My Story: Bro. Rik Linebaugh

My masonic story starts Back in the 90s. I was recently divorced and looking for a new direction in life. I was bar tending at a local bar in Youngstown and saw a Masonic ring on a friend’s finger. I thought, what a cool ring! I had seen Masonic emblems on cars before and inquired what they were for. He told me he could not give me details but if he ever saw a person on the side of the road that had an emblem on his car, that he would stop and render aid. I said like AAA huh! He laughed and said “Yeah kinda”. I asked him what it took to become a Mason to which he replied, “You have already taken the first step”. I had no idea what that meant. I was introduced to yet another Mason which was also a regular at the bar and received a petition which they both had signed. It was a petition for Argus Lodge #545. I knew another Brother from Argus and asked him about things, thinking that since we worked together once and went to school together that he would surely tell me. All he said was to fill out the petition and send in the dues and he would see me thru the next steps. I am not sure exactly why I did not follow thru, whether it was time, money or the unknown but I had regretted it for some time. Thru the years I had thought about that petition from time to time and wished I had joined.

Fast-forward to 3 years ago. While attending some council meetings in a city I had recently moved to with my family, I befriended yet another Mason who had known some of my family for quite some time. This sparked my interest in Masonry yet again to which I asked the proverbial question a second time, “what does it take to become a Mason”, to which he answered, “You just took the first step”. I was then presented a petition a few days later for Allen Lodge #276 in Columbiana, Ohio. I thought to myself that I would follow thru this time.

I soon learned of other friends who were in the fraternity and one of them had plans for me! I learned from the start, at the investigation, that Freemasonry was the direction I had been missing in my life. My family were regulars at church, active in the community and my wife and I were becoming philanthropists. I wanted to serve the community, and this was a huge resource that had endless opportunities. I met some genuinely nice people so far and freemasonry had made an impression on me.

With the help of my mentor and friend Bro. Richard Simpson, we studied a few nights a week and I returned my Exams in 2 weeks each time. I was ready to be the candidate for a special multi lodge Master Mason degree at Negley Lodge #565. After my raising I had stepped in to fill a void at Jr. Steward and helped my Lodge wherever I could. I learned a lot in a short amount of time and was never told anything discouraging. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn. It was not long until I started “using” the working tools of freemasonry to improve myself.

One of the most important things I have learned is the value of work. The more I put into something, the more it rewards me. The more quality I put in the better the outcome. The more knowledge obtained the better the understanding. This Philosophy alone has helped me move up the line quickly. It has also taught me the value of other people that have helped me progress in masonry.

I was featured as a “Monday Mason” by the Grand Lodge and asked what Freemasonry meant to me. I responded with one word, “Opportunity”. Masonry gives us all the opportunity to meet, converse and interact with people we would never have had the opportunity to do so in a regular environment. It does not matter the occupation, intelligence or status of a brother in Lodge, we meet on the same level. To me, this is a valuable resource to gain knowledge and improve myself by the interaction alone. When does a shop foreman working for a steel company get to pick the brain of a doctor or a mechanic have the opportunity to gain self-improvement from conversing with a lawyer on a regular basis, a postal carrier and a company CEO, Etc. and not even know the person? It is rare outside of the fraternity.

I have been fortunate to meet many Masons from different states. I had the pleasure of attending a multi lodge raising of myself by masters in the 24 th district as well as a multi-state Grand Lodge conferral of degrees in Indianapolis. Freemasonry is an “opportunity” to improve one’s self simply by the fellowship of brothers in a worldwide fraternity and gain lifelong friends along the way. Brothers, a word that means so much more when you apply “opportunity” and is why I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for me in Freemasonry… The ring is pretty cool too!

My Story: Worshipful Brother Brad Lankford, K.Y.H.

During World War II, my grandfather became friends with several Masons. Their behavior made my grandfather decide that he, too, wanted to be a Mason when the war was over. The WW2 generation is generally regarded as “The greatest generation”.

