Year-end is a popular time when many perso n s consider malting contributions to further the work of the Masonic Hom es. If you have a choice, it 's usually better to give appreciate d stock than to give cash. Here's why: You receive an in come tax deduction for the appreciated value , not just what you paid for the stock in the first place. In addition, because the Masonic Home s is a qualified charitable organization, it will be able to se ll the stock and bypass any tax on the appreciation A Win for you; a win for Masonic Homes.
Co ns ider the case of Bro. Bill who is planning to give the Masonic Homes $5,000. If h e writes a c heck for this amount, it w ill cost him $5,0 00.
Let's assume, however, t hat Bro. Bill has stock worth $100 per share that he bought years ago for only $ 10 a share If he gives 50 shares of this stock directly to Masonic Homes, Lhe gift value will be $5,000, not th e $5 00 he paid for these shares originally. In other words, his $5,000 gift Will cost him only $500!
There are, of co urse, a f ew rules. First, you must have owned the stock for at le ast a yeru· and a day prior t o making the gift. Second, the val u e of 1Jle gi ft is determined by the stoc k 's average trading p1ice on the d ay the gift 1s made. Third, the resulting c h alitable contribution deduction from Federal income tax can b e applied, on an itemized return, up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, whereas a cash gift is d eductible to 50 percent. Fourth, if you are unable to use the full deduction in the year of the gift, yo u have an additional five years t o u se it.
As we enter the Holiday Season, you may want to cons ider t h e benefits of givin g stock Depending on your circtm1stances, a gift of appreciate d stock can be an excellent way to stretch yom giving power while making an important difference in the lives of those who have e ntmst ed t h eir cru·e to the Masonic Ilorn es We encourage you to discuss this matter with your financial advisor.
You can also find out m ore abou t this subject - and other year-end giving opportunities at the Masonic Homes by contacting the Development Office at (717) 367-1121, ext. 333 11 or (800) 599-6454, or by completing and r eturning the handy co upon at right. We are here to help you in ru1y way we can. r-------------------------------------- M
I Dear Friends at Masonic Homes: j r.l Send information about makin g a gift of stock to 1 Masonic Homes. I
1 0 Send me information abo ut Charitable Gift Annuiti es.
I Q Contact me to arrange a personal visit.
1 0 I have included a provision for the Masonic Homes in I I I I my will.
Brethren:
As w e approach the most joyous o f holiday s eas on s, i t s appropri at e to r eflect on a year that h as almost passe d and to l o ok t o U1e futw·e. As w e to ld y ou, one of th e important them es of this administr ation has b een - an d will b e - "The Old and The New.'' That c oncept d efin es much of wh at h as occUlTed during Ulis ye ar and wh at i s t o come.
We h ave t1ied t o r etw n , in some measure, t o t h e basi c principl es of Freem asom y - o f education, fellowship, and having a little b it of fun - so as t o enhance ya m p articipation in lodge activi ti es. We h ave suggested t hat each o d ge have m eaningful programs to mak e i t in te r es ting to attend Lo dge, to Leam som ething new, or at Least h ave r einfor ce d t h e prin cip l es of Freemasoruy. I n a ddi tio n, we have off er ed som e " options" to enhan ce presen t a tion s o f t h e ritual , b o th t o new and exis ting m embers. We als o have r equire d, h owever , t h at n o m atter what we d o, t b e d on e excellen tly! H o w disco w ·aging i t is to see wo rk d on e l ess Uum t co uld b e. With a little effmt, all of t h e w ork c an be - and should bed one excellen tly.
l am pleased to say t h at fro m the r epmts tha t w e h ave rec ei ve d, you h ave tak en on th e ch all enge. A ttendan ce at t h e P ennsylvania M as on ic Acad em y o f Freemasonry, esp eci ally th e Acad em y f or Masonic Kn owl ed ge, has b een far greate r than expec t e d. We h ave t ried t o give all of o m m ember s an opp ortunity for person al eruic hmen t and improvementand many of yo u have participate d. Lodge ritual work and programs in l o dges seem ed to h ave improved and we will make a continuing effmt to enhance tha t co n cep t as well
I am mo st pleased in the efforts that a m aj ority of l o dges have engaged in by s upport ing the A. E.D. (Automated Exte rn a D e fibrill a tor) program. To date, hundreds of the devices have b ee n m a d e available throughout om Comm o nwealth by yom efforts. Lives will b e saved as a ctir·ect result of yom acti vili es. More partic ularly, though, I
hear members saying that they enjoyed parti cip ating in projects to earn tlle money to make t11at happen. It s eems that tlle old phrase, "Put the craft to work and your labors will be r ewarded," has proven itself. I t 's great to know that we are actually doing things as an organized group to work together for a co mmon goal.
