Overall, the Alaska Masonic Library and Museum Foundation raised over $2,000. I wish to thank all those generous people who donated items to this cause and all those who took part in the auction and purchased those items.

Log of the Week of January 17th

2010-02-07T21:02:00.006-09:00

Its been a while since I last posted anything on this blog. During that time the Grand Master of Minnesota made 18 post, the Grand Master of Ohio made 15 posts, and Chris Hodapp made 24 posts. Its time I caught up on my journal.

On Sunday, January 17, 2010 I attended the installation of officers for Anchorage Chapter No. 8, Order of the Eastern Star. Sister Iris Crothers, P.M. was installed as Worthy Matron and Brother Steve Lee, P.P. was install as Worthy Patron for 2010. Sister Beverly Keto, P.M. and Brother Clarence Keto, P.P. were installed as Associate Matron and Associate Patron respectively. The installing officers included:

Alice Chaney

Van Chaney

Damon Shin

Michelle Williams

Victoria Ault

Pat Dart

Each year the newly elected Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron choose at least one philanthropic endeavor for their year, besides our Masonic Youth. The selection for this year is "Cares for Kids". these kids are some of the most highly neglected and abused children in Anchorage.

On Saturday, January 23, 2010, I attended the 120th Installation of Officers for Nugget Assembly No. 13, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. The installation took place at the Anchorage Masonic Center, where Miss Janelle vonBrigelen was installed as Worthy Advisor. Miss Chloe Stoces, Miss Tiffany Cameron, Miss Jamie Wooding, and Miss Maressa Ottman were installed as Worthy Associate Advisor, Charity, Hope, and Faith respectively.

The Worthy Advisor's theme for her term is "Dancing Through Life", and she chose as her bible verse Psalm 30 verse 11, which reads:

"You turned my waiting into dancing, you removed my sack cloth and clothed me with joy."

Log of the Week of January 4th

2010-01-17T11:33:00.007-09:00

DENALI CHAPTER No. 16 INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS:
On Monday evening, January 4, I attended the Installation of Officers of Denali Chapter No. 16, Order of the Eastern Star. Sister Bonnie Duncan and Brother Al Schuerger were installed Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron. It was great to see Bonnie in the East and a bit of a surprise. The surprise was because I had always associated Bonnie with the Great Alaska Council of the Boy Scouts where she was the training chair for the Denali District. Its also interesting to note that, although a coincidence, the OES Chapter and the Boy Scout District share the same name.

MATANUSKA LODGE No. 7 STATED MEETING:
As Tuesday, January 5 was the first Tuesday of the month, it was time for the stated communication of Matanuska Lodge No. 7, my “Mother Lodge”. This was our first meeting for 2010 and WB Ted Hutchinson’s first time in the East as Master of the Lodge. Ted had an extremely well planned out meeting, which he executed in a superior manner. Assisting WB Ted were WB Dennis Oakland (SW) and Bro. Mitch Coulthard (JW). The officers performed the opening and closing ritual with precision, which was a pleasure to see from such newly installed officers. It was also a pleasure to see so many sideliners, who enjoyed wonderful fellowship in the dining room before the meeting.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS – ANCHORAGE LODGE No. 17:
Wednesday evening, January 6 found me back in Anchorage for the 94th installation of officers of Anchorage Lodge No. 17. Brother James S. Zuke was installed as Worshipful Master for 2010. Installed along with WB James were VW Thomas L. Schram (SW), Bro. Mark A. Sledge (JW), VW Michael B. Swensen (Treasurer), and VW Jim R. McMichael (Secretary). It was a delight to see the members of Job’s Daughters Bethel No. 1 escorting the officers into the lodge room. The installing officers included VW Dennis R. Thayer (Installing Officer), RW Johnnie L. Wallace (Installing Marshall), Bro. Robert K. Kelly, Jr. (Chaplain), W Glen E. Josey (Installing Secretary), and W Timothy Jackson (Installing Tyler). Some of special guests at the installation were RW Curtis Harris, Senior Grand Warden and W Franklin Dunbar, Assistant Grand Secretary of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska.

AL ASKA SHRINE ANNUAL MEETING:
Saturday, January 9 was a very busy day Masonically, with the Al Aska Shrine Annual Meeting and installation of officers and the installation of officers for International Order of the Job’s Daughters Bethel No. 1, Matanuska Chapter No. 14 Order of the Eastern Star, and Sterling Lodge No. 22. It is hard to be in two places at once, so I had to choose my participation. As I was invited to be an installing officer for the Sterling installation, I opted to stop in Anchorage for the Al Aska Shrine annual meeting. The election of officers for 2010 took place during this meeting and the following Nobles were elected as the leaders of the Divan:

Potentate – David Worel
Chief Rabban – V. J. “Nik” Nicholas
Assistant Rabban – Bruce Cling
High Priest and Prophet – Paul Bordale
Oriental Guide – Jeff Polizzotto
Treasurer – Fred Angleton
Recorder – Kip Clapper

The installation of officers, which I unfortunately missed, occurred later in the evening. Typically, the Potentate’s Ball would have followed after the installation; however Illustrious Worel has chosen to have his festivities at the conclusion of the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alaska, beginning Friday, February 5. Dave has planned a whole host activities and events to participate in. Please go to the Grand Lodge of Alaska Website for information about the activities.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS – STERLING LODGE No. 22:
Sterling, Alaska is located on the beautiful Kenai Peninsula and alongside the World Famous Kenai River. A couple of months ago, I had been invited by MW Les Little to be his Installing Marshall for his progression to the East, yet again, as Worshipful Master of Sterling Lodge No. 22. The installation took place on Saturday, January 9. Sterling is a little over 350 miles round trip from my home and January in Alaska means winter driving conditions. As such, I decided to leave home a little early to make sure I arrived in time. Along the way, I stopped in Anchorage to attend the annual meeting of Al Aska Shrine, where I picked up my driving companion, RW Johnnie Wallace (DGM), for our trip along the Scenic Seward Highway.

Johnnie and I arrived in Sterling just in time to join the other installing officers (MW Henry Dunbar and MW Harry Koenen) for their 10th installation of officers. In addition to MW Les Little (WM), the other officers installed included Bro. Bill Roberts (SW), W Carl Lindstrom (JW), Bro William Nelson (Treasurer), and VW Tim Smith (Secretary). It was a very enjoyable installation ceremony, and I am pleased to report that the installing officers did an excellent job.

After a great meal and wonderful fellowship, it was beginning to get dark, so Johnnie and I hit the road for our drive back around Turnagain Arm. Along the drive, Johnnie and I listened to past editions of Masonic Central, which I had downloaded to my phone. All in all, it was a very satisfying end to a long Masonic week.

It's Beer

2009-12-29T15:59:00.004-09:00

I know this photo looks like a chemistry experiment gone awry, but it is actually me transferring my home brew to Cornilus Kegs for the Grand Lodge Hospitality Lounge. The one on the right is an IPA and the one on the left will be an Amber. I am told that there will be two other home brews to sample. Please come join us at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alaska, and stop by the Hospitality Lounge for a taste. To register for Grand Lodge, go to our website (www.alaska-mason.org) and follow the links to the registration form and hotel.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-23T20:07:00.002-09:00

To all my family and friends, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. At this time of year let us rejoice in the many blessings we have received and at the same time be mindful of those who are less fortunate. Remember, at this time of giving, the greatest gift that you can give is your love and friendship.

How We Dress is a Reflection of Who We Are

2009-12-13T09:27:00.004-09:00

It is my custom to only place original content in this Blog. However on occasion, I run across sentiments on other sites that I feel are worth sharing. Such is the case of message from MW Barry Rickman, Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina. That message is printed on The Palmetto Mason Blog. MW Rickman addresses the manner in which Masons should dress to represent the best qualities of our institution. It struck a cord with me and I encourage all to follow the link above and read the Grand Master's message.

Installation of Officers - Aurora Lodge No. 15

2009-12-12T20:08:00.007-09:00

After attending the installation of officers of Matanuska Lodge in Palmer, Beth and I rushed into Anchorage to catch the installation of officers for Aurora Lodge No. 15. The temperatures were crisp when we left Palmer, about 3 to 4 degrees above zero. By the time we reached Anchorage, the temperature outside had risen to 17 to 18 above. With all of the good friends and fellowship atthe Anchorage Masonic Center, it was much warmer inside.

Beth and I arrived in plenty of time to witness the installation of officers, where WB Dave Oaks was installed as Worshipful Master of Aurora for 2010. The other officers for 2010 include: Bro. Jon Ward (Sr. Warden), Bro. Joe Dahl (Jr. Warden), Bro. Andrew Balser (Treasurer), WB Al Schuerger (Secretary), WB Paul Gabbert (Chaplain) Bro. Luke Boggess (Marshall), Bro. Steve Cords (Sr. Deacon), Bro. Andrew Dickinson (Jr. Deacon), Bro. Andy Flack (Sr. Steward), Bro. Jeff Wilson (Jr. Steward), Bro. Chris Dahl (Organist), and Bro Ken Smith (Tyler).

This installation of officers marked the first time in the 21 year history of Aurora Lodge No. 15 that all of the Installing officers were Past Masters of the Lodge. WB Rodney Young was the Installing Master, WB John Bishop was the Installing Marshall, WB Paul Gabbert was Installing Chaplain, and WB Philip (Steve) Lee was the Installing Secretary.

At the conclusion of the installation of officers the members of Job’s Daughters International Bethel #1 performed the most impressive “What is a Mason” Ceremony.

Palmer Lodge Installation of Officers

2009-12-12T19:27:00.004-09:00

This morning, Beth and I attended the installation of officers for 2010 for Matanuska Lodge No. 7 (my Mother Lodge). There was quite a crowd present for this event and our small Lodge room was very cramped. WB Tad Dean (outgoing Master) welcomed those present and introduced the various dignitaries. Tad also recognized those Brothers who had contributed to the success of the Lodge this past year. WB Russell Sanders received recognition for attending to the sick and distressed members of the Lodge, Brother Ted Hutchinson was honored for his ritual accomplishments during the year, WB Jerry Pendergrass was recognized for his hard-working support of the Lodge as Almoner, and Brother Dennis Oakland was named Mason of the Year from Matanuska Lodge for 2009.

The Installing Officers were VW V. Clifford Darnell (Installing Master), MW Charles Corbin (Installing Marshall), WB Larry Wright (Installing Secretary), and MW Harry Koenen (Installing Chaplain). WB Ted Hutchinson was installed as Worshipful Master for 2010. Brothers Dennis Oakland and Mitch Coulthard were installed as Senior and Junior Wardens respectively. WB Tad Dean was installed as Secretary. The appointed officers included WB Jerry Pendergrass (Chaplain), Brother Bruce Downs (Marshall), Brother Tom Lehe (Senior Deacon), Brother Don Ridge (Junior Deacon), Brother Robert Miles (Senior Steward), Brother Alex Conners (Junior Steward), and WB Norm Gutcher (Tyler). WB Jackie Carl who was elected Treasurer had another commitment and was not present for the installation.

The newly installed Worshipful Master thanked all who had attended today’s installation, most especially his wife Judelie and the Installing Officers. It is great to see my Lodge in such good hands and I look forward to great things coming from Matanuska Lodge this coming year.

Cub Scout Pack 354

2009-12-09T23:47:00.002-09:00

This evening, I attended the Leaders Meeting for Cub Scout Pack 354 in Palmer, Alaska. Pack 354 is chartered by Matanuska Lodge No. 7 in Palmer, and I am their Charter Organization Representative. Skip Krysak (Cub Master) and his wife Christie have led this very successful Cub Pack for nearly 20 years. The meeting took place at Skip’s home and featured a wonderful Seafood Boil dinner. The Pack participated in the Popcorn Sales again this year and sold $30,000 in popcorn. From this, they netted $10,000 for the Pack, which will be used to support their activities this coming year. Another one third of the proceeds of this sale goes to the Great Alaska Council of the Boy Scouts of America to help fund their ongoing programs.

Pack 354 currently has 89 Scouts in 11 Cub Dens. They keep the boys very active in the community by providing support to various charitable organizations like Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, and Wounded Veterans Program. On Saturday, December 19, the Cubs and their families will be caroling at the Palmer Veterans Home (Pioneer Home) at 6:00 PM. In addition to their regularly planned activities, the Pack will be sponsoring an “Adult Pinewood Derby”. This event gives Scout parents and other adults the opportunity to build and compete with their own Pinewood Derby cars and provides them an opportunity to contribute to the Wounded Veterans Program. The entry fee is $25, for which the participant get their own Pinewood Derby kit. The adults will compete on May 6, 2010 at the Palmer Elks Club on Finger Lake. For more information about Pack 354 please contact Skip at krysak@mtaonline.net.

Glacier Lodge No. 10 Installation of Officers

2009-12-09T22:09:00.002-09:00

Last Saturday, December 5, I attended the installation of officers for Glacier Lodge No. 10. The installation took place at the Anchorage Masonic Center, and the Lodge room was packed with visitors. WB Clarence E. Keto was installed as worshipful master, with Brothers David Prentice and Bruce Morgan as Senior and Junior Wardens respectively. Rounding out the elected officers are WB Jerry W. (JJ) Pinion Jr., Treasurer and RWB Jerry W. Pinion, Secretary. The Pinion son and father duo performed the installation ceremony as Installing Officer and Installing Marshall, switching roles when it was the others turn to be installed. Other installing officers included WB Paul Gabbert (Aurora Lodge No. 15), Installing Chaplain, MWB Henry Dunbar, Installing Secretary, and Ms Alice Chaney, Installing Organists. This was a bit of a family affair, with Clarence’s wife Beverly, daughter Susan Keto Fogg, and grandson all taking part in the festivities.

This is Clarence’s second time in the East for Glacier Lodge No. 10. Clarence is also a past Potentate of Al Aska Shrine and, this year, he is serving me as the Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Alaska. I know he will do a great job at the reins of Glacier 10, and I wish him well.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera and have to use a file photo of Clarence for this posting. I don’t think he will mind, since it shows him enjoying one of his favorite activities.

Daddy Rabbit Welcome

2009-12-04T15:36:00.005-09:00

I just heard from MW Steve Cox (Grand Master of Masons in Alaska, 2002), who was transplanted to Oklahoma a few years back. Steve’s initial major in college was fine arts, and he has done cartooning since childhood. A watercolor painting of the old Fairbanks Masonic Temple that Steve did while at Tanana #3 hangs in the new Tanana Masonic Center. Steve does oils, watercolors, mixed media and sculpture, all original work. The following is Steve’s message and his accompanying artwork. Enjoy.

Well, being stuck in the house while a toe heals, I became bored. Gayle let me have some pencils and paper to play with… So I drew a new cartoon.

It is my Daddy Rabbit cartoon, turned forward for the first time in nearly 45 years. I chose Masonry as his debut so I hope you like him. Those of you who are Masons will understand the open arms and greeting. Those of you who are not… maybe you should join?

If you like him, let me know… if you don’t, who are you anyway to judge my artwork!!!!

Love,
Steve

29th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alaska

2009-12-02T18:02:00.004-09:00

Brethren,

I extend to you a cordial invitation to attend the 29th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alaska in Anchorage, February 2 – 5, 2010.

Beth and I have planned several social activities, which all are welcomed to participate in during their stay in Anchorage. A proposed schedule of events, interactive registration form, and fliers providing more information about our Alaska Masonic Library and Museum Foundation fund raiser and Potentates Ball can all be found under announcements on the Grand Lodge of Alaska web page.

Please note that Alaska Airlines has currently reduced airfare to and from Anchorage, Alaska. This reduction may not last long.

I look forward to seeing all my Masonic friends in February.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

MW John R. “Bo” Cline
Grand Master of Masons in Alaska

Bake Sale

2009-12-02T17:37:00.002-09:00

Back in March, I issued a challenge to the lodges in this jurisdiction to conduct at least one fund raising activity during the year, and I asked that a portion of the proceeds raised be donated to the Grand Lodge of Alaska. I asked that any funds donated to Grand Lodge be earmarked to support one or more of the various endowments we sponsor, i.e. Grand Lodge Permanent Fund, Grand Lodge Travel Fund, Alaska Masonic Foundation for Children, or the Alaska Masonic Library and Museum Foundation. I explained that I hoped the lodges would make the presentation of their gifts during the open session of the 29th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alaska, February 4-5, 2010.

My purpose in issuing this challenge was to provoke the lodges into initiating some sort of activity that would demonstrate their presence in the community as a force for doing good.

Last night I visited my mother lodge, Matanuska No. 7. During the reports of committees, I learned that the lodge had conducted a bake sale over the weekend and had raised $715.85. During the course of the meeting, several motions were made and approved to dispose of this money. The lodge agreed to donate $200 to the Palmer Food Bank, $200 to the Alaska Family Resource Center, $200 to the Matanuska/Susitna Borough Secret Santa Program, $100 to the Grand Lodge of Alaska, and $15.85 to the lodge’s Almoner’s Fund.

Last night, I had a deep sense of pride in my lodge when I saw that they had participated in my requested fund raising activity, and, when it was over, contributed the bulk of monies they had raised directly back to the community. My lodge is not large as lodges go. We have limited resources and many demands on the money we have at hand, not the least is the maintenance of our Masonic Hall. Despite that, Matanuska Lodge No. 7 chose to demonstrate that they are a force for good in their community, and I applaud them for that.

My Two Worlds of Masonry

2009-11-15T15:35:00.000-09:00

As I have been traveling around the country this year, I have been living in two separate and distinct worlds. One world consists of the “Real World” of the Blue Lodges and the appendent and concordant bodies. The other consists of the “Virtual World” of Freemasonry.

In the real world, flesh and blood Masons meet for fellowship to perform Masonic rituals and conduct business meetings. This population is characterized by men primarily in their 50s and 60s. Although, a whole generation younger than the “Greatest Generation”, this group generally shares a lot of the same conservative values of the WWII group. These real world Masons are the keepers of the Masonic flame; they keep alive the customs and traditions of Freemasonry and are wary of any changes in the manner in which Freemasonry is practiced. From my observation, this group has a greater interest in the philanthropy than in the philosophy of Masonry. Masons in this group are not only separated from the newer generation of Masons by age, they are also less technically astute. Many of them don’t use or have access to computers and those that do use them simply for communicating via email.

My other world is the virtual world of Freemasonry accessible through the Internet. The characteristics of this group are a little harder to pin down. Members of this group often identify themselves with pseudonyms like Masonic Traveler, Palmetto Bug, and The Millennial Freemason. They usually represent themselves with avatars rather than their true images. My guess would be that these Masons are generally in their 30s and 40s, however there appears to be a large number of Gen Xers among this group. That’s not to say that older Masons do not frequent the Internet. One regular follower of this blog is a 91 year old Past Grand Master. One thing that this group generally has in common is an interest in the symbolism, philosophy, and history of Freemasonry. They also have an interest in and discuss contemporary issues like Masonic Recognition, Female Freemasonry, and Masonic Baptism. They share this interest on the Internet through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, through blogs and podcasts, and on forum pages like The Masonic Society and Sanctum Sanctorum. These Masons are quite adept at the use of modern technology and use that technology to create Masonic content and share it with the world.

I realize that I am generalizing quite a bit, but from my perspective there is an ever widening gap forming between the legacy Masons in the “Real World” and the next generation Masons in the “Virtual World” who are seeking the promise of more light in Masonry. Also, from my perspective, the largest population of Masons exists in the “Real World” and they appear to be either unaware of the ways of or just disinterested in expanding their knowledge of Freemasonry. They seem more interested in making members rather than making Masons.

More and more men are seeking the promise of Freemasonry. These men are lured by the popular media and the information they glean from the Internet. The dilemma that exists is that, in order for these men to participate in our labors and privileges, they must first pass through the “Real World” of Freemasonry. They must ask to become a Mason, petition a lodge, and go through the ritual of initiation in the brick and mortar world. Some do not see this “Real World” of Masonry as representative of what they are seeking. Others, who go through our degrees, simply leave never to return, when they realize that in “Real World” Masonry philanthropy precedes philosophy and they are not interested in tedious business meetings.

For Freemasonry to survive and succeed, a bridge needs to be built between these two worlds. These two groups must be brought together, because the legacy Masons hold the keys to our customs and traditions and the next generation of Masons have the curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm to carry us into the future. As Freemasons are first and foremost builders, this should be an easy task. Unfortunately, our legacy Masons are either worn out from keeping Freemasonry alive for the past 40 to 50 years, they may not possess the necessary skills to perform this task, or they are just too comfortable in the models they have created for themselves to want to change. If this is truly the case, then the only option is for the next generation of Masons to reach back across the gap. This next generation must learn and appreciate our customs and traditions and be sensitive to the concerns of the legacy Masons; they must continue to examine the symbolism, philosophy, and history of Freemasonry, with an eye toward self improvement; and they must share their new insights with all, from the E-Mason to the legacy Mason. The next generation Mason must explore different models for the practice of Freemasonry and bring those models into the “Real World”.

Freemasonry is a powerful institution, which first improves the character of the individual Mason, and then, by his action, the entire community. The world (both real and virtual) is a better place because of Freemasonry. I have great confidence that we will continue to be a positive influence on the world, and as the world changes, Freemasonry will change to accommodate the quest of the individual Brother.

I live in both worlds of Freemasonry, and I share some of the characteristics of both groups. I am comfortable with the models of Freemasonry we practice in the “Real World”. Yet, I have a desire for something I find lacking in the way Freemasonry is practiced in this country. I wish to be a positive influence on making our Craft better, therefore I continue to be a seeker for more light in Masonry.

Scottish Rite Reception of the Grand Master

2009-11-15T15:26:00.001-09:00

Yesterday evening, Beth and I again drove into Anchorage , where the Anchorage Scottish Rite Valley conducted a reception for the Grand Master. This event was held at the Lone Star Steak House. The food was great and the friendship and fellowship was even greater. A special thanks to Brother Dale S. Cain, 33 degree, for coordinating this event and all of the courtisies extended to Beth and me.

Four New Entered Apprentice

2009-11-15T15:20:00.000-09:00

On Saturday monring, I drove into Anchorage to enjoy the conferral of the First Degree of Masonry on for candidates at Aurora Lodge No. 15. Each of the four First Degrees was conferred in succession by Brother Joe Dahl. The Master's Lecture was performed by WB John Bishop. It was great to witness such quality ritual work and to be present as four men started on their quest for Masonic Light.

