The Minnesota

MASONMay-June 2009 VOL. 57, No. 1

The tenet oftolerance

page 2

Grand LodgeNews

pages 1–3, 8

Lodge News & Views

page 6

MinnesotaMasonicCharitiespages 4–5

MasonicFamily News

page 7

156th AnnualCommunicationreport of activities

The mission of theFreemasons ofMinnesota is to

engage and inspiregood men, who

believe in a Supreme Being,to live according to Masonic tenets of Brotherly Love,Relief and Truth.

The 156th Annual Communication of thisGrand Lodge was held at the St. Cloud CivicCenter in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on March27–28, 2009. Of the 159 Constituent Lodges,122 were represented. A total of 488 Masonsregistered.

During 2008 there were 359 MasterMasons raised, 151 affiliated, and 46 restored,for a total gain of 556. Losses were 203 with-drawn, 288 stricken, 0 expelled, and 547deceased, for a total loss of 1,038; leaving a nettotal membership of 15,782, as of January 1,2009.

Grand Officers installedThe following Grand Officers were elected

and installed:Grand Master Thomas G. McCarthy (209)

P.O. Box 633Winthrop, MN 55396

Deputy Grand Master John L. Cook, Jr. (263) 47981 Barber DriveStanchfield, MN 55080

Senior Grand Warden Thomas E. Hendrickson (2) Minneapolis, MN

Junior Grand Warden Brian E. Beermann (191) 1736 E 63rd StreetInver Grove Hgts, MN 55077

Grand Treasurer Brent L. Metcalf (263) 3785 Mt. Vernon LaneWoodbury, MN 55129

Grand Secretary Douglas J. Campbell (2) 5841 Park Avenue South,Minneapolis, MN 55417

Annual Communication contined on page 2

Front row, left to right, Grand Secretary, Douglas J. Campbell, Minneapolis; Deputy Grand Master, John L. Cook, Jr., Stanchfield; Grand Master, Thomas G. McCarthy, Winthrop;Junior Grand Warden, Brian E. Beermann, Inver Grove Heights; Senior Grand Warden, Thomas E. Hendrickson, Minneapolis; Grand Treasurer, Brent L. Metcalf, Woodbury.

Second Row, left to right: Grand Sword Bearer, Lew Price, Burnsville; Junior Grand Steward, Robert L. Darling, Becker; Junior Grand Deacon, James A. Christensen, Duluth; GrandStandard Bearer, Steven S. Saxton, Winthrop; Grand Marshal, Stephen A. Johnson, East Gull Lake; Grand Lodge Education Officer, Edward R. Halpaus, Mora.

Back row, left to right: Senior Grand Steward, John R. Gann, Bloomington; Senior Grand Deacon, David E. Olson, Forest Lake; Grand Tyler, R. Peter Schue, Gaylord; Grand Pursuivant,James R. Bjorkquist, Pengilly; Grand Orator, William R. Callister, Cannon Falls; Grand Chaplain, Steven D. Johnson, Eagan.

Officers of the Grand Lodge 2009–2010

On April 24, at the annual dinner for theMasonic Cancer Fund given by the Universityof Minnesota, the large and beautiful room atMcNamara Hall resonated with laughter,applause and heart-felt celebration.

Over 210 attendees listened as theUniversity, represented by University PresidentRobert H. Bruininks, Dr. Frank B. Cerra(Senior Vice President for Health Sciences)and Dr. Philip McGlave (Director, Division ofHematology, Oncology, and Transplantation)spoke enthusiastically of their appreciation forthe historical, current and future support of theMasons of Minnesota—support that theyunderlined as critical to finding a cure.

Bridgadier General Dennis W. SchulstadUSAF (Ret.) masterfully directed theevening’s proceedings as emcee, and remarksby Grand Master Thomas G. McCarthy andMMC CEO Eric J. Neetenbeek, PGM, under-lined the success of the partnership betweenthe University and Minnesota Masonry.

One of the best received moments of theevening included a showing of an archivedblack and white film from the early 1950’s—long forgotten and stored away and now suc-cessfully reproduced as a DVD—which fea-tured the first gift campaign to build theMasonic Memorial Hospital. Many old friendsfrom the Masonic Family appeared on screento murmurs from the appreciative audience.

There was also excitement on hearing fromW. Bro. Roger Ledding, Campaign Co-Chairfor the Partners for Life campaign that lessthan 2% remained to be raised in order to suc-cessfully reach the $10 million dollar goal to

build the Masonic Cancer Clinic. That nightthe audience responded immediately by con-tributing over $17,000! (See the accompanyingarticle in the MMC center spread for W.Bro.Ledding’s remarks.)

From the opening musical strains providedby the University cheer band, to the final goodnight, the overall feeling was consensus:together, the Masons of Minnesota and themembers of the Order of the Eastern Star werepartners with the University of Minnesota inone shared goal: to make the dream of a curefor cancer become real.

University of Minnesota celebrates generosity of Minnesota Masons

Grand Master Thomas G. McCarthy presents a checkin the amount of $$884,763 for the support of cancerresearch at the University of Minnesota to Dr. PhilipMcGlave (Director, Division of Hematology, Oncology,and Transplantation) at the annual dinner for theMasonic Cancer Center Fund given by the University.

You have to do your own growing, nomatter how tall your grandfather was.

— Irish ProverbThomas Friedman, columnist for the

New York Times, has written several best-selling books on the world today. In TheWorld is Flat, Friedman talks aboutdreams and memories:

Does your society have morememories than dreams, or dreamsthan memories?

By dreams, I mean the positive,life-affirming variety. The businessorganization consultant, MichaelHammer, once remarked, “One thingthat tells me a company is in troubleis when they tell you how good theywere in the past. Same with countries.You don’t want to forget your identity.I am glad you were great in the four-teenth century, but that was then andthis is now. When memories exceeddreams, the end is near. The hallmarkof a truly successful organization isthe willingness to abandon what madeit successful and start fresh.”

In societies that have more memo-ries than dreams, too many people arespending too many days looking back-ward. They see dignity, affirmation andself-worth not by mining the presentbut by chewing on the past. Indeed,such societies focus all their imaginationon making that imagined past even morebeautiful than it ever was, and then clingto it… rather than imagining a betterfuture and acting on it. …

We spend a lot of time in Masonrytalking about the great men in the pastwho have been Masons. The nine whosigned the Declaration of Independence.The thirteen who signed the Constitution.The fourteen who served as president ofthe United States.

Where are the “famous” Freemasonstoday? Are we spending all our timeproudly talking about dead Masons, whenwe could and should be talking aboutwhat Masons do today? About whatMasonry stands for in the 21st Century?