During the next year, w e will continue to pursue excellence. The Membership Development and Re t ention Committee has worked very hard since the incept ion of this administration to provide directjon, studying where we have been and where w e are going. This Committe e, co mprised of a very divers e segmen t of om m embership from all over the Commonwealth, has reported r ecently on its d elib erations. Th eir reconun endations include t he pmsuit of excellence, continuing our e ducational efforts and training progranls, and general upgrading of lodge m e etings, including enhance d quality of those meetings. We will do all that we can to fulfill those recommendations. Several new efforts will appear over the n ext few months as additional tools or "options" for lodge usage.
M y Bretllren, tlle greatest part of this organization is you! Yom friendship, fellowship, and constructive suggestions to improve om Fraternity are appreciated and each one is seriously considered. It is only by your help, input, and participation tl1at we can succe ed. Please attend at least one odge meeting in the upcoming year, recommend a candidate for membership, and participate in the events that yow· Grand Lodg e has created for your benefit.
So mote it be.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Pennsylvania Lodge of Research No . 1 Will Be Warranted
on Dec. 27
The Ju risdict ion of the Grand Lodg e of Pennsylvania w il l have its own Lodge of Research, the first i n its history. Wh i le Lodges of Research have become relat ively common in many ju risdict ons, with some having more than one , for some inexp li cable reason Pennsy lvan ia, the largest jurisdiction, has never had one.
That wi ll change th is year. Pennsylvania Lodge of Researc h No 1 will be warranted by the Grand Lodge on Dec. 27 The new Research Lodge wi l be open to al Maste r M asons belong ing to a lodge n any recognized urisdiction. Pennsy vania Masons under our Grand Lodg e wil be regarded as fu ll members and those from other juri sdict ions wi l be associate members.
The Lodge of Research will meet twi c e a yea r at different locations within th e state. All who join w ith i n the Mason ic year of 2001 wil l become charter members. Si nce a Research Lodge is not a Craft Lodge , even thoug h t is warra nted by the Grand Lodge, t does not nter fere with, or co unt as, a dua l member shi p.
The fee for join ing w ll be $50, whi ch wi l inc lude a member's jewel. Ann ua dues wi l be $25. Petit ions for member ship became ava lable Oct. 15 and may be secured by writing to the Offic e of Masonic Educat on, Mason ic Temple, On e Nort h Broad St., Phil adelphia, PA 1910 7.
THE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON®, VOL. XLVII, NOVEMBER 2000, NO. 4
Publication No. USPS 426 · 140
November 2000 Issu e of The Pennsylvania is published quarterly at the Masonic Homes, One Masoni c Drive, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania 17022.
GRANo LODGil 0PFI CSRS
Robert L. Dluge Jr. , R. W Grand Master
Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr., R W. Deputy Grand Master
William Slater II R W. Senior Grand i¥.1rden
Ronald A. Aungst, Sr. , R. W. junior Grand Warden
Marvin G. Speicher, R. W. Grand Treasurer
Donald L. Albert, R. W Grand Secretaty
THE PENNSYLVANIA FREI!MASON COMMITTEE
Blaine F. Fabian, Chairman and Editor
Luther J. Black
Paul D. Fisher
James N Katsaounls
John H. Platt, Jr D. William Roberts
{Artklflll'ld pbOtO&f1pbt for pubUaUoo $hOUJd bt $tilt to Tht Editor, The l'omuytY
Enthusiasm Abounds for the Second Session
R.W. GrandMaster
of The Pennsylvania Academy of Freemasonry
{Editor's Note: When the second session of The Pennsylvania Academy of Freemasonry was to be held on Oct. 14, t h is i ssue of The Pennsy lvania Freemason was on press.]
