Masons at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

 

Acouple weeks ago I was the Guest of the Grand Lodge of Waswhington DC for their annual communication. One of the events was to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was a moving experience.Here is a photo for you to get a better idea.

St Johns Day Celebrated in Minnesota

St Johns Day is a day where Master Masons can renew and strengthen their fraternal ties.It is also a day that is our connection between the past and the future.
This photo is taken in front of the grave of Minnesota's First Most Worshipful Grand Master Elisa Ames in Minneapolis on a cold and windy day.
Afterwards we went to a public house and raised a glass or cup and experienced more Brotherly love.

The Days only get longer after tonight

December 22 is the Winter solstice in the northern hemisphere,bringing us the shortest daylight period and the longest night of the year.

We are the 1%

Today is a day for us Veterans to remember those who we served with,and why we served.

We are the one percent....lets be proud and Thankful

Masons in Motion

Greetings Brothers,

This year Sir Winston Churchill Lodge asked me to be involved in a program called Masons in Motion. I was very happy to get involved in this group from the ground floor. Their purpose is to promote a positive life style and to help Brothers prepare and train to run a Marathon. Not just any marathon, but the Twin Cities Marathon, which many say is the most beautiful marathon in the United States. I may be little biased but I couldn’t agree more and I am very moved to be apart of this.

I have not been a “runner” per se, I have never really considered myself to be a runner, much less a marathoner. Never the less, I happily accepted the challenge to train for this event and I will tell you I put forth a great deal of effort, I had lots hours and, yes, lots of pain in the long training regimen. I had to make some lifestyle changes in order to prepare to run 26 miles. It requires a great deal of time to complete all the training runs to build up strength and endurance to complete an event like this. I would run after work or after attending lodge functions. My local police department often saw me running in the wee hours between midnight to three AM, that was the best time for me to find the time to log the training hours I needed.

I’m proud to say that I now consider myself to be Runner.

One day I was running what we call a long training day. I was entering my 18th mile when I heard a pop, and felt a sudden sharp pain in my knee. I didn’t know it then, but I had just torn my meniscus. I was in a considerable amount of pain, and I wound up hobbling home. I tried to work thru the pain and continued to train, but it was really difficult. I finally saw a series of Doctors and was given the bad news that the Twin Cities Marathon was not in my immediate future.

The Brothers of Sir Winton Churchill Lodge took my news as motivation to recruit other runners and volunteers, and l’m proud to say that we were able to not only provide marathon runners for the event, but we were also able to gather many volunteers from other Lodges to help staff one of the water stations along the route. We had a very nice representation from many lodges in the Twin Cities; Braden, Lebanon, Macalester, Hastings, Tussler-Summit, Star in the East, Wayzata, Shakopee, Lake Harriet and Cataract. It wasn’t just brothers, we also had a few wives and kids.....Total of thirty five were on hand to staff the water station with me.

The Masons and OES Women who ran the marathon should be congratulated. They are; Andy Rice, Daniel Akins, Chris Taylor, Roberto Gardiner, Peter Hulbert, Krista Benninger, Leslie Collins and Stoffel Reitsma

It was a wonderful day and the eight listed are all Champions and Victorious in their personal efforts. While I may have been personally sad that I couldn’t participate in the event in the way I wanted too, I was energized and excited to be able to support and encourage my Brothers and Sisters and all the members of our community who ran in the event and displayed a commitment to their own well being. Well done everyone.

Wont you join me?

“Take me out to the Ball Game”!
Minnesota Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
Cancer Benefit Dinner & Social
Benefitting WGM, Doris and WGP Ralph’s Cancer Project
To provide for research detecting potential Lung Cancer

Saturday, October 15, 2011
Golden Valley VFW, 7775 Medicine lake Road, Golden Valley, MN

Games, Dinner, Music, Silent and Live Auction
Dress is casual. Baseball attire is encouraged.

Tickets $25


We need your help to reach our goal of raising $10,000 to help strike out Cancer

You may also make a cash donation to the Cancer Score Board.
$25 = base hit; $50 = a double; $75 = a triple; $100 = a HOME RUN!
Send payments for reservations and/or cash donations –to:
Sue Bay,
1695 4th Avenue,
Newport, MN 55055
651 459-6620 ivorymastersue@hotmail.com

Checks should be written to MN Grand Chapter OES. “Cancer Dance” in the memo.
Reservations must be received on or before October 8, 2011.

Ill be there! Show up lets talk, if you shake my hand you can have a GrandMasters Pins or a pint or a cup.

Are you having this much fun?

The Grand Master of Minnesota (me wearing the Maroon Minnesota jacket) and Minnesota DeMolay at their annual Paint Ball outting.
What a great time I had with the young men.

Now this sure beats talking about the light bill or snow removal from the parking lot. Are you doing something like this? Why not.

The DeMolay from across the State and their perspective members and the Brothers of Minneapolis #19 and their perspective members ,met for a day of running thru the woods sharing a game of combat and great food.I saw much exchange of information and Brotherly love.

Young Men and old Men love to do the same things.....What a great day!