Red Wing Lodge #8 December Tradition

 

Our Masonic Christmas Pudding 

For the past sixteen years Red Wing Lodge #8 has held a traditional dinner including a Christmas Pudding at the December Stated Meeting with the focus being the Officer Installation for the ensuing year. It is a tradition that has grown over the years, but this year is a blossoming time for our Lodge. 

It was a wonderful sight to see so many older members, and the Brothers who have been raised in the past year or two taking an active role. There were many guests who had come from neighboring Lodges to share the evening with us. 

The evening kicked off with a wonderful dinner prepared by WB Jeff Seaberg. It was a pleasure to see every chair filled in the dining room. 

The Christmas Plum Pudding has been a labor of love for WB Gary Thomas. A Christmas Pudding is a very traditional dessert in England. In England the pudding is typically very small. But this year's pudding was a behemoth to all those that I have seen in the past.  Gary stated that his recipe involves three pounds of butter, three cups of sugar, and a pound or two of plums, raisins, currents and other chefs' secrets. The flames are produced by a half pint of brandy. 

It was an All-Star Installation Team this year, and a real treat for us. The Installing Officer was our very own Grand Master of Minnesota Masons Dayton Berg, Installing Chaplin Senior Grand Deacon, Chuck Burst, Installing Secretary Junior Grand Warden RW Shawn Carrick, Installing Marshal Area Deputy Clint Christianson.

It was a full slate of Officers to include Stewards! With each and every Brother looking forward to taking an active role. 

There were a dozen spectators sitting on the side lines, including the Grand Lodge Education Officer Bradley Phelps. It's great to see that we are getting back to normal after Covid. 

Dr. Jonathon Lombardo our new Worshipful Master

We are very fortunate to have Jon as a member and now our Worshipful Master. He already has to start preparing for the new petitions that are coming in, and Jon told me that he is looking forward to it. 

Yeomen of York-Minnesota Preceptory #16

 

On November 20, 2023, I had the privilege to attend my Yeomen of York meeting. We met at Mancini’s Char House in St. Paul. It’s a meeting I didn’t want to miss, for if you never have been to Mancini’s, it’s a family owned fourth generation old school steak house that is in the retro style of a Las Vegas lounge with the tunes of Frank Sinatra, and Tony Bennet playing in the background.

If you’re not familiar with the Yeomen of York. It’s an invitation only appendant body of the York Rite. To recognize those who have demonstrated exceptional service to the Blue Lodge, and to the bodies of the York Rite. (Chapter, Council, Commandery), and to promote the Blue Lodge and York Rite Masonry.

Qualifications to be invited is that you must have presided in all four York Rite Bodies. To be an Officer you must have received your Knight of York Rite Cross of Honor.

I enjoy the style of Minnesota Preceptory # 16 meetings. There are monthly Zoom meetings with quarterly dinner meetings that you may bring your wife or date.

The recipe for these successful meetings is that we meet in a private room in a classy place, generous time to socialize with appetizers, with your favorite beverage, dinner choice of steak, chicken or fish, a short meeting, cake for dessert.

The Yeomen of York wear a black military style beret, with a crest attached that is two laurel branches with the symbols of the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch, Cryptic Council, Commandery in the center. But don’t be disappointed, we have other masonic bling in the form of a handsome name tag, and a polo shirt with the logo embordered that you can wear every day.

In case you’re wondering according to Websters dictionary the word Preceptory means a community of Knights Templar. The word Yeoman has various uses over the periods of time, so I'll use the Oxford dictionary definition that I believe is a good fit. Yeoman is a middle rank of servant in English royal or noble household.

Now I may get some flak for saying this. The big reason I enjoy the Yeomen of York it is one masonic organization where I do not have to do ritual work, nor prepare thought provoking lodge education pieces, nor organize a fund raiser. It’s a Masonic evening of just enjoying an evening of Brotherly love.

 

The York Rite Of Freemasonry

Degrees and Bodies explained by Thomas W. Jackson, R.W.P.G.S. of The Grand Holy Royal Arch of Pennsylvania.

Written and produced by Peter F. Gross

This was produced in Pennsylvania, and is narrated by one of the very notable Masons Thomas W. Jackson.
I think it is an excellent over view of the Rites 

Lebanon Lodge #346 Presents Hiram Award to WB Reed Bornholdt

 

   Lebanon Lodge 13th Hiram Award Recipient Reed Bornholdt-Photo by Terrance M, Schaffer

On November 10, 2023, Lebanon Lodge #346 hosted its 13^th Hiram Award ceremony at Turtles Social Center in Shakopee, Minnesota. Worshipful Master William Loman announced that his 2023 honoree was Worshipful Brother Reed Bornholdt.

For those of you who are not familiar, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota Hiram Award is a well-earned, once in a lifetime recognition presented to a Brother in tribute of his outstanding service to Freemasonry. The Worshipful Master of the Lodge is entitled to recognize one Brother with this special distinction during the term of his office.

For those of us who know Reed, we couldn’t be happier for him, and are proud to call him our Brother.  Reed has demonstrated dedication and leadership and is an inspiration to Freemasonry in Minnesota.

The fifty-three attendees gathered at 6:00 for social mingling. A delicious dinner of prime rib and chicken was served at 7:00. Following dinner, the Master of Ceremonies, WB John Curlott, conducted the program.

Photo by Tom Hendrickson

Reed Bornholdt is a fourth generation Mason. He was raised in 1972 at Rising Star Lodge in Iowa. Last year Reed was presented with his 50-year award.

Reed has a Masonic resume that is very lengthy, so here is just a few of the highlights.

Reed served as Worshipful Master to Lebanon Lodge in 2019.

