Red Wing Lodge #8 Cleans Up

Photo by Shawn Carrick

In 2021 Red Wing Lodge made a five-year commitment to the state of Minnesota-Goodhue County Adopt a Highway program. We adopted a two-mile stretch of Highway 61 on the eastward approach to the city of Red Wing. The Lodge schedules two picks dates each year, in the Spring and again in the Fall. We try to pick a nice day in the Spring and another pleasant day in the Fall, but scheduling around Minnesota weather is a challenge.

 The state has erected two beautiful signs along the highway to mark our pic up boundaries, plus the signs inform the public that Red Wing Masonic Lodge provides for the cleanup for that portion of the highway.

 On September 29, 2024, the members of Red Wing Lodge gathered for our bi-annual Adopt a Highway trash collection day. We have found that clearing trash is a small act that provides many expected and unexpected benefits.

 In 2023, Minnesota volunteers like us spent 99,960 hours picking up litter on state roadways and volunteers collectively gathered 42,170 bags of trash. These efforts saved the state, county and local governments millions of dollars that normally would be spent on cleaning these roadways.

 The two-mile stretch of highway 61 assigned to the Lodge is in the countryside filled with farms, fields, and a country church. Our efforts enhance the natural beauty of the landscape making the travel more enjoyable for all the tourists, day trippers, and motorcyclists who visit the Red Wing area.

 As we were getting some exercise by walking and picking up trash, it was also a great time for the brothers to connect. Two newer members joined us for this pick up, so we had a beautiful day talking and learning more about each other.

 Our Lodge has a Fellowcraft degree scheduled in the next few weeks, so as we walked two brothers worked on the interrogatives, while another brother listened to a brother practiced the Staircase Lecture. I listened intently and acted as Tyler.

 Afterwards we visited a local establishment for refreshments, and our Worshipful Master conducted an Officer meeting.

 It was a day that provided a sense of accomplishment and brotherly fellowship plus a good time had by all.

Red Wing Lodge #8 Helps United Way Packing for the Weekend

Charity has always been one of the fundamental principles of Freemasonry, and at Red Wing Lodge #8 we are proud of our 167 years of helping those in need. Our members make an important contribution every year by giving both their time and money to make a real difference to the community of Red Wing and the surrounding area.

On Sunday October 22, 2023, members of Red Wing Lodge #8 volunteered their services to assist the United Way of Goodhue and Wabasha County with a fundraiser for “Packing for The Weekend” held at the Southeastern Minnesota Technical College.

Packing For the Weekend” began at the Sunnyside School in Red Wing in January 2011. Today the program covers seven schools in Goodhue, and Wabasha counties. The program provides a backpack containing meals of approx. four to five pounds of nutritious nonperishable meals for school age children who are experiencing food insecurity at home. It is a program to make sure that no kids go hungry. To date the program has provided 8477 backpacks of food. Currently 200 back packs a week are distributed. 

For this year’s fundraiser, the participants could donate $30.00 and enjoy gourmet soups and breads made from local restaurants and chose an artesian handmade bowl to take home with them.

The 109 handmade bowls were made by three local artists applying their own creative skills. The bowls were created at the Red Wing Arts Clay and Creative Center. Of note, the making of a bowl is a three-day process by the artists.  

The empty bowl that was purchased now sits in my cupboard.  Seeing reminds of my time overseas when I saw many people extend their hand holding an empty bowl which expressed their need and hunger. Hunger exists everywhere today, in every community and every city. Helping this charity was a very worthwhile thing for Red Wing Lodge, in my opinion.

The members of Red Wing Lodge along with friends or family assisted with the serving of the soup, bussed tables, and general clean up. It was a lot of fun, and laughs. Most importantly it was wonderful again to see Red Wing Lodge come together with other members of the community to help their neighbors. 

 

Brother Ben Manning and his wife Kat provided wonderful music for the event.

I would also like to thank Nicolle Mechelke the Executive Director of the United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha and Pierce County for the delightful and informative conversation which provided the facts for this article.

Red Wing Lodge helps to Fight Child Hunger

Red Wing Masonic Lodge 15th Annual Table Lodge

On May 19, 2023, fifty-eight members and guests gathered at the historic St. James Hotel to celebrate Red Wing Masonic Lodge 15th Annual Table Lodge. 

The evening began with a two-hour social with refreshments as Past Grand Master Rolf Widstrand provided musical entertainment on the grand piano. 

