Thanksgivings

Happy Thanksgiving (belated) to all.

Nat and I went to my mom and dad's for turkey day Thursday. My mom's health has been failing, but she wanted to cook dinner for the four (six if you count Lucy and Jenny, our dogs) of us. Friday Nat and I hosted dinner for her two daughters and mom and dad. I had to go to Independence Friday afternoon to meet with their Sec/Rec of the York Rite. It was a quick trip up and back and dad went along. Now I need to loose another 10 or 15Lbs. My how the banquet circuit and good food can make your clothes shrink.

Our lives seem to become so busy that It is easy to forget the greatness of life. It really doesn't matter how big your bank account is or what car you drive or where you live. Sure these things make us feel good, feel important, but what are they compared to good health, a loving family, our friends, and hope in our future. In the Order of the Temple we are taught that life is but a fleeting moment. That we are all born, and that we all must die. A person who lives on the streets and looks for his next meal may be happier than those perched high atop the skyline looking over our cities. We all share the same sunshine, the same rain. It matters not who we are, but rather what we are. Our actions, how we live our daily lives and treat others is the aim we should have in view. I give thanksgivings for many things. My health, my family, my friends, and most importantly to God. May God Bless You.

Right Worshipful Brother Wade's Reception

Saturday evening was a Grand Lodge reception in honor of R.W. Brother Wade Sheeler, Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. A tremendous crowd showed up to honor Wade and his service to Freemasonry. Wade is a hard worker in every organization he belongs to. He travels across the state and helps out in any way that he can. The affection of his Brethren was evident.

Above is Wade in the center, his dad to the left, and Bob Kilfoil to the right

Nat and I with the Grand Recorder, Willard and his wife Karen

Des Moines George R. Carr York Rite Festival

Early Saturday morning Companions and Sir Knights from across assembled at the Des Moines Scottish Rite Masonic Center for the Des Moines York Rite Fall Festival in memory and honor of S.K. George R. Carr. The Chapter degrees started around 7 a.m. and the Royal Arch degree was completed by lunch time. After lunch the council degrees were conferred, then the Commandery Orders. The Order of the Temple completed around 5:30 p.m. The Grand High Priest, MI Grand Master, and myself as Grand Commander were in attendance. The degrees and orders were presented in fine fashion with few parts being read. Corinthian Chapter #14 has an excellent Past Master degree team. Four Past Grand Masters and a Past Deputy Grand Master filled out the cast with only two non Past Grand Lodge cast members. Their work is outstanding. I am not saying that the other degrees are not good, because they were, but to have four Past Grand Masters in one degree is rare. As Grand Commander I conferred the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross and the Order of Malta in short form. It is to bad that they are seldom given in long form. I hope Des Moines will do one or both of the orders some evening for the members. Nine Grand Commandery Officers were in attendance and most helped with the Order of the Temple. Also five Past Grand Commanders were there. I served as Prelate and S.K. Rusty did a good job as Commander. The highlight of the entire day was the class. I don't know the final count as there were several courtesy candidates, but I am guessing around 35 new Sir Knights and Companions. WOW! That is the larges class in at least a decade for Des Moines. This is the result of the hard work and efforts of many Sir Knights.

Knight Commander of the Court of Honour

The Des Moines Valley of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite held their biannual ceremony of Investiture to those Master's of the Royal Secret who had been elected by the Supreme Council to receive the designation of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour of the Rite. (boy that is a lota words LOL) I fondly remember when I received my KCCH, I was so proud, that my mom and dad where there. The ceremony is impressive and I had a part in it for many years. More importantly than me, was the 19 new recipients. I know personally all but one of them, and that one is a active in community affairs. As Grand Commander I was proud that three of the Grand Commandery Officers received their KCCH, plus our current Commander, several Past Commanders, and a Past Grand High Priest. While they did not receive the KCCH for their York Rite involvement alone, as each is active in Scottish Rite, it shows that the two Rites can and do work together. (in Des Moines at least). All 19 earned their KCCH in some manner of service to the Rite and society. We had a great meal, and great ceremony. It is nice to see so many Brothers in tuxedos and the ladies dressed so nice.
Congratulations to the new KCCH's.