About twenty years ago I was taken by how divided we were as a nation. I felt as though there had to be things that I could do to make my family better, to make my church better, to make my community and state better. In short, I wanted to make America great again. At the time this wasn’t a controversial phrase. I looked to what my grandfather, and men like him, did. They went to church. They went to work. They joined civic organizations that helped people. The phrase “God, Family, Country” was written in everyone’s hearts.

I was doing “some” of that. I went to work. I went to church. I was praying for my community, state and nation. However, I wasn’t a part of any group or civic organization dedicated to anything greater than their immediate community. I looked to the example of my grandfather and asked to become a Mason. As Robert Frost stated, “and that has made all the difference."

I became a part of a society of friends and brothers. I am a part of a group that donates over a million dollars per day to various charities. We donate to Special Olympics, to Shriner’s hospitals, and everything in between. We feed the poor, we build Alzheimer treatment and research centers. We work to help with the adoption of “hard to place” children through Adopt America. We provide scholarships. The Masonic Model Student Assistance Program (MMSAP) enables core teams of faculty and staff to effectively identify and refer at-risk youth. This three-day intensive training seminar is provided to local schools by the Freemasons of Ohio.

I am not just a man, I am a Mason.

My Story: Worshipful Brother James R. Hall, R.S.S.

I joined our great fraternity on August 28, 2013 at East Palestine Lodge No. 417.

About 14 years earlier I had expressed interest in Freemasonry to my girlfriend (currently my wife). She said I should look into it but, as many find out, I didn’t know who to talk to.

Fast forward to July 2013 I had the chance to work with WB Ryan Cresanto for the day delivering furniture. We talked about everything there was, Lodge wise. By the end of the day I had filled out a petition and had it turned back in! Before I knew it, I was on my journey to the East!

I became Master of East Palestine Lodge No. 417 for the 2019 year. In the same year I was also chosen by the Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction to be featured in their 28 Days of Masons. This was where a different Mason from the 15 states is highlighted each day.

Along with being part of the Valley of Youngstown Scottish Rite, I am also a member of the Youngstown York Rite bodies and petitioned the Al Koran Shrine/Youngstown Shrine Club (on hold due to Covid). I was also inducted as the 12th Brother accepted into the Royal Scofield Society at Grand Lodge in Marietta last year. I was proud to be 1 of the 14 Masons from across the state of Ohio to be inducted into the Inaugural Class and is the reason why I am currently serving as Chancellor of East Palestine No. 417, 1st Vice - President of the 24th Masonic District Association, District Prospect Manager, and Social Media Chair of the Royal Scofield Society.

I can truly say that Freemasonry has changed my life! It has instilled a sense of self confidence that wasn’t there before. It has also given me so many great friends and memories from across the district and state. If I could have changed one thing in my journey it would have been to have started this journey earlier! The saying “The more you put into it, the more you get out of it” is a perfect saying for Freemasons! I’ve put so much into it and have been rewarded ten fold for that. The beauty of it all is that we have so many Brothers across the district, state and world and they’re all in your corner. They all want what is best for you and vice versa.

I’ve never regretted a day that I’ve been a Freemason and look forward to inspiring new Masons everyday!!

My Story: Worshipful Brother Jason W. Short

I became a MM in July 2007. I started to run the chairs and then in 2012 I took a break for personal reasons. I came back and started the chairs again eventually becoming Master at Negley in 2018.

I also became the President of the 24th District Association in 2018. The next year I became Worshipful Master of Jenkins Lodge #471.

In 2019 I was given the honor of being a face of Ohio Freemasonry. In the same year I became a District Education Officer for the 24th District.

I am a member of Negley, Allen and Jenkins Lodges. I am a member of the York Rite in Youngstown, Ohio and Scottish Rite Valley of Steubenville. I belong to Eastern Star, the Knight Masons of Ireland and the Grotto. I am also an Ohio Masonic Home Ambassador and Volunteer.

The people you meet and the stories you share are just a small part of the larger puzzle. Masonry has taught me to be a better person, a better leader and a better father. It has helped me tone down my somewhat wild personality and think about the choices I make and things I say.

Freemasonry is one of the best things I have ever done.