Last this, that and the other.

Fourth Wednesday of the Month this must be Lansing. Yup fourth Wednesday is the journey to Lansing for the Grand Lodge Board of Directors meeting. I must say I-96 always keeps it interesting. Tonight's trip was interrupted by a semi truck that was in flames. The firemen got to it and extinguished the flames in good time. I lost about thirty minutes sitting in traffic. All in all  still a better day than the truck driver. Well as the caption suggests we are in the last of things. This will be the last Board meeting I attend and the last I preside over. It is funny in this job one starts by marking off firsts i.e. first youth group attendance, first this first that. The pendulum  has swung now on tracks the lasts - last Foundation meeting, last Board meeting. This is an amazing time in my life. This year went by very quickly, oh my. As I said at Monday's unplugged meeting.this Grand Master assignment is the most demanding, the most pressure filled job I have ever had. A leader must be appreciative and available for the group at all times. I wouldn't change a thing, you see the pressure, the demanding the rest of it and still the greatest year of my life. I absolutely love being Grand Master. I had a mentor years ago Seymour Greenstone who taught me do what is right for the craft and do not worry about the rest. Thank you my friend.
 4-23-2014

Unplugged - -

Today marks the beginning of the Lower Peninsula tour of the Unplugged meetings. These are akin of the old Town Hall meetings done in the past with a major difference. There is no agenda or formal presentation. You see I love to talk about Masonry especially with Masons. You may remember we visited the Yoopers in September. The unplugged concept was well received there and it was well received in Coloma Lodge. There were at least eight Lodges represented and the questions were fantastic. About fifty Masons were present as we heard from the Grand Treasurer the Executive Director of the Foundation and me :)
We were able to award service awards too, three brothers were awarded a 50 a 60 and a 70 year pin and certificate it simply does not get any better than that!

Show time!

The brothers assembled were able to ask good questions and were very patient while I worked through the answers. It is very important to me to answer all the questions asked to the satisfaction of the presenter. Sometimes that takes some time.
I really like to spend time with Masons!

Yay!

Grand Treasurer warms up the crowd

4-21-2014

He is Risen

Saturday afternoon and the Easter Evening Service at the Valley of Detroit. The Knights Of Rose Croix is responsible to present this annual event. It is a good time and is well attended. The Knights did a spectacular job again this year.

Stage is set

Storyteller is ready

Story of the Cross

Doing the old guy part!

In this Building, on this Stage, there is only one boss! (it ain't me) 

 4-19-2014

Pepper please

Saturday morning, breakfast with the fellas from Lincoln Park Ionic Lodge. I suppose I am a member of the Breakfast club. When we can arrange our schedules this group gets together and has breakfast. This is one of the things that makes Masonry great. The friendships I have made over these years are the best.
4-19-2014

Really? You are a what?

I received a FaceBook communication from an old friend of mine. Actually I was on the way through Kentucky headed toward Tennessee. Joe and I go way back, we went to grade school together, hung out together and even shared an apartment at one point. As often happens life separated us and we went our separate ways. On this day Joe let me know he was made a Mason in Monroe #27 in January. So, as any Grand Master would I showed up at the next meeting of #27. I will tell you the lodge did a fellowcraft degree that night and did a great job.
I know several members of that Lodge and stayed after the work was completed until the constables made us leave. OK not that late but until all the questions were answered and we were caught up. I hope Joe doesn't pay to much penance for having the Grand Master show up.
4-16-2014

Soft and Safe to you...

In this Blog I have endeavored to share only good things, not all things. On this night I am off to say goodbye to a dear friend and brother. A Masonic Memorial was held along with A shrine walk through. A great show of respect for our brother. A solemn tribute and the last thing we can do -
4-15-2014

Go Orange!

The Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation has for years held reunions for Michigan Masons in Florida and Arizona, these are tremendous events. I really enjoyed both of these this year. This year the Board of the Foundation decided to add a third reunion, Tennessee!
Music to my ears, I spent summers as a youth in the Volunteer State and have loads of memories. My family is spread across the entire State and so were my summers.
The demographics tell us Tennessee has a great concentration of Michigan Masons in and around it.
So, Friday I'm off, it is about an eight hour driver from my office to the Nashville area hotel.
Saturday is the luncheon, it was well attended and all in attendance seemed to have a good time. I really like spending time with Masons.Both Walt and Cindy made presentations at lunch, great job! I think it is important for members to know exactly what they belong too, three separate corporations. Each corporation does good work within our community. Every one of these events seems to open some eyes of the attendees.
For my contribution I was able to present several service awards to our transplanted members.
Sunday is the coming home travel day. I couldn't sleep, up at 0-dark-thirty and on the road.
Two ancillary events for me, Saturday having supper with Cindy Bosley the boss at Masonic Pathways and Walt Wheeler the boss at the Foundation.
On Friday I kept Walt up way past both of our bedtimes picking his brain and solving all the worlds (at least Masonic world) problems. I was able to get some great insight from My Most Worshipful Brother.

4-11, 12, 13, 2014

To the pit gentleman -

This is one of my favorite times of the year. Rehearsals for the Valley of Detroit reunion. I like the reunion too but the rehearsals are the best. Four weeks to make new friends, laugh and rehearse the different degrees that will be portrayed at the Reunion.I suspect all the Valleys in Michigan share this excitement just prior to reunion. If you are a member of any of the five Valleys get involved in the pit.

 4-10-2014

Go Bo!

Every year on the campus of Masonic Pathways an event is held. Junior Deacons day is an event that I wish Worshipful Masters would make mandatory attendance for the Junior Deacon of their Lodges. Masonic Law tells us the Junior Deacon of each Lodge is the liaison officer to Masonic Pathways, as such should be familiar with the home, admission policies and any residents the Lodge may have there.
The Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge has a part in the planning of this event. This year the event was in a different venue on the campus and was completely overhauled.
This year is was hit out of the park, what a great event. There were presentations, booths and tours of the facility. There was also food -
The State is blessed to have a Leadership Team that does not necessarily buy into the "we have always done it that way argument"  These leaders have a great sense of what needs to be done and what traditions are important. I look forward to the next several years.

Go Bo - The Junior Grand Deacon does his thing!

4-05-2014