Nevada Masonic Lodge No. 4

 

History Written by Worshipful Brother Roy F. Weingarten, PM

            What will a man not do for gold? No obstacle is too great, no hardship too severe when there is a reasonable hop that gold may be had for the taking. The streams and hills of Colorado have yielded many fortunes for the hardy adventures who went after them. The search for gold is the story of early Colorado and the story of early Colorado is the story of Masonry in Colorado and Nevada Lodge No. 4.

            Ten years after the golden sands of California called in 1848, another wave of excitement, augmented by the success of California, carried eastward. Gold had been discovered at Pike's Peak and the "Prairie Schooner" with its "Pike's Peak or Bust" slogan came to the Rockies. Men flocked to this part of the country, always in search of gold. They first settled at the junction of Cherry Creek and the Platte River which location was then known merely as the "Pike's Peak Region," or "Cherry Creek", Kansas Territory. This settlement was named Auraria while the settlement on the other side of Cherry Creek was named Denver City. In 1860 the two towns were consolidated under the name Denver City.

            Through the first days of May in 1859, in a bleak and desolate gulch high up in the mountains, a lone and weary prospector slowly worked his way, looking, searching, digging and panning. Then on the 6th day of May, this man, John Gregory by name, found a deposit of the precious metal about forty miles up the mountains to the west.

            As newcomers swelled the population along the rivers and streams of the area, communities sprung up. Eventually, these towns were in such close proximity that they became indiscernible, on from the other. These early towns just happened. They were not laid out by the city planners but by stakes claims and these outcroppings of civilization included such names as Blackhawk, Bates, Bald Mountain, Nevada City, Bobtail, Gregory, Mammoth, Cast, Gunnell, Nevadaville, Central City and Quartz. Over a period of time, these communities evolved into three settlements - Blackhawk, Central City and Nevadaville.

            It should not be inferred that miners were the only ones attracted by a gold discovery. There were five distinct classes of people who rushed to the site of a new strike. First is the prospector or miner who discovers and takes the precious metal from the earth. Second is the merchant who sells his supplies or services fro the miner's "dust" in the legitimate trade. This class also includes the Lawyer, doctor, preacher, builder, freighter, law enforcement official and laborer. The third class is the saloon keeper, who furnishes the "firewater" so often the cause of trouble. Closely allied to the saloon keeper is the fourth class, the gambler, who by his wits and nimble fingers separates the miner from his newly gained wealth. The last is the motley crowd, the thief, the highwayman and the murderer. These are the ones who wait until the miner or merchant who accumulates a "pile" and then go in and take it by force. There is yet a sixth group, small in numbers, which later comes on the scene and which exhibits the attributes of the several other classes from a position of seeming respectability and always within the law, one of this class seeks, through loans, followed by foreclosures of mortgages, to secure possession of property at a small price and sells at a big profit.

            By 1859 these settlements included permanent business, homes, schools and churches. When people are removed from their roots, they tend to seek others with similar roots, and so it was with the Brotherhood of Masonry. Many of these men were Masons away from their hometown, probably for the first time in their lives. What then would be more natural than that they should seek out their Brethren in the new community. Thus the first meeting of Masonic Brethren, in Nevada City, Kansas Territory, is believed to have been held at Ira H. Morton's cabin, in the latter part of 1859. Here several Men let it be known that they were Master Masons and petitioned the Grand Lodge of Kansas to establish a Lodge. After communicating by mail and meeting with the Grand Lodge of Kansas Territory, which took several months, Nevada Lodge received a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Kansas Territory December 22, 1860. George Fairchild, Grand Master, signed the warrant at Atchison, Kansas. Among the petitioners for the warrant were Brothers Andrew Mason, J.W. Guest, W.H. Grafton and others.

            In the early days of 1861 John Milton Chivington, destined to be the first Grand Master of Colorado, arrived as the presiding elder of the Methodist Church. Grand Chaplain of Nebraska at the time, he supposedly brought blank dispensations for Lodges with him. Dispensations from Nebraska resulted in Summit Lodge at Parkville (near Breckenridge) and Rocky Mountain Lodge at Gold Hill (near Boulder).