And Then There Were Five

2009-11-10T22:12:00.000-09:00

On Tuesday evening, November 10, 2009, Carl L. “Bud” Banks was installed as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, F&AM of the State of Nevada. This was a historic occasion, as Bud represents the fifth installed Grand Master in 2009 who is also a member of the Grand Lodge of Washington. The five Grand Masters who share this distinction and their dates of installation are:

MW John R. “Bo” Cline, Grand Master of Alaska, February 6
MW D. Arthur Bush, Grand Master of Oregon, June 5
MW Gale H. Kenney, Grand Master of Washington, June 12
MW Kenneth G. Nagel, Grand Master of California, October 4
MW Carl L. “Bud” Banks, Grand Master of Nevada, November 10

Bud’s installation occured at the conclusion of the 145th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, which took place at the Peppermill Resort in Reno. The Annual Communication was presided over by MW David O. Martinez, Grand Master and had representatives present from the Grand Lodges of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Switzerland, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, including eight Grand Masters. The Grand Lodge of Alaska had by far the largest contingent with seven members present. Including myself, Alaskans present were RW Johnnie L. Wallace, DGM; RW James D. Grubbs, Grand Treasurer; MW Jared S. Decker, PGM; MW Fred V. Angleton, PGM; MW L. V. “Joe” Dees, PGM; and Brother Jerry Ingram.

Legislation of note included the rejection of a resolution to prohibit the conduct of a stated meeting on anything but the third degree and the withdrawal of the alternate Spanish Ritual. Additionally, Arthur K. Cronin (PGM), VW Grand Secretary and David J. Guinan (PGM), VW Grand Lecturer both announced their retirements from their respective offices. It was unanimously approved to make Art and David Grand Secretary Emeritus and Grand Lecturer Emeritus respectively. The newly elected Grand Lodge officers for the Grand Lodge of the State of Nevada for 2009 – 2010 include:

Carl L. “Bud” Banks, MW Grand Master
Reed R. Moseley, RW Deputy Grand Master
Hans J. Scheurer, RW Senior Grand Warden
Richard M. “Mike” Hoaglin, RW Junior Grand Warden
Michel P. Aurnague, VW Grand Treasurer
Larry W. Darling, VW Grand Secretary
James G. Kelly (PGM), VW Grand Lecturer

Beth and I had a wonderful time while attending this Grand Session and we owe a debt of gratitude to MW David Martinez and the officers and members of the Grand Lodge of Nevada for all of the courtesies extended to us.

Lafayette Lodge International Night

2009-11-06T21:14:00.000-09:00

Last night was the 81st Annual International Night Banquet and Reception sponsored by Lafayette Lodge No. 241, Grand Lodge of Washington, F&AM. This invitational reception was intended to honor sitting Grand Masters by giving them the opportunity to sign the famous Lafayette Lodge Bible. This Bible contains the signatures of many recognizable personalities collected over the past several years.

The Lafayette Signature Bible was originally given to Lafayette Lodge by their sponsoring Lodge Arcana No. 87. It is not documented as to how or who originally conceived the idea of obtaining signatures of famous and influential people. However over the many years, the lodge has obtained the signatures of political figures, movie personalities, military personnel, foreign dignitaries, local dignitaries, visiting Grand Masters, and all of the Worshipful Masters of Lafayette Lodge. Perhaps the most famous signature is that of the late president Warren G. Harding. President Harding boarded his train for Washington DC, shortly after signing the Lafayette Bible, and died during the night while on his train ride. His Press Secretary verified this was the last time his signature was ever applied in any form.

Other noted personalities who have signed this Bible include: Lynden B. Johnson; Astronauts Charlie Duke, John Young, and Ken Mattingly; Henry A. Kissinger; Carl Gustaf (King of Sweden); Frank S. Land 33rd degree; Dwight D. Eisenhower; Adm. Richard E. Bird; Akihito (Crown Prince of Japan); Barry Goldwater 33rd degree; Ronald Reagan; Bob Hope; Red Skelton 33rd degree; Noble Eddie Peabody; Walter F. Meier; Douglas MacArthur 33rd degree; Henry Clausen 33rd degree; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Charles A. Lindberg; Harry Truman; Neil Armstrong; and many many more.

This year, it was my great honor to be included in the class of 2009 Grand Masters who were given this wonderful opportunity. My fellow Grand Masters who participated in this event were: MWB Kenneth G. Nagel (Grand Lodge of California); MWB David C. Triplett (Grand Lodge of Idaho); MWB Thomas L. Lund (Grand Lodge of Montana) MWB D. Arthur Bush (Grand Lodge of Oregon); RWB Patrick I. Hughes, Sr., 33rd degree (representing MWB Kenneth B. Anthony, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and Jurisdiction); MWB Brian Tuckey (Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon); and, of course, MWB Gale H. Kenney (Grand Lodge of Washington). All of these Grand Masters were accompanied by their ladies and special guests. I had the honor of having both my wife Bethany and my parents; Kelly and Marge Cline accompany me.

I wish to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Worshipful Brother Robert P. Cittadini and all of the officers and brethren of Lafayette Lodge No. 241 for their great hospitality and the wonderful honor they bestowed on me. I wish to extend a special thanks to Worshipful Brother Leonard T. Hutchinson, who was our personal escort on this momentous occasion.

The Masonic Society PowerPoint Presentation

2009-10-27T07:43:00.000-08:00

Masonic Society PP - US'

See more presentations by clinebo | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

In my copious free time, I animated Brother Terry Hastings' PowerPoint presentation on "The Masonic Society". Once it downloads, just click the play button with your mouse, then click to advance the slides.

Anchorage Valley Scottish Rite Fall Reunion

2009-10-25T17:06:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, I had the honor and privilege to be the exemplar for the conferral of the 32 degree of Scottish Rite Masonry, during the Anchorage Scottish Rite Valley’s fall reunion. There were 10 of us in the reunion class, which was large by the Anchorage Valley’s standards. The candidates who participated in the class included: Andy Flack, Steve Cords, Paul Petersen, Ron Adams, Mike Cooper, Will Ottman, Chris Fatello, Sam Thompson, Nicholas Giles, and myself. During the “capping” ceremony at the end of this two day event, I had the pleasure of having my Scottish Rite 32 degree cap placed on my head by Dee LaCombe. Dee was the wife of Brother Dave LaCombe, a dear friend who passed away last year.

I may have mentioned before that I came to Masonry late in my life, although, I was introduced to the principles of Freemasonry at an early age, by a family that was and is very active in the fraternity and through participation in DeMolay. However, after I graduated from High School, I chose a different path; military service, college, and a professional career. Along the way, I gave my service in leadership roles to a professional society and the Boy Scouts. I didn’t become a Master Mason until I was 47 years old. Before that time, I didn’t realize that I had been searching for something more meaningful in my life. Since becoming a Mason, I have given my time and service to various Masonic organizations, applying what I had learned through a career of professional and public service.

For the last few years I have become aware of what Masonry has to offer to the serious student, and I have set off on a course of independent study of mediaeval and renaissance philosophy. I have been guided by authors like Frances Yates, who said:

“Where is there such a combination . . . of religious toleration, emotional linkage with the mediaeval past, emphasis on good works for others, and imaginative attachment to the religion and the symbolism of the Egyptians? The only answer to this question that I can think of is in Freemasonry, with its mythical link with the mediaeval masons, its toleration, its philanthropy, and its Egyptian symbolism."

I have continued to search for that which will make me a better husband, a better father, and a better citizen. This weekend’s Anchorage Scottish Rite Valley’s fall reunion, was another step in that search. I know that there are some who may be surprised by this revelation; that I waited this long to become a Scottish Rite Mason. All I can say is that for every man there is a path he must choose; a path, which if properly selected, will help direct him to true enlightenment. I have no regrets about waiting until I was 47 years old to choose Freemasonry, for I wasn’t ready to accept its teachings until that time. I do, however, regret that it took me this long to seek out Scottish Rite Masonry. I now believe, for me anyway, that the Scottish Rite has the philosophy and teachings that will assist me in my quest for “Further Light in Masonry”.

As Brother Winston Churchill said at the end of the Battle of Britian, “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

Building Boaz - UPDATE

2009-10-23T23:10:00.001-08:00

Last week I had the opportunity to visit over the phone with Brother and Doctor John Nagy. John is the author of the recently published “Building Boaz”, the second volume in his series on uncommon catechisms for uncommon Masonic education. His first book in this series was titled “Building Hiram”. John has the great sense of finding patterns in Masonic ritual and presenting the relationships of the symbolism to an individual’s development in a unique manner. He begins each of his books with a catechism primer, where he presents the definition of catechism in the form of a catechism itself. He proceeds to introduce several topics in “Building Boaz” related to the First Degree and follows each with a catechism on that topic. Each of John’s books are excellent resources to assist in coaching and mentoring new Masons. They are also great tools to enhance Masonic Education within our lodges.

Dr. Nagy will be a guest on the Masonic Central podcast Sunday, October 25. Masonic Central airs live most Sundays at 6:00 PM Pacific Time. If you have the time and is free of commitments during its airing, I would encourage you to tune in. However, if you are like me, you will have to download the broadcast to listen to it as a later time. Dr. Nagy's books may be purchased on the Freemason Information Masonic Blog.

A New Master Mason

2009-10-21T07:42:00.001-08:00

Last night I portrayed King Hiram during the Third Degree Drama for Brother Jeff Wilson at Aurora Lodge No. 15. Brother Jeff received a surprise visit from his wife’s uncle, WB Charles Tupper, who flew up to Anchorage to confer Jeff’s degree. WB Charles is a Past Master of St. John’s Lodge No. 9 in Seattle and a member of the Grand Lodge of Washington Technology Committee. The degree went off without any hitches and was exceptionally well performed by the officers and members of Aurora Lodge with a little help from brethren from Eagle River Lodge No. 13. WB Tupper obligated the candidate and conducted during the Drama. Senior Warden Dave Oaks assumed the East during the opening and closing of the lodge, WB Jim Griffith and VWB James Herrington performed their tag team presentation of the Historical Lecture, and WB Paul Gabbert delivered the Charged to the candidate. I was duly impressed and pleased to see this level of ritual performance in our lodges.

Brother Jeff is in the front row, third from the right in photo above. WB Charles is on his left.

There seems to be a rash of Third Degrees being performed lately. Tonight, Anchorage Lodge No. 17 will be performing this degree at the Anchorage Masonic Center. Also, Tanana Lodge No. 3 will be conferring two Third Degrees tonight at the Tanana Masonic Center in Fairbanks. On Tuesday, November 3, Aurora Lodge No. 15 will reprise their Third Degree performance at the Anchorage Masonic Center. Visit the Grand Lodge of Alaska Events Calendar to see what’s going on across the jurisdiction.

The Cornerstone of America

2009-10-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

The US Capital city was built along the Potomac River on land donated by Virginia and Maryland. In 1791 and 1792, Andrew Ellicott, with Benjamin Banneker and colleagues, slashed through the wilderness to survey the boundary of the United State’s new Federal City. Ellicott and his party placed marker stones every mile along the perimeter of the ten square mile parcel of land. These boundary stones constituted the first national monuments ever erected in this country. On the afternoon of April 15, 1791, under the direction of Benjamin Banneker, the mayor of Alexandria, several other dignitaries and the Freemasons of Alexandria marched south from Gadsby’s Tavern (then called Wise’s Ordinary) south to Jones Point on the Potomac River. There they erected the first of the forty boundary stones in full Masonic ceremony. This boundary stone then became the first National Monument ever erected in this country.

On Thursday of this week, Beth (and her brother David) and I drove south to Jones Point Park at the bottom of Lee St. We walked through the park, passed through a hole in a chain link fence, walked beneath the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, passed through another hole in the fence, and then to Jones Point Lighthouse. There, on the river side of the lighthouse and somewhat buried in the seawall, was the US Capital’s first boundary stone (only one of 36 of the original boundary stones remaining), first consecrated by the Masons of Alexandria. The stone is in an alcove in the seawall, which is covered by a grille. There is a hole in the top of the seawall to view the stone from above. Work accomplished to protect this first boundary stone was done by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

It is interesting to note that this portion of what was once part of the District of Columbia, laying south the Potomac River, was deemed too marshy for development and given back to the State of Virginia in the 1840s. It is now home to Arlington and Alexandria, VA, the Pentagon, and Arlington National Cemetery.

2009 Bienial Session - Supreme Council, Scottish Rite

2009-10-05T20:16:00.000-08:00

Unto the divine light of the holy altar
From the outer darkness of ignorance
Through the shadows of our earth life
Winds the beautiful path of initiation

Beth and I arrived in Washington DC at 1:00 AM this morning, after traveling from the Grand Lodge of California. We are here attending the 2009 Biennial Session of the Supreme Council, 33degree, Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction.

At this morning’s session, I was introduced along with 31 other Grand Masters of the 35 Grand Lodges in the Southern Jurisdiction. Tomorrow afternoon will be the 33degree Conferral Ceremony. Alaskan members of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction elected to receive this honor include:

Dale Stephen Cain
Don Garrett Chaffin, II
Edward Joseph Malhoit
Samuel John Schwendner

Additionally, the following Alaskan Masons have been elected to receive the Knight Commander Court of Honor, KCCH (Red Hat):

John Kenneth Bishop
Dwane Lee Anderson
Marvin Bea Fitzpatrick
Arnold Samuel Vachss
James R. Herrington
John William Erickson, Jr.
David Worel
Charles Edward Rogers
Lawrence Edwin Schaufler

I congratulate all of these Brothers on their preferment.

This afternoon, Beth and I took a tour of the “House of the Temple”, the headquarters of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction is Washington D.C. The temple was modeled after the Mausoleum of Mausolus and designed by John Russell Pope. Ground was broken on May 31, 1911 and the cornerstone was laid on October 18, 1911. The building was dedicated four years later on October 18, 1915.

An alcove in the temple holds the remains of Confederate general and former Sovereign Grand Commander Albert Pike. Pike was the author of Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, a book that describes in detail the 33 ranks of Freemasonry, the stories and teachings associated with each rank, the rituals connected to each rank, and other lodge proceedings.

160th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of California

2009-10-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

The 160th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of California is currently taking place at the California Masonic Memorial Temple in San Francisco. Grand Lodge opened on ritualistic form yesterday morning, October 2. The ritual was performed very well in a deliberate manner with excellent floor work.

Yesterday evening, the visiting Grand Masters and their wives were invited to attend a dinner hosted by Grand Master Larry Adamson and his lady, Lynn. It was a wonderful evening with good food and good fellowship. We had an opportunity to visit with old friends and make new ones.

The regular business of Grand Lodge continued today, with discussion of resolutions, adoption of the budget and per capita, and the elections of Grand Lodge officers for 2009/2010. Kenneth G. Nagel was elected Grand Master, William J. Bray III was elected Deputy Grand Master, Frank Loui was elected Senior Grand Warden, and John F. Lowe was elected Junior Grand Warden.

During the noon break, I visited the Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry and its curator, Adam Kendall. At the end of the business day, I had the honor of presenting Bill Bray with his Alaska Past Master’s apron from Kodiak Lodge No. 9.

This evening, Beth and I attended the Grand Master’s Banquet at San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel. A highlight of this evening’s events was the Grand Master’s announcement that the members of the Grand Lodge of California had voted in favor of sharing its jurisdiction with the Grand Lodge of Iran in Exile.

Freemasons, Founding Father's and the Secrets of Washington, D.C.

2009-10-01T21:16:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, I finished reading Dan Brown’s “The Lost Symbol”. Casting about for something else to read, I picked up Chris Hodapp’s “Solomon’s Builders”. I had started reading this book a couple of months ago, and was about half way through it when I set it down to concentrate on Grand Lodge duties.

“Solomon’s Builders” is a well written and researched book and an excellent counterpoint to “The Lost Symbol”. Chris provides factual data about much of the information presented in Dan Brown’s mystery. It is interesting to note that Chris wrote “Solomon’s Builders” long before anyone knew what the plot Dan Brown’s newest offering would be. His title (“Solomon’s Builders”) was taken from the working title of and Brown’s latest book, which was speculated to be “Solomon’s Key” and ultimately became “The Lost Symbol”. As such, “Solomon’s Builders” is a completely independent effort. After reading “The Lost Symbol”, its hard to believe that Dan Brown did not borrow some from “Solomon’s Builders”.

I am reasonably sure that there will be a barrage of books that will be published in the next few months about “The Lost Symbol” or related to themes contained in it. These books will be written to cash in on the frenzy that is sure to surround Dan Brown’s latest book. However, if you are interested in Freemasonry and its influence on the founding of America, I recommend you pick up Chris Hodapp’s “Solomon’s Builders”, before you look to these “Johnny-come-latelys”, many of whom will have little or no personal knowledge of Freemasonry.

Chris does have a new book coming out later this year titled “Deciphering The Lost Symbol”. I guess he is not adverse to capitalizing on Dan Brown’s success, as well. However, knowing Chris, I am sure this will be another well written and entertaining book.

The Lost Word Found

2009-09-30T00:38:00.000-08:00

Its midnight and I just returned from my visit to Kodiak Lodge No. 9. I was expecting to return early this afternoon, but was delayed at the airport as several flights were canceled due to poor weather. Kodiak is a beautiful Island in the middle of the Gulf of Alaska and is regularly buffeted by storms that race across the North Pacific.

Other than the weather delay, my trip to Kodiak was very pleasant. I was accompanied by RW Johnnie L. Wallace (Deputy Grand Master) and RW Jerry Pinion (Junior Grand Warden). We had a wonderful Yankee Pot Roast dinner and presided over a very enjoyable Friendship Night presentation arranged by MW Jared Decker. I extend my special thanks to Jared and Suni Decker for a great evening.

Although we were stuck at the Kodiak airport most of the day, I did find one positive aspect about the experience. I was able to spend the day reading Dan Brown’s latest adventure, “The Lost Symbol”. For the last couple of years, I have been concerned about how this book might depict the Masonic fraternity and was anxious to read it. I picked it up at the train station in Norwich before I left England, primarily to get a book with the English cover. I have been avoiding blogs, pod casts, and other media reviews of the book until I had an opportunity to digest it and make my own conclusions about it. Overall, I have a positive impression about Mr. Brown’s latest offering. The book features Robert Langon (“Angles & Demons” and “The Da Vinci Code”), a Harvard symbologist, who must discover the secret of the lost Masonic word in order to save a friend from a horrible fate. “The Lost Symbol” paints Freemasonry in a very positive and favorable light. The fact that it introduces the craft of Freemasonry to millions of non-Masons creates a challenge for most Masons who will be required to respond to many questions about Masonry. Regrettably, many of these Masons may not be acquainted with the spiritual and philosophical themes presented in the book, themes which make Masonry more than just a social club but a sacred band of friends and brothers. My earnest hope is that “The Lost Symbol” will be a wake-up call to all Masons across the country to begin their own search for the lost symbol.

Alaskan Job's Daughters

2009-09-28T05:52:00.000-08:00

“And in all the land were no women
found so fair as the Daughters of Job;
and their Father gave them inheritance
among their brethren.”

Saturday morning, I attended the meeting of Anchorage Bethel No. 1, International Order of Job’s Daughters. Bethel No. 1 is the only Bethel in Alaska, however among all of our Masonic Youth Groups; it is one of the most active and engaging. At Saturday’s meeting four young women were initiated into the Bethel and two petitions for membership were read. Although, a small Bethel, it is apparent that is growing. This was the first opportunity I had to witness the Job’s Daughters ceremony of initiation, and I was very impressed by its beauty of the lessons it taught from the Book of Job .

From Bethel No. 1’s web site you will learn that: Job’s Daughters help young women between the ages of 10 and 20 learn important skills needed throughout your life. They teach leadership, organizational skills along with how to work as a team, making friends and building confidence along the way while having fun in the process. Along the way they do community service such as; making blankets for shelters, cleaning parks and assisting at functions for community organizations in their fund raising endeavors. When not engaged in community service activities they have dances, roller skating parties, pizza parties and the like. Oh, that’s not all they do though! They get to travel a bit, doing ceremonies at public installations, Masonic Lodges and Concordant bodies throughout the state when requested.

I had a wonderful time visiting with these young women and their adult leaders, and I encourage all Master Masons to take the time to get to know the future leaders of our fraternity by visiting one of our youth organizations. For more information about Bethel No. 1, please contact Mrs. Susan Anderson, Bethel Gardian.

Taurus Lodge No. 3981

2009-09-27T23:05:00.000-08:00

Taurus Lodge and the Worshipful Company of Butchers

One of the seven oldest Companies in the City
For one thousand and thirty years it has dwelt with impunity
At Butchers’ Hall, whence was express the closed shop,
And, on the retail sale of meat by “foreigners” was placed a royal stop.
Edward the Third ordained all craftsmen should choose a “Mystery”,
Like the Mason’s Word, a secret test of history.
No good honest Butcher would e’er be blackballed
Just as his meat would ne’er be forestalled.
Today’s Masonic lodge coincides
With the aims of the Company wherein it abides.

On Tuesday, September 22, I again found myself traveling by train, with WBs Robin Pooley and John Tuckwell, from Norwich to London. The purpose of our trip was to attend the Quarterly Communication of Taurus Lodge No. 3981. Taurus Lodge was chartered by United Smithfield No. 3176 and consists exclusively of members of the Worshipful Company of Butchers, one of the seven oldest livery companies in the City of London. Livery companies are trade associations or guilds which take part in the election of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the sheriffs, and the other traditional officers of the City. John Tuckwell was Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers in 2008. In 2010, HRH Princess Anne will be the Company’s Master.

Taurus Lodge was founded in December 1919, and continues to be one of London’s most successful lodges. They meet quarterly in Butchers’ Hall, Bartholomew Close, London. The feature of this particular meeting was the installation of officers for the ensuing term. The officers of Taurus Lodge performed excellent ritual for the opening and closing, as well as the ceremony of installation. W.Bro. M.P.J. Cahill stepped down as Worshipful Master and was replaced by W.Bro. J.M.P. Cooper.

In addition to me, guests included VW Richard Regan, Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master. As with most other English lodges, Taurus practices the Emulation Ritual. This ritual is somewhat different than the Preston-Webb ritual practiced by most US lodges, including Alaska. Some of the differences I noted were the inclusion of Master of Ceremonies and Inner Guard, officers which do not exist in our lodges. Officers and members of the lodge saluted the WM with the sign of the particular degree lodge was opened on. In fact, honors were given to the guests by saluting with the sign of the degree a number of times specified by the rank of the guest being saluted. In Alaska we do not salute the WM.

Upon arriving at the meeting hall, we were greeted with coffee or tea and cookies and of course sausage rolls. After the meeting we adjourned to the Great Hall for the festive board consisting of a three course meal with selected wines and a battery of 10 selected toasts. It’s no wonder Taurus Lodge is regarded as one of the best in London.

47 St Giles' Street, Norwich

2009-09-27T21:36:00.001-08:00

Robin and Margaret Pooley led Beth and me on a tour of the city of Norwich on Thursday, September 10. One of our stops included a visit to 47 St Giles’ Street, which has been the home of Freemasonry in Norwich since 1881. St Giles’ is also the home of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Norfolk, which is celebrating its 250th Anniversary this year. Robin gave us a tour of this historic building, and we were greeted there by RW John S. Rushmer, the current Provincial Grand Master. Robin’s Norwich lodge which is one of several lodges that meet in St. Giles’ is Union Lodge No. 52. Union Lodge was constituted in “Kings Head” pub, in the City of Norwich in 1736. John and Robin shared several fascinating historical facts about this 273 year old lodge with us and showed us many of their artifacts.
By comparison, the Territory of Alaska was purchased from Russia and came under the flag of the United States on October 18, 1867. In 1869, the first Masonic lodge (Alaska Lodge No. 14) was constituted in Sitka, Alaska, a full 133 years after the constitution of Union Lodge No. 52. It’s hard to fathom the great heritage of Masonry that exists in this far off corner of England.

