The Kansas Mason - Spring 2016 by Grand Lodge of Kansas AF&AM

Volume 54 Issue 1

H E

O I C E

O F

A N S A S

A S O N R Y

The Kansas Mason

A Publication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Kansas

Spring 2016

Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Proclamation Proclaiming March 18, 2016

Kansas Masons Day TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS, GREETINGS: Over the past 160 years, Kansas Freemasonry has embodied a rich and steadfast history of supporting Kansans and Kansas communities. Inspired by a vision to codify its organizational belief of charitable giving and leadership, the Kansas Masonic Foundation was established fifty years ago. WHEREAS, nearly 19,000 Kansas Masons, in conjunction with its 230 Lodges, have donated immeasurably to the well-being of their local communities; WHEREAS, Kansas Masons have contributed more than $25 million to the University of Kansas Cancer Research Center; WHEREAS, Kansas Masons have engaged locally, in partnership with the Midwest Cancer Alliance, by providing community based outreach cancer screening clinics for its local citizens; WHEREAS, Kansas Masons sponsor over 200 youth annually in a university-level marching band learning experience in conjunction with the East-West Shrine Bowl; WHEREAS, Kansas Masons have uniquely recognized exemplary contributions of students and educators and the role academics play in our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future; WHEREAS, Kansas Masons have awarded more than $5 million in university and technical college scholarships; WHEREAS, Kansas Masons have pledged to invest an additional $20 million in new programming to support Kansas universities and communities; WHEREAS, Kansas Masons have vowed to embrace the Masonic virtues of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, thereby providing support to Brothers and their families in need; NOW THEREFORE, I, Sam Brownback, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, do hereby recognize all Kansas Masonic Bodies and Proclaim March 18, 2016 as Kansas Masons Day.

Over the past 160 years, Kansas Freemasonry has embodied a rich and steadfast history of supporting Kansans and Kansas communities. Inspired by a vision to codify its organizational belief of charitable giving and leadership, the Kansas Masonic Foundation was established fifty years ago.

150 YEAR LEGACY

Rededication of the Kansas State Capitol 1866-2016

NOW THEREFORE, I, Sam Brownback, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, do hereby recognize all Kansas Masonic Bodies and Proclaim March 18, 2016 as Kansas Masons Day.

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FROM THE GRAND EAST Daren L. Kellerman, Grand Master of Masons 2015-2016

Protecting The Franchise

Lodge, and that was

….guarding the West Gate is but a part; we must protect our “Brand.”

meetings. The logo of

just for the business Easton Lodge No. 45,

The basic definition of franchising is: “The

elsewhere, and making new Masons) is done

an original Full Moon Lodge, pays homage to

right or ability to use an established firm’s

in one basic way: seven seemingly quali-

those men and even alludes to the dangers

business model along with the correspond-

fied members apply for the franchise rights;

they may have faced when going home from

ing recognized brand or trademark for a

they are then tested on the proficiency of

those meetings. I still hear stories of auto-

prescribed period of time, under specific re-

their work and, if found proficient, they are

mobiles stuffed with Masons travelling 30

strictions and/or guidelines, paying a royalty

granted permission and access to use “the

miles or more just to visit another Lodge or

therefore.”

franchise” business model temporarily. In

to observe degree work, getting home after

order to get more permanent rights, confer-

midnight, and getting up early to do chores or

the oldest franchise in the world. Started by

ral of all three degrees is required, a report

to work the next morning.

small groups of operative tradesmen who

made to Grand Lodge, and a vote of the

banded together for a common good, the

Grand Lodge at the Annual Communication.

Square and Compasses are now recognized

As of spring 2016, the last lodge in Kansas to seemingly smug attitude they possessed, the

in a speculative manner around the world

secure the “franchise rights” in such a man-

apparent pride of being a Master Mason.

and Lodges can be found on six of the seven

ner was Inner Quest Lodge No. 456 in 2006.

Talk to a Brother or family member who

I personally consider Freemasonry to be

continents. People who have no clue what

A search of local Lodge archives reveals

an operative trowel is, let alone a speculative that “back in the day,” each lodge was

Look at almost any Masonic picture from before 1990. Check out their attire, the

was involved in Masonic activities from any time since 1920. While we forget many

one, have some understanding – possibly

responsible annually for procuring a Grand

recent activities, they can clearly remember

misunderstanding – of our storied Fraternity.

Lecturer (some call him an Instructor) who

participating, or every time when dad or

would travel to their Lodge and instruct

uncle or grandpa went to meeting. Why are

be it a ring, belt buckle, hat, vehicle decal, tie,

them in all the proper methods and ways of

those so deeply etched in their memories?

lapel or hat pin, shirt, a jewel, or even your

the work. This could be of some expense to

apron, you are wearing the “brand” or “trade-

a Lodge as many had to pay for at least two

have seen the beautiful furnishings, or the

mark” of the Fraternity. It’s very similar to

days travel, and possible room and board.

remains thereof, in the Lodge halls across

wearing your favorite team colors or advertis-

Reading through many local Lodge records, I

our state and nation. In many cases these

ing your favorite restaurant, drink or band.

find this activity was always of great concern

furnishing were bought, or in some cases

because our Brothers wanted their work to

made, by not-wealthy Brothers, and in

When you put on your Masonic emblem,

So why do so many franchisees, the indi-

Like you, everywhere I have travelled, I

vidual Lodges or members if you will, seem

be accurate, up to date, and in harmony with Lodges with a struggling treasury from its

content to allow our “brand” to knowingly

their Brothers in Kansas. They were wor-

very beginning. How did they ever get those

and willingly become tarnished. Why does

ried they might lose their “franchise rights.”

beautiful windows, those chairs, the ped-

Grand Lodge, the franchisor for Kansas, al-

These Brothers believed in and were ada-

estals, etc.? Most Lodge minutes never give

low this to happen? Are we all victims of our

mant about following the “business model”

much mention to how it all happened, just

own business model?

of Freemasonry as it was given to them.

what basic bills were paid (including clean-

Crazy as it seems today, they often rejected

ing!!). Even I have questioned Brethren that I

petitioners too.

knew were directly involved in such activities,

The traditional way to secure masonic “franchise rights” (and yes, that means starting a lodge, having the ability to display the Square and Compasses on a building and

We have all heard the proud stories of

invoking my skills as a Grand Inquisitor, and

men who walked or rode miles just to attend

they still won’t say much. Those Brothers all

Kansas Masonic Foundation, 2909 SW Maupin Lane, Topeka, Kansas 66614

SPRING 2016 1

FROM THE GRAND EAST Protecting The Franchise seem to just shrug their shoulders and offer a sly smile and a twinkle in the corner of their

attendance at a free School of Instruction. Just for investigative fun, check out the

be” started taking care of the issues to protect “your” brand and your investment. Why

eye. Why did they do it? I know why and so

dues of your Lodge, say 50 or 100 years ago. should Freemasonry be so different?

do you. They are proud of their “franchise”

Also see if you can find out what the initia-

and hold the secret recipe near and dear to

tion fees were too. Now (go online), and

not conforming to the laws and regulations

their heart and would do anything to make

translate that number into today’s dollars.

to which are they required to maintain, why

it better. The fact they can’t explain such

Most of us are going to be asking, “How did

would they be surprised, and maybe even

an emotional connection does not deny its

they ever afford to be Masons back then?”

outraged, when they are asked to conform

existence.

Exactly! I subscribe to the phrase, “This isn’t

to them or possibly suffer consequences. I

your grandfather’s Lodge anymore.” While

constantly hear, “That’s not the Masonic way

that phrase is meant to directly speak to the

to handle things.” What?!?

So what has happened to all of our local franchises that once sought so hard to put

up that Square and Compass and their desire many updates and overall improvements

When Lodges, or Masons, are knowingly

I remember my degree work and my

to be able to pass on the “secret recipe,” if

that have been made, it should also be

obligations, as I am sure you do. When

you will? What has happened to maintaining

considered a rebuke to all of those trying to

concerns come up and the fact that a Lodge

the standards that were required to get the

survive on the same base numeric value that

of Master Masons (a franchisee) is oper-

franchise (the Charter) and the desire to

grandpa and his lodge did. (In 2015, there

ating in violation of the rules and regula-

make Masons and an impact in one’s com-

were actually several Lodges in this state

tion (the required business model) of the

munity? What has happened to the pride of

with dues, including per capita, under $35,

Grand Lodge (the franchisor), it seems that

actually being a working Freemason, not just

and at least one at $25!)

everyone suddenly stops focusing on the

My Brethren, the Laws of Kansas Ma-

obligations we took. When Masons sense

So many of our members don’t even

sonry are NOT mere suggestions. As Kansas

they are about to get “in trouble,” they are

bother coming up with excuses to not attend

Lodges, and as Freemasons, those Laws are

quick to remind about how we are Charged

Lodge; they just don’t go. Same for Lodge

the rules and regulations that we are sup-

as a Fellow Craft; how we should judge and

activities. While we currently allow Lodges

posed to follow, must follow; they are the

admonish. Usually there is never a single

(franchisees) that have dwindling member-

franchise regulations, if you will.

word about how we are to strenuously sup-

a card-carrying one?

ship numbers to meet a minimum of once per

What happens if the local McDonald’s

port the laws and regulations, assist in their

franchisee decides to use a different secret

execution, how to reprehend or addressing

members that struggle to do the same. Yes, we sauce, the H&R Block franchisee randomly

any wronging. Meanwhile, the value of our

year, there are some regular Lodges with many do have many Lodges in Kansas like that. Many Lodge buildings were once the focal

decides (without telling anyone) they are going to use a different filing deadline than

brand, YOUR brand, goes down. I do agree, we should always try to help

point of a town, and everyone knew where

April 15, or when the A&W franchisee

our Brothers. The matter becomes dif-

they were. Now, they are drawing a very dif-

changes the frosty mug of A&W root-beer

ficult when they do not want help. A quick

ferent kind of attention as they slowly fall into

to a paper cup of a generic brand? In all

example of this would be that almost every

disrepair, becoming dingy and dilapidated,

these instances, none of us would be sur-

Lodge (franchisee) wishes that they could

some boarded up (even while occupied) and

prised when the corporate franchise owner

better communicate with all their members

considered safety hazards. Yes, we do have

came in and made immediate changes,

on a regular basis, but realize it is cost pro-

many Lodges in Kansas like this.

maybe even closing down the local branch.

hibitive. Addressing this issue, the Grand

If you were a stakeholder in one of those

Lodge of Kansas (the franchisor/owner) of-

Grand Lecturer tell them how to confer the

companies, you would most likely be pretty

fers a free personalized, pre-made newslet-

best ritual haven’t brought in a candidate

upset as your stock lost value and looked

ter for every Lodge. It does require about

Lodges that once packed in to hear the

since the mid-70s. Yes, we do have Lodges in bad in the public eye. Hopefully, you would Kansas like this, and let’s not talk about the

2 THE KANSAS MASON

become a bit happier when the “powers that

five minutes in front of a computer to click through the most basic format options. It

is so simple, even a Grand Master could do

scarred up from inactivity or misuse.

chise or business or Lodge? We can assist

We absolutely MUST continue to bring

them to build a better, stronger, more per-

for the two Lodges he was Secretary of.) It

the quality, high-value, and excellence back

sonal internal edifice. They will be the next

is simple and doesn’t cost anything. Yet in

to our brand. We must strengthen ourselves

generation that passes on unimpaired the

2015, less than half the Lodges in Kansas

to do what is needed. As in all times before,

most excellent tenants of the world’s oldest

took advantage of this potentially huge

there are men who yearn to be a part of

and greatest franchise Fraternity. This is my

communication tool for them.

something greater than themselves. These

Fraternity, your Fraternity, OUR Fraternity.

men are yearning to become something

Let’s protect it and grow it, together.

self-solve a simple issue, at no cost, imagine

more. Freemasonry can be that answer. If

On The Level

how it goes when there is a “real” problem:

we have the level of quality, high-value and

not meeting on a regular basis, not being

excellence that is required to attract them.

Daren Kellerman

proficient enough to even open Lodge, not

Why would they choose a second-rate fran-

Master Mason

it. (And in 2015, the GM actually did do it

So, referencing above the reluctance to

making required reporting in a timely fashion, improper, dangerous, or no Lodge facilities, not doing degree work as required, not doing proficiency testing as required, if even

MASTER REQUESTS THE HONOR OF YOUR PRESENCE THE GRAND

at all. What has been done to our brand, our trademarks? Knowing the Square is not Square, and the Compasses are no longer drawing a perfect circle, should we allow them to continue to be used? If a craftsman uses poor tools to build, how can we still expect a quality product to be produced? We disgrace not just ourselves, but our forefathers by allowing these problems to go unchecked and unresolved. By continuing to turn a “Brotherly blind eye” to them, we devalue our once great Fraternity. With such issues, how can we wonder why our own Brothers don’t patronize our assemblies, let alone why members of the world aren’t beating down our door to join, not that we would allow them all in. Though sometimes uncomfortable and painful, we have to enforce our laws and

on 16 April, 2016, 4:30 pm at the

Grand Master’s Reception Reception 4:30 pm Dinner 6:00 pm Entertainment 7:00 pm $ 25 per person

regulations. We must not be too proud to admit that we have issues and opportunities in our Lodge, some of which may not be fixable.

Abdallah Shrine Temple, 5300 Metcalf Ave., Mission, KS 66202

Sometimes we have to taste the bitter pill of reality for the betterment of the entire Fraternity. We cannot let our once highly sought

Kindly rsvp at kansasmason.org/events You may also rsvp in person after Grand Lodge installation on March 19

after workman’s tools become tarnished and

SPRING 2016 3

GRAND SECRETARY By Tracy L. Bloom, PGM, Grand Secretary

It Is Time To Prepare For The Future As the 160th Annual Communication of the

munications tool made readily available

not only members but

MW Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Kansas

at zero cost to the lodges, the quarterly

income as well, and

approaches, we face important and critical

newsletter. Using this publication should

unless we do something to stop it very soon,

decisions. It is essential that all voting mem-

be a “no brainer” for your lodge leader-

we will flounder. The number of men we take

bers of the Grand Lodge attend this annual

ship. It doesn’t cost the lodge a dime,

in each year doesn’t come close to slowing

communication; you’ve not only obligated

it’s pre-formatted with articles (two of

that net loss of members.

yourselves to do so, but participating ensures

which can be customized by the lodge

you have a voice in the direction our craft is

with a personal or lodge message), print-

more on quality members as opposed to

headed.

ed in color and mailed (United States

taking in mass numbers just to see them drop

Postal Service) to all lodge members.

off the rolls in a year or two because we, as a

As you may be aware, the Grand Lodge and our Kansas Masonic Foundation have

With the exception of The Kansas Mason,

Your Grand Lodge has decided to count

Fraternity, leave them hanging with little to no

teamed up to move Masonry in Kansas to

none of these new and improved tools cost

lodge interaction, minimal Masonic education

a new level. There should be no Kansas

the brothers or lodges anything to get, and

and bickering and fighting among ourselves.

Mason who hasn’t witnessed the results of

what they offer can’t really be calculated in

Some may argue that taking in the masses as

that renewed philosophy firsthand, and the

dollars and cents. All add value to the overall

quickly as possible is the answer, but I don’t

renewed focus on quality:

Kansas Masonic experience, and yet what I

believe so. Masons are not made overnight.

mentioned has only scratched the surface.

Daily, we learn more about ourselves, our

reading right now is a prime example of

Our Kansas Masonic Foundation has tailored

families, our communities and our Masonic

excellent quality through communication

several more programs to not only improve

way of life. I personally feel that if we com-

and information. It alone, if purchased,

the Lodge experience, but to improve your

promise those principals in those situations,

would cost a subscriber more than $24

community also, with Lodge-sponsored

we are selling our souls, giving up our secrets

a year for publishing and delivery.

community programs. I won’t cover them at

and compromising our principals.

• The new Discovering Freemasonry

this time, because you will be hearing about

• The Kansas Mason magazine you are

So, how do we combat the inevitable? In

packets that replaced the old, worn-

them very soon, but they all enhance your

my opinion, we only need to look at a couple

out “Friends of Mason” program are

personal Masonic experience while improv-

of key numbers to assess the situation and

another fine example of setting high

ing your lodge and your community.

formulate a plan for the future. A quick look

standards.

Building value in your everyday Masonic

at our membership tells us that we currently

• Updated welcome packets go out to the

experience doesn’t come without a price tag.

have 18,069 members, as of 12/6/2015. Of

newly raised Master Mason, welcoming

Frankly, if we want to continue to offer these

those, 8,532, or 47.21% of them are age 70

him to the fraternity, giving him guidance

tools that will help Masons and promote

or older; that number will change some-

and answering other basic questions.

Freemasonry, we must increase our revenues.

what right after the first of the year, and not

The Grand Lodge is limited to income from

for the better, once the great number of

www.kansasmason.org. WOW, what an

Per Capita Tax and fees for Special Dispensa-

Suspensions for Non-Payment of Dues are

improvement.

tions. The other half of the Per Capita Tax

reported on December 31.

• The freshly renovated web site at

• The new Path to Brotherhood brochure

equation, the number of members, is and has

But, as you can see, our membership

is yet another example of the high-quali-

been a problem for some time. On average,

age is not going to be friendly to us over the

ty that men in today’s society seek.

our membership is declining by about 832 net

• Last, but not least, is a fantastic com-

members per year. That is a significant loss of

4 THE KANSAS MASON

continued on page 17

SPRING 2016 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

www.kansasmason.org

The Kansas Mason Established 1963

What prompted the Grand Lodge to have The

hope that EVERY Kansas Mason will join

Kansas Mason available on Talking Books?

us for the ceremony at the State Capitol.

ith the average age of our Brethren

While Grand Lodge does many dedications

at 67, many have difficulty reading.

and re-dedications, this is truly an opportu-

In addition, we had a discussion with Brother

nity to showcase Kansas Freemasonry.

Francis Jackson, who is currently legally blind

Mark your calendar and plan to attend on

(see article—“Talking Books Opens Opportu-

Friday, March 18, 2016!

nities for Brother with Failing Eyesight” in this issue) and has been utilizing this resource for

I noticed in the last issue of The Kansas

his reading enjoy-

Mason that some Lodges do not attend Annual

ment. After our

Communication on an annual or regular basis.

conversation with

How do those Lodges know what is going on in

Brother Francis and

Kansas Freemasonry? I think at minimum the

consultation with

Officers of each Lodge should attend, and I

the Kansas State

would like to see all Brothers who can attend!

Library personnel, Grand Lodge

ast year, our then Grand Master MW Michael A. Halleran sent a personal

letter to all Lodge Masters whose Lodge had

developed the new program. It is our plan to have The Kansas

not attended Grand Lodge Annual Communi-

Mason available on Talking Books simultane-

cation for the past three years. I am saddened

ously when each issue is released for mailing.

to report that the total was almost 80 Lodges.

We are hopeful many of our Brothers will

While a number of those Lodges responded

take advantage of this new service and stay in

favorably and attended last year, as you saw

touch with Freemasonry happenings in Kansas.

in the previous issue, a number of Lodges still have not taken heed. So notice was “publically”

I loved reading about the cornerstone at the

given to those remaining Lodges from our cur-

State Capitol. I hope a large group of Kansas

rent Grand Master Daren L. Kellerman in hopes

Masons attend this historic re-dedication!

that Brothers of those Lodges would respond

his is an excit-

FEATURE ARTICLE

favorably. You are exactly right though, that

By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

ing and proud

Touching History, Planning for the Future 2016 Annual Communication:

time for every Kan-

The 160th Annual Communication for our Grand Lodge approaches,

each Lodge needs a minimum of one representative to attend every year so they can report

and this next year, a special event will celebrate the long history

sas Mason. There

of the Kansas Masons.

On Friday, March 18, 2016, Sen. Robert Dole, Gov.

back to their Lodge Brothers on the happenings

Sam Brownback and other dignitaries will join the Grand Lodge of Kansas as we rededicate the cor-

will be a number of

nerstone of the State Capitol building in celebration of our 150th anniversary. In addition, Brownback will sign a proclamation making March 18 Kansas Mason’s Day in appreciation and recognition of the

of Kansas Freemasonry. We are confident that

Brotherhood’s philanthropic work during more than a century in the Sunflower State.

dignitaries present

The renewal being seen in the Lodges and on the state level of the Kansas Masons is critical to help our Fraternity thrive in the future. But we pull our strength and identity from the roots of our

once they start attending and see the benefits

The Kansas Mason is the official publication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Kansas, formally organized March 17, 1856. The Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Kansas 320 SW 8th Avenue Topeka, Kansas, 66603-3912 The Kansas Mason (ISSN 2380-372X) is published quarterly (2/1; 5/1; 8/1; 11/1) by the Kansas Masonic Foundation, 2909 SW Maupin Lane,Topeka, KS 66614-5335 at the direction of the Council of Administration from the office of The Grand Lodge A.F.& A.M. of Kansas. Periodicals Postage Paid at Topeka, KS 66675. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Kansas Mason, 2909 SW Maupin Lane,Topeka, KS 66614.

SUBMIT ARTICLES: by email to editor@kansasmason.org or mail to KMF Editorial 2909 SW Maupin Lane Topeka, KS, 66614 All submissions may be in electronic format or hard copy and become the property of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Kansas. Photos may be submitted through Flickr at www.flickr.com/groups/kansasmason/ No compensation is allowed or intended for any articles, photographs, or other material submitted or published. Advertising Guidelines for The Kansas Mason can be found on the Grand Lodge website. NOTE: Permission to reprint material appearing in The Kansas Mason will be granted upon written request to the Grand Secretary from recognized Master Masons. Other written requests will be considered by the Council of Administration. When reprinted, articles should note “Reprinted with permission of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. (month and year)”.

past, and rededicating the cornerstone allows us to look backward even as we move forward. In 1866, the Kansas Legislature approved the

for this extraordi-

building of a State House, appointing an archiarchi tect and construction company to work on the important task. By October of that year, Kansas officials were ready to lay the cornerstone for the

of the Annual Communication, this problem

East Wing. Secretary of State R.A. Baker wrote

nary event, and we

8 THE KANSAS MASON

will take care of itself.

If you have any questions that you would like addressed on Masonry, Grand Lodge, Kansas Masonic Foundation, Kansas Masonic Home, this publication or its articles, please send your questions to Editor@KansasMason.org or mail to Kansas Masonic Foundation, Attn. Kansas Mason Editor, 2909 SW Maupin Lane, Topeka, Kansas 66614.

6 THE KANSAS MASON

The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Kansas, its officers or employees. 2014 by the MW Grand Lodge A.F.& A.M. of Kansas. All rights reserved. The Grand Lodge seal and the logos “Kansas Mason,” and “Kansas Freemasons/On The Level” are trademarks of the MW Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Kansas, and all rights are reserved.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE FEATURED ARTICLES FROM THE GRAND EAST 1 Protecting The Franchise GRAND LODGE

The Leadership Academy Challenges, Inspires Attendees 10 Come One, Come All 8

Grand Lodge Annual Communication: Worth Your Time

11 12 14 15 18 20

Edict In Advance Of Revocation Brother Tony Borum Continues Freemasonry Service as Grand Senior Deacon Grand Masters Proclamation Proposed By-Law Changes Laying the Cornerstone It Wasn't Just About A Cornerstone

FEATURE ARTICLE 22

The True Spirit Never Changes:

Kansas Masonic Foundation Supports Freemasonry for Half a Century

DEPARTMENTS 4 GRAND SECRETARY

33 MAKING A DIFFERENCE

It Is Time To Prepare For The Future

6 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

43 HOME WARMINGS Celebrating A Milestone

26 LODGE OF RESEARCH From Whence We Came Research Your Lodge History And Find Connections To The Past

44 BOOK REVIEW The Secret School of Wisdom

30 MEMBER INTERVIEW Branden Corbett

48 EVENTS CALENDAR

31 FROM THE ARCHIVES The Past Grand Master Collection

45 OUT AND ABOUT

50 STATED COMMUNIZATIONS

Capitol photo courtesy of the Kansas State Historical Society The Kansas Mason (ISSN 2380-372X) is published quarterly (2/1; 5/1; 8/1; 11/1) by the Kansas Masonic Foundation, 2909 SW Maupin Lane, Topeka, KS 66614-5335 at the direction of the Council of Administration from the office of The Grand Lodge A.F.& A.M. of Kansas. Periodicals Postage Paid at Topeka, KS 66675. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Kansas Mason, 2909 SW Maupin Lane, Topeka, KS 66614.

