On the road again..

...with all apologies to Willie Nelson, wait I guess he could not hear me singing. It is time to go to the mac daddy of Masonic Conferences, The Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America, this year hosted in Baltimore, Maryland. Over sixty Grand Masters from jurisdictions all over the world come together for an extended weekend to share ideas and insight to make this fraternity the best in the world. I really look forward to this event every year. I always learn something new and this year is no exception.

The Fantastic Inner Harbor portion of Baltimore. The very place Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner. Very cool, very cool. If you think about the history here in this part of the nation it will make you misty. Patriotism abounds!

All checked in - 

The sharing of the bling 

Loads of "A" personalities at this place!

John Wm. McNaughton

David R. Bedwell

2/15-2/18/2014

Youth Training

Sunday afternoon in Berkley (no not California) have I mentioned the weather sucks in Michigan this winter? ANYWAY--Sunday afternoon Berkley hosted the adult training module for the Rainbow Girls. This is good stuff. The adult training teaches adults how to deal with and help the youth of Rainbow. I always learn something new at these classes. Many thanks to Rainbow for having this class and letting me attend! 2/09

DeMolay Staff

If this is Saturday, this must be Clio! The Executive Officer of Michigan DeMolay has asked me to attend a senior staff meeting in Clio today. The meeting deals with the advancing the young men of Michigan. This is a dedicated group of men whose first priority is Michigan DeMolay and the planning and advancement of the same. I am very proud to be called "dad" by these folks and by all the youth group members!
2/08/2014

I think it is...

On this Friday I am invited to the meeting of the Southeastern Michigan Masonic Master Mason Association at least I think that is the name of the group. There seems to be some confusion within the group. What I know for sure - it is a great concept. Several Lodges in the same geographic area meet and discuss upcoming degree work and social events in their particular Lodge. There is also a time for an educational presentation and even a time to tell jokes. Thank you for the invite MWB Kaiser.
 2/07/2014

Masonic Temple Association

Tonight is the night for the Masonic Temple Association meets. I am president of the board who through nothing less than miraculous effort figures out how to pay the bills and keep this old building standing.
It may be time for consolidation of Lodges.
2/06/2014

Back to normal

Tuesday, the normal regular communication for Lincoln Park Ionic Lodge, but first the finance committee meets, that's me! The business of running a Lodge is a little more work than one may expect.
2/04/2014

Hello Florida -

Looking forward to a great weekend in Florida. have I mentioned the weather in Michigan sucks this winter? The Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation is in Florida hosting a lunch for Michigan Masons. These Masons are Summer settlers, have moved to Florida or on vacation in Florida. There were approximately two hundred guests in attendance, fantastic! The group had an opportunity to learn of the good works we do as Masons. Presentations on Masonic Pathways (Masonic home) and the Foundation were met with approval. I was able to contribute to the day by giving several service awards. Giving service pins to members is one of the good things I get to do as Grand Master. Oh yeah the group assembled sang Happy Birthday to Karin Finkel, wife of the Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden.


A great reunion  - Reunion pictures courtesy of Don Kincheloe Imperial Photographer

What a BEAUTIFUL place!

Greeting the guests with the RWJGW

The boss gets us started

Two of our Crown Jewels

The Crowd was about 200 people

Keith, ready to go--

Food? (we are Masons)

Gifts for the guests

It is not easy keeping this shape - 

Walt gets all the good jobs!

Gifts for the new Lewis Cass members

It is someones birthday

My Grand Brothers

Keith working - 

Headed Home - 

Looks like I will get out of Sarasota on time.

Yeah Atlanta

Outta here on time too!

Where the hell is the Grand Marshal?

Home at last, great sight!

1/24/2014 - 1/26/2014

Shoulda webbed --

Last night the MMCF board met via web conference tonight was our monthly Grand Lodge Board of Directors meeting. I decided we would meet in person in Lansing. Really that is not all that unusual. Have you noticed the weather in Michigan sucks this year? So away I go, leaving myself extra drive time I head to Lansing. About ninety minutes into the trip I have traveled the distance it usually takes me about thirty minutes to travel. As I explained to the Deputy Grand Master, I may make it by morning. The Deputy willingly agreed to run the meeting in my absence. Now for the trek home...

All the way there (well part way there) and all the way home, the view from my seat. 

1/22/2014

who dat?

So, because we are enlightened and fancy ourselves as computer savvy we, on occasion have a web - conference in lieu of having Board Members travel from all over the State to attend in person. Tonight was one of those nights. The Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation held a web meeting.   I certainly support this notion. We are hilarious as we learn the systems (yes, it appears we use a new system every time). The funniest part of the whole thing - who dat on the line, who dat that joined us?

Cool eh? You can have one. The Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation has a way for giving on a continuous basis. Every month one can make a donation and it can be tied to a credit card (like mine). Look into it today!

1/21/2014