The United Grand Lodge of England

2009-09-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, September 9, along with my two companions Robin Pooley, OBE (JGD 2004, UGLE) and John Tuchwell (PAGDC 2001, UGLE), I caught the 8:30 AM train out of Norwich station for London’s Liverpool station. We were en route to the Quarterly Communication of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London. Upon entering the hall, I was directed to the robe-ing room to dress in my regalia and to await escort into Grand Lodge. Those waiting with me included Nikolaos Vourgidis, Grand Master and George Vassilogeogis, Deputy Grand Master Grand Lodge of Greece; Jean-Claude Tardivant, Deputy Grand Master Grande Loge Nationale Francaise; J.F. “Jeff” Webb, Grand Master Grand Lodge of Louisiana; and a large contingent from the Grand Lodge of Espirito Santo, Brazil. After a bit of waiting, we were marched into the Lodge room and watched as the Quarterly Communication was opened in ample form by MW Peter Geoffrey Lowndes, Pro Grand Master. It was a thrill of a lifetime to sit in Freemasons Hall in London and be introduced as the sitting Grand Master from Alaska. I owe a supreme debt of gratitude to WBs Pooley and Tuckwell for arranging my visit and looking after Beth and me during our stay in England.

Click here to view video of Freemasons Hall

"To set the craft to work . . . and give them good and wholesome instruction for their labors."

2009-09-06T23:08:00.000-08:00

I recently did a Google search on the phrase “Masonic Education” and received 1,910,000 hits or references to web pages that discuss this topic. Some of the sites listed were commercial sites which offered Masonic training for a fee; other sites consisted of articles providing the author’s opinion on what Masonic education consists of or should consists of and how it should be presented, and yet other sites provided tools to assist lodges in presenting their own Masonic education programs. When I saw there were nearly two million hits on this subject, I realized there were many others who share my belief that Masonic education is an extremely important aspect of the work of the Lodge.

Each candidate for our degrees and mysteries is promised that he will be given a Masonic education, and that that education will define how Masonry applies to his life overall, will improve his character, and make him a better man. Masons today expect more, they expect an in depth education beyond the catechisms. They also expect that established Masons will guide and mentor them along a path to further enlightenment.

As I have been traveling around our lodges this year, I have suggested that the time spent in the stated meeting should be divided into thirds; one third of the time devoted to business, one third to fellowship, and one third to the presentation of a program of Masonic Education. I have also suggested that the goal of such an education program should be to translate the lessons and experiences that one gains from Masonry into one’s daily actions.

Through the degrees of Masonry the candidate learns the signs, grips, and words that grant access to the Lodge, where he can begin to discover that there are many aspects to the society of Freemasonry, aspects which lead to the moral and character development of which he is in search. These aspects can be divided into three main categories—philosophical, historical, and organizational.

• The philosophical aspect of Freemasonry introduces the student to the profound subjects of initiation, symbolism and tradition, and their potential to impact his life for the better.
• The historical aspect teaches the student how the traditions and teachings that make up Masonry came to be, their central role in the spiritual search of mankind and the way Masonry has affected the world since its emergence.
• The organizational aspect helps the student understand how the organization is governed and perpetuated, and provides many opportunities for the development of leadership skills and personal responsibility.

By learning the signs, grips, and words, the door to the world of Freemasonry is opened to the student. In addition to participating in a program of Masonic instruction within the lodge, each student has an opportunity to begin a process of self development that now lies before him.

Freemasonry, if approached with humility, an open heart and an open mind will make one a gentleman, a better family man, and a better citizen. I therefore urge each lodge to expand and improve on their program of Masonic education, and I urge each mason to become a true student of our mysteries and continue your personal pursuit of Masonic enlightenment.

International Days, Dawson City, Yukon Territory

2009-09-06T23:02:00.000-08:00

Beth and I just returned from a great weekend in Dawson City, Yukon Territory where we joined in on the International Days celebration with the brethren from Tanana Lodge No. 3 (Fairbanks, AK) and Yukon Lodge No. 45 (Dawson City, YT). Along with the community activities surrounding this event, our Canadian brethren arranged several fellowship activities including a banquet and barbeque for our enjoyment. Yesterday evening was the last stated meeting of the year for Yukon No. 45 and it was also the official visit of their District Deputy, RW Martin Allen. In addition to myself, the Grand Lodge of Alaska delegation included RW Johnnie Wallace (DGM), RW Ron Ackerman (DGM), W James Peasley (JGS), and VW John Johnson (DDGM Dist. No. 1) and several of the brethren from Tanana Lodge No. 3. This has been an annual event between the two lodges for many years to mark the bond of brotherhood between them. Yukon Lodge No. 45 was established by Masons who took part in the great Klondike Gold Rush of 1899. These same Masons also constituted Tanana Lodge No. 3, as they moved west to Fairbanks in search of more gold.

The Masonic Lodge building is a distinctive feature in Dawson City. It was originally built as a library under a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Endowment. The interior has several unique architectural features including “tin” walls and ceilings. The brethren of Yukon No. 45 spent several years restoring this building to its original glory.

Beth and I left Dawson City early this morning in order to repack and head out tomorrow morning on our trip to Norwich, UK and a visit to the United Grand Lodge of England. It was a 465 mile drive, which was suppose to take over 12 hours, but we made it in a little over eight.

My regards to the brethren of Yukon No. 45 and my sincere thanks for a wonderful time.

Be Prepared

2009-09-03T22:18:00.000-08:00

I just read Chris Hodapp's September 2nd posting, "The Dan Brown Effect Part II: What Next?" on his Freemasons For Dummies and believe there is no better time to practice Lodge Renewal.

District No. 1 Reception of the Grand Master

2009-09-03T21:38:00.000-08:00

This time of year in Alaska is absolutely beautiful. We are just starting to get our first touch of fall coloring in the leaves of the birch and aspens. The berry bushes that cling to the mountain sides are showing a brilliant red. Although, we don’t have the variety of coloring seen in the hardwood forest on the East Coast, I am partial to our change of season. The yellow and oranges of the deciduous trees contrast nicely with the dark green of our native spruce, while the floor of our forests are a beautiful crimson.

This was the scene that Beth and I experienced as we drove from our home Wednesday morning, up the George Parks Highway to Fairbanks, to participate in the Grand Master’s reception in District No. 1 and enjoy friendship and fellowship with the officers and members of Tanana Lodge No.3, Fairbanks Lodge No. 12, and North Pole Lodge No. 16. This event took place in the beautiful Fairbanks Masonic Center, which was remodeled from an existing church building two years ago.

The evening began with a great barbeque dinner consisting of pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and chicken, with all the fixings. The meal was prepared by Worshipful Brother Kevin McKinley’s lady Beth and friends. Thank you Beth for a wonderful meal. Before moving upstairs for opening of lodge and introduction of Grand Lodge officers, we all enjoyed ice cream and a cake decorated in my honor. The evening concluded with speeches from the assembled guests in an open session enjoyed by Masons, family, and friends.

This was the fourth time this year that a joint reception of the Grand Master was conducted with two or more lodges. The event was well received by all who were in attendance and promises to become a new Grand Lodge custom. Lodge was opened by WB Kevin McKinley, Worshipful Master of Tanana Lodge No. 3 sitting in the East. Kevin was joined in the East by WB Mike Leroux and WB Mickey Harper, the Worshipful Masters of Fairbanks Lodge No. 12 and North Pole Lodge No. 3 respectively.

The Masters presented me gifts from each of their lodges and I, in turn, gave each Master of copy of “American Freemasonry” by WB Mark Tabbert. It has been my custom this year to give a signed copy of Mark’s book to each Worshipful Master with the instruction to read it and bring back the information to their meetings as Masonic education.

All in all, it was a great visit and I extend my sincere thanks to all of the Fairbanks and North Pole Masons and their families.

This afternoon, Beth and I left Fairbanks and drove down to Tok on the Richardson and Alaska highways en route to Dawson City, Yukon Territory to visit with our Canadian Brethren in Yukon Lodge No. 45. The scenery along our drive was a duplicate of the day before and we marveled at the beauty of the forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes all around us. Alaska is truly a glorious State.

50th Anniversary of T.F. McElroy Lodge

2009-08-29T21:25:00.000-08:00

On August 28, 1959 I witnessed the Constitution of Thornton F. McElroy Lodge No. 302 in Federal Way, Washington. I was eleven years old at the time. TF McElroy was the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Washington and Lodge No. 302 was the first lodge constituted in the second 100 years of the Grand Lodge, it having celebrated its first 100 years earlier in 1959.

On Saturday, August 29, 2009, I witnessed the rededication of Thornton F. McElroy Lodge on its 50th Anniversary. This was a bittersweet occasion for me, since I was virtually raised by T.F. McElroy Lodge. I say that, while knowing that I was actually raised as a Master Mason on July 7, 1995 in Matanuska Lodge No. 7 in Palmer, Alaska. What I mean by saying that I was raised by T.F. McElroy Lodge, is that its founding members had a significant influence on my growth and development toward manhood. These men were my first employer, my first coworkers, my high school principal, my first auto insurance agent, and my DeMolay Dad advisors.

I remember Dad’s (J.K. Cline) excitement at being appointed Junior Steward of the lodge, and Mom’s less than exuberant enthusiasm at having to prepare meals for the lodge for two years. My grandmother lived with us then, and she and mom made some delicious pies every Wednesday night for those first two years. I remember, too, my less than favorable impression of Masonry as I watched those wonderful pies go out the door without even tasting the slightest crumb. It wasn’t long after that, that my brother and I also got the Masonic spirit when we joined the newly chartered Federal Way Chapter Order of DeMolay. It seems like yesterday that I was practicing the DeMolay ritual and enjoying the dances and get-togethers with Jobies and Rainbow Girls.

Dad was the sixth Worshipful Master of T.F. McElroy. Today he is the only living Past Master who was also a charter member of the lodge. All of those wonderful Masons who helped shape my life are no longer with us, and I miss them.

The rededication of the Lodge was conducted by the officers of the Grand Lodge of Washington, with MW Gale H. Kenney presiding. Dad performed the part of the “Messenger” to invite the Grand Lodge Officers into the Lodge room. As the visiting Grand Master from Alaska, I was extended the honor of joining the Grand Master of Washington in the East. And, as a life member of T.F. McElroy, I participated in a part of the rededication ceremony. I was given an additional honor, when the Worshipful Master of T.F. McElroy (D. Rex Reardon) made me an honorary Past Master of the Lodge and presented me with my Past Master’s Apron.

It was great to participate in this event and be part of a moment in the history of T.F. McElroy Lodge. It was also nice to remember the great Masons who created this Lodge 50 years ago and to look forward to its exciting and prosperous future.

Win, Place, and Show

2009-08-28T21:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon before we rushed to catch our flight to Seattle, Beth, my parents, and I visited the Alaska State Fair. We were on a bit of a mission, since Beth, our daughter Megan, and I all had something entered in the one or another of the craft exhibits there. Our daughter is a graphic artist and her entries usually place well in the fair. This year was no exception, and she received a first place ribbon in the watercolor category. Beth is our resident quilter; however she has never taken the opportunity to enter any of her quilts. She did this year and received a second place ribbon for her effort (Fall’s Finery). I am a home brewer. Two years ago, when there was little competition, I placed quite well in the Ales category. This year I only managed a third place ribbon for my ‘Black Porter’.

The Alaska State Fair takes place in Palmer, Alaska and this year it runs from August 27 until Labor Day (September 7). It has been annual event in this rural community ever since the days of the development of the Matanuska Valley Colony during the New Deal era of the 1930s. Like most county fairs, the Alaska State Fair features all kinds of fun, food, and entertainment. One event that captures the attention of most Fair goers is the giant vegetable weigh-off. The Matanuska Valley is noted for its giant vegetables, more especially its giant cabbages. These cold climate crops do well in Alaska, but it wasn’t until the entry of the Dinkle family in this annual competition that things really took off. Dr. Don Dinkle (past Master of Matanuska Lodge No. 7), while professor of agriculture at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, was contacted by his brother in Palmer and asked how he might beat the competition at the State Fair. Don suggested a particular variety of cabbage called the OS Cross and outlined a method of hydrating and fertilizing these giants during the growing process. Today, there are many other growers who have tried their hand at growing large vegetables, however the Dinkles usually give them stiff competition.

Alaskan Freemasonry, too has had a presence at the Alaska State Fair for many years. The Rite Care Booth sponsored by the Scottish Rite Masons does a land office business selling soft serve ice cream and shakes in one half of their booth and fish and chips on the other half. Proceeds from this booth go to support their Rite Care Childhood Language Program. For many years the Mat-Su Shrine Club (Al Aska Shrine Temple) has maintained a food booth near the equestrian stables. Proceeds from this booth go to support the Shrines Orthopedic and Burn Care Hospitals. About five years ago, the Alaska Masonic Families group took over the operation of the Matanuska Masonic Temple Fair Booth and run it as a Masonic information center. Masons from across the country and around the world as well as those who are curious about our fraternity stop into this booth for some hospitality and information about Freemasonry.

If you find yourself in Palmer between now and September 7, come on down to the Fair and stop and support Freemasonry in action.

Skagway Visit

2009-08-24T17:03:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, August 22, I made my official visit to White Pass Lodge No. 1 in Skagway, Alaska. This trip was just a short jaunt of 1,544 miles round trip from our home in Palmer, Alaska. Beth, the Most Worshipful Grand Parents (Marge and Kelly Cline), the Grand Lecturer (W John Bishop), and I left Palmer early Thursday morning to make the trek to Skagway. It is interesting to note that our journey from one part of our state to another required us to travel across a large portion of the Yukon Territory and a bit of British Columbia in Canada and to make four border crossings (two coming and two going). We returned home Sunday evening, tired but invigorated by the good fellowship from our Canadian and American brothers.

On the way down to Skagway, we encountered a lot of wildlife including Trumpeting Swans, coyotes, black bear, and deer. We also had the opportunity to travel through majestic mountains and beautiful forests along the Alaska Highway. Our return to Palmer was just as enjoyable, with tinges of color on the leaves of the trees and berry bushes; a hint of the change in season coming around the corner. About the only wildlife we experienced on the return trip were the hundreds of tourists and Alaskan “Snow Birds” streaming across the border in their motor homes, one step ahead of the first snow fall. They looked a bit like rats leaving a sinking ship.

On Saturday morning, the Grand Lecturer presented a lodge of instruction to the members of White Pass No. 1 and members of Whitehorse Lodge No. 46, who traveled down from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory for the visit. John’s instruction was very well received and there was quite a bit of interchange regarding the difference in customs between the Alaskan and Canadian lodges. At the conclusion of the lodge of instruction, we all adjourned to the Skagway Fish Company for a sumptuous seafood lunch.

After changing into more formal attire, we reassembled at the Lodge Building for the reception of the Grand Master and a brief program of speeches by selected members and Grand Lodge officers present. I wish to thank WB Ken Mayo for a very enjoyable day in Skagway and a wonderful lunch. I would also like to send a special thank you to RW Ron Ackerman (SGW) and his lady Debbie for all of their assistance and sharing their home.

We left Skagway in the late afternoon for our long drive back to Palmer. Along the way, we stopped in Whitehorse, YT to tour Whitehorse Lodge No. 46’s newly constructed Lodge building. It was a beautiful building and it was apparent to us that the Whitehorse Masonic family put a lot of time, effort, and love into their new Masonic Temple.

Shrine Membership Development Seminar

2009-08-15T20:00:00.000-08:00

I just returned from spending the day at the Membership Development Seminar, which was conducted at the Al Aska Shrine Temple. The seminar focused on recruitment, retention, restoration, and planning for growing organizational membership and was presented to all Alaska Masonic Family member organizations. The presentations were made by Jeffrey L. Sowder (Midian Shriners, PGM Grand Lodge of Kansas, and Imperial Outer Guard of Shriners International) and Sam Montgomery (Past Potentate Abou Ben Adhem Shriners, Springfield, MO), who are members of Shriners International Membership Development Team. As stated on their web site, “The Membership Development Team is dedicated to providing Temple Officers and Nobles the resources they need to attract new members as well as retain current members. Shriners must relate to the individual member and provide for his needs: the benefits he expected when joining, the satisfaction he receives from involvement and the rights he has as a member. To do so is the key to membership development.”

Al Aska Shrine Chief Raban, Dave Worel, negotiated with Imperial Shrine Headquarters to send the two members of their Membership Development Team to Alaska instead of sending two Al Aska Divan members to Tampa, FL. Seminar participants included representatives of various Masonic Family groups from throughout the jurisdiction of Alaska and the elected Al Aska Shrine Divan officers. The seminar was a great benefit to all who attended and a debt of gratitude is owed to Nobel Dave for making it happen.

Masonic Visual Arts and Music Scholarship

2009-08-14T18:44:00.000-08:00

The Grand Lodge of Alaska announces the creation of its Visual Arts and Music Scholarship. This scholarship is being perpetuated by an endowment established by Grand Lodge and supported by Alaskan Freemasons and the community. Money granted to successful applicants will come from earnings on the endowment’s investment and none of the principle will be touched. As Freemasonry is a voluntary organization, nearly 100% of all contributions will be used to grow the endowment, and the administrative overhead will be miniscule.

The scholarship will be an annual offering to Alaskan High School Seniors who intend to pursue post secondary education in a field of visual arts or music. The initial offering will consist of a $500 to $1,000 grant(s), and the number and amounts of future grants will increase each year as the endowment grows through additional contributions and earnings on the investment. Anyone interested in donating to this scholarship may do so by contacting the Grand Lodge of Alaska at (907) 561-1477 or emailing to grandlodge@alaska.com.

High School Seniors who will graduate in the spring of 2010 may apply for this initial offering by contacting their school’s counselors for an application after September 1, 2009. Additionally, they may download the application form from the Grand Lodge of Alaska web site. Applications for this initial offering must be completed and postmarked no later than November 30, 2009 and sent to:

Stephen E. Wright, Scholarship Committee Chair
P.O. Box 20021
Juneau, AK 99802

37th Annual Session of the Grand Court of Alaska

2009-08-14T07:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday evening, Beth and I attended the opening ceremonies for the 37th session of the Grand Court of Alaska, Order of the Amaranth. We were the guests of H.L. Bette Gutcher, Grand Royal Matron and S.K. Norm Gutcher, Grand Royal Patron. This year’s theme was “North to Alaska” and the Alaskan Grand Court enjoyed the presences of several guests from throughout the lower 48 states and Canada who came to share in the beauty of our great state.

During the opening ceremonies, I shared the Grand Throne with several distinguished guest, where I brought greetings from the Grand Lodge of Alaska. Those distinguished guests included Illustrious Sir Kenneth Krasselt (Potentate of Al Aska Shrine), Lt. General Craig E. Campbell (Lieutenant Governor of the State of Alaska), S.K. Dwight Cosgrove (Supreme Royal Patron), and H.L. Barbara Lee Overton (Supreme Royal Matron).

The Order of the Amaranth is a primary supporter of Diabetes research. Michelle Cassano, Executive Director of the American Diabetes Association, Alaska shared some information and remarks about this dreaded disease. Although, the Grand Court of Alaska, which comprises three Courts, is small in number, it is big in heart. For 13 years in a row, they have been recognized for the highest dollar amount per member contributed to Diabetes research. This year was no exception, as the 136 members of the Grand Court of Alaska have contributed over $22,000 for Diabetes research.

I wish the Grand Court of Alaska all the best for a very successful 37th Annual Session.

State of the Jurisdiction

2009-08-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, August 8, I had the opportunity to meet with the Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alaska to brief them on the “State of the Jurisdiction”. We are half way through the current term. I wanted to update the PGMs on my view of how things are progressing and to hear their thoughts on some of the initiatives Grand Lodge is pursuing. The following is a summary of the information presented:

• Committee Assignments and Status – This year we have taken an aggressive approach in the assignment of the various Grand Lodge standing and sub committees. Each committee chairman has been given a set of specific tasks which they expected to accomplish and time frames when those tasks should be completed. To date, all committees appear to be on tract with their given assignments. Some of the committees have gone the extra mile and have far exceeded my expectations.

Masonic Public Relations Committee – Brother Jeff Polizzotto has been extremely busy promoting Masonry throughout Southeast Alaska this year and is preparing a statewide newspaper ad campaign to recognize the State of Alaska’s 50th Anniversary and Masonry’s participation in the development of all Alaskan communities. This campaign will coincide with the Alaska Day celebration on October 18th.

Masonic Youth Committee – WB Dale Gillilan has completed the final draft of the brochure to be distributed to all Masons in Alaska, encouraging Masons, Lodges and other Masonic bodies to sponsor and support Masonic youth organizations. Several copies of the brochure will be distributed to each constituent lodge and will be available at the Masonic Booth at the Alaska State Fair.

Leadership Training Committee – The Deputies of the Grand Master have successfully presented Lodge Officers Training course in Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5. District 4 has tentatively scheduled this training in Juneau in September. The Lodge Officers Training course is open to all Master Masons who are officers in their lodges and those who ever plan to be an officer. The training focuses on the duties and responsibilities of each lodge officer, suggested committees and lodge activities, and lodge management. This training has been very well received and Districts 3 and 5 are planning a combined District training event later this year.

Internet Committee – WB Tad Dean has completed a complete overhaul of the Grand Lodge of Alaska web site resulting in the following:
- A more 'upbeat' look and feel of the site;
- Crafted a message from the GM based on the 2009 theme for Alaska Masons and a message to the inquiring non-Mason;
- Improved navigability by incorporating a left banner site menu visible from all pages;
- Updated for 2009 GL officers' current information and posts;
- Updated Alaska Lodge information where responses were received;
- Created a web page titled 'Alaska-Things to do', with lots of useful information for the visiting mason and others; and
- Incorporated Traveling Mason review comments of the web site, which, incidentally, has been well received.

Trestle Board Committee – MWB Jared Decker has taken on the task of publishing the Grand Lodge of Alaska quarterly newsletter, “Light of the Great Land”. It has been a few years since Grand Lodge has published a newsletter and MWB Jared’s contribution is a refreshing addition of the several ways Grand Lodge has been communicating with the membership this year. The newsletter is viewable on the Grand Lodge web site and is downloadable. Hard copies of the newsletter have been distributed to each of the constituent lodges, as well. MWB Jared encourages contributors to get their articles for publication in early.