SPRING 2016 7

GRAND LODGE

By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

The 2015 Leadership Academy Challenges, Inspires Attendees

Cameron Ferguson, of Sunflower Lodge No. 86, said he was impressed by Nelson’s youth. “It was really amazing the maturity level that he has, the insight” Ferguson said, adding that it made him excited to see younger Masons taking the torch and leading the fraternity forward. “I think you’re starting to see that a

The 2015 Leadership Academy drew a record number of Brothers to Topeka,

little bit in some of the lodges; in ours in

and they left inspired and motivated to lead Kansas Masons.

particular, you’re seeing some younger members get in the line, which is good. So we’re moving in the right direction,” he said. “There’s kind of an age vacuum in there, that we’re potentially going to be losing some very, very good members here in a short period of time. So it’s very important for us younger guys to step up and learn as much as we can from these incredible people.” Danny Mattheis, of Neosho Lodge No. 27, is a new Mason and he enjoyed the opportunity to learn what the Leadership Academy presented. Like Ferguson, he thought Nelson’s message was

Across the board, Masons who attended

ing up there somewhere, and

strong, and he said it’s impor-

the Oct. 31 event were challenged and im-

they say interesting things, but

tant to understand how younger

pressed by keynote speaker Matt Nelson.

it’s not the meat and potatoes

people think to draw them to

Deputy Grand Master Lyn Beyer first

of every-day Blue Lodge Masonry,” Beyer said

Masonry. He gave the example of hearing

heard Nelson speak at the North American

of Nelson’s presentation. “This brother spoke

a “couple of younger guys” talking about

Conference of Grand Masters, and he said

easily, not forced, it just flowed, which tells me

public relations through newspapers and

he left with one thought, “I’ve got to get

one, he’s either really prepared, or two, he

Facebook.

this guy for my Leadership Academy.”

lives, eats and breathes Masonary.’”

“We have a lot of ethereal speakers,

Beyer said Nelson’s down-to-earth ap-

“People my age don’t even use that stuff anymore. We’re mostly on Twitter instead

who are maybe much deeper thinkers and

proach is relatable and people are able to

of Facebook. Even the message needs to be

their heads are in the clouds, and they’ve

really hear what he says.

updated somewhat if we’re going to reach

gone by all the basics, and now they’re float-

8 THE KANSAS MASON

The 2015 Leadership Academy Is For Spouses As Well the younger people,” he said. “I’ve been to a lot of conferences with my job, and this was really interesting. Matt’s speeches were just awesome. He was funny, but his message was really good.” For Mattheis, the Leadership Academy offered him the chance to learn. He attended a break-out session on “Lodge Etiquette and Decorum” and another titled “Mentoring: More Than a Buzzword.” “The mentoring session, I think that’s something that would be important, especially as a new Mason, to have someone in the Lodge be your mentor and to really lead you down the right path,” he said. “There’s a

When the Deputy Grand Master begins planning the annual Leadership Academy, he also puts together programs and events for Masonic spouses who attend. This year, DGM Lyn Beyer decided to make some changes. Except, possibly, the credit should go to his wife, Linda Beyer. “This year, my wife, who has a long Masonic history – I dumped that in her lap,” he said, adding with good humor that she was taking forever to help him. “I kept saying, ‘Are you still working on this,’ and she said, ‘Do you want me to do this or not?’ And I said, ‘Ok, I’ll shut up.’” In the end, Linda presented him with 20 typewritten pages that she created to give to the women who attended the Leadership Academy. (Lyn joked about what it cost him to have those pages copied for every woman who came.) “She put together the courses so that the women would hear the speaker in the morning, then they would go to a break-out session, and then they went to lunch with the men,” he said, adding that unlike in years past, the spouses didn’t leave to go shopping. After lunch, the women went to a break-out session, and then a special presentation from a woman who makes custom jewelry. After that, in true Masonic fashion, they worked on a charity project, where they created blankets to be donated to the cancer research center at the University of Kansas. Lyn Beyer said they worked on the project in small groups, which gave the women opportunities to talk and get to know each other. “The comments I was hearing form the ladies were just as positive as from their husbands,” Beyer said of the Leadership Academy. “It was good that they were there and in different break-out sessions, just like their husbands because it sure beats going shopping. They didn’t come there to shop.”

lot to learn, a lot to memorize, the rituals that we do – there are a lot of things as a

each session longer. “That tells me that ooh, these guys not

put together material that ignited their classes. And for the most part, the buzz was all very, very uplifting and full of praise for the instructors and the academy itself,” he said, adding that in the Lodges, when he asks how many attended and what they thought, he’s gotten terrific feedback. “The response has been overwhelming that this was really good, and you guys that didn’t go, you’ve got to go next year. So if we can ignite that flame, that spark, inside just a few Masons, and they take that back with them, and ignite a spark in their lodge, good things are going to happen.” For Ferguson, the Leadership Academy is important for all Masons,

but especially for those in leadership roles. “I would almost think it would be a require-

new Mason – well, you don’t want to come

only got into this, but they didn’t want to

ment,” he said. “You start seeing different

in and screw up the ritual.”

leave,” he said. “They wanted to know

aspects. Every lodge does something a little

more. That’s always exciting.”

bit different. I think being introduced to

Ferguson enjoyed the breakout sessions, too, although he said covering the

In feedback at Lodges that he’s attended

those differences would make your lodge

topics in the 45 minutes allotted was chal-

since the Leadership Academy, Beyer said

better. You can start implementing ideas

lenging. Beyer said he actually got quite a

he has continued to receive a positive re-

that other people have had that have been

bit of feedback about that, with people

sponse on the opportunity this educational

very successful in the way they conduct

saying afterwards they’d rather eliminate

event provides Masons.

their business.”

some of the workshop options and make

“All I can say is that our presenters

SPRING 2016 9

FEATURE ARTICLE By Lyn Beyer, DGM

COME ONE, COME ALL One of the prime opportunities to gather together occurs every year as the Grand Lodge Annual Communication. Schedules are busy – work, children, grandchildren, family. So why should you make time to attend this annual event?

Grand Lodge Annual Communication: Worth Your Time

A HEALTHY EXCHANGE OF IDEAS WITH BROTHERS FROM ACROSS THE SUNFLOWER STATE WILL LEAVE YOU MOTIVATED.

HERE ARE A FEW REAS ONS:

THE BR OTHERHO OD . Making new friends and and one of our most famous Kansas Masons, renewing old acquaintances.

INSPIRATION. A healthy exchange of ideas

with Brothers from across the Sunflower State

Brother Bob Dole. This opportunity will not come again in your lifetime.

MORE HIS TORY BEING MADE. The George

will leave you motivated. This is especially true Washington Bible will sit on our Grand if their Lodge is more active than yours.

PER SPECTIVE. It’s easy to settle into a

routine in our Lodges, doing what we’ve always done. At the Annual Communication,

Lodge altar, and this important piece of Masonic history is inspiring and a must-see.

THE MO S T IMP ORTANT REAS ON. The fact is that YOU are the Grand Lodge of Kansas.

the positive atmosphere will give a different

Any Mason may submit proposals for by-law

perspective and renew your energy.

changes. The Craft votes and we all have

HISTORY MAKING. This year is the 50th An-

to live with the same results. If you want changes, participate. Be active. Let your

niversary of the Kansas Masonic Foundation.

voice be heard. The Council of Administra-

Along with the importance of participating in

tion are only four Brothers you have chosen

this historical event comes the announcement

to steer the ship. That’s just four votes. We

of new programs. You’ll want to be there!

are here to serve the Craft and uphold the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge of Kansas that

THE KMF AUCTION. This exciting event raises the Craft creates.

funds for the Fulfilling Our Obligation pro-

gram, which means we can take care of our Masonic Brothers throughout the year.

S TATE C APITOL REDEDIC ATION. Another

10 THE KANSAS MASON

Hopefully, these reasons will motivate you to attend the Annual Communication in March 2016. It’s your Fraternity. Support it by your presence. If just 5% of the Craft would

historical event, the rededication of the

attend, you would have Masonic fellowship

cornerstone at the Kansas capitol building

with 920 Brothers. Just think how exciting that

will be attended by government dignitaries

would be. Be there; you owe it to yourself.

BEFORE THE MW GRAND LODGE OF A.F. & A.M. OF KANSAS EDICT IN ADVANCE OF REVOCATION (Pursuant to Const., Art.VI ยง 5; Bylaw ยง 5-308) Frankfort Lodge No. 67, Frankfort, KS Corinthian Lodge No. 79, Burlingame, KS Marysville Lodge No. 91, Marysville, KS Saqui Lodge No. 160, Osborne, KS Mountain Slope Lodge No 186, Oberlin, KS Courtland Lodge No. 211, Courtland, KS Oakley Lodge No. 253, Oakley, KS Bourbon Lodge No. 268, Bronson, KS Naphtali Lodge No. 310, Almena, KS Claflin Lodge No. 424, Claflin, KS

Baxter Lodge No. 71, Baxter Springs, KS Mankato Lodge No. 87, Mankato, KS Devon Lodge No. 92, Devon, KS Russell Lodge No. 177, Russell, KS Harper Lodge No. 206, Harper, KS Lewis Lodge No. 220, Lewis, KS Beattie Lodge No. 259, Beattie, KS Ashland Lodge No. 277, Ashland, KS Quinter Lodge No. 410, Quinter, KS

TO THE MASTER, OFFICERS. AND MEMBERS OF THE AFORESAID LODGE(S):

You Are Hereby Ordered to personally appear at the ANNUAL COMMUNICATION of THIS GRAND LODGE at 2:00 p.m. on March 18, 2016, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Topeka Kansas, TO SHOW CAUSE, IF ANY YOU SHALL HAVE, why the Warrant of the Lodge shall not be forfeited pursuant to Const., Art. IX ยง 13, (Forfeiture of Warrant) and Bylaw 3-621 (Representation at Annual Communication) for the following reasons: 1. Willful disobedience to the Constitution or laws of the Grand Lodge, to-wit: failure to be officially represented in the Annual Communication for three consecutive years.

HEREOF FAIL NOT UNDER PENALTY OF LAW.

Dated this 31st day of December, 2015. ATTEST:

GRAND MASTER OF MASONS

GRAND SECRETARY

SPRING 2016 11

GRAND LODGE

By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

Brother Tony Borum Continues Freemasonry Service as Grand Senior Deacon Brother Anthony (Tony) Borum has been selected as the Grand Senior Deacon for 2016-17, an honor that he said leaves him humbled and grateful.

“It will allow me to continue to collaborate with our Grand Lodge officers as we follow our mission,” Borum said. “We must all work together to tackle the many challenges Masons face all across our state. I promise to work hard to meet the high expectations that all Kansas Masons have in your Grand Lodge. It is our charge to find solutions which will protect and secure our ritual, our landmarks, our history and our membership.”

Deputy Grand Master Lyn Beyer selected Borum for this position, out of many strong candidates. “Choosing the Grand Senior Deacon is one of the most difficult decisions that the

on for more than four years.” For Borum, the opportunity is the culmina-

leadership path, welcomed and supported by Masons across Kansas. In a previous article

tion of what drew him to Freemasonry in the

in The Kansas Mason, Borum shared his path

first place.

to Freemasonry that began by donating to

“When I first joined our great frater-

Shriners to support their children’s hospital

Deputy Grand Master has to make. This deci-

nity my goal was simply to become a better

work. In his childhood, Borum spent two

sion will affect the future of Masonry in Kan-

citizen, a better man, a better husband and

years at a children’s home in St. Louis, seeing

sas. This individual has to possess the qualities

a better father,” he said. “I also joined to

first-hand how important the Shriner’s orga-

and abilities that one would find in hiring a

associate myself with good and charitable

nization was to children.

corporate executive,” Beyer said of the task.

men. I wanted to belong to the organization

From a chance meeting, Borum learned of

In Borum, Beyer said he found many of

that I came to admire as a young boy. When

the Masonic Blue Lodge and began a journey

the outstanding qualities that are critical to the

I became a Master Mason, I was pleased to

that would be life-changing.

position, not the least of which is a love and

learn that our gentle craft is more like a loving

passion for our Fraternity.

family. Our fraternity is a family of brothers

me how to be a better man,” he said. “Very

and sisters that care for each other and for

few organizations can bring charitable men of

their communities.”

the highest character together in one place.

“This individual needs to possess leadership abilities, decision-making abilities, compassion, the ability to counsel other

In serving his district and the Grand

“The Masonic principles have truly taught

But our Masonic Lodges do that routinely.” Borum has served Freemasonry as a

Brothers and be a team player,” Beyer

Lodge for the past five years, Borum said he

said. “He has to have constructive ideas to

has “witnessed the leadership and courage

Lodge Secretary, Treasurer, Worshipful

improve the programs that are in place and

of our past, and present, lodge and Grand

Master, District Deputy Grand Master for

perhaps to suggest new programs that fit

Lodge officers as they have developed new

District 8 and as an Area Deputy Grand

the strategic plan. Tony Borum has demon-

and innovative programs designed to help

Master for Area 2. He attends Parker Lodge

strated these necessary qualities as have a

Kansas masonry succeed.”

No. 341 and is a member of East Gate

couple of other Brothers that I had my eye

12 THE KANSAS MASON

In 2016, Borum will continue on his

Lodge No. 630 in Kansas City, Mo.

ESSAY TOPIC

Foundation values of Freemasonry include charity, relief, and service to mankind.

How does your personal involvement in serving others make a positive impact, whether in your community, your nation, or your world?

2015 STATE MASONIC PUBLIC SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST Hannah Magathan, Jefferson West High School, Perry Lodge No. 415 As Mother Teresa, one of history’s most

ing what a difference the lesson will make

my time and efforts to an organization or a

respected and admired figures, said, “I alone

in their futures. I am also president of my

cause I feel strongly about, the feelings of

cannot change the world, but I can cast a

school’s student council, and with that posi-

fulfillment can be endless.

stone across the waters to create many

tion I am able to organize various commu-

ripples.” This quote perfectly describes

nity-wide events, including our biannual

ening not just my community, but our

my involvement in my community because

blood and can drives, organizing donations

national society as well, as it acts as a bridge

while I directly won’t make a difference on a

for Salvation Army, and helping the elderly

between the social and economic divisions.

national or global level, through my involve-

in my community, along with other events.

On a community level, the organizations of

ment in my community I am able influence

Another important organization I volunteer

which I am part of are likely to collaborate

others to join me in my volunteering efforts,

for is Big Brothers Big Sisters. Through the

in social networks with other volunteer or-

thus creating the so called “ripples.”

organization, I am able to make a difference

ganizations and local governments, providing

in a young girl’s life and be a role model for

services that help build a better working,

I have found many different ways to help

her when she has gone through some dif-

more cohesive society.

my community. In my church, I am able to

ficult family situations.

Through my church, school, and family

In Kansas, volunteers donated over 82

Through volunteering my time for little

volunteer many early Saturday mornings to

Volunteering plays a key role in strength-

million hours of their time to help their local

work at my local food bank and meal center,

retribution, I have been able to find other

communities just throughout 2013(“Volun-

helping to distribute canned food items

ways to find credentials for my actions.

teering and Civic Engagement in Kansas”).

and homemade meals to the less fortunate

I have learned that a simple thank you can be

These hours were used to contribute to

community members. In my school, I am

just as rewarding as a monetary reward. The

local schools, food pantries, community

able to be a part of our after school tutor-

artwork children have given me in Big Broth-

events, and may other important causes

ing program which helps my peers get help

ers Big Sisters and in my classroom show that

and organizations. These efforts not only

with their homework or help studying. I also

it’s truly the thought that counts, more than

impacted local Kansan communities, they

teach the second grade class at my church

the money spent. The satisfaction and pride

also made changes and helped aid on the

and find great reward in seeing the children

that come from helping others is one of my

national level. We, Kansans have made many

finally understand something and know-

biggest reasons to volunteer. When I commit

“ripples” of change.

FIRST PLACE ($4,000): Hannah Magathan Jefferson West High School, Perry Lodge No. 415

HONORABLE MENTION ($500): Kenzie Wolf HONORABLE MENTION ($500): Hoisington High School, Hoisington Lodge No. 331 No. 403 Seann Blair, Altoona-Midway High School, Benedict Lodge

SECOND PLACE ($3,000): Remi Behrends Beloit Senior High Junior/School, Mount Vernon Lodge No. 145

HONORABLE MENTIONMENTION ($500): Gabriel J. Nixon HONORABLE ($500): Wichita East Junction High School, Pike Lodge 303 No. 7 Tanner Lueker, City Albert High School, UnionNo. Lodge

THIRD PLACE ($2,000): Maggie Chitty Southeast of Saline, Salina Lodge No. 60

HONORABLE MENTION ($500): Sayuz Thapa HONORABLE MENTION ($500): Lawrence Free State High School, Lawrence Lodge No. 6 144 Rylie Albert, Yates Center High School, Gilead Lodge No.

FOURTH PLACE ($1,000): Courtney Rucker Labette County High School, Altamont Lodge No. 69

HONORABLE HONORABLE MENTION MENTION ($500): Alissa ($500): Kay Morford Jerica Hall,County Cherryvale School, Fortitude Lodge Kiowa HighHigh School, Kiowa Lodge No. 293No. 107

PROCLAMATION Kansas Masons Day: WHEREAS, the Governor of the state of Kansas has recognized the philanthropic and charitable nature of Kansas Masons and their involvement in their local communities, WHEREAS, Freemasonry in Kansas has a rich history, predating statehood, and WHEREAS, the tenets of Freemasonry helped shape and form our great nation and state, and WHEREAS, our fore-Brothers were an important and integral part in the celebrations and beautiful dedicatory ceremonies of the ornate statehouse building in our capital city in 1866, and WHEREAS, through the lapse of time, the devastations of weather, and the improvements of human genius and celebrated artists, the location of the stones of our fore-Brothers have become known only to the Grand Architect of the Universe, and WHEREAS, it is desirous by the Craft that the labors of our fore-Brothers be not forgotten and the honor, glory, and reputation of the Institution may continue to be firmly established, and the world at large convinced of its’ good effects, NOW THEREFORE, I, DAREN L. KELLERMAN, GRAND MASTER OF THE ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS IN KANSAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM A GENERAL AND SIMULTANEOUS OBSERVANCE OF KANSAS MASONS DAY BY THE LODGES OF THIS JURISDICTION ON MARCH 18, 2016 for the purpose herein set forth. I am asking all Lodges within this Grand Jurisdiction to make plans for individual representation at the ceremony of consecration and dedication to be held on the morning of Friday, March 18, 2016, on the east side of the State Capital building in Topeka. I call upon all Masons to join with their Masonic Brethren, proudly wearing full masonic regalia, underneath the watchful eye of the Grand Architect, and in front of the general public, for this memorable and historic occasion. GIVEN UNDER THE HAND AND SEAL OF THE M∴W∴ GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF KANSAS ON JANUARY 1, 2016.

Daren L. Kellerman, Grand Master

M∴W∴ Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Kansas 320 SW 8th Avenue Topeka Kansas 66603-3912 Telephone 785-234-5518 Facsimile 785-357-4036

www.kansasmason.org 14 THE KANSAS MASON

Proposed changes to the Constitution and By-Laws of the MW Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Kansas submitted to the Grand Secretary by November 1 2015 and approved by the Jurisprudence committee for consideration at the 160th Annual Communication on March 18th 2016

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE III – Grand Lodge Fund, Salaries and Allowances 2-301. Grand Lodge Per Capita Tax and Special Assessment- Every Lodge Working under a Warrant of Constitution shall pay annually to the Grand Lodge a Per Capita Tax of $24.00 $30.00 on the roll of membership for the preceding year, commencing January 1, 2007 2017, and an additional $5.00 per year thereafter for 6 years, after which the Per Capita Tax will be $60.00, $2.00 of which will be used for the Kansas Mason. $1.50 shall be allocated to the Kansas Masonic Home. Furthermore $0.50 per year shall go to The George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Provided, That any increase in the per capita tax shall become effective on the Lodge roll of membership determined on December 31st, the following year. (Amended 1974, 1978, 1982, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2014.)