There is no doubt t hat the second three-track session of the Pen nsylvania Academy of Freemasonry was destined to be anot her historic moment in t he vitality o f Freemasonry in Pennsy lvania and around the wor l d. Wee k s before the Satu rday, Oct. 14 event, it was
ACADEMY OF FREEMASON RY
PENNSYLVAN IA Topics for the morning session were to be concerned with the conduct of the business of the lodge, the election of officers, and the examination of a visitor. After the luncheon, a degree team of ritualists was to exemp l ify the Master Mason's Degree. Ample time
obvio us from th e large number of early reservations t hat t here would be a f ull house at each of the th ree presentatio ns: th e Sc hool for Ritua , the Seminar for Wardens, and the Academy of Masonic Kn owledge.
" It is evident tha t Pennsy lvania Masons love M asonic history , trad tion, education, and exce ll ence in t he degrees," said Robert L. Dl uge, Jr., R.W. Grand Master "W hen we int roduced The Pennsylvania Acade my of Freemasonry, we sa i d t hat M asons wi l l be ab e to b ro aden the r know l edge of Freemasonry, its orig ns, history, and ritualist ic work and to i mpart skills and plan ni ng info r mation for their lodge eadersh p. We were exc ited with the response to t he first sessions in March and the emphatic approval of the quality and value of the prese ntat ions, Grand Master Dluge rema rked in looking fo r wa rd t o these sessions.
Here is an overview of the schedu ed presenta ti ons for eac h of the th ree sessions:
Academy of Masonic Knowledge: Thomas w. Jackson, R.w. Past Grand Secre t ary and Chairman of the Academ y, sai d t h at bre t hren from t hroughout Pen nsylva nia were to hear two outstandi ng M asonic leaders. Speaki ng on the general theme of the hi storic develo pment and geog raphic spread o f Freemasonry were Bro. Wallace McLeod, reti red professor of Class ca Lan guages, from the Victor a Coll ege of the University of Toronto, Canada, and Bro. Leon Zeld s, Past Sove reig n Grand Comma nder for the Supreme Council, 33°, A.A.S.R , for the Sta t e of I srael.
School for Ritual: Larry A. Buzzar d, Direc to r o f Ritualis t ic Work, s aid th at a fu ll d ay of train ng, exemplificat ion , and discussi on was organi zed for rit ualists mee t i ng i n the Abraham C. Tr eichler lodge room at the Masonic Homes.
was planned for a discussion and question period at the end of the session.
Seminar for Wardens: The Junior and Senior Wardens' Seminar was designed as a concise, one-day training program that would give the eaders of al l lodges in Pe nnsylvan i a the opportunity to earn w hat their jobs entail while progressing through the line and to be able to plan fu ll y for service to the Fraternity. '"When they eave the seminar, the wardens wi ll be prepared to be quality leaders of their l odges," said Edward 0. Weisser, R.W P.G.M, Chairman of the Masonic Training and Educat on Committee.
The agenda began with a discussion of " Values of M asonry," goals of the lodge, and ro l es of the officers. It continued w ith suggestions for organizing the taent i n a lodge and p lanning programs for t he year as the master. There was a per od fo r listing and defin ng the operations o f the requ i red and optional committ ees of a lodge and another relative to working wit h the odge secretary. A section on protocol defined the guideli nes for arrang ing and conduct ing various funct ions, such as a visit by the Gra nd M aster and Grand Lodge officers.
The Academy of Masonic Knowledge h as developed a eerlificaUon program fo r Bre tlu-en interested in furtheiing t h eir backgr ound in the history, customs, and philosophy of Freema<;om y. T he details of the progr am <md infor mation for emolling were p r esen ted to t h e atten dees of the Academy of Masonic Knowledge h el d at Elizabet.htown on Oct. 14.
The program provides three successi ve levels of self-study. Each contains a basi c core of information, with the pruticipant reading certain required books, as we ll as addi tional Masonic books of his own choice. A book list of recommended reacting, · containing nearly 100 tiUes, is being distr buted fo r this purpose. In addition, points applicable toward certification may be earned U1rough activities, such as altending Academy of Masonic Kn ow edge sessions, giving Masoni c presentations at l odge meetings, submitting Masonic articles for publicati on, and developing a Masoni c ed ucation program f or lodge use. The pruticip<mt will sul>mit a · brief r epmt on his activities to em·n points for accreditation in each level.
