Feb. 12, 2009
Brethren,
How can a year have past so rapidly? It seems like it was just yesterday that I was sending this letter for my first go round. As most of you know because of some migration away from Carroll, I have been re-elected as Master of Lodge again this year. What a true honor for me. I can only hope that things continue to grow as they did last year with contributions from our long-time members as well as the addition of many new Masons looking to expand our activities in Lodge. Let me review the past year with you.
In 2008, we added eight Masons. Our newest members are: Dr. Greg Banks, Ryan Broderson, and Rob Whitman. In total we performed 28 degrees in 2008. Our new additions have brought some needed energy into the Lodge with two members taking roles this year as officers. Others have already taken part in degree work, including memory work. These men have also taken an interest in the history and philosophy of the Lodge. This long neglected part of Masonry has arguably, led to the Craft’s decline in past decades. Towards that end, in April, Ryan B. will be giving a presentation just four months after having been raised.
Also new amongst us are the Brethren from Auburn. We are glad to have successfully merged with Jeptha Lodge #201 this past October. We hope they are able to join forces with us towards Masonic excellence.
Regarding our infrastructure improvement in 2008, we have much to discuss. We began improvement with the storm ravaged roof, by replacing this through our own labor. Further we furnished nearly half the cost through our own members’ donations. Money we had left over was used to renovate the landscaping under direction of Bill Fish. Lastly, the parking lot had some improvements as well. Needless to say from the outside, the grounds are much improved. In the basement we were forced to replace our water heater, two furnaces, and parts of the air conditioners largely on the back of John Montgomery. Thank you John!! Now, we don’t run out of hot water and we are more comfortable in the Lodge room.
Our ritual saw many changes as our officers took ownership of their chairs. This year we had members learn no fewer than thirty-four parts!! This is a testament to their hard work and dedication to our Lodge but also to their predecessors’ excellence which motivated them to learn these parts. I hope you all have an opportunity to come and see a degree this year.
We saw mixed reviews for our fund-raising opportunities this year. We definitely had a strong showing at the Fly-in Breakfast in September. Unfortunately, the Memorial Day breakfast and Christmas dinner were put on by a few of our stalwarts. Because of the work load placed on Glenn, he has decided he will no longer be perpetual chair for all the fundraising. For those of you who would like to offer support in this area please see Glenn or myself. Randy and I have decided to co-chair the Fly-In breakfast for 2009. If others do not step forward we may see that we will have to forfeit our other fundraising endeavors. This may translate into higher dues. If anyone has any suggestions towards this area please let me know.
Lastly we changed the format of meetings. We no longer read minutes or vote on bills. We try to have major decisions made in committee and the Lodge at large updated to vote if need be. This has stream-lined our meetings to allow time for Masonic education to take place. Last year we discussed issues including: the definition of terms used in ritual, the central tenets of Masonry, the concept of secrecy, the 47th problem of Euclid, ideas to improve our Lodge, the Appendant bodies, and Anti-Masonry. This year we will continue this tradition, each month we will have a presentation usually on a Masonic topic. If anyone is interested in a giving a presentation please let me know. If you have not attended one of our newly formatted meeting please give it a try. If you have not attended Lodge in long time, and feel, our Lodge’s mandate towards a deeper meaning was missing come and experience the difference for yourself.
On a more somber note, in November long-time Mason, Norm Winchester died; he will be sorely missed. If you happen across his family be sure to express our best wishes and off help if need be.
To cap off a summary of our year, I would like to call attention to the man behind the curtain much of these past years, Glenn Lockhart. Glenn was awarded the T.S. Parvin award by Grand Lodge in October. Tom Rogers convinced him to attend Grand Lodge where he was surprised by the much over due award. The award honors the Mason from Iowa who has perennially demonstrated Masonic excellence without seeking the accolades for the same. It is essentially a “Mason of the Year” award for Iowa. Next time you see Glenn be sure to congratulate him.
I would like to continue the introduction of oficers I began last spring. Senior Warden is Brother Norm England. Brother England was raised in 2003. Norm’s grandfather was a Mason. He was born September 29, 1956 in Red Oak where he also graduated. Norm now resides in Carroll and works at Farner-Bocken. Brother England’s wife, Sue, and he have two children. His son, Cole, graduated from Northwestern in Evanston and works in San Francisco. His daughter, Sara, graduated from the University of Iowa and has moved to Minneapolis. His hobbies are fishing and motorcycles. Norm has been a stellar Mason since joining our lodge. Besides being a very good ritualist, he is always willing to help out in any way he can.
