Helios Lodge #273 raises a new Brother.

Helios Lodge #273 raised a new brother mason today, 3-20-10. The new brother, Zachary Miller, was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason by his father, WB Brian Miller (who is the Marshal this year)while his grand father, WB Doug Miller of Redfield Lodge #34 of Redfield, South Dakota. WB Roger McNear was the acting master for the degree work. The lodge did the first section, than broke for lunch, and than completed the second section afterwards. As always the the degree work, fellowship,m and food were all great! Nice job brothers.

The top photo shows (l to r) WB Brian Miller, father; Zachery Miller, son; and WB Doug Miller, Grand Father.

The second photo shows all of the brothers who either took part in the degree work or watched from the sidelines except myself.

125 th Anniversary for Plymouth Lodge #160

Plymouth Lodge #160 celebrated their 125Th Anniversary last night at the Scottish Rite Temple. It was a great evening with sing by the Happy Notes, fellowship, dinner and a great program. WB Allen Niederhaus, Master for the lodge this year hosted the even. The Guest speaker was Dr. Phillip McRlave, with the Masonic Cancer Center. Most Worshipful Brother Thomas McCarthy end the event with a short talk and a Irish Blessing.

WB Ian Bates from England visits Fraternal Lodge #92

WB Ian Bates paid a special visit to Fraternal Lodge #92 in Princeton, Mn on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. WB Ian's first visit to Fraternal Lodge #92 was in 1999 when he was first elected as Master to his Lodge Fraternal Lodge #5212 in London, England. He searched the web and found Fraternal Lodge #92 in Princeton and made contact with WB Al Bornholt back in 1999. He paid a visit that started an a very close friendship with many Brothers who visited with him at that time. He started coming over to the United States on a regular basis attending lodge meetings at Fraternal Lodge #92 and even attended the Grand Lodge Session the year MWB Roger Taylor was installed as Grand Master. He returned to the United States that same year in 2001 to go on a Alaskan Cruise hosted by the MWB Roger Taylor and his wife Nancy Fischer. Approximately seven couples of Masons and Eastern Star Members and WB Ian Bates went on the cruise.

Tomorrow night the we will have our annual night at to talk about the memories from the cruise and our friendship.
The top photo show WB Ian with MWB Roger Taylor, WB Brian Sjoberg (current Master), WB Terry Wade, and WB Ernie Trebesch.
The middle photo show WB Ian and myself. The bottom show WB Ian with his Master's jewel and apron.

Table Lodge at the U of MN

Tonight was the second annual Table Lodge held at the University of Minnesota with representatives from the U of M and the Grand Lodge of MN Masons. It was another great event and it gave the Grand Lodge of MN Masons to show the special guest including Doctors in the Cancer research area a little more insight and education about our fraternity. RWB John Cook, Deputy Grand Master was the MC for the event and did a wonderful shop during the evening.

MWB Thomas G McCarthy is giving his response after the toast to the Grand Master of MN Masons in the top picture. In the bottom picture MWB Thomas G McCarthy is in the center with his son and Brother Mark on the left side and his son-in-law and Brother Richard on the right side.

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.