Year Number of Members per capita tax 2015 19260 24 2016 18428 24 2017 17596 30 2018 16764 35 2019 15932 40 2020 15100 45 2021 14268 50 2022 13436 55 2023 12604 60 2024 11772 60 2025 10940 60 2026 10108 60 2027 9276 60 2028 8444 60

The per-capita tax shall not be assessed against the members, but shall be included in the amount for annual dues, and be paid out of the General Fund to the Lodge. Any Lodge which neglects or refuses to pay all its annual percapita tax or any special assessments on or before the 31st day of January in each year, or which shall fail or neglect to transmit to the Grand Secretary its Annual Report on or before the 31st day of January of each year shall not be entitled to representation in the Grand Lodge at the Annual Communication following such failure. The postmark on the envelope shall be accepted as evidence of the date of transmittal; and in all such cases of failure, the Grand Secretary shall notify the Lodge to that effect and shall not issue credentials to such Lodge. (Amended 1955, 1962, 1967, 1992 and 2015). Provided, That no per-capita tax shall be paid by the Masonic Home Lodge for any of its members who are also members of the Masonic Home. (Adopted 1975). Cross-Reference: Constitution, Art. IV; Art. IX, Sec. 9; By-Laws, Sec. 4-306. Rationale: With declining Membership and inflation, the Grand Lodge is experiencing an average adjusted loss in annual revenue of approximately $33,000. (Calculated based on per capita and inflation values since 2008) To compensate for this loss, the COA and Grand Lodge Office have reduced their committed annual expenditures by $40,000 to $50,000. In addition to

BY-LAW

CHAPTER TWO ARTICLE II – Communications of Grand Lodge Cross-Reference: Constitution, Art. VII. 2-201. Annual Communication--The Annual Communication shall be held at such hour on the third Friday third Saturday of March in each year as the Grand Master may appoint, and at such place as may be designated at the preceding Annual Communication, or as the Grand Master may order; and no member reported present at any Annual Communication shall absent himself from any session without leave from the Grand Master of Grand Lodge. (Amended 1955, 1969, 1982). Cross-Reference : Constitution, Art. VII, Sec. 1. Rationale: The Annual Communication being held on Friday can create a burden on our Member’s responsibilities to themselves and to their families because, in many cases, they are required to take time away from their jobs to attend the Friday session of the Annual Communication. With the current trend of concluding all the required business of the Annual Communication in a single session and with the repeal of By-Law sect. 3-416. Sunday Ceremonies in 2014, this is the time to lessen the burden on our Brothers who would otherwise have to take time away from their work in order to attend to the duties of our Craft. Respectfully Submitted, Mikel J. Stoops Past Master of De Soto Lodge #40

Totals $ 462,240.00 $ 442,272.00 $ 527,880.00 $ 586,740.00 $ 637,280.00 $ 679,500.00 $ 713,400.00 $ 738,980.00 $ 756,240.00 $ 706,320.00 $ 656,400.00 $ 606,480.00 $ 556,560.00 $ 506,640.00

predicted Operating budget $ 500,000.00 $ 480,000.00 $ 500,000.00 $ 510,000.00 $ 520,000.00 $ 520,000.00 $ 520,000.00 $ 520,000.00 $ 520,000.00 $ 520,000.00 $ 520,000.00 $ 520,000.00 $ 520,000.00 $ 520,000.00

Surplus/Deficit $ (37,760.00) $ (37,728.00) $ 27,880.00 $ 76,740.00 $ 117,280.00 $ 159,500.00 $ 193,400.00 $ 218,980.00 $ 236,240.00 $ 186,320.00 $ 136,400.00 $ 86,480.00 $ 36,560.00 $ (13,360.00)

Number of members is based on the trend of losing 832 net members per year

reducing other expenditures, the Grand Lodge has been holding down cost in other ways such as; holding wage increase in check, premium Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance policy provided to the employees of the Grand Lodge has been replaced with one that is less expensive for the Grand Lodge but in turn requires much higher out of pocket from the employees. With projected increases in necessary expenditures such as Gas, Electricity, Water, Telephone, Internet, Office Supplies, Office Equipment, Security and Building Maintenance and the projected decrease in revenue due to decreasing Membership, the trend of reducing expenses to match reduced income is no longer sustainable. At this time, we must increase income in order to meet our financial commitments. Based on projected Membership numbers, the proposed incremental Per Capita Tax increase will allow the Grand Lodge to once again have a balanced budget and improve the programs, support, services and quality of the Masonic Experience in this Grand Jurisdiction. Example of Per Capita Tax Increase Membership numbers in the below table were based upon the current membership trend predictions. Respectfully submitted Council of Administration

BY-LAWS

CHAPTER THREE CONSTITUENT LODGES ARTICLE VI – Miscellaneous Conferral of Degrees3-604. Use of Cipher in -No Brother shall use the official cipher while engaged in the ceremony of Opening/Closing a Tyled meeting or in conferring any Degree, or while having a speaking part participating in such ceremony. Furthermore commencing on January 1, 2017 and from thence forward, no Brother having a speaking part in the Opening/Closing Ceremony of a Tyled meeting or in conferring a Degree may have upon his person the Official Cipher. The Cipher may continue to be used as a study tool while practicing such work in un-Tyled meetings. Rationale: The focus of all Brothers in the purview of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Kansas should be to “Excellence in Esoteric Work” and to furthering Masonic Education. Therefore I believe this by-law needs to be redefined to reflect those goals. Although there is no current prohibition on use of the Cipher during the opening/closing of Tyled Meetings I believe that the law should specifically prohibit such use. Allowing non-participating Brothers to have the Cipher open and to follow the Work as it is conducted will assist them in learning the Work as most Lodges do not have the ability to teach the Work independent to conferrals and opening/closing their Lodge. Respectfully Submitted: Vincent Tracey, Past Master, Lafayette Lodge #16, KS

SPRING 2016 15

CHAPTER FOUR DEGREES AND MEMBERSHIP ARTICLE II – Conferral of Degrees 4-206. Proficiency Examination--The examination of a candidate upon his proficiency may be conducted while the Lodge is open on the Degree previously attained by the candidate or at any time at the Lodge hall in the presence of a committee consisting of a minimum of three Master Masons appointed by the Master for the purpose of conducting the proficiency examination. This The minimum proficiency will be recitation of the memory work as contained in the candidate handbook and completion of the Proficiency Support Examination as provided by Grand Lodge, for all three degrees. will include the first and second-degree proficiency. A candidate must be deemed proficient prior to receiving the second or third degree. The third degree proficiency examination must be taken as soon as practical after completing the third degree. should be completed but shall be at the option of the candidate. The Lodge Masonic Education Committee will report the score of the proficiency support program Proficiency Support Examination before the Lodge vote is taken. The vote of the Lodge upon the proficiency of the candidate shall be taken with the candidate excused. If the Proficiency was demonstrated to a committee, then the vote shall be taken in open Lodge only after a favorable recommendation has been made by a majority of the committee examining the candidate. (Amended 1967, 1988, 1991, 1993). Cross-Reference: By-Laws, Sec. 3-403.

Rationale #1 Clarify Candidate Handbook Minimum Proficiency: The wording of this by-law seemed to limit the proficiency a candidate could give to the wording given in the Candidate Handbook. Many Lodges encourage candidates to learn the First Lecture of the first and second degrees as proficiency. Additionally, the language requiring completion of the Proficiency Support Examination was not clear as being required in addition to reciting the required memory work. Rationale #2 Master Mason Proficiency As A Requirement: Kansas continues to raise Master Masons but not require them to demonstrate a working knowledge of the teachings & symbolism of this important degree. These Masons, then move into lodge leadership positions or to other jurisdictions not having demonstrated this fundamental understanding. a. The majority of Kansas lodges bringing in new MM have desire or have expectations of them stepping into officer or other leadership roles, sometimes almost immediately. Completing the MM proficiency not only solidifies their learning of the culmination of the Blue Lodge degrees but lays the foundation for future lodge officer’s requirement for continual growth in the ritual. b. 73% (37 of 51) of Grand Jurisdictions in the United States currently require MM proficiency. Kansas remains as one of only 14 jurisdictions that have not adopted this hard requirement of completing the understanding of the MM degree. Understanding the MM degree is fundamentally critical before moving on to advanced degrees. ( source: Masonic Services Association) c. This requirement is consistent with the Excellent in Esoteric Work lane that continues to be demanded by the craft in Kansas; it does not lengthen the time to become a Master Mason nor preclude the new MM from petitioning other bodies. Respectfully submitted, Dale Morrow Past Master, Belle Plaine Lodge #173 Bob Talbott Past Master, Albert Pike Lodge #. 303

ARTICLE IV – Membership Dimission and Transfer 4-410. Occasional Lodges—Lodges with memberships of 45 or less members residing within 25 miles of the Lodge, and who are physically able to attend, may elect, by a majority of its membership present at a Stated Communication of the Lodge, to become an Occasional Lodge, thereby, operating and being governed under the following regulations: 1. Required to hold at least one stated communication quarterly, based on the calendar year. an Annual communication to elect and install a Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden and a Secretary/Treasurer. 2. The officers of an Occasional Lodge shall be: (1) Master; (2) Senior Warden; (3) Junior Warden; (4) Treasurer; (5) Secretary; (6) Chaplain; (7) Senior Deacon; (8) Junior Deacon; (9) Senior Steward; (10) Junior Steward; (11) Tyler with the exception that an Occasional Lodge is allowed to combine the offices of Secretary and Treasurer into a single office. The Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, and Treasurer / Secretary shall be chosen annually by ballot at the Stated Communication in the third or fourth quarter of the calendar year. The Stated Communication at which the officers are elected shall be termed the Annual Communication of the Lodge. Send a copy of the minutes of this Annual Stated Communication within 30 days to the Grand Secretary. 3. Installation of the officers shall be held during the fourth quarter of the calendar year, on or before St. John’s Day in December. 4. The minutes of all Stated Communication shall be sent to the Grand Secretary within 30 days of the meeting. 5. 3. The Grand Secretary will be responsible to see that the notice of Annual Communication and Dues Notice are mailed to each member of the Occasional Lodge and that the dues shall be returned to the Grand Secretary’s, office for filing. 6. 4. The records of the Occasional Lodge shall be maintained in the Grand Lodge Office with copies being sent to the Lodge Secretary, who, also, will be responsible for sending any communications he receives immediately to the Grand Secretary, keeping a copy of the same for the lodge records. 7. 5. The fee for this service shall be $10 per member, plus customary charges for materials provided by Grand Lodge, and per capita tax being retained by the Grand Secretary and the balance being forwarded to the Secretary/Treasurer and acknowledgment of receipt the payment being sent to the Grand Secretary. 8. 6. All other Constitution and By-Laws shall apply in the governing of the Occasional Lodge with the exception of those listed above. (Amended 2006) 1. 4-410A. Occasional Lodges-Optional Dues Collection and Reporting-An Occasional Lodge may, at its option, choose to waive items #3, #4 and #5, #6, and #7 in By-Law 4-410 by collecting its own dues, and making all reports and payments required by Grand Lodge, Provided the payments and reports are made by the established deadlines. Rationale: It is very difficult if not impossible for a Masonic Lodge to serve its Members and community if it only meets once a year. Many of our Occasional Lodges are dyeing a slow death, not even being able to get a quorum for their once a year Annual Communication. I strongly believe that the answer has to be more activity not less. Four meeting a year is still a low bar for Masonic activity but it is a step in the right direction to rejuvenate these Lodges. Respectfully Submitted, Mikel J. Stoops Past Master of De Soto Lodge #40

16 THE KANSAS MASON

THE GRAND SECRETARY continued from page 4 next several years. That can only be combat-

give us a comprehensive plan to renovate the

study, taking into account that our craft will

ted by one thing, in my humble opinion, and

Grand Lodge building. They have also been

recognize the need to pass a per capita tax

that is an increase in Per Capita Tax. There

asked to conduct a feasibility study related

increase, and continuing along the path we

is a current by-law proposal submitted that

to the renovation proposal to determine

have set ourselves upon, with the increase in

addresses the shortfall in income, and the

what would be the best expenditure of our/

quality products for members and Lodges,

Council believes that it is fair and adequate

your hard-earned money. Their plans include

we will be advancing in the direction many

for the foreseeable future. It is a gradual

a total renovation of the building including

other Grand Lodges only wish they could.

increase, designed to keep pace with the

bringing it up to today’s building and safety

Can we do it? Yes, we can! But it will take a

downward trend in membership numbers

standards. In the total office space is included

great deal of planning, and a great deal of

and to give us some needed financial stability

square footage for our Kansas Masonic

commitment from you, the members of the

to keep producing quality products that assist

Foundation to move back into the building,

Grand Lodge.

us in attracting new members. There will also

of which they are willing to offset some of

be a new program announced, most likely at

the renovation costs. The KMF is also raising

est and most prestigious fraternal organiza-

the 160th Annual Communication, that will

funds for an additional portion of the renova-

tion in the world, but that has faltered during

address the declining membership issue. But,

tion, the library/museum, which has been

the last 20 years or so. Brothers, it’s high

we must be prepared to move forward with

set aside in a separate 501(c)3 foundation

time we get back to that stature because we

that program, and I fear that many lodges

that will allow fundraising for the purpose

deserve to be there, and it’s time we start

will be left in the dust if they don’t adapt and

of renovation and preservation of both the

acting like it again. Do our buildings define

take advantage of these tools that have been

building and artifacts. Our goal is for the

us? No, our characters as men and as Masons

created to aid and assist them with their

finished product to be one of the premier

do. Our predecessors defined our current

membership numbers. Please watch for the

Masonic facilities in the country and a place

path forward because they were assured that

“Become More” initiative.

that our members, Masonic scholars and the

in 50 or 100 years, future men and Masons,

general public, can use for fraternal history

borne of the same virtues and character,

of literature, programs, flyers, products and

and research in a state-of-the-art facility,

would carry forward their legacy determined

services, we must also consider our Grand

which is both climate-controlled and acces-

all those years ago.

Lodge Building that is now nearing its century

sible to everyone.

In conjunction with the improved quality

We once were known as the largest, old-

So, again in my opinion and I believe that the feasibility study will confirm, the right

mark. As you can imagine, it’s a Grand struc-

The feasibility study, along with the Coun-

ture, the facade is beautifully designed unlike

cil of Administrations’ plan of action on mov-

thing to do is to preserve what we already

buildings that are built today; the front porch

ing forward can be found in the advanced

have in the Grand Lodge building, including

is adorned with Corinthian Columns, beauti-

proceedings for the Annual Communication

the library/museum, to make it a showcase

ful stonework steps, and there is also stately

in March. As of this writing, the study has

Midwest Masonic building for fraternal study

copper trim around the roof. However, few

not been completed. But in my opinion, the

and research. Also housing several heads of

major renovations have been done over the

advantage of renovating our current building

Masonic-related organizations, and housing,

many years. When it was originally built, the

is twofold: first, we can preserve and protect

preserving and displaying some of the hun-

Brothers of that era planned for the building

the character of the building, which cannot

dreds of Masonic historical items we already

to have a 50-year life span, which has been

be duplicated, within any reasonable financial

have on hand in our library/museum. We

met and exceeded. I have no doubt it will be

budget; and second, the historical significance

also will create a safe and secure repository

here in another hundred years, but we must

and the general area in which the building

for the future artifacts and ephemera that

spend a little money to ensure its upkeep.

currently resides would be lost if we were to

will undoubtedly make their way to our

So, the question becomes, do we spend our

move to another location.

Kansas Masonic Grand Lodge Building. We

money on this building or another? Treanor Architects was commissioned to

My Brothers, I submit to you that armed with the information from the feasibility

are looking toward the future, and preserving the past.

SPRING 2016 17

GRAND LODGE By Michael Johnson II, DDGM

Laying the Cornerstone

The single most important program a lodge

can take to curb its downward membership

of many lodges across the state.

not about me.” Masonry becomes a way of

The status quo will not be the case,

life, and mentoring does too.

spiral is to mentor every candidate who

though, if a proactive strategy is created

After individual mentors are clear on

walks through the door. This doesn’t mean

to intentionally mentor every candidate

the issue, they enter the public forum in the

going through the motions of simply coach-

accepted into the lodge. To do so, requires

lodge and work diligently to create param-

ing the ritual, which is only a small part of

the lodge to make that single decision to

eters for the mentoring process. They will

mentoring, but committing to the whole

unequivocally build its future.

process of growing the candidate into a

The honest conversations

well-rounded Mason. Mentoring is an array

within the lodge, and within

of activities from what the candidate learns

ourselves, is to determine

and memorizes, to encouraging attendance

the type of expectations and

at stated meetings and events.

parameters that need to be

The mentor must ensure the new

established for our candidates.

become advocates for the

REMEMBER, EVERY LODGE IS DIFFERENT AND EVERY MENTORING RELATIONSHIP IS UNIQUE, SO LODGES WILL DEVELOP ANY NUMBER OF CONCEPTS TO UTILIZE IN THEIR MENTORING PROCESS.

process because they believe in the success that will follow. This advocacy will result in many discussions within the lodge and they should all be positive, as everyone is

member’s expectations are recognized and

For ourselves, the conversa-

met. This is accomplished through a series

tion is with the Grand Archi-

of deliberate steps. The first of these is

tect of heaven and earth: Am

simply spending time with the candidate and

I doing all that I can to make a

getting to really know who he is. Preparing

difference? Am I capable? How

for this involves honest conversations with

can I become less focused on

ourselves and honest discussions with our

myself and more focused on

Brothers in Lodge; the mentor needs to

others? In what ways can I

determine what the lodge expects the new

serve those around me? These

member to know. The results will highlight

questions are designed to pro-

the capabilities and expectations of men-

vide us with insight into our

tors, as well as parameters set in place by

true motives and efforts. You need to know

and qualities will the mentors possess?

the lodge to define the type of member

yourself in order to build others; the es-

What type of candidates are a good fit for

they are seeking. Without such insight,

sence of mentoring is building those around

the lodge? If accepted, what should the

there are no goals for the lodge to achieve,

you, and that in itself is a very unselfish

candidates learn and memorize? Which

no expectations for the mentor and candi-

process. Additionally, by building others we

Brothers are equipped to mentor the candi-

date and no foundation to “build their tem-

make the lodge, and masonry in general,

dates? How can we make those candidates

poral building” on. What remains is simply

stronger, which is the goal. To borrow Tony

feel special and unique as they traverse the

the status quo, ensuring the gradual demise

Dungy’s phrase in The Mentor Leader, “It’s

degree work? These are the core concepts

18 THE KANSAS MASON

working toward the same goal of improving their lodge. However, the mentor may need to “win” the raucous crowd, persuading them of what he already knows, which is what true mentoring means, and that will not be possible unless he truly believes. Some of the discussion questions that will arise are: What skill

to be considered, but along with others that

construction, there is no choice; the project

work, but there will definitely be some that

arise a healthy transformation will occur in

will get done. Shouldn’t the success of our

are wonderful matches for your lodge.

the lodge as a common goal is identified,

lodges instill a similar mindset in its Brothers?

and ultimately worked toward. Nothing

There is a tremendous amount of prepara-

stand in these discussions is that mentoring

unites a team more than a common goal;

tion involved with this process – why are our

is based on creating a relationship that nur-

it is no different in a lodge. Every lodge will

candidates any different? Are they not placed

tures the emotional and intellectual growth

have a slightly different answer to each of

in the northeast corner as the youngest

of candidates and brothers. It is the process

these questions so it is not so much what

entered apprentice? Shouldn’t they receive

of the “attentive ear” receiving instruc-

the answers are, but that the lodge has

similar consideration as part of the future

tion from the “instructive tongue,” and the

agreed that these are its answers.

of the lodge? The discussion that will occur

candidate embracing that instruction to his

in the lodges, as mentioned previously, is

“faithful breast.” The mentor must wear

ritual is reflected in a consideration of the

an important step to make this happen. A

any hat necessary to become a part of his

time-honored formality of laying the cor-

vested interest will result, and soon, it will

charge’s life. This may include the necessity

nerstone in the northeast corner of a new

become commonplace to discuss new and

for the mentor to teach, coach, advise, in-

structure. Prior to that momentous stone’s

innovative ideas on how to improve mentor-

spire and council, or just simply be the role

placement, plans must be prepared, work-

ing in the lodge. Remember, every lodge is

model in dress and action, and ultimately

ers need employed, excavations must occur

different and every mentoring relationship is

a good friend. Mentors can be someone a

and the soil needs compacted to make way

unique, so lodges will develop any number

candidate or new brother can open up to

for the building. Meanwhile, that stone is

of concepts to utilize in their mentoring

about lodge, family or work, the process of

quarried and squared, and then transported

process. Don’t expect a blanket approach to

which begins the growth of a better man. It

to the site of the new structure. More than

work; instead share with other lodges, and

is also when conversations materialize be-

anything else, those involved must believe

soon there is a network across the state on

tween a mentor and his charge that involve

in the ultimate success of the project. In

ideas to improve mentoring. Some may not

The association of mentoring with our

The most important concept to under-

continued on page 36

TRESTLE BOARD OF KANSAS MASONS The Grand Lodge of Kansas, new Google calender. This new calender is limited to DEGREE WORK, REGULAR STUDY CLUBS and SCHOOLS OF INSTRUCTIONS. To add this new Google Calender to your own calender, to get notifications, or to add your Lodge’s upcoming Ritual event, or to add your Regular Study Club meetings to it, please send your request for access, via email to

trestle@kansasmasons.org

SPRING 2016 19

GRAND LODGE

IT WASN’T JUST ABOUT A CORNERSTONE By Anthony W. “Tony” Borum, OM, GJD

Prince Hall Grand Lodge

On December 5, 2015, I had the honor

tasked to keep a record at events we at-

Grand Lodge of Kansas and the Prince Hall

and privilege of attending a joint meeting

tend. The pictures and notes we take are

Grand Lodge of Kansas. What the two

between the executive leaders of the Grand

generally for sharing on social media, for

lodges achieved in the late 1980s and early

Lodge of Kansas and the Most Worshipful

passing on to Grand Lodge and to the

1990s, with much hard work and dedica-

Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Kansas.

individual lodge officers where the event

tion, helped to pave the way for many other

occurred. It seems Grand Masters have

grand jurisdictions that didn’t think such

at Wyandotte Lodge No. 3 in Kansas City,

recognized that every Masonic event should

relationships possible.

Kansas, to be historic. But as I listened

be documented in some format as we don’t

to a discussion about a joint dedication

know when a historic moment is happening.

at the statehouse is actually just another

ceremony at our State Capitol in Topeka

Etched in our history are many significant

stone in what is a very strong fraternal

planned for March 18, 2016, I soon learned

moments forever stored in the archives of

foundation between our two Grand

much more.

Kansas Masonry.

Lodges that share jurisdictions in Kansas.

I expected this meeting, which was held

As a subordinate appointed officer of your Grand Lodge, I and others are often

For more than two decades, there has been mutual recognition between the

I found the cornerstone dedication

Each Grand Lodge is unique and has long, storied and beautiful histories. This “Grand Lodge” meeting was different than any other I have attended. To start with, the Grand Masters asked that we leave our formal wear and neckties at home and we met informally in the dining hall of the lodge. Grand Master Kellerman

20 THE KANSAS MASON

proclaimed his love and admiration for

seemed to be no points of contention, only

cussed in much detail. I wish I could share

his counterpart in Kansas Masonry, Larry

speculation about the impact the ceremony

some of the joint activities at this time as

Coleman Jr., MW Grand Master of Prince

could have as we will be showing the world

they definitely have a “WOW” factor, but

Hall Masons. It turns out these two leaders

how ALL masons in Kansas work together

all the details have not been finalized as of

have shared a long-standing connection and

as we feel all members of society should. It

press time.

friendship through the Craft, and also both

seemed we were done with the meeting in

are law enforcement officers. After the

just 20 minutes.

I can say that the incoming Grand Lodge officers for the next five years have fully

But the cornerstone ceremony was

signed on to these joint endeavors, ensur-

and officer introductions were made, the

just the first of many “building blocks” the

ing that these “building blocks” being laid in

history of the statehouse cornerstone was

Grand Masters laid out. Over the next two

2015 will become another strong wall in the

given and the upcoming joint dedication was

hours, common concerns, joint activities

fraternal bonds that bind The Grand Lodges

discussed. It was a short discussion. There

and the sharing of resources were dis-

of Kansas together.

Grand Masters gave their opening remarks

SPRING 2016 21

FEATURE STORY

The True Spirit Never Changes: Kansas Masonic Foundation Supports Freemasonry for Half a Century By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

A foundation is an organization existing for the purpose of obtaining and managing funds to further a worthwhile endeavor.

service to the nation and proposed that it

A Masonic foundation would exist for charitable and educational purposes. The foundation would be so established that contributions to it would be exempt for income tax purposes under the laws of our state and nation.

to be in Wichita in September of that year.

be given to Bob Hope, who was expected

One wonders if such an award was given. In 1968, the board considered a $1,000 annual grant to professors who “demonstrate their ability to impart fundamentals

On Oct. 1, 1966, 14 men gathered in Wichi-

bits and pieces of the Foundation’s his-

of the American Way of Life to their

ta for the first trustees meeting of the newly

tory, and that of Kansas Masons. Many of

students.” The trustees added, “It seemed

formed Kansas Masonic Foundation, Inc.

the stories begun have no ending in the

to be the thinking of the directors that

minutes, as the meetings often occurred

professors should be encouraged to stress

many months apart.

the American System of Free Enterprise

Multiple meetings were required to set up the organization, laying a foundation that 50 years later is solid and strong, and

Still, it offers an intriguing glimpse with

in the teaching of history, economics,

wonderful historical moments that place

political science etc, it being the feeling and

the board in its time period. On June 17,

opinion of the members of the Board that

hold meeting minutes from throughout

1968, for instance, the trustees considered

too often professors are inclined to lightly

those 50 years is an exploration of the

launching an annual award for distinguished

gloss over the advantages of a free society

that well-represents Freemasonry. A glance through ledger books that

Some highlights from the Kansas Masonic Foundation History: 1966 The first appointment of trustees occurred in September 1966. The first chairman was William E. Montgomery, Grand Master and ex-officio member.

22 THE KANSAS MASON

1966 The first board of directors was organized on Oct. 19, 1966, with Owen E. Hodgson as President.

1967

The first executive director in 1967 was paid $9,500 annually, with a $2,000 travel budget.

