Helios Lodge #273 Centennial Celebration

RWB John Cook Cook conducted the ceremony to celebrate Helios Lodge #273 "100th" Anniversary. WB Ralph G. Powell, Master for Helios and the rest of the Brother did a very nice job with their ceremony at the lodge hall. After the ceremony the celebration then moved to Purple Hawk Supper Club where a Table Lodge was held. WB Roger McNear was the MC for the event. Seven toast with apple juice were given to:1. Our Country; 2. The Grand Lodge of MN; 3. To the founders of Helios; 4.To Helios Lodge #273; 5. To the future of Helios; 6. To our Ladies and Honored guest; 7. To our Grand Master, Thomas G. McCarthy; and a farewell toast til we meet again.

I was very impressed with the work they have done on their building and the planning for the ceremony. They have been in their current building (temple) since 1937. They invited several members of the community to be guest at the event. Their Mayor was in attendance at both the ceremony and the Table Lodge. Speak spoke of the work the lodge does in the community. The have a strong presence in their community.

Congratulations to all of the brothers on the "100th" anniversary of you lodge. May your hard hard work and brotherly prevail so you may continue in you next 100 years.

North Star #23 in St, Cloud Initiates 5 New Brothers

Five new brother Masons started their journey last night at North Star #23 in St. Cloud. It was a great evening and the brothers did some very nice work. The Senior Warden, Brother Mike Yankovec acted as the Master for the degree work and WB Mitch Freeman filled his chair as Senior Warden. Due to the Senior Deacon having a work obligation, I was asked to do the Senior Deacons part. I really appreciated the opportunity to be involved in the degree work. We also had a brother mason from Elgin Lodge in Illinois visiting while at Camp Ripley for a two week special training program. A short talk in honor of Worshipful Brother and President George Washington was also given.

The top photo shows our DR WB Bob Holly with the visiting brother Matt Palm and the bottom photo shows the five new brothers in the front row with WB Mitch Free on the left and Brother Mike on the right.

Deputy Grand Master visits Monticello Lodge #16

Last night RWB John Cook visited Monticello Lodge #16. The brothers did a great job with receiving the Deputy Grand Master. A brother also gave a presentation on WB/President George Washington in honor of his birthday on Monday, Fbruary, 22nd. He was born 2-22-1732.

Golden Fleece Lodge #89 - 1st Degree

Golden Fleece Lodge #89 in Litchfield held a 1st Degree last night (1-28-10)and they did a great job. Three new brothers were initiated and they were as follows: John Powers, Wesley Hoffman, and Simeon Webster. Welcome to the fraternity my brothers. Golden Fleece has been very active lately in raising new brothers for their lodge and they have been working on degree work. Last night they had 3 brothers from Monticello Lodge #16 assist with the degree work. I can remember a few years ago when I was asked to help line up people for degree work. I asked what positions they needed and I was informed all of them. I am very proud of all the hard work the brothers have been doing to improve themselves in Masonry. Great job my brothers. The photo shows Bob Holly (District Representative who has been very active with the lodge and offering them a lot of support.

The photo shows (1st Row - left to right) Wesly Hoffman, Simeon Webster, and John Powers. The second row is WB Bob Holly, WB Mike Ross (current master for #89), and Brother Tracy Newman (Monticello #16) acting master for the degree work.

Templar Lodge Rededication - January 23, 2010

On January 23, 2010 Templar Lodge #176 rededicated their Lodge building after an extensive renovation. MWB Thomas McCarthy and other Grand Lodge Officers assisted with the ceremony. The brother did an excellent job on the renovation and it look very nice. They even had a Worshipful Brother present who was Master of the Lodge in 1960, the same year they laid the corner for the building.

On Friday night, January 22, I attended the Metro West Master's and Warden's meeting hosted by Cataract Lodge #2 in Minneapolis. They had a social hour with soup and sandwiches, then they went upstairs for their meeting. It was great to see alot of brothers on the sidelines. A comment was made that WB Lee Dorholt has been instrumental in getting the group back up and meeting on a regular basis. Great job Lee!

After the meeting, the wardens went back downstairs for discussion with RWB Thomas Hendrickson and WB Dave Olson to talk about planning for the future and the importance of calendars with scheduled events.

Past Masters and current sitting Masters were treated to a great time with a Past Masters Degree. I was able to take part along with Jim Christensen, Junior Grand Deacon in the Past Master's Degree. neither one of us had been through it before. It was a great time and fun was had by all. A special thank you to Monte Miller who gave me his Past Master's Degree Pin. I will pass it on when I get the opportunity as he requested.

Monticello Lodge #16 Raises a New Master Mason

On January 19, 2010 Monticello Lodge 316 raised a new Master Mason, Art Anecki. Monticello has been slowly growing over the past five years and has a group of new masons that are taking the ritual work seriously. I heard one of the brothers mention it was the first time the lodge has put on a complete 3rd degree with the supporting cast being members on Monticello Lodge #16. They did a great job with the work and made it very impressive for the new master mason.

Brother Tracy Newman organized the degree work and made sure they had a couple practices before the degree that night. Everyone did a great job with their parts. I tip my hat to all of the brothers who took a part in the event.

The top photo is brother Art and WB Ed Wern who presided over the second part. The bottom photo is brother Art and WB Chris Zalomsky, the current Master for Monticello Lodge #16.