Masonic Code Review Committee – VWB Roger Hansen has commented that the only thing consistent about the Alaska Masonic Code is that it was consistently inconsistent consistently. VWB Roger was tasked with finding and correcting missing information and typographical errors. However, while reviewing the entire Code, many mistakes and errors were found that affected the meaning and intent of the Code. These errors and mistakes have been corrected by comparing the current Code with the original 1981 Code and 1988 Clarified Code and all passed resolutions to date. Also, both the Table of Contents and Index have been reviewed for spelling and alphabetical errors and have been corrected. The Alaska Masonic Code's format has been slightly changed so that everything lines up from page to page for consistency and thus is easier to read. The Jurisprudence Committee has reviewed the work done by VWB Roger’s committee and report that the results are merely housekeeping in nature and not changes to the Code.

Masonic Scholarship Committee – In the late 1990s, RWB Ed Weisser (PGM Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania) contributed a sum of money to the Grand Lodge of Alaska for the purpose of establishing an Arts Scholarship. In 2001, MWB Chuck Corbin established the Alaska Masonic Charities Foundation to administer an endowment dedicated partly to such a scholarship. This year, the Grand Lodge established a special committee dedicated to providing a clear definition of the “Grand Lodge of Alaska’s Arts & Music Scholarship”,
establishing applicant eligibility, establish a selection criteria for awarding scholarships, promoting the Scholarship to the target group of applicants, and making an award coincident with the 2010 Annual Communication. Brother Stephen Wright and his committee have created an application form for the “Grand Lodge of Alaska Visual Arts and Music Masonic Scholarship” and a ranking guide for selecting the best qualified applicant. The scholarship will be promoted within Alaskan High Schools and an award made during Grand Lodge in February 2010.

Ritual Consolidation Committee – Early this spring and under direction from Grand Lodge, MWB Chuck Corbin and his committee consolidated the Standard Work of the Grand Lodge of Alaska, as defined in Section 8.01 Constitution of the Alaska Masonic Code, into a single volume. The purpose of this consolidated ritual is to provide a more orderly and manageable ritual book, which will encourage more, and better practice and presentation of the Alaskan ritual. During my visits throughout the jurisdiction this year, I have shared the draft of the consolidated ritual with the brethren with resulting rave reviews.

• Special Activities & Achievements

Alaska Masonic Foundation for Children – Late last year, the name of Alaska Masonic Charities Foundation was changed to the “Alaska Masonic Foundation for Children (AMFC)”. The purpose of this endowment is to provide material support for the “Grand Lodge of Alaska’s Arts & Music Scholarship” and the “Alaska Masonic Model Student Assistance Program”. During the same period and working with an attorney, an application was prepared and submitted to the Internal Revenue Service to exempt the AMFC from Federal income tax under section 501 (c) 3 of the IRS Code. In March of this year, we received notification from the IRS that our application had been granted.

Direct Appeal – Last year, I committed the Grand Lodge of Alaska to a contract with Affinity Marketing Associates to administer a direct appeal to our members. The purpose of this appeal was to raise money to base fund the “Grand Lodge of Alaska’s Arts & Music Scholarship” portion of the “Alaska Masonic Foundation for Children (AMFC)”. Affinity assured me that, since the Grand Lodge of Alaska had not pursued a direct appeal for some time, we might be able to raise as much as $3,000 to $4,000. They also assured me that should we fail to raise enough money to cover the cost of the marketing campaign, we would not have to reimburse them. To date, we have netted nearly $10,000 in contributions, and I am exceedingly grateful to the members of the Grand Lodge of Alaska for your generosity.

Ritual Performance – The Alaska Masonic Code defines a Standard of Proficiency, which, when met, will lead to a certificate of proficiency. The recitation from memory required to meet this standard is extremely stringent and very few if any attempt it. In order to encourage greater participation in memorizing our ritual and recognition for accomplishment, I have charged RW Jerry Wasson (Grand Secretary) to chair a Ritual Performance committee. The purpose of the committee is to establish criteria for three levels of ritual performance and to create a recognition program for successful demonstration of proficiency.

Prince Hall Recognition – On May 10, 1997, the Grand Lodge of Alaska entered into an agreement of mutual recognition with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska, Inc. In the intervening years, the Grand Lodge of Alaska has entered into similar agreements with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut, Inc.; the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, Inc.; and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of North Carolina, Inc. This year, I formed a special committee, chaired by RW Johnnie Wallace (DGM), to work with the committee to be named by the Grand Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska. The purpose of this committee is to identify those North American Prince Hall Grand Lodges who (1) are in amity with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska, (2) meet the standards of recognition as defined by the Commission on Information for Recognition of the Conference of Grand Lodges of North America, and (3) who maintain treaties of shared jurisdiction with the mainstream Grand Lodge(s) within their jurisdiction. Further, I have charged this committee with drafting letters for my signature requesting amity with those Prince Hall Grand Lodges that meet these criteria.

MSA Hospital Visitation Program – The Hospital Visitation Program of the Masonic Service Association of North America “is much more than merely "visitations" to the disabled and lonely patients in V.A. Hospitals, State Veterans Homes and Extended Care Facilities. It is the rendering of personal services to all our sons and brothers, Masons and Non-Masons alike, who now need someone to turn to for encouragement and to make life a little more pleasant.” I am proud to announce that the Grand Lodge of Alaska is participating in this wonderful program with my naming of VWB William Goodwin as our representative as Hospital Visitation Coordinator within the Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer.

Alaska Masonic Family Group – On May 9 this year, I hosted the inaugural meeting of the Alaska Masonic Family Group. The purpose of the group is:
- To provide a forum for leaders of the Alaskan Concordant Bodies to meet with the leaders of the Grand Lodge of Alaska and exchange ideas on topics which are of common interest to them.
- To provide an opportunity for the leaders of the represented organizations to become acquainted with one another and to promote one of the truly Masonic ornaments, which is Brotherly Love.
- To promote an open line of communications between the leaders so that when communications of a formal nature are required they will occur in a pleasant and productive manner.
This meeting was attended by all concordant bodies within Alaska and was extremely well received. All present agreed to make this an annual occurrence, to schedule it in October, to rotate the hosting responsibility, and to use the meeting as a vehicle for coordinating calendars between all associated bodies.

• Grand Lodge Membership Statistics

MM enrolled

Affiliations

Reinstatements

Total Gain

Demits

Deaths

Dropped NPD

Suspensions

Total Loss

Net Gain/Loss

% Gain/Loss

2008

-16

(0.008%)

2009 (Jan 1 – Aug 1)

-4

(0.002%)

Apollo 11 Mool Landing

2009-07-28T18:21:00.001-08:00

On July 20, Americans celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Commander Neil Alden Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin Eugene 'Buzz' Aldrin, Jr. became the first humans to land on the Moon. Buzz Aldrin is a Master Mason and member of Monclair Lodge No. 144, Monclair, NJ. Although, not a Mason himself, Neil Armstrong’s father was a Master Mason.

I missed the opportunity to extend my congratulations on the anniversary of this historic event. However, I recently received an email from a brother Mason with a the customs declaration form (below) attached, and I thought it was worthy of sharing. Click on this image to see a larger view.

2009-07-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

Contrary to my normal practice of only posting original content on this blog, I have copied the following from Chris Hodapp’s Blog ,“Freemasons For Dummies”. I do this for the sole purpose of encouraging interest and participation in The Masonic Society.

Issue No. 5, Summer 2009, of The Journal of the Masonic Society will arrive in our members' mailboxes in the next two weeks.The Journal is a quarterly magazine containing Masonic information written by authors from all over the world. Speculative papers, news stories, fiction, poetry, great photography, insightful opinion and other editorial elements reviving the golden age of Masonic publishing.Features in the new issue include:

• 'The Two Confessions of John Whitney: an examination of the conflicting theories as to the fate of William Morgan' by Stephen Dafoe.
• 'Brother Bloom, The Most Influential Mason Who Never Lived' by Kenneth W. Davis.
• 'Debunking Reality: Solomon's Temple and the Power of Allegory' by Randy Williams.
• 'Multiple Dimensions of Silence in Freemasonry' by Shawn Eyer.• 'The Orders of the Secret Monitor and the Scarlet Cord' By Richard L. Gan.
• 'International Conference on the History of Freemasonry 2009' by Christopher Hodapp.• 'Masonic Treasures: The Washingtons of Donald De Lue' by Marc Conrad.
• 'The Dan Brown Effect' by Christopher Hodapp.

Plus news of current events, info on upcoming Masonic events, and other news from around the Masonic world. And the Journal accepts advertising from businesses of interest to Masons. It is a high quality, full color publication that is unlike any other magazine in the marketplace for Freemasons.

Since beginning in May 2008, membership in the Masonic Society has grown to nearly 850 members. A subscription to the Journal is only one of the benefits of membership. Our members-only on-line discussion forum has 541 members discussing 2,496 topics. And we're getting ready for our "First Circle Semi-Annual Gathering and Banquet," in Indianapolis on October 24th. The Masonic Society also provides special members-only offers discounts and premiums on books, and even gentlemen's clothing: we have just added a discount card for members at Brooks Brothers.

In addition to a lapel pin and membership card, each member receives an 11x14 patent, on parchment, with a hand-stamped wax seal. It is easily one of the most impressive membership documents in Masonry.

Membership in the Society is just $39, and is open to regular Master Masons in good standing of regular, recognized grand lodges in good standing with the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America (CGMMNA), or a grand lodge in amity with a member grand lodge of CGMMNA.

Non-Masons, libraries, lodges, and members of other obediences may also subscribe to the Journal at the $39 annual rate.

Membership Training Seminar

2009-07-23T16:53:00.000-08:00

The Al Aska Shrine is sponsoring a membership development seminar in Anchorage, August 14-15, 2009. The seminar is open to all Masonic Bodies within the jurisdiction of Alaska. Its purpose is to share with the Masonic Organization the most current information available about Lodge relations, recruitment, retention, delinquent dues, suspensions and restorations.

This initiative is the dream child of David Worel, Chief Rabban of the Al Aska Shrine. Typically only the leadership of Shrine Temples participates in this training, which is provided at the Imperial Shrine headquarters in Tampa, FL. Dave has coordinated with the leaders of the seminar and encouraged them to take their show on the road to Alaska. This Alaskan seminar provides an excellent training opportunity for our constituent lodges, and will enable them to develop their own membership recruitment and retention programs.

The seminar will be held at the Al Aska Temple the evening of August 14th and all day of August 15th and will be provided at no cost. Lunch will also be donated.

The following is the schedule of activities for this two day event:

August 14, Friday
4:00 – 8:00 Hospitality at the Al Aska Temple
August 15,Saturday
8:00 AM, Meeting with Divan
9:00 AM,Overview of presentation,Lodge Relations
10:30 AM, Break
11:00 AM, Recruitment
12:00 PM, Lunch
1:00 PM, Retention
3:00 PM, Delinquent dues, Restorations

For further information contact Dave Worel at dw@nlhc.com or the Al Aska Shrine at (907) 274-4344.

Brats, Beans, and Beer

2009-07-23T15:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday evening, Beth and I hosted the Junior Warden’s picnic for District No. 5. District No. 5 includes Matanuska Lodge No. 7, Eagle River Lodge No. 13, and Iditarod Lodge No. 20. The picnic was intended to be an early thank you to the members of those lodges for all of their help and support for Grand Lodge’s Annual Communication next February. We had a very good turnout, and threatening rain and a road closure did not dampen the spirits of those who attended. The only weather we had to contend with was a stiff breeze which, although a little cool, kept the mosquitoes away. In addition to members of District No. 5 lodges, their families, and friends, RW Jim Grubbs (Grand Treasurer), RW Jerry Wasson (Grand Secretary), W Clarence Keto (Grand Orator), and W John Bishop (Grand Lecturer) joined in the festivities and enjoyed one or more of my latest home brew offerings (Black Porter).

I have been perfecting my bratwurst recipe for awhile now, and this time it turned out just right. The brats were braised is beer and onions, grilled, then returned to a fresh batch of beer and onions to keep warm. Along with the brats and Porter, a big hit of the evening was Beth’s baked beans. Several of those in attendance asked for the recipe, therefore I have included it at the end of this post.

I would like to express my special thanks to Beth’s parents, Don (Matanuska Lodge No. 7) and Leeann Dodds. They stayed after to clean up while I hob knobbed with the departing guests. It was a great time with good fellowship and good friends.

Beth’s Baked Beans

• 1 lg. tall can Pork & Beans (Van Camps makes it too soupy)
• 1 can kidney beans – drained
• 1 can butter beans
• 1 # hamburger
• 1 med. Onion – chopped
• 5 – 6 pieces bacon – chopped
• 1 c. catsup
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 2 lg. dollops of prepared mustard

Brown hamburger and onion. Brown bacon pieces. Put beans and meats together. Add remaining ingredients. Sprinkle with oregano. Bake at 350° for 2 – 3 hours.

Shrine Imperial Session

2009-07-06T18:11:00.001-08:00

The 135th Session of the Imperial Council, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine is meeting in San Antonio this week. The official opening occurred today in the Lila Cockrell Theater of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, along the banks of San Antonio’s famous ‘River Walk’.

During today’s session, Nobles debated the proposal of the board of directors to close six of the 22 Shrine Hospitals nationwide. The reasons expressed for closing the six hospitals was to help stem the hemorrhaging of Shrine resources which has been going on unabated since 2001 and prevent the speculated bankruptcy of the Shrine. The plan was to consolidate the functions of these hospitals into the remaining 18 hospitals and hopefully improve on the low 27% occupancy of North America’s full service Shrine Hospitals. Emotions and passions ran high and in the end the delegates voted to withdraw the proposal to close the six hospitals and give their directors more time to continue on their cost cutting initiatives.

In another resolution, the delegates voted to approve an amendment to the by-laws of the Colorado Corporation to redefine what is meant by the term “Shriners Hospitals”. In the language of the resolution the concept of Hospital was changed from a full-service brick and mortar facility to become a level of service concept. Such levels of service include ambulatory care facilities used for day surgery and out-patient care. Under the approved resolution, the board of directors, after consultation with hospital directors and staff, will have the authority to change the level of service being provided by hospitals, while such hospitals will remain clearly identified to the public as a Shrine Hospital.

During the afternoon session, the election of the 2009-2010 Imperial Divan Officers was conducted. Jack H. Jones (Imperial Recorder) was elected Imperial Potentate for the term which would have been filled by Terry McGuire who passed away last year. Jeffrey L. Sowder (PGM Kansas) was elected to the office of Imperial Outer Guard. All other Imperial Divan officers were advanced one position.

Beth and I have thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this Imperial Session and San Antonio’s River Walk. Our thanks to Imperial Potentate, Douglas E. Maxwell and his lady Patricia for all of the courtesies extended to us.

One final note: yesterday afternoon, at the Public Opening of the Imperial Session, I had the occasion to meet and visit with MW Tom McCarthy, Grand Master of Masons in Minnesota and fellow blogger (mngrandmaster09.blogspot.com).

Happy Independence Day

2009-07-03T18:37:00.001-08:00

To all Alaska Masons.

I just received the following from WB Richard Grand, Master of Iditarod Lodge No. 20:

This coming Saturday is the Wasilla 4th of July Parade.
Masonic participants who wish to ride on the Shrine trailer need to be at the Performing Arts Center parking lot in Wasilla between 9:30 am and 10:45 am.
(Hint: the earlier you arrive, the closer you can park!)

The parade starts at 11 am.

If you have any 4th of July decorations please bring them.
Also bring your organizations banner(s) or signs (don't forget the adhesive tape!)

The Grandmaster has authorized the wearing of the Masonic regalia of your Order for this event.

Please forward this to your groups, as I have only a few e-mail addresses beyond Mat 7.

We cannot throw candy, but if you walk, you can hand it out to the kids.

Beth and I are heading to San Antonio this evening so will miss this event. However, our thoughts will be with you as we wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July.

Thanks For Your Generosity

2009-06-29T18:56:00.001-08:00

This morning, while driving to the Post Office, I saw a Van with a “Masons – Preserving Our Heritage” decal on its back window. That decal represents one of the recipients of the Grand Lodge of Alaska’s direct appeal for support of the Alaska Masonic Foundation for Children (AMFC). The contributions received from this appeal will be used to fund the Grand Lodge of Alaska Masonic Visual Arts and Music Scholarship, one aspect of the AMFC.

This afternoon, I received a delivery from UPS containing a check for $9,247.27. This sum represents net revenues from contributions to date from our appeal. I am exceedingly grateful to all Masons and their families who have contributed to this worthy endeavor. For those who have not yet contributed, there is still time left to help bump our net revenues to $10,000.

In the next month or so, Alaska Lodges will be receiving information regarding the Visual Arts and Music Scholarship and asked to distribute it to High Schools in their communities. Please assist our Grand Lodge in promoting our scholarship throughout Alaska.

Once again, many thanks to all who have contributed.

Masonic Society 2nd Circle Committees

2009-06-28T11:07:00.000-08:00

I just received the latest edition of the Journal of the Masonic Society. As stated on the Masonic Society web site:

"A significant group of passionate Masons are coming together to create what aims to be nothing less than the premier North American research society in Freemasonry. Called simply The Masonic Society, we are gathering together brothers who have a deep and abiding desire to seek knowledge, explore history, discover symbolism, debate philosophies, and in short, who will be at the forefront of charting a path for the future of Freemasonry. "

Articles presented in the latest Journal include:
“Special Report: The Real Illuminati”, by Christopher Hodapp
“Did He Or Didn’t He?” (a study of the inauguration of George Washington), by Jay Hochberg
“Philosophy and Freemasonry”, by John Bridegroom
“Masonic Ceremonial of Baptism”, attributed to Albert Pike and edited by Michael Poll

Under the section “News of the Society” reference is made to the creation of Masonic Society Second Circle Committees in various regions and jurisdictions around the world. I have been named chairman of the Alaska Second Circle Committee. This is rather a dubious honor, as at present there are less than a half dozen Masonic Society members within this jurisdiction. My purpose in accepting this position is to help further the aims of the Masonic Society in Alaska and to create for the Grand Lodge of Alaska a de facto Masonic Research organization.

For some time now, several Alaska Masons have expressed an interest in the development of some type of Masonic Research and Education association. These Masons expressed a desire to meet regularly to discuss and debate Masonic history and philosophy. Unfortunately, due to the relatively small size of this group and their distribution throughout the State of Alaska, the likelihood of them ever getting together was slim. The purpose of the Masonic Society Second Circle Committees is to create a forum within a Masonic jurisdiction where brethren can discuss Masonic topics of common interest and where they can meet annually (or semiannually) for fun and fellowship, for presentation of research papers, and to listen to guest lecturers. I envision that this committee can become the Masonic Research and Education association that Alaska Masons are looking for.

I invite your comments to this idea of creating a Masonic research association through the Alaska Masonic Society Second Circle Committee. I also invite you to become a member of the Masonic Society and share in the benefits of belonging to this premier organization. To become a member of the Masonic Society or simply subscribe to the Journal, click here for the Masonic Society application for membership.

Rainbow Grand Assembly

2009-06-27T08:36:00.000-08:00

The Forty-Seventh Session of the Grand Assembly of Alaska, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls was held at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, AK, June 24 -27. Grand Worthy Advisor, Miss Tabbitha Cobb led the ceremonies for this four day event.

During the informal opening on Thursday evening, several distinguished guests from the Fairbanks community were invited to speak. These guests included:

Terry Strle, Mayor of the City of Fairbanks
Doug Isaacson, Mayor of the City of North Pole
Dr. Nancy Wagner, Superintendent, Fairbanks North Star Borough Schools
John Coghill, Jr., Representative, State of Alaska Legislature

Dr. Wagner gave a very inspiring speech, telling the Rainbow Girls that education is the key to “Breaking the Glass Ceiling for Women”. She recounted her own experiences and advised the young women that the subjects of math, science, and engineering were excellent pursuits, which would advance their potential for success.

There are three active Rainbow Assemblies (Fairbanks #1, Juneau #3, and Nugget #13) remaining in Alaska, and the girls are very enthusiastic and have a lot of fun while learning leadership, confidence, and citizenship. The Alaska Rainbow Girls are a key member of the Alaska Masonic Family and have the potential for explosive growth, as new and younger families join the fraternity of Freemasonry. If anyone has an interest in participating with the Rainbow Girls in Alaska, contact Ms Gabrielle Hazelton (Gabrielle.Hazelton@gmail.com).

Beth and I traveled from Palmer to Fairbanks on Thursday to participate in a portion of Grand Assembly. We really enjoyed visiting with Grand Worthy Advisor Tabbitha, Supreme Deputy Ms Hazelton, the girls, and many adult supporters who we hadn’t seen in a few years. Beth is a majority member of Rainbow Girls, as I am a senior DeMolay. In fact, we first met at a Rainbow Installation ceremony 40 years ago. Although, we were more active, as our daughter Megan went through the chairs in Palmer Assembly #7, our hearts remain with the Rainbow Girls and we wish them all the best.

Light of the Great Land

2009-06-23T22:20:00.001-08:00

The 2nd edition of the Grand Lodge of Alaska newsletter ("Light Of The Great Land") is currently available for viewing on the Grand Lodge of Alaska web site.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggy-Jig

2009-06-22T22:39:00.000-08:00

Beth and I returned home this afternoon after three weeks on the road. It’s great to be back in Alaska, even though we had a wonderful time on our visits to the Grand Lodges of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia – Yukon. From June 1 until today, we covered 2896 miles by air and 2596 miles by car. We spent 10 nights on the road in hotels and another 11 nights with friends. This coming Thursday, we will travel to Fairbanks for the Grand Assembly of Alaska IORG, adding another 664 miles traveled by car in the month of June for a total of 3260 road miles in one month.

This past Wednesday (June 17), Beth and I traveled from Camano Island, WA up the Fraser River Valley to Prince George, BC Canada. Having lived in Alaska and traveled the Alaska Highway for 35 years, this was not the first time we traveled that portion of the highway. Our previous trips had us focusing on the destination and not enjoying the journey. We call this “border fever”, which tends to make us drive long hours over great distances, often times at the tail end of our trips. On this particular trip, however, we took our time and made it a two day drive to Prince George, instead of the usual one day. For the most part, the weather was blue bird clear with the occasional late afternoon thunder shower. The Fraser River Valley is absolutely beautiful, especially this time of year, which made me realize why the motto of this Province of Canada is “Beautiful British Columbia”.

We arrived in Prince George Thursday afternoon, in time to register for the 138th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon and participate in the Community Reception. Our host for this three day event was Most Worshipful R. Glenn Allen and his lady Laura. I wish to offer our thanks and appreciation for all of the honors and courtesies extended to us.

Besides Beth and me, distinguished guests form other Grand Jurisdictions included:

RW Peter Dunlop, Senior Grand Warden, Grand Lodge of Alberta
RW Krisjan Goodmanson, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Manitoba
W Adam W. Morrill, Grand Standard Barer, Grand Lodge of California
W P. Marty Martineau, Jr., Senior Grand Deacon, Grand Lodge of Utah
MW John D. McNab, Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Washington

The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon has a truly progressive line, starting at Junior Grand Warden. That is, the JGW is the only elected officer in the line and the SGW, DGM, and Grand Master progress to their positions with the JGW's election. The new slate of officers for 2009/2010 is:

MW Brian Tuckey, Grand Master
RW J. Alan Cross, Deputy Grand Master
RW William R. Cave, Senior Grand Warden
RW Murray Webster, Junior Grand Warden
RW Del W. Patterson, Grand Treasurer
RW George Moore, Grand Secretary

RW Brother Moore replaces MW James C. Gordon (PGM) as Grand Secretary. MW Brother Gordon passed away earlier this year.