I would suggest that Freemasons standfor principles today that have been with usfrom the beginnings of our Craft centuries

2 The Minnesota MASON May–June 2009

The tenet of toleranceM.W.B. Thomas G. McCarthyGrand Master

CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM

Name __________________________

Lodge __________________________

Old Address ______________________

Old City __________________________

Old State/ZIP ______________________

New Address ______________________

New City ________________________

New State/ZIP ____________________

New Phone ______________________

Effective date of change ______________

Mail: Office of the Grand Secretary11501 Masonic Home DriveBloomington, MN 55437-3699

Phone: 952-948-6700 or 800-245-6050

Email: grandlodge@qwest.net

The Minnesota MASONMay–June 2009 VOL. 57, No. 1

The Minnesota MASON (USPS 593-460) is the only official publication of theGrand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Minnesota.It is published bimonthly in January-February, March-April, May-June, July-August, September-October, andNovember-December.

Office of publication of The MinnesotaMASON is the Grand Lodge ofMinnesota, 11501 Masonic Home Drive,Bloomington, Minnesota 55437-3699.Telephone number is 952-948-6700.Periodicals Postage Paid atMinneapolis, Minnesota 55401 andadditional entry offices.

POSTMASTER: Please send addresscorrections to The Minnesota MASON,11501 Masonic Home Drive,Bloomington, Minnesota 55437-3699.

Design & LayoutBobbie Lampi

RSL desktop publishing servicesrlampi@charter.net

ago: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.They roll off the tongue like a well-knownprayer, without much thought or reflection.But consider each tenet, one at a time.And consider how we, each one of us,strive to live up to our tenets, but often fallshort. The key, my Brothers, is to rise andtry again. We are all Good Men, but eachone of us can become a better man.

Consider also the three more moderntenets adopted by Minnesota Masonry asour vision: Freedom. Integrity. Tolerance.Again, they roll off the tongue like theresponses to the proficiency exam for theEntered Apprentice degree. These, too, con-tain hours of reflection for the wise Mason.

I hope to talk at some length this yearabout the third modern tenet: Tolerance.Specifically, religious tolerance. Masonshave always had, as a requirement formembership, a belief in a Supreme Being.We have never required a Brother to pro-fess a faith in a particular god. We shareour lodge rooms with Brothers who prayto God, Jesus, Yahweh, Allah and theGreat Spirit. This is our great strength.These tenets, as well as our ritual, sepa-rate us from the many other wonderfulcommunity organizations that share ourprinciples of charity and fellowship.

I invite each of you to take a momenteach Tuesday this year and reflect for aminute or more on how tolerance—andthe lack thereof—affects our individualand collective lives. You are welcome tocheck my blog at www.mngrandmas-ter09.blogspot.com on most Tuesdays forsome thoughts by familiar and somefamous Freemasons, as well as others, onthe subject of tolerance.

I also invite each of you to considerwhat you may do or say when faced witha person, in or out of the lodge, whoexpresses sentiments that are intolerant.One is more likely to act in accord withhis principles if he has considered thematter before it arises. As another Irishproverb reminds us,

What is nearest the heart is nearestthe mouth.

Let us strive to have Freedom,Integrity and Tolerance nearest the mouth.

Thomas G. McCarthy, Grand Master

Annual Communication(contined from page 1)

The following Grand Officers wereappointed and installed:Grand L.E.O. Edward R. Halpaus (223-273)Grand Chaplain Steven D. Johnson (290) Grand Orator William R. Callister (34) Sr. Grand Deacon David E. Olson (165-344)Jr. Grand Deacon James Christensen (293-349)Grand Marshal StephenA. Johnson (100) Gr. Stand. Bearer Steven S. Saxton (209) Gr. Sword Bearer Lew Price (6) Sr. Grand Steward John R. Gann (277) Jr. Grand Steward Robert L. Darling (23) Grand Pursuivant James R. Bjorkquist (331) Grand Tyler R. Peter Schue (209)

ResolutionsFive Resolutions to amend the MinnesotaMasonic Code were passed at the 156thAnnual Communication:No. 1, General Reg. – Housekeeping –

Delete reference to MinnesotaMasonic Foundation

No. 2, General Reg. – Regular accountingand disbursements of the GrandMaster’s Expense Allowance

No. 3, Standing Res. – Recognition of theWidow’s Sons Motorcycle Associationof Minnesota

No. 4, Standing Res. – Recognition of theMasonic Motorcycle ClubInternational

No. 5, Standing Res. – Recognition of theNational Association of MasonicScouters

One Resolution to amend the MinnesotaMasonic Code was defeated at the 156thAnnual Communication:No. 6, Standing Res. – Dealing with the

Grand Lodge of Minnesota’s regularparticipation in the International PeaceGarden Lodge on the North Dakota–Manitoba international borderA resolution was offered from the

floor, directing the External RelationsCommittee to examine actions taken bythe Grand Lodge of West Virginia and tomake a recommendation to the 157thAnnual Communication of the GrandLodge of Minnesota. While this hastilyprepared resolution was passed, GrandMaster Thomas G. McCarthy rescinded itby edict on April 2, 2009. The text of theresolution and the edict can be found onthe Grand Lodge of Minnesota website athttp://www.mn-masons.org/assets/5767.pdf.

Minnesota Masonic Charities boardElected as Directors of the Minnesota

Masonic Charities board, all three-yearterms: Bruce S. Johnson, RochesterLodge No. 21; David S. Wething, CataractLodge No. 2

New chartered lodgesHighlights of the Annual

Communication would have to include thechartering of two new lodges, Sir WinstonChurchill Lodge No. 351 of Minneapolisand General Douglas MacArthur Lodge No.352 of St. Paul. While the members of SirWinston Churchill Lodge No. 351 have cho-sen to study and learn about the “EmulationRitual,” it should be noted that this lodge,like every other lodge receiving its charterfrom the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, mayonly work and do degree work using the rit-ual taught and exemplified by the GrandLodge of Minnesota Board of Custodians;they have not been chartered to work or todo degree work using the emulation ritual.Another highlight of the AnnualCommunication was the visit to our AnnualCommunication by many distinguishedguests from other jurisdictions. Traveling thefarthest distance to attend the 156th AnnualCommunication of the Grand Lodge ofMinnesota was R. W. Brother Aguibou Bahfrom the Grand Loge Nationale Guineennein Africa. In all, the Grand Lodge ofMinnesota was honored by the attendance of thirty-one representatives from fifteen

sister jurisdictions and and twenty-seven representatives of fifteen appendant or con-cordant bodies. Lastly, the Grand LodgeBanquet served some 416 members andguests, many of whom stayed to be enter-tained by the Memphis country westerngroup, Gary Hardy and the Memphis2.