                   Following the recognition of the "Territory of Colorado" by the federal government in February 1861, sentiment for a local Grand Lodge developed. The three chartered Lodges - Golden City No. 34 of Kansas jurisdiction, Summit Lodge No. 7 and Rocky Mountain Lodge No. 8 of Nebraska jurisdiction - formed the Grand Lodge of Colorado on August 2, 1861. Nevada Lodge holding that the Grand Master of Nebraska, in instituting Lodges in Colorado Territory was an infringement on the Grand Lodge of Kansas refused (upon invitation) to join in the convention for organizing a Grand Lodge.

            The Grand Lodge of Kansas, seemingly unaware of the formation of the new Grand Lodge due to slow communications of the time, issued charter No. 36 to Nevada Lodge U.D. and charter No. 37 to Auraria Lodge U.D. on October 15, 1861. At Colorado's first annual Grand Lodge communication December 10, 1861, Nevada Lodge surrendered its Kansas charter and asked for a Colorado charter which was issued as Nevada Lodge No. 4. The Nevada Lodge Brethren are said to have delayed until this time to satisfy themselves about jurisdictional regularity.

            Grand Master Fairchild appointed Andrew Mason as Worshipful Master, I.H. Morton as Senior Warden and James Dyke as Junior Warden. There were 33 charter members: Andrew Mason, PM; A.L. Miller; J.W. Chiles; J.W. Guest, PM; C.S. Albott; F.D. Darlington; I.J. Peck; John H. Adams; I.H. Morton; James Gibson; W. Pritihech; C.A. Clark; James Dyke; C.H. Morgan; N.H Gaines; D.D. Crum; A.D. Gambell; A.J. Van Deren; William C. Jones; N.H. Boswell; Seymore L Angell; A. Marshall; J.W. Nesmith; G.A. Smith; James Clark; E.W. Henderson; L.M. Chase; J.M. Van Deren; W.L. Sawtell; John Osten, Jr.; I.B. Brunele; and John S. Mason.

            The first meeting of Nevada Lodge U.D. was held January 12, 1861 at which time a committee consisting of James Dyke, A.L. Miller and W.K. Boswell was appointed to draft resolutions for the government of the Lodge. The Lodge held its meetings in the upper room of the building owned by Ira H. Morton and met there continually until the town of Nevada burned in September of 1861. The Lodge held no regular meetings in September and October of that year. In November they began meeting in Central City until the Lodge built a second story Lodge room over the store of L.L. Welch. On February 8, 1862 the Lodge held their regular meeting in their newly purchased Lodge hall which was just west of the Lodge hall currently in use at the present time.

            At the next meeting of Nevada Lodge U.D., held January 26, 1861, the following resolutions were presented and adopted. This Lodge shall be known as Nevada Lodge U.D.A.F. & A.M. The annual communication of this Lodge shall be held on the regular meeting next preceding the festival of St. John the Evangelist. The regular communications of this Lodge shall be held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month to-writ from the 20th of Sept. to the 20th of March at 7 o'clock p.m. and from the 20th of March to the 20th of Sept. at 7 1/2 o'clock p.m.

            The first man raised in Nevada Lodge U.D. was J.W. Ratliff on the fourth day of March 1861. The first special communication of Nevada Lodge U.D. was held on the 20th day of April 1861 for the purpose of conferring the 1st and 2nd degree. The first Masonic funeral was conferred upon Brother A.F. Stoddard on July 20, 1861. The Lodge was subsequently presented with a bill in the amount of $30 for his coffin.

            Electricity was introduced into Central City in 1888 and on November 22, 1890 a bill was received from The Gilpin County L.H. Power Co. for $4.40 for wiring the hall and one half months light to November 1.

            Charges were preferred against Brother Azel D. Galbraith on April 9, 1904 and trial was ordered for May 14, 1904 for the murder of his wife and child. A motion was made and carried that the Brethren from Russell constitute a committee to look after the remains of Mrs. Galbraith and son. May 14, 1904 a motion was made and carried to permit visiting Brethren to remain during the trial of Azel Galbraith. Charges as were previously preferred against A.D. Galbraith were read and a ballot ordered. Whereupon by a majority ballot he was duly expelled from all the rights and privileges of the Masonic Fraternity. The accused having admitted his guilt, a motion was made and carried to make the same publicly known.

            The low price of gold and the lack of sufficient water in the town of Nevadaville began to decline appreciably. Requests for assistance were turned down for lack of funds. In 1905 they raised their dues to $4.00 per year in an effort to meet their responsibilities and in 1915 they lowered their dues back to $2.00 per year in an effort not to lose all their members.