Items of note at this Annual Communication included the sanctifying of the use of four different rituals within the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge (Ancient, Canadian, Emulation, and Australian) and the raising of the per capita assessments to the Lodges. The per capita for the Grand Lodge is now $35 per member plus $15 per member charity fee for a total of $50.

Beth and I had a wonderful time visiting with our Canadian brothers and their ladies. Saturday after the installation of officers for 2009/2010, we headed back down the Fraser River Valley for Camano Island. We made it back in time to spend Father’s Day with my folks.

Alaska visits the Grand Lodge of Washington

2009-06-14T11:15:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, June 9, dad (W John Kelly Cline) and I drove down to Redmond, Washington from Camano Island to participate in the weekly meeting of the Redmond Goose and Gridiron (Nest One). It was great to break bread and have fellowship with several of the brethren I had not seen in quite a while. It was especially nice to visit with MW James Williams (Grand Master of Masons in Alaska in 1981-82). The photo accompanying this article shows me in the middle with dad on my right and MW Jim on the left. Dad became a Mason in Solomon Lodge No. 20 in Jacksonville, FL in May 1946, while serving there in World War II. MW Jim became a Mason in Tanana Lodge No. 162 in Fairbanks, AK in December 1947. It’s interesting to note that MW Brother Jim became a Mason one month after I was born. As it is, I am surrounded by 124 years of Masonry.

Other Alaskan Masons in attendance at this luncheon included VW Brother Pete Nilles (the first Worshipful Master of Aurora Lodge No. 15 in Anchorage) and W Brother Roger Barnstead (the Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of Alaska). MW Jim and VW Pete now live in Renton, WA (my hometown).

MW Brother Jim Williams was the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alaska, which formed out of the Grand Lodge of Washington in 1981. Since that time, there have been many Alaska Grand Masters who have been affiliated with the Grand Lodge of Washington, of which I am the newest. However, MW Brother Jim was not the first Alaska Mason to be a Grand Master in Washington. The first member of an Alaska Lodge to be a Grand Master within the jurisdiction of Washington was MW Charles P. Kirtland. Charlie, as he was known to thousands of Masonic associates, was Past Master of White Pass Lodge No. 113 in Skagway, Alaska, and became Grand Master of Masons in Washington in 1939.

One final note: Dad’s lodge, Thornton F. McElroy No. 302, probably holds the record of the most affiliated Grand Masters from Alaska, if not the most affiliated Grand Masters. Alaskan Grand Masters who affiliated with TF McElroy include:

MW Jack Bently*
MW John Intram*
MW Gunnar Flygenring*
MW Charles Greg
MW Bo Cline
(*deceased)

Additionally, MW Wendal (Wendy) Kuecker, who is a Past Master of TF McElroy, was named Honorary Past Grand Master of Alaska in 1996. One other Past Grand Master affiliated with TF McElroy is MW Ted Clarke from the Grand Lodge of BC-Yukon.

Thornton F. McElroy Lodge No. 302 was the first lodge chartered in the Grand Lodge of Washington in its second one hundred years and was named for the first Grand Master of Washington. Dad is a charter member of TF McElroy and its sixth Master. MW William R. Miller was the eighth Master of TF McElroy and the Grand Master of Masons in Washington in 1989-90. The Grand Lodge of Washington just celebrated their 150th anniversary, which makes TF McElroy 50 years old. There will be a celebration marking this occasion on August 14 – 16, 2009 at the Lodge in Federal Way, WA.

152nd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Washington

2009-06-12T18:25:00.000-08:00

I just returned from the investiture ceremony where RW Brother Gale Kenney was inducted into the Past Grand Masters Association of Washington. Gale is the newly elected Grand Master for the Grand Lodge and will be installed later this evening.

Beth and I had a wonderful time at this 152nd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Washington. We reacquainted ourselves with many old friends and made many several new ones. MW Doug Tucker and his lady Glynis were very gracious hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed their hospitality and good fellowship. Thanks to VW Brother Brian Hardy (Deputy District No. 4) for all of the courtesies and assistance extended to us.

At the close of the Grand Lodge session this afternoon, the following brethren were elected to lead the Grand Lodge of Washington for the coming term:

MW Gale H. Kenney, Grand Master
RW F. Santy Lascano, Deputy Grand Master
RW Michael L. Sanders, Senior Grand Warden
RW Dean W. Heinemann, Junior Grand Warden (pictured above)
RW David P. Owen, Grand Secretary

Thank you again, Doug and Glynis for a great Grand Lodge.

Pirates of Washington

2009-06-11T22:46:00.001-08:00

Today Beth and I are attending the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Washington along with dignitaries from various jurisdictions throughout the Western US. The delegation from the Grand Lodge of Alaska is comprised of:

MW Bo Cline, Grand Master
RW Johnnie Wallace (Walker), Deputy Grand Master
RW Jerry Wasson, Grand Secretary
W John Bishop, Grand Lecturer
W Roger Barnstead, Grand Historian
VW Roger Hansen, Grand Representative to Washington
VW Maynard Brent, Valdez Lodge No. 5

This afternoon’s session was highlighted by the entrance of the Grand Lodge of Washington officers in Pirates of the Caribbean garb (ala Jack Sparrow). MW Douglas Tucker (Grand Master) is depicted in the photo on the left and RW David Owen (Grand Secretary) is depicted in the photo on the right. Aaarg!

Choosing a Path for Retention

2009-06-09T21:26:00.000-08:00

The following was presented at the Grand Lodge of Oregon on June 5, 2009.

There are more men seeking out Masonry today than we have seen in the past thirty or forty years. The cause for this sudden interest in Masonry could be because of a greater presence of Freemasonry in the popular media or that a new generation is more receptive to what Masonry has to offer. What ever the case, men are joining for the same reasons that men have become Masons for more than 300 years, for brotherhood and fellowship, for community involvement, and for self improvement. Unfortunately, men are also leaving Masonry at an alarming rate. I suspect that the reason these new Masons are leaving the craft is because they are not finding what they expected in Masonry, that which we have promised them.

What do we promise our candidates for the degrees of Masonry and how do we keep our promises? First of all, we tell our candidates that Masonry is a fraternal society where they will be regaled with good food, fun, and friendship. We tell them that Masonry is a community organization where they will have an opportunity to get involved with and improve all aspects of their communities. And, we tell them that Masonry is a character building institution, that through the presentation of the three degrees of Masonry and through a life long study of the history and philosophy of Freemasonry they will become better citizens, better husbands and fathers, better men.

Men joining Masonry today have many commitments and responsibilities which dominate their time. These men are busy with work, church, and family and, although they have a strong desire to participate in the positive aspects of Masonry, their time to commit to the craft is measured. Dedicating one evening a month to a stated meeting and one weekend to a community or social activity may be the best we can expect.

I have a friend in England who is a member of a very successful lodge in London. He says that there are three reasons his lodge is so successful. First and foremost they give the “lads” excellent ritual and Masonic education, secondly they give them quality festive boards with all the good food and all the drink they want, and finally they give them an early train home.

Knowing what the next generation expects from Masonry is half the battle. To be truthful, they expect no more than what we have promised them. Our challenge, then, is to meet those expectations and deliver on our promise.

I believe that American Freemasonry is at a fork in the road. We may choose to maintain the status quo and continue along our current path where men are leaving Masonry as fast as they are joining it. Or, we may choose to follow a different path, one that will lead to a bright and positive future. Successful lodges throughout our country are encouraging and empowering their new Masons, they are instilling in them a desire for continued Masonic education and support its attainment, and they are sanctuaries of fun and friendships. What THEN can we do to promote fellowship within our lodges and keep Masonry interesting and relevant for every member?

I urge us to choose a different path that challenges the status quo and keeps the promises to our candidates; to commit to a program of fellowship, individual involvement, and Masonic education; to choose a path for retention, a path that will remake our lodges and keep Masonry alive.

159th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Oregon

2009-06-05T14:28:00.000-08:00

Beth and I are currently in beautiful Bend, Oregon, attending the 159th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Oregon. I wish to thank MW Robert M. Richmond, Grand Master and Cowboy Poet and his Lady Joyce for their wonderful hospitality and all of the courtesies extended to Beth and me.

This Grand Lodge has been extremely well attended, which is a testament to how well MW Richmond is loved by the brethren in Oregon. Representatives from the Grand Lodges of Alaska, BC-Yukon, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon (Idaho & Montana) Prince Hall, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming have been in attendance. Additionally, two brothers from the Grand Lodge of Scotland came for the visit and MW Richard Fletcher and his wife Judy represented the Masonic Service Association of North America and spoke at the Fellowship Banquet last night.

Many of the guest speakers addressed the changing demographics of Masonry and how to keep new Masons enthused and excited about Masonry. Another common theme was the degradation in ritual presentation and how to improve it.

An item of interest occurred when MW Aaron W. Harvey announced that he was stepping down as Grand Secretary after five years. Aaron stepped in as Grand Secretary during a time of trial for the Grand Lodge of Oregon and has served this Grand Lodge with distinction these last several years. Another item of interest was the unanimous recognition by the Grand Lodge of Oregon of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of F&AM, Jurisdiction of North Carolina, Inc.

During the election of officers for the Grand Lodge of Oregon for 2009/2010 the following brethren were elected:

Grand Master MW D. Arthur Bush
DGM RW L.E. “Ed” Bousquet
SGW RW Richard A. Martin
JGW RW Hunt M. Compton
Grand Secretary RW Paul Temple

MW John S. Harvey was elected to serve on the Jurisprudence for another five years. W David Fryday was appointed to be the Senior Grand Deacon for the ensuing term. This was a significant appointment, as in the Grand Lodge of Oregon the SGD is traditionally elected to the office of Junior Grand Warden in the succeeding year.

Masonic Friendship

2009-05-27T22:31:00.000-08:00

I just read the latest posting by RW Tom Hendrickson (SGW of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota) in his blog All Things Masonic. In his article, he enumerated five things to consider when mentoring new candidates:

1. To Mentor is to instill in the new Brother a sense of purpose and to help them develop their Masonic identity.

2. The Entered Apprentice stands before you and may be thinking; "Here I am ...I am a rough Ashlar in need of improvement. Place your working tools in my hand and teach me their uses.

3. Coaching is teaching what a new Brother needs to know to be proficient. That’s pretty cut and dry. What we really need to do is support and nurture him and help him achieve his goals in Masonry.

4. Adding a new member to your lodge also adds to your circle of Friends.

5. Our teaching as Mentors will live beyond our lives. Our Mentoring is our gift to our lodge and to the Craft. It becomes our legacy.

Item number four (4) caught my attention and caused me to ponder whether ALL brethren are my friends? Do I truly enjoy being in the company of ALL Masons and would I consider expanding my circle of friendship to include them?

We are taught that Freemasonry is “a sacred band or society of friends and brothers”. Each of us is charged to befriend and relieve every Brother who shall need our assistance, to remind him in the most friendly manner of his fault, to endeavor to aid his reformation, and to defend his character.

During my travels through Masonry I have met brethren who are more than mere acquaintances and are fast becoming lifelong friends. These are men whose company I enjoy and who I call Brother. There are others, even within my own lodge, who I barely know, who I have not taken the time to become acquainted with, and to learn what made them seek out Masonry. This is an evident flaw in my character, and one through which continued study of Freemasonry and the assistance of my brethren, I hope to correct.

All Masons have shared in a common experience that binds us at a level which is greater than any filial, professional, or sacred bond. All Masons are my Brother and they should also be my friend.

North Pole Surprise

2009-05-19T21:37:00.000-08:00

I visited North Pole Lodge No. 16 in North Pole, Alaska last night with the Deputy Grand Master, RW Johnnie Wallace. This was intended to be a surprise visitation and I had asked the District Deputy, VW John Johnson to see if he could encourage members from nearby lodges to also show up unannounced. As it turned out, word leaked out that the Grand Master was visiting. The brethren were on their guard and had actually practiced the opening and closing ritual before the meeting. My compliments to WB Mickey Harper and the brethren of North Pole Lodge for excellent ritual and floor work and a wonderful evening.

I brought greetings from one of North Pole’s own sojourning members who was unable to attend. RW Ed Weisser (PGM of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and member of North Pole #16) reported in an email that he often visits Pennsylvania Lodges wearing his Alaskan Past Master’s apron and signs the Tyler’s register as a member of #16. He said he enjoys telling those lodges about his Alaska Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Alaska. RW Weisser also noted that he made 42 surprise visits to his lodges when he was Grand Master of Pennsylvania. He said that when the lodges in his jurisdiction learned that he was doing surprise visits, their ritual and floor work improved substantially.

In addition to the DGM and me, there were three Past Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of Alaska present, MW Lloyd Triggs, MW Gene Freeman, and MW Sam Medsker. WB Keith Herve (PM North Pole #16) who now lives in Florida was traveling in Alaska and also showed up for the visit. A great time was had by all.

Alaska is a very large jurisdiction and the distances between lodges is great. The drive from my home to the lodge yesterday evening was nearly 350 miles one-way and nearly seven hours on the road. That alone should have surprised the brethren of North Pole. However, it was not a hardship to drive to the lodge yesterday and return home today. The weather was absolutely beautiful with temperatures in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Beth and I had sunshine the whole trip with gorgeous views of Mt. McKinley and numerous wildlife sightings, including eagles, trumpeter swans, coyotes, caribou, and moose. I always tell visitors that the best time to come to Alaska is late May to early June. The second best time would be early February to attend the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alaska.

Grand Master's Reception - Mt. McKinley No. 5

2009-05-16T21:30:00.001-08:00

It was cool and overcast when we arrived in Cordova, Alaska for the Grand Master’s reception. The warmth and sunshine of the past two weeks had raised our expectations and we hoped that we would experience similar weather in this Prince William Sound community. However, the warmth of the reception by the brethren of Mt. McKinley Lodge No. 5 more than compensated for the cool weather outside. We were received by the Worshipful Master, Harold “Bud” Moore, WB Bob Cunningham, Bro. Jim Getilesen, Bro. Brian Arnold, and their wives during a very enjoyable dinner at the OK Restaurant in Cordova. After dinner we all adjourned to Mt. McKinley’s beautiful old Lodge Hall for a brief program of presentations and Masonic education. RW Johnnie Wallace, DGM and my wife Beth accompanied me on this visit.

The city of Cordova was founded on the shores of Prince William Sound in 1908 as the terminus of the Copper River and Nonwestern Railway. Mt. McKinley was chartered under the Grand Lodge of Washington in 1911 as Lodge No. 183 and was primarily a railroad lodge. On September 21, 1925, MW Morton Gregory, Grand Master of Masons in Washington laid the corner-stone of the then new Masonic Temple being erected by the brethren of Mt. McKinley Lodge.

Thursday, the day of our arrival in Cordova, marked another special event for the city. It was the first opening of the 2009 Copper River commercial fishing season. The boat harbor was virtually empty, as the fleet had descended on the mouth of the Copper River in quest of the famous Copper River Red Salmon. Wild Alaska salmon are among the most prized of all the salmon in the world and the Copper River Red Salmon is the most prized among all wild Alaska salmon. Each season, the first of these fish caught fetch high prices in fish markets throughout the country. By Friday afternoon, fish caught on Thursday were sitting on ice in fish markets in Seattle, where they sold for $25 per pound. The fishermen, however, only received $3.50 per pound for their catch.

Matanuska Masonic Foundation

2009-05-13T21:44:00.000-08:00

This evening, I had the honor and privilege of representing my mother lodge (Matanuska No. 7) during the academic awards night at Wasilla High School. It was my honor to present a check from the Matanuska Masonic Foundation to a deserving Wasilla High senior.

In the late 1990’s, Matanuska Lodge was given a small endowment, which they invested. In 2004, the they created the Matanuska Masonic Foundation as a 501 (c) 3 corporation whose purpose is to provide scholarships to Matanuska-Susitna Valley High School Seniors who intend to continue their education in the State of Alaska. There are no overhead expenses for the Matanuska Masonic Foundation, so 100% of anyone’s tax deductible donation goes entirely toward building the endowment. The money for the scholarships is taken from the earnings and not the principle, allowing the endowment to continue to grow. Since 2005, the Foundation has donated $14,500 in scholarships.

Grand Master's Reception - Valdez No. 4

2009-05-13T21:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday (5/12/2009), Beth and drove 260 miles from our home down the Richardson Highway to attend the Grand Master’s Reception at Valdez Lodge No. 4. We were accompanied by RW Johnnie Wallace (DGM) and his wife, Mary; RW Jerry Pinion (JGW) and his wife, Ginger; and W Van O. Chaney (Grand Chaplain) and his wife, Alice. The weather was absolute beautiful, and when we arrived in Valdez, the temperature was in the mid to upper 60’s. Valdez is on Prince William Sound and the temperature is generally moderated by its proximity to the water. It is referred to Little Switzerland, since it averages over 325 inches (27 ft) of snow annually. It was a surprise to see all of the snow gone and most of the town basking in the sunshine.

We were met in Valdez by VW John Johnson (Deputy for District 1) and Worshipful Brothers Karl Amundsen and Keith Herve (Members of the By-Laws Committee). We had great fellowship and a great dinner before served by the members and ladies of Valdez No. 4. Thank you to WB Jim Ujioka for a very nice evening.

Chris Hodapp on Masonic Central

2009-05-11T23:20:00.000-08:00

I have been listening to the Masonic Central Podcast for the past couple of months and thoroughly enjoy it. Actually, I have been downloading it to my iPhone and playing the episodes on my car radio as I drive to and from Anchorage. Sometime, I would like to listen to it live and possibly participate in the online discussions. Unfortunately, this podcast is scheduled Sundays at 6:00 PM Pacific Time (5:00 PM Alaska Time). I say unfortunately, because Sunday I ritually have dinner with my wife’s extended family. I don’t think Beth would appreciate it if I broke away from dinner with her family to sit in front of the computer for an hour. Anyway, this past Sunday was Mother’s Day and our normal Sunday routine was changed to brunch, freeing me for the 5:00 PM airing. Wouldn’t you know it, the Masonic Central hosts decided to take a break last Sunday to spend it with their own families.

Masonic Central will resume their normal podcasts this coming Sunday with guest Brother Christopher Hodapp. Chris will be discussing his book Conspiracy Theories & Secret Societies. Chris was previously a guest on Masonic Central in November 2008. That particular show was excellent and this coming weeks show promises to be equally informative and entertaining. I would recommend anyone who has the time and is not constrained by family commitments to tune in. Otherwise, visit the Masonic Central site any time to download or simply listen to this and past episodes.

Alaska Masonic Family Meets

2009-05-10T22:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday evening (May 9) the leadership of the Alaska Masonic Family met for a wonderful dinner and good fellowship for the first annual meeting of this group. The meeting was held at the Suite 100 Restaurant in Anchorage, Alaska. Those in attendance included:

Bette and Norm Gutcher, Royal Grand Matron and Patron of the Grand Court of Amaranth in Alaska
Joan Morgan, representing Claudianne Jones, Deputy to the Most Worthy Grand Matron of the General Chapter, Order of Eastern Star
Robin Hasty, High Priestess, Waheed Court No. 81, Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America
Gabrielle Hazelton, Supreme Deputy, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in Alaska
Shawn Lopez, representing Dale Gillilan, Executive Officer of the International Order of DeMolay in Alaska
Johnnie L. Wallace, Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alaska
Leonard C. Bibler, Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council Cryptic Masons of Alaska
Littleton F. (Buck) Buxton, Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Alaska
J.B. Carnahan, personal representative for William R. Miller, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Washington and Alaska, Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction
David Worel, Chief Rabban representing Ken Krasselt, Potentate Al Aska Shrine
Bo Cline, Grand Master, Masons in Alaska

In addition to those mentioned above, there were several other officers of the represented organizations present.

Following dinner, I led the group is a short business meeting. I explained that the purpose of the Alaska Masonic Family Group (AMFG) was:

1. To provide a forum for leaders of the Alaskan Concordant Bodies to meet with the leaders of the Grand Lodge of Alaska and exchange ideas on topics which are of common interest to them.

2. To provide an opportunity for the leaders of the represented organizations to become acquainted with one another.

3. To promote an open line of communications between the leaders so that when communications of a formal nature are required they will occur in a pleasant and productive manner.

Each of those present was asked to present any issues or concerns that they were aware of, to support a shared calendar of events for all organizations to help prevent conflicting activities, and to decide whether continuation of this forum met their organization’s needs. There was unanimous consensus among those present that the AMFG was a concept which was a long time in coming. Further, they agreed that this activity needed to be an annual occurrence, scheduled for the first Saturday in October each year, and that the hosting responsibility be rotated among the membership organizations. It was explained that the reason to meet the first Saturday of October each year was for the coordination of each organization’s calendars for the following year. The next meeting of the AMFG was scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2009. This meeting will be hosted by the Alaska Scottish Rite and the venue, time, and agenda will be proposed by them.

As the promoter of this initiative, I was excited at the response and have very positive expectations about the future relationship among the AMFG.

Log of the Week of April 27th

2009-05-05T07:07:00.000-08:00

This past week was almost a duplicate of the week before, with Grand Master receptions, Grand Lecturer's Workshop, and Lodge Officer Training.

On Monday, April 28, I was received by the brethren of Eagle River Lodge No. 13. I was joined by many of the Grand Lodge officers and committeemen. What a great evening. We all shared in a wonderful potluck dinner prepared by the members of Eagle River Lodge after which we enjoyed an evening of presentations and speeches. With so many guests there and with so many wanting to share in the excitement surrounding Grand Lodge this year, the speeches went on quite a while and it was late when Beth and I finally got home. A special thanks to WB Nick Choromaski, who at 25 is the youngest Worshipful Master in the history of the Grand Lodge of Alaska. I would also like to thank the brethren of Eagle River Lodge for their gift of a ceremonial sword to Grand Lodge. In my copious free time, I may even find a moment to craft a stand for it.

I traveled into Anchorage on Tuesday to meet with the elected Grand Lodge officers to review the status of the initiatives we have set out for Grand Lodge this year and also to review the performance of the Grand Lodge committees. At that meeting, I announced the formation of two special committees, the Prince Hall Recognition and the Ritual Performance Recognition committees. The Prince Hall Recognition committee is chaired by the DGM and is charged with preparing letters to all North American Prince Hall Jurisdictions that been constituted longer than the Grand Lodge of Alaska and share their jurisdictions with their mainstream Grand Lodge. The letters will request mutual understanding, peaceful relationship, and amity between the Prince Hall Grand Lodges and the Grand Lodge of Alaska. The Ritual Performance Recognition committee is chaired by the Grand Secretary and is charged with developing criteria for recognizing superior ritual performance among our membership. The expected outcome is higher quality ritual performance among the officers of our lodges.