Recognition of Grand LodgesUpon the recommendation of the

External Relations Committee, therequests for recognition by the recentlyconstituted Grand Lodge of Montenegro,the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of NorthCarolina, the Grand Lodge of Moldova,the Grand Lodge of Slovenia, the GrandLodge of Bosnia and Herzegovina, theGrand Lodge of Mauritius and the GranLogia del Estado de Mexico, F. & A. M.were all approved. The Grand Lodge ofCyprus was not recommended forapproval by the External RelationsCommittee due to questions of exclusivejurisdiction on the island of Cyprus.Grand Master Thomas C. Jackson choseto recognize this Grand Lodge by edict inthe final hours of his term of office. Asthe edict then required passage by the themembers of the Grand Lodge ofMinnesota, this came to a vote at the156th Annual Communication;

the vote failed to win the necessarymajority to pass and the Grand Lodge ofCyprus is not recognized by the GrandLodge of Minnesota at this time.

Excellence in Masonry AwardsRecognized as the recipient of the

National Duane E. Anderson Excellencein Masonic Education Award was notedMasonic author and recipient of theGrand Cross of the Ancient & AcceptedScottish Rite, W. Brother Robert G.Davis, from Guthrie, Oklahoma. Therewas also one recipient of the MinnesotaDuane E. Anderson Excellence inMasonic Education Award, recognized forhis Masonic research and educationefforts, W. Brother John A. Freeburg fromAnoka Lodge No. 30 in Anoka,Minnesota.

Grand Master’s AwardsRecognized with a tip of the Grand

Master’s Hat Award were: W. BrotherKenneth C. White from Winslow LewisLodge No. 125 for his efforts in startingGeneral Douglas MacArthur Lodge No.352; W. Brother Emilio Munoz fromWinslow Lewis Lodge No. 125 for hisefforts in starting the various cook-off chal-lenges this past year; W. Brother Jason R.Berger from Lake Harriet Lodge No. 277for his efforts to see the humanitarian aidtrip to Cuba to fruition; W. Brother Dale R.Seubert from Lake Harriet Lodge No. 277for his mentoring (aka the Old Tyler) ofyounger members over the years; BrotherSteve Willett from Lake Harriet Lodge No.277 for his development of the plaques forthe various cook-off challenges; andBrother Shane F. Wendt from Lake HarrietLodge No. 277 for his assistance with vari-ous special projects requested by the GrandMaster throughout the year.

InstallationAn Open Installation of Officers, Area

Deputies, District Representatives andCustodians was held Saturday afternoonat 2:00 p.m. and was well attended.

The 157th Annual Communicationwill be held at the St. Cloud Civic Center,St. Cloud, Minnesota, on March 26–27,2010.

A full report of the actions taken atthe 156th Annual Communication, alongwith all of the reports presented, will beprinted in the 2009 Annual Proceedings,which will be available for distribution assoon as possible.

The Preprinted Report booklet containing most of the reports presentedat the 156th Annual Communication isavailable on the Grand Lodge of Minnesotawebsite at www.mn-masons.org.

May–June 2009 The Minnesota MASON 3

Lodge Education Officer = LEO = Leadership, Education, Oratory Ed Halpaus, GLEO

Masonic Education: Life Changing!

Our Grand Lodge has a book store.For those who didn’t get to our annualGrand Lodge communication, we had twovery good and hard-to-find books avail-able this year. One is Freemason’s Guideand Compendium, a hard cover book byBrother Bernard E Jones. The other is OldTyler Talks, a soft cover book by BrotherCarl Claudy. Both are terrific books tohave in a library; including your personallibrary and your lodge library.

Brother Claudy had a great way toimpart truth and lessons of Freemasonryin an easy to read pleasant way to read.Masons have enjoyed his writing andinsight since the 1920s. Old Tyler Talks isa classic. Old Tyler Talks is out of print,but our Grand Lodge has been able to getsome ‘print on demand’ copies.Freemason’s Guide and Compendium,another out-of-print book, comes highlyrecommended by Brother Rex Hutchens,a noted Masonic scholar and author. Wewere able to get some left-over stock of‘new’ hard cover books from the publish-er at a very good price. FreemasonsGuide and Compendium was written byBrother Bernard Jones, a renownedMasonic scholar. His book is one theMason will go back to again and again tolook up good Masonic information.

If you would like a copy of one orboth of these books, simply contact ourGrand Lodge office atgrandlodge@qwest.com or by phone at952-948-6700 or 800-245-6750 or bymail at 11501 Masonic Home Drive,Bloomington, MN 55437-3699

We are living in a wonderful time fora Mason to get information on Masonryfrom a wide variety of sources. The inter-net has become a very useful tool to findmuch useful information about a widevariety of subjects, includingFreemasonry. However, not all of theinformation on the internet is reliable,

The good news is that there are somereliable Masonic societies with publica-tions to join with a track record of deliv-ering good solid Masonic education infor-mation for a good number of years. Theirsubscription/membership fees are notmuch different from some of the newerpublications being sold over the internet.

Following are four I recommend thathave been around for a very long time andare excellent Masonic research and studysocieties to join. If you like Masonic edu-cation you will like these groups, andtheir publications.

Philalethes Society: This is the pre-mier Masonic research society in NorthAmerica. It has been providing significantMasonic education information sinceOctober 1, 1928. Members receive thePhilalethes, the society’s magazine, whichis published every other month. The socie-ty has a Masonic Leadership Course thatcan be taken on-line. The website hasnumerous archived articles, and memberscan join the Philalethes email list server,where one can view and exchange emailswith other members about things Masonic.Members of the society are from regularMasonic jurisdictions from around theworld. These emails can be viewed on thesocieties web page for that purpose, or theemails can be sent to the member. I havemine come to me in a digest format once aday. The annual membership rate is $50,and there is a life membership programthat is favorable too. The address to joinThe Philalethes is: The Philalethes Society

800 S. 15th Street #1803 Sebring, OH 44672 Or you could go to the web site to join

at: http://freemasonry.org/ Scottish Rite Research Society:

This research society has been around

since 1991, and is connected to theSouthern Jurisdiction of the Ancient andAccepted Scottish Rite, so you know thissociety is reliable. The annual member-ship rate is $51 with a life membership of$900. Life memberships are a good thingto consider, even if one is past the so-called young man years. It’s nice to haveall future dues taken care of in one simplepayment. Members of this society get aquarterly newsletter; a book in theHeredom series, which began in 1991.Also there is generally an annual bonusitem—there is no guarantee on the bonusitem, but I have gotten many fine bonusbooks from the SRRC.

