Everything Old is New Again

1955 International Farmall -WB Paul Otte Proud Owner

 

Everything Old is New Again

Potluck and Hayride- Oriental Lodge #34 of Cannon Falls, MN

In my opinion, there is a lot to be said for the famous quote from the 1700’s writer Johathan Swift, who wrote Gulliver’s Travels, that “everything old is new again”.

This quote demonstrates the reoccurring nature and cycle of life, the drawing wisdom from past experiences to navigate solutions to today’s problems or situations.

When I was a young Mason, many moons ago, but who is counting, I attended many potlucks and get togethers with my brothers, outside of regular Lodge nights. Most of those events were not even in the lodge, but in Brothers homes, backyards, garages, and city parks. I have many memories of these informal gatherings that provided an opportunity to get to know each other and create bonds between us.

It was during those informal activities that I really got to know my Lodge Brothers and forged solid lifelong relationships.

I can’t put my finger on the time frame when these types of get togethers started to diminish, but like many things in life, the frequency gradually reduced, until the gatherings no longer happened at the Metropolitan Lodges.

As I was progressing thru the Grand Lodge line during the 2000’s, and as Grand Master, I had the great pleasure of traveling around every corner of the state from the “big city” Lodges to smaller rural Lodges. I must say I fell in love with many of the rural lodges because they were deeply involved in their communities, a principle tennet of Freemasonry, I even joined Red Wing Lodge and am active.  

I was very excited when I received an invitation to attend Oriental Lodge #34 annual Potluck and Hayride on August 30, 2023. It’s a lodge that I have been to many times, but not recently, and it was a gracious offer I couldn’t refuse.

Oriental Lodge is located in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, approximately 45 miles from Minneapolis. The Lodge will be celebrating its 163rd Anniversary this October. The Lodge building has a very prominent location in the towns center. The Lodge members are very active in the town’s civic affairs. If you’re curious how the Brothers came up with the Lodge’s name 163 years ago, the word Oriental means “from the East”, how fitting for Masonic Lodge.

The lodges Secretary, Paul Otte, has hosted a lodge gathering at his country home to kick off the start of the Lodges Fall calendar for the past four years, factoring out the pandemic years.  This is a wonderful way for the members to gather and reacquaint themselves, with the Lodge being dark of the summer months.

The timing of the gathering is strategically important, it is exactly one week before the return to the normal Lodge calendar. This opportunity to gather in an informal setting, creates interest and generates excitement among the Brothers for the returning to Lodge and formal Lodge nights.

I have been told by the MN Grand Lodge, that attendance in our Lodges is down, with Brothers very slow to return to Lodge since the pandemic. I believe if more Lodges would host kick off events, like Oriental Lodge, it could greatly help generate interest in the return normal Lodge activities.

There was also ample time to socialize before and after the potluck dinner, but the highlight of the evening, for me, was a hayride for those who wished to ride. It was a picture-perfect evening for a hayride. Riding on the country roads thru the forests, and fields thru the scenic rolling countryside. The tractor pulling us along was a 1955 International Farmall, built solid last the test of time, much like Freemasonry.

Having grown up in Minnesota, a get together and a potluck just go together.  It’s a great way to bring people together in a relaxed atmosphere that allows time to talk, eat and get caught up on what everyone was doing over the Summer. It was also an opportunity for the six new Master Masons to get to know their Lodge brothers. The wives also got a chance to renew friendships and make new friends.

Also, a potluck get together has many Masonic qualities. It’s a shared activity with shared responsibilities. Everyone brings something to the table. It doesn’t matter if it’s something homemade or a last-minute purchase. It is a shared endeavor with something for everyone.

For those of us who practice our Freemasonry in the metropolitan areas, we can forget that just as many Masons practice Freemasonry in small towns and country Lodges. Attending Oriental Lodge’s potluck was also a wonderful reminder of my families farming background, and a way for us to quietly celebrate our Minnesota Farming heritage.

Lodge Education Officer, Roger Otte, presented an informative talk on the Plumb Line. The information was educational for the Brothers, and informative regarding an aspect of Freemasonry for the others attending “all without revealing the secrets” Roger said with a chuckle.

Oriental Lodge has had a very successful year bringing in six new members and in doing the degree work, with all six new members attending the potluck. Two of those new members drive 60 miles to attend Lodge. They pass five to ten Masonic Lodges to get to their new Lodge in Cannon Falls.  That is impressive and tells me that Oriental Lodge has done an excellent job of making their Lodge a special place that is welcoming, relevant, and a meaningful experience for them.

I had a chance to chat with, and get know, Worshipful Master Greg Ziemer. I congratulated him on the six new Brothers that he raised. He said thank you and gave me smile, and said I think we may have couple of more soon, which is really encouraging.

I think Oriental Lodge may have a blueprint that can help some other Lodges. I hope to explore this further in the coming months.

At the close of the evening, our hosts Paul and his wife Tracy, stood in the driveway as we said our goodbyes. In another fine Minnesota tradition, they stood with plates full of their garden’s bounty offering home grown tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini to any takers. I couldn’t pass that up!

The evening was fun, uplifting and memorable while being nostalgic and thoroughly enjoyable.  I thank Oriental Lodge for the invitation to attend and thank to everyone for the wonderful food and fellowship.

Some may call her a "Concrete Princess, but she is a beauty.