Sweethearts Tea

The Michigan Charitable Foundation has begun tradition. I hope this event lasts and continues to grow. A tea was held for the Sweethearts who reside in Pathways. Sweethearts can be defined as widows (I like Sweethearts better) of Masons. On this Friday the Grand Chaplin and myself were in attendance as the event began. My very unofficial count is about one hundred and thirty ladies in attendance. They were served tea (really?) and desserts and also were entertained by a musical combo. I hope it was a great afternoon for our sweethearts.

5/09/2014

R & R?

I have tried to take every Sunday off this Masonic year, been successful a lot of the time sometimes. Today I am home working on the Grand Masters address for the annual communication that is approaching like a train.
WOW, I have been a lot of places and done a lot of stuff. It is funny how the reflection reveals the activity. It is no damn wonder I am tired. Well anyway first draft of the address is complete, more later.


5-04-2014

Valley of Grand Rapids

It has been a hectic week.I would like to relax a little. I con the Grand Chaplin into taking a ride. Grand Rapids or bust! It is time for their AASR Reunion. It is time for me to relax and watch the work and enjoy the fellowship. I really enjoy spending time with Masons, I really do. Funny thing after all these years traversing through the Grand Lodge line the two and one-half hours it takes to get to Grand Rapids doesn't seem like much at all. I may miss the road time, especially with Dean, maybe.

5-03-2014

Another day, another lake

Up early on Wednesday took a drive by the lake (you guess which one) settled in for breakfast at a local restaurant. This time is spent reflecting on the last few unplugged meetings wondering what I can do better. Loads of ideas, one constant, be yourself and listen to them.
Back to the hotel, get permission to overstay. Up to the room to pack and get across the State to seven. First a webinar and then off to Tawas. Good day for a srive, I am blessed there.
We are in Tawas for the last of the series.This is my first time in this building and I like it. Everything on one floor.
Showtime! Mike and Walt take off and do a great job. I am noticing that each of these venues have a different personality. That is a good thing. I really enjoyed this group and we probably could still be chatting. While we don't always agree there is great respect for one another. Show is over time to held home. I'll be there in there hours. So, what does a Grand Master do on a long drive? Well study ritual silly.

All in all I think this idea worked, we started this journey in September in the upper Peninsula (wadda know I beat the snow). The four corners of the Lower Peninsula in a ten day span. I think it worked. The Grand Lodge guys have to get in front of these folks more often. The different locations taught me several things. The different areas of the State have different challenges and concerns the the others.

Get'em Mike!

4-30-2014

North to..

Petoskey. Unplugged six! I am a long way from home and arrive a bit early. I am able to check into the hotel and relax a little. The Deputy Grand Master is in town and we meet in my room for a quick update. The Grand Treasurer joins us and away we go to supper. Come on you had to know that.
We get to the Lodge right at the appointed hour. The problem is between the lobby and the Lodge room are three floors of stairs. I have to catch my breath before I can talk to anyone, sessh. It appears old, fat and out of shape is coming home to roost.
This old place houses a beautiful Lodge room and a full house of guests. What a group! Good questions, good conversation and more. This place in Northwestern Michigan has different challenges than those in Southeastern lower Michigan. The great commonality is we are all Brothers.

Warm up act?

Telling them all the good stuff.

4-29-2014

Unplugged again

I have been looking forward to this week for some time. Tonight is the Grand Master unplugged series appearance in Berkley Lodge. This is the closest Lodge geographically to my house. I am eager to begin. We have changed the format a little, we are no longer doing a Town Hall type event. We are hoping the attendees will talk and we can listen. I open the events the same every time, that is the only staged part of the show.
The host Worshipful Master seats the Lodge and introduces me. That is all we can anticipate being constant. The Grand Treasurer begins is first up to help everyone understand the legality of the money and paperwork that goes into running a Lodge and a Lodge building.
Next up the director of the Charitable Foundation. The charitable arm of the organization funds all the projects and charities that we do as Masons. Unbelievable stuff, we do good stuff.
Now, me. I invite the fellas to ask me anything and they do, yikes! I also invite them to share with the group any ideas to help make our craft better. This is a great outing, next-

4-28-2014

Show time -

Saturday the 26th. The Valley of Detroit AASR reunion. A spectacular day! This is the event, held twice a year where the Valley makes more members. In order to accomplish that the initiates (class) must view or experience at least five of the Scottish Rite Degrees. The day starts early with the buzz of the office staff preparing to make the day happen. The stage crew readies the room for the first degree of the day. The makeup room awaits the first customer. AND the caterer shows up and prepares the fest. The director of the work paces as he wonders what the actors will do today. Soon the time arrives time for the first degree. What we call degrees is actually what most of the world would call a play. These are real productions, lighting,sound, staging, props, makeup and nerves, yup loads of nerves.
First degree begins, perfect. The day begins!
Another ancillary benefit of the day is reunion. Seeing men one hasn't seen since the last time.
Lunch and back at it. It nears the time I must take the stage. Our cast prepares to go on. We are in costume relaxing and watching the degree on before us. We have a closed circuit broadcast into a staging room. A strange custom is happening, some of the player sit quietly and others pace while repeating their lines, over and over.
Showtime! I watch as my cast mates leave and go onto the stage. Four weeks of rehearsal behind us. We will see who "got it". On this day I will be introduced as Grand Master before I can join my cast and do what they do.
The class introduces the class honoree, a dear friend of mine. I quietly make a minor costume adjustment. No longer Grand Master now on the stage.  Perfect!
One more degree and the day is over, well except for the afterglow. The fellowship is phenomenal!
The director sighs "another one in the can". All the members of the day will sleep well tonight, what with all the adrenaline gone.

4-26-2014