Order of the Temple in Albia

My how this past week went by so quickly. Wednesday night I traveled to Albia for an Order of the Temple. They have had one last week and their inspection is this Saturday. This Commandery has an interesting story. Several years ago they where ready to surrender their charter and call it quites. The Grand Bodies meet with them I it seemed there was no hope. Then through the leadership of a couple members, and lots of hard work and dedication, they started meeting again, had new members joining, and became a top York Rite in Iowa. While several of those men that helped save Albia are now gone, several others are still working hard to make sure this small commandery remains. Funny to note that when they where considering closing they discussed consolidating with Centerville. Now Centerville is consolidated with them. They had an good Order of the Temple and the new Sir Knight was appreciative of the work done by all. I made a point to attend as I am unable make their Inspection Saturday as Des Moines is having our York Rite Festival. I try to attend when and where I can, and am always greeted by friends and bring greetings on behalf of the Sir Knights of Iowa.

Veterans Day

Wednesday was Veterans Day. The day we as Americans honor those who have given of themselves to serve in the military. Countless thousands have given their lives to defend and protect our great Nation. Many more thousands today serve in defense of our country.

In honor of those Veterans the Des Moines Scottish Rite put on a program based on the old ritual of the 30th degree. This was my favorite Scottish Rite degree until the new changes. The "old" degree was filled with patriotism, lessons of equality, and defense of democracy. The flag lecture tells the history of the American Emblem. This was one of my very favorite lectures I have given. I remember it still.

Here is L to R: Myself, Kay, and John

Many of the "old" cast took parts for this public event. The ritual was completely changed (except the flag lecture and school house lecture, which never were ritual) but the ideas of the degree shown through. Over 140 people attended and gave the portrayal high marks. These lectures have been performed for other organizations and lodges. Greg, the school house lecturer and I are happy to go give the the lectures as a program.

Thanks to Kurt and the Des Moines Consistory for the photos.
It was a great evening honoring those who have and those who continue to serve America in the military. God Bless You!

Cornerstone at Clarion Public Library

Last Tuesday the Grand Lodge of Iowa held a cornerstone laying ceremony in Clarion for their new Public Library addition. What a great day in November, high of 60 and a little wind and the sun was shining. Seven Sir Knights helped form the lines for the Grand Lodge and though the area for the ceremony was cramped, we still had a procession. Many citizens from the area were in attendance. It was especially nice for me to see Rusty, an old friend who's husband was a very good friend and mentor. My mom spent the afternoon at Rusty's house while Dad, Gene, and I attended opening Grand Lodge. The lodge furnished an oyster stew/chili supper after closing Grand Lodge. It was a fun day.

First week of November

This past week has been wonderful. The weather has just been great for Iowa. The last two days in the 70's. The only bad part is that I haven't been able to play any golf. Tuesday night my lodge in Ankeny had a 1st degree followed by our stated meeting. It has been awhile since I took part in a first degree and I was Senior Deacon for our new member. The candidates uncle is a Past Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Iowa and someone I've known and traveled with several years ago. I didn't know the candidate was his nephew till he showed up for the degree. Our lodge was very lucky to have many visitors that helped put on the degree.

Wednesday evening dad and I traveled to Oelwein to have dinner with the North Iowa York Rite group. Not many people were present, but it was a good meal. They had an excellent, but a bit long speaker (and no it wasn't me). I then had a conversation with a couple of the members of Oelwein's York Rite about their bodies and a possible consolidation. Got home before 11 which was nice.