He is an active member of the Scottish and York Rite.

Reed is a member of the Funsters Unit of Zuhrah Shrine where he can be seen every weekend as a clown entertaining young and old at various parades across Minnesota.

He is the leader of the Dan Patch Masonic Club at the Minnesota Masonic Home where he provides monthly programs, and a newsletter to all the Masons who live there. 

Outside of Freemasonry Reed has been an active adult leader with the Boy scouts for the past sixty years, and active in his church.  

The center of Reeds life is his cherished family, who were in attendance to see Reed receive his award and Reed’s son, also a mason, present the award to his father.

Reed’s remarks were inspirational and touching.  It was great pleasure to be in attendance to see Reed received his award.

I would like to thank Lebanon Lodge for the invitation and for providing a marvelous event for Brothers and family to enjoy. It was a festive evening for all to come together in the spirit of Brotherly Love to celebrate the presentation of the Hiram Award to Reed Bornholdt, and honor his talents, achievement, and success in Freemasonry. It was an evening that was uplifting, inspirational, reflective, and very enjoyable.

 

Photo by Tom Hendrickson

 

 

Veterans Day 2023-Thank You for Your Service

 

Created by Gene Russell -Thank you U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

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

Minnesota Masonic Charities 18th Annual Gala

On Saturday, September 23, 2023, Minnesota Masonic Charities hosted its 18^th Annual Gala at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.

The MMC Gala is my favorite Masonic event every year. When I receive my invitation, I am always excited to attend.  It is a chance to see old friends as well as learn about the organizations that MMC supports. The word gala originates from old French word gale, meaning to rejoice as in a festive celebration.

For the past 17 years the MMC gala had followed a standard format, that I thought was a very pleasing, of a social gathering of attendees from across Minnesota, some that I had not seen in some time, a delicious dinner in the beautifully decorated Dan Patch Hall, updates on charities supported and concluding with an inspirational message from the CEO.

This year the invitation letter promised there would be some exciting changes for the gala this year.  I realize that the word change can cause anxiety for most of us older Freemasons, so I took a big breath and read on.

This year’s gala dinner focus was fundraising for our scholarship programs, specifically the new “Kindness Scholarship, The Selfless Scholar.”

For those of you who are not familiar with Minnesota Masonic Charities, one of the many programs it supports is a scholarship program. They are one of the largest providers of scholarships in the state of Minnesota. MMC has given fifteen million dollars has already been given to recipients with an average of $1,500,000 a year awarded.

Education is a very powerful tool for transforming a person’s life. With MMC’s support and contributions, the Freemasons make a direct impact for deserving students to enable them to pursue their dreams, and make a positive impact on their community, state, and the world.

The promised changes to the evenings program, were a silent auction, a live action and other activities to enhance the fundraising efforts while providing a more enjoyable and engaging time.  

Upon arrival, on a rainy Minnesota evening, the Heritage Center was filled with many of my old Masonic friends, plus I had the opportunity to make some new ones as well. In exploring the Heritage Center, I found a photo booth that had been set up just outside of the Museum-library. There was a wine pull plus in the hall the silent auction items were on display.  There were also descriptions of the live auction items to prepare everyone for the bidding.

Most Worshipful Grand Master Dayton Berg

Markus Muller-MMC-Duluth

It was fun to watch people dressed up enjoying themselves having their photos taken and my wife and I decided to join in and have our photo taken as well. Afterwards we were presented with a print of the photos that provided a memorable keepsake of the evening. You may see by the photos that not everyone was as serious in their photos.

There was ample opportunity to wander the halls and a chance to mingle with the many guests. Music was provided by Past Grand Master Don Severson and his trio.

Reed Endersbe-Director of Membership Engagement

Just outside of Dan Patch Hall, where the dinner is served, a table of glasses of champagne or sparkling juice were available to take with you for dinner. Dan Patch Hall was lavishly decorated which created a very warm and welcoming atmosphere for the sell out crowd of 210 guests. The dinner and desserts were the normal excellent fare. The dessert, three mini bundt cakes in 3 different flavors, were on the table when we were seated, and I must admit I started with a couple tastes, and can vouch, they were excellent.

There were two other notable firsts that occurred this year, the first being that for the first time ever, rain dampened the arrival of the guests. The second being that the program did not start on time, promptly at 7:00 pm but did start at 7:01 pm.   Any of you familiar with MMC know that it runs a very tight schedule, so yes, this is certainly notable.

After dinner, John Schwietz, described the new scholarship program, the Selfless Scholar.  Then COL. Kurt Johnson took the stage to begin the Fund a Need and then the live auction. By the end of the evening $102,000 was raised for the Scholarship Program, with an additional $32,000 raised for the Masonic Children’s Hospital.

President & CEO Eric J. Neetenbeek

My favorite part of the evening is always when the President and CEO Eric J. Neetenbeek makes the closing comments for the evening. He reminded us of the noble and worthwhile on-going efforts supported by Minnesota Masonic Charities which include:

Masonic Cancer Center-University of Minnesota; and

Masonic Children’s Hospital-University of Minnesota; and

Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain; and

Minnesota Masonic Home; and

Minnesota Masonic Scholarships; and

many other community services that directly impact the lives of Minnesotans.

For me, and I know many feel the same, that the Minnesota Masonic Charities Gala is a wonderful time to celebrate and rejoice in the great work that is done throughout the year to help others in our communities. It is also a time to renew our commitment as Freemasons to our tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth by continuing our support to Minnesota Masonic Charities.

We were promised a few changes at this year’s MMC Gala, and I certainly enjoyed them, and I believe the other attendees did as well.