My Visit with the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

 

Grand Master George F. Hamilton and I at the Massachusetts Grand Lodge     

I recently visited Boston on a trip that was a combination of business and pleasure. I was excited for this trip as I was anxious to renew relationships with my Masonic Brothers that I had met when I visited Boson as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota in 2011. Renewing these friendships was the highlight of the trip for me.  I had attempted to return to Boston years before, but those trips did not materialize due to Covid.

I had been invited to the Boston Commandery #2 Strawberry Festival, one of the premier events for their Commandery, and one of their main social events of the year. It was a classy event and one of the most pleasurable Masonic events I have attended, but more to come on that later. There will be another upcoming blog post with photos of this event in the very near future.  It was so good to see so many familiar faces, renew acquaintances, and meet so many new Brothers as well. The words warm and cordial don’t describe the event well enough.

WB Jim Orgettas, whom I met at the event, is the Executive Assistant to the Grand Master of Massachusetts. He told me that the Grand Master had heard I was in town and invited me to come to the Grand Lodge and meet with the Grand Master. I was really stunned by such an honorable and courteous invitation. During the dinner, two Brothers approached me and offered to drive me to the Grand Lodge so I would not get lost.  If you have ever driven in Boston, you know how honorable those offers were. I stated I could walk as my hotel was not far from the Grand Lodge, Boston is a very walkable city, plus I could not inconvenience anyone to drive me 1.2 miles in Boston.  So, on June 21st I walked from my hotel on the Long Wharf to the Grand Lodge. It was a most enjoyable walk.

Jim Orgettas-Executive Assistant to the Grand Master

(When the above sign is lite-The Grand Master is in)

When I arrived at the Grand Lodge, I was greeted and escorted by Jim Orgettas to the Grand Master’s suite of offices. Standing in the doorway was Grand Master George F. Hamilton. He greeted me warmly and we had the most delightful, informative, and uplifting conversation.

In Massachusetts, the Grand Master serves a three-year term with Grand Master Hamilton’s term running from 2023-2025. The three-year term ensures continuity and ensures deliverable programs.

In the 288 years the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has existed, they have chartered a number of Lodges overseas, so the Grand Master does a lot of foreign travel. He is also responsible for developing programs to serve the 20,000 Masons in the state. It was exciting to hear about the new programs and efforts that Grand Master Hamilton is initiating. 

As I was about to depart, Grand Master Hamilton offered the services of his Grand Lodge to me. I asked to speak with the Grand Lodge Historian Walter Hunt. I had some questions that I knew he could help me with on upcoming articles that I was writing. Unfortunately, he was unavailable at that time, but arrangements were made for me to contact him later. 

I stated that I had been to this beautiful building before, but I wanted a few photographs for my blog. Before I knew it, the senior tour director appeared and took me thru the Grand Lodge. 

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is located at 186 Tremont Street overlooking the Boston Common. 

The current building is the third Grand Lodge erected on this site. The current building was designed by the architectural firm Loring and Phillips. It was made of concord granite and completed in 1898. It has nine floors above the street level, and two below. 

The interior of the building houses six very large lodge rooms with six fully functioning pipe organs, the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library, which contains one of the largest and most important masonic collections in the world, administrative offices, and enough meeting space for All the Masonic bodies. 

The mosaic of the coat of arms for the Grand Lodge is on the exterior of the building and was placed there in 1966. 

The Grand Lodge is truly filled with treasures that are steeped in history. I don't have enough time in this one article to cover a lot of them. Here is two items I dont think you will find in other Masonic places that are of interest. 

This beautiful hand-crafted chair was a gift to Grand Master John T. Heard (1857-1859)

from the Brothers of the Craft to ensure the comfort of the Grand Master.

Please notice the eight legs supporting the chair...It was said that Grand Master was a big man and the Brothers didn't wish to see him embarrassed by crashing onto the floor. Now that's Brotherly Love!

The next three photos are "A Room of Reflection." We would call it A Chamber of Reflection, but we don't talk about that in Minnesota...ha.

The photos do not do this room justice. It truly is a work of fine art, and can only be fully appreciated by seeing it in person. 

Boston is my favorite place to visit.

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. 