Southern California ResearchLodge: This research lodge has beenaround since 1952. Their website is full ofarchived papers and a good list of booksthat are available through the lodge. Thedues are $20 a year, and the address tojoin is: Brother Norman B. Leeper

2097 Smokewood AvenueFullerton, CA 92831-1035 The website URL is:

http://www.calodges.org/scrl Finally the Short Talk Bulletins from

the Masonic Service Association of NorthAmerica at

8120 Fenton Street, Suite 203Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785 The subscription is at the bargain rate

of $6 annually—yup, just a little over thecost of a 42 cent stamp, 12 times a year.The annual subscription means you get ashort talk bulletin every month deliveredto your home by the U.S. Postal Service.Their internet address is:http://www.msana.com

We Freemasons are generally a groupof men who like to learn all we can aboutour fraternity. As I said earlier, these threegroups are the kind of groups that willprovide a lifetime of enjoyment in thepursuit of Masonic knowledge.

Masonic Education: Learning for the pure enjoyment of learning!

Masonic Conundrum by L. C. Addison, Education Committee

I’m going to be optimistic and say thatspring is now here. It’s time to tune-upthose lawn mowers and weed whackersfor the commencement of our lawn careritual for the year. Hopefully, you’ve hadthe chance to fire up the grill and engagein that time-honored and often enjoyed artof outdoor cooking with the family.

Conundrum #14 answer The answer to Conundrum #14 is:

The Grand Lodge of England (Ancient).Two Brothers responded with partiallycorrect answers, and they are:

Northwest AreaRick Johnson, Mount Tabor No. 106

Northeast AreaEdwin Fillman, Mesaba No. 255

A Thanks goes out to all of theBrothers who sent in answers.

Conundrum #15Now we arrive at the question for

Conundrum #15 which is: The first refer-ence to Masonry in this State of the

United States of America was in a 1730news article. "As there are several Lodgesof Freemasons erected in this Province,and People have lately been much amus'dwith Conjectures concerning them…"Which State is being referred to?

When you have the answer, send it byemail to: laddisonii@gmail.com [remem-ber to include your name and lodge] or byU.S. mail to: Masonic Conundrum,Attention L.C. Addison, c/o the GrandLodge of Minnesota, 11501 MasonicHome Drive, Bloomington, MN 55437.Please remember that the first correctresponse received from each area of thestate will receive a nice gift from the edu-cation committee. Have a good time withthis question—Masonic research is fun!

KidsID is changingKidsID, Minnesota

Masonry’s successfulchild identification pro-gram for many years, isbeing significantlyimproved.

The name will remain the same butthe program will be improved through theuse of new technology. Also, there will bean increased emphasis on safety educationand awareness for young people who par-ticipate in the program. We will be shar-ing information on staying out of danger-ous situations, and steps anyone can taketo help protect themselves should they bein an unexpected and unsafe situation.

Included in the new KidsID programwill be:1. A digital photo and voice recording.2. Digital fingerprinting3. A dental impression4. A laminated ID card and a completed

information sheet for safekeeping bythe parent.As in the past, no information is kept.

A parental consent form signed for everyparticipant is the only record that isretained.

The law enforcement and dental com-munities will assist the Masons ofMinnesota in the events. This will givegreater visibility and credibility to thisMasonic program, which is being suc-cessfully used in many jurisdictionsthroughout North America.

At the 156th Annual Communicationin St Cloud, demonstrations of the newsystem were given and a breakout sessionwas held. Several Grand Lodge Officersattended a conference in Columbia,Missouri on April 3-4, in which furtherinformation was provided. A roll out ofthe new program will be held in the fallof 2009 and will fully replace the oldcamera-based KidsID format.

In the practice of obstetrics we havean admonition presented very early in ourcareers, “be careful of mettlesome mid-wifery.” It reminds us of the damage thatinappropriate actions can cause to themom and baby, and the importance ofaccessing all the information possible andreflecting on the consequences of ouractions.

At the 156th Annual Communicationof the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, 27-28March 2009, I had the opportunity toreview the wisdom of that admonitionchiseled in my brain, and the applicabilityof its logic to decision making in life andorganization.

In passing the resolution hurriedlycrafted on the floor of the Grand Lodgewhile in session (to see the languageGoogle Cinosam and other nationalMasonic webs) we violated importantrules of critical thinking and decisionmaking, as well as interfering with thework of another Grand Lodge and itsmembers. Actions we have been abhorredby when we were the brunt of the actionsof other Grand Lodges.

The actions of all of us at GrandLodge were indeed “MettlesomeMidwifery” and arrogantly plowed intounreasoned action lacking in reflectionand appropriate acquisition of knowledgeby those present and voting-including me.

We must be vigilant in all aspects ofour lives as we make decisions that mayhave profound and lasting affect. We needto have appropriate information availableand if not presented need to pause andsatisfy ourselves before acting. The con-sequences of our decisions as a GrandLodge must not be personal, but considerthe best interests of the craft, whereverdispersed. What bothers me the most isthat I missed the opportunity to addressthese issues appropriately on the floor ofthe Grand Lodge, and did not appropriate-ly reflect on the consequences until I sawour action laid out to all of masonry onnational list-serves and webs.

My brothers, I apologize for my lackof thought and debate to really flush thisissue out on the floor of the Grand Lodge.In the future I will not make decisionswithout the benefit of full information,appropriate debate, and reflection.

Ray Christensen, PGM1 April 2009

Open letter to the Craft:Mettlesome Midwifery

WANTEDWorkers in the booth

at the State Fair,August 27 –

September 7, 2009.

Details to follow??

Annual Metroeast Area Masters and Wardens

Association

Master Mason DegreeJune 13, 2009

8:00 a.m.Leon Meger Family Farm,

WebsterFull details on the Grand Lodge of

Minnesota website calendar

4 The Minnesota MASON May–June 2009

COMPASSIONATE. COMMITTED. CAPABLE.

MINNESOTA MASONIC CHARITIES 952.948.6004

MMMMCC SSiiggnnaattuurree SScchhoollaarrsshhiippss aanndd MMaassoonniicc LLeeggaaccyy SScchhoollaarrsshhiippss WWiinnnneerrss AAnnnnoouunncceedd

SSeeccoonndd yyeeaarr ooff pprrooggrraamm oonnccee aaggaaiinn aattttrraaccttss aann oouuttssttaannddiinngg ggrroouupp ooff MMiinnnneessoottaa sseenniioorrss

The MMC Scholarship Committeemet on April 16, 2009, to select the fiveSignature Scholarships recipients and thethree Masonic Legacy Scholarshipsrecipients. From over 200 submissions,of which over one-third qualified as thetop students of their schools, a final shortlist of eighteen candidates was reviewedby the committee. In addition to theirstats (i.e. GPA, ACT scores and extracur-ricular activities), the applicants were

carefully evaluated for their essayanswers and letters of reference, as well as consideration of any Masonicaffiliation.

Those students who were selected toreceive scholarships represent outstand-ing academic and personal achievementas well as a shared goal—indicated by all eight recipients—to pursue learningthat will provide a means of allowingthem to contribute to their society.