            In 1917 a committee was appointed to confer with the county in regard to a reduction in taxes on the building. Also on December 8th at the annual meeting all Officers simply retained their stations and places. In 1921 only four meetings were held for the entire year and there was no election or Installation of Officers. Again in 1923 there was no election or Installation of Officers, all Officers simply remained in their same stations. The Lodge barely existed during the 1920's, 30's and 40's, after which Masons from Denver started to join the Lodge.

            One highlight for Masonry in Gilpin County on June 17, 1933 a dedication ceremony was held by the Grand Lodge for a monument placed on the site where the first Masonic building was erected at Mountain City. This site is located where the road forks going into Central City. Nevada Lodge No. 4, Central Lodge No. 6 and Blackhawk Lodge No. 11 hold an annual pilgrimage to the monument which began in 1942 with Most Worshipful Brother Benjamin C. Hilliard, Grand Master of Masons in Colorado, together with Grand Lodge Officers from Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and California. This pilgrimage is still held annually in July, at the time of this writing (2002), after the ceremony at the monument at Mountain City, lunch is served in Nevadaville. They then join with the Boulder Lodges for the tour to the monuments at Ward and Gold Hill, then on to Halls Ranch in Lyons for a barbecue dinner and open air meeting.

            During the lean years of the 20's, 30's and 40's there was continued problems with vandalism and on October 10, 1936 when they arrived at the Lodge building, they found it had been broken into again and the Tiler's sword, jewels, globes on the pedestals and many other articles were missing. In June of 1937 it was moved, seconded and carried that the windows be boarded up. From June 1937 to March 8, 1941 seven meetings were held. It was at that time they moved, seconded and was carried that the electricity be shut off and arrangements be made with Central Lodge No. 6 to meet in Central City. On July 18, 1942 they met in Central City for the first time after closing the Temple in Nevadaville. A motion was made, seconded and carried, on January 19, 1949 that the Lodge hold one more meeting in the old building in Nevadaville. No date was designated and no further evidence was recorded that they held another meeting in Nevadaville.

            April 22, 1950 Brother William Russell, Jr. stated that Mt. Sky Holman of Central City had made an offer to purchase the building in Nevadaville for $1,000. The matter was thoroughly discussed and a motion was made, seconded and carried that the Trustees be authorized to make the deal with Mr. Holman, nothing but the building to be conveyed. All furniture, including the stone on the front of the building is to remain property of the Lodge. Because of the price and the removal of the stone on the front of the building, the deal fell through and the building was not sold. Later in the same year another discussion was had on the possibility of rehabilitating the building in Nevadaville and again no action was taken.

            The Lodge gave the Worshipful Master, Arthur Mayham, a vote of thanks for donating a triangle and railroad spike for use in the conferral of the third degree to designate low twelve in the second section. This triangle is still being used in the Lodge, at the present time, in the second section of the third degree.

            All during the 1950's many discussions was had on the possibility of rehabilitating the Temple in Nevadaville. At the regular meeting held on January 23, 1965, a debate on the Lodge hall in Nevadaville ensued and after lengthy discussion, a committee was appointed to explore the possibility of having a meeting in Nevadaville for the purpose of raising funds to preserve the building. March 13th the committee reported that Grand Master John Wesch and Grand Secretary Harry Bundy would visit the building in Nevadaville to approve the possibility of having a meeting in Nevadaville. Approval for the meeting was given, clean up and preparations began. On June 19, 1965 the first annual ghost town meeting was held with 14 members and 80 visitors. The largest attendance at a ghost town meeting was on June 15, 1968 when the Masters Club of Denver Area Masonic Officers Association conferred the Master Mason degree. There were 160 Brothers in attendance at this meeting with 20 sitting Masters, 35 Colorado Lodges and 13 out of State Lodges represented. Preservation progressed so well that restoration began and is currently still in progress (as of 2002). The annual ghost town meeting is currently being held on the first Saturday of June each year.

            On April 22, 1972 it was reported that plans for Henry Ress night was finalized. Brother Ress was Master of Nevada Lodge No. 4 in 1938 and 1944 and served as Secretary for twenty-five years. Brother Henry was probably the man and Mason most responsible for the continued existence of the Lodge during the lean years after gold mining diminished, during and after the Depression and until after World War II when Masonry again began to increase. It was reported on that same night that Brother Henry suffered a stroke, and on April 26th Brother Henry was buried on the 50th Anniversary of his Masonic career.

