Red Wing Lodge # 8 Adopt a Highway

  

Photo by Tom Hendrickson

Red Wing Lodge #8 is proud to have joined the Minnesota Department of Transportation “Adopt a Highway” program.

The Lodge has made the commitment of picking up litter twice a year, on a two mile streach of highway 61 on the Eastward approach to the City of Red Wing.

The Adopt a Highway has many benefits for Minnesota. The volunteers picking up litter along the states highways allows MNDOT to focus on highway safety such as potholes, guard rail repair etc.

Last year volunteers collected 40,000 bags of litter, saving the Minnesota taxpayer 7 million dollars. It also allows the participants in making a contribution to a cleaner environment.

Photo by Tom Hendrickson

The 169th Grand Lodge of Minnesota Public Installation of Officers

 

At 1:00PM on April 10, 2021, The Grand Lodge of Minnesota held its 169th Public Installation of Officers at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. 

In this COVID environment, that we are still living in, there have been many safety measures instituted to ensure a safe gathering for everyone attending. These safety procedures ranged from assigned social distanced seating to limit the number of attendees (95), simulcasting of the Annual Communications and Installation of Officers to various locations, mandatory masks, and a selection of scented and unscented hand sanitizer strategically placed around the building. 

The secure live video feed was sent to ten Lodges and Masonic Centers across Minnesota, (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Windom, Litchfield, Detroit Lakes, Bemidji, Hibbing and Duluth). This way all Minnesota Masons across the state had the opportunity to view the Grand Lodge activities. This video feed took a lot of work by many dedicated Brothers, and my hat is off to you...Thank you! 

This year the newly installed Most Worshipful Grand Master of Minnesota Masons is Rolf M. Widstrand. MWB Rolf has a special kind of history. First he is a Lewis (a Son of a Master Mason), but Rolf also follows in his Father’s footsteps for Rolf's father, William W. Widstrand, was the Minnesota Most Worshipful Grand Master of Minnesota Masons in 1971. To think that MWB Rolf was installed fifty years to the day that his father was installed is very special. 

Here is an unfair photo of my Grandmaster just moments after his installation. I will dutifully post his official portrait when I receive it.

As a duty-bound permanent member of the Grand Lodge I sat in my assigned seat at the installation. As I was waiting for the installation to be begin, I began looking around. I noticed that the seat directly in front of me had a brass name tag which meant that one of the Brothers donated money to Minnesota Masonic Charities to sponsor a seat in the beauitful auditorium. When I read the name on the plate I had to chuckle. Here is the photo.

Our Minnesota Annual Communication is a special time for me, though, over the decades, I have been to most. The format each year is the same, but it's hard to describe how they are all different, and special in their individual way. Last year when the pandemic was at its height, we were unable to gather, and I felt that something was missing from my life. This year even with the restrictions, and not having the opportunity to spend time with my Bothers, it feels fulfilling to be able to attend in person.

I will admit, even with the restrictions, I still snuck in a few handshakes, and managed a hug or two when no one was looking.

I am the Guy.................

I am the guy who asked to join your organization

I am the guy who paid his dues to join.

I am the guy who stood up in front of you and promised to be faithful and loyal to the Fraternity

I am the guy who came to your meeting and no one paid any attention to

I tried several times to be friends but they all had their own buddies to talk to and sit next to.

I sat down several times alone but no one paid any attention to me.

I hoped very much that someone would have asked me to take part in a fund raising project,

activity, or something. No one saw my efforts when I volunteered.

I missed a few meetings after joining because I was sick and could not be there.

No one asked me at the next meeting where I had been.

I felt it did not matter very much to others whether I was there or not.

The next meeting I decided to stay home and watch TV.

The following meeting I attended but no one asked me where I was at the last meeting.

You might say I am a good guy, a good family man, who holds a good job, loves his community

and his country.

You know who else I am? I am the guy who never came back.

It amuses me how the heads of the organization and the members discuss why the organization is

losing members.

It amuses me to think that they spend so much time looking for new members.

When I was there all the time.

