Masons in Action: Promoting Health Through Goldy’s Run 2025

 

On April 6, 2025, forty-four Masons, ranging in age from 74 to 29 from 19 Lodges, came together at the University of Minnesota, to launch an initiative focused on promoting healthy lifestyles within the Masonic Community, while supporting the Masonic Children’s Hospital. This collaboration between Minnesota Masonic Charities and the University of Minnesota Goldy’s Run encourages health and better living for all Masons.

Race Day conditions were perfect, the air was brisk and the sky sunny, just the right kind of weather for a run or an energetic walk.

A total of 8,135 people had registered for the race and were all gathered at the starting line at 4^th and Oak Street.

There was a buzz of activity and excitement in the air. Within the sea of people gathered, some were getting ready for the event by stretching and warming up their muscles, while I and others stood in line for the porta-potties.  All have their own pre run ritual that adds to the excitement of the day.

We Masons gathered and chatted among ourselves, sharing our plans for the race. We broke into two groups, one group running, the other group walking. We all shared one goal or crossing the finish line, but we were all just happy to be there enjoying the camaraderie of our fellow Masons. It wasn’t a competition among us, just a friendly vibe that felt more like a celebration. There was some sudden anticipation in the air as the start was announced.

I have run Goldy’s run in past years and this year was a bittersweet moment for me as my running days are over, but I am grateful that I was able to participate and enjoy healthy exercise and the beautiful morning.

The racecourse meanders through the East Bank Campus of the University of Minnesota, creating a sense of nostalgia for those of us who attended college there. Our conversations were reminiscent of the hours we spent in libraries, classrooms, and labs. We also discussed our favorite subject…Freemasonry which did cause our walking pace to slow at time, due to the distractions.  

Between the beautiful day, in a beautiful setting, and having conversations with your Masonic Brothers before we knew it, we were approaching the stadium and the finish line.

As we entered the dark tunnel into the stadium, we entered the football field, and there before us at the fifty-yard line was the finish line. You could hear the motivating music, and people cheering you on. As I looked up and saw myself on the fields giant screen, approaching and crossing over the finish line, I felt a sense of accomplishment for completing the walk. I was then met by volunteers who handed out a Finishers medal.  

This year’s Minnesota Masonic Charities-Goldy’s Run proved to be more than just a race-it was a testament to the Masonic values of charity, brotherhood, and self-improvement. Plans are already underway for next year’s participation, with hopes of even higher engagement and support. By taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle and a better future for the children served by the Masonic Children’s hospital, the Masons truly embodied the spirit of action and community.

 

 

 

2024 Masonic Cancer Center Annual Dinner

 

On April 26, 2024, the Masonic Cancer Center held its annual dinner at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Scientists, Researchers, Physicians, Medical Professionals and Masons gather once a year to celebrate the incredible partnership between Minnesota Masonic Charities and the Masonic Cancer Center. This partnership in the battle against cancer was established in 1955 and has grown and become stronger over the years. This year there were a total of 215 attendees at this year’s dinner.

As Jakub Tolar, Dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School stated, the Masons of Minnesota have been champions of the University of Minnesota for over 68 years. The buildings that the Masons have built are very visible on campus but more importantly, what is not seen, are the lives of people who are saved by the treatments, surgeries, trials, and discoveries that have impacted people’s lives for over sixty years.

All these efforts have created cancer survivors, providing the gift of time to live life and experience the joys of life.

On such survivor is Boyd Huppert, a reporter for Kare 11, who shared with us his story. He stated that in 2021 he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer, for which there was no cure, but was treatable.

Boyd described his initial diagnosis, made complicated by the state of his blood, which required 45 bags of donor plasma to stabilize him, to his experience of receiving treatment at the Masonic Cancer Center and his subsequent bone marrow transplant.

Boyd found inspiration for his journey, from the story he told about Kelly Klein, a Kindergarten Teacher at Falcon Heights Elementary, who instructed her class from the hospital while receiving chemotherapy. Kelly attended the annual dinner and was introduced by Boyd.

Boyd said that he will continue to receive treatments for his cancer, but that being a survivor has given him time to continue to work, enjoy his family and hold his new grandchild.  His description of holding his grandchild for the first time following this bone marrow transplant, was a powerful reminder of the emotions and joy that accompany the “time” that is given to cancer survivors.

It was an evening of celebration and learning about the continuum of care that supports all cancer survivors, from childhood to older adulthood, at the Masonic Cancer Center and to renew the shared pledge to between the Masons and the University of Minnesota, to eliminate Cancer from our world.

 

The Grand Lodge of Minnesota Bowling Team

The 2010 Dave Lee Gutter Ball was held on January 22 in Brooklyn Park Minnesota. The Grand Lodge put together a six person team to compete in this annual Bowling Tourment to benefit the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital.

We bowled four complete games and Trophies were awarded to the top teams...don't worry, we were awarded a prize, and we were not exactly in the top winning bracket. More later.

This is the Grand Master of Minnesota Masons Thomas G. McCarthy being interviewed by Host Dave Lee. It was pretty cool to hear our Grand Master on the radio.

Junior Grand Deacon Dave Olson and Senior Grand Steward Jim Christensen
Senior Grand Warden Tom Hendrickson, Grand Master Tom McCarthy, Deputy Grand Master John Cook

Deputy Grand Master John Cook just saw his score
John Cook, Steve Johnson, Grand Master Tom McCarthy, Doug Campbell, Jim Christensen, ME

Can you pick out the two people who own their own bowling ball in this photo?

It was a good day had by all..................................

Just in case you're wondering how we did. We took second to last place and won a case of Schlitz beer. We all had good frames and bad.........it was more bad. I am happy to report that I never bowled below 100 and had a personal all time high of 188.

I'm very proud to say that we were able to help such a noble cause such as the University Amplatz Childerns Hospital. Did you know that they are one of the three largest kidney transplant programs in the world that specialize in infants and children? Did you know that they have two floors devoted to treating children for cancer?

I was able to meet and talk with the President Kathie Taranto and I was impressed! Kathie said that it was the goal of the hospital to be recognized as one of the top children's hospitals in the nation. She is sharp and very personable.

That's an effort I'm going to support. But then again why not? That's "Minnesota Excellence."