Promptly at 7:00 PM we moved to the dining room and Worshipful Master Jake Facile began the program. 

The food provided by the St. James Hotel was a culinary delight, the conversations at the table were light and festive as we progressed thru the seven toasts. 

The St. James Hotel is beautiful hotel built on top of the rolling bluffs of Red Wing overlooking the Mississippi river. Architect Edward P. Bassford designed the building in the Italianate style. The hotel became a hub of activity serving businessmen and passengers from the steam trains and steamboats. 

The hotel opened in 1875 just 19 years after Red Wing Lodge #8 received its Charter. 

The St. James Hotel continues today to provide old world service, luxurious amenities and excellent food.

For decades Red Wing Lodge has recognized students from the local high schools along with providing selected individuals with scholarships to assist the students in the opportunity to continue their education. 

This year we were able to provide four $1,000 scholarships. Three of selectees and their parents were able to spend the evening festivities. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about them, and their future plans. 

We would like to thank Minnesota Masonic Charities for matching our scholarship funds to help make a deeper and positive impact on our community. 

Our 2023 Scholarship Recipients -Photo by Terrance Schaffer

The Grand Master of Minnesota Masons, Dayton Berg, joined us for the evening. You can see our Grandmaster sharing a moment of humor with Worshipful Master Jake Facile and our newest member.

It was a nice treat to see the Charging Cannon from my year as Grand Master. I filled mine with coffee because I had a long drive home. 

The dinner is a wonderful tradition for Red Wing Lodge and a great night was had by all. 

 

Red Wing Masonic Lodge 11th Annual Salsa-licious Community Fund Raiser

Red Wing Masonic Lodge is proud to announce the 11th annual Salsa-licious Celebration and fund raiser to be held on Tuesday, April 4th from 5 to 8 pm on the 5th floor of the St. James Hotel in Red Wing. 

All funds raised will be distributed directly to 25 different nonprofit organizations that make a wonderful contribution to the citizens and community in the Red Wing area. Since 2013, this celebration has raised $272,388, which has made a very positive impact for the Red Wing community. 

This is a wonderful event to socialize, make new friends, taste a wide selection of homemade salsas, and help support the community organizations. 

FACE IT FOUNDATION

Photo by Tom Hendrickson

On September 19, 2022, Red Wing Lodge #8 held its second evening dedicated for the purpose of Lodge Education.

After a nice light lunch put together by our Worshipful Master Gary Thomas, we retired to the Lodge room where Past Grand Master John Gann introduced Mark Meir and Bill Dehkes of the FACE IT Foundation.

The FACE IT Foundation addresses the one in ten men who experience depression. Most men fear the stigma, shame, and the lack of understanding surrounding depression. This fear prevents many men from dealing with or asking for help. Untreated depression in men’s lives leads to ruined lives, and shattered families.

The FACE IT Foundation is the only organization of its kind in Minnesota where all the services that they provide are free. Just some of their services include support groups, retreats, Saturday breakfasts, monthly education classes, help in navigating available resources and social activities. 

One of the very important aspects of the program is friendship and support. A man who can develop relationships and a sense of community will not be so apt to isolate themselves when dealing with life’s problems. When men isolate themselves its easily can lead to alcohol and drug abuse or suicide.

In 2019 47,511 Americans died by suicide. Men die by suicide four times as often as women.

The FACE IT Foundation is a unique organization that works to create an awareness and a support system for men to be able to ask for help. It’s an organization that saves lives.

The Grand Lodge of Minnesota has made contributions to FACE IT for the past ten years. This year Minnesota Masonic Charities has made a three-year financial commitment to help them continue their valuable work.

If you would like help or more information or would like to make a contribution the information is below.

 

 

 

Red Wing Lodge #8 Hiram Award 2022

 

Today Worshipful Master Gary Thomas presented Red Wing Lodge #8 Hiram Award 2022 to Duane R. Baringer.

Duane worked hard to help lead a team to develop a successful business plan and find a tenet for the generation of income for the Lodge building.

Duane's hard work put our lodge in a successful position and we as members today enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Thank you, Duane,

Red Wing Lodge #8 Installation of Officers and December Dinner

Worshipful Master Jake Facile and his Grand Lodge Brothers

Red Wing Lodge #8 is what I consider to be my Home Lodge. Though I do belong to others, this is where I feel the most comfortable and happiest.

