New books arrived today (and I'm picking up one old one)

 Three new Masonic books arrived today thanks to Amazon. I saw reference to them on Chris Hodapp's Masonic News page here (Freemasons For Dummies). The Southern California Research Lodge published a list of best books of the new millennium back in September. I'm looking forward to a little Christmas Break Masonic reading so I thought I'd pick up three of them. I'm not sure I can wait until next week when our school vacation starts!

Oh, and I picked up my old "A Guide to Iowa Masonic Ritual." I've decided to start over with the ritual. I passed the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft tests in 2015 and the Master Mason in 2018, but it's been so long I need to start over. More to come!

What did the old, past-secretary say to the new Master Mason?

 

What did the old, past-secretary say to the new Master Mason? I don't know, but I'm looking forward to my answer! The transition to our new secretary is complete, or as complete as such a transition can ever really be, I suppose. Tonight I dropped off at Lodge the last of the paper records I had from my four years as Secretary; I shared the electronic records with secretary-elect several weeks ago. Our December Stated meeting is four days away and it's at that meeting that newly elected officers take their position in our Lodge, informally. But informally counts. At least in my minutes.

Anyway, hope to be posting more in the near future as my secretary days are over, and perhaps the posts will even reflect the optimism of my early days as a Freemason. I have aged, in more ways than chronological, as a past-secretary. Here's to the return of brotherly love, relief, and truth!

Officer Installation Jan. 13 2:00 PM

Operative Lodge #308 in Polk City will hold it's 2019 Officer Installation on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 2:00 PM. The Installation is open to the public.

2019 Officers at Polk City Masonic Lodge

Operative Lodge #308 held its elections for 2019 officers last month with the following results:

Worshipful Master:  Erik Brincks
Senior Warden: Gabe Whitaker
Junior Warden: Stephen Klein

Treasurer: Robert Koss
Secretary: Mike Miller
Trustee: Jack Matthews

Congratulations Brothers!

Polk City Square Lighting

Over 70 people walked through the doors of Operative Lodge #308 in Polk City last night for the Square Lighting. Our Lodge was on the event's "punch card" in which folks go from business to business along the square to get their punch card marked. There were about 20 businesses (and organizations!) listed on the card and each had their own ink stamp to mark on the card of visitors who stopped by. At the end of the night, the completed punch cards are deposited in a box and winners are drawn for prizes including a TV, tablet, and a drone.

We had a lot of questions about Freemasonry, our Lodge, and even heard comments like "I've lived here since the 1970's and this is the first time I've ever been in this building."

Mission accomplished.

Carleton College Northfield, MN
There's a Japanese-style garden behind my dorm at Carleton College. I'm staying here for the week for an Advanced Placement Teachers Institute to learn about the redesign of the AP course I teach: AP Government and Politics US. The garden has been a peaceful place and perfect for me to practice parts of the First degree. I'm going back over it to refresh my memory.

I passed my examination and wrote it about it on this blog, and it's coming back. I have used much of what I've learned in memorizing the Entered Apprentice degree, but it's helpful for me to go back over all of it, in order.

Finished: Third degree test is in the books!

Today, I finished my Third degree test to complete my Masonic Instructor requirements. My friend, RW Brother Darrell Fremont has mentored me throughout this long (too long!) journey and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Thank you, Darrell, for sticking with me and encouraging me to finish. I needed all of your assistance!

And it was fitting that my 3rd degree test was proctored by Harvey Woody at Star Lodge in Madrid, Harvey's mentor was Don Sardeson, who tested me on the 2nd degree. And Star Lodge is the mother Lodge of my Lodge: Operative Lodge #308 in Polk City, Iowa.

Now, it's back to the 1st and the 2nd degrees to prove that I still know the ritual!

Congratulations to Bryan Bever, the Worshipful Master for 2018 at Operative Lodge #308 in Polk City! RW Darrell Fremont is seen here fulfilling his duties as Installing Master. WM Bryan is also a member of the Des Moines York Rite and the Des Moines York Rite College.