At noon, the DGM, SGW, and I met with WB Tad Dean (web master for the Grand Lodge web site) and Brother Dave Oaks for lunch and to explore ways of creating a “shopping cart” on the Grand Lodge web site.

On Wednesday, Beth and I again traveled to Anchorage for the District No. 3 reception of the Grand Master. This was a first, where all three Anchorage Lodges joined together in receiving me and the Grand Lodge officers. WB Monty Schefers (Glacier No. 10) sat in the East, WB Paul Gabbert (Aurora No. 15) sat in the West, and WB Raldo Estridge (Anchorage No. 17) sat in the South for this event. There was some lighthearted grumbling about combining the visits into one, mainly since there was only one festive meal provided instead of three. However, the Prime Rib dinner prepared by WB Clarence Keto (Grand Orator) was top rate and any other meal would pale by comparison. As with the Eagle River reception on Monday, the excitement and enthusiasm for the work of Grand Lodge this year was shared by the guests and speakers alike.

Thursday morning, I was joined by the DGM and SGW at the Finance Committee meeting. The meeting was conducted by MW Harry Koenen (committee chair) and Brother Dan O’Connell (advisor to the committee) gave a very informative overview of the current economy and the status of the Grand Lodge investments. Although, Grand Lodge (like the rest of the world) has taken some hits in our investments the future looks bright.

After the Finance Committee meeting, the DGM and I visited with Brother Dave Oaks and his wife Kim at there business, “Top of the World Graphics”. The purpose of our visit was to discuss the purchase of a line of distinctly Alaskan Masonic promotional products that we could sell on the Grand Lodge web site, as well as making the products available during our visits throughout the jurisdiction.

Finally, on Friday I traveled to Soldotna with WB John Bishop (Grand Lecturer). That evening, WB John conducted his Grand Lecturer’s Workshop with the brethren from District No. 2 at the Kenai Masonic Temple. On Saturday, we participated in the Lodge Officer Training event conducted by VWB Michael Eady (District Deputy for District No. 2). For our stay in Soldotna, WB Bishop and I were hosted by VWB Eady and his wife Pam. We had a very enjoyable visit and Pam outdid herself preparing delicious meals for us. Thanks Pam.

I returned home late Saturday night to prepare for another busy week.

Delivering the Promise of Freemasonry

2009-04-30T18:20:00.000-08:00

The reasons men become Masons today are the same as for all generations, i.e. to become better men, husbands, fathers, and citizens. However, those who are seeking Masonry today know a lot more about our craft than those who joined a decade or more ago, and in many cases may know a lot more about Freemasonry than those who have been Masons for a number of years. As such, they have great expectations about what Masonry has to offer them.

What is it then that Freemasonry is promising these men who seek us out, and how do we as Masons deliver that promise?

Every man who signs a Masonic petition is promised that he will be given a Masonic education, which defines how Masonry applies to his life overall, that will improve his character, and make him a better man. Masons today expect more, they expect an in depth Masonic education beyond the catechisms. They also expect that established Masons will guide and mentor them. These men are not satisfied with the status quo and want meetings where the is discussion of history and philosophy of Masonry is the rule rather than the exception.

Freemasonry has to be ready to except the challenge of meeting the expectations of this new generation of Masons and to deliver the promise. First and foremost, each man who is currently a Master Mason should continue his own education by seeking further light in Masonry. In order to share our history and philosophy, to guide and mentor these new Masons, we must expand our knowledge over and above the first three degrees.

We need to share what we learn with our candidates, guiding them through the catechisms and augmenting those lessons learned with more Masonic Light.

We need to establish a program of Masonic education and instruction within our lodges to improve ourselves as well as our candidates for the degrees.

We need to focus on quality in our ritual, in our lodge buildings, in our fellowship, and in ourselves.

Finally, we need to seek the promise of Freemasonry for ourselves and deliver that promise to our newly made Masons.

There is a renaissance occurring in the world of Freemasonry today. Information about what we do is no longer hidden behind the tiled doors of our lodges and is readily available to anyone who might be curious about us. There are more and more people writing about our history and philosophy than ever before. Major universities are creating departments of Masonic studies, headed by renowned Masonic historians. As such, many more men are seeking the promise of Freemasonry. We as Freemasons must be prepared to deliver that promise.

Log of the Week of April 20th

2009-04-27T15:07:00.000-08:00

After kicking back for a couple of weeks in Hawaii, where I visited their Grand Lodge’s Annual Communication, I am now back in Alaska. Last week turned out to be a very busy one and this week is shaping up to be about the same.

On Monday and Tuesday, April 20 – 21, I visited with the brethren of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska. I rekindled old acquaintances and we shared some very good fellowship (see Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska posting below).

Tuesday evening found me visiting my mother lodge (Matanuska Lodge No. 7) and the one lodge of which I am a charter member of (Iditarod Lodge No. 20) for the joint reception of the Grand Master. After a wonderful potluck dinner arranged by Brother Dennis Oakland (thank you Dennis), we all moved upstairs to the lodge room for the reception of the Grand Lodge officers and a short program. A great time was had by all. Thanks to Worshipful Brothers Tad Dean and Richard Grant for a very enjoyable evening.

On Friday evening, WB John Bishop reprised his Grand Lecturer’s Workshop for District No. 5 at the Matanuska Masonic Temple. There was a lot of good information offered about lodge floor work and ritual presentation. There was also a lively discussion about lodge customs and the written ritual. John presented an excellent program, and all those present came away with a better understanding and greater appreciation for the Alaskan Ritual.

On Saturday, April 25, I participated in the District No. 5 Lodge Officer Training event at the Eagle River Elks Club. This training activity was facilitated by VWB James Herrington (Deputy to the Grand Master for District No. 5). Unfortunately this event conflicted with the Anchorage Valley Scottish Rite's Spring Reunion, which impacted the turn out. Although the group size was smaller than expected, those present received an excellent review of the duties of the various officers of a lodge and discussions on committee assignments, lodge programs, and planning. Those who participated in this training shared the view of previous training events and praised it. VWB Herrington indicated that, if there is enough interest, an additional combined training event for lodges in District 3 and 5 will be conducted this fall. To see the outline of this training and view a copy the Lodge Officer Training Handbook, go to the web site of the Masonic Renewal Committee of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America.

To cap off this week’s events, Beth and I traveled to Anchorage to enjoy a delicious meal and great fellowship at the occasion Anchorage Lodge No. 17’s annual ‘Ladies Night’ celebration. Thank you to VWB Tom Schram for our invitation and hosting this event.

Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska

2009-04-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

On Monday and Tuesday of this week (April 20 – 21), I attended the Fortieth Annual Communication of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska. Unfortunately, because of my visit to the Grand Lodge of Hawaii, I was unable to participate in all of the festivities marking this milestone in the history of Alaskan Freemasonry.

Alpha Lodge No. 61 in Anchorage (under the jurisdiction of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma) became the first Prince Hall Lodge in Alaska. In the subsequent years that followed, four additional Prince Hall Lodges in Alaska were granted constitution from the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge Washington. In September 1969, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington organized the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Alaska with Alpha Lodge No. 1, Mt. McKinley Lodge No. 2, and Midnight Sun Lodge No. 3. In 1971, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska established Castle Rock Lodge No. 4 in Big Delta, Alaska. Also, in 1971, Pillar Mt. Lodge No. 5 and Summit Lodge No. 6, both previously under the jurisdiction of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, joined the Alaska Masonic Family.

As accounted on the web site of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska:

“One of the most significant events while in office was the ceremony of mutual limited recognition between the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Alaska and its Jurisdiction, Free and Accepted Masons and the Grand Lodge of Alaska, Free and Accepted Masons, which occurred on 10 May 1997 at the Fairbanks Masonic Hall (Non-Prince Hall) . . . in Fairbanks Alaska. Most Worshipful Brother Stanley Foulke, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alaska and Most Worshipful Brother Michael Boone, Grand Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alaska officiated at the Ceremony. Over one hundred and thirty Freemasons and their spouses attended to witness the signing of this document. Many in attendance shed tears of joy as the two Grand Bodies join hands in hands to end segregation of Freemasons within the state of Alaska.”

Today, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska is comprised of five lodges, which include:
Alpha Lodge No. 1 (Anchorage, AK)
Mt. McKinley Lodge No. 2 (Anchorage, AK)
Midnight Sun Lodge No. 3 (Fairbanks, AK)
Summit Lodge No. 6 (Anchorage, AK)
Arctic Lodge No. 7 (North Pole, AK)

On Monday, in my message to the brethren of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska, I acknowledged that, in the 12 years since Mutual Recognition was established between our two bodies, the Grand Lodge of Alaska has unanimously granted full recognition to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut; the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Inc.; and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of North Carolina. Each of those occasions where the Grand Lodge of Alaska has granted recognition to a Prince Hall Grand Lodge has been at the request of that particular Prince Hall Grand Lodge. I noted that, since the Grand Lodge of Alaska has only been in existence for twenty nine years, we are one of the youngest Grand Lodges in North America, and as such, I believe we should be the ones extending the hand of brotherly love and friendship to all Grand Lodges who meet the standards of regularity, have treaties of shared jurisdiction, and who have existed longer than us. I requested assistance from the Grand Master in extending the bonds of brotherhood that the Grand Lodge of Alaska enjoys with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska to all Prince Hall Grand Lodges that meet the criteria previously mentioned and proposed that we form a joint committee to explore this possibility.

On Tuesday, in his message to the craft, the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Edward Miller recommended that a committee of Past Grand Masters be formed to work with the Grand Lodge of Alaska to expand on the brotherly love and friendship between our two jurisdictions. This recommendation was unanimously approved by the members present.

The election of officers for the ensuing year was held and the following brethren were elected to serve the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska for 2009 – 2010:
MW Clifford Hastings, Grand Master
RW Timothy Mullins, Deputy Grand Master
RW Curtis Harris, Senior Grand Warden
RW Joe Rogers, Junior Grand Warden
RW Kenneth Holmes, Grand Treasurer
MW Doyle Williams, Grand Secretary
RW Lawrence Hicks, Grand Lecturer

I wish to thank Most Worshipful Edward Miller and the Brethren of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska for the many courtesies and honors extended to me. I would especially like to thank Most Worshipful Ruben Jackson for the many years of friendship and brotherly love that has existed between us for much longer than I have been a Mason. I hope to see them all again at their next Annual Communication, which will be April 17 – 21, 2010 in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Lewis Masonic

2009-04-24T10:50:00.000-08:00

Lewis Masonic was founded in 1886, and is the largest and oldest Masonic publisher in the world. Well-known to the English Freemasons, Lewis produces many of the ritual books used by United Grand Lodge of England lodges and Holy Royal Arch Chapters. Nowadays Lewis Masonic publishes Masonic texts of all kinds. Lewis is today opening up shop here in the American market with a new on line store featuring their exciting collection. you can find the U.S. store at www.LewisMasonic.us.

Grand Lodge of Hawaii

2009-04-20T18:39:00.000-08:00

At 7:30 am Sunday morning, Beth and I arrived home after a six and a half hour flight and one hour drive back to the Matanuska Valley from Anchorage. We were dead tired from traveling all night, although I suspect I will not garner much sympathy, as we were traveling from Honolulu where I attended the Grand Lodge of Hawaii’s Annual Communication. The session began at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 17 at the beautiful Scottish Rite Cathedral in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. The following is a list of Distinguished Guests from other jurisdictions that were present:

MW John R. “Bo” Cline, GM (Grand Lodge of Alaska)
MW Thomas O. Mickey, PGM (Grand Lodge of Alaska)
RW Donald Frizzell, PDDGM (Grand Lodge of BC/Yukon)
MW Richard Hopper, PGM (Grand Lodge of California)
W Cline “Cub” Jack Jr., Asst Grand Lecturer Div VI (Grand Lodge of California)
MW John Livie, PGM (Grand Lodge of Oregon)
RW Michael Sanders, JGW (Grand Lodge of Washington)
MW Fredric Collins, PGM (Grand Lodge of Japan)

It was great to visit with many old friends like Past Grand Masters Phillips, Skinner, Hager, Wieckowicz, Bonnell, and Jayme and to make many new friends. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to MW Dennis S.A. Ing, Grand Master of Masons in Hawaii for the many courtesies extended during my visit.

At 11:00 am on Saturday, April 18 the elections of Grand Lodge Officers for 2009 – 2010 was completed and found MW Marty P. Alexander advanced to the Oriental East. RW Charles Wegener was elected Deputy Grand Master, RW Monty Glover was elected Senior Grand Warden, and RW Antonio Ligaya was elected Junior Grand Warden.

Following lunch, the new Grand Lodge Officers were installed into their various stations and places. A highlight of the installation was the Hawaiian Blessing ceremony, performed by members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha. This was a beautiful and moving ceremony where water was poured into koa wood bowels held by the Worshipful Masters of each of the constituent lodges, while the Royal Order cantor sang. The water was then poured by each Worshipful Master into another bowel held by the newly installed Grand Master, symbolizing unity.

My only regret is that Beth and I were unable to stay for the Installation Banquet which followed. We were off to the airport for our flight back to Alaska.

Keep Your Tools Sharp

2009-04-09T19:48:00.000-08:00

The following is a reprise of a message I shared with several Alaskan lodges a couple of years ago:

I am a woodworker. Over the past ten to fifteen years, I have been honing my skills and have achieved a modicum of success making small pieces of wood out of bigger pieces of wood. Along the way, I have gathered together various special tools that have greatly enhance my ability to craft wood.

Sharpen, maintain, and practice
Some of the things I have learned about woodworking, over the past several years, are that my ability to do good work is dependent on the quality of the tools I use, the condition in which I maintain them, and the amount of time I spend practicing their use.

Freemasonry is a bit like woodworking, in that we have tools that require our attention and continual use, so as to advance the principles of Freemasonry and grow our fraternity. Some of the tools we use are physical objects like the Great Lights of Masonry and the other furniture of the Lodge, including the Lodge building itself. Other tools are more esoteric like our Working Tools and Masonic ritual. Some of our tools are even more obscure than our ritual and may be hard to recognize as tools at all. Among these tools are our Newly Made Masons.

Furniture of the Lodge
When you walk into your Lodge, are you met by a cheery atmosphere, where the building is fresh, clean and in good repair; where the Masonic regalia are well maintained and the visitor aprons and candidate robes are clean and pressed; and where the interior is bright and inviting? Or, on the other hand, do you find your Lodge dark and uninviting, where there is a musty odor associated with age, the paint is cracked and peeling, the floors creek, and the regalia in obvious need of repair? If the latter is true, it is time to address the needs of your physical tools. These tools are critical to creating an inviting atmosphere, where your members and potential members will want to come and participate. We need to sharpen the appearance of our Lodges, keep them well maintained, and practice habits of regular cleaning and maintenance.

Working Tools
We are all ambassadors of Masonry. Those outside our fraternity know us by how we dress and behave. As such, we should heed the lessons taught to during our various degrees and sharpen, maintain, and practice the use of our “Working Tools”. Treat everyone you meet with honesty and respect, subdue your passions, and practice the principals of diligence, temperance, prudence, and discretion. Likewise, each initiate knows us by the manner in which he is received during his degrees. Therefore, our ritual presentations should be sharp in their performance, the text should be recited as written with decorum, and each degree should be well practiced. Masonry can and should be fun, but levity and humor have no place in the presentation of our ritual. Remember, we are trying to make a positive impression on our candidates.

Newly Made Mason
Don’t forget our newly raised masons. They are tools with which we can use to attract even more men to Masonry and grow our fraternity. They are the future of Masonry and will soon become its leaders. However, they need as much, and in some cases, even more attention than all of our other tools. We need to sharpen and hone their knowledge of freemasonry, so that they may carry on our heritage. We need to maintain their enthusiasm for our craft by involving them in all aspects of our lodges, and we need to solicit their ideas and support for improving our lodge activities. We can no longer leave them sitting on the sidelines, while we continue our business as usual. Finally, we need to practice patience and understanding for their issues and concerns and provide them with guidance and mentoring in order to sustain Freemasonry as the preeminent fraternity in this country and the world.

Final thoughts
There is an unwritten law in woodworking that I have finally convinced my wife is true. (She says that I have hoodwinked her.) The unwritten law is “Every new project requires a new tool”. This rule applies to Freemasonry, as well. We need to be continually on the lookout for new tools to assist us in spreading the principals of Freemasonry. Rely on your newer Masons and learn the new technologies that sprout up daily to communicate Masonry to your communities and the world. And, don’t just keep the new tools and ideas to yourselves, but share them. Finally, when you become skilled at the use of the new tools, remember to keep them sharp.

Grand Lodge Web Site Updated

2009-04-05T15:16:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Worshipful Brother Tad Dean, the Grand Lodge of Alaska web page has been updated and has received a much needed facelift. Visitors are now met by a clean crisp page with a sunrise banner across the top, symbolically promising “More Light in Masonry”. The center of the page greets you with the Grand Master’s theme, the Grand Lodge mission and vision statements, and news of interest. The Grand Master’s Trowel pin design is in the middle of the page. When you click on the trowel you are linked to the Grand Lodge newsletter, “Light Of The Great Land”, which is being published anew under the editorial assistance of MWB Jared Decker. Under announcements there are a links to the Grand Master’s travel schedule, this Blog, and the Juneau Chapter of the Widows Sons Motorcycle Club’s Memorial Day ride. Along the left column are the usual links to information about Masonry and the Grand Lodge of Alaska, Events, Grand Lodge Officers, Constituent Lodges, and Appendent Bodies. Special note should be made of the Events Calendar, which is updated regularly and contains information about Masonic activity within the Jurisdiction of Alaska, including the times and dates of the stated meetings of all of our lodges. Your assistance is requested in exercising the links on this web page to determine if they work correctly and to review the web page for errors, typos, and omissions.
Tech Note:
I recently downloaded and installed Mozilla Firefox web browser and Adobe Flash Player. They appear to be a better fit for viewing this Blog and the Grand Lodge web page.

Log of the Week of March 30

2009-04-05T13:05:00.000-08:00

On Monday, March 30 I visited Eagle River Lodge No. 13 where I participated in the Master Mason Degree and Drama for Brother Jeffery Wasson. This was a very special occasion, as Brother Wasson was obligated and raised by his father, RW Jerry Wasson, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Alaska. Brethren from Aurora Lodge No. 15 were again present to assist in the degree conferral. This event was well attended and great fellowship was enjoyed by all.

I attended the Tuesday morning coffee, donut, and fellowship at the Anchorage Masonic Center on March 31. While there, I received a call from MW Don Chaffin who reported on his contact with Brother Howie Damron (see “The Masonic Ring” under Featured Video on left). MW Don reported that Brother Damron wished to support a fundraising activity for our Grand Lodge by recording the Alaska Mason Song he wrote and performed during our Annual Communication in Fairbanks in 2008. I hope to be reporting more about this initiative in a later post.

Wednesday, April 1, found Beth and me winging our way from Anchorage to Kona, HI for a well deserved two week break before heading over to Honolulu for the Grand Lodge of Hawaii on the 17th and 18th. Most of the flights out of the Ted Stevens International airport had been canceled the night before our departure due to the eruption of Mt. Redoubt. On Wednesday, the mountain remained subtly quiet, however and our flight departed on time. Unfortunately, I brought along a pretty good head cold that I picked up in Fairbanks last week and have been suffering from it ever since. I’ve decided it is far better to be recovering from a cold here in Hawaii rather than in Alaska during spring break-up.

I doubt there will be anything to log the next couple of weeks, however, when we return on the 19th, I will be hitting the ground running. The week of April 20th promises to be a busy one with Prince Hall Grand Lodge (April 18-21), Grand Master’s Reception with District No. 5 (April 21), Grand Lecturer’s workshop in Palmer (April 24), and Lodge Officer Training in Eagle River (April 25).

Welcome to Pleasantville

2009-04-04T18:02:00.000-08:00

Just the other day I watched the 1998 movie “Pleasantville” once again. This movie features David (Tobey Maguire), a disaffected 1990’s teenager obsessed with a "Leave it to Beaver" style 1950's television show. David, along with his sexually active sister Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) suddenly find themselves mysteriously transported to and trapped in Pleasantville along with its loving parents, old fashioned values, and an overwhelming amount of innocence and naiveté. The introduction of David and Jennifer to Pleasantville, with their 1990’s attitudes and sensibilities has the unintended consequences of disrupting the status quo of this two-dimensional world. Influenced by these two teenagers, especially Jennifer, the citizens of Pleasantville become more self aware and begin to change. This transformation is represented in this movie by the characters and their surroundings changing from black and white to color. All is not well, however, as the leaders of the community find themselves powerless to resist the changes occurring around them. David becomes the reasoned leader of this revolution, since he has an understanding of both worlds. He guides and counsels the characters on both sides of the cultural gap, which helps smooth the transition.

In a recent interview, Professor Margaret Jacob (The Origins of Freemasonry) described Masons of the eighteenth century as the vanguard of a remarkable social, cultural, and political change in the Western Europe and North America. Masonic lodges taught their members how to vote, stand and speak before others, and lead an organization. They were driven by the ideals of truth, justice, and democracy. New ideas about individual rights and freedoms were discussed openly in Masonic lodges; and the Masons who were having these discussions participated in the revolt against the ruling monarchies and ultimately became the leaders of the democracies that replaced them. Professor Jacobs surmises that Freemasonry thrived because Masons were the leaders of this new social, cultural, and political experiment. She argues that, if Masonry is to continue to thrive, it must embrace the social and cultural change occurring around us today and become its leaders.

Masonry outside of North America is beginning to grow and thrive as the ideals of democracy spread in their regions of the World and as each of their repressive regimes is toppled. North American Masonry, on the other hand, has become complacent and bound to the status quo. We are now confronted with a new crop of young Masons who, like David and Jennifer in Pleasantville, have different attitudes and sensibilities. These Millenial Masons tend to be more tolerant of other societies and cultures and have a desire to be more inclusive. A scan of the several Masonic Blogs and Forums on the Internet shows us that these young men are also angry and incensed at the perceived inequities which exist in some jurisdictions and the apparent resistance to new ideas.

Like Pleasantville, North American Freemasonry is in the throes of a generational change. This change is precipitated by the generation gap between the current leaders who are the stewards of Masonry and the new masons who will become the future leaders, a gap which exists because of the failure of the Baby Boomer generation to become Masons.

Our challenge, as Professor Jacobs suggests, is for Freemasonry to embrace the societal changes occurring today and to again become the advance guard leading society toward a new utopian future. However, I fear that this is beyond the capabilities of any Grand Lodge. Grand Lodges by their very nature are monolithic organizations who represent the will of the majority of their members. For Grand Lodge attitudes to change there needs to be a generational shift in the Grand Lodge membership. This shift is starting to occur in jurisdictions which have large urban populations and are experiencing growth as younger men become Masons. In more rural jurisdictions, the change may not be as pronounced. Such an asymmetrical shift has created the situation where change is occurring faster in some jurisdictions than in others, and like Pleasantville, all is not well.

