Doug Bogie Presented the Hiram Award at Vally Lodge #174

On November 18, 2010, WB Doug Bogie was presented the Hiram Award by WB Bruce Nelson, Master for Valley Lodge #174 located in Gleenwood, MN. WB Doug was raised a Master Mason in 1980 at Valley Lodge. He was elected and served as the Master for Valley Lodge Lodge four different times, with the most current time being in 2009. In 2010 he was elected Sectretary of the lodge, the position which he now holds. He is the current director of the Valley Lodge #174 Masonic Center Board, a position he has held since it was formed. Doug has also been active in the other masonic appended bodies such as the Order of Eastern Star, Shrine and Chapter.

Congratulations again to you Doug, a honor well deserved.

For those reading this blog, and are not familiar with the Hiram Award,it is the highest award, and a life time achievement award that is given by a lodge to one of its brothers.

3rd Degree at Helios Lodge #273

On November 9th, I attended Helios Lodge #273 in Cambridge where they conducted a 3rd Degree for two new Master Masons. The brothers did a great job with all of their parts. WB Roger NcNear sat in the east for both sections and WB Ralph Powell, the current Master sat in the west. He also did both the second and third lecture monologue. Brother Bruce Compton (father) and Brother Shane Compton (son)did the 1st lecturer. These two brothers also traveled to Fraternal Lodge #92 two weeks prior to do the 1st Ledcture for newly raised Brother Lee Craig. I took Brother Lee with me to Helios so he could meet new brothers and watch the work for the very first time.

Brother Chris Maas and Brother Bobby Milliman were the two new brothers who were raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. Brother Chris was raised by WB Roger McNear and Brother Bobby was raised by WB Jason Stork. WB Jason stated it was an honor to raise Brother Bobby since they served in the Navy together and became very good friends and now Brothers. WB Jason is currently the Master of Summerset-St. James Lodge #34 in Preston, Conn., but is working in California at the current time.

MWB AlynDull - Past Grand Master & Mentor

Last Wednesday, October 27th, MWB Alyn Dull and his wife Annie left for their winter home in Pharr, Texas. Their nephew drives them down to Texas and then he flies home for the winter and makes his return trip in March to drive them back to Minnesota. I spoke with both Annie and Alyn this morning and they stated the trip went well and it took them three days to get to their destination. Annie told me it was 85 degrees and sunny yesterday. Alyn said they found their home to be in good shape and everything worked well when they turned it on (including the refrigerator, furnace, and air conditioner). I don't think we will have to worry about turning our air conditioner on here in Minnesota again until spring.

Before Alyn and Annie left for Texas, a group of us gathered for lunch at the Mexican Village to wish them well and a safe and healthy winter. The group included MWB Roger Taylor and his wife Nancy Fischer; MWB Alyn and his wife Annie, WB Bob Darling and his wife Kathy. Unfortunately, WB Doug Caskey and his wife Mary were not able to make it.

I have considered MWB Alyn a mentor to me as long as I can remember. I became active with Mn Masonry after moving here in 1990. MWB Alyn has always given me good and timely council when I need it, even if I was not aware that he was mentoring me. He always wants to see the person be the best they can be and he is willing to help them succeed, no matter what time and effort is required. I am very fortunate to have Alyn be one of my mentors. I have also been fortunate to have other Past Grand Masters mentor me also, which include MWB Roger Taylor, MWB Thomas McCarthy, and MWB Edward Waldon. These PGM's and brothers have always been there to give words of encouragement as well as guidance when needed. They have also mentored several other brothers while mentoring myself.

I know MWB Alyn has maintained email contact with one of our brothers that was raised at North Star #23, but since has relocated due to his occupational requirements. Our brother has dedicated his life not only to masonry, but also to the service of our country. That Brother is Brother Jason Voss. Brother Voss is getting ready to head back overseas for his (fourth?) tour of duty. One of his latest emails he thanked MWB for his continued communication with him.

I know anyone would be a great success if only they could be half as good as our Past Grand Master Alyn Dull. My hat is off to you my brother, and I say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done for Kathy and myself, and for all you have done for masonry.

The top picture is (l to r) MWB Alyn Dull and MWB Roger Taylor.
The bottom picture is (l to r) Annie and MWB Alyn.

In Memory of MWB Russell E. Torfin

This post is done in the honor of MWB Russell Edward Torfin, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota Masons in 1972.

MWB Russell was born September 17, 1924in Gleenwood, MN and died October 23, 2010 in Gleenwood, MN. Russell graduated from Villard High School in 1942 and enlisted in the Navy during WWII. He married his high school sweetheart Ruth Streich.After the war was over he attend college at St. Cloud State University and graduated with a degree in teaching. He took his first teaching position at Paynesville, MN. He went from Paynsville to Cyrus for two years as a teacher /principal.In 1953-1958 he and his family lived in Gleenwood where he owned and operated a wholesale meat businees for Schweigert.