Inter este d Pennsylvm tia Freemasons w h o we r e n ot at t h e October session of the Academy may register for the program by contacting the Masonic Education Office, Masonic Temple, One Nor t h Br oad St. Pltilade pllia, PA 19107-2598. Phone: (215) 988-1909.
2001 Session of Academy in March
Chai m1 an Thom as W Jack son, R W Pas t Gr and Secr etary, announced UmL U1e next sessi on of t he Academy of Kn owl ed ge will be March 17, 2001, in the Masortic ConJer en ce Cen t er on th e Patton Campus, Elizabethtovvn. It will feature the topic " Religion and Freemas omy," highlight ed by t wo r enowned Masonic experl.s and clergymen, Nevill e B. Ctyer and Gary L eazer. A qu estion and answer peri od will follow each speak er
Bro Cryer, a n ote d En glish Masonic author, s the Genera Director of U1e British and Forei gn Bibl e Soci ety, a Pr estoni <m Lecturer, and rec ip en t of nwnerous Masonic honors Dr. Leazer, an ordained Southern Bap ti st minister, is the founder and presi dent of t h e Cente r f o r Inte rfa th Stu clies, Inc. He i s U1e auUwr of two books concern ng the Southern Bap tist co ntroversy with Fr cem asom y I n adclition, Bro Leazer is a member of U1e st eering comm ttee of t h e Mason ic Info rm ation Center, Sil ve r Spr ng, MD.
Earlier this year, Hobert L. Dluge , Jr., R W. Grand Master, asked all lodges in Permsylvani a. lo honor vete rans as an imp or ta nt part of the ir programm ing for Novemb e r. To assist the lodge s, the Mas oni c Education/ Training Co mmlLlee of t h e Grand Lodge co mpiled a man u al of program suggestions Lhat is packed with hi storical information and id eas for activities. The wors hipful master of eve ry Petulsylvania lodge should have r ece ive d it late in September.
The manual has two vety lnfom1ative sections. First is the "lntToduction," which is not meant to be a welcome message for the manual, but is material for a perfect beginning for a lodgP p rogran1. It contains a du-onol ogy, hisexperiences, and ph il osophy sunonnding Veterans Day, tl1e militm)', <md Americanism with which a presenter can set an exciting st age for activities r ecognizing veterans Then , as on e wou ld expect in a program guide, tl1c manual offers 18 suggested activities fi·om which the lodge can choose to cany out
The openi ng segment, e ntitled "We H o nor Ou r Ma sonic Vetera n s," chron icles mil itary involvement and actions of citizens <md servicemen from the early co loni es t h rough today. It cites the "War for Independence ," tl1e Wa r of 18 12 Lh a L gave the new nation a seco nd victory a n d a n opportunity to solidify its freed om and gain recognition abroad, and the m i litary action of 1845 throug h which this country gained Texas and territm)' in the West.
Recalled is the War Betvveen the States with its internal quarr e l between brothe rs from the North and the South. Then, tl1 e re was the Span is h-American War in 1898, when Pu e rto Ri co became a U S. terri tory. Tn the Pacific, we took contro l of the Philippine island s whi ch continued un ti l July 4, 1946.
"The new century change d the nature of co nfli c ts to wars of' a wor ldwide scope," the manual repo r ts. World War I was ca lled "The vVar to End All Wars," but in
less than two decades t here was Worl d Wm· II. The Introd uction continu es, "Since t he end of World Wm·II, (tl1e U S.) ha'> take n on a larger role as a keepe r of U1e peace .. .. sent troops to Korea (and) has h ad troops stationed there since t he 1950's A reg ional war in Viet Nmn tl1e recentforay to tl1e Persian Gulf...."