As I see it, the question before us is not necessarily to become the catalysts for change but to determine how to manage the changes that are occurring in the world and their impact on Freemasonry. I believe that Masonic leaders need to become “reasoned leaders” like David in Pleasantville. We need to have a foot in both camps and understand the perspectives of our “Legacy” Masons as well as those of the Millennial Masons, we need to observe and listen to both sides, we need to expand on our communication skills in order to become aware of the issues and concerns facing Masonry, and we need to be the bridge that closes the gaps in understanding between those who have been the stewards of Masonry and those who soon will be.

The ways and means of communication have changed dramatically over the past 50 years. In order to become the bridges between the old and the new, we need to at the very least embrace the new technologies that allow us to connect with every Mason. This is not an easy task, and for those who are still tied to the culture of the 1950’s, the learning curve is the steepest. But, as Masonry is a life long process of educational enlightenment, the challenge of learning new technologies is well worth the effort.

In Pleasantville there was no great epiphany or final resolution to the problems created by the presence of David and Jennifer. There was, however, an accelerated shift from the status quo toward a more positive growth and development of the individual and the community. Like Pleasantville, Freemasonry today is faced with similar challenges, and like Pleasantville, I predict that the changes happening in Freemasonry will also begin to accelerate. Not changes to our principals and Landmarks, but changes to the way Freemasonry is practiced throughout North America; changes to the way the lessons of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth are presented and received.

As Wordsworth lamented, “The World Is Too Much With Us; Late and Soon”, or as Bob Dylan crooned, “The Times They Are A-Changin’”. Welcome to Pleasantville.

Log of the Week of March 23

2009-03-29T14:18:00.000-08:00

This has been another busy week and I am looking forward to next Wednesday, when Beth and I fly to Kona, HI. We will be taking a two week break before attending the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Hawaii in Honolulu on April 17. We are also hoping that Mt. Redoubt (our errant volcano) behaves and our flight departs without incident.

On Monday and Tuesday of this past week (March 23 & 24) I traveled to Eagle River Lodge No. 13 and Aurora Lodge No. 15 respectively to witness the raising to two brothers to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. A third Master Mason Degree was conferred at Anchorage Lodge No. 17 on Wednesday the 25th, however I stayed home and entertained our Senior Grand Warden, RW Ron Ackerman, who traveled from Skagway, AK to attend the Grand Master’s reception in Soldotna, AK.

On Thursday, March 26, Beth and I joined a caravan traveling to the Kenai Peninsula for the joint Grand Master’s reception with Seward Lodge No. 6 and Kenai Lodge No. 11. Those traveling with us included: VW James R. Herrington (DDGM District No. 5), W Frank G. Weiss, III (Grand Sword Bearer), W John K. Bishop (Grand Lecturer), RW Jerry Wasson (Grand Secretary), RW Jerry Pinion (JGW), RW Ron Ackerman (SGW), and RW Johnnie Wallace (DGM). Mt. Redoubt had erupted sometime before we left and we were anxious that we might encounter some ash fall on our three hour driving trip. The highway was a bit slushy and we did experience some “white-out” snow conditions as we entered Turnagain Pass, but we never saw any ash fall.

Squires of the Roundtable.
The skies were clear when we arrived in Soldotna and the temperature was warming. Our reception by the brethren of Seward and Kenai Lodges was warmer still. Prior to our program of speakers from Grand Lodge, we were delighted by a performance by the Kenai Squires of the Roundtable. The Squires is a program sponsored by DeMolay International for boys ages 9 to 11. It shares many qualities with DeMolay (which is for young men ages 12 – 21). It has a focus on fun, through activities, ceremony, and service. The Squires develops leadership skills in these young men through youth planned and led activities and meetings. The core values of the Squires of the Roundtable are respect for others, fidelity, loyalty, integrity, patriotism, and belief in God.

After the presentation of the Grand Lodge Program, we retired to the dining room for a wonderful dinner prepared by the wife and friends Bro. V.J. (Nik) Nikalos (Junior Warden, Kenai No. 11). We also enjoyed great fellowship with the Seward and Kenai brethren. A special thanks to WB Don Merry (Seward No. 6) and WB Glen Faulkner (Kenai No. 11) for a great evening.

Early Friday morning, March 27, after a late night drive back from the Kenai Peninsula the evening before, WB John Bishop (Grand Lecturer) and I left Palmer for the more than six hour drive north to Fairbanks, AK. After arriving, we visited Tanana Lodge No. 3, where I opened a special session of the Grand Lodge of Alaska. In addition to WB John and myself, those present included: MW Gene Freeman (PGM), VW John Johnson (DDGM District No. 1), W Vern Carlson, W David Worel, and W Kevin Tennant. The purpose of this special session was the installation of WB Tennant to the office of Grand Marshall for the Grand Lodge of Alaska. After this special session of Grand Lodge, I met with members of the Grand Lodge committee on Wills and Endowments to discuss their plans for the preparation of a “Guide for Giving”.

On Saturday morning, WB John and I returned to Tanana Lodge to participate in the District No. 1 presentation of the Lodge Officers Training Workshop. The training was led by VW John Johnson who was ably assisted by MW Samuel Medsker (PGM), VW Monte Ervin (PDDGM), and W David Worel. There were about a dozen participants in this training which was enthusiastically received. While the training proceeded, I met briefly with MW Lloyd Triggs (PGM), who is a member of the Grand Master’s special committee on ritual consolidation.

At about 4:00 pm, WB John and I got back on the road for the six hour plus drive back south. Although, there was some packed snow and ice on the roadway and an occasional snow flurry, our trip was uneventful. During the drive, we entertained ourselves by listening to previous segments of the Masonic Central Podcast, which I had downloaded to my iPhone. As we neared the end of our trip, we started getting reports that Mt. Redoubt had again erupted and parts of Anchorage were experiencing light ash fall. We continued on cautiously, but saw no evidence of ash along our route. WB John dropped me off in Palmer at around 10:00 pm and continued on back to Anchorage.

Overall, this was a long but enjoyable week. Many thanks to the Grand Lecturer for his company and excellent driving to and from Fairbanks.

Tomorrow begins another week with the conferral of a Master Mason degree at Eagle River Lodge No. 13. The candidate will be Brother Jeffrey Wasson, the son of Eagle River’s Secretary and our Grand Secretary, RW Jerry Wasson. I look forward to participating in this special event.

Brotherhood

2009-03-29T12:25:00.000-08:00

The following message was delivered during the joint Reception of the Grand Master at Seware Lodge No. 6 and Kenai Lodge No. 11 on March 26, 2009.

We, as Freemasons, are taught to believe in love for each other and for all mankind. What is it though that binds us together so strongly that we “regard the whole human race as one family – the high and the low, the rich and the poor”? What is it that induces us to give of ourselves and our possessions to those in need or to even jeopardize our lives to help those facing mortal threats? If we were a religion, our motivation to do good might be to please God and gain an entrance into heaven. From a civil standpoint, we might be trying to avoid the penalty of law. If we were involved in a commercial enterprise, our benevolence might be driven by financial gain. If we were tied by blood, we would have familial obligations to each other. We are, however, a fraternity, and the ties that bind us together are stronger than religious, civil, commercial, or familial bonds. We freely associate as equals for the mutually beneficial purpose of making each and everyone of us better citizens, better neighbors, better fathers, and better husbands.

In his book, “Freemasons for Dummies, Christopher Hodapp tells us that the philosophy of Freemasonry is “the love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline, and a system of values by which one lives . . . Masons are taught to be lovers of wisdom, to pursue and value knowledge, and to live by a moral code of self-discipline.” In our first degree we are informed that Freemasonry consists of a course of symbolic and moral instruction, that “Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.” Through the succeeding degrees, we are introduced to characters and events which are understood to symbolically express deeper and often spiritual and moral meanings. Through initiation into Masonry, each Mason here has shared in the common experience through a fundamental process of change, a change from one who is profane to one that is a lover of wisdom, truth, and his fellowmen. It is that shared experience that unites us into a brotherhood. It is that common experience that, also, instills in us a desire to use our God given talents to their fullest energy to “do good unto all”.

The obligations we take as Masons impose a duty upon each and every one of us. We are enjoined to use our gifts to the best of our abilities. The important thing, however, is how we use our gifts, how we share, how we give, how we love one another.

Freemasons are pursuers of truth and knowledge. We gain insight into the nature of the world and our fellowman through the study of the history and philosophies of the past. We learn how to apply the lessons we learn to our own self improvement and thereby become better men. However, the process of becoming a Mason is not a solitary pursuit, but one that is accomplished in the presence of brethren with whom we share a sacred bond. We are enjoined, therefore, to continue our pursuit of Masonic Light, to continue a lifelong journey of self discovery, of spiritual and intellectual growth within the confines of our lodges.

Within our brotherhood we grow and prosper as Masons and our brotherhood is strengthened by our presence. Lets us pledge, therefore, to become better men, better Masons, and by all means better Brothers.

Log of the Week of March 16

2009-03-23T12:49:00.000-08:00

Although I had the pleasure of sleeping in my own bed this past week, my visits have not appreciably diminished. On Monday, March 16, I traveled to Anchorage to participate in the Grand Lecturer, W John Bishop's workshop in District 3. The workshop was well attended by brethren from Glacier Lodge No. 10, Aurora Lodge No. 15, and Anchorage Lodge No. 17. The Grand Lecturer led off with a discussion on the floor work for various lodge officers during opening and closing of the lodge and during the degree conferrals. Additionally, proper ballot box procedures were discussed as well as the performance of the drama of 3rd degree. Overall, it was a very enlightening evening and I encourage brethren throughout this jurisdiction to take the opportunity to attend one of these workshops when the Grand Lecturer comes to visit your district.

On Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day, I enjoyed a sumptuous corned beef and cabbage dinner prepared by W Rodney Young. This dinner was a prelude to Aurora Lodge No. 15’s celebration honoring their Past Masters. The Past Masters in attendance were RW Steve Lee, W Lennie Bibler, W Rodney Young, W Al Schuerger, and W John Bishop.

Wednesday, March 18, found Beth and me traveling to Sterling, Alaska for the Grand Master’s Reception at Sterling Lodge No. 22. We were accompanied on our drive east by RW Jerry Wasson (Grand Secretary) and VW Jim Herrington (DDGM Dist #5). The weather was glorious and we had a wonderful drive along Alaska’s beautiful Turnagin Arm. A special thanks to W Carl Lindstrom and the members of Sterling Lodge for a delicious dinner and a very enjoyable evening.

On Thursday, March 19, I was back in the Matanuska Valley, where I visited with my brethren at the Iditarod Lodge No. 20 stated meeting.

AMFC Receives Charitable Status

2009-03-21T19:42:00.000-08:00

I just learned that the Alaska Masonic Foundation for Children (AMFC) was recently granted 501(c)3 charitable status from the Internal Revenue Service. This is a huge accomplishment and something that has been a long time coming. But what is AMFC and why is this event so important?

The AMFC was established in 2001 under the name the Alaska Masonic Charities Foundation by Most Worshipful Charles Corbin. This foundation was intended to be an umbrella organization providing support to various charities sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Alaska. The charities specifically supported by the foundation included:

> The Alaska Children's Welfare Organization presently known as The Dorothy Saxton Center for homeless and/or displaced children

> The present Alaska Grand Lodge Scholarship Fund to be renamed "The Ed Weiser Scholarship for the Arts fund"

> The Alaska Grand Lodge Educational Program for the prevention of Drug and Alcohol abuse by Children

The Dorothy Saxton Youth Shelter was operated by the non-profit Kids are People, Inc until being taken over by the Alaska Family Services (AFS) due to financial irregularities. AFS was established in 1979 as a 501(c)3 corporation to respond to the needs of women and children in the Mat-Su Borough of Alaska.

In 2008, the Grand Lodge of Alaska modified the mission of the Charities Foundation and changed its name to the Alaska Masonic Foundation for Children to more clearly define its role in supporting the needs of Alaska’s children. The charities specifically supported by the foundation now include:

> The Ed Weisser Scholarship for the Arts fund

> The Alaska Masonic Model Student Assistance Program for the prevention of Drug and Alcohol abuse by Children

Also, in 2008, the Grand Lodge of Alaska worked aggressively to secure 501(c)3 status for the AMFC.

This year I have established a special Scholarship Committee whose responsibilities are:

> To provide a clear definition of the Grand Lodge of Alaska’s Arts & Music Scholarship as proposed by RW Edward O. Weisser (PGM Grand Lodge Pennsylvania)

>To establish the applicant eligibility

> To establish award levels

> To establish a selection criteria for awarding scholarships

Pending the availability of funding, the committee is also asked:

> To promote the Scholarship to the target group of applicants

> To make an award(s) to coincide with the 2010 Annual Communication

Additionally, the Grand Lodge of Alaska has been working with National Masonic Foundation for Children to adopt the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program (MMSAP) as our program for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse by children. MMSAP serves our communities in the belief that prevention is the most effective tool for combating the scourge of addiction. Prevention stops use and abuse of drugs and alcohol before they take root.

Securing 501(c)3 status for AMFC is a big deal, because it allows the Grand Lodge of Alaska to begin soliciting funding to support these important community programs outside of our Masonic family. Although, there are many philanthropies sponsored and supported by the Masonic Fraternity, they are generally national in scope. The AMFC is our own Grand Lodge charity which provides direct support for the health and welfare of Alaska’s Children.

For more information about AMFC or to volunteer to help advance this worthwhile program, please e-mail the Grand Lodge of Alaska at grandlodge@alaska.com. Additionally, you may leave a comment to this post with your contact information, and I will get a hold of you directly.

The Three Legged Stool

2009-03-19T18:24:00.000-08:00

The following message was delivered at Sterling Lodge No. 22 in Sterling, AK on March 18, 2009.

Masonry is full of symbolism, much of which is separated into groups of threes. For example:

The three degrees of Masonry
The Three Great Lights
The Three Lesser Lights
The Three Precious Jewels
Three knocks
Three steps to the Masters station
Etc.

You get the idea, and I’m sure you can think of many more examples.

I have long had a fascination with the number three and its simplicity in explaining relationships within organizations. In a different life, I was involved as a volunteer in the leadership of the Boy Scouts of America. I was a District Chairman and provided guidance and leadership to unit leaders and district board members. I often found myself at odds with those at the Council level. I recognized that there were three distinct aspects to the Boy Scouts, which can be described as membership, finance, and program. I also realized that each of these aspects was dependent upon the other two. My frustration was that I thought the Council placed too much emphasis on membership and finance and left the program aspect of Scouting to the volunteers. I felt that, if the promise of Scouting, which was to deliver the outdoor and leadership program to the Scouts, was ignored that membership and finances would also suffer. In essence, I looked as Scouting as a “Three Legged Stool”.

I like to use the analogy of the three legged stool when describing organizations or systems which rely on three attributes, and, if any one of the three is missing, the system or organization will fail. It’s easy to visualize how a stool with only two legs will not stand and if any one leg is substantially shorter than the other two the stool will fall.

Freemasonry is like a three legged stool, in that there are three attributes which so define us that they are the basis of Masonry. We learn in the first degree lecture that, “The three great tenets of a Mason’s profession are: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.” It’s hard to imagine that Freemasonry could survive if one of these attributes were missing, and as the first degree charge teaches us, we should be especially careful to maintain them in their fullest splendor. But what are these three attributes and how do they relate to the functioning of our Masonic lodges?

Brotherly Love is that attribute that unites all men in every country. It is the glue that binds us together “into one sacred band or society of friends and brothers.” It is the fellowship which keeps us coming back to lodge to be with brethren with whom we share a common experience. But with fraternalism and fellowship alone we cannot stand as Masons. We might be a club and have a good time in each others company. But we would not be Masons.

Relief is that attribute of charity to those in need. It is the duty incumbent upon us as men and Masons to be compassionate and soothe the afflictions of those less fortunate. It is the duty to give of ourselves and our possessions, without being a burden to our family, to help restore peace to the troubled mind of the afflicted. But with charity and fraternalism together we cannot stand as Masons. We might be a club that is recognized for its philanthropy within the community. But we would not be Masons.

Truth, within the context of Freemasonry, is that attribute of self discovery. It is the casting off of that which diminishes us and endeavoring to improve ourselves through contemplation and intellectual pursuits. It is the study of the symbolism and history of Freemasonry and the application of the moral truths discovered there upon our character development. By fraternalism, charity, and Masonic enlightenment we are Freemasons. And like the three legged stool, if one of these attributes is missing, we cannot stand as Freemasons.

Masonic lodges should practice all three of these tenets equally. They should be havens of fraternity and fellowship where brotherly love prevails, where the brethren are regaled with good food and good friends. They should be involved in their local communities and recognized for their philanthropy and good works. And they should be sanctuaries where good ritual is the order of the day and where the presentation of Masonic education is the rule rather than the exception.

Failure to practice all three tenets constitutes a failure of the lodge and ultimately a failure of Freemasonry.

Log of the Week of March 9

2009-03-15T15:35:00.000-08:00

This past week, I visited four of our five Southeast Alaska Lodges. I was accompanied on my visits by RW Johnnie Wallace, DGM; RW Ron Ackerman, SGW; and VW Jerry Hughes, DDGM District #4. Additionally, we were joined by VW Roger Hansen, PDDGM in Ketchikan and Petersburg. Despite the cool S.E. weather, we received a very warm and cheery reception. Following is a Log of those visits:

Tuesday, March 10 – Mt. Juneau-Gastineaux Lodge No. 21
The activities at Mt. Juneau-Gastineaux Lodge began in the early afternoon with an Al Aska Shrine ceremonial, where four Master Masons were made Shriners. The ceremonial was officiated by Illustrious Potentate Ken Krasselt, Past Potentate Tim Jellison, Assistant Rabban Nick Nikolas, and High Priest and Prophet Bruce Kling. After the Shrine ceremonial, Brother Mike Race suffered through the falling snow to prepare a delicious barbeque dinner for the members and guests.

We next proceeded to the Lodge room, where Lodge was opened by W Jeff Defreest, Worshipful Master of Mt. Juneau-Gastineaux Lodge No. 21. During this my first official visitation, I assumed the ‘East’ and performed the installation ceremony for W Tom Cochran, White Pass Lodge No. 1, who was installed as Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge of Alaska for 2009. We had a very enjoyable evening and were blessed by the presence of four elder statesmen of the Juneau Lodge, vis. W John Sandor, VW Walter Soboleff, VW Jim Devon, and VW Harley Clough. These brethren have 212 years of Masonry between them, and Dr. Soboleff, who gave the benediction at the close of the meeting, will be celebrating his 101st birthday on November 14.

Wednesday, March 11 – Mt. Verstovia Lodge No. 18
We traveled from Juneau to Sitka for the Grand Master’s Reception at Mt. Verstovia Lodge No. 18. At 2:00 pm, prior to our visit to the Lodge, we participated in a bicycle give away to a third grade student at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School. This was the 12th presentation of a bicycle that Mt. Verstovia Lodge has made in the past three years. We donned our Grand Lodge regalia in support of this media event. A special thanks to Brother Carroll Fader, the founder of this event, for arranging our participation.

A delicious dinner, made from fresh local shrimp, was prepared by W John Bahrt, after which we all proceeded into the Lodge room for introductions and messages from Grand Lodge.

Thursday, March 12 – Ketchikan Lodge No. 19
After a short weather delay, we made our way from Sitka to Ketchikan, where we were met at the airport by MW John Grainger, PGM. We had to wait half an hour to take the five minute ferry ride from the Airport on Gravina Island into the town of Ketchikan. Ketchikan is the site of the so called “bridge to no-where”, which is proposed to connect a major transportation hub with the community. A special thank you to the brethren of Ketchikan, most especially Worshipful Master Jesse Kvale for wonderful dinner and great fellowship at Annabelle's Restaurant and Chowder House. Following dinner, we strolled from the restaurant to Ketchikan’s historic Lodge building for introductions and messages.

Friday, March 13 – Petersburg Lodge No. 23
Petersburg is located on Mitkof Island in the beautiful Inside Passage of Alaska. In 2002, Petersburg Lodge No. 23 became the last of the Alaska Lodges that remained under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Washington to join the Grand Lodge of Alaska. This Lodge has remained in a fragile state and has struggled to keep a foothold in the community. I left our visit to this beautiful area with optimism that we may be witnessing a resurgence of Masonry there. After a wonderful prime rib dinner, we settled down to view the Lee Sherman Dreyfus video, “Freemasonry and the Fabric of America”. The Lodge had invited members of the community who had expressed an interest in Freemasonry to participate in this event and the video was a precursor to a question and answer period about Masonry. There were many challenging questions asked and the members and guests alike left with a greater appreciation of our gentle craft. A special thank you to Worshipful Brother Dale Bosworth for all of the courtesies extended to us during our visit.

Unlocking the Secrets of Freemasonry

2009-03-12T22:28:00.000-08:00

The following message was delivered at Mt. Verstovia Lodge No. 18 in Sitka, AK on March 11, 2009.

Freemasonry has been described as a "Secret Society", and depending on who is describing us, the definitions range from calling us a group that is inanely silly to one which is excessively powerful. Some conspiracy theorists believe we are focused on world domination, while others believe that we worship Lucifer. The plain truth is that Freemasonry is a fraternity or brotherhood of men who associate for a mutually beneficial purpose and that purpose is for the moral development of each individual member. Character development begins through a series of ritual lessons or degrees. While we consider these ritual degrees private, they are not very secret, and are readily available to anyone with access to the internet or who may have a library card.

What Masons refer to as their true secrets are the signs, grips, and words they learn during the progression through the degrees and that they use to identify each other as Masons. I would submit, however, that the signs, grips, and words are not the secrets at all, but are the keys to unlock the true secrets of Freemasonry.

In the First Degree lecture, Masons learn that “Freemasonry is a System of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols.” Within the Lodge, the candidates progress through a course of symbolic and moral instruction through the ritual presentation of the degrees. Additionally, as a minimum requirement, each candidate has to demonstrate proficiency in the lessons of the degrees by parroting back some of those lessons through a process of rote memorization and recitation. I say “as a minimum” because the lessons of Freemasonry do not end with the completion of the 3rd degree. That is only beginning. Freemasonry is a life-long journey of self discovery, a journey of spiritual and intellectual growth. And, along the way the inquisitive Mason makes new and exciting discoveries about his relationship with God, his fellow man, and himself.