As most you have discovered, I am Greg Perkins, Worshipful Master. I was raised to a Master Mason in 2002 in Grace Lodge #519 in Laurens where my brother, father, and Great Uncle have all been Past Masters. My grandfather was also a Mason there. In March, my brother and I joined the Sioux City Valley Scottish Rite. My father, mother, grandfather and grandmother are all members of Eastern Star. I was born May 22nd, 1971 in Pocahontas. I graduated from Laurens-Marathon, and then attended University of Iowa, medical school at Rush Medical College in Chicago, followed by a residency and fellowship in Ventura, CA before returning to Carroll. Julie and I have four children Emma (7), Mary (5), and Elizabeth—Libby (3) and Theodore—Teddy (5 months). My hobbies include running, camping, hiking, and reading especially history. I primarily joined the Masons to appease Dad, however over the past six years I have seen the beauties it offers. This year I will strive to learn the King Solomon part, 1st degree screen lecture and charge this year. Ultimately, I would like to go on to become a District Lecturer. More importantly, I hope that Signet Lodge becomes a regional repository of Light in Masonry, that we are able to educate our members and the surrounding area on the principles of Masonry. I would also like to see our local York Rite revived. The number and quality of our new Masons will force us to satisfy their drive for truth and York Rite will be a good outlet for this. Given the strengths of our Lodge, I believe we are well equipped to do so.
This year, I want to try to consolidate our pursuit of Truth. I think this is something each of us needs to do on our own mostly, but can be stimulated by our time in Lodge. Toward this end, I have drafted some guidelines for our roles in the Lodge. Also I have also composited a paper with resources where each of us can strengthen our understanding of the philosophy and history of Masonry. I will include both of these with this letter.
Further we have taken steps to start a Masonic Library here in Carroll. I have received the books and will be bring them to Lodge on the 18th. They are all good reads. I have also placed two books in the Carroll Public Library: Freemasonry for Dummies and Solomon’s Builders both by Chris Hodapp. I hope they all become dog-eared through frequent use.
Two of our Past Masters have raised the ante in dedicating themselves to a discussion group. The 1st meeting is the 19th of February. They will be discussion the 1st two chapters of the Freemasonry for Dummies book. This is truly a great overview and I urge you to read this if you have not. We now give it to all newly-made Masons and we have copies through Glenn available for only ten dollars. I hope this is a nidus that will pack crowds and leap to other books. We hope to see you there.
Lastly, another PM, Don Prior has been organizing visitations to area Lodges. He and his group have attended Vail, Laurens, Manning, and Coon Rapids and are planning trips to Glidden and Fort Dodge. If you are interested this is a fantastic way to reach out and meet other good individuals. Who knows maybe our enthusiasm will be contagious.
Our next few meetings are as follows:
Wednesday, Feb 18th 630pm: 3rd degree for Joe Celluci
Thursday, Feb 19th 700pm: Discussion on the 1st 2 chapters of Freemasonry for Dummies led by
Tom Lehman and Terry Augustus
Thursday, March 5th 630pm: Stated meeting with prose and poetry recitation by Larry Perkins
Various dates in March we will have the degrees for Darin Baack our latest candidate
Monday, March 30th 730pm: Re-obligation night—this was called out by the Grand Master, that all Lodges throughout Iowa will open on the 3rd, restate the obligation of the 3rd, then a modified obligation summating the high points of each degree. It should take about an hour. The Grand Master is also requesting that we dig out our own Lambskin aprons to wear. If you have not heard some of the beauties of the degrees lately this will be a nice composite.
Thursday, April 2nd 630pm: State meeting, with program led by Ryan Broderson on the history and symbolism of Solomon’s Temple. This should be a fantastic Powerpoint presentation.
I hope I see you early and often this year. If you have any questions, or would like us to be heading in a different direction please give me a call. If you received this in the mail and you have access to an email address (even if it is you wife’s) please send me your email address to save me some time. Thanks and I look to another great year.
Fraternally,
Greg L. Perkins WM
perkinsgreg@hotmail.com