All they needed to do was make me feel needed, wanted, and welcome.

Author Unknown

The Masonic Book Club is Making a Come Back

 Thanks to the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction the Masonic Book Club has made a comeback after an eleven year absence. 

The original Masonic Book Club was formed in 1970 by two Illinois Master Masons, Alphonse Cerza and Louis Williams. They formed and operated the MBC within the Louis L. Williams Library- Illinois Lodge of Research which was headquartered in Bloomington Illinois. 

The club originally was limited to 333 members, but had grown to nearly 2000 members in its hay day. I was told that they sent books to members in thirty different countries. There were 1083 members when the club dissolved in 2017. 

Starting in 1970 the MBC released one book a year focusing on great Masonic works, important masonic works, rare documents, hidden treasures that were out of print or difficult to find. The books were a facsimiles of the original works, allowing the modern reader to view the book as it was originally published. The last book was sent to its members in 2010.

For a complete list  click here

Each book had an introduction penned by a prominent scholar to set the stage for the reader, and prepare the reader for the content of the book.

Each book was hardbound, case wrapped in blue fabric, The cover and spine are embossed usually in gold or silver foil. The leaves are of quality paper. The book was wrapped in a opaque dust jacket for shipping. What I thought was cool that some of the dust jackets had a spider web design.  There were two editions that were red. These were published jointly by the Masonic Book Club and Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction.

Photo of Spider web paper here

The last book released by the MBC was in 2010 "The Evolution of Freemasonry" by Delmar Darrah.  after its Publisher and President Robin Carr retired. That same year, after providing forty years service to Freemasonry, the board of directors decided to dissolve the original MBC. 

In 2017 the last president of the MBC transferred its name and assets to the Scottish Rite Supreme Council Southern Jurisdiction.  

On September 16, 2021 a press release was issued that the Masonic Book Club had been reactivated by the Supreme Council S.J. The newly revived Masonic Book Club will have a new business model, but will continue the old traditions of publishing classic facsimile Masonic books. The new series of books will not be individually numbered as in the original MBC in order to keep the prices down.

Each new issue will include a scholarly Introduction, and a Index.( I was pumped to hear that for the index is a great resourceful tool for those of us who do research)

Members will receive a semi-annual electronic newsletter that will be sent out on or near the two St. Johns Days. The newsletter will provide information on books that are in production, and the publication details. Members will be asked what they would like to see in future books. 

The future book releases will be based on feedback from its members, and selected by an editorial committee consisting of Arthuro de Hoyos, S. Brent Morris, and others. 

The estimated cost will be approx. $25.00 plus shipping and handling, but Im sure there are many factors that will effect the exact costs in future editions. 

If you have as many books from the Scottish Rite on your bookshelf as I do, you are well aware of the  high quality of the books design and construction. I am confident that the new MBC editions will meet or exceed their normal standards.   

To learn more and how to join Click here

The new Release..."The Perfect Ceremonies of Craft Masonry and the Holy Royal Arch". This will be Volume 42. The new Masonic Book Club is continuing the numbering system where the old Masonic Book Club left off. 

To view Click here

I think its wonderful to see that The Craft will once again have a new access to great Masonic works with the continued traditions of quality books. 

My Masonic New Year

 I enter my Masonic New Year with the understanding that I am making a fresh start. I begin by discarding thoughts, attitudes, and habits that are not compatible with an excellent life. I let go of whatever caused past discouragement, disappointment, or disagreement. I know that seemingly negative outcomes are desires or goals that are yet to be fulfilled. I am open and receptive to new ideas, activities, and relationships. 

Each day, I can follow a fresh plan of fulfillment. I act on divine ideas that I receive in moments of prayer, and inspiration. These ideas flow through wholesome, positive, thoughts. As I use creative thinking to build, upon divine ideas, my activities and my abilities are enhanced. Therefore, I enter this New Year with optimism, joy, and enthusiasm.

Author Unknown

As Freemasons we are constantly seeking to improve ourselves and the world around us. In 2020, the Covid-19 virus has presented us with life changing events, that have made our primary focus day to day living essentials and our safety. 