Earlier this week I received an e-mail from a friend I met in Jackson Hole that he would be in Iowa and was planning on attending Arcadia Lodge in Ames Thursday night. I was a bit late getting to Ames, as I was not aware their dinner started earlier this month because of being Past Masters night. When I got there there was a nice crowd and I had desert. Then after the Past Masters were introduced I was privileged to present my student his DL certificate. To attain a DL certificate is a great achievement in an Iowa Mason's career. It means they have been tested and proved proficient in the Ritual and Floor Work of all three degrees including opening an closing. I received my DL over 15 years ago. Since that time I have examined many new DL's and have helped three to receive theirs. It was good to see my friend from Denver, he had just received his 33rd for Scottish Rite and was happy to show off his new lapel pin. I was really only in Ames to see my friend from Colorado, but it was also nice to see many of the Brothers from Ames and talk and socialize with them.

Friday I decided after work that I would take Nat out for dinner. After work I stopped by to see Past Grand Master Bud, he had been having some health issues. He had decided to step down from being in charge of the Jerry Marsengill Christmas Day Dinner. Bud and I have co-chaired this event for almost 20 years. Now I am looking for someone to help me with it. It is hard to find someone as it involves time during the holidays. I have a couple people in mind that I will be talking to. If any reader is interested please let me know. We want to continue this tradition.
I stayed quite awhile at Bud's, solving all of Iowa Masonry's problems, Not!! Got home sat down in the recliner and rested a few minutes, then Nat and I went to the Waterfront for dinner. I had been invited to a Table Council in Ceder Rapids Friday night, but chose to spend the evening with Nat, I haven't been around to much lately and wanted to spend some time with her.

Because of Bud's health he was unable to take part in the Shrine Ceremonial, so I got a call to cover the part. I used to do the Potentates part over ten years ago, and two ritual rewrites ago. I got a script Wednesday and had to use cards as the new ritual is much different than the old. The upper Shrine leadership has seen fit to desensitize the ritual, taking all references to Allah, novices, Islam, and the penalties out. I believe our candidates are intelligent enough to realize the references are in a generic sense, in fact the old ritual said just that. But the meat and meaning has been taken out. Does anyone really take our masonic penalties for real? Of course not, in today's world we are smart enough to determine that they are symbolic.

After the Shrine Ceremonial I hurried to Cedar Rapids for their Red Cross of Constantine annual meeting. I wish I could have been there for the entire ceremony. I was unable to attend my own conclave because I was in DC. One of my conclaves candidates couldn't make our meeting either and took his ceremony there Saturday. I would have liked to have been there for that. I did however make it in time to receive the ceremony to allow me to serve as Viceroy. Many of St. Bartholomew members attended St. Ignatius's meeting. Many received the additional work not given in our conclave, but should be. They had a wonderful meal. The outgoing Sovereign is a Past Grand Commander and one of the Sir Knights who signed my inspectors certificate. The new Sovereign is a Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and a dedicated mason. It was good to see many friends and fellowship with them. Today is rest, work tomorrow, then to Clarion Tuesday for a Cornerstone Laying.

George Carr Scotthish Rite Reunion

Yesterday, Saturday October 31, the Des Moines Scottish Rite Bodies honored one of my friends, and a true gentleman and mason, Brother George R. Carr. It was the last day of the fall reunion. Culminating with the Scottish Rite Gala.

The Des Moines Valley does excellent ritual. The degrees I saw and participated in were first rate. I serve in the Council of Kadosh line as 1st Lt. Commander. I take part in the 30th, 31st, and 32nd degrees. It was nice to have several sideliners and more importantly to have 28 candidates. Our beautiful auditorium makes the degrees even more impressive, along with music and the double eagle chorus.

Picture of the Auditorium during the 32nd Degree.

When the ritual and formalities had ended it was time for the fun to start. Master of Kadosh Mark had chosen a chivalric theme, with castle, knights, and a masquerade ball. Below is a photo of the banquet hall.

These pictures and more can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/jaycoles/ScottishRiteGala2009?feat=email

Thanks Jay for the pics

Nat and I enjoying the gala meal

It was a wonderful and fun evening, we got home about 11 PM. I think my friend and Brother George would have really enjoyed it. Salute to you George, there was a glass of scotch poured in your honor.