T he motivation a n d clete imi n ation for d tiz cmy to fig ht for one's co untry comes t h ro ugh clear ly in a brief s egment entitled , " Tho se Wlw Ser ve d T h e i r C o un t ry. " lL e xpounds upo n the dtivin g forces for the colonists w ho volw1teer ed to be so ldiers in t he Co nti nenta l Army
"Ameri ca owes a great debt of g rat itude to its Masonic veterans all ve terans," the program in a sectio n o r " Wltat Th e Ve t e r a n s Have Done For Us. "
"The cemeteries in Ar lin gton, in Gettysburg, and in France s how, in a very vivid way, t hose wh o made the s upreme sacrifice "
There are several Veterans Hosp itals in Pennsyl vani a: P hil ade lp hi a, Coatesville, Butler, Er ie, Wilk es Bane, Aspinwall (Pi ttsb w·gh), a nd Altoona. AU lodges and in divi du al Masons are urged to s upp ort those hospitals mtd to visit t he vete ra ns there. Tn actdition, lodge officers, pmticulm·ly the secretaries, s hou ld a% Lu·e that all hosp ita li zed vetera ns' dues are kept cwTc nt.
T he "Honor Our Vetc r m1s" program was created m1d compiled by t he Masonic Training/E d ucatio n Committee to h elp the officers of the lodges fulfill the Grand Maste r 's request for blue l odges to honor veterans in November.
ABOUT T HE coVER. .. In Honor of Our Vetera ns
In Me mo ry of H e • oi c Me n - The National Memorial Arch at Valley Fo rge, restored by the Prccmasons of Pennsy lvania, honors the brave me n of the Revo lu t ionary War era who were ready to lay down ili eir lives in tl1e cause of liberty, justice and righteo us ness.
T he Bonds of Br ot h e rh oo d - The Frie nd to Fr ie nd Mason ic Me mo ri a l Mo nument in Ge t tysb urg Natio nal Cemcte J)' dep icts Union Capt. and Bro Henry Binghan1 coming to the a id o r Confederate Gen. a nd Bro. Lewis Ar mistead d mi ng Pic kett's Charge
H onor Fo r All Ve t et·an s - Th e Freemason Pavil ion and Momuuent, erected in the park of t h e Veterans Administratio n Hospita l at Aspin wall ncar Pittsbmg h, was prese nted fo r t he use of veterans Ln appreciatio n fo r their se rvice t.o t ht> co untry
Many Lodges Provided WWI Servicemen With ID Medals
Duri ng World Wa r I, many lodges pr ese nted t o t heir membe rs w ho ser ved in the mi lit a r y bronze or s ilver ident ificat ion me dal lions, or w hat might be cons ide red ea rly day "dog tags." There are se veral of th em prese rv ed at the Masonic Libra r y a nd Mu se um of Pe nnsy lva nia in P hi ladel phia
One of t hem presented by lo dges in Alleghe ny Cou nty is an a t t ract ive, hea vy-duty, 1 3/8t h-in ch c irc ula r bronze meda l wit h the fol lowing raised art work an d letter ing:
The face (o bv e rse) of the co in disp lays a majest ic s pread-winged eagle pe rc he d at op a sc roll. The eag le a nd sc ro ll a re above the Maste r Mason's square a nd compasses with t he lette r "G," wh ic h are fla nked by o live br anc hes a nd backed by a s un burst .
Obverse Arced a rou nd the upper t wo-th irds of the pe rime te r of th e co in a re t he words, "FR EE AND AC CEP TE D MA SON S OF PE NNA. " Arc ed on t he bot t om th ird of the per imet e r is the ident ificat ion of "ALLEG HENY COUN TY. "
En c irc li ng the pe rime t e r of t he re ve rse of t he c o in is t he d irecti on, " IN CAS E OF EM ERG ENCY NOT IFY MASON IC TEM PLE, P ITT S BUR GH, PA, US A Th e cen t e r of t he re verse pr ovides fo r t he vital inform atio n where in th e name of th e Maso n an d the n um be r of h is lod ge wo u ld b e Reverse e ng ra ved. Th e wor d ing is: "BR OTHER ( Name) MEMB ER OF LODGE No (Lo dge Nu mber) WI TH THE UNITED STAT ES EXP EDITIONA RY FOR CES."
Masonic Club in Pacific Theater
After island s in the Pacific were sec ured by U1e U.S. armed forces during World WarD , it was customary for Masons in t he servic e to form d ubs.