During his time in Gleenwood, Russ was a charter member of the Gleenwood Jaycees, VFW, and served as Mayor. In 1958 he purchased Gordon's Resort form Charlie Gordon, which allowed him to return to his boyhood home on Lake Amelia. For the next 16 years Russ and Ruth operated the resort as Torfin's Resort. During these years he also taught in the Villard School District. In 1974 Russ retired from teaching and he and Ruth sold the resort and moved to their present home. For the next 30 years Russ and Ruth traveled to their second home in Mission, Texas where they spent their winters enjoying golfing, dancing,the beaches, and meeting new friends.

MWB Russ took all of his degrees at the old Sincerity Lodge #161 in Villard, MN; Entered Apprentice Degree 3-5-1946; Fellowcraft Degree 3-19-1946; Master Mason Degree 3-30-1946. He served as the Worshipful Master for Sincerity Lodge #161 in 1959. He was appointed to the Grand Lodge Progressive Line on March 22, 1962 by then Grand Master Harvard B. Olson and was elected Grand Master on Masons in Minnesota on April 21, 1972, serving that office for the 1972 - 1973 term.His appointee to the Grand Lodge Line was MWB John P. Peterson, Grand Master of Masons in Minnesota for the 1981 - 1982 term. MWB Vern Long, Grand Master in 1973 conducted the Masonic Services for MWB Russ on Octorber 28, 2010 at the Hoplin-Hitchcook Mortuary. It was a very well attend by brother of Valley Lodge #174 in Gleenwood and other brothers and Grand Lodges Officers from around the state.

3rd Degree at Fraternal Lodge #92 in Princeton, MN

A 3rd Degree was held on Wednesday, October 27th at Fraternal Lodge #92 in Princeton. I was given the honor to raise Brother Lee Craig was to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. I have had the privilege to work with Lee in our St. Cloud Office for the past 2 years.

Brothers from three (3) different Grand Lodge Areas and eight (8) lodge help with taking parts in both sections of the degree to make it a memorable evening for Lee. In his words the next day, he stated that would be an evening he won't forget and thought everyone did a fantastic job with their parts.

MWB Roger Taylor sat in the east for both sections of the degree. The three areas that were involved with the work were as follows: Metroeast, Metrowest, and the Northwest Area. The lodges that were represented are as follows: Fraternal Lodge #92, Princeton; Helios Lodge #273, Cambridge; Anoka Lodge #30, Anoka; Northeast Lodge #345, Anoka; Tusler-Summit Lodge #263, Roseville; Minnehaha Lodge #165, Minneapolis; Monticello Lodge #16, Monticello; and North Star Lodge #23, St. Cloud.

Brothers in the photo: 1st row (l to R) WB Mark Galloway, DR #8 & #263; WB Duane Evermann, #16 & #23; Brother Lee Craig, #92; WB Keith Kennedy, #23; WB John Puffer, #92 & #30. 2nd Row: WB Greg Volkovan, #30, WB Foster Solem, GL Custodian & #165; Tracy Newman, #16; WB Brian Sjoberg, Master of #92,; Bruce Compton, #273; Shane Compton, #273; WB Warren Sjoberg, #92. Back Row: WB Dayton Berg, Metroeast Area Deputy & #345; WB Donald Nolley, DR #41 & #30; MWB Roger Taylor, PGM, #92, & #23; WB Neil Laitala, #92; WB Larry Reed, #92; and WB Ernie Trebesch, #92.
Not Pictures was Brother John Gardner, #92 and WB Bob Darling.

Golden Fleece Lodge #89 Pancake Breakfast

I attended the Golden Fleece Lodge #89 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser that was held at the Litchfield Civic Arena this morning(10-24-10). Breakfast consisting of pancakes and sausage tasted great. They started serving at 7:30 am. It was a great facility to hold their fund raiser as it was one level and senior would not have to worry about climbing stairs.

The bottom picture includes the following (left to right) Jake Holly and his wife, and WB Bob Holly holding his youngest grand son.

WB Ed Wern Receives Hiram at Monticello

Last night (October 23, 2010), I attended a Hiram Award dinner for WB Ed Wern presented by Monticello Lodge #16,located in Monticello, MN. WB Ed served as the Master of Monticello Lodge in 1996 and 1997. In 1998 when I stared serving as a District Representative, Monticello was one of the lodges in my District. Wb Ed was always there in attendance and helped keeping the lodge going when times were lean. He was one of Past Masters along with WB Dan Bloomgren and WB Butch Aschnewitz who devoted alot of time and effort to keep the lodge going and alive.

For the past several years, WB Ed has served as the lodge secretary,participated in degree work not only in his home lodge, but has help do courtesy work with other lodges in the area. WD ED has also been active with the Monticello Schools in serving as an officer and coach for a teams involved in projects called Education Destination. Some of the teams WB Ed coached has won State Championships and has finished as high as 6th place in Nationals.

Congratulations to WB ED Wern on his Hiram Award. This award is the highest award that can be given by a lodge to one of its members. It is a life time achievement award. WB ED was well deserving of the award.
The top picture is Ed with his wife and two sons. The bottom picture is WB Chris Zamolsky, Master of Monticello Lodge #16 presenting the Hiram Award to WB Ed Wern.