Honor and Remembrance 2023

Poster thanks to the US Air Force

 

Service and Fellowship: A Spring-Cleaning Celebration at St. Paul #3

 

St. Paul #3 gathered for a service and fellowship night, bringing together the Brothers to accomplish some clean up on the exterior of the Triune Lodge building at the same time enjoying each other's company. Its events like this that serve as an opportunity for the members to work together, bond together, and create a more welcoming environment for the lodge and neighborhood. 

In between shoveling dirt and rubble, making trips to the dumpster with heavy buckets, the Brothers took advantage of sharing stories, experiences, and making the evening a truly meaningful and enjoyable event.

Sometimes you have to do more than just pay your dues...

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. 

 

It was a Special Night at St. Paul Lodge #3

 On May 16, 2023, St. Paul Lodge #3 held its regular Stated Meeting, but it was a special night filled with special guests, with a special program in a special building. 

The evening began with the gathering of Masonic Brothers in the Triune Masonic Lodge which is located in the Merriam Park Neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota.  Our building was designed and built exclusively for the single use as a Masonic Blue Lodge over one hundred years ago by Henry C. Stuchen in the Neo-Classical Revival Style. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Our special guests for the evening were the Worshipful Master and Brothers from Ancient Landmark Lodge #5 of St. Paul. 

The evening began in the Lodge Room opening on the First Degree in the traditional observance style. Strickley using the Minnesota work, but has customary periods of silence for self-introspection, and musical selections. 

A Emulation of the pre-1990 First Degree was performed which included the "Stevenson Lecture" which is a narration or commentary explaining many of the elements to the degree. 

The Stevenson Lecture was written by our late Masonic Scholar and Past Master James Stevenson. A man I dearly miss. 

This degree has not been performed in over five years, so it was a special treat. There were a number of the Lodges Entered Apprentices attending, so it was very educational for them, and a wonderful reminder for the rest of us. 

After we retired to the library for a traditional Festive Board. Which was a wonderful three course meal followed by a series of toasts with sparkling apple juice. 

After the social isolation that we all experienced during the pandemic. It is certainly a joyous occasion to get back to into Lodge again, and celebrate our Masonic traditions.