Des Moines York Rite Fall Festival 2013

The Des Moines York Rite of Freemasonry hosted its Fall Festival Saturday, November 23 with sixteen candidates participating. York Rite bodies from across the state participated both with candidates and with officers assisting in the work. The Heads of all three Iowa Grand York Rite bodies participated: M.E. David G. Klein Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Iowa, M.I. Thomas E. H. Gruis Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Iowa, and Terry L. Hudik Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Iowa.

Des Moines Scottish Rite Fall Reunion

Congratulations to the 2013 John H. McKlveen, 33° Fall Memorial Reunion class: Class President: Donald A. Burkhart, Class Secretary: Brandon V. Scheuring, Class Orator: Joseph W. Seidlin, Andrae C. Delaney, Mark A. Konrad, Lee Roy W. Porter, Alan C. Rodruck, and Mark A. Terhune. More detail is here: 2013 Fall Gala

Delicious Pizza!

The pizza chefs once again turned Polk City’s Operative Lodge #308 into a pizza factory on October 19. Twice a year the members of Operative Lodge make and sell pizzas to benefit charity. This fall Lodge members, and a few wives, turned out in force to create just about the best pizza you’ve ever eaten! Seriously, the pizzas are great and you can pick the toppings. Plus, the money helps support charity.

If you missed out this fall, look for us next Spring!

John Bizzack at Iowa reserach Lodge #2

John Bizzack spoke to the members and guests of Iowa Research Lodge #2 on November 1 in Des Moines. Worshipful Master George Harrison introduced our guest speaker as the author of the book For the Good of the Order: Examining the Shifting Paradigm Within Freemasonry. Bizzack argues that a return to traditional Freemasonry in our Lodges is a way to address membership decline. His book, as well as his speech Friday evening, examines more than just the old debate about membership decline. Bizzack advances the argument that the recent move on the part of some Lodges towards longer periods of time between degrees for a candidate, higher dues, and strict standards of dress aren’t anything new. These characteristics can also be found in Lodges in the 18^th and 19^th century. His speech was entertaining and informative, a combination rarely seen in many Masonic meetings. 

The Iowa Research Lodge biannual meetings feature dinner, a speaker, and good fellowship. Friday night was no exception.