February 22nd is George Washingtons Birthday!!

On February 22nd let us all take a moment to celebrate the Father of our Country and first President of the United States George Washington.
George Washington was "First in War, first in peace, and first in the hearts of our countryman.

Happy Birthday Brother Wahington

Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part, Happy to Meet Again

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Grand Lodge of Nebraska. I am always apprehensive about driving in this part of the US during the winter because of the legendary storms across the plains. But once you have attended this great get-together, there is no snow or ice that can withstand the warmth and Brotherly love from the Brothers of Nebraska.
It is an environment more like a family reunion than a business meeting. It's a place where Freemasonry is a viable part of their life, just like their family and community.
As I was driving away from the hotel on Saturday, I think that the best way to describe my feelings about the Grand Lodge of Nebraska is captured, and rings so true in the Masonic saying:
"Happy to meet, Sorry to part, Happy to meet again..."

Below are some photos and notes about the Brothers.

This is the newly elected Most Worshipful Grand Master of Nebraska Masons John T. Parsons. John is a retired military man who has many talents and the time needed to lead the craft in the right direction. Great guy with a common sense approach. John has rolled out a program that will have a very positive impact on the lives of our men and women who are being deployed overseas. I hope to unveil this concept here within the next few months.

This is my Brother and Friend Alvin Benemerito, the new Worshipful Master of Long Pine Lodge. Last year when I met Alvin, I asked him where Long Pine, Nebraska was. He replied, "We are four hours from an airport, three hours from a Walmart, and two hours from a MacDonald's. Alvin then looked at me and said, "Minnesota? You know Frank Harris?" I was shocked -- then I said, "How do you know my Lodge Brother Frank?" Alvin replied, "I belong to Internet Lodge UGLE...we also met in person in England." Small world, huh?

Well, Long Pine Lodge is keeping Freemasonry very much alive in their remote part of the state. It's a Lodge that has only 32 members, but they average over 22 members for meetings. They just raised two Brothers in the last few months. The Lodge does all the ritual work. They are also active in their community. Here is a link to the Lodge website. I think we can all learn a few things from them. It made my trip to be able to see Alvin again and hear what he has been doing.

This is the Potentate of the Tehama Shrine of Nebraska. I had the great pleasure to have lunch with Bob. He is a man I quickly liked and came to respect for many reasons. Bob lives 90 miles from his lodge where he attends very regularly. He is a Rancher and Farmer. You can tell that from his powerful hand shake. He is also a board member of his local Electrical Cooperative.

We had the most stimulating conversation over one of the best fried chicken and mash potatoes lunches I've had in ages. I enjoyed my time with Bob and plan to look him up at the next Shrine that I attend so we can get caught up.

This distinguished gentleman is Brother Cullen Pilker, the Representive from the Grand Lodge of Nebraska to the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. As always, it was a great pleasure to see Cullen again. Cullen drove from his home near Ohama to Grand Island in winter driving conditions to visit Fred Vihovde and me for a few hours. Cullen is a Brother who always has a warm smile, a caring ear and many kind word words to share.

This is my Lodge Brother Fred Vihovde. Fred is the Grand Representive from Minnesota to the Grand Lodge of Nebraska. Fred represents Minnesota very well. He has been to every Annual Communication in Nebraska since 1988. Most importantly we are very proud of Fred, for he is also the National President of the National Sojourners. Fred does an excellent job, no matter if he is cooking dinner with the Eastern Star or putting together a National Convention.

These three very distinguished gentlemen are the Leadership for the Grand Lodge of Iowa. From left to right is William Crawford the Grand Lodge Secretary, Craig Davis the Chairman of Division and Reference, Grand Master Craig Hummel. It was a pleasure to meet again and talk.

This is Brother Jeffrey Coleman, the Senior Warden of Papillion Lodge. Jeff is an Business Analyst for a National Natural Gas provider that keeps us warm up here in Minnesota. When we met, Jeff said "Do you know Marty Olszowka? He is the Secretary of Albert Pike Lodge up in Minneapolis." Marty happens to be on my short list of well-love Brothers! Isn't this a small world? Jeff is married to Marty's Niece and lives in the Omaha area.