Bro. Roland R. Gemmill, Shrewsb uzy Lodge No. 423, was a member of one on Okinawa where he served v.riLh the 7th Division at th e end of U1e wru·. lie noted that at one meeting , tl1 ere were brellu-en (rom all48 contiguous states, D.C., Alaska, m1d Hawaii, plus some from seven foreign countries. He's cwious about how man y bretJwen had fr-aternal expetiences like his. He figures there must have been a lot because his membership card dated Sept. 6, 1945 was numb ered l,O:l-3. Some years later he saw a similar card of a veteran whose nun1ber was higher Lhan 50,000. Bro. Gemmill is interested in romrnunicating with brethren who had the same expetiences. Contact hin1 at 2 16 S. S uns et Dr., Shrewsbury, PA 17361.
"Let Freedom Ring" in New Year's Parade
Three of Am e rica's most significa nt symbols of freedom- The Li berty Bell, Const it ution, and 1777 design of t he Stars and Str ipes, a ll with h istor ic roots in Pe nn sy lvan ia - will decorate t he st riking Fam il y of Freemasonry f loat in th e To urn ament of Roses Parade on New Year 's Day. As the 35-ft. "Le t Fr eedom Ring" f loat passes, the sou nd of the Libe r ty Be ll w ill be heard. On eac h s ide of t he Constitution wil l be six youth fro m DeMo lay, Ra inbow for Girls, a nd Job's Daug hters, al l dressed in the rega lia of t heir o rgan iza t ions We a re re m inded t hat a numbe r of t he leaders who framed t he doc uments portrayed on t he f loat were Freemasons.
National Sojourners Are Veterans Dedicated To American ism, Patrioti sm and Fraternity
Nation al SQjourners i s a n organl<:at ion of Masonic veterans staunch ly dedicate d to America nism, pat riot is m, an d t h e Fratemi ty. Its m e mb e rs arc Master Masons w ho m·e U S. citize ns an d conunissi oned or warrant. officers, past and prese nt, of th e w1iJo rm ed services of the Uni te d States, havi ng served hon ora bl y in t h e Ar my, Navy, Mminc Corps, Coast Gum d, P ublic Heal t h Smvice, o r Nat iona l Oceanic Atmospheri c Administratio n. I n add i tio n , h on or m)' members m ay be eleeted to c hapte rs of t h e Natio nal Soj o Lu·ners.
T he ir pmposes are: To p rom ote good fe ll ows hi p amon g its members; assist th ose who rnay b e overtake n by ad vers ity or aJfli ct io n; c u ltiva te Maso nic id eals; s uppmt all patti otic aims an d aetivities in Masom y; develop t rue pat riotism an d Americanism tlu·ougho ut t he nation; furth er t he mi li tary need of natio na l cte fense; an d oppose any influe n ce whatsoeve r calculated to weake n th e national sec ur ity They worl< to ach ieve their purposes by recogn iz ing stude nts with militm)' inter ests and by proclaimin g, de monstrating, <.md teaching Ame ri canism a nd patriotism.
Acr oss Pe nnsy lvania, there a rc eight c h a p te rs of Ute National Soj o w ners: Be nj a min F'ranld in No. 16, Phil ad elp hi a; Fo rt P itt No. 38, Pi ttsbmgh ; HmTis bmg No. 76; Carlisl e No . 130; Lancaste r No . 292; Va ll ey Forge No. 444 , Phoenixville; Lyc o ming No. 509, Willi a mspmt; and Perun ar No. 532, WaY11esboro
Amo ng t hose c hapters, as many as 50 Ame r ican is m medals are presen te d eac h ycm· to stud e nts in R.O .'f.C . (Resctvc Office rs Training Co rp s) a nd Jw1ior RO .' t:C. ttnl ts in e ducati onal ins tit utions across t he state. Reconun e nd atio ns f or t he awards come fro m t11 e R.O T C. staffs of Lh e instit ution s, based upon basic c ri teria esta bli s he d by t he respec ti ve mili taJ1' se rvice organ izatio ns, in clud ing acade mic standing <U1d class invo lve me nt. The n, t h e Natio nal Sojot u·ners' criteria requ ire t hat. eac h recip ient has enco urage d an d dem o nstrated the id eals of Americanis m by dee d or co ndu ct, or both , and has demonstrated a potent ial for o utstancling le ad ership
"Building of the Flag" is an Am e ricanism program do c ttnle nting the history of ow· flag as tl1c vmious colonies and tenitori es became states Usu a ll y presented by four bretltre n in co lonialtmiforms, the histori cal prcs e ntaUon begins with events b efore t he Revo lution and concl udes with those related to the present 50-starre d tlag . It docume n ts tl1e countJ)''s progress, stripe by stripe and star by s tar. The 35-mlnu t.e program i s excellent for any audience and is well received wi t hin U1e Fraternity or arnong the public , wheilier adult or youth.