The first campaign in April 1967 distributed Thanksgiving Day seals, and it brought in $6,381.88.

which we feel has been so productive of

ships. By 1976, the amount available for

brings a physical, emotional, and financial

the present prosperity of our country and

scholarships grew to $22,261.50.

strain to the patient and his family. Easing

Other funds are dedicated to the Ma-

the pain of this experience through better

sonic Oncology Center at the University

medical treatment is a very special activity

of programs throughout the years. Today,

of Kansas Medical Center, supporting the

and a highly successful one. Through the

the Foundation awards $300,000+ in schol-

Brotherhood’s outreach efforts to make life

continuing support of the Kansas Masonic

arships, and it is a reaffirmation of what

better for all.

Foundation, some answers have been found

our fraternity.” Other notes gave insight into the growth

the Masons stand for to see the humble

In a letter of thanks and an explanation

beginnings of this important outreach. In

for how Foundation funds were used, the

the minutes from April 24, 1970, the board

center wrote in April 1977: “Cancer is not

discussed giving one award and two scholar-

easy to accept as a reality in one’s life. It

and more will continue to be uncovered in the long struggle against cancer.” It is a reminder that from small beginnings, much grows, and that story is true

1972

1985

In January 1972, the Board of Trustees began discussing the creation of a Chair of Research and Teaching in the Cancer Facility at the K.U. Medical Center, agreeing to give $25,000 for the program for one year.

The first Kansas High School Masonic All-State Band convened in 1985, and according to the minutes, “was considered a great success and enthusiastic support has been growing in Masonry for its continued growth and success.” Co-sponsored by the Foundation and The Shrine Bowl of Kansas, it drew 91 high school students.

SPRING 2016 23

FEATURE STORY

The True Spirit Never Changes

Long-time Foundation Trustee, President Reflects on History

repeatedly within the Kansas Masonic

By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

Foundation.

Brother Don Horttor became a Mason in 1953, as he awaited deployment after

The growth continued over the years – on June 2, 1989, the minutes said, “The Foundation’s net worth is now over one million dollars.” As the funds grew, so did

graduating from college. He recalled the speedy process as his lodge did his 3 degrees at the pace of one every week. He deployed, and took his first test in a German lodge, relying on college German courses to help him understand what everyone was saying. He laughed, and related that he overheard one man tell-

the discussions on how those funds would

ing another that they should pass him because he clearly wasn’t

responsibly benefit Kansas Masons, whether

pretending to know things he didn’t.

that be through the Lodges or through student loans or a variety of programs. Today, the dollar amounts at the Foun-

From those unusual beginning years as a Freemason, Horttor built a commitment to the fraternity, including 30 years serving on the Kansas Masonic Foundation board, from 1978 to 2008. Meeting minutes for those years are peppered with Horttor’s name,

dation have become significantly larger;

and although he’s humble about his contributions, he remembers the

new programs have been launched, such as

Foundation’s beginnings well.

the Fulfilling Our Obligation program that helps Brother Masons. But one thing has remained the same over the half-century

Carving out the way a relatively new organization operates is challenging – those years were not without conflict and difficulties. But today, Horttor, 83, remembers working out the kinks and paving a successful pathway to serve Masons and Kansas.

that the Kansas Masonic Foundation has

One of the challenges, he said, was creating an entity that worked with the

supported Freemasonry in the Sunflower

Grand Lodge, but was not subservient to it. Each new Grand Master brought ex-

State: The commitment of Brothers who dedicated their time and energy to pro-

pectations to the office about the relationship between the two. But in keeping with Masonic teachings, each situation was worked through successfully. “Masonry is a basic teacher of morality,” Horttor said of what the fraternity

moting the Foundation, to standing up and

means to him. “That’s what it did for me. I consider it to be the starting point to

turning ideas into actions.

figure out what was right and wrong.”

Buried in the minutes, entwined among the necessary business of running the Foundation, are names of those Brothers who worked to create today’s successful organization. The commitment was clear throughout the Foundation’s historical records. Occasionally, it was addressed outright, although

What was right for Horttor in spearheading projects was focusing on the greater good. He proposed and started the Kansas Masonic All-State band and has enjoyed seeing its long-term impact on Kansas Masons. The Grand Lodge wasn’t able to do so at the time and Horttor, who happened to be on the Shrine Bowl board, was asked if the Foundation would take on the task. “I spent $200 of my money designing a band t-shirt,” he said, and recalled legal discussions about whether he could use the Masonic square and compass on it. “We’ve got more Masons that are former band members than we’ve ever gotten that are former football players,” Horttor said of the success of the band camp. Another focus that he is proud to have been part of was the determination

usually it just showed up in notes about

to donate to and support cancer research. To Horttor, that defined part of what

what the Foundation was getting done. The

the Masons are all about – it was a non-Masonic-oriented charity but it made a

minutes from March 1, 1991, said: “Grand

tremendous difference in Kansas communities.

Master Robinett reported that he very much appreciated the way things were done on this board. He felt that everything was

His experiences in those beginning years – such as working with Henry Bubb, another prominent Foundation supporter – are positive, Horttor said from his Topeka law office. “I liked serving. It was a positive experience,” he said. “The Foundation has been very progressive and successful over the past 50 years, and I am confident it

24 THE KANSAS MASON

will continue to build on that success in helping Kansans and Kansas communities.”

Masonic Leaders: Brother Henry Bubb Made a Mark on Kansas Masonic Foundation By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

straight forward and above board and that

It is impossible to talk about the history of the Kansas Masonic Foundation with-

things were happening and being accom-

out hearing the name of Brother Henry Bubb. Repeatedly.

plished by this board.”

Bubb was one of the first men to step forward to bring KMF into being, working on a committee appointed by the Grand Lodge to determine the feasibility and structure of a new Masonic Foundation. In a report signed by the committee members, the basis for the Foundation was explored. “A Masonic foundation would exist for charitable and educational purposes. …Your committee quickly dis-carded the idea that it should exist for Masonic purposes only. The foundation, of course, should be able to use its funds for Masonic charities but it should not stop there.” The committee went on to quote Grand Orator John D. Blakinship, who spoke to the Grand Lodge of Washington about duties to “which all men owe to God, to their fellow men (not just to their fellow Masons), and to their institutions, governmental, religious, educational, fraternal.” And most importantly, “Rather than retreating from the problems of mankind, Masonry should advance upon them.” It is that heartfelt sentiment that led Bubb and others through the days of

In keeping with the way Masons operate, the minutes then said, “President (Don) Horttor thanked the Grand Master and stated that a great deal of credit and progress of the Foundation was due to the excellent support of our Grand Lodge Officers.” A humble focus on changing the lives of Kansans through good works, and of supporting Brothers and Lodges, is evident throughout the five ledgers of Foundation Minutes. Seeing the focus and efforts made

organization, discussion and finally, formation of the Kansas Masonic Foundation.

to grow the Kansas Masonic Foundation’s

He served as Vice President on the first Board of Directors in 1966. Beginning in

thriving philanthropy efforts is a reminder

1968, he served as President for more than a decade, and he continued to hold positions on the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees. By the time he left the Foundation board in 1989, Bubb held multiple positions and showed his strong commitment to Masonry and its fraternal values. Bubb’s leadership abilities were evident throughout his life. In 1925, he began as a teller at what is today Capitol Federal Savings and Loan and by 1941, he was the president. “The man was a natural leader,” J.H. Abrahams told the Topeka

of the importance of deeply planted, wellwatered roots. It is an honor to celebrate 50 years of commitment and making a difference not just for Masons, but for the world. As con-

Capital-Journal in a 2004 article. The bank’s continuing philanthropic focus can

sideration of launching a Foundation was

be attributed to the values Bubb put in place, according to the Capital-Journal

discussed, founding members turned to a

article. He was also described in the article as “outspoken,” a trait that showed up in a mild way in a few KMF minutes. For instance, at the Annual Meeting of Trustees in April 1970, it was written: “Considerable time was given to a discussion of the disturbances on college campuses and the attitude of President Henry Bubb who was a member of the State Board of Regents. A resolution was approved: Be it resolved by the Board

quote from Grand Orator John D. Blakinship, who said: “We should concentrate on human relations, teaching our members the duties which all men owe to God, to their fellow

of Trustees that ‘we sympathize with Mr. Bubb and his family, and we commend

men (not just to their fellow Masons), and

him for his determination to support what he regards to be his duty. We deplore

to their institutions, governmental, reli-

the use of force, fire bombs and arson as a means of protest and hope for the re-establishment of reason and obedience to the laws and the enforcement thereof by all public officials.’” Bubb also served in numerous charitable positions in the state capital, and

gious, educational, fraternal … Rather than retreating from the problems of mankind, Masonry should advance upon them.”

held a position on the Kansas Board of Regents for 16 years. He lived out the values of Freemasonry until his death on Jan. 10, 1989.

SPRING 2016 25

LODGE OF RESEARCH By Herb F. Merrick, Jr., DSM, Past master Hancock Lodge No. 311 & KMF Trustee

Enabling The Masonic Explorer In All Of Us. Kansas Lodge of Research was established in 1982 to conduct research, gather and preserve Masonic information, supply speakers, and enhance Grand Lodge endeavors to promote Masonic Education. In this article Bro. Herb Merrick explores the background of the first master of his lodge and reveals the high ‘caliber’ of an Army artillery officer who received the military’s most prestigious combat decoration. Perhaps your lodge has had brothers with extraordinary accomplishments. Submit your findings to klor@kansasmason.org or see our web page at kansasmason.org.

From Whence We Came BEFORE ADDRESSING HOW TO RESEARCH OUR HISTORY, IT IS NECESSARY TO ANSWER THE WHY QUESTION.

WE ALL LIVE IN THE PRESENT AND WE PLAN OR WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE. The pressure of living and anticipation about

thoughts on what it means to me. Winfield

our country has to offer and who felt strong

our lives and our occupations leave little

Scott Hancock Lodge No. 311 is located on

enough about fraternity to start a lodge in

time to study the past, so why should we

Fort Leavenworth and because of its loca-

an area that already had five lodges within a

spend the resources? History is where we

tion, its membership is filled with a number

10 mile radius. So how to get started?

can study how we have evolved as a people

of unique members of the fraternity and

and as a society. How can we understand

that has framed how the lodge operates

members of the lodge. What did they know

how innovations and beliefs are formed if

even today.

and were there any resources on hand. Our

we don’t know where, when and how these

My adventures started by looking at the

Step one is always talk to the other

lodge was lucky, we have the minute books

things came about? It is through our history

founding memberships pictures. Specifi-

and sign in rosters that date from the found-

that we can understand change and how our

cally, two pictures of the founding master,

ing of the lodge, and we also had a booklet

society came into being. It provides moral

one picture, contemporary with his role in

written for our 100th anniversary that

understanding and provides identity for us

founding the lodge, was of WB Woodruff in

summarized the highlights of these minutes.

as both individuals and collectively as societ-

the uniform of a York Rite Knights Tem-

I also discovered that there were two copies

ies. There are specific areas that we can

plar and the other of a much older Carle

of the program for the dedication of our

focus on even at the local level.

Augustus Woodruff as a Brigadier General

current building. One held by a member of

in which he is wearing the Medal of Honor.

the lodge and the other in a local library.

These areas are: How to start collecting information and evidence, then the ability to

I knew we had a number of members who

Local libraries are a great source of

assess that evidence and finally the ability to

had reached the rank of General, but I did

information, particularly if they have a

assess conflicting interpretations of the evi-

not know that we had anyone who had

historical annex of publications. These

dence. For the purpose of this article I am

been awarded the Medal of Honor. I was

annexes are normally unique local interest

going to use my own experience in learning

impressed and very curious about the man

items. These items normally can be viewed

about the founders of my lodge and some

who had been awarded the highest award

and occasionally even copied, but rarely are

26 THE KANSAS MASON

they checked out of the library. These local

of Perfection in North Carolina was named

web resource “find a grave” and possibly

libraries are a jewel particularly if your lodge

after him. It also told me where he was

learn what he was doing in North Carolina.

has lost it’s archives through natural disaster

buried. Now research could really begin. I

I could also see what the Scottish Rite, in

or human error. These are things member’s,

now knew where and when as well as for

Raleigh knew or the House of the Temple. I

particularly older members, know about.

what he had received the award. I could

learned a lot about the man in this research.

These sources may not provide the answers

get started researching the details of that

He had been involved in the Ameri-

but they do provide leads, the name of

operation. I knew that I could use another

can Civil War and had stayed in the

other members or important events that likely were recorded in the news or local histories that are found in the library. I also discovered the local historical society had published several books over the years and that these had been in part made available on line. Now I was developing a bunch of leads to explore, but where to start became my next challenge. My solution was the internet. First I used Google® to see if there was anything written about WB Woodruff. Since he had been award such an important award there were a number of entries for him. I decided to start with Wikipedia. Not because it is a respected academic, which it is not, but rather it is a great source of expanding my source materials. My visit to Wikipedia, provided me with the citation for the award, which would lead me to significant details about his service, a picture of him as a young man, a very brief recounting of his service history, through which I determined what he was doing here when the lodge was founded. It also told me that he was a member of the Scottish Rite, because a Lodge

SPRING 2016 27

LODGE OF RESEARCH From Whence We Came Army after the war. Using the book by

from that lodge and return to our lodge. I

ship as a brave man and a dedicated Mason.

WB S. Kenneth Baril on members of the

was now ready to send notes to these other

This research lead to an article on his life

fraternity who had been award the Medal of

lodges. His mother lodge could not help,

and a great deal of other research of the

Honor I discovered that he was not the only

most of their records of the period were

members who shaped our lodge.

member of the lodge so recognized. We

lost in a fire over one hundred years ago.

tion and answer to the question purposed

had two other awardee's, more research to do. The local historical society told me a lot about the area at the time, but not so much about the man. It proved of great useful-

In summary, what is my recommenda-

BUT, THE HISTORIAN OF THE RALEIGH LODGE WAS

in the title? First, get started, do something and it will lead to something more. Begin at home, what information is around the

ness in a later lodge research project. But,

A GOLD MINE, HE PROVIDED

where and when had he joined the fraternity

ME WITH NEWSPAPER

conducting the research and ask for any

was an unanswered question. The Raleigh

ARTICLES AND REPORTS FROM

information anyone might have on the

leads had proven to be dead ends. What

HIS GRAND LODGE’S ANNUAL

subject or person. Once you have devel-

to do next? I was visiting Grand Lodge one afternoon on a totally unrelated quest when I asked the Grand Secretary if there might

REPORTS, (A SOURCE I HAD NOT THOUGHT OF)

lodge? Announce in lodge that you are

oped some leads, start sending out notes to other sources. It was doing this step in research on those other awardee’s that I met a survivor of the American’s interned

be any information in the Grand Lodge, since our files did not provide any clues

But, the historian of the Raleigh lodge was a

in World War II, who had volumes’ of

and the minutes let me know only what he

gold mine, he provided me with newspaper

information that she was excited to share.

did while master. MW Tracy took the time

articles and reports from his grand lodge’s

Go to the internet resources, like Wikipe-

to do a quick check in the card files and

annual reports, (a source I had not thought

dia to get started, but thousands of books,

yes luck was with me again. He had a 3x5

of ) as well as some lodge information. Now,

articles, newspapers and pictures are there

card that contained the information of his

I had a picture of man who spent over 30

for your use. Ask Grand Lodge if they have

initiation, passing and raising in a lodge in

years in various locations building the craft.

any information, we have huge archives that

the Reo Grand Valley in 1872, his transfer

Involved right up to his death in being an

are being improved every day. The past

to our lodge at its formation, his demit and

active member of the fraternity. He was

has shaped our present and our future, it is

transfer to a lodge in Raleigh and his demit

someone we could hold up to our member-

imperative that we know what it is.

About the Author Herb Merrick was born in Yokohama Japan the oldest son of a career Army Officer, but grew up in Forsyth, Missouri where his family settled on the farm, that he still oversees. He was raised in November of 1974 in the Forsyth Lodge 453. He graduated from Missouri State University in May of 1975 and was commissioned in the US Army as field artilleryman. In June of that year he married Carolyn and they spent the next twenty two years traveling the world. Herb has sat in a lot of lodges, but was only active in one before moving to Kansas. He held a variety of offices in Forget-Me-Not 896 in the American Canadian Grand Lodge of Germany during his five years serving in that country, including secretary for two years. In 1994 Herb, Carolyn and their daughter Kristina settled in Lansing, Kansas and Herb joined Hancock Lodge 311 on Fort Leavenworth. He served as Master in 2004 and again in 2009. He has held every office in the lodge except Treasurer. He served the Grand Lodge as District Deputy in 2009, as Grand Pursuivant in 2013 and Grand Marshal in 2014. He has also been on a number of Grand Lodge Committees. Herb belongs to the Armed Forces Scottish Rite, Leavenworth and Heidelberg York Rite bodies, Greeter of Abdallah Shrine, Byington Chapter 177 OES as well as Haworth Chapter 32 OES and the National Sojourners of Fort Leavenworth. He has been the treasurer of Pilgrim Community Church for the last thirteen years. Kristina lives in Washington DC with her husband Nick and their daughter Evelyn. Herb teaches at the United States Army Command and General Staff College. In his spare time he likes the shooting sports, hunting, golf, and reading particularly ancient and military history. Plus getting to see Evelyn whenever there is a chance. 1 S. Kenneth Baril, The Medal of Honor The Letter G in Valor Weidner Publishing Group 2002, Richmond VA. 2 21 Days of Valor Custer’s Artillery During and After the Gettysburg Campaign

28 THE KANSAS MASON

Research Your Lodge History and

FIND CONNECTIONS TO THE PAST

By Timothy A. Fowler, ADGM, PM Solomon City No.105, Member Salina No.60

The Kansas Lodge of Research met in November to discuss the history in our Lodges and how anyone can research the roots of the Kansas Masons. It’s easy, our speaker said, to get started just by looking at pictures on the walls. I wanted to share the process I followed to put the ideas in action and hopefully inspire you to do the same in your Lodge. When I got back to the Salina Lodge, I started looking at the Past Master pictures and looked up the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge. Brother Gilbert G. Lowe led the Salina No. 60 lodge in 1867. Then, as I looked around the Lodge room, I realized I had always noticed the picture of our First Lodge Secretary hanging by the desk. In all my travels around the country and visiting many Lodges, I knew this was odd and decided he must have been an above-average Secretary. His name was August Bondi. This gave me a place to start my research project. I now had names and dates, and from the picture of Lowe, I knew he was a soldier. I did a Google Search and within two minutes, I found that Lowe was a sergeant and he went on to become Captain Lowe. He was from Carbondale, Illinois, and served with the 18th Illinois Infantry and then later served as an officer with the 9th Illinois. Cpt. Lowe was severely wounded at Shiloh on April 6th, 1861, while serving as a lieutenant. He moved to Kansas after the Civil War. From there, I searched for information about Bondi and came up with page after page of articles and stories about him. I even found a ballad written about him. Brother Bondi was born in 1833 in Vienna, Austria, and he fought in that country at age 15 with the Academic Legion, a military organization formed by university students during the Revolution of 1848. That same year, as the country’s economy collapsed, he moved with his family to settle in St. Louis, Missouri. He worked in various trades including jobs as a grocery clerk, apprentice printer, partner to a saloon owner, teacher and sailor. Because of his experiences in Austria, he maintained a strong interest in politics. In 1855, Bondi moved to Kansas to join the Free State forces. The next year, he fought with John Brown at the battle of Black Jack. After he married, his home was part of the Underground Railroad. He then joined the 5th Kansas Cavalry and fought in the Civil War. He was taken prisoner in Arkansas and left for dead due to his injuries. He settled in Leavenworth after his discharge, running a grocery store. Ten years later, his family moved to Salina, where he was a farmer and real estate investor. He was appointed the Postmaster of Salina and, around 1880, he graduated from law school and was elected to a judgeship. Brother Bondi passed away in 1907 and his service was held at the Salina Masonic Hall. (If you’re interested in more information about him, search his name at www.jewishmag.com.) Obviously, not as much information as was available on Brother Bondi will pop up for many of the Kansas Masons you choose to research. But you can see how easy it is today to search online for information about our Lodges and members of the past. I have already set up a date to visit the Kansas Historical Society to read Bondi’s personal papers, and the GL office is doing research for me on both men’s Masonic history. The information you gather can be used in your Lodge newsletter, or during Lodge meetings. This type of research creates connections with our past, and stimulates interest in our heritage. Start your research today!

SPRING 2016 29

MEMBER INTERVIEW By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

Masonry is the only one that I know of that as soon as you walk in the door, race, color, religion, none of that matters anymore. You’re not allowed to talk about any of your politics. That’s one of the best things. WM Branden Corbett WM Branden Corbett didn’t come easily

memorization. He passed away in 2014, and

Lodge is seeing. “The line that I set up last

just the memory of their time together as

year to come in this year will probably be

Brothers continues to inspire Corbett.

to the youngest line, or the closest to the

“I’ll never forget sitting down in his base-

youngest,” he said. “We’ve got one guy

to Freemasonry. Not because he wasn’t

ment going over stuff, over and over again.

that’s 37, I’m 33, and everybody else is

interested right away, but because a life with

He had that old man, real loud voice – you

below 30.”

three small children, work and numerous

could hear him in a Wal-Mart. And he had

obligations left him with little time.

that old man, sounds like he’s coughing,

financial challenges in the 1980s, the Lodge

but he’s actually laughing,” Corbett laughed

no longer owned its 1800s building. But

children’s daycare provider and for a year,

himself at the memory. “Having him as a

Corbett worked with the local bank and

they played tag, trying to figure out the best

mentor definitely affected me personally.

got the business to donate the building

time to get together. When Corbett finally

Our Lodge here has affected me tremen-

back to the Lodge, as well as a piece of

went to a Friends of Masons night at the

dously. Our Lodge is more of a family than

property behind the building that used to

Hill City Millbrook Lodge No. 281, he was

I’ve ever seen any Lodge be.”

be a lumber yard. Right now, the Lodge is

He was invited by the husband of his

immediately intrigued. “One hundred bucks was worth it just

It’s the genuine connections that occur between people that move Corbett. “I

Other good things are happening. After

constructing storage units there to set up perpetual income. Those positive things are happening

to see what’s goin’ on. I joined, and it

don’t put down the Knights of Columbus,

was probably the best decision I’ve ever

the Elks, the Rotary or anything like that.

because of the commitment of Masonic

made,” Corbett said as he completed his

But there’s a huge difference between

members who take their obligation seri-

second year as Worshipful Master. “It’s

Masonry and any other organization,” he

ously, he said. “Freemasonry betters any

been really beneficial to me, that feeling of

said. “Masonry is the only one that I know

member that takes his obligation seriously.

Brotherhood.”

of that as soon as you walk in the door,

If you treat people and especially brothers

In December, Corbett was reminded

race, color, religion, none of that matters

like you would like them to treat you it will

even more strongly than usual how impor-

anymore. You’re not allowed to talk about

make everyone grow,” Corbett said.

tant the Brotherhood is. He spent a week in

any of your politics. That’s one of the best

and out of the hospital, and he said it was

things. As soon as you walk in that room,

said he really enjoys, what he was learning

“unbelievable” how many Brothers called to

it doesn’t matter if you come from a family

was a “blur” in the beginning. “And then you

see what he needed, what his wife needed

that has a million dollars or if you have

go back and you start reading through it and

and stopped in to visit.

ten dollars to your name. They’re always

it’s a lot of stuff that you can take and use

trying to give you a hand up. There’s never

in your every-day life,” he said. “It makes it

a put-down.”

really neat to memorize and to think that

One Brother in particular offered Corbett mentorship that was life changing. Andy Stierwalt, Past Master of Salina Lodge No. 60, worked diligently with Corbett on

30 THE KANSAS MASON

Corbett, 33, said those connections are responsible for the comeback the Hill City

During memorization, which Corbett

200 years ago, men were saying and doing the same things we are.”