The MMC Scholarship Committeehas requested that Lodges and Chapterslocated in the geographical locations ofthese students be notified as well as thoseLodges and Chapters who are linked tothose students with Masonic affiliation sothat personal acknowledgement or invita-tions may also be extended. With congrat-ulations to these future leaders, MMCpresents brief profiles of our 2009 MMCScholarship recipients.

The Minnesota Masonic CharitiesSignature Scholarships are named afterfive individuals who are strongly identi-fied with the state of Minnesota throughpersonal achievement or public service,and who were personally committed tothe values of Masonry in their privatelives. The Scholarships are $5,000 each,renewable up to $20,000 up to four years.

The Masonic Legacy Scholarshipsare endowed by individual Masons:Robert and Alta Van Tries (one scholar-ship) and William F. Mackintosh (twoscholarships)—all for $4,000 renewableup to $16,000 up to four years.

NOTE: if you or your family would beinterested in creating a Scholarshipendowment in your name, please contactMMC at 952-948-6200.

James J. Hill

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Harold Edward Stassen

Mayo Brothers

Hubert H. Humphrey, Jr.

Katherine LakeJefferson Senior High School GPA: 4.260/ACT 32Extracurriculars: Band, Robotics Club,Girl ScoutsCollege Choices: University of California– Berkeley, University of California –Davis, University of Wisconsin –MadisonIntended Major: Biomedical Engineering * Employee of Minnesota MasonicHomes

Erica KyriakidesMaple Grove Senior High School GPA: 3.939/ACT 26Extracurriculars: Student Government,National Honor Society, ServiceOrganization, Dance Team College Choices: University ofWisconsin – MadisonIntended Major: Biology* Father is a member of WayzataLodge No. 205

Jeff SaylerRoseville Area High School

GPA: 3.99/ACT 36Extracurriculars: Band, Jazz Band, MathTeam, Boy ScoutsCollege Choices: Massachusetts Instituteof Technology, University of Illinois atUrbana – Champaign, University ofMinnesota – Twin Cities, University ofWisconsin – MadisonIntended Major: Chemistry* Father is a member of Tusler-Summit Lodge No. 263

Shannon WarcholTotino-Grace High School GPA: 4.3814/ACT 34Extracurriculars: Speech, Choir,Newspaper, Job’s Daughters College Choices: University of Illinoisat Urbana-Champaign, University ofMinnesota – Twin Cities, University ofNotre DameIntended Major: Civil Engineering

* Honored Queen and Miss MinnesotaJob’s Daughter

Hope KrusemarkWest Central Area High School GPA: 3.991/ACT 26Extracurriculars: Student Council,National Honor Society, Choir, Speech College Choices: Concordia College –Moorhead Intended Major: Elementary Education

William F. Mackintosh Masonic Legacy Scholarships

Robert and Alta Van Tries Masonic Legacy Scholarship

Brennan AndersonMahtomedi High School

GPA: 3.924ACT 32Extracurriculars:Student Council,National HonorsSociety, SchoolNewspaper College Choices:Carleton College,Macalester

College, Northwestern University,University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Intended Major: English orCommunications

Isaac SalferDassel-Cokato High School

GPA: 4.282ACT 28Extracurriculars:Football, Track,FFA, 4-H,Knowledge Bowl,owns a dairy cattleherd College Choices:University of

Minnesota – Twin Cities, University ofWisconsin – Madison Intended Major: Animal Science

Ellison GriepDeLaSalle High School GPA: 4.11/ACT 34Extracurriculars: National HonorSociety, Service Organization,Knowledge Bowl, VolleyballCollege Choices: University of NotreDameIntended Major: International Finance

May–June 2009 The Minnesota MASON 5

WWW.MNMASONICCHARITIES.ORG

Our Vision

• •To be the charity of choice because of the difference we make.

Main: (952) 948-6004Web: mnmasonicchar i t ies .orgEric Neetenbeek, President/CEO(952) 948-6213Eric.Neetenbeek@mnmasonic.org

Sara Beddow, Director of Communications(952) 948-6202Sara.Beddow@mnmasonic.org

John Schwietz,Director of Fund Development(952) 948-6209John.Schwieta@mnmasonic.org

Deb Cutsinger, Executive Assistant(952) 948-6206Deb.Cutsinger@mnmasonic.org

Megan Roering, Office Assistant(952) 948-6200Megan.Roering@mnmasonic.org

Sandy Knoke,Fund Raising Administrative Assistant(952) 948-6208Sandy.Knoke@mnmasonic.org

I would like to make a financial gift to the MasonicCancer Center Fund,using my credit card online—is this possible? R. M., Brainerd

Best answer: www.mnmasoniccharities.org.

(The link is “Contribute,” and you may rest assured that the giftwill be designated for MCCF)

Second best answer: You betcha.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AAnnootthheerr ggrreeaatt mmaattcchhiinngg ggrraanntt ssttoorryy

aabboouutt aa ggrreeaatt mmaattcchh::

CCaattaarraacctt LLooddggee NNoo..22 && BBaannccrroofftt EElleemmeennttaarryy SScchhooooll

Cataract Lodge No.2 has a very special relationship with BancroftElementary School: this is the sixth yearthat the Lodge members have supportedBancroft with both volunteer and financialcontributions.

Lodge members average 18 to 24hours of volunteer time each week,usually in the classroom helping studentsimprove their reading and math skills.

The Lodge also funded the replace-ment of broken, missing, or worn outballs, game parts and sticks, and othergym equipment for the school with agrant of $1,000 which was matched by Minnesota Masonic Charities, andpresented to their Parent TeacherOrganization in mid-April.

AAnn aammaazziinngg UUPPDDAATTEE::

In addition to providing equipment andsupplies not covered by school funding, amajor goal of the Bancroft PTO is to offeropportunities for family involvement in theschool. Volunteer Coordinator StephanieCarlson explains: We know that childrenwhose families are involved at their schoolachieve better academically and becomemore socially adept. Our goal in PTO is toprovide opportunities to make this happen.We have a school carnival and bake sale,two family reading nights, a family mathnight, two family Bingo nights, twoSpanish speaking family nights, a winterand a spring concert and a walk-a-thoneach school year. All of these gatheringsstrengthen the connections between fami-lies and our school. At each of these eventsthe PTO provides prizes, books, snacksand juice and must pay for janitor over-

time, with the event costing $150–250, anda growing turnout from the parents. TheMMC Matching Funds Grant will be usedto expand this program.

On average, 80 to 90% of the stu-dents at Bancroft are classified as livingin poverty. MMC congratulates CataractLodge No. 2 for their dedication to thisvery worthy commitment.

Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Carlson, PatGuyot, Bro. Lane Guyot, Principal Judi Golden,W. Bro. Gary Bill and W. Bro. Dave Highhumsmiling at the check presentation at BancroftElementary School.

Bancroft 4th grader, MustafHassan, witnessed the checkpresentation and wanted tobe included in a picture byway of saying thank you. Heis with Judi Golden , Gary Billand Stephanie Carlson.