            The first heating system to be installed in the Temple after the restoration began was in May of 1973. In March of 1974 Brother Weingarten announced that 150 folding chairs were purchased from El Jebel Shrine at $1.00 each for use at Nevadaville  and also several ten foot tables donated by the Shrine. Also, a piano was donated by Westminster Lodge No. 176. The pressure and storage system for the water supply was installed in April of 1975. All water that is used in the building has to be hauled in and renovations have been made several times on the storage capacity. Prior to installing the pressure system, a gravity system was used from fifty gallon barrel on a truck behind the building.

            Brother Walt Harris installed the steel beam in the dinning room on April 9, 1977 with the assistance of many of the men that he worked with in the steel business. This was the beginning of plans to replace the floor and install a fireplace in the dinning room in an effort to hold a centennial celebration  for the building. A centennial celebration was held on October 6, 1979 with a dinner dance at $25 a couple. A duplicate dinner ticket, from the dedication of the Temple in 1879, was given to each person that attended the centennial dinner dance celebration.

            The metal ceiling in the Lodge room is not original and was installed in 1985. The wallpaper in the Lodge room is original and some touch up work was done to repair the bullet holes on the North wall. The kitchen was enlarged and a commercial stove and hood, donated by Denver Chapter No. 2 Royal Arch Masons, was installed in the year 1990.

            Nevada Lodge now meets on a regular basis in the Temple in Nevadaville on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. The Lodge is dark January, February and March. The annual ghost town meeting, breakfast and the Gold Country Actual Past Master Association are the main fundraisers.

For More Information on Nevada Lodge No. 4:

• Email them at info@nevadamasoniclodge4.org.
• Visit their website at nevadamasoniclodge4.org.
• Call them at (830) 240-2442.

Sources:

~ Written history was by WB Roy F. Weingarten, PM. Only changes made to text were grammatical corrections. Some parts of WB Weingarten's history were not included such as excerpts from minutes, resolutions, etc. If interested in reading his entire written history, go to nevadamasoniclodge4.org/about.

~ Pictures of Lodge building and Lodge room were obtained from Google Images.

Ye Olde Cup & Ball Lodge U.D.

 

Written by Worshipful Brother JR Knight, Past Master

                    Ye Olde Cup & Ball Lodge U.D. has been a part of the Southern California area since June 28, 2021.

                    The Lodge was founded in 2021 by members of The Invisible Lodge International, which is a "Lodge" of Magical Master Masons that formed in 1953 and includes members from many countries around the world. The founders of the YOC&B Lodge are brothers Randall Brill, Ralph C. Shelton II, William Royce Knight, Robert Pepple, David Benitez, Jonathan Dilley, Jon Gary Rick, Charles Cisneros, Floyd Orr, Adam Hanin, Alexander Rafferty, William Anthony Knight, David Alvarado, Timothy Hammond, Robert Peterson and Frank Banman. The Lodge was formed "to unite California Masonic Magicians" and provide a gathering place for its members to promote personal growth while improving the lives of others. The first Worshipful Master of Ye Olde Cup & Ball Lodge U.D. was William Royce Knight.

                    Ye Olde Cup & Ball Lodge combines the oldest and largest fraternal organization with one of the world's oldest forms of entertainment. We are dedicated to the promotion and improvement  of the art of magic. We take responsibility for the well-being of our brothers, our families and the community as a whole. We value respect, kindness, tolerance, and our differences - religious, ethnic, cultural, generational and educational, and strive for harmony in our individual lives, in our Lodge, and in the global community.

                    YOC&B Lodge is a traveling Lodge that meets quarterly in various locations around Southern California. We meet on the first Saturday of February, May, August and November. We held our Chartering Ceremony on Halloween evening, October 31, 2022. We will also be holding a joint celebration with The Invisible Lodge International to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Brother Erich "Harry Houdini" Weiss becoming a Mason, the 70th Anniversary of The Invisible Lodge International and the Chartering of Ye Olde Cup & Ball Lodge. This event will be on Sunday July 16, 2023 beginning at 5 pm through Monday July 17, 2023 at 2 am.

                    As a Lodge, we strive to be active in the magic community. We have various charitable and educational events throughout the year, as well as social occasions. Masonry is the world's first and largest fraternal organization. It is guided by the enduring belief that each man has the responsibility to make the world a better place. For over 300 years, Freemasonry has enhanced and strengthened the character of individual men by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity and the search for truth - within ourselves and the larger world.