FROM THE ARCHIVES Foreword By Dylan Kuhlman, Archivist, Kansas Masonic Library & Museum Since late August the Kansas Masonic Library and Museum has partnered with Emporia State University’s Library of Science Master’s program to bring an intern to our institution. This agreement allows the student to get hands on, real world experience in the library/archive field and it helps the institution get large collections done by having a dedicated student worker. Our intern, Tina Marie Shepperd, worked on many projects during her time and the Kansas Masonic Library and Museum, but her main project was processing and arranging the Past Grand Master Papers, a large collection of textual records in our library. Along with the physical work done to the collection, Tina also wrote an article about what she found interesting in the collection. By Tina Marie Shepperd, Intern, Kansas Masonic Library & Museum

not the province of Masonry to attempt, in

The Past Grand Master Collection

an organized way, to influence public affairs, believing that our business is that of mak-

The Kansas Masonic Library and Museum

ally, Grand Masters had to deal with lodge

ing Masons and content to rely upon the

has completed the organization and de-

disputes, legal issues, contentious lectures,

individual to promote the ideals for which

scription of the papers of the Past Grand

unwelcome press coverage, and personality

we stand.”

Masters of the Grand Lodge of Kansas.

conflicts between members of the Grand

Historic events influenced the issues

The collection contains materials from the

Lodge or within lodges throughout Kansas.

that Grand Masters had to navigate. In the

1910s through 2011, although there is little

Grand Masters had requests from na-

1920s, Masons rendered aid to members

coverage after the mid-1970s. Thousands of

tional Masonic organizations, but most did

suffering with tuberculosis. During World

pieces of correspondence and organization-

not attend meetings or contribute to such

Wars I and II, Grand Masters gave special

al papers reveal the finances and the promi-

groups because they believed their pri-

dispensations that would allow service-

nent issues that would surface during each

mary responsibilities were to Kansas

men to complete their

Grand Master’s term of service; however,

Masons and that funds would be more

Masonic Degrees. Grand

coverage is unequal, both in what remains

judiciously spent with their oversight.

Masters M W Strickland

from any given term and what issues are

That general stance, however, did not

and M W Peterson were

discussed within the surviving materials.

mean that Kansas Masons ignored the

concerned about refugee

plight of other Masons around the

children escaping Europe

the collection as Grand Masters clarified

country or internationally, and they

and considered how many

rules and gathered information from com-

often sent funds to help their fellow

children might be placed

mittees and District Deputy Grand Masters.

Masons as they did after the Florida

in the Kansas Masonic

Files include information about charitable

hurricane in 1926.

Home, which had chil-

Common themes emerge throughout

works, lodge finances, building projects,

Kansas Masons also did not col-

dren’s wards until 1959.

stone-laying ceremonies, trials, lodge char-

laborate with non-Masonic organiza-

War-time restrictions

ters and consolidations, lifetime membership

tions. In a 1930 letter to MW John

regarding travel required

issues, and membership statistics. Grand

A. Dutton, Grand Master of New

the Grand Lodge to alter

Masters also received letters from members

York, MW Jay B. Kirk notes that “The

their usual convention

that had been duped by groups that illegiti-

Grand Jurisdiction of Kansas has

schedules. When the

mately used the Masonic name and Grand

consistently refused to be a party to

Social Security Act was

Masters consistently warned members

any outside activity, holding that it is

enacted, MW Buzick had

to beware of such charlatans. OccasionDylan Kuhlman has been working in archives and libraries for the last six years. Originally from Dighton, a small western Kansas town, he attended Baker University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in History. He followed with a Masters in Library Science and an Archives Certificate from Emporia State University. His work experience includes positions at the University and Kansas Methodist Archives for Baker University, the National Archives and Records Administration in Kansas City and the Kansas Historical Society in Topeka. He has also done volunteer and graduate work at the Grinter Place Historic Site, The National WWI Museum, The Kansas City Public Library and the University Archives at Johnson County Community College.

SPRING 2016 31

FROM THE ARCHIVES to determine how the new rules applied to

from producing or selling alcohol. Any

various employees within the organization.

consumption of alcohol had always been

in alcohol sales. Other Grand Masters were particularly

Extensive materials can be located re-

discouraged by the Masonic Fraternity;

concerned with issues such as improving

garding the Kansas Masonic Home, including

however, after legalization, there were

Masonic education, creating a lasting histori-

information about the fire of 1916 and the

frequent debates about the specific rules

cal record of the history of Kansas Free-

subsequent work to quickly rebuild what

regarding alcohol. Kansas Masons

masonry, or recognizing

remains an important charitable mission

requested clarification regarding

Past Grand Mastersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; works

of Kansas Masons. The Kansas Masonic

who was considered a dispenser

and marking their graves.

Home has frequently been expanded and

and whether beverages containing

Grand Masters also saved

improved throughout the years, and the

3.2% alcohol were included in the

memorabilia from special

collection includes photographs, annual

sales prohibitions. Should Masons

events across the nation,

reports and monthly financial records.

that were not breaking any civil law

including books, conven-

or imbibing alcohol in excess be

tion schedules, postcards

tentious topic, but Kansas was and remains

ousted? Grand Masters, particularly

and photographs as well as

stricter than other states and outlawed

MW Lynn Brodrick, took a strict stance

copies of their biographies and speeches.

alcohol sales from 1881 until 1948. After

and the Trials & Punishments Committee

To consult these materials, visit the Kansas

the legalization of alcohol in Kansas, By-Law

files of 1950 annotate the resulting charges

Masonic Grand Lodge in Topeka or contact

1-111 was instituted and forbade Masons

brought against Masons for any involvement

Dylan Kuhlman for more information.

The use and sale of alcohol was a con-

32 THE KANSAS MASON

MAKING A DIFFERENCE By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

Scholarship Program Builds On Success, Helps Kansans In Kansas Communities

their children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren, who will be attending an accredited college, university, or technical

Almost 300 Scholarships Awarded by Kansas Masonic Lodges

school, along with students who have been members (for a minimum of two years) of

The KMF Scholarship Program continues

ships went out from the KMF to Lodges

DeMolay International, Job’s Daughter’s

to grow with Lodge support and enthusi-

statewide, and local Masons personally

International or the International Order of

asm and is already up and rolling again for

made the awards directly to the distin-

Rainbow Girls.

2016-17.

guished student recipients.

Legacy Scholarships for $500 can be used at any of the seven different technical

The applications for the online-only

The General Scholarships can be

scholarships are again available on the KMF

used at seven Kansas universities: Empo-

colleges located across the state – or at

website and can be linked through the

ria State, Fort Hays State, Kansas State,

any other such accredited school or insti-

Lodge website. Many Lodges have already

Kansas, Pittsburg State, Washburn and

tute in the country. And though our other

contacted KMF and have placed the link

Wichita State. And those aimed at techni-

academic scholarships can be used only in

on their website. It is easy to do and fulfills

cal schools and institutes can be used at

Kansas, each Legacy Scholarship for higher

the mission of the Foundation by having

seven such facilities in the state, located in

education offers $1,000 that can be used

the Lodges promote the scholarships as

Emporia (Flint Hills), Manhattan (Manhat-

with complete freedom at any accredited

“The Lodge Scholarship Program.” This

tan Area), Beloit (North Central Kansas),

institution of higher learning anywhere in

year’s scholarship program officially began

Goodland (Northwest Kansas), Salina

the U.S.A. Please alert any local Brethren

starting Jan. 1, 2016, and the new deadline

(Salina Area), Topeka (Washburn) and

who may not yet know about the pro-

for applications will be March 31, 2016.

Wichita (Wichita Area).

gram, so that as many deserving students as possible can be encouraged to apply.

The shortened timeframe is designed to allow Lodges more time to schedule the presentation of the award prior to school being out. Last year, the Kansas Masonic Foundation Lodge Scholarship program, now available to many more students than ever before, definitely exceeded expectations with an unexpectedly high number of great applications. A total of 292 scholarships were given out by 109 Kansas Lodges across the state, ranging from $500 to $5,000, including numerous Legacy Schol-

Visit your local high schools, communi-

THE PRESS AND AWARENESS OF WHAT THAT APPLY ON-LINE MASONIC LODGE DID FOR THE COMMUNITY WAS OUTSTANDING

cate to those students in your community that are already attending

CYNTHIA RUTH RUSSELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

$10,000 in scholarship funds available to one or more of the following schools: 1. Kansas State University 2. Wichita State University 3. Washburn University 4. Pittsburg State University 5. Emporia State University 6. Fort Hays State University 7. University of Kansas

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED

THIS IS YOUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

JANUARY 1– MARCH 31, 2016

KANSAS MASONIC FOUNDATION LODGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2016

KansasMasonic.Foundation/scholarships

college and build some great community awareness for this program

PURPOSE The Kansas Masonic Foundation seeks to demonstrate both our personal commitment and the heartfelt desire of Kansas Masons and donors to help advance education for the common good and well-being of our society. The Cynthia Ruth Russell Memorial Scholarship Endowment specifically goes to support disabled or physically challenged students who are pursuing personal and professional growth via higher education.

offered by your Lodge. I am reminded of one Lodge

CRITERIA • Kansas Resident

• Living with a disability (as defined by the World Health Organization)

last year where the Broth-

• Must be attending one of the seven identified Kansas Universities/Colleges

• Freshman: 2.75 GPA (4.0 Scale — High School) • Transfer: 2.5 GPA (4.0 Scale — University/Co llege) • 12 credit hours per semester • Demonstrate Financial Need

ers of that Lodge gave a presentation to the area

SPECIAL NOTE Letters of recommendation regarding the applicant’s leadership ability, community service, and/or work experience are encouraged.

high schools and as a result

But the most exciting part of this

Please also provide a description and most current documentation of the disability.

the Lodge awarded 16

arships. The scholarship money awarded

scholarship program is definitely the

this past year is already being used at 53

Legacy Scholarships. The Kansas

schools across the country, ranging from

Masonic Foundation Legacy Scholarship

awareness of what that Masonic Lodge did

highly acclaimed technical schools to

was created specifically to give something

for the community was outstanding – you

prestigious universities, both in and out of

back to Kansas Masons. Such scholar-

can’t buy that type of press. That can be

Kansas. The money to fund the scholar-

ships are available only to Masons and

your Lodge as well – make it happen!

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED JANUARY

1– MARCH 31, 2016

KansasMasonic.Foundation/scholarship s

scholarships! The press and

SPRING 2016 33

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

We want to continue to

By Laura Long, Communications Manager, Midwest Cancer Alliance

help the Lodges provide

Kansas Masons Team with KU to Screen Record Number for Cancer What happens when 22 Masonic Lodges

dricks, the organization underwent a philo-

host free cancer screenings across the state

sophical change under the leadership of a

of Kansas in less than nine months? You end

new executive director in 2013. The new

up with almost 1,800 Kansans who have

director, Bob Shively, wanted to continue to

been assessed by physicians from Univer-

support cancer prevention and research but

sity of Kansas Medical Center for their risk

wanted to focus on giving Lodges tools for

of skin and prostate cancer. Out of those

greater visibility in their community. Shively

1,800 participants, you have 350 who have

and other KMF leaders felt that increas-

been referred to their local physicians in

ing cancer prevention programs like the

an effort to prevent a

screening events were

potentially life-threat-

a great way to do that,

ening problem spotted

explained Hendricks.

this free, life-saving service in as many Kansas counties as possible

KMF collaborated

during the screening.

with Midwest Cancer

stopped by for the event in southeast Kan-

screenings in one year

Alliance (MCA), the

sas. “We got so busy that the docs from KU

is a record for the

outreach network

Med and our local volunteers had to stay

Kansas Masons, but

of The University of

longer to help everyone out,” said Hawkins.

it’s not their first trip

Kansas Cancer Center,

He added, “It was a great way to support

to the cancer preven-

on quadrupling the

the community and give people a better

tion rodeo. In fact,

screenings and coordi-

understanding of how Masons give back.”

the Kansas Masonic

nating physicians and

Foundation (KMF)

other staff to assist

that 3.5 million Americans are diagnosed

has been supporting

with the skin and pros-

with skin cancer every year. Almost 75,000

Twenty-two cancer

cancer prevention and research for more than 40 years. In addition to funding four to

tate screenings and bone density tests. “Between March and December of this

The American Cancer Society reports

of those cancers are melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Data from the

five yearly screenings at local lodges since

year we will have traveled to just about

Centers for Disease Control indicates that

2003, the KMF created The Kansas Masonic

every corner of Kansas to help local lodges

Kansas has higher than average rates of both

Cancer Institute and invested more than

screen residents

$25 million in health initiatives like the Bob

in their com-

Dole Prostate Cancer Research Fund, the

munities,” said

Oncology Nurse Navigator program and

MCA’s director of

a Psychosocial Oncology Endowments at

outreach, Brooke Groneman.

University of Kansas Medical Center. According to the Foundation’s Director of Development and Programs, Dave Hen-

34 THE KANSAS MASON

CANCER

A screening in Fredonia, KS, was one of the first held in 2015. Local Mason, Doug Hawkins, said that close to 120 people

SCREENING CLINIC

CANCER

SCREENING CLINIC

MAKING A DIFFERENCE residents and visitors were screened.

“Neither of us ended up with a malignancy

skin and prostate cancer in the U.S.

“I am a big advocate for the screenings,”

but we now know to keep a close watch on

In the fall, Masons in southwest Kansas held a screening in Stevens County that drew

explained Wheeler. “There’s no doubt in

certain changes on our skin,” said Smith.

my mind that it’s one of the most visible

“Helping those we screen gain a better

in almost 140 participants, or nearly 5% of the total population of the community. “We

understanding of what is and isn’t normal

and effective ways our lodges help the

had quite a few local folks as well as people

can make all the difference when it comes

community.” Hendricks noted that the KMF

from as far as Oklahoma and Colorado,” said

to catching skin cancer early,” explained KU

hopes to increase the number of screenings

Hugoton Mason, Bruce Bentz.

Medical Center dermatologist, Ryan Fischer,

in 2016. “We want to continue to help the

MD. Fischer added, “That can be especially

Lodges provide this free, life-saving service

ordinate their local events end up benefit-

true in rural areas where there often isn’t a

in as many Kansas counties as possible,”

ting from the screening, themselves. In July,

dermatologist within at least 100 miles.”

said Hendricks.

Sometimes the masons who help co-

Don Wheeler, a 33 year Mason and

“I hope lodges that have never held a

his Lodge in Erie, KS, has ever held. 125

volunteer who has helped set up six cancer

screening sign up to host one in 2016,” said

participants were seen during the event. As

screenings over the past few years, was

Smith. “Although it was a new program for

it turned out, both Smith and his wife, Anne,

involved in a screening in Uniontown, KS,

us in Erie it turned out to be a great experi-

participated and were referred to a local der-

in September. The screening took place

ence for me, personally, and for our Lodge

matologist for potential skin cancer issues.

during Old Settlers Days and more than 100

and the community.”

Steve Smith helped set up the first screening

Kansas Masons Report College Alumni As part of the Winter Edition of The Kansas Mason, we asked

By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

Kansas State University . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.9%

Kansas been University working . . . . . . . . . . The Kansas Masonic Foundation has college/university they attended. The information was gathered and Wichita State University. . . . . . . . withas part the various and throughout recorded of an effort to betterColleges report to the various state-Universities Fort Hays State University . . . . . . . wide higher institutionsand the question keeps coming Pittsburg State University the State up — . . . . . . . Brothers from across the state to complete a survey card as to what

how many Kansas Masons

has been working The Kansas Masonic Foundation Universities throughout with the various Colleges and coming up — the State and the question keeps

has been working with the various The Kansas Masonic Foundation up — the State and the question keeps coming Colleges and Universities throughout

“How Many of Your Mason’s are

Alumni”?!

. . . . . 11.5% . . . . . 9.1% . . . . . 8.3% . . . . . 8.1%

Emporia State University . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7%

“How Many of Your Mason’s are Alumni”?!

attended their schools.

r of You This w question comes Manyoften “Ho

mni”?! Aluthem arewith son Ma up as we’svisit about various programs and

Hoping you would

I AM AN ALUMNI OF:

provide the information

n Baker University

below and let us know

n Benedictine College n Bethany College

so we can indicate it

n Bethel College

in your record. Please

n Central Christian College

complete and mail the

attached postcard.The

n Emporia State University

n Fort Hays State University

n Kansas Wesleyan University n Pittsburg State University n Southwestern College n Washburn University

n Wichita State University n Other ______________________

sity Kansas Masonic Foundationn has been working College/Univer Out-of-State n Kansas State University with the various Colleges and Universities throughout n Kansas University State and the question keeps coming up — ________ _______________________________________

We will publish thethe

results in the next edition

partnerships.

Well, the numbers are

Name (Please Print)

“How Many of Your Mason’s are Alumni”?!

of The Kansas Mason.

Baker University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.7%

n Ottawa University

________________________ Masonic Lodge __________________________

in, at least from those people

who reported. I don’t think there

were a lot of surprises as to how the ranking turned out. While we

Southwestern College

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5%

The Kansas Masonic Foundation has been working with the various Colleges and Universities throughout the State and the question keeps coming up —

Wesleyan University “HowKansas Many of Your Mason’s are Alumni”?!

. . . . . . . . . . . 1.2%

Bethany College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hoping you would

I AM AN ALUMNI OF:

provide the information

n Baker University

n Kansas Wesleyan University

below and let us know

n Benedictine College

n Ottawa University

Benedictine College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . n Bethany College

n Pittsburg State University

n Bethel College

n Southwestern College

in your record. Please

n Central Christian College

n Washburn University

complete and mail the

n Emporia State University

n Wichita State University

attached postcard.

n Fort Hays State University

n Other ______________________

n Kansas State University

n Out-of-State College/University

so we can indicate it

Bethel College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

We will publish the

n Kansas University

Ottawa University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

results in the next edition

Name (Please Print) _______________________________________________

of The Kansas Mason.

Masonic Lodge __________________________________________________

Out of State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.8% .2% .2%

.2%

22.7%

If you did not send your card in, there is still time to do so or

had a number of Brothers report that they attended the “school

you may call the Kansas Masonic Foundation at 785-357-7646 or

of hard knocks,” the outcome was interesting. Of the almost 1,000

email us at Info@KansasMasonic.Foundation to have your record updated.

Brothers reporting, the following is the ranking by percent:

SPRING 2016 35

“

MAKING A DIFFERENCE By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

Third Annual Lodge Event During Annual Communication The Kansas Masonic Foundation is pleased

and more direct way.

to announce its third annual meeting with all

To kick things off, KMF Executive Direc-

of the Lodges across Kansas. This meeting

tor Bob Shively will lead a review of current

is being held just prior to the Annual Com-

Foundation programming and then a brain-

munication, on Thursday, March 17, 2016,

storming session with Lodge leadership. It

starting with lunch. Each Kansas Lodge has

will focus on plans the Foundation is already

been asked to provide one representative

working on, besides soliciting new ideas

to participate in the event.

from the Lodges for future programming.

This important gathering will continue

“Reaching Kansans at the local level,

NEW THIS YEAR

If the Lodge representative is not currently a member of the Kansas Lodge of Research, the Kansas Masonic Foundation will purchase a membership for him so he can attend and participate in the KLOR meeting immediately following the KMF meeting. New this year – If the Lodge representative is not currently a member of the Kansas Lodge of Research, the Kansas Masonic Foundation will purchase a membership for him so he can attend

developing Foundation-based program-

with the indispensable help of our Lodges,

ming with the Lodges. The Kansas Masonic

will greatly enhance the reach and impact of

Foundation – as both a continuation of its

the Foundation, ” Shively said. “Our future

history and one of its future goals – wishes

starts with the Lodges, and I sincerely hope

to enrich the lives of Kansans by support-

representatives of every Lodge in the state

Communication “Welcome Reception”

ing charitable, educational and scientific

will show up ready to provide the kind of

hosted by the Kansas Masonic Foundation

programs. Reaching this specific goal will

quality input that will help propel the KMF

that evening from 5-7 p.m.

involve working hand-in-hand with and

– and Masonry as a Craft – to a whole new

through Kansas Masonic Lodges in a new

level in the years ahead.”

GRAND LODGE

Laying the Cornerstone

and participate in the KLOR meeting immediately following the KMF meeting. He will also be welcome to attend the Annual

All Lodges should take advantage of this great program and opportunity!

continued from page 19 extensive apprenticeship program followed

fears, motivations, triumphs and goals. This

and weaknesses. Members of the lodge need

is the real meat of mentoring because when

to have these insights if they are involved with with becoming a fellowcraft or journeyman,

goals are known, the mentor can guide the

the mentoring process, preventing them from

and ultimately a master mason. Even today

candidate to personally discover that path.

inadvertently making the candidate uncom-

in the skilled crafts of construction there still

Perhaps the mentor will need to introduce

fortable or placing everyone in an awkward

exist the apprentice, the journeyman and

the new brother to a more knowledgeable member of the fraternity to further

position. Make sure that candidate knows that the master. Our tradition states that we are the original mentors. However, somewhere you, the mentor, are there for him through-

his education; that is expected, but initiate

out his journey, wherever he may traverse,

along the way history, tradition and obliga-

and nurture that interaction, and don’t just

but that you are willing and able to get him all

tions were forgotten and the craft suffered

drop him off. In conversations with the new

the information or help he needs.

tremendously. This will be corrected in the

brother, the mentor will invariably discover fundamentals that make that new brother a unique member of the fraternity and will need to share that insight with a Brother

Freemasonry is the ideal mentorship

months and years to come though, as men-

program. Everyone has someone they

torship is incorporated into the daily lodge

turn to for advice and counsel. Our tradi-

life. As more new members enter our ranks

tion describes three classes of masons

under the umbrella of what masonry is sup-

throughout our ritual. Moreover, history

posed to be, not just a social club that meets

added to the mentoring team. Examples of

states that stone mason guilds of Europe,

for coffee. Where learning self-improvement

these insights are the new brothers’ time con-

who constructed the magnificent cathedrals

for the betterment of others and the craft is

straints, learning styles, motivations, strengths

seen today, required that masons enter an

primary. That is our goal.

36 THE KANSAS MASON

MAKING A DIFFERENCE By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

Building An Endowment to Help Brothers: Preparations for the 3rd Annual Freemasons Endowment Charity Auction Are Actively Underway Last year’s auction during Annual Com-

evening. Bidders can access the live portal

munication raised $75,000 and has helped

via KMF’s website (www.KansasMasonic.

to fund the Freemasons Endowment to a

Foundation) and by clicking on the “auc-

level of $1.2 million, with an endowed goal

tion tab” and using their personal mobile

of $1.5 million. This year’s goal is to raise

devices. More information will be sent out

$100,000 for this extremely worthy cause.

to all Kansas Masons by email as the event

The auction was originally established

nears. So be sure if you want to participate

to benefit a fund administered by the Grand

in this exciting event that KMF has your cor-

Lodge and now administered through the

rect email!

Kansas Masonic Foundation. The Freema-

encouraged to bid generously, since your

sons, their families and also orphans when

willingness to do so will help make this

they need it most.

event helpful to the deserving Masons who

new wrinkles, like the availability of a

benefit from the auction. Since you’ll be selling to Brother Masons

number of pre-auction items, with the

and their families, the element of trickery

online bidding starting March 1. This gives

that too often plays a part in non-Masonic

all Kansas Masons and Lodges a chance to

online auction offerings will be missing here,

participate, so that even Masons who simply

and all involved will strive to provide all

cannot attend the Annual Communication

bidders, whether online or in person, with

itself will still have the same chance to win

things they will be happy to have won. And

those early items as the lucky ones who

since, as already discussed, the proceeds

actually get to attend will. There will also

go to a very good cause, serving to make

be approximately 25 onsite Silent Auction

life easier for brothers and their families in

items, and at least 15 highly desirable live

need, everybody involved winds up a win-

auction items to be sold on Friday night

ner all the way around, especially since your

during the Banquet. All told, every Mason in

contribution is tax deductible.