Have you “bookmarked”

your opportunityto discuss

your plannedgiving choices?

Now is the perfect time to

consider your gift,as any amount of

planned giving will entitle you to a

CHARTER membership.

Please call John Schwietz

at 952.948.6209

(Editor’s Note: At the MCCF Annual Dinner at the University of Minnesota on April 24, Partnersfor Life Campaign Co-Chair and retired Chief of the Minnesota State Highway Patrol, Colonel W.Bro. Roger Ledding, shared an exciting update with the audience. Excerpts are reproduced here.See the latest accounting at the end of the article.)

“I first must recognize that thereshould be three of us at this podium—asI acknowledge the extraordinary effortsof my co-chairs, Chuck Dietz and JoyceMcCurdy and thank them on behalf of allof us.

If, for a moment, we could removethis wall, we would see the original location of the first Cancer MemorialHospital built by the Masons and openedin 1958. From that beginning, our specialpartnership with the University has createdone of the finest cancer treatment andresearch facilities in the nation.

Five years ago, we knew there neededto be more resources in the fight to find acure. We created the Partners for Lifecampaign to raise $10 million to help tobuild a new Masonic Cancer Clinic.

The dream was to provide a buildingwhere cancer research trials could beconducted in a more comfortable andwelcoming space for patients and theirfamilies. The dream was to create state-of-the-art facilities providing the type ofnecessary physical layout and resourcesfor University physicians and researchers

to continue their quest for scientificbreakthroughs.

I am here to announce that we havesomething to celebrate tonight.

You probably have noticed the list ofnames on the scrolling honor roll of thosewonderful people who have made signifi-cant gifts to the Masonic Cancer CenterFund and the Partners for Life campaign.It is because of their generosity and com-mitment that I am pleased to report thatwe are only about about 2% away fromachieving our goal. Only this much toachieve the the dream—about $200,000!

So now let’s finish this off and ALLstep up to the plate and hit the ball rightout of the park. In fact, right over to thecorner of Ontario and Fulton where thenew Masonic Cancer Clinic will be built.

Please remember that for every singledollar given, it is matched, dollar for dol-lar, by Minnesota Masonic Charities.Every single dollar! But this match isonly until May 31, 2009, and I count thatas 37 days—thirty-seven days. I ask youtonight to join me and prove that in thatremaining time, dreams do come true.”

That evening over $17,000 was raised inresponse from those seated in the audience.As of May 5, 2009, the Partners for Life goalwas in sight with less than $66,000 to go...

6 The Minnesota MASON May–June 2009

News & Views from the LodgesMonticello Lodge passes four brothers

Monticello Lodge No. 16 passed four brothers to the Fellowcraft Degree on April 23, 2009.Front, left to right: Fellowcrafts Jason Walters, Eric Thomsen, Josh Boster, Seth Kniskern and Junior Warden Tracy Newman.Back, left to right: Custodian of the Ritual Work Foster Solem (Minnehaha Lodge No. 165), W.Brother Ed Wern, W. Master Kyle Friedrich, Junior Steward Tim Hester.

Sharon Lodge No. 104, Willmar, hadtheir 31st annual chow mein dinner onSunday, May 3 at the Willmar Junior HighSchool.

Thirty-one years ago, Brother WaltGislason was approached by a Willmarschool teacher about assisting with sup-plies for a student who had juvenile dia-betes. Brother Walt reported back the nextday that the lodge had declined the requestto pay for one-half the costs of the equip-ment and supplies—they wanted to pro-vide the entire cost! Thus was born

Sharon Lodge supports diabetic youth

North Star Lodge No. 23 raised five new Master Masons on April 27, 2009. The new brothers are,left to right, Steve Hansen, William Youngren, Peter Bauer, Mamady Traore and Richard Brown;with North Star W. Master Bruce Bower in the back. Great work North Star Lodge!

On March 29, 2009, Prudence Lodge No. 97 assisted the Windom Area Hospital Foundation withtheir annual fundraiser, the Dad’s Belgian Waffle Breakfast. They served 484 people at theWindom Eagles Club. Funds raised go toward the purchase of equipment for the hospital.Pictured, front row, are Beatty Muller, Foundation; Mary Klosterbuer, Foundation; Jim Krueger,Foundation Chair; Gerri Burmeister, hospital administrator; Judy Woizeschke, Foundation; AliceHuebert, Foundation; Duane Pingeon. Pictured, back row are Kjell Turner, Fred Benson, MarrelBush, Mike Simon and Al Peterson, all of Prudence Lodge.

Prudence Lodge helps with waffle fundraiser

Masons for Diabetic Youth. Sharon Lodge has been so successful,

and technology for the testing equipment hasbecome more reasonably priced, that theyare now considering using part of the pro-ceeds from the fundraiser for scholarshipsfor local youth to attend Camp Needlepoint,a summer camp for diabetic youth.

A tip of the hat to Worshipful MasterBill Bannon and the officers and brothersof Sharon Lodge for continuing this terrificproject!

North Star Lodge raises new Master Masons

One-Day-to-Masonry Events

January 16, 2010 Scottish Rite Temple

Minneapolis

April 24, 2010 Sharon Lodge No. 104

Willmar

Pictured are, left to right, Senior Warden Tom Gilbertson, Most Worshipful Grand Master TomMcCarthy, Master Bill Bannon and Junior Warden Ron Rosenboom.

I want to tell you just a bit about oursuccess story at Mystic Star Lodge No. 69in Rushford. When I joined four yearsago, the Lodge was dying due to declin-ing membership. We were lucky if wecould get enough Brethren together tohold our meetings twice a month. Westarted to brainstorm to figure out ways toattract new members.

We established our website at:www.mysticstarlodge69.com. The websiteincludes information about our Lodge,our activities, general information aboutthe Fraternity, and a downloadable PDFversion of a membership petition. Afterwe established our web presence, wefocused on two areas to build up ourmembership:

1. Following up with potential candi-dates who at some time or anotherexpressed interest in submitting a petition.Some had expressed interest years ago,but no one worked with them to facilitatethe process!

2. Holding public events. We kickedthings off when we started participating inCoats for Character with our local schooldistrict. This was good PR in and of itself,but we became even more visible in thecommunity when we held a fundraiser forthe program in which we grilled up burgers

and brats in the parking lot of the town'ssupermarket.

As you may recall, our Lodge wasbadly damaged in the flood of 2007.Thanks to the generosity of our Brethrenand friends we were able to rebuild ourLodge so it is modern and conducive tosocial activities. Now that we have a nicenew kitchen and a dining room, we decid-ed to open them up to the public on thefirst Saturday morning of each month forpancake breakfasts. This is becoming verypopular in our community. During eachbreakfast, we are more than happy to showpeople around our Lodge and answer ques-tions if they express any interest in joining.