The City of Red Wing is sixty miles from my home. Its a beautiful small Minnesota city that is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River. Part of the drive for me is on country roads. A drive filled with the joys of the Minnesota Country side, and filled with the hazards of winter driving.

Our lodge seems to be filled with Past Grand Masters, the sitting Most Worshipful Grand Master Eathan Seaberg, the Junior Grand Steward Shawn Carrick
.
Our lodge is a small lodge, but we do all the Masonic Degrees and are  pretty good, and we take it seriously. We also are big on community involvement and Brotherly Love.

Our Lodge building was built in the 1920s and has a prominent  location in the downtown district. It was designed and built as a Masonic Lodge. We have lots of room for our activities.

Our members come from the community from all stations of life, and with different occupations. This adds to our strengths. We are all good men who want to become better.

I have been to alot of Masonic Events in my life around the world. The December Meeting at Red Wing Lodge is my favorite of all of them.

Our Worshipful Master this year is Jake Facile who is originally a California Mason. He has fit in so nicely, and learned the Minnesota work.We are proud of him. He will do us well.

Grand Master Ethan Seaberg Presides 

2019-2020 Officers and Members-Red Wing Lodge

Gary Thomas Famous Christmas Pudding Dessert

Great Meal by WB Jeff Seaberg

Masonic Christmas Pudding Tradition

Red Wing Lodge #8 for the past ten  years has a tradition of a Christmas Pudding at the December Stated Meeting and Officer Installation . Its a tradition that has certainly grown over they years, and certainly one of my favorite masonic events of the year...anywhere!

Now you just don't go down to the local bakery ( if you have one) and pick one up to take home.
Past Master Gary Thomas and Chef by occupation makes it every year for us. Gary says that its a labor of love for him, and that he loves to make it. When I asked how long it takes to make he replied about all day. "All Day I asked" Gary said "Ya about an hour and a half to cut, chop and mix all the ingredients and seven hours to steam it, oh shopping for all the stuff, ya pretty much all day."

I asked what was in it, and Gary said Raisins,Plums,two and a half pounds of butter, three cups of sugar, a little suet and some other things.There are thirteen ingredients and there is a ritual to making it. I said Gary there's a Masonic Ritual to making Christmas Pudding? Being a Past Grand Master I know the Masonic work I wondered how I missed this one? Gary replied that there is a traditional  ritual that he uses with recipe that's not masonic.

Here is a summary of the process and its symbolism:

The Christmas pudding is a custom that goes back to medieval England.

The pudding has thirteen ingredients to represent Christ and the twelve disciples.

Each family member of the household takes turns stirring the mixture. They stir in the direction of East to West honoring the Magi who traveled in that direction.

There was a prayer that was said during the stirring, but Gary couldn't remember that part.

Brandy is warmed and then placed on the pudding, and lite. For a little flavor and a very nice dramatic effect.

It is served with a dollop of  icing that Gary wont talk about. (maybe in ten more years Ill get that out of him)

Its the perfect dessert after an excellent hearty meal on a cold December night. The room is filled with Masonic Brotherhood, a few candles its the perfect night.

I should also mention that Past Master Jeff Seaberg prepares an excellent dinner.

Red Wing Lodge “Bikes for Books” Captures Young Readers Attention

Bikes for Books Literacy Campaign

By Tom Hendrickson-PGM

About five years ago or so Red Wing Lodge #8 was looking for a project to help make their community a better place.  They approached Burnside elementary School in their hometown of Red Wing to partner for a program aimed at children’s literacy.

The Bikes for Books Literacy Campaign emphasizes the following.

It is essential to establish a love for reading early in a child’s life.

The program encourages students to read.

By encouraging reading, student’s comprehension skills improve.

The campaign recognizes student’s achievements in reading.

The program operates in this manner.  One boys bicycle and helmet along with one girls bicycle and helmet is given to one student per grade by random drawing.  To be eligible for the drawing a student must read eight books that have been approved by the teacher for that grade.  The teacher insures that the book is at the appropriate reading level (War and Peace is not at the third grade level. Ha) for the grade level.  The student receives one ticket for the drawing once the teacher has confirmed that the eight books have been read.  Reading eight books equals one change to win.  The more books the student reads the more chances they have to win.

In 2016 two bicycles were added to the program as prizes for the top readers within the entire elementary school.  This year 1152 books were read by the students and the top reader completed 120 books.