Kansas will have at least one way to get in-

25 onsite Silent

Auction items

As bidders, of course, you are strongly

son’s Endowment is aimed at helping Ma-

This year’s auction will feature some

pre-auction items, with the online bidding starting March 1

15 highly desirable live auction items to be sold on Friday night

F ree

m a s on s En d o wm ent

C HAR

3rd

IT Y A U C T I O N

So why not begin planning to support

volved and participate, via donation, bidding

the 3rd Annual Freemason’s Endowment

or both, in the very next Annual Freema-

Charity Auction right now – through your

son’s Endowment Charity Auction.

donations, your bids and, if at all possible,

While proxy bidding was allowed last

your presence? It will be here before you

year for the “live” portion of the auction on

know it, so please save the dates of the

Friday evening that touts some very exciting

160th Annual Communication today: March

items, this year the auction will be broadcast

17-19, 2016.

live over the internet and allow real-time bidding for those who can’t attend that

SPRING 2016 37

MAKING A DIFFERENCE By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

SOLD

F ree

m a s on s En d o wm ent

C HAR

3rd

IT Y A U C T I O N

This year’s auction will allow all Kansas Masons an opportunity to BID and WIN.

on Helping Brothers

LIVE

The first part of the auction begins on Tuesday, March 1st at 8AM with 100+ items up for auction. You will be able to go to KMF’s website (www.KansasMasonic.Foundation) and click on “online auction” and place your bid. You will be notified if you have been “outbid” and given the opportunity to bid again throughout the auction. The auction will end on Thursday, March 17th at 5PM just prior to the beginning of Grand Lodge Annual Communication.

ONLINE

The second and third parts of the auction will take place during Annual Communication. If for some reason you are unable to attend this year’s Annual Communication you can still participate in the onsite auctions. Brother Dave Hendricks (Dave@KansasMasonic.Foundation or 785-357-7646) will act as your proxy bidder. Simply email or call Dave and advise him of your desired “high” bid and he will execute your bid for you. He will not reveal your “high” bid but will place bids on your behalf up to your designated high bid as the auction progresses.

LIVE

The second part of the auction will be a silent auction with approximately 25 auction items and bidding will beginning Thursday, March 17th at 11AM and end on Friday, March 18th at 6PM. The third part of the auction will take place during the Annual Communication “All Masonic Gala” and it will be a Live Auction format. It is estimated that will have approximately 18 items for this auction. This Live Auction will be broadcast over the internet and you will have the ability to bid just as if you were in the room. You will simply go online by clicking on the auction tab of the KMF website (www.Kansas Masonic.Foundation at around 7PM that evening and watch and bid at the auction. This will also be available on your personal devices. More details will be sent out prior to the auction via email so make sure KMF has your current email address so you can participate!

ONLINE AUCTION ITEMS American Remembered Pewter Sculpture Park City designer Michael Ricker has created a nostalgic piece of Americana featuring a grandfather reading to is grandchildren. Piece is attached to walnut base. Anonymous Donor Pewter Pheasant Bookends These Metzke designed bookends make a bold & weighty statement. Perfect for the outdoorsman’s man cave. Anonymous Donor

Set of Pewter Carousel Figures Delightful sculptures by Michael Ricker evokes a nostalgic feel. Each is a limited edition, signed and numbered piece. Set includes, swan, girl on horse and hours figurines. Anonymous Donor

History of Kansas Masonry Volume I & II of the “History of Kansas Masonry” provides the sharing of the past with the present. These publications provide further aid in search of “From Whence We Came” and in doing so; each who participates will surely become a wiser and a Charming Vintage Childhood better Mason. Each member of Pewter Set our Craft plays an important part Eight pieces designed by Michael in our future and each of us must Ricker features boy fishing, choirbe continually reminded of this so boy, preacher, golfer, dog and toy that we may not be found wanting car. Anonymous Donor in the performance of our duties. Anonymous Donor

Limited Edition Print This limited edition print of “Frank’s Place Green Wing Teal” is No. 1217 of 2000 that noted wildlife artist David Hagerbaumer and was created for Ducks Unlimited in 1980. Donated by Larry Brown

These are some of the 3rd Annual Freemason’s Endowment Charity Auction items available at the time of publication. 38 THE KANSAS MASON

All auction items for all three auction events will be listed online and available for preview and online bidding.

ONLINE AUCTION ITEMS Masonic Quilt and Matching Pillows This handmade quilt by Vera Wheeler of Walnut, KS a 61 year member of the Eastern Star and Past Matron of three chapters (Walnut, Erie and Weir). The quilt and pillows took over one month to make. All of the star points were sewn and embroidered by hand. Donated by Bill and Vera Wheeler Quality 10k Yellow Gold Scottish Rite Ring Band, weighing 4.6 grams, features black enameling. Donated by the Frank Gould Freudenthal Estate Lovely 50th Anniversary 14k Yellow Gold Pendant/Charm Perfect for that special occasion, pendant has 3 set stones and weighs 2.3 grams. Donated by the Frank Gould Freudenthal Estate 14k Yellow Gold Collar Pins or Tie Tacks These unique pins feature the Masonic square design. Donated by the Frank Gould Freudenthal Estate Pair of Scottish Rite Tie Tacks One is sterling with marcasite settings. The other is a nicely plated and enameled pin. Donated by the Frank Gould Freudenthal Estate Pairing of Three Masonic Tie Tacks/Pins These pieces include a yellow gold plated Past Masters tie tack, a yellow gold plated Keys tie tack, and fancy Kansas AF&AM gold plated and enameled pin. Donated by the Frank Gould Freudenthal Estate

Sterling Silver Tie Tacks and Charm This selection includes a Masonic sterling silver tie tack with man-made stones, a NJ enameled 25-year pin, and sterling marked .925 charm. Donated by the Frank Gould Freudenthal Estate

Elk Skin Elk leather is great for making moccasins and other items that require rugged durability. This is a beautiful quality skin that has been professionally tanned and ready for use and measures 84”x 58”. Donated by James Billings

Assortment of Four Yellow Gold Plated Tie Tacks These tie tacks include a York Rite pin, a Scottish Rite piece, Senior De Molay pin, and a Futures Pin. Donated by the Frank Gould Freudenthal Estate

Deer Skin Deerskin is one of the toughest leathers available due to the thorny nature of the animal’s natural habitats. Deerskin leather’s high tensile strength is abrasion resistant and offers high durability. Deerskin is extremely soft and comfortable with a spongy feel. It is lightweight, water-friendly, stretchy and fits well. Deerskin is more expensive and used to manufacture gloves, shirts, dresses, hats, slippers, jackets, overcoats, sporting equipment, handbags, wallets, and upholstery. This is professionally tanned and ready for whatever you desire and measurers 48”x34”. Donated by James Billings

Two tickets and one parking pass for a (TBD) University of Kansas Football Game Experience the excitement of a KU Football Game at KU’s Memorial Stadium. Donated by KU Two Tickets and one parking pass for one, University of Kansas Men’s Basketball Game at Allen Fieldhouse Be part of an electric season when the Jayhawks kick-off their fall season. Bearer will select a mutually agreed upon game in 2016. Donated by KU Autographed Football From The 32nd Annual Kansas Masonic All-State Band Camp Personally signed by more than 200 band camp students and their advisors, this piece commemorates the dedication of our brotherhood to the advancement and fulfillment of youth related activities. Donated by the Kansas Masonic Foundation. Job’s Daughters Gavel and Strike Plate Both the gavel and strike plate bear silver tone Latin inscription “IYOB FILIAE” and the gavel is inscribed with “love isn’t love until it’s given away.” Donated by Sharon Peters

Winchester Model 1200 20-Guage Pump with “Winchoke” The Winchester Model 1200 is a conventional shotgun design featuring a wooded, fixed shoulder stock, under-barrel pump-auction slide, multi-shot tubular magazine and full-lengthen barrel. The shotgun sported a listed weight of 6.5lbs. This model also has a “Winchoke” patented quick change system—the first to be used in any Winchester production shotgun. Condition is excellent. Anonymous Donor $200 Gift Certificate to Show Me Birds Hunting Resort The Show Me Birds Hunting Resort is America’s largest Pheasant Hunting Resort and is located in Baxter Springs, Kansas. The resort offers five hunting packages ranging from $196.00 per person to $565.00 per person. Check out their web-site at www.showmebirds.com. Donated by Kim Shira Masonic Maple Flask Case Maple Flask Case that includes the Kansas Freemasons on the Level logo inscribed on the lid. Case includes 4 Masonic glasses and Masonic Flask. This attractive flask case is made out of Maple. Donated by Herb Merrick 2010 Grand Master’s Edition Pocket Knife and Box This commemorative pocket knife is #45 of 52 made especially for MWTracy Bloom’s year as Grand Master. It is engraved with the square and compasses, the Kansas Freemasons logo, MW Bloom’s name and year as GM. Donated by Francis Jackson British Five Pound Sterling Note This five pound note is legal tender and was issued by the Bank of Scotland and depicts The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus on the back. This is a collector’s item and is no longer in circulation. Donated by Donald Dyer

More items are being added daily – Check online March 1 for a complete listing. SPRING 2016 39

ONLINE AUCTION ITEMS Order of the Eastern Star Lighted Labyrinth This wall mounted labyrinth belonged to McPherson Chapter OES and was left when they consolidated with Lindsborg Chapter. The light is not personalized and would look good in any OES Chapter Room. Donated by McPherson Lodge No. 172

1991 Ducks Unlimited Tundra Swan Jim Beam Decanter This Jim Beam decanter was made for Duck’s Unlimited and bottled in 1987. The original Kansas State Seal is stilled affixed and the original liquor is still in the bottle. There is a small chip in the tail. Donated by Tim Russell

Hand Carved Wichita Scottish Rite Building Hand carved likeness of the Wichita Scottish Rite Building prior to 1918. This beautiful sculpture stands 12 inches tall and 10.5 inches wide and was hand carved by W. Scott Kailer of Albert Pike Lodge. Donated by Scott Kailer

Framed Picture of the 1977 Shrine Bowl Program Cover Artwork Framed painting by Paul Cupp of the 1977 Shrine Bowl program cover. The 1977 game was the 4th game and was played at Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Kansas. Donated by Paul Cupp, pictures a young boy with crutches being held up by a Shriner while a football player wraps his leg. The artwork used to create the painting is taped to the back of the picture. Donated by Tim Fowler

Hand Carved Square and Compasses Hand carved and painted square and compasses on wood by W. Scott Kailer of Albert Pike Lodge. This sculpture stands 12 inches tall and 10.5 inches wide. Donated by Scott Kailer Four Column Brass Bookends These four column brass bookends are a must for everyone’s library. Each bookend stands 9 inches tall and is 7.5 inches wide and 4 inches deep. Donated by Albert Pike Lodge No. 303 Gold Eastern Star Pin This stunning Fleur De Lis stylized lily pin is holding a mother of pearl book locket. It features an enameled Eastern Star emblem and bears the Lord’s Prayer inscription inside. Donated by Reenie Henry Estate Sales Engraved Sterling Silver Masonic Spoon Marked Sterling, this rare turn of the century spoon has an etching of the Wichita Masonic Temple. One of the rarest forms, the sheaf of corn handle represents the fruit of our labor, and honest wages. Donated by Doug Jessup

9/11 Commemorative Pocket Knife The beautiful 9/11 commemorative pocket knife depicts a fire fighter raising the American Flag from the rubble of Ground Zero. This piece is silver and comes with a hard case designed for display. Donated by Dave Hendricks 9/11 Commemorative Pocket Knife The beautiful 9/11 commemorative pocket knife depicts three fire fighters raising the American Flag from the rubble. This piece is black and comes with a hard case designed for display. Donated by Dave Hendricks Shriner And Hope Beautiful Shriner with Child limited edition statue inspired by Joe Vale of Gastonia, North Carolina. The Shriner stands behind the girl giving her Hope and Encouragement. This statue is a true depiction of the great work of all Shriners and a keepsake for your display and collection. Donated by Nolan Sump

Masonic Bible This Blue with gold etching Masonic Bible Red Edition was published by Heirloom Publishing in Wichita, Kansas and is a must have for any Master Mason. In addition to the scripture it has a section to fill out your Masonic biography and the history of Masonry and the bible. This bible is in very good condition and would be a nice addition to any living room, den or office. Donated by Dave Hendricks Gardener’s Paradise Spend a day digging at one of the largest collections of outdoor annuals in Southeast Kansas. Winner will receive over 20 different colors of iris’, plus seeds, bulbs and starts of several other annuals. Offer includes two one year old cling free peach trees. Winning bidder will determine colors in May when the irises are blooming. Donated by Bill and Vera Wheeler/ Vulcan Lodge No. 229 Ten Piece BBQ Set with Aluminum Case This Mirror Polished stainless steel set includes a fork, tongs, spatula, brush and skewer. It is dishwasher safe and comes with a very nice aluminum case which makes it perfect for taking camping or on vacation. Donated by Dave Hendricks Masonic Shaving Mug Unusual Shaving Mug embellished with Masonic emblem and is signed by T &V Limoges France on the bottom in green dated 1892-1907. A rare find! Anonymous Donor MW Tom Raum’s Grand Master Fez MW Tom Raum’s Grand Master Fez and a picture of President and Brother Gerald Ford. MW was Grand Master in 1968 and this is a chance to own the fez, that was presented to him by Midian Shrine for his year in the Grand East. Donated by Brian Byrd

Letters for Healing Book and CD These books are very intimate collections of letters from those left behind, to their lost loved ones. Including them in these books insures they will never be forgotten. The Letters Project Books are being published by Kansas City Star Books and will include the following titles: Letters for Healing: The Therapeutic Power of Writing to a Lost Loved One (including one by Olympic Gold Medallist Greg Louganis). Written by Brother Von Kopfman. Donated by Von Kopfman William Rogers and Sons Enchanted Rose Set Stunning 65-piece silver plate flatware set is beautifully encased and ready for those special occasions. Service for twelve includes 14 knives, 12 forks, 24 teaspoons, 12 soup spoons, large serving fork and spoon, plus one ladle. Donated by Bob Shively Limited Edition/ Collector Items A limited edition neck medallion, from the World Conference of Regular Masonic Lodges held in San Francisco, California and signed by the three Grand Masters who share jurisdiction in California; Grand Master of California, Grand Master of California Prince Hall and the Grand Master of Iran in Exile along with the Grand Master of Romania, who serves as the Executive Secretary of the Conference. Other items include a medallion from the Grand Lodge of Iran in Exile, the official papers of all the presentations printed in several different languages, which includes a paper from MW Michael Halleran, PGM of KS 2014. Donated by Daren L. Kellerman Brass DeMolay Belt Buckle This brass belt buckle is beautifully made and the design is the Crest of DeMolay. Donated by Dave Hendricks

These are some of the 3rd Annual Freemason’s Endowment Charity Auction items available at the time of publication. 40 THE KANSAS MASON

All auction items for all three auction events will be listed online and available for preview and online bidding.

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS Pewter Clown Music Box Beautifully designed by Michael Ricker, this limited edition pewter piece rests on a walnut base. Anonymous Donor Amazing 9-piece Pewter Cowboy Collection Rick Bartlett designed figurines features six cowboys in various poses and has three accessory pieces—rifle, dog, cactus. Each piece signed RB. Anonymous Donor Old Masters “Freemansons” Blended Scotch Whiskey Old Masters, a rich blend originally created for the Freemasons, has been carefully chosen from selected grain whiskies and specific Highland and Speyside malts. Like whiskey, Freemasonry has been established for centuries and offers a recognizable brand to compliment the Craft’s age-old traditions. Anonymous Donor Handmade Wooden Square and Compasses Handmade, by Brother Darren Hadl, using exotic woods and Tung oil and is 12 inches at the base. Anonymous Donor Antique Framed Shriner Collectable Beautiful 1908 Postcard “A Little Shriner Wearing His First Pin” incased in a striking 4” x 10” oak 1900’s frame with The Scimitar, Crescent and Star of the Mystic Shrine. Anonymous Donor Striking Vintage Gold Filled Eastern Star Pendant with Chain This lovely necklace features an enameled eastern star set on black onyx. Donated by the Frank Gould Freudenthal Estate. Exquisite 10k Yellow Gold Masonic Ring This highly defined ring, 6.2 grams, bears nice gemstones on the square and compass. There is six .01 point round diamonds, one .02 point diamond, and two 2 mm rubies. Anonymous Donor

Beautiful 10K Masonic Ring This unique man’s gold ring features a red jewel with the square and compass in laid. This is a beautiful ring with dazzling color. Donated by Robert Shively Old Vintage Magic Lantern Masonic Glass Slides 20 Vintage Magic Lantern Glass Slides with beautiful color Masonic subject. All are in great condition. Donated by Robert Shively Bill Self Autographed Basketball One of the winningest coaches, Self has led KU to ten straight Big 12 Conference Season Championships. A Personally autographed basketball is the perfect gift for any enthusiast. Donated by KU Case Elgin 17 Jewel Masonic Pocket Watch Very nice and ornate Elgin 17 Jewell Masonic Pocket Watch. The movement is #2214661 made in 1919. The case is nice SWCCO 25 years. 14K gold filled. The dial is unscratched and the crystal is green tinted. The watch runs and sets well. It has very pretty engraving on the back. A nice old watch to collect or carry. Anonymous Donor Winchester Model 290 22-Automatic with Scope The Winchester 290 is an easily handled little .22 rifle that is fun for all level of shooters. Receiver has a scope and it’s very short LOP makes this semi auto rifle comfortable for shooters of all sizes. This gun is brand new and has never been fired. Anonymous Donor Kansas Freemasons Wine Box Stunning wine box includes the Kansas Freemasons on the Level logo inscribed on the front. The box appears to be cherry wood. The lovely red satin interior holds wine utensils and a bottle of quality wine. Donated by Herb Merrick

Remington Model 870 12-Guage with Both Full & Improved Cylinder Barrels The Remington Model 870 side-ejection slide-action shotgun was introduced to the public early in 1950 by Remington Arms Company and was originally offered with fixed choke barrels. This model 870 12-Guage has a 2 3/4 inch magazine tube and allows for a four shot shell capacity. The chamber is the opening at the rear of the barrel where the shell is placed for firing. A standard length chamber is for 2 3/4” shells. The 870 features a bottom-loading, all steel, side ejecting receiver, tubular magazine under the barrel, dual action bars, internal hammer, and a bolt which locks into an extension in the barrel and is very easy to disassemble for thorough cleaning after heavy range or field use. This offering comes with two cylinder barrels—Full & Improved. Condition is excellent. Anonymous Donor Remington Model 870 12-Guage Pump with Improved Cylinder Barrel The Remington Model 870 side-ejection slide-action shotgun was introduced to the public early in 1950 by Remington Arms Company and was originally offered with fixed choke barrels. This model 870 12-Guage has a 2 3/4 inch magazine tube and allows for a four shot shell capacity. The chamber is the opening at the rear of the barrel where the shell is placed for firing. A standard length chamber is for 2 3/4” shells. The 870 features a bottom-loading, all steel, side ejecting receiver, tubular magazine under the barrel, dual action bars, internal hammer, and a bolt which locks into an extension in the barrel and is very easy to disassemble for thorough cleaning after heavy range or field use. This gun is brand new and has never been fired. Anonymous Donor

Framed Artist Enhanced Calligraphy by Ryan Flynn “The Ways of Virtue” inspired by my favorite charge in Masonry, this high-quality giclee print on ultra-bright fine art paper, was designed in the medieval style and contains some important symbolism throughout, (the detracts, the four elements, the flower of life, the Fibonacci sequence, etc.). This charge, given at the beginning of our meetings, is especially meaningful as it not only tells us how to behave, but acts as a primer for life. This giclee print is further accented by hand with 23kt gold, bronze infused inks and pearl varnish to produce something truly original. Donated by Jon Woodward 1976 Imperial Shrine Wall Mount From the 1976 Imperial Shrine Convention held in Kansas City. This brass plaque is 12 inches in diameter. Donated by Lyn and Linda Beyer Superstars Collection Pocket Watch This pocket watch was made by the Avon Superstars Collection to commemorate Mark McGwire after he broke the single season home run record. This watch is accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. Donated by Dave Hendricks Currier and Ive’s America Book Striking 1952 “Panorama of MidNineteenth Century Scenes” has 80 full color prints with commentary by Colin Simkin. This clothbound, oversized book is perfect for coffee table display or to use individually for framed art. Donated by Bob Shively Jefferson Box This very attractive box includes the Kansas Freemasons on the Level logo inscribed on the lid and holds 4 Masonic glasses. Donated by Herb Merrick

More items are being added daily – Check online March 1 for a complete listing. SPRING 2016 41

All auction items for all three auction events will be listed online and available for preview and online bidding.