Burger fundraisers and pancake salesare bringing in some nice revenue, butmore importantly, we are now receivingpetitions for membership. Follow-up hasbeen working out nicely too. I have alsoheard that our website helped bring in afew candidates. Over the last few years,we have been increasing our membershipsteadily. In the time since we rebuilt ourLodge, things have really been pickingup. Next month, we are preparing to initi-ate three candidates as EnteredApprentices and we have more who areready to submit petitions any time now! Itlooks like we will be very busy with

Success – one step at a time

degree work for some time. So busy infact, that we are planning to not go darkduring the summer. It is a great feeling tosee that our Lodge room is now gettingcrowded when just a few years ago mostof the chairs were empty.

It really isn’t that hard to bring in newmembers. I think the basic keys to successare simply to increase visibility in thecommunity and follow up with potentialcandidates. I think we’re on the righttrack. If you would like to discuss thisfurther with me, I would be happy to doso. Please drop me a line via email orcontact me at 612-756-3273.

Fraternally,Philip J. O’KeefeMystic Star Lodge No. 69, Rushford

Knife and Fork Degree

May–June 2009 The Minnesota MASON 7

News from the Masonic Family

Cuyuna Range Lodge No. 276Pancake Breakfast Sunday, June 7, 2009, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.Crosby, Minnesota

Job’s Daughters host All-Masonic Brunch

Job’s Daughters of Minnesota hosted a brunch for leaders of Masonic family organizations onApril 26, 2009. Grand Guardian Sue Goebel, third from left, leads the Job’s Daughters GrandGuardian Council of Minnesota.

WANTEDBuilding Manager

The Masonic Temple Association, themanagement body of the St. PaulMasonic Center, has need of a part-timebuilding manager to work approximately40 hours per month during the daytimewith occasional, additional hours asnecessary. This is a paid position, bestsuited to a retired Mason living in theSt. Paul area.

Among the responsibilities are:• Maintaining the building calendar• Receiving rents & paying bills • Responding to tenants • Administering rental contracts • Seeking new rental opportunities • Handling miscellaneous situations • Attending monthly meetings of the

MTA board

Computer experience is necessary.

This position reports to the MasonicTemple Association. If you are interested,please contact:MTA President, Chris Buck,at 651-702-0705 or Ancient Landmark and Scottish RiteSecretary, Bruce Sherman,at 651-222-2643.

Mora Lodge No. 223We desire Masonic vendors and

attendees at Mora Lodge No. 223'sIndoor Sportsmen Garage Sale.June 27, 2009, at the Kanabec

County Fairgrounds.Firearms, archery, fishing, misc.sporting equipment, and tools

would be welcome.

Please contact Shawn Paul, SNG Services

1652 Ridge Road, Mora MN 55051 320-630-1698

E-mail 10380@ncis.com

Brother Daniel Carter Beard, founder of BoyScouts of AmericaBrethren,

I bring to you good tidings from over1.2 million dedicated volunteers and morethan 2.8 million youth of the Boy Scoutsof America. I would like to speak to theorigins of Boy Scouting in America.

In the 1890s, or somewhere thereabout, Brother Daniel Carter Beard(Mariner's Lodge No. 67, New York City,New York, and later Cornucopia Lodge563, Flushing, New York) founded a maleyouth club named the Society of the Sonsof Daniel Boone, which by 1905 becameThe Boy Pioneers.

Instead of being organized intoTroops, as in modern Scouting, the youthwere divided into Forts. Each Fort had itsofficers. Each office had a jewel to denotetheir status. The president of the Fortwore a Powder horn and was addressed as“Daniel Boone.” The vice president wasreferred to as “Simon Kenton” (a wellknown pioneer) and carried a tomahawk.“Kit Carson” (a famous Army Scout,Pioneer, and Mason) was given a flintarrowhead and awarded the treasurer’sseat. “John James Audubon,” the librarianwas given a bird. “Johnny Appleseed”was the forester and wore the tree. TheSecretary, donned with a coonskin capwas none other than “David Crockett.”“George Catlin,” wearing the buffalo headon his sleeve, was the totem painter.

As one may imagine, these boys—dressed in fringed buckskin regalia of thefrontiersmen—must have been a sight tosee. At this point they had not adopted arank system, but did incorporate a notchsystem with a “top notch” to be awardedfor achievements in different areas.

By 1909, Brother Beard had publisheda manual for his group that found its wayto Lord Baden Powell’s hands. In 1910,The Boy Pioneers merged into a programcalled Boy Scouts. With Powell’s addi-tions from his military experience, theycreated a program that has, for severalgenerations, provided a platform foryouth to learn while participating in citi-zenship, mental and physical fitness, andcharacter development.

Today, Boy Scout Units are supportedby numerous religious and communityorganizations—including MasonicLodges. Several of our Master Masonsserve as leaders of Boy Scout Unitsthroughout the state. We also have manyin our ranks that have formed a groupcalled the Minnesota Masonic Council tothe Boy Scouts of America, who, morethan five years ago, sponsored aMinneapolis Park and Recreation BoardBoy Scout group called Scoutreach. Thisgroup served the Minneapolis PublicSchool children in an afterschool programthat first met in the park buildings, andnow many of them meet in the schoolbuildings.

In the beginning, we had fewer thanthirty units. Now we have merged with St.Paul’s Neighborhood Guides and haveover 74 units and are called the HuronDistrict. We also work jointly with PrinceHall Masons in a different group calledthe Zulu District.

Minnesota Masons are the largestsponsor of Boy Scout Units in the UnitedStates. The National Association ofMasonic Scouters is an organization thatrecognizes and supports Masons who par-ticipate in Scouting, via the Daniel CarterBeard Award, fosters and encouragesMasonic Lodges to sponsor Boy ScoutUnits in their lodges or in the communitywhere they reside, and seeks to provide

opportunities for Masonic fellowship atScouting events.

At the 156th Annual Minnesota GrandLodge Communication, it was resolvedand passed the Minnesota Masons recog-nize national group that we know as theNational Association of Masonic Scouters(NAMS). If you are an active Scouter anda Mason in good standing, you are eligi-ble to join this organization. The passageof this resolution should not have anyaffect on Masonic groups or affiliates dif-ferently than it already may have. It justmakes this group an official national affil-iate. If you would like to check out thewebsite, it is located at http://nams-bsa.org/

In closing, Uncle Dan, as he is socalled, worked to create the Scouting pro-gram that we see today. With his ideasand innovations on the Scout uniform,badges, and numerous works inScouting’s early days, Brother Dan wasthe personification of the Masonic spiritin Scouting.

Fraternally,WM Matthew LundgrenMinnehaha Lodge No. 165

Brother PapaWhen I became my father's brotherWe grew a bond unlike the other

Of father huge and a little boy,Yet reminiscent of childhood joy.

