Des Moines York Rite Meeting

The Des Moines York Rite met January 20 to install its officers for the 2016 year. Eminent Commander Stevin Dahl will lead the group and he announced several upcoming events.

The Des Moines York Rite Festival will be on Saturday, March 12; three of my Blue Lodge brothers petitioned to join so that will make the Festival especially exciting for me. When a Mason joins the York Rite, at least here in Central Iowa, they go through a series of degrees and typically join three groups: the Royal Arch Masons, the Royal and Select Masters, and the Knights Templar. Brothers who join the Royal Arch and Royal and Select Masters are called "companions," and those who become Knights Templar are called "Sir Knights." All of the new Companions and Sir Knights will have an immediate opportunity to learn more about the degrees on Saturday, March 19 when the Des Moines York Rite Bodies host a York Rite school.

Check out the Des Moines York Rite website for more information.

Lodge night at Operative Lodge #308 in Polk City

Operative Lodge #308 in Polk City, Iowa held it's first stated meeting of 2016 on Jan. 11, 2016. A highlight of the meeting was the educational presentation by Sir Knight David Dryer. Dryer spoke on seeking further light in Masonry through the York Rite. His presentation was inspiring, informative, and delivered in the usual style of this dynamic speaker. Several brothers responded after the meeting by filling out petitions to join the York Rite! Sir Knight Dryer is pictured at left.

Officer Installation at Operative Lodge #308 in Polk City, Iowa

Operative Lodge #308 in Polk City installed its 2016 officers on Sunday, Jan. 10. Twenty-seven braved the cold weather for the public installation. Outgoing Worshipful Master Scott Nemmers welcomed guests and Masons. 

Installing officers were MW Brother Dean Johnson, PM, PGM, RW Brother Darrell Fremont, PM, DGM, Brother John Whitaker, PM, and Brother Jim Trotter, PM. 

Those installed included Worshipful Master Mike Miller, Senior Warden Keith Gordon, Junior Warden Bryan Bever, Senior Deacon Jason Salts and Tyler Asa Moeckly. 

Pictured at left is the new Worshipful Master Mike Miller (that's me by the way) and outgoing Master Scott Nemmers.

Officer Installation at Star Lodge in Madrid

The installation of officers for Star Lodge #115 in Madrid, Iowa occurred on Saturday, January 9. Joseph Clark was installed as Worshipful Master. Operative Lodge #308 and Star Lodge #115 have an especially close relationship which I wrote about in a previous post. Operative Lodge was formed by several brothers from Star Lodge #115. In 1857, Star Lodge held its first meeting in what was then known as the town of Swedes Point, now Madrid. In 1871, brothers from Madrid, with the permission and encouragement of Star Lodge, applied to the Grand Lodge of Iowa for a charter to begin a Lodge in Polk City. In 1872, Operative Lodge #308 received its permanent charter from the Grand Lodge of Iowa.

Congratulations Worshipful Master and the rest of the Star Lodge #115 officers!