This is the Outgoing Grand Master Russell Reno presenting a Grand Masters Membership award to Patrick Barger for being the First Line Signer of 12 new Brothers in the past 12 month! That evening there were many awards presented to the First and Second Line Signers. I had the opportunity to speak with many of them and they were all very humble and expressed their thanks for having the opportunity to do it...

The weather was not the best for traveling. There was light freezing rain and snow on the trip there. Two inches of snow and rain fell during the Communication, and another front of heavy snow was on its way. I left early after breakfast on Saturday. I did stop at two accidents and offered my assistance when I saw a car wreck that had some shaken up folks. I was impressed by the number of snow plows and sand trucks that were out plowing and taking care of the highways for travelers like myself.

Here are some photos of what I saw on the way back to Minnesota:

So?....... How's Your Winter?

Scottish Rite House of the Temple which is located at 1733 16th ST

Washington DC

I hope no one is inside.......................................My back hurts

just thinking about shoveling it out.

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."

Art Work From Rite to Ritual

This artwork is the winner of the 2009 Australian Telstra National Indigenous Art Award. The artist is Danie Mellor. It is a large drawing created on paper done with crayon, pencil and glitter pen.
The name of this work is "From Rite to Ritual." This work explores the encounter between the Indigenous people of Australia and the Settler Cultures. The meeting of the two very different cultures takes place in the interior of a Freemasons lodge. This is a comment on the importance of secret and public cermony in both cultures. It also speaks on the differences in spiritual beliefs.
I think you could call it a clash of cultures with similarities.
I've included the link to a very nice Australian website to give you a much better description and look at it.

New Portrait of Geroge Washington to be Unveiled

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association has commissioned the painting of a new portrait of George Washington as a Freemason. It was painted by Christopher Erney, an artist from the Alexandria Virginia area.

Chris's first love is sculpture. He has created sculpture for the the US Olympic Team, and the US Treasury. Chris is no stranger to painting George Washington. He spent two years painting a mural the length of four football fields in Alexandria Virginia. This giant mural is a 12-scene montage of George Washington's life. This mural project was designed to replace a ten foot chain length fence to beautify a bike path to cover a controversial electrical generating power plant. Go here for interesting information about the artist and his work.

I am planning on being in attendance at the Conference of Grand Masters when the painting is unveiled on February 22, 2010 celebrating George Washington's 278th birthday. I am looking forward to seeing this new interpretation of Brother Washington. I am hoping that I will be able to return home with a print.

While I am there I am also looking forward to seeing the White House Stone Exhibit. There are fifty stones that will be on display. Each of the stones were marked by the Scottish Masons who helped build the White House in the 1790s. It was during the during the Harry S Truman presidency that they were discovered during the restoration of the White House. Brother Truman sent one stone to each Grand Lodge. The Minnesota Stone will be on display among the others. I am excited because the Minute Book from Edinburgh Lodge #8 will also be displayed.

This Minute Book will provide the the names and marks of the Stone Masons who had gone to America. Matching those names with the Minute Book from Federal Lodge #1 will show the Scottish Masons who formed the First Lodge in Washington DC on the White House grounds. I am expecting to identify the name and Mark of the Mason who marked the Minnesota Stone.

Then I will attempt to create a biographical paper on him.

The Grand Master of Alaska Is Offering You a Free Beer

The Grand Master Of Masons in Alaska, Bo Cline, is busy making home brew beer to offer you a sample at the upcoming Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alaska. Their Annual Communication will be held on Tuesday February 2nd and go to Friday February 5th in Anchorage.


This Grand Master brew is going to be offered in the Hospitality Lounge for those who wish to stop by for a taste. Grand Master Bo has made two types: the one on the right is a India Pale Ale in the making and the on one the left is going to be an Amber.


If you would like to get more information on attending the Annual Communication click here.


Here is a haiku that might describe why people home brew:


Hobbies fill my time
Ales and lagers fill my glass
Home brewing does both
.

Weigh, mash, boil, pitch
All good fun, but happiness
Is smiling friends

I think I'd like to have a batch of the Grand Master's Brew for a Table Lodge.