Bonded now by Masonic loreWe're closer yet than we were

before.

Not hand in hand but side by sideWe search for light where light may

hide.

To other Lodges our plans to travelTo hear the sound of a different

gavel;

To shake the hands of brethren new;To share our stories; our visits grew.

The joys we shared we knew wouldrend

When someday soon that pathwould end.

When now I travel I stroll alone,The Grand Architect took my Papa

home.

When now I travel, I stroll with prideTo know Papa's spirit is by my side.

When now I visit a lodge alonePapa will visit His Lodge at Home.

Memories I've kept by multiple scoreAnd in my travels I'll gather more,

But the one most dear beyondanother

Is when I became my father's brother.

W. Brother Alvin F. Boehne,Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5 andPast Master of Shekinah Lodge No. 171Copyright St. Paul, MinnesotaMarch 2009

FireworksJob’s Daughters of Minnesota is sponsoring TNT Fireworks Tents

Two Locations: The Wal-Mart Parking Lot in Monticello

located at 9320 Cedar Street and

The Wal-Mart Parking Lot in Apple Valleylocated at 7835 150th St. West

Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.June 26th to July 5th

Your purchase will support the Jobs Daughters Grand Guardian Council of Minnesota

8 The Minnesota MASON May–June 2009

onsidering lifestyle options for yourself or a loved one?

You are invited to consider these excellent choices

for Masons and their families: Minnesota Masonic Homes

*Masonic Home North Ridge

We are currently accepting reservations for our Assisted Living Apartments and Assisted Living Suites. If

you would like additional information or to arrange a tour of our Senior Apartments or Assisted Living,

please call Cari Doucette at 763.592.4000.

*Masonic Home Bloomington Masonic Square Independent Living

Our community of single-level townhomes is ideal for individuals looking to

continue living independently without the worries of owning a single-family home. In addition

to remaining as active as you desire, there is access to Minnesota Masonic Home Bloomington’s

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to all areas of the community.

For more information or to schedule a tour, please call

Housing at 952-948-7915.

C

When you hear the words Mentor orMentoring, what do you first think of?

· Do you think what does it mean?· Why is it important?· Who are/were my Mentors?· Am I a Mentor?· If not, then why not?· What does it take to be a Mentor?The definition of Mentor is as follows:

Mentor 1) is a wise and trusted counseloror teacher, 2) Greek Myth, Mentor wasOdysseus is trusted counselor and becamethe guardian and teacher of Odysseus son,Telemachus. Odysseus, King of Ithaca,left to fight in the Trojan War and left hishousehold to Mentor. Mentor served as ateacher and overseer of Telemachus forseveral years from youth to manhood.

In time the word Mentor became syn-onymous with trusted advisor, friend,teacher, and wise person. Mentoring is afundamental form of human developmentwhere one person invests time, energy,and personal know-how assisting thegrowth and ability of another person.

Mentors help lift others up aroundthem. They take others with them andhelp change their lives for the better. Thepositive effects are remarkable. Nothingin life is more enjoyable, or has a greaterreturn on investment.

Now this sounds like it was takendirectly from the objection of Masonry,“To take good men and make them better.”

The Mentoring Committee of 2008-2009, under the direction of John Gann,SGS worked very diligently in preparinga new Mentor Program that can be usedby Lodges to assist them in mentoring ofprospective candidates or new Brothers.The 2009–2010 Mentoring Committeecontinued to fine tune the program, andnow it is ready to make it available forLodges to use.

The 2009 Mentor Program consists ofTwelve (12) Parts and can be used indi-vidually or as a complete program. Thenew program will be available on theGrand Lodge website.

The committee members who workedon the program are the followingBrothers: John Gann, Rick Wallace,Monte Miller, Dave Johnson, DaleSeubert, Kris Pich, Elliott Saxton, ScottRenquist, Mathew Fuller, Lew Price, andBob Darling.

Please feel free to contact me atbkmd3mn@mywdo.com with your com-ments or suggestions for other MentorProjects. I will pass them on to theCommittee.

Bob Darling, Junior Grand Steward

Mentoring and why it is important

While on a shopping trip to purchasea gift, I came to understand that firstappearances can have a lasting effect on aperson.

Not so long ago I wanted to purchasea very special gift for someone in myfamily. The store was in the Mall ofAmerica. I drove to the Mall and parkedmy car in the parking ramp just outside ofthe Nordstrom’s department store. Iwalked into the store where I was verywarmly greeted by one of the storeemployees. I heard the comforting homeysounds of a piano being played. I saw thepiano by the escalators. The pianist waswearing an emerald green formal dressand had a beautiful on her face as sheplayed a light classical piece.

As I walked past the perfume coun-ters. I could feel the scents wrap aroundme and crept into my nose, having a verywarm and pleasing effect. As I lookedaround I realized that the Nordstrom com-pany worked very hard using colors andtasteful décor, carpeting and highly.

Polished floors, sounds and salespeo-ple create a sense of well being.Nordstrom wants their customers to feelgood, so they may linger and spend moretime in the store and spend more moneyand feel that their visit was a satisfying

First impressions are importantby Senior Grand Warden Tom Hendrickson

experience and will want to return.I had a similar experience the first

time I walked into a small bait and tacklestore near Birchwood, Wisconsin. I wasgreeted by the owner; the shop was asneat as a pin. The merchandise was pro-fessionally arranged in a manner that itwas very easy to find things. Even the fathead minnows looked happy. I knew thatthis was my kind of place. My firstimpression was that I would get goodservice and advice. The cost of the pur-chases was what I expected and my timewould not be wasted. I have become agood customer over the years.

I think that we can take the principlesfrom my two stories that “First impres-sions are important” and apply themtowards our Masonic lodges and meetingplaces.

Ask your newest members what theirfirst impressions are. When they stood infront of the building did they find thebuilding neatly maintained with an attrac-tive sign? What was their impressionwhen they walked inside? Was the build-ing well lit, and neat and clean and taste-fully decorated? Are new membersreceived personally, with a warm smileand handshake? I suggest you develop alist of these first impressions and deter-mine which of the changes would be abenefit and develop a plan for achievingthem and set a time for when they will beaccomplished.

We want our lodges to be placeswhere the members feel comfortable, andsatisfied with the time they spend there.We want members to take pride in theirlodge and think of their lodge as a specialwhere they will return often and be anactive member.

Good first impressions are tough tobeat! If you are interested in a checklist toanalyze your lodge, I'd be more thanhappy to send you one. Just email me orgive me a call.

Special noteMy Masonic inspiration for this article

came from visiting Albert Pike lodge inHopkins. It is there where I saw firsthandthe work of the Worshipful Master and afew Brothers in creating not just a goodfirst impression but also a lasting impres-sion. My hat is off to you, Brothers.