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS Rare Edison Victrola Stunning floor model, oak enchased Victrola is in nice working condition and features beautiful cabinetry. Set on casters and easily moves for your listening pleasure. The Victrola comes with several vintage 1920’s records. Donated by Topeka Lodge No. 17 Grand Masters of Kansas Tie Collection Beautiful hand crafted ties made By Brother Craddick specifically for MW Rick Reichert, GM 2013, MW Michael Halleran, GM 2014, MW Daren Kellerman, GM 2015 and MW Lyn Beyer GM 2016. Donated by MW Daren Kellerman Set of Lodge Officer Aprons A complete set of custom designed Lodge Officer Aprons along with 15 Past Master and 10 Master Mason aprons. Each apron will be custom designed with Lodge Name and number. Donated by Tim Fowler Embroidered Long Sleeve Oxford Shirts for Lodge Officers Long sleeve 100% Cotton shirt for all Lodge Officers. The shirt is available in multiple colors to choose from. Each will be embroidered with the Lodge identification information. Donated by Macoy Publishing Embroidered set of Masonic Officer Customized Hoodies Hooded sweatshirt with large Square and Compass and Lodge name and position embroidered on the back and person’s name and small masonic emblem embroidered on the front. Set will include choice of pullover or full zip. Donated by Clay Thomas

1945 John Deere Model B, w/No. 7 Sickle Mower One of John Deere’s most sought after collectable/restorable tractors for the early years. This tractor has been recently gone over from front to back by a certified John Deere Dealer and is excellent running condition—Serial No. 182030, 6 volt system with lights, generator and starter. New radiator, starter, tune-up and rebuilt carburetor. Good 11.238 rear tires and new battery. Sickle Mower is in perfect running condition. Great for everyday use or in parades. Nothing runs like a Deere! Anonymous Donor An 8-Day and 7-Night Unbelievable Trip to Maui, Hawaii Lodging and airfare for two are provided for a trip of a lifetime. From its heavenly beaches to its scenic natural wonders, there are plenty of reasons why Maui has been voted “Best Island” by readers of Conde Nast Traveler for nineteen years. Donated by Mike and Joni Tavares Stunning rare 14k yellow gold Masonic Pendant This antique pendant represents a one-of-a-kind designed Masonic piece, weight 16.3 grams. It features square and compass with elaborately carved moon-faced moonstone. This piece is of a superior quality. Donated by the Frank Gould Freudenthal Estate Brilliant 14k Past Master Masonic Ring Ring sides beautifully detailed with trowel and gavel, while face bears square and compass. Weighing 13.5 grams, a 10 point diamond and blue enameling add emphasis to this gorgeous ring. Donated by the Frank Gould Freudenthal Estate Four Royals Tickets 2016 Royals tickets are sure to be a hot commodity. The seats are in the Loge Level on the first base side by the press box and include a parking pass. Donated by Continuum Energy

Autographed Bob Dole Framed Picture Brother and Senator Bob Dole graciously autographed the front cover of the fall 2015 “Kansas Mason” in which he was featured. Beautifully framed, this piece bears a certificate of authenticity from Brother Dole on his Washington letterhead. Donated by the Kansas Masonic Foundation Grand Lodge “Officers Protecting Our Fraternity” Signed and Framed Print The 2015-2016 Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Senior Warden, Grand Junior Warden, Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary, Grand Senior Deacon and Grand Junior Deacon have each signed this unique artwork as a testament to their loyalty and leadership of our fraternal organization. Donated by the Kansas Masonic Foundation Antique 17J Elgin Pocket Watch with Mint Masonic Dial in Highly Engraved Hunting Case This is a beautiful Masonic 17 Jewel Elgin Hunting Case Pocket Watch. It is housed in a highly engraved full hunting case 14K yellow gold filled J Boss guaranteed 25 years. The 12 size Elgin movement is running good. The Masonic dial is mint and the hands are nice as well. Serial #21053832 made in 1919. Anonymous Donor Marlin Model 120 12-Guage with Additional Barrel The Model 120 was styled to look like the Winchester Model 12 shotgun. It boosted an “AllSteel and Walnut” shotgun. The Model 120 was the finest shotgun Marlin ever made and was made exclusively in the United States with a genuine American Walnut Stock and Fore-End. All steel floating ventilated rib, serrated on top, provides “straight plane” sighing and reduces mirage. This 12-Gauge includes a 3” magazine, 30” vent-rib, full-choke and 40” barrel with an additional barrel included. Condition is excellent. Anonymous Donor

Rheem 95% Furnace – installed Rheem R95T 95% efficient variable speed furnace and Rheem RA13 13 SEER air conditioner with matching coil, digital Wi-Fi t-stat, installed and sized for the winning bidders house, all parts labor and tax included 10 year parts and compressor warranty, life time heat exchanger warranty and 1 year labor warranty. At over a $5000 value these are Rheem Classic Plus units and are upper mid-level, one step below their top of the line. Donated by Von Kopfman and Blue Dot Services of Kansas Beautifully Framed Grand Senior Warden’s Apron First worn in 2004-2005 by Larry Mersberg, a tradition was started of the wearer signing the back. Today, it contains signatures of twelve men who were elected Grand Master of Kansas while wearing it, the last signature being 2016-2017 Grand Master Lyn Beyer. Beautifully framed, the real question becomes which side to display; the golden gilded side, or the autographed back side. Donated by MW Daren Kellerman Floor Standing Cherry Wood Humidor This cherry wood finish and cedar lined humidor is a beautiful piece of furniture, not to mention that it can hold up to 500 cigars. Donated by Lyn and Linda Beyer Henry Rifles Freemasons Tribute Edition This tribute edition .22 s/L/LR rifle carries on the left side the square and compasses, the plumb, square and level, and the words Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth along with Faith, Hope and Charity. It is all raised 24K gold relief against a background of classic floral engraving. On the right side is the mosaic floor and the ascending stairs with the letter “G” at the top of the stairs. On the butt of the rifle is George Washington with his masonic apron and the words “Freemason Tribute. Donated by Henry Repeating Arms Company

More items are being added daily – Check online March 1 for a complete listing. 42 THE KANSAS MASON

HOME WARMINGS

By Hervey Wright III, Director of Development and Fraternal Relations, KMH

Celebrating A Milestone 2016 is a milestone year for Kansas Masonic Home. We are celebrating 120 years of service to Wichita, the surrounding communities, and the entire state of Kansas. As we trace our beginning, it reads in the minutes of the 35th Annual Communication, February 18, 1891 that W.H. Makeaney offered a resolution following the receipt of a request from the Grand

reminded that “one person can make a

Chapter, Order of Eastern Star that the

difference.” This was a quote by Brother

Grand Lodge should “appoint a committee

Willis Brown, Grand Patron as heard in

to work with the Committee of the Grand

the Grand Chapter Session of Kansas on

Chapter to devise some feasible plan

February 13, 1891. “The desire to fulfill

to establish an institution for the better

the purpose for which the Kansas Masonic

care of widows and orphans of deceased

Home was created is today in extraordi-

Brethren”. Following that request, planning

nary evidence. Materialistically it stands as

and raising funds finally led to a facility the

a magnificent living memorial to the voices

Masons proudly called the Kansas Masonic

of 1891 in the Grand Chapter, Order of

Home with the purpose of caring for wid-

Eastern Star session in Topeka. It stands as

ows and orphans. As the years progressed,

a memorial to the many children who had

we also cared for the elderly and infirmed.

a wonderful home. It is a memorial to all

Eventually, we found our focus was best

who lived in the Home and all who gave of

suited for caring of the elderly and con-

their labors. We are grateful for the loving

tinue to do so today.

care to our Past Grand Matrons and Past

In 1976, sister Anna Mae Bradshaw wrote a book titled One Hundred Years to celebrate the centennial of the Grand

MATERIALISTICALLY IT STANDS AS A MAGNIFICENT LIVING MEMORIAL TO THE VOICES OF 1891 IN THE GRAND CHAPTER, ORDER OF EASTERN STAR SESSION IN TOPEKA.

Grand Patrons who came to the Home for care until their death” Today, over 200 people call KMH their

Chapter of Kansas, Order of Eastern Star.

home. Many of them are Masons, Order

She researched and compiled a record of

of Eastern Star, or have family members

involvement of Grand Chapter of Kansas

that belong and the care provided to them

with the Kansas Masonic Home. As I have

is second to none. Our mission when KMH

read through this piece, I am struck by the

was established and our mission today is

loyalty and commitment all Masons have

very similar- providing an active and vi-

had towards KMH over the years. In the

brant community where every person can

prologue that Anna Mae wrote, she was

live life to the fullest.

SPRING 2016 43

BOOK REVIEW By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

The Secret School of Wisdom The Authentic Rituals and Doctrines of the Illuminati Discover: The first book in history to publish the complete rituals of the Illuminati The doctrine of the Illuminati in their very own words The regalia and jewels of the Order completely revealed for the first time The development of the rituals and teachings of the Order The secret goals of the Order to reform society - exposed in detail The rituals that went on to become part of modern day Freemasonry The secret signs, grips and passwords of the Illuminati revealed

THE READER WILL BE GUIDED ALONG THE SAME PATH AS MANY OF GERMANY’S MOST ENLIGHTENED MEN

For more than two hundred years, the

texts, has been included and assembled in

world has held a prejudiced view of the

chronological order of progression. The

Illuminati. Much has been claimed for and

reader will be guided along the same path

against the Order - its name synonymous

as many of Germany’s most enlightened

with secrecy, intrigue, and mystery in the

men, as they did in the years immediately

modern context, despite a poverty of con-

prior to the French Revolution. They will

crete evidence in the English language. Little

ascend from one level of knowledge to the

has been said about the factual structure

next. Much of this material has never been

and development through its life cycle.

published, let alone translated into English.

The Secret School of Wisdom - The Authen-

Supplemental texts are included to gain fur-

tic Rituals and Doctrines of the Illuminati, is

ther historical insight into the Order. The

a ground-breaking text. It marks the first

documents have been checked for accuracy

time that a comprehensive ritual book for

with the original archival texts, and carefully

the society has been re-assembled. Every

translated into English.

degree, its instruction and associated

The Secret School of Wisdom - The Authentic Rituals and Doctrines of the Illuminati is a pioneering text, a full working manual of the Order, and an astounding insight into the world’s most intriguing secret society.

Available from McCoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Inc. at the Grand Lodge of Kansas Masonic Shop.

44 THE KANSAS MASON

OUT AND ABOUT By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff

Age Is No Excuse: Brother Carl Otto Inspires Masons to Be Better, Do Better

the good-natured humor and zest for living that emanate from this outstanding man. Right about here, Otto would probably give a smiling “Aww, shucks,” and roll right

“You name it. I’ve done it. I’ve done about everything. I’m actually a high school dropout who became a superintendent of schools,” Otto said.

into another story. He collected many of his

The 89-year-old may have a nose for

favorite stories in his first book, an autobiog-

humor and a devotion to the Masons, but he

raphy entitled, A Sauerkraut Sandwich, a Run-

also isn’t afraid to get into a little bit of trou-

ny Nose and a Wet Sleeve – The Confessions of

ble. He shares a story from his youth about

a Bonafide Alley Rat in Prose and Poetry.

when he and a cousin dug the dirt out from

“It was about my life, and I’ve had quite a life,” he said. “The way I market my books

between railroad ties, and then lay down in the space and let a train run over them. “I was eight years old,” he said, not with-

Spend an hour talking to Brother Carl Otto,

– I put a self-addressed stamped envelope

90, and you’ll be immersed in humor, clever

and put a stack of them someplace and say

out a hint of pride. “I’ve done the craziest

witticisms that offer wisdom and a steadfast

take one home and if you like it, send me

things. I don’t know how I’m still alive really.

devotion to Freemasonry.

$10. I swear, I got letters from people from

I’ve been knocked out so many times.”

As he approaches 90, Otto is helped along by one of his sons as his body has weakened; but there is not one thing weak

coast to coast. I’ve got a stack of them that

The list is long, and aging didn’t slow Otto down. Grand Master Daren Kellerman

I’ve kept.” After that book, published in 2002, Otto

is still stymied by how Otto does it.

about this retired teacher and superinten-

has written nine others, some fiction but

“While everybody else is trying to slow

dent’s zest for life and making a difference.

all of them about “experiences that have

down, Carl Otto is speeding up. I don’t

He is a true example of a Renaissance man

affected me or affected someone close to

know how that is possible,” he said. “I

– a soldier, writer, painter, sculptor, teacher.

me,” he said.

don’t know how he does it. So many guys

In November, he spent the day talking to

When he’s not writing, or visiting Lodg-

in Freemasonry have trouble going to a few

classrooms of children about World War II

es, or preparing to get his A card, which

meetings. And I bet he’s been to almost

and his experiences in the trenches there.

he’s doing right now, Otto puts his hands

every place that I’ve traveled this year. We

He’s written 10 books since he retired

to sculpting. He recently donated a pottery

went to Easton on a Saturday morning, and

in 1988 – and all of them completed since

rum jug in the shape of a pig, with the cork

he was there. I went out to a little town

2001, when he lost his beloved wife,

right under the pig’s tail, he said, laughing.

in the very corner of Southeast Kansas on

Aletha Otto. And just in case you’re not feeling inspired enough, he has been a Deputy District Grand Master, and is testing for his Senior Ritualist. He regularly travels to Lodges around the state, which gives Kansas Masons numerous opportunities to absorb

While everybody else is trying to slow down, Carl Otto is speeding up. I don’t know how that is possible, I don’t know how he does it. So many guys in Freemasonry have trouble going to a few meetings. And I bet he’s been to almost every place that I’ve traveled this year. SPRING 2016 45

OUT AND ABOUT a Thursday night, and he was there. He is

how I enjoyed it and said I was figuring on

are bad, but I am so lucky to be 89 years

definitely a jewel of Kansas Masonry.”

getting my B card this year,” Otto related.

old and I still drive any place I want to go.

“Well, Daren takes my picture and there

I live by myself.”

After retirement, Otto bought a farm

Otto values his friendships and the op-

(“I was a cowboy and I loved it”), went

is an article in The Kansas Mason book

through a devastating tornado hiding in an

about an 88-year-old man that’s getting his

portunities that Freemasonry has given him

interior room of the farmhouse, bought a

B card. And it says, ‘What’s your excuse?’

throughout his life.

Yamaha Zuma scooter at age 80, and just

Well, what could I do? Everybody in the

generally continues to take on any chal-

state knew about it, so I had to go ahead

best organization in the history of the world.

lenge put before him. Well, he seeks a few

and get my card then.”

Its tenets for brotherhood and just for being

out too.

Kellerman, of course, saw that event

“The Masonic fraternity is the oldest and

a good man – every man should live by the

slightly differently. “Carl stands up after

tenets of Masonry, whether he’s a Mason

that same zest for getting in trouble as his

hearing one of us talk and he says, ‘I’m

or not,” he said, adding that during the last

father did – but he definitely has the same

so motivated in Masonry, I’m going to go

year as Deputy District Grand Master, he has

sense of humor.

out and get my ritualist card.’ For him to

been able to visit numerous lodges.

His son, Bill Otto, says he didn’t have

“He scared us straight,” Bill said. “I tell

do that at his age, is incredible,” he said.

“I never attend Lodge that I don’t learn

you what they did to us. He was a Scout-

“Here I am, a guy that’s 40-something

something,” he said. “One time, I went

master, and those dads, they showed us

years old, and I’m looking for excuses not

down to Iola. And I told my guys, you

World War II military training films on VD

to do it. Because of Carl Otto, he moti-

know, I learned something in Iola. I learned

and things like that. They lied to us. There

vated me to get my ritualist card last year.

that you shouldn’t go to sleep during the

was no girls who got pregnant all the time I

That’s the kind of influence he has, just by

lecture that’s goin’ on. But if you do go

was in school.”

listening to him talk.”

to sleep, don’t snore. But if you do snore,

While Otto may laugh at his son’s jokes

“For a guy that is 40 years my senior,

don’t be sittin’ too close to the junior dea-

and make plenty of his own, he has been

he has really influenced me, even as the

con because he’ll punch you with his rod.”

serious about his commitment to Masonry.

Grand Master. Some of his thoughts and

He may be unable to resist the op-

Although he wasn’t as active in the frater-

ideas, and stories give me those , ‘Huh

portunity to spin a funny story, but at the

nity during the years when his family was

moments,’ where I realized I hadn’t

root of everything Otto does these days is

young, he recognized the importance of

looked at it from that perspective.”

his pride in Masonry. He’s proud of what

“I am lucky I had parents that gave

Masons do for their communities across

“When my boys got old enough to

me a set of genes that allowed me to do

the state, and proud of the organization

join, then I put the work on them, both of

about anything I wanted to do,” Otto said

that gets much of his time and energy.

them,” he said, as Bill nodded in agree-

of what he is doing at almost 90 years of

ment.

age. “And another thing, I’ve always had

Shively, the executive director of the Kansas

a positive attitude and I think that helps.

Masonic Foundation, and Joe Blow, a farm-

mitted to the Masons, and in November,

Like right now, I’ve got to use this thing (a

hand out here in the country that comes in,

he was planning to get his A card. He got

cane) to walk around with and my knees

we’re all on the same level,” he said.

raising his boys to belong.

Once he retired in 1988, Otto recom-

“When we go into that Lodge, Bob

his B card when he was 88. Of course, he has a story about that.

Grand Master, and Daren, he’s secretary

While Otto may laugh at his son’s jokes and make plenty of his own, he has been serious about his commitment to Masonry.

down there, so when they asked me if I

Although he wasn’t as active in the fraternity during the years when his family was

wanted to say something, I talked about

young, he recognized the importance of raising his boys to belong.

“I was going to Lodge in Garnett, that’s when I was 88, and Daren Kellerman is our

46 THE KANSAS MASON

SPRING 2016 47

OUT AND ABOUT

Neosho Lodge No. 27 By Warren Hughs, Master

A Proud Lodge — Giving From The Heart Last Night, during the Southern Coffey

($16,595) and business contributions

tears, during this presentation. Our Brother

County High School basketball game, Neo-

($24,750), Neosho Lodge No. 27 was able

Secretary Don Meats put his heart and soul

sho Lodge No. 27 had our drawing on the

to present a check to SCC Veteran’s Honor

into this raffle and it was a very special night

SCC Veteran’s Honor Flight Raffle Contest.

Flight last night for a total of $41,345.

for him, the Honor Flight Coordinators, the

There was a lot of choked up people, and

Veterans, as well as the Lodge.

Through our ticket sales from the raffle

EVENT CALENDAR February 1 Announcement of Essay Contest Winners February 6-7 2016 A/DDGM Orientation – Topeka February 27 Iowa Masonic Education Conference February 29 Early-Bird Registration Deadline for 2016 Annual Communication February 29 Submission Deadline for Lodges Interested in 2016-17 Cancer Screening Clinics March 1 Kansas Masonic Lodge Newsletter Submission Deadline March 5 100 Year Rededication of Climax Lodge No. 441 – Severy March 16 Kansas Masonic Foundation Board of Trustees Annual Meeting – Topeka March 17 Kansas Masonic Foundation Lodge Luncheon & Seminar – Topeka Kansas Lodge of Research Meeting – Topeka

March 17 Annual Communication Welcome Reception (Open to All Kansas Masons) – Topeka March 18 Kansas Mason Day (Governor Proclamation) Annual Communication Opening Session – Topeka Launch of Kansas Masonic Foundation 50th Anniversary Rededication of 150th Anniversary of Kansas State Capital Cornerstone All Masonic Gala & 3rd Annual Freemason’s Endowment Charity Auction March 19 Installation of 2016-2017 Grand Lodge Officers – Topeka March 21 Grand Master’s Official Visit Old Mission Lodge No. 153 – Mission March 31 Kansas Masonic Foundation Lodge Scholarships Deadline April 2 Emblem Presentation at Ellsworth Lodge No. 146 – Ellsworth April 14 Emblem Presentation Ben Hur Lodge No. 322 – Kansas City

April 16 Grand Master’s Reception (Reservations Required) – Mission April 21-23 Eastern Star Grand Session -- Topeka April 23 125 Year Rededication of Rosedale Lodge No. 333 – Merriam April 30 7th & 8th Grade Masonic Basketball Tournament – Kansas City May 2 Band Camp Registration Submission Deadline May 6 Grand Master’s Official Visit to Wyandotte Lodge No. 3 – Kansas City May 11 Grand Master’s Official Visit to Delaware Lodge No. 47 – Kansas City May 14 150 Year Rededication of Xenia Lodge No. 47 – Bronson May 18 Emblem Presentation for Topeka No. 17 & Orient No. 51 – Topeka June 1 Kansas Masonic Lodge Newsletter Submission Deadline

June 1-2 Annual Communication MW Price Hall Grand Lodge – Topeka June 4 Hays Steak Feed – Hays June 5 Flagpole Dedication Solomon City Lodge No. 105 – Solomon June 6 Grand Master’s Official Visit Keystone Lodge No. 102 – Coffeyville June 7 Grand Master’s Official Visit Prudence Lodge No. 100 – Columbus June 16 Job’s Daughter Annual Session June 16 Emblem Presentation for Gardner Lodge No. 65 – Gardner June 18 Grand Master’s Official Visit Lindsborg Lodge No. 397 – Lindsborg June 25 C2A Meeting – Wichita July 26-30 Kansas Masonic All-State Marching Band Camp – Emporia

For more detailed and up-to-date information, please check the Grand Lodge website calendar at KansasMason.org

48 THE KANSAS MASON

Talking Books Opens Opportunities for Brother with Failing Eyesight Get Your Audio Version of The Kansas Mason Today By Kansas Masonic Foundation Staff The Winter edition of The Kansas Mason

ment. He loves to read West-

was the first to become available on

erns, and quickly reels off the

Talking Books, a service that allows people

names of favorites like Louis

to access the magazine in an audio file.

L’amour, Zane Grey, and William

For WM Francis Jackson, of the Hebron Lodge, No. 314, in Gridley, the ability to

T. Johnstone. But now he’s thrilled that The

listen to the stories and information in the

Kansas Mason is available on the ser-

state’s Masonic publication was important.

vice. “I’ve listened to it twice,” he said of the

Jackson, 72, has been struck with

November publication. “I get a lot of good

multiple eye problems, including retinitis

out of it. That gentleman that read it, he did

pigmentosa, which involves retina degenera-

a good job.”

tion; macular degeneration; and cataracts.

Jackson said anything that makes ac-

The loss of his eyesight forced him to retire

cess to information about the Kansas Ma-

from work about 15 years ago.

sons easier gets a nod of approval from

Brothers who make sure Jackson gets to

an active role in the Masons. Staying active,

meetings at the Gilead Lodge No. 144 in

in fact, is critical for his mental health. He

Yates Center and, of course, to Gridley

even has a walking path near his home that

meetings where he recently took a leader-

he tackles, white cane in hand, to get out of

“THEY’RE NOT HARD TO USE,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT TALKING BOOKS SUPPLIES A MACHINE ON WHICH HE LISTENS TO THE MATERIAL.

ship role as Worshipful Master.

the house.

years ago, the service changed from cas-

“When I quit working, it was pretty de-

him. In fact, he’s so enamored of Talking

pressing for a while,” Jackson said. “It still is at

Books that he can reel off the phone

times. But I get along pretty good with it. I’ve

number. By heart!

got a lot of friends who will take me around.” Many of those friends are Masonic

Jackson has been using Talking Books for more than 10 years, primarily as entertain-

He doesn’t let his blindness stop him from attending Lodge meetings, or taking

When he’s at home, Talking Books keep his mind active and entertained. About five

sette tapes to digital, and Jackson said it’s easy to use. For long books or publications, you can just stop the digital file from playing

Comanche Lodge No. 295

and return later to pick up exactly where

Brothers from Comanche

you left off.

Lodge No. 295 in Coldwater are preparing to serve their annual community dinner. The Brothers of the Lodge rolled up their sleeves and assisted in both the preparation and serving of the food. This has been a long-time annual event and well received by the community.

“They’re not hard to use,” he said, adding that Talking Books supplies a machine on which he listens to the material. The Kansas Talking Books program operates through the Kansas State Library system, out of Emporia. The machine to listen to the audio version of The Kansas Mason is offered at no charge after an application process. Call (800) 362-0699 for more information.