BreUu-en in Soj ow·ners chapters arc "on th e road" presenting a program call ed "The Bridge of Light," des igned to pro mote a liaison, a bonding, an interweaving, a bette r und e rs t.anding , and a fr iends hi p between Nation al Sojourners and the Family of Frccmasoru)' It is <.m cffmt to keep alive the resp ect for the vete rans a nd inc rease Sojourners me mb e rship. Tlu·ough The Bridge of Light program, l odges , appendant Maso ni c bodi es, a lli ed club s, and Lulits gain programs and oth er assist<mcc, especially with patriotic e nd eavo rs.
Natjonal SQjow11crs have t:l1eir heroes- "Heroes of '76," a n affi li ate, or aux ili ary composed of Sojomncrs who have had an inspirin g patJ·iotic degree conferred upon them in rec ognition o r exemp la1y se1vice to Freemasom)', the National Sojotm1ers, or t he govern me nt.
T he nati on al headquarters for Sojourners a r e at Collingwood Libnu-y and Muscwn on Americm1ism on a property that once was o ne o f BroU1er, General , and President George Washington's river fmms fronting on both tl1e Potomac Rive r and t h e George Washington Memoria l in Alexandria, VA. Not only does Collingwood house t he Soj ow11Prs' headquarters, its archives hav e acquired, catal ogued, processed , protected, and displayed for the public a n outstand in g co ll ection of do c uments, literatme, and that promote, enhan ce, and inspire patriotism. Toward t hat end, t he Fo undation has amassed rnore tl1an G,OOO voltunes re lating to American history, more t h an 400 books re lating to Freemasonry in Col oni al America, and 80 volwnes on early British Masom)'. Th e Sojourn e rs had a col lec tion of n em·ly 50 American Grand Lodge Masotlic Codes and histories which were turned ove r to t he George Washington Masonic National Me mmial where they can be better preserved. Of grea t inter es t at Collingwood is tl1e "Heroes Room ," de di cated to Ma'>onic heroes who risked their lives , their honor, and their fortun es to help es tabl is h t h is Republi c. Th ere is a 29-mlnut.e video tape suitab le for a meeting progran1 availab le for loan by contac t ing Collingwood, 8301 E. Boulevm·d Dr. , Alexandria, VA 22308. Phon e (703) 765-5000.
The " Building of th e Fla g" i s completed at th e co nclu sion of the presenta tion by Maj Robert A. Wee kly (l eft ) an d LTC James R. Smith, P.M., both of Poor Richa r d Camp of Heroes of 7 6 and Benjamin Franklin Chapter of Nation a Sojourners Bro Weekly is Comm and er of th e Camp an d Bro Smith i s th e Area Represe nta ive of th e North Atl ant i c Area of Nati ona l Soj ourners.
for Retirement Living at the
On Sept. 22, the Committee on Masonic Homes authorized the marketing process for the retirement iving accommodations i n the master plan for the Mason ic Vil lage at Sew ick ley, as shown In an updated presentation of the retirement l iving fac ility. The marketing process w ill determine the evel of nterest in the accommodations before the Committee makes the fina decision to proceed with the construction of those areas.
The retirement living plans include a potential f or 228 apart- C ments and 34 vi ll as, as we ll as a clubhouse. An indoor pool aj is being considered as part of the master p an for a well ness center, pending find i ng a donor, or donors, who will provide support for the project.
As demand is identified for the retirement living accommodati ons, the construction project wi ll proceed in three phases: the first, with an expected comp letion date of Spring 2003, w ll consist of 78 apartments and the clubhouse; the second w ll add 78 more apartments and 16 villas; and the third wi ll complete the community with another 78 apartmen t s and 1 8 villas.