                    Some famous, and historic, Masonic Magicians include: Brothers Erich "Harry Houdini" Weiss, Alexander Hermann, Harry Kellar, Howard Thurston, August Harry "Dante" Jansen, Henri "Harry Blackstone, Sr." Bouton, Lee Grabel, William Ellsworth "Chung Ling Soo" Robinson, Thomas Nelson Downs, Raymond Stanley "TAMPA" Sugden, Richard Potter, John Henry Anderson, Frederick Eugene Powell, David Leendert Bamberg, Tobias (Theo) "Okito" Bamberg, David Tobias "Fu Manchu" Bamberg, Charles Joseph "Carter the Great" Carter, Maurice "The Great Raymond" Raymond, Felicien-Francois Trevey, Brewerton "Sir Felix Korim" Clarke, Elbern Madren "John" Calvert, Billy McComb, Dr. Zina Bennett, Bert Douglas, Peter Reveen, Sid Radner, Meyer "Carl Ballantine" Kessler, J.B. Bobo, Herb Zarrow, Jack Gwynne and Buster Keaton.

For More Information about Ye Olde Cup & Ball Lodge U.D.:

~ Email us at yocblodge@gmail.com.

~ Please visit us online at cupandball.freemason.org.

~ Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069907332903.

~ For more information about Freemasonry in California, visit freemason.org.

Magically and Fraternally,

JR Knight, PM

Websites of Interest:

Ye Olde Cup & Ball Lodge U.D. - www.cupandball.freemason.org

The Invisible Lodge International - www.theinvisiblelodge.org

S.W. Hackett Lodge #574 - www.swhackett574.sandiegofreemason.com

"Freemasonry within a temple of stone
cannot be other than speculative,
but Freemasonry within the
living temple of the body is operative."

~ Manly P. Hall

Sources:

1. Information was written and sent to Perry Lodge No. 185 by Worshipful Brother JR Knight, PM for use in this blog.

2. Images are from www.cupandball.freemason.com.

Month In Review

Perry Lodge No. 185

A Month In Review

One Day Class

Taken by W.B. Jim Hall on March 26, 2022

On March 26, 2022 New Lisbon Lodge No. 65 hosted a One Day Class as a part of our Grand Master M.W.B. Tim Wheeland’s plan for state-wide One Day Classes on the 26th. As a result of the Class, Perry Lodge had three candidates raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Congratulations to our newest Master Masons: Delbert McCallister, Jason Caldwell and Aldo Polverine II. We look forward to what Masonry has in store for them!

Perry Lodge’s

Annual Inspection

Taken by Chelsea Barrett on December 8, 2022

Perry Lodge’s Annual Inspection was held at the Salem Masonic Temple on Wednesday March 30, 2022 in the Master Mason degree. The officers and Fellowcraft Team did very well in their presentation of the degree work.

Our most distinguished guest that night was District Deputy Grand Master Anthony Boggs, representing Most Worshipful Brother Timothy Wheeland, Grand Master of Masons of Ohio; who served as our Inspecting Officer. Other distinguished guests included Most Worshipful Brother Kevin Todd, Past Grand Master of Ohio; Right Worshipful Brother James Cardelein, District Advisor; Worshipful Brother Jim Hall, District Education Advisor; and Worshipful Brother Rik Linebaugh, President of the 24th Masonic District.

District Deputy Grand Master Anthony Boggs gave us a very good report at the end of the evening, and stated that he would recommend to Grand Lodge that the degree work was “very acceptable”. Thank you to the officers for all your hard work, and huge thank you to those who participated in the Fellowcraft Team. The help and support you show for your Lodge does not go unnoticed.

Perry Lodge No. 185

Annual Gun Raffle

Our Lodge is currently selling tickets for our upcoming Annual Gun Raffle. The drawing will be on May 14, 2022 via Facebook Live on the Perry Lodge Facebook Page. If you miss the live video, or are unable to watch, the winners will be notified by phone call of which gun they have won.

If you would like to buy tickets, or would like tickets to sell, please text Michael Caldwell at (330) 277-8202, email us at perrypride185@gmail.com, or send a message to our Facebook page. Let us know how many tickets you would like and we can mail them to you, or try to meet up with you if possible. Tickets are $10 each and there is no limit, so you can get 1, 5, 10 or more. There will only be 750 tickets sold! Please help and support the Lodge.