 This has been a year of change and sometimes chaos. We may be working from home, perhaps while wearing your pajamas perched at the kitchen table or sitting on the sofa with your laptop all the while your toddler plays at your feet because the daycare is closed. School age kids may be remote learning at home or doing hybrid learning which are both their own challenges. 

We have been unable to attend lodge meetings, family gatherings, religious events or even our kid’s athletic games, if they are even happening. I think we may all be suffering a bit from social isolation, and especially at this time of year, may be missing the comradery of Freemasonry, and strong social connections. 

Throw in a shortage of toilet paper, hand wipes and cleaning supplies, plus having to wear a mask everywhere we go, and our world has certainly changed. 

In this turmoil that has been 2020, we may have been distracted, forgetful or neglectful of working on our Rough Ashlar. But then, maybe 2020, and the lack of activities, has allowed us fresh focus. This will be different for everyone. 

Now as the New Year is rapidly approaching this may be a great time to take a few moments for a bit of introspection, to reflect upon the past twelve months, both the good and the difficult, and reorient for the future.

I wish for you All Good Health, Love, Promise and Hope in 2021. 

Happy New Year

St Johns Day

Lodge of Glittering Star #322

 Today is St. John the Evangelist Day. 

 

Masonic Christmas Pudding Canceled due to Covid-19

 Christmas Pudding

 

To me personally one of the absolute best Masonic events in Minnesota every year is the December meeting of Red Wing Lodge #8. The true focus of the evening is of course the Installation of Officers. In 2006 the lodge wanted to add alittle element of style or pizzazz to the evening.

The evening begins with the gathering of Brothers before the meeting for a hearty meal of Clam Chowder or Chili dinner with an incredibly special dessert. A proper very British Christmas Pudding. If you’re not familiar with Christmas Pudding this is something you don’t just go down to the local bakery and pick one up. This is dish that takes 20 hours to create.

Gary Thomas who is the Past Worshipful Master and a Chef by profession makes it every year for us. The Christmas Pudding recipe that he uses is one that has its roots in Medieval England. Its found in Recipe Books from 1390 A.D. It’s a recipe that is steeped in tradition and ritual. The pudding is pretty much stayed the same for 630 years.

The cooking process usually starts on the Sunday before Advent, called" Stir up Sunday" but Gary makes it during the Thanksgiving time when he has alittle more time.

The recipe has thirteen ingredients to represent Jesus and the twelve apostles. It’s filled with raisins, currents and sultanas oh and alittle suet too. The aromatic warming spices of ginger, nutmeg and cloves are a major part as well.

Each member of the family takes a poke at the mixture and makes a wish for the new year. Then they stir it in the direction of East to West honoring the Magi who traveled in that direction on the journey to the Christ Child. 

The mixture is then placed in cheese cloth and steamed for eight hours. Its then placed in a cool place and brought out in England on Christmas. Gary has a different method. He will bring the wrapped mixture out from time to time and soaks with brandy to keep it moist. He also needs to serve it on the first Monday in December.

After dinner on Lodge night. Gary will bring out the pudding pour on warm brandy. The lights in the dining room are turned off and he lights the pudding. The pudding is aglow in a beauitful blue flame. Sometimes it catches the tablecloth on fire…we have not had to call the fire department yet.

Gary makes a brandy butter and serves that on the side with a beauitful scoop of the pudding. If you have never had it before it’s a very dense, sticky, fully developed flavor with a slight boozy taste. I call it heaven on a plate.

It is a perfect dessert after an excellent hearty meal on a cold Minnesota December night. When the room is filled with a few candles, and your Masonic Brothers.

Unfortunately for us this tonight we were required to conduct our December meeting, and Installation of Officers via Zoom. We were limited to 40 minutes of time, so we were limited on the Brotherhood, and no pudding.

The bright side is that Gary Thomas has taken the Chair of Worshipful Master for 2021.Though making the Christmas pudding is Gary Labor of Love, and so is Freemasonry for him. . It’s going to be a great year for all of us.