SPRING 2016 49

STATED COMMUNICATIONS for the Mason Traveling in Kansas! Abilene

Benevolent Lodge No. 98 116 1/2 NW 3rd St · 785-263-2011 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Abilene

Justice Lodge No. 457 116 1/2 NW 3rd St · 620-496-5090 Meet: Quarterly As Called By Master

Burden

Clinton Lodge No. 233 406 N Main St · 620-218-2488 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Burlingame

Corinthian Lodge No. 79 106 E Fremont Ave · 785-528-3496 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Delia

Delia Lodge No. 419 401 Washington Ave · 785-584-6259 Meet: 1st Wednesday

Derby

Fort Scott

Rising Sun Lodge No. 8 902 S National Ave · 620-223-0249 Meet: 1st Monday

Frankfort

Howard

Hope Lodge No. 155 100 W Washington · 620-647-3279 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Hoxie

Hoxie Lodge No. 348 840 9th St · 785-675-8695 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Derby Lodge No. 365 125 E Market St · no telephone Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Frankfort Lodge No. 67 900 N Kansas · no telephone Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Devon Lodge No. 92 Highway 7 · 620-224-8191 Meet: 2nd Thursday

Constellation Lodge No. 95 318 N 6th St · 620-431-3866 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Hugoton Lodge No. 406 112 E 6th St · no telephone Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Alta Vista

Burlington Lodge No. 66 118 N 3rd St · 620-364-5845 Meet: 2nd Wednesday, EXCEPT July & August

Caldwell

Galena Lodge No. 194 208 Joplin St · 620-249-3413 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Hutchinson-Reno Lodge No. 124 1800 E 23rd Ave · 620-662-7012 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Altamont

Sumner Lodge No. 203 Caldwell, KS · 620-845-6869 Meet: 1st Thursday in December

St. Bernard Lodge No. 222 1207 W McArtor Rd · 620-227-2332 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Caney

Americus

Caney Lodge No. 324 302 N McGee · 620-879-2494 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Douglas Lodge No. 151 916 E 3rd St · 316-776-9567 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Carbondale

Dover Lodge No. 138 5701 SW Douglas Rd · 785-256-6790 Meet: 2nd Thursday

Chanute

Dwight Lodge No. 374 635 E Main St · 620-767-6882 Meet: 1st Tuesday

Chetopa

Easton Lodge No. 45 3rd & Riley St · no telephone Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Almena

Naphtali Lodge No. 310 500 Main St · 785-669-2509 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays Alta Vista Lodge No. 357 905 Main St · 785-499-5331 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays Altamont Lodge No. 69 414 S Huston Ave · 620-784-9950 Meet: 3rd Tuesday Americus Lodge No. 109 551 Broadway St · 620-443-5550 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Burlington

Anthony

Carbondale Lodge No. 70 228 Main St · 785-836-2234 Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

Arkansas City

Cedar Lodge No. 103 102 N Highland · 620-431-4692 Meet: 2nd Wednesday

Arma

Chetopa Lodge No. 73 22 Maple St · no telephone Meet: 1st Thursday

Ashland

Circleville Lodge No. 20 201 Lovejoy St · 785-873-3163 Meet: 2nd Monday

Atchison

Claflin Lodge No. 424 107 Main St · 620-587-3804 Meet: 1st Thursday

Atwood

Clay Center Lodge No. 134 2317 7th St · 785-632-3658 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Anthony Lodge No. 200 218 S Kansas · 316-253-5868 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays Crescent Lodge No. 133 202 South B St · 620-441-3779 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays Arma Lodge No. 408 406 E Washington St · 620-249-9020 Meet: 2nd Monday Ashland Lodge No. 277 721 Chestnut · 620-635-2924 Meet: 2nd Thursday in December Active Lodge No. 158 121 1/2 N 5th St · 913-367-0229 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays Atwood Lodge No. 164 113 S 5th St · 785-626-3787 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, EXCEPT July & August

Augusta

Mystic Tie Lodge No. 74 526 1/2 State St · 316-775-2655 Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

Baldwin City

Palmyra Lodge No. 23 807 High St · 913-856-8355 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Baxter Springs

Baxter Lodge No. 71 1509 Military Ave · 620-674-1511 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Belle Plaine

Belle Plaine Lodge No. 173 421 N Merchant St · 316-488-3513 Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

Belleville

Belleville Lodge No. 129 1810 L St · 785-527-5844 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Beloit

Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 145 103 1/2 W Court · 785-738-3801 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Benedict

Benedict Lodge No. 403 Main St · 620-278-3592 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Blue Rapids

Blue Rapids Lodge No. 169 1441 State Hwy 9 · 785-556-3854 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays, EXCEPT July & August

Bronson

Bourbon Lodge No. 268 509 Clay St · 620-939-4551 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Bronson

Xenia Lodge No. 47 664 Wood Rd · 913-649-2241 Meet: 1st Saturday

50 THE KANSAS MASON

Circleville

Claflin

Clay Center

Clearwater

Unity Lodge No. 273 112 W Ross · 316-200-5290 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Climax

Climax Lodge No. 411 102 5th St · 620-583-6988 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Coffeyville

Keystone Lodge No. 102 2001 Woodland Ave · 620-251-2360 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Colby

St. Thomas Lodge No. 306 215 N Franklin Ave · 785-460-3081 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Coldwater

Comanche Lodge No. 295 111 E Main St · 620-582-2329 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Columbus

Prudence Lodge No. 100 633 E Garfield · 620-429-2313 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Concordia

St. Johns Lodge No. 113 117 W 8th St · 785-614-2380 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Conway Springs

Mistletoe Lodge No. 269 305 S Church St · no telephone Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Cottonwood Falls

Zeredatha Lodge No. 80 234 Broadway · 620-273-6431 Meet: 1st Wednesday

Courtland

Courtland Lodge No. 211 401 Main St · 785-374-4460 Meet: 1st Thursday

De Soto

De Soto Lodge No. 40 33075 W 83rd St · 913-585-1650 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Devon

Dodge City

Douglass

Dover

Dwight

Easton

Edna

Edna Lodge No. 345 117 N Delaware St · 620-922-7216 Meet: 3rd Tuesday

El Dorado

Patmos Lodge No. 97 401 S Haverhill Rd · 316-452-1049 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Elk City

Carson Lodge No. 132 112 N Montgomery · 620-627-2243 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Ellsworth

Ellsworth Lodge No. 146 Ellsworth, KS · 785-252-3441 Meet: 1st and 3rd Monday

Emporia

Emporia Lodge No. 12 424 Merchant St · 620-342-3913 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Ensign

Ensign Lodge No. 413 301 Aubrey St · 620-865-2321 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Enterprise

Enterprise Lodge No. 437 123 S Factory · 785-263-8472 Meet: 2nd Monday

Erie

Erie Lodge No. 76 221 S Main · 620-244-5620 Meet: 2nd Thursday, EXCEPT July & August

Eureka

Fidelity Lodge No. 106 600 N Main St · 620-583-5135 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Fall River

Greenwood Lodge No. 163 509 Merchants Ave · 316-239-9073 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Florence

Advance Lodge No. 114 417 1/2 Main St · 620-382-7310 Meet: 2nd Tuesday

Fontana

Equity Lodge No. 131 202 S Stevens · no telephone Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays Fort Leavenworth Hancock Lodge No. 311 311 Kearney Ave · 913-651-7308 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Fort Scott

Hiattville Lodge No. 216 1274 Dragoon Rd · 620-224-6050 Meet: 4th Tuesday

Fredonia Galena

Garden City

Tyrian Lodge No. 246 905 Kansas Plaza · 620-275-2356 Meet: 2nd Wednesday

Gardner

Gardner Lodge No. 65 105 1/2 Elm St · 913-856-7878 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Garland

Memphis Lodge No. 108 Garland, KS · 620-768-0200 Meet: 1st Tuesday

Garnett

Hugoton

Hutchinson

Independence

Fortitude Lodge No. 107 2000 W Laurel St · 620-331-2349 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Iola

Iola Lodge No. 38 201 W Madison Ave · 620-852-3314 Meet: 1st Tuesday, 5:30pm, EXCEPT Jun, Jul & Aug

Jewell

Jewell Lodge No. 11 316 1/2 Delaware · no telephone Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Johnson

Delphian Lodge No. 44 122 1/2 E 5th Ave · 620-496-5090 Meet: 3rd Thursday, EXCEPT July & August

Johnson Lodge No. 441 213 S Main St · 620-353-4022 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Girard

Junction City

Girard Lodge No. 93 106 1/2 E Prairie Ave · 620-724-4412 Meet: 1st Wednesday

Goodland

Goodland Lodge No. 321 519 Center St · 785-890-6265 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Great Bend

Great Bend Lodge No. 15 1917 17th St · 620-639-1865 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays Greensburg Kiowa Lodge No. 293 225 E Kansas · 620-723-2284 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Gridley

Hebron Lodge No. 314 415 Main St · 620-836-5448 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Halstead

Halstead Lodge No. 46 127 W 1st St · 316-258-2034 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Harper

Harper Lodge No. 206 114 W Main St · 620-896-7868 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Hays

Hays Lodge No. 195 107 W 11st St ·785-625-3127 Meet: 3rd Monday

Haysville

Haysville Lodge No. 112 300 S Main · 316-768-9202 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Hiawatha

Hiwatha Lodge No. 35 601 Utah St · 785-547-7035 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Highland

Smithton Lodge No. 1 306 W Main St · no telephone Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Hill City

Millbrook Lodge No. 281 305A W Main St · 785-421-2950 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Hoisington

Hoisington Lodge No. 331 351 W 2nd St · 620-786-4585 Meet: 3rd Thursday

Holton

Holton Lodge No. 42 100 E 5th St · 785-364-4217 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Union Lodge No. 7 722 1/2 N Washington · 785-762-2903 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Kansas City

Ben Hur Lodge No. 322 1442 S 30th St · 913-499-8406 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Kansas City

Delaware Lodge No. 96 9677 Parallel Parkway · 913-788-9696 Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

Kansas City

Heritage Lodge No. 458 1442 S 30th St · 785-313-7222 Meet: 1st Wednesday in December

Kansas City

Roger E. Sherman-West Gate Lodge No. 438 1201 N 67th St · 816-517-1833 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Kansas City

Wyandotte Lodge No. 3 2835 N 103rd Terrace · 913-299-4444 Meet: 1st and 3rd Fridays

Kincaid

Kincaid Lodge No. 338 406 1st Ave · 620-363-2053 Meet: 1st Monday, EXCEPT July & August

Kingman

Ninnescah Lodge No. 230 247 N Main St · 620-532-3709 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Kiowa

Cosmos Lodge No. 278 202 S 9th St · 316-258-1596 Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

La Cygne

La Cygne Lodge No. 61 320 Locust St · 816-351-5050 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Lakin

Emerald Lodge No. 289 214 N Main St · 620-355-6291 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Lane

Lane Lodge No. 339 Lane Methodist Church · 913-731-3953 Meet: 4th Thursday

Latham

Latham Lodge No. 401 229 W Blaine · 620-843-2551 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Lawrence

Acacia Lodge No. 9 1301 E 25th St · 785-842-8145 Meet: 2nd Thursday

Lawrence

Lawrence Lodge No. 6 1301 E 25th St · 785-843-2333 Meet: 2nd Monday

Leavenworth

King Solomon Lodge No. 10 423 1/2 Delaware St · 913-682-3391 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Lebo

Lebo Lodge No. 152 2 W Broadway · 620-342-4424 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Lecompton

Lecompton Lodge No. 420 116 Highway 40 · 785-817-3556 Meet: 1st Thursday

Lenexa

Lenexa Lodge No. 135 13417 W 94th St · 913-888-6564 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Leon

Joppa Lodge No. 223 115 W Mechanic St · 316-323-8970 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

LeRoy

Neosho Lodge No. 27 438 Main St · 620-203-0396 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, EXCEPT July & August

McPherson

Ottawa

McPherson Lodge No. 172 311 S Main St · 361-648-3111 Meet: 1st Wednesday, EXCEPT July & August

Tuscan Lodge No. 460 422 S Main St · 913-927-5172 Meet: As called

Medicine Lodge

Ottawa Lodge No. 18 422 S Main St · 785-242-3147 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Melvern

Ridgeway Lodge No. 62 4th & Maple · 785-817-9250 Meet: 2nd Tuesday, EXCEPT July & August

Delta Lodge No. 77 205 N Main · 620-930-8132 Meet: 1st Thursday Melvern Lodge No. 22 210 NE Mays · 785-217-4034 Meet: 2nd Thursday

Merriam

Rosedale Lodge No. 333 6161 Slater St · 913-262-8576 Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

Minneapolis

Minneapolis Lodge No. 143 306 W 2nd St · 785-392-7619 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Minneola

Minneola Lodge No. 431 118 Main · 620-338-6549 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Moran

Ottawa

Overbrook

Overland Park

Savonburg

Virginia Lodge No. 315 124 W Main · 620-754-3487 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Scott City

Anthem Lodge No. 284 600 Cedar Dr · 620-872-5488 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Sharon Springs

Sharon Springs Lodge No. 417 122 N Main St · 785-852-4246 Meet: 1st Thursday

Shawnee

Overland Park

Arthur H. Strickland Daylight Lodge No. 452 11109 Johnson Dr · 913-226-7298 Meet: 2nd Monday, EXCEPT January & February

Oxford

Inner Quest Lodge No. 456 11109 Johnson Dr · 785-482-3020 Meet: 2nd Thursday

Overland Park Lodge No. 436 8109 Overland Park Dr · 816-803-8883 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays Stanley Lodge No. 444 6950 W 151st St · 913-205-3894 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays Oxford Lodge No. 165 201 N Sumner · 620-455-2584 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Paola

Shawnee

Wathena Lodge No. 64 302 N 4th St · 816-261-3159 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Silver Lake

Black Diamond Lodge No. 274 107 W Main St · 620-230-5478 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Smith Center

Wellington Lodge No. 150 2129 North A St · 620-326-2002 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Solomon

Wellsville Lodge No. 356 501 Main St · 785-969-3040 Meet: 1st Wednesday in December

Shawnee Lodge No. 54 11109 Johnson Dr · no telephone Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Mound City

Liberal

Mound City Lodge No. 33 324 Walnut St · 913-795-2503 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Mount Hope

Lincoln

Mount Hope Lodge No. 238 108 S Ohio St · 316-204-9004 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Parsons Lodge No. 117 102 N 17th St · 620-421-1947 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays, EXCEPT July & August

Western Star Lodge No. 174 118 W 1st St · 785-697-2754 Meet: 1st Tuesday in December

Mulvane

Perry

Solomon City Lodge No. 105 101 E 4th St · 785-655-3927 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Pittsburg

Spring Hill Lodge No. 56 403 W South St · 913-208-9484 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Plains

Sterling Lodge No. 171 221 S Broadway · 620-204-0281 Meet: 1st Tuesday

Plainville

Syracuse Lodge No. 309 119 N Gates St · 620-384-6142 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Lincoln Lodge No. 154 Lincoln, KS · 785-524-4315 Meet: 2nd Thursday in December

Lindsborg

Lindsborg Lodge No. 397 112 S Main St · 620-241-4007 Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

Mulvane Lodge No. 201 104 1/2 W Main · 316-777-1006 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, EXCEPT July & August

Perry Lodge No. 415 520 E Front St · 785-856-0528 Meet: 1st Tuesday

Neodesha

Pittsburg Lodge No. 187 3105 N Joplin St · 620-231-1180 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Linwood

Harmony Lodge No. 94 416 1/2 Main St · 620-839-5470 Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

Little River

Newton Lodge No. 142 106 E Broadway · 316-283-1199 Meet: 2nd Wednesday

Louisburg

Nickerson Lodge No. 43 5 N Nickerson St · no telephone Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Lucas

Oakley Lodge No. 253 104 E 3rd St · no telephone Meet: 1st Wednesday

Lyndon

Mountain Slope Lodge No. 186 109 W Commercial · 785-475-2350 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Lyons

Oketo Lodge No. 25 103 Main St · 785-629-8200 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Linwood Lodge No. 241 223 Main St · 913-669-8187 Meet: 2nd Thursday in December Corner Stone Lodge No. 219 107 E Greenwood Ave · 620-897-6312 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Peace Lodge No. 243 504 S 2nd St · 913-837-5256 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays Blue Hill Lodge No. 198 103 S Russell Ave · 785-525-6137 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays Euclid Lodge No. 101 108 E 7th St · 785-280-2439 Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays Royal Lodge No. 192 912 W Main St · 620-257-3565 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Madison

Madison Lodge No. 196 308 W Main · 620-392-5869 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Newton

Nickerson

Oakley

Oberlin

Oketo

Olathe

Olathe Lodge No. 19 725 W Park St · 913-829-5815 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, EXCEPT Nov, Dec - Only 2nd

Onaga

Manhattan

Onaga Lodge No. 188 302 1/2 Leonard St ·785-889-4681 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Mankato

Osage Valley Lodge No. 24 412 5th St · 913-731-4851 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Lafayette Lodge No. 16 322A Houston St · 785-776-4186 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays Mankato Lodge No. 87 114 N Commercial St · 785-378-3006 Meet: 2nd Monday

Marion

Centre Lodge No. 147 105 S 4th St · 620-381-4669 Meet: 1st Tuesday

Marysville

Marysville Lodge No. 91 1733 Center St · 785-562-5467 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Mayetta

Mayetta Lodge No. 393 120 E Main St · 785-633-6087 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Osawatomie

Osborne

Saqui Lodge No. 160 Osborne, KS · no telephone Meet: 2nd Thursday in Deccember

Oskaloosa

Oskaloosa Lodge No. 14 724 Liberty · 785-876-3041 Meet: 1st Thursday

Oswego

Adams Lodge No. 63 410 1/2 Commercial St · 620-778-2795 Meet: 2nd Thursday of March, June, September & December

Plains Lodge No. 367 102 Ohio St · no telephone Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays Paradise Lodge No. 290 109 S Main · 785-623-0847 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays, EXCEPT July & August

Temple Builders Lodge No. 462 11109 Johnson Dr · no telephone Meet: As called Lake Lodge No. 50 100 Beaubein · 785-582-4003 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Spring Hill

Sterling

Syracuse

Tecumseh

Pomona

Albert Neese Lodge No. 248 5947 SE 45th St · 785-379-9823 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Prairie Village

Thayer Lodge No. 149 415 N Okmulgee St · 620-839-5520 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Pratt

Henri Lodge No. 190 311 S Delaware · 913-905-9258 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Quinter

Golden Rule Lodge No. 90 909 NW Lyman Rd · 785-354-7208 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

McKinley Lodge No. 41 123 E Franklin (Hwy 68) · 785-759-3543 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays Old Mission Lodge No. 153 5201 W 75th St · 913-642-4458 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays Kilwinning Lodge No. 265 123 1/2 S Main · 620-388-0951 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays Quinter Lodge No. 410 319 1/2 Main St · 785-754-9082 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Rush Center

Walnut City Lodge No. 215 107 S Elm · no telephone Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

Thayer

Tonganoxie

Topeka

Mount Zion Lodge No. 266 320 SW 8th Ave · 785-266-3394 Meet: 2nd Saturday in December

Topeka

Russell

Orient Lodge No. 51 320 SW 8th Ave · 785-249-8511 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, EXCEPT August

St. Francis

Siloam Lodge No. 225 214 SW 14th St · 785-232-2919 Meet: 2nd Thursday

Russell Lodge No. 177 115 E 6th St · 785-735-4280 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays St. Francis Lodt No. 404 116 N Quincy · 785-332-2708 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, EXCEPT July & August

Salina

Salina Lodge No. 60 336 S Santa Fe · 785-825-4812 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Salina

Caledonia Lodge No. 459 336 S Santa Fe · 620-204-0281 Meet: Quarterly As Called By Master

Wamego

Sutton Lodge No. 85 102 E Commercial · 785-363-2521 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Parker Lodge No. 341 6595 W 2100th Rd · 913-927-5172 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Parsons

Walnut

Vulcan Lodge No. 229 119 S Main St · 620-547-2127 Meet: 2nd Tuesday

Shawnee

Lewis

Fargo Lodge No. 300 14 E 4th St · 620-624-2229 Meet: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Wakeeney

Wakeeney Lodge No. 148 531 1/2 Russell Ave · 785-743-2815 Meet: 4th Tuesday

Wamego Lodge No. 75 519 Lincoln Ave · 785-844-0939 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Marmaton Lodge No. 245 218 N Spruce St · 620-363-1528 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, EXCEPT July & August

Parker

Wakarusa

Wakarusa Lodge No. 402 10126 SW Jordan Rd · 785-554-5670 Meet: 1st Wednesday

Shawnee

Paola Lodge No. 37 101 E Miami St · 913-244-6471 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Lewis Lodge No. 220 210 Main St · no telephone Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Ulysses

Ulysses Lodge No. 435 909 N Joyce Dr · 620-356-2376 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Topeka

Topeka Lodge No. 17 320 SW 8th Ave · 785-249-8511 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Toronto

Woodson Lodge No. 121 201 W Main St · 620-637-2911 Meet: 1st Monday, EXCEPT July & August

Troy

Troy Lodge No. 55 236 S Main St · 785-985-2430 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Waterville

Wathena

Weir

Wellington

Wellsville

Westmoreland

Westmoreland Lodge No. 257 405 Main St · 785-457-3421 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Wichita

Albert Pike Lodge No. 303 401 S Seneca St · 316-269-7851 Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

Wichita

Bestor G. Brown Lodge No. 433 332 E 1st St · 316-213-0354 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Wichita

Community Daylight Lodge No. 453 332 E 1st St · 316-263-4218 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Wichita

Masonic Home Lodge No. 450 401 S Seneca St · 316-519-8083 Meet: 2nd and 4th Mondays

Wichita

North Star Lodge No. 168 212 N West St · 316-440-9993 Meet: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Wichita

Pyramid Lodge No. 451 401 S Seneca St · 316-617-5245 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Wichita

Sunflower Lodge No. 86 2929 W Pawnee Ave · 316-945-8882 Meet: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Wichita

Wichita Lodge No. 99 332 E 1st St · 316-530-1099 Meet: 1st and 3rd Mondays

Williamsburg

Anchor Lodge No. 224 310 S East Ave · 913-522-3902 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Winfield

Winfield Lodge No. 110 106 E 8th Ave · 620-221-0109 Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Winona

Wallace Lodge No. 318 411 Bellview St · 785-694-2278 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

Yates Center

Gilead Lodge No. 144 116 E Butler St · 620-625-3337 Meet: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

SPRING 2016 51

KANSAS MASONIC FOUNDATION DIRECTORY Jon McConnell

(316) 243-5903

Jonathan W. McConnell Attorney At Law Wichita jon@jonathanwmcconnell.com www.jonathanwmcconnell.com

BORUM MACHINE SERVICES, INC.

CIGAR & TABAC, LTD.

Machinist

Anthony “Tony” Borum

Lyn Beyer cigarandtabacltd.com

Please Like www.facebook/borummachineservices

913-381-5597 or 1-800-359-0381 The sale of cigars, pipes, tobaccos and accessories.

MIDWEST HUNT FEST Shawn Nielsen midwesthuntfest.com Kansas’ premier outdoor sportsman show August 14, 15, 16, 2015

Anderson Machine & Supply John Noeller Machinist

(785) 668-2233 andmac@hometelco.net

Smolan, KS

Overland Park, KS.

REAL ESTATE SPECIALISTS

Ty Patton

www.ccmcountertops.com Countertops & Cabinets

McCurdyAuction.com

Hugh Gill

Wichita

HINKLE LAW FIRM

Clearing The Way For Business www.hinklaw.com

Machine Tool Parts Repair

COUNTERTOP & CABINET MFG Brent Taylor

ABDALLAH ESCORTS

Von Kopfman

(785) 272-1633

Blue Dot Services of Kansas HVAC - Plumbing Commercial - Residential - Drain Cleaning von@bluedotkansas.com www.bluedotkansas.com

Abdallah Shriners www.abdallah-shrine.org

Strategic Financial Concepts, Inc. Vance Burns Financial Advisor

(316) 617-7575 burns@SFCinc.net

rmj@kc.rr.com

Wichita www.SFCinc.net

913-651-4600

ROBERT JOHNSON INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. Health, Medicare Supplement, Prescription Drug Plan, Medicare Advantage

Serving the State of Kansas for Over 30 Years

The Kansas Masonic Foundation Directory is a great way to connect with your Fraternal Brothers on a professional level or to let Brothers know your business is here to help. Call the Kansas Masonic Foundation at (785) 357-7646 to get your business advertisement in future issues. LISTING GOODS AND SERVICES FROM YOUR FELLOW BROTHERS THROUGHOUT KANSAS Since being chartered in 2014 Caledonia Lodge has lent support by performing at a number Masonic Lodges, Masonic Funerals and Grand Lodge. Many have offered to “financially” support or donate to the Lodge so that they can continue to ensure this rich tradition of providing age old entertainment at Masonic events.

CALEDONIA LODGE IS OFFERING THIS COLLECTOR COIN FOR SALE WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO CHARITY. The coin can be purchased at 2016 Annual Communication for $15 or order through the Lodge for $20. If you wish to order from the Lodge simply send $20 to: Caledonia Lodge No. 459 1027 The Midway, Salina, KS 67401

The coin can be purchased at 2016 Annual Communication for $15 52 THE KANSAS MASON

Since 1849

AMERICAN AMERICAN Distributor Distributor for for Lewis Lewis Masonic Masonic

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1966-2016 Congratulations Kansas Masonic Foundation for 50 years of benefiting the Sunflower State. Capitol Federal® is honored to celebrate the Kansas Masonic Foundation’s 50th anniversary and applauds your service to the people of Kansas. Late Capitol Federal® Chairman, Henry A. Bubb, was a distinguished 33rd Degree Mason and Grand Cross of the Court of Honor recipient. Brother Henry would be proud of your continued philanthropy in the fields of charitable, educational and scientific programs. Thank you for your service to Kansans. Henry A. Bubb

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