Masonic Cancer Center Annual Dinner-Forging the Future of Cancer Research and Care

 The Masonic Cancer Center annual dinner was held at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center on April 28, 2023. This year's theme was Forging the Future of Cancer Research and Care. 

194 attended the dinner which include donors, researchers and many whose lives have been touched by cancer.  Those gathered received updates on the progress at the Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center. 

The attendees were a most honorable and distinguished group as you could ever find. There were past and present Grand Lodge of Minnesota leadership, the CEO of Masonic Charities and its various board members, , the Directors of the Masonic Cancer Center, as well as staff, scientists, researchers, and medical professionals as well as donors and those interested in the current research. But probably the most important guests were any cancer survivors as they represent the progress that has been made in treating and curing cancer.   

During the social gathering before the program and dinner there were five interactive exhibits where everyone could speak with an expert in the represented field. I spent some time with the Coding for a Cure booth and learned about how the process to reprogram the DNA of the immune cell to help them fight cancer, and the Aging and Cancer Connections. I also had a photo opportunity with the Mascot of the University of Minnesota Goldy the Gopher. 

This year the program was held in the Ives Theater where we would be more comfortable. Sitting on our chairs was just the right size bag of popcorn. I needed a little snack before dinner. 

Executive Director Aaron Schilz began the program with opening comments and introduced the evening speaker Karen Bohn. Her heart rendering story of being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) and her 43 days stay in the hospital, and the eight months of Chemotherapy in her battle with this rare form of cancer. She found her stay and treatment at the Masonic Cancer Center based on cutting edge science and technology and filled with caring support. She found strength in their support as she lived with hope while coping with the uncertainty of the disease. I found her story filled with optimism and inspiration.

The seating arrangement for dinner was carefully crafted to ensure that staff from the Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center were seated at each table along with a variety of individuals to ensure meaningful dialogue as well as learn more about each other. 

Director Dr. Douglas Yee gave a wonderful recap after dinner. I was happy to hear about the update to the Masonic Discovery Lab which was started in March 2020. The university has brought together researchers under one roof to find the next breakthrough in cancer research. He stated that the program has become so successful with new discoveries, and additional researchers working on viable projects that they are now in the need for more space. 

For myself this annual dinner puts a human face to this wonderful charity that we support and reaffirms the reason why I support it so strongly. Having the opportunity to spend an evening with dedicated individuals who all share one common goal. To find a cure for cancer is deeply inspiring, and to treat and deliver great care for those who suffer from it in the meantime. 

I am proud to be a Minnesota Mason to be able to take part in this 65-year-old tradition, and to be able to see how our Masonic Cancer Center is making a great contribution to the lives of many people and creating a brighter future for all people affected by cancer here in Minnesota, and far beyond our borders. 

170th Grand Lodge of Minnesota Annual Communication

The 170th Annual Communicaton of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota was held on April 13-15, 2023, at The Park Event Center in Waite Park, Minnesota. 

Our yearly Masonic gathering is where the important business gets done for the Grand Lodge to effectively operate for another year. This year there were many needed resolutions and administrative details that were discussed and passed. 

It is also a wonderful opportunity for Brothers across the state to meet, and renew lifelong friendships, to meet new people and create new bonds. In other words, it's a three-day celebration of Freemasonry. 

The culmination of this three-day event was the 171st Installation of Officers Ceremony which took place on April 15th at 1:00pm. This was one of the best attended installations that I have seen in decades. Many of us had our concerns considering that we are in a changing post Covid period. 

Most Worshipful Grand Master Dayton L. Berg-Grand Lodge of Minnesota

This year our elected and installed beloved Most Worshipful Grand Master is Dayton L. Berg. 

Personally, for me, Dayton is a Masons Mason. He has worked tirelessly for 25 years, in my estimation, in many leadership roles for the Grand Lodge, traveling to every corner of Minnesota to help advance Freemasonry, all while creating strong bonds and understanding. Our Craft is in good, caring and loving hands. 

This year our guest speaker was Masonic Scholar, Lecturer and good friend Oscar Alleyne who presented " Prevalence of Clandestine Freemasonry in the U.S".  

This was a marvelous time for us to see each other in person and get caught up. We first met over a decade ago in Washington D.C. 

I think I can positively say that the 170th Communication was successful in so many ways. The popular refrain from The Tylers Toast applies. Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part, Happy to Meet Again.