The signs, grips, and words grant a Mason access to the Lodge, where he can begin to discover that there are many aspects to the organization of Freemasonry. These aspects can be divided into three main categories—philosophical, historical, and organizational. The philosophical aspect of Freemasonry introduces the student to the profound subjects of initiation, symbolism and tradition, and their potential to impact his life for the better. The historical aspect teaches the student how the traditions and teachings that make up Masonry came to be, their central role in the spiritual search of mankind and the way Masonry has affected the world since its emergence. The organizational aspect helps the student understand how the organization is governed and perpetuated, and provides many opportunities for the development of leadership skills and personal responsibility.[1]

This process of spiritual and intellectual growth is called “Masonic Formation” and refers to the overall intellectual and moral development of the Freemason. The goal is to be able to translate the lessons and experiences that one gains from Masonry into one’s daily actions. Freemasonry, if approached with humility, an open heart and an open mind will make one a gentleman, a better family man, and a better citizen.[2]

By learning the signs, grips, and words, the door to the world of Freemasonry is opened to the student. An opportunity to begin a process of self development now lies before him. But he cannot learn the secrets of Freemasonry by remaining in the doorway. The good student must step through that door and enter into the world of Masonic Formation.
[1] Masonic Restoration Foundation. (2008) Masonic Formation. Found at: http://www.masonicrestoration.com/formation.html
[2] ibid

Call me Pooh-Bah

2009-03-09T16:04:00.000-08:00

A family friend recently sent me the following from the Merriam Webster's Word of the Day for March 9, 2009

pooh-bah

\POO-bah\
noun

Meaning
1 : a person holding many public or private offices
2 : a person in high position or of great influence

Example Sentence
"Have you seen news reports on the gatherings of international pooh-bahs who are trying to figure out some workable methods to restore the public's confidence in the markets?" (Ron Smith, The Baltimore Sun, October 15, 2008)

Did you know?
The original Pooh-Bah was an arrogant, buffoonish bureaucrat introduced in the 1885 Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Mikado. In that show, the character Pooh-Bah, whose title is "Lord High Everything Else," very "humbly" agrees to accept several important government offices (and their salaries) after a series of officials resign. He'll do anything if the bribe is big enough, and he loves to strut and show off to anyone who might be impressed by his grandeur. It didn't take English speakers long to adopt "pooh-bah" as a term for someone who holds either many offices or a high position, and the word still often carries a suggestion of pompousness.

Log of the Week of March 2

2009-03-09T10:29:00.000-08:00

The beginning of this week was also the beginning of a new month with promises of spring right around the corner. It was not to be and early spring though, and this past week we gained another six or so more inches of snow. This made driving to and from the Valley less than favorable and there were more bad drivers on the road than usual. On one return home form Anchorage, I actually counted two dozen cars off the highway and about one fourth of them were on their roofs.

Despite the winter driving conditions, I was able to get out and visit a couple of our Lodges. On Monday, I attended the stated meeting of Eagle River Lodge No. 13 and was very impressed by their very capable young Worshipful Master. At 24 years old, I believe WB Nick Choromanski is the youngest Worshipful Master in the history of the Grand Lodge of Alaska. Nick is full of energy and has his lodge involved in several community projects including scholarships, helping hands committees, school sponsorship, highway clean-up, and community parades and festivals. He is certainly carrying the light of Masonry out into his community.

Tuesday evening found me attending the stated meeting of my mother lodge, Matanuska Lodge No. 7 in Palmer. It was great to be at home with my brethren and enjoy good food and good fellowship.

On Friday and Saturday I attended the annual sessions of the Grand York Rite Masons of Alaska at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel. I truly enjoyed the ceremonies and all of the courtesies extended to me. On Friday afternoon however, I was found to be improperly clothed and made to participate in a “Suspension” Ceremony with several other Companions present. This was a very special event and something I will long remember. See separate posting for more on the annual sessions of the Alaska Grand York Rite.

On Saturday, Beth and I also attended the 42nd Installation of Officers of Waheed Court No. 81, Ladies Oriental Shrine. Lady Robin Hasty was installed as High Priestess by Lady Clementine Witsoe, Past Grand High Priestess of Ladies Oriental Shrine. This was my first opportunity to witness a LOS installation and I learned what “Inviting” Ladies they are.

Grand York Rite of Alaska

2009-03-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

March 5th, 6th, and 7th marked the 57th Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Alaska, the 27th Annual Assembly of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Alaska, and the 6th Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Alaska. In attendance were many impressive guests with equally impressive titles. These guests included:
Michael Patrone – Key West Florida.
L. Alvin Hill – Regent and Member of the Board of Trustees of Sovereign York Right College of North America.
Norman Lane – Most Ill. Gr. Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Colorado.
Larry Tucker – Right Eminent Grand Recorder of the Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States.
James Herndon – Most Ill. Gr. Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Idaho & Right Eminent Department Commander of the NW Department Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States.
Stanley McErvin – Right Eminent Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Wyoming, Governor General of the Covent General KYCH in the United States, and Most Ill. Past Gr. Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons in Alaska.
Michael Pursey – Right Eminent Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knight Templar in Washington State and Grand King of the Grand Chapter RAM in the State of Alaska.
Bryan Bechler – Most Ill Grand Master Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Washington State.
Warren Lee – Grand Generalissimo of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Washington State.
Sid Roberts – Grand Generalissimo of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Oregon State.
Karl Forch – Grand King of the Grand Chapter RAM of Washington State.
Anthony Schawb – Grand Scribe of the Grand Chapter RAM of Washington State.
Jay Leonard – Right Excellent Deputy General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter RAM International.
Larry Weaver – Right Puissant General Principal Conductor of the Work of the General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International.

On Friday, Johnnie L. Wallace was elected and installed Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alaska. Leonard C. Bibler was elected and installed Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council Cryptic Masons of Alaska. On Saturday, Littleton F. (Buck) Buxton was elected and installed Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Alaska.

At the banquet following the recess of the Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Alaska members of the Alaska Grand York Rite Masons were recognized for their contributions to the Bodies. Companion Dennis Oakland was awarded the Bronze Medal from the Grand Chapter RAM of Alaska for outstanding service to Royal Arch Masonry, Companion Thomas Schram was awarded the Bronze medal from the Grand Council of Cryptic Mason of Alaska for outstanding service to Cryptic Masonry, Companion Charles O. Ashcraft was awarded the Cryptic Mason Youth Award for his work with and service to the Boy Scouts of America in Alaska, and Sir Knight Dale Cain was awarded the Knights Templar Court of Honor (KTCH) from the Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States for service to the Knights Templar.

Comments Please

2009-03-05T16:18:00.000-09:00

I was wondering why there were no comments to the postings on the “Grand Master’s Musings”, especially on the one post where I actually asked for comments (One-Day Ritual Class, 2/23/09). I assumed that maybe no one had anything to say or possibly no one was even reading the articles. The simple truth, however, was that I forgot to enable the comment section of this Blog. It is now enabled. Anyone who desires to may leave a comment.

In order to post a comment, simply click on the hypertext word ‘comment’ at the end of an article. After you have typed in your comment, you will have to select a profile from the drop down menu before it can be posted. If none of the profiles listed apply to you, you can select the generic ‘Name/URL’ profile, type in your name and an appropriate URL, and select ‘Post Comment’. Or you may simply select the anonymous profile. Once you select post comment, you will have to complete a word verification step to finish the process. I will moderate the comments and they will not appear until I have had the opportunity to review them. Comments which are inappropriate or offensive will not be approved.

Thanks for your interest in my journal and I look forward to your comments.

Masonic Central

2009-03-04T17:27:00.000-09:00

Tune in to On Sunday, March 8 to the Masonic Central Podcast to hear a conversation between hosts Greg Stewart and Dean Kennedy and their guest, Br. Kirk MacNulty. Br. MacNulty is the author of several Masonic books including Freemasonry: Symbols, Secrets, Significance , Freemasonry: A Journey Through Ritual and Symbol , and The Way of the Craftsman. Masonic Central Podcasts occur every Sunday at 6:00 pm (PST).

On Sunday, March 15, the Masonic Central guest will be Henry Wilson Coil Lecturer Dr. Margaret C. Jacob, Masonic scholar and Professor of History at UCLA, whose research of Freemasonry during the Enlightenment links Masonic principles to the founding of democratic society. Dr. Jacob is the author of many books, including The Origins of Freemasonry: Facts and Fictions and Strangers Nowhere in the World: The Rise of Cosmopolitanism in Early Modern Europe, as well as The Enlightenment: A Brief History with Selected Texts and Scientific Culture and the Making of the Industrial West.

Note: the Grand Lodge of California recently entered into a partnership with the University of California, Los Angeles to create a department of Masonic Studies, with Dr. Jacob as the Dean.

Officers of the Grand the Grand Lodge of Alaska for 2009

2009-03-01T22:28:00.000-09:00

Grand Lodge of Alaska
Elected and Appointed Officers
2009

Grand Master
M.W. Bo Cline
Deputy Grand Master
R.W. Johnnie L. Wallace
Senior Grand Warden
R.W Ronald L. Ackerman
Junior Grand Warden
R.W. Jerry W. Pinion
Grand Treasurer
R.W. James D. Grubbs
Grand Secretary
R.W. Jerome P. (Jerry) Wasson
Grand Chaplain
W. Van O. Chaney
Grand Lecturer
W. John K. Bishop
Grand Orator
W. Clarence E. Keto
Grand Historian
W. Roger A. Barnstead
Grand Marshall
W. Kevin W. Tennant
Senior Grand Deacon
W Dale Gillilan
Junior Grand Deacon
W. Carl J. Lindstrom
Grand Standard Bearer
W. Ronald K. Bowen
Grand Sword Bearer
W Frank G. Weiss, III
Grand Bible Bearer
W John Paul Jones
Senior Grand Steward
VW Darrell E. Windsor
Junior Grand Steward
W. James Peasley
Grand Organist
W. Dwight E. Morris
Grand Tyler
W Thomas D. Cochran

Log of the Week of February 23

2009-03-01T22:17:00.000-09:00

Beth and I returned to Alaska late Wednesday the 24 of February, after a very enjoyable visit with family in California.

On Thursday, we traveled to Anchorage to pay our respects to MW Raymond Beaver’s family and participate in is Masonic memorial service. The service was officiated by MW Henry Dunbar, who always does a very nice job. MW Brothers Harry Koenen, Marvin Fitzpatrick, and Charles Corbin, as well as RW Johnnie Wallace, RW Jerry Pinion, and WB John Bishop took part in the service. Sister Alice Chaney was the musician. MW Brother Ray’s son John Beaver gave the eulogy. There was a large crowd of brethren present to help send MW Brother Ray on his final journey.

Friday found me resurrecting my computer, which had crashed just before we left for the Western Conference of Grand Lodges. Fortunately, all of my files had been backed up. I just had to suffer through the tedium of reinstalling all of my applications. I still suffer through a few glitches, but the worst is over for now.

Yesterday, I again traveled to Anchorage to provide moral support to VW Thomas Schram, District Deputy for District No. 3. Tom conducted a session of ‘Lodge Officer Training’ for the brethren in his district. Thirteen members of Glacier Lodge No. 10, Aurora Lodge No. 15, and Anchorage Lodge No. 17 took part in this training. RW Brothers Wallace and Pinion, and W Brother Bishop were also there to provide assistance. This training was well received by those who participated and even Tom actually enjoyed facilitating the discussions. Potentially, there will be another training session for District 3 this coming fall.

Yesterday evening after the Lodge Officer Training session, I visited WB Glen Josey at Providence Hospital. WB Glen went through triple heart by-pass surgery on Thursday and was still in the Critical Care Unit recovering. Glen’s wife Elaine was with him during my visit. Glen appeared tired, so after a brief conversation, I left him in the capable hands of the hospital staff. We are all hoping that Glen has a speedy recovery.

Sublime

2009-02-27T23:48:00.000-09:00

Late last summer, my folks were visiting from Washington State. While sitting around the breakfast table, I remarked for no particular reason (as I am wont to do) that to ‘sublime’ is to change state from a solid to a gas without going through a liquid phase. I remember, when I studied Chemistry in college, discussing this subject and viewing graphs of different substances showing how their phases changed with changing temperature and pressure. The term ‘triple point’ was used to describe a point where the temperature and pressure were balanced so that a substance could be either solid, liquid, or gas. I explained to my mother that an example of sublimation at normal temperature and atmospheric pressure was dry ice (carbon dioxide in a solid form) which changed directly to a gas (CO2) without first becoming a liquid.

My mother contradicted me, and said she never heard of such a thing. She said that ‘sublime’ was an exalted or glorious state of human perfection and quickly ran to get a dictionary.

Our American Heritage Dictionary defines sublime as 1. Characterized by nobility; majestic. 2. a. Of high spiritual, moral, or intellectual worth. b. Not to be excelled; supreme. That same dictionary defines sublimate as 1. Chem. To cause (a solid or a gas) to change state without becoming a liquid. 2. Psychol. To modify the natural expression of (an instinctual impulse) in a socially acceptable manner.

A scan of the internet brings us the Wikipedia definition of Sublime (Philosophy) as the quality of greatness or vast magnitude, whether physical, moral, intellectual, metaphysical, aesthetic, spiritual or artistic.

In a sense, my mom and I were both right.

But why, you might ask, am I writing about the definition of ‘sublime’ in a Masonic Blog? The simple answer is that I have been reading a lot of Renaissance Philosophy lately, as it relates to the symbolism of speculative Freemasonry. That philosophy is filled with discussions on the Hermetic Tradition, Cabalism, Rosicrucianism, Astrology, and Alchemy. Alchemy, for instance, is the ancient art of transformation or transmutation and was the precursor of modern chemistry. Again, Wikipedia gives us the definition of Alchemy as both a philosophy and a practice with an aim of achieving ultimate wisdom as well as immortality, involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of several substances described as possessing unusual properties.

When I reflected on what I had been reading, it occurred that there was more to the “Sublime degree of a Master Mason” than just an arbitrary term I assumed had been used to name the third degree. From an alchemical sense, the third degree is the sublimation, or transformation of a man from a more profane to a higher more exalted state of being (turning lead into gold). It is a process of lifting a man up and putting him on a path toward the achievement of ‘ultimate wisdom’. The third degree is not the end, however but the beginning of a lifelong journey toward spiritual and intellectual growth.

I feel like I am just now starting to take those first few tentative steps and beginning my journey toward more light in Masonry. I can’t help but regret that I didn’t start my Masonic studies earlier. My hope is that my example can be an encouragement to others to begin their own journeys earlier and thereby influence a new generation of Masons to seek Masonic Formation.

Brotherhood

2009-02-27T12:11:00.000-09:00

Solution to the Cryptoquote in the Anchorage Daily News, February 26, 2009:

Brotherhood is not just a bible word. Out of comradeship can come and will come the happy life for all.
Heywood Broun

Masonic Blogs

2009-02-25T22:18:00.000-09:00

I have attempted to create a list of Masonic Blogs that I review on a regular basis. Each time I try to enter one or another, the links seem to get corrupted and don’t always work. I also noted that Chris Hodapp has an extensive list on his Freemasons for Dummies Blog. So, instead of recreating Chris' list, I thought it more prudent to send viewers to his page. To see Chris’ list, just click on this link, then scroll down to the list in the lower right corner.

One-Day Ritual Class

2009-02-23T21:02:00.000-09:00

I just read a discussion thread on The Masonic Society Forum regarding a One-Day Ritual Class being planned for Western Massachusetts. All of the comments to this event on the forum page were negative and echoed comments I recently heard during the Conference of Grand Masters in North America. Those who responded complained that Masonry is being cheapened by One-Day Ritual Classes, where we are merely making members not Masons. One commenter lamented “. . . why don't we just hand out dues cards in specially marked boxes of crackerjacks”.

Our Alaska Masonic Code allows the Grand Master the option of authorizing a One-Day Ritual Class, but it does not specify under what conditions such a class may be allowed. In recent years One-Day Classes have been held in our jurisdiction to:

1. Help lodges clear their books of EA and FCs languishing on their rolls for several years without progressing through the degrees, and
2. Help give a boost to struggling lodges, in very remote locations, which have candidates but do not have enough members to confer the degrees.

What I have noticed is that, when a One-Day Class has been offered in our jurisdiction, a number of our candidates who are eligible to participate choose not to for fear that they will not enjoy the true initiatic experience offered by normal progression through the degrees. Also, few, if any, of those who do participate in One-Day Classes become active members of their lodge. There is little evidence that these Masons have continued on the journey of self discovery, of spiritual and intellectual growth in Masonry.

What is the benefit to Alaskan Masonry then, when we create Masons who have not had the opportunity to cultivate an understanding of what Freemasonry is through a process of ritual presentation and the art of memorization; who have not had the value of continued Masonic study impressed upon their minds? Does it simply arrest the loss of membership to our lodges and create more dues paying members to help maintain our lodges’ bottom line? Does it help grow our lodges in our remote communities, so that they will become self sustaining?

I believe that our lodges will grow only when they create an atmosphere where the practice of quality ritual becomes the rule rather than the exception, where our lodges are involved in and recognized as a valued assets within their communities, where our lodges have programs of mentorship and continued Masonic education for their members, and where the lodge members enjoy the fraternity and fellowship provided by the lodge and want to actively participate in its activities. I also believe that we are doing a disservice to those that we bring into Masonry through a One-Day Class, if we do not see to their continued Masonic development.

I invite all Alaskan Masons to comment on these thoughts.

Eternal Rest for MW Raymond Beaver

2009-02-20T08:22:00.000-09:00

Last Wednesday, I learned of the passing of Most Worshipful Raymond L. Beaver, who was carried to the temple, the house not made with hands on Tuesday February 17, 2009. MW Brother Ray was Grand Master of Masons in Alaska in 1999. He introduced our Grand Lodge to the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program, which was institutionalized as our Grand Lodge charity by MW Charles Corbin in 2001. MW Ray had a great desire to improve the lives of young people who were at risk of abuse. He was a kind and gentle soul and will be greatly missed.

MW Ray was born in Cranberry, WV September 12, 1931. He was Initiated on January 12, 1960, Passed on March 15, 1960, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on May 3, 1960, all in Village Lodge No. 315 in Florida. MW Ray suffered from diabetes the last several years and was cared for by his wife Marilyn, who preceded him in death last year.

Most glorious God, author of all good and giver of all mercy, pour down Thy blessings upon us and strengthen our solemn engagements with the ties of sincere affection. May the present instance of mortality remind us of our own approaching fate and, by drawing our attention toward Thee the only refuge in time of need, induce us to regulate our conduct here, that when the final moment shall arrive at which we must quit this transitory scene, the enlivening prospect of Thy mercy may dispel the fear of death; and that after our departure hence, in peace and Thy favor, we may be received into Thine everlasting kingdom and there join in union with our friend and enjoy that uninterrupted and unceasing felicity which is allotted to the souls of just men made perfect.

Conference of Grand Masters in North America

2009-02-20T07:13:00.000-09:00

Beth and I are currently traveling up the Central Valley of California, after spending last weekend at the Conference of Grand Masters in North America in Anaheim. Our visit to California began last Friday, when I attended the Western Conference of Grand Lodges. It was great to greet old friends from the Grand Lodges comprising the Western Conference (Alaska, Washington, Oregon , Hawaii, and California) and meet our newest member (Arizona). Topics discussed at the conference included Sustaining Grand Lodge Charities, A History of Masonry and the Hawaiian Monarchy, Fellow of The Craft Training Program. I gave the Grand Lodge of Alaska’s presentation on Traditional Observance Masonry.

Sunday was the opening of the Conference of Grand Masters in North America, whose theme this year was ”Freemasonry Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. The Conference of Grand Masters is the première conference on Freemasonry and delegates came from almost all of the recognized jurisdictions in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. In addition, there were visiting delegations from the Grand Lodges of England, France, Russia, Uruguay, Paraguay, the Philippines, and others. It was great to renew old acquaintances and to make new ones. The Grand Lodge of Alaska’s delegation included me (Grand Master), RW Johnnie L. Wallace (Deputy Grand Master), RW Ronald Ackerman (Senior Grand Warden), and RW Jerry Wasson (Grand Secretary). RW Jerry spent his time attending the Conference of Grand Secretaries in North America, which took place at the same time as the Conference of Grand Masters.

During the conferences, Alaska’s delegation attended several breakout sessions and gathered a lot of information to bring back to our jurisdictions. Topics covered in the breakout sessions included “The Image of Freemasonry”, “Membership Retention vs. Restoration”, “Moving from Leader to Mentor”, and “Connecting with Non-Participants”. Overall, this was an excellent conference, and the information and ideas shared during the sessions and between the participants stirred a lot of thought to ways Masonry may be progressed in all of its jurisdictions.

Annual Communication

2009-02-20T05:50:00.000-09:00

The following is the inaugural post from Februray 10, 2009. It was truncated on another site and reproduced here.

This is my inaugural post on the “Grand Master’s Musings” page. My goals are simple; that this blog will become a record of my travels through Masonry this year and that it will provide some information about Alaska Freemasonry to anyone that might pass by this way.

So let’s get started:

On Tuesday, February 3, Beth and I traveled to Kodiak with my parents to attend the 28th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alaska. Although Redoubt Volcano was threatening (Redoubt Volcano), our trip was not impeded by ash or weather. Kodiak is a fishing village on the island of the same name, situated in the Gulf of Alaska. This was a beautiful setting for our Annual Communication, surrounded by majestic mountains and with eagles circling above fishing boats sitting in the bay. Thank you to Most Worshipful Jared Decker and his wife Suni for a very entertaining and enjoyable time. Unfortunately, since Kodiak is in the middle of the Gulf of Alaska, weather always presents a problem for those traveling into or out of the airport in the winter. This was indeed the case and a few of the expected visitors were unable to get in due to canceled flights.

At the Grand Master’s Banquet on Wednesday, February 4, we were entertained by Worshipful Brother Christopher Hodapp, the author of “Freemasons For Dummies”. Chris delivered a very inspiring message about enhancing the Masonic experience for a new generation of Masons. It was great meeting Chris and having an opportunity to visit with him.

On Friday, February 6, I was elected and installed as Grand Master of Masons in Alaska. This was a very special occasion for me, especially since my folks were present and my father who has been a Mason for nearly 64 years placed the Grand Master’s collar on me during the ceremony. It was special, as well, because of the presence of Most Worshipful Bill Miller (Past Grand Master of Washington) and his wife Maralyn. Beth and I have known Bill and Maralyn for nearly 50 years and they have had a great influence on our lives. MW Brother Bill installed me as Grand Master. At the time, he remarked that it was entirely appropriate that a Grand Master of Washington install the Grand Master of Alaska, as it was a Grand Master of Alaska (Most Worshipful John Ingram) who installed him as Grand Master of Washington in 1989.

Beth and I returned to Palmer on Sunday, after a weather delay in Kodiak and an overnight stay at Beth’s aunt and uncle in Anchorage. I have now hit the ground running. Last night I visited the Al Aska Shrine stated meeting and tonight I will be presenting the Alaska Mason of the Year award for 2008 at Matanuska Lodge No. 7 in Palmer. On Wednesday, I travel to Anchorage Lodge No. 17 to install the District Deputy of the Grand Master, who was one that was weathered out of Kodiak. On Thursday, Beth and I travel down to Anaheim, CA, to participate in the Western Conference of Grand Lodge’s before we attend the Conference of Grand Masters of North America, which starts on Sunday in Anaheim, as well.

I look forward to many more posting this year.