During the last week of school, at a school wide assembly, the drawings are held.  You can bet that there are a lot of kids with crossed fingers and a wish of “pick me, pick me”.

Red Wing Lodge and Burnside Elementary School Bikes for Books program has created a lot of excitement among the students and positive comments from parents and educators.  But the most important things are that the program encourages kids to read.

The Brothers of Red Wing Lodge would also like to thank MN Masonic Charities for assisting the Lodge in helping encouraging the kids at Burnside Elementary to read.

Black Coffee - Poem by Juan Olivarez

I drink my coffee, hot and black, 

my drug of choice, from ages back.

No cream no sugar, no fancy mug, 

just give me some java, i'll give you a hug.

No fancy coffee shop coffee for me, 

won't pay that much, but don't want it free.

I just want a plain ole cup of joe, 

A white styrofoam cup, ready to go.

It does'nt matter what brand it is, 

strong and black, heavenly bliss.

Wakes me up in the morning, opens my eyes, 

And after two cups I'm ready to fly.

I have coffee at noon, coffee at night, 

And if you mean mouth coffee, I'm ready to fight.

The coffee I've drunk could fill the sea, 

That energized bunny has nothing on me.

The coffee pot in the photo is my coffee pot my Mother gave to me in 1977. The Brand name is "Paul Revere" That coffee pot has gotten me thru 30 years of Police work,the 3 am feedings of babies,countless hours writing Masonic papers and Speeches.If has been a great friend and maker of my daily cup. It sits on my stove today 

Red Wing Table Lodge

Last evening I had the honor of attending Red Wing Lodge #6 Table Lodge. It was held in one of Minnesota's great hotels, The St. James Hotel. Of course if you knew the Worshipful Master Ethan Seaberg, and the Past Master Gary Thomas, you would know that everything they do is a class act and no detail is overlooked. Last night was no different.

The social hour was a homecoming of sorts for me. For I haven't seen all of the Brothers in one place for some time now. There were several lovely wives I also got to meet as well and reacquainted with others. Ethan had one of the new brothers play the grand piano. Matt played a very impressive selection of pieces: jazz, popular, classical, among others. He played for 90 minutes non stop all from memory! I had a chance to get to know Matt a little. He is a Law Enforcement student at a major Minnesota college. But he earns his money to attend college as a professional bowler. I can see a Masonic bowling team coming up in my future.

I took a break from the wonderful conversation and tried some fablous appetizers. There was a Stilton cheese that deserved a nice glass of red wine. It was a perfect combination that was memorable.

Dinner started with the Master of the Lodge Ethan giving a few toasts. As we started our salad, we could hear the tornado sirens going off in the background. We all looked at one another and ate a little faster... As the sirens grew louder, my table companions said to each other "I don't hear anything -- do you hear anything?"

The hotel staff then required us to evacuate the room and ushered us into the safety of the basement. I was the last person out so I took the photos. The basement was very secure and pleasant. I stood near the stairs in case anyone needed assistance. There was a large mother daughter pajama party going on in the hotel, so I also offered my assistance to them as well (I am a police officer and duty always calls). Now my Brother Shawn Carrick and his beauitful wife Ann informed me that they had the most fun meeting a group of entertaining people in the basement bar!
I never thought of that... next time I'll follow Shawn.

As we waited for only about thirty minutes the all clear was given and we returned to our festive board up stairs.

Worshipful Master Ethan Seaberg of Red Wing Lodge and Master of Ceremonies. He performed an outstanding job and kept us laughing and on time.

The guest Speaker of the evening Grand Inspector General of the Minnesota Scottish Rite. My Brother Jerry is my personal favorite Masonic Speaker. He is the kind of speaker that holds you on the edge of your seat, can tug on your heart strings, and feel very proud to be a Freemason -- all at the same time.

I think Jerry is so good, he could read the Minneapolis phone book aloud and captivate us.Our Inspector General is truly a Big Tent Mason and I am very proud to know him.

Even though I was considering staying in the room and helping myself to the buffet, staffperson Val held firm to her duty to ensure I was safe in the basement. Despite the fact that I offered her half of the apple pie that I had my eye on!

Of course at the end of the night as I was one of the last ones to leave. I thought what a nice night that was filled with caring friendship, good food, and even alitle excitment. The Red Wing Table Lodge will be a wonderful memory for many years to come.