2022 Memorial Day Parade

The Salem Memorial Day Parade will be held on Saturday morning May 28, 2022. Perry Lodge will be having a truck and truck and trailer in the parade this year. Any one who would like to ride, or walk, along please text Michael Caldwell at (330) 277-8202, or send a message to our Facebook page. We are planning on throwing out treats for the kids along the parade route.

We would love to have members who are veterans, or public safety, join us. We also encourage our members to include their family members in the parade float with them. Masonry is strong because of our families and we want to include them in our activities. If you are joining us, please meet us at the Temple at 8:15 am that morning. The monthly breakfast will also be that Saturday.

Salem Super Cruise 2022

The Salem Super Cruise will be held from Thursday June 9th to Saturday the 11th. We would like to invite our members and their families to sit with us on the Temple steps, or in the yard, to watch the cars. We are also planning on having a float in the Super Cruise this year and are looking for family and friends to ride on it with us.

The Salem Masonic Temple will be having a gun raffle during the Super Cruise again this year and will be set up out front of the Temple on the 9th through the 11th until 9:00 pm. Tickets will be $5/each. The drawing will be on Saturday June 11th at 9:00 pm. The guns on the raffle are as follows: Walther PPK .22 cal. Pistol and a Heritage Rough Rider .22 Revolver.

We would also like to acknowledge that Brother Dennis Plegge, who is a member of our Lodge, has taken charge of the Salem Super Cruise this year. He has put quite a bit of time and effort into the event. We would like to thank him for his hard work.

Salem Masonic Temple

100th Anniversary

The first brick of the current Salem Masonic Temple was laid on April 6, 1922. The cornerstone ceremony was held on Sunday May 7, 1922. The cornerstone was laid by Most Worshipful Brother Benjamin Franklin Perry, Jr., Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

June 2022 marks a special 100th year Anniversary for the Salem Masonic Temple. For this reason, a celebration will be held at the Temple on Saturday June 4, 2022. There will be a cookout open to all members, local Masons and to the general public. It will be an opportunity for both fellowship and for non-Masons to see the inside of the Lodge and ask questions. All are welcome! Please stop by and visit.

Words of Wisdom:

From Worshipful Master Dan Lewis

We wish you and your family good health and prosperity. We are currently recruiting in our “making good men better” campaign. We are hopeful that a few more petitions may be turned in during the coming months.

I am pleased to announce that we have only one Past Master on the moving line and would like to keep it that way. We want to continue to have good men in our ranks and grow in our brotherhood. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and we wish you all to be blessed by the fruits of Masonry.

Perry Lodge & Salem Masonic Temple

Trestle Board

April 30: Breakfast at the Temple - $7/person; Open to the Public; 7:30 am - 10:00 am

~

May 5: Wild Shirt Night/Stated Meeting - Meal at 6:30 pm; Meeting at 7:30 pm

May 14: Perry Lodge Annual Gun Raffle Drawing - 7:30 pm via Facebook Live

May 28: Breakfast at the Temple - $7/person; Open to the Public; 7:30 am - 10:00 am

May 28: Salem Memorial Day Parade - Riders/Walkers please meet at the Temple at 8:15 am

May 31: Masonic Temple Blood Drive - From 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Salem Masonic Temple; Please go to www.redcrossblood.org and choose a time to donate.

~

June 2: Stated Meeting - Meal at 6:30 pm; Meeting at 7:30 pm

June 4: 100th Anniversary - Celebration and picnic; 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm; Open to the Public

June 9-11: Temple Board Gun Raffle at the Super Cruise - All day until 9:00 pm

~

July & August: No Schedule Meetings - Follow us on Facebook to keep up on Events, Meetings and Activities for the Lodge.

READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE

 

Perry Lodge No. 185

788 E. State Street

Salem, Ohio 44460

Perry Lodge No. 185

Belated Happy New Year, Brethren!

Thanks to Brother Brian Whitehill for hosting a "Cool" bonfire October 16th. Temps were a bit chilly but the bonfire was blazing and the dogs were hot, and we watched college football on the big screen outside.

Our Election and Installation of Officers were held on November 3rd and December 8th respectively. Our new officers are: Dan Lewis - Worshipful Master; Brian Mint - Senior Warden; Michael Caldwell - Junior Warden; Jim Forney - Treasurer; Ted Lyda - Secretary; Brent Spangler - Senior Deacon; Ryan Barrett - Junior Deacon; Mat Arnoto - Senior Steward; Garrett Yoder - Junior Steward; Jerry Lyda, Jr.  - Tyler; Steve Faber - Chaplain; Brad Lankford - Lodge Education Officer. Congratulations to all! THANKS!

After Installation of Officers, Most Worshipful Brother Kevin Todd, Past Grand Master of Ohio, presented service pins and certificates to WB Freddie Henderson (60 yr) and retired Colonel Bob McCluggage (65 yr) to recognize them for their many years of service to Masonry. A few days earlier, Right Worshipful Tony Boggs and WB Rick Sekely presented Brother Dick Dougherty his (65 yr) pin and certificate at his home as he was unable to attend Lodge that evening. After the awards presentation, a Memorial Service was conducted for the five brethren who passed in 2021: John Barnhouse, Gilbert Bartha, Bob Chapel, David Linton and James Smith. May they rest peacefully in the Celestial Lodge Above.

We would like to welcome Don Sheen and his tow sons, Don Sheen, Jr. and Lonnie Sheen, and Bob Yeager to Perry Lodge. They became members of Perry Lodge in December of 2021. Also welcome to Paul Wagner who received his Master Mason Degree in December.

The new year is starting off well with WM Dan Lewis as out fearless leader. It looks like we will have a few new candidates turning in their petitions soon, which will keep us busy with degree work for the next several months.

Our Inspection this year will be on March 30th in the Master Mason Degree. Several Lodges have held closed Inspections due to Covid19, but our intention is to have an open Inspection unless the Grand lodge of Ohio mandates otherwise. We may ask that masks and social distancing are used.

This year's Perry Lodge Gun Raffle will be held on May 14. Tickets will be $10* and will be mailed to all our members in the next few weeks with details included. Please support our Lodge and buy a few tickets.

Fraternally,

WB Rick Sekely

*If you are interested in Gun Raffle tickets and are not a member, go to our Contact page and let us know how many you would like and what the best way would be for us to get them to you. For any other questions or comments always feel free to reach out to us in one of the multiple ways provided. 

A New Masonic Year

 Perry Lodge 171st Annual Installation

Back Row: WB Jim Forney; WB Ron Lankford; WB Tom Wright; WM Dan Lewis; JW Michael Caldwell; WB Alonzo Potts - Front Row: WB Jim Hall; JS Garrett Yoder; JD Ryan Barrett; WB Steve Faber; SW Brian Mint;

Br. Jerry Lyda, Jr.; SD Brent Spangler; MWB Kevin Todd; RWB Anthony Boggs; WB Rik Linebaugh

On Wednesday December 8, 2021 Perry Lodge No. 185 hosted their 171st Installation of Officers at the Salem Masonic Temple in Salem, Ohio. In a ceremony open to the public, the new officers were installed into their positions, many in the presence of some of their family and friends.

Toward the end of the ceremony Worshipful Master Dan Lewis gave the officers the opportunity to show appreciation to family and friends that came with them that night to give their support. Men graciously pointed out their wives, fiances, children, parents and brethren. As easy as it may be to overlook sometimes, Masons would not be able to accomplish what we do, or have the brotherhood that Freemasonry has provided over the years, if it wasn't for the strong support of our families. And for that, we are very grateful.

We also had some distinguished guests that we were honored to have a part of our ceremony: Most Worshipful Brother Kevin Todd, Past Grand Master of Masons of Ohio; Right Worshipful Brother Anthony Boggs, District Deputy Grand Master;  Worshipful Brother Jim Hall, District Education Officer; and Worshipful Brother Rik Linebaugh, 24th District Association President.

The newly elected Perry Lodge officers are as follows:

        Worshipful Master ~ WB Dan Lewis

        Senior Warden ~ Brian Mint

        Junior Warden ~ Michael Caldwell

        Treasurer ~ WB Jim Forney

        Secretary ~ Ted Lyda, Jr.

        Senior Deacon ~ Brent Spangler

        Junior Deacon ~ Ryan Barrett

        Senior Steward ~ Mat Arnoto

        Junior Steward ~ Garrett Yoder

        Tyler ~ Jerry Lyda, Jr.

        Lodge Education Officer ~ WB Ron Lankford

Over the last few years, Perry has grown quite a bit. We have gotten new  faces, new ideas and renewed vigor. If you read the description of our lodge given on Facebook it reads "Perry Lodge is a group of great guys who share common interests. It's our desire to express the tenants of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth." Hopefully how we live our lives as a part of our families and through the various ways our Lodge interacts with our local community, we express these tenants and show those around us that we care, and doing so, we just might help make the world a better place.

If you're interested in finding out more about Perry Lodge No. 185, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Happy Holidays from Perry Lodge

 

Thanksgiving is over and the turkey leftovers have been eaten or left to the garbage disposal. The time of anxious shopping and rushing around is upon us once again.

Christmas lights are everywhere. The occasional, and beautiful falling snow. Christmas music is playing in the stores and restaurants. The Salvation Army with their ringing bells and red kettles. Santa in the parade, the mall...and soon to be in your house. Hot cocoa and Christmas trees. It's truly a season of magic.

Those of us who are parents, especially of young children, love the look they get on their faces when they see Santa in the parade or at the mall, or the excitement they get on Christmas morning as they rush into the living room to find their presents  underneath the tree. You can see the light in their eyes as they tear the wrapping paper off the gifts just waiting to see what's inside. If you're a spouse, or have a partner, just watching him or her open that special, perfect gift that you actually spent the time to searching for makes your heart flutter. It kinda brings back that magic for you, even for just a moment, doesn't it?

As my wife and I stood on the sidewalk with my two children watching our town's parade last night, there was a fellow lodge brother across the street and another brother a little further down. Two Masonic lodges were represented in the parade along with various charities, organizations and businesses who exist to help people.

I mentioned the Salvation Army. I think they tend to be one that we are most familiar with come the holiday season.  Every year they donate money, clothing and food to needy people and families that have little to nothing.

Anyone that has worked in the medical field, or counseling, can tell you that for some people the holidays are the hardest parts of the year. Sometimes it's because a loved one died close to Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's. Or, it could be that it's just too lonely now since that loved one has passed away.  When you see the van from the local retirement home or nursing home drive through the parade and the people inside are smiling and waving, make sure you smile and wave back. This could be one of their favorite things to do.

All too often as human beings we find ourselves rushing through life, and through the year, from day to day paying bills and making money. And before long, that becomes our life. Then, once the holidays hit, it's hard to truly slow down and enjoy them so it just becomes a shift from one excuse to another. Instead it's a different rush. We're working overtime so we can buy more gifts. We don't have time to stop and say 'hi' while we're shopping because we  have too many gifts to buy and too many stores yet. And so the trend continues.

Wow! That took a quick turn from decorations to Sunday morning sermon.

So what's the point? Definitely not to ruin the idea of celebrating. The point is maybe consider adding onto your celebration. I know, 'Add more to my already busy schedule?' It's not much. I promise. If you don't already, drop some money into the red kettle the next time to walk into a store where you see one. Maybe consider caroling to some people who could use some Christmas cheer, or send out some cards or a letter to let someone know you are thinking about them. 

As we said earlier, the holidays can be very difficult for some people, especially for elderly people who either can't get out, or who have lost their spouse.

Believe me. I'm a full-time working husband, father and Mason. I also have multiple things that I do on the side. I understand what it means to get busy, distracted, rushed and, yes, sometimes frustrated - especially around the holidays. It's in times like this that I  have to slow myself down and realize that my family, and doing things for others, is what's most important. Easy right?

With Christmas just a couple weeks away, take some time to find something to do with your family - go to a holiday event, look for Christmas lights, go ice skating, go out for a family dinner.

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is one of the best-selling classic novels, and now best-selling Christmas movies of all time. I think one of the best lines from that story that may apply here is the conversation between Scrooge and Jacob Marley.

Scrooge to Marley's Ghost: But you were always a good man of business.

Jacob Marley: Business? Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business. Charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence all my business.

 Hopefully we never get caught in the trap of thinking that just because they aren't our children, or parents, or siblings that we should just ignore them and continue on our way. Every day Scrooge would pass those in need without even a care, or even a glance. The poorhouses, the prisons and the factories were for the poor. He refused to give in order to better their situation.

Giving isn't just acknowledged by money, although that is one way, yes. The true spirit of Christmas is the giving of one's time, a smile, a simple "how are you?", or a homemade pie. Not just in the week or two before Christmas, but all year long. And if you haven't watched A Christmas Carol I highly recommend you watch it, especially as a family movie night.

From Perry Lodge No. 185 in Salem, Ohio

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!