It's lu xury supreme aboard Celebrity Cruises' b ea utiful , spacious s hi p Zenith. A week -l ong cruise fron1 N ew York City to Bermuda and back is the sett ing for a superb vacat ion.
Mark your calendar for Aug u st 4 throug h 11 for t h e Masonic Family Cruise Vacation to Berm uda.
THE RIGHT WORSH IPFUL GRAND LODGE OF T H E MOST ANC IENT AND H ONORABLE FRATERNITY OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF P ENNSYLVAN IA
Office of th e Grand Master
Dear Brethren, Ladies, and Friends :
Get ready to have fun. N ext August 4th to 11th, we're go in g for a week- long Masonic Family Cruise to Bermuda and yo u re all inv ited. Reserve th e dates righ t now.
I have bee n say i ng over and ove r that we want to have fun as a famil y while we carry forth tl1 e ideal s a nd traditions of our great Fraternity. Toward that goal, severa l month s ago we asked for feedback on how yo u felt about our planning a cru ise t o Bermuda. The response v.ras most favorable and now the plans have been mad e .
Cooperat in g with the AAA Mid -Atlantic trave l agents, arrangements are b ei n g co nfirm e d , vith Ce le brity Cruises for Pennsylvania Masons, their ladies a nd friends of Masons and their families to sail from N ew York Ci ty. We will enjoy a f ull "'"ee k of f un-filled cruising and vacationing witl1 t h e sh ip as our hotel. We'll return t o New York City.
Scan the other side of th is page to 11get a taste" of the good times, fabulou s sig ht s, and fanta sti c entertainment that awaits our pleasure. And, d o n't forget yo u never din e be tter than ab oa rd a cruise s hip. Details and reservation infor mation will be in the Fe bruar y iss u e of The Pennsylvania Freem;.Json.
We are plann in g this to be a relaxing, enjoyable vacat ion and vve ' re doin g our very bes t to offer a select ion of pa c ka ges affordable to all Masons and their families . I hope you vvill take ad va ntage of this opportunity fo r fun on a c ruise and fun in the s un.
It wi ll be my privilege and pleasure to welcome you, your fam ily, and fri e nd s aboard.
Rob e rt L. Dluge, Jr., R.W. Grand Master
P.S. Pl ease note that thi s is an advanced reservation trip. In ord e r t o g uarantee yo ur reserva ti on, we must knmv promptly that you v,rill be t rave lin g with us. Fo r more d et a il s and t o adv ise us of yo ur plans to join u s, please call the Office of th e Grand Master, l-800-462 -0430, Ext. 1970
This is an adva nced reservation trip , so we mu st kn ow prompt ly that you will be travel in g with us. Please call the Office of the Grand Master, 1-800-462-0430, Ext . 1970.
Date Stone, Flag-Raising Ceremony is on Autumn Day
During Autunm Day at the Masonic Homes, R. W. Gratld Master Robe11 L. Dluge, .Jr and the officers of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania placed the Date Stone for the Freemasons Cultural Center that is pa1t of tht> Village Green area construction project. Tn conjunction with that event , there was an impressive fla g-raising ce r emony.
The impressive Date Stone Cer emony is an adaptation of the traditional Cornersto ne' Ceremony performed Uu·oughoul hislory by Freemasons for th e constructio n of major buildings or structures, publi c or plivate. lt is based on the same cer emony U1at Bro. and President George Washington performed on Sept. 18, 1793, when h e aid U1e cornerston e for the While House.
111 U1e ce r emony, ptior to the Grand Master's symbolically placing the Date Stone, tile Chaplain invokes the blessing of God on the construction work underway, r ecognizing His work and asking for His protection. T h e Grand Lodge officers disperse tile corn of str ength, pow· the wine of refres lunent, and spread the oi of joy to symbolize brotherhood, unity and hannony, and prospetity in this magniiicent undertaking and its setvice to mankind. Residents of the Masonic Homes participated in the ceremo nies: Bro. StuaTt Titus, a member of St. John's Lodge, Jenkins '1\vp., played the organ and the M en's Ch orus sang and l ed the audience packed wiU1 residents in singing the anthem in the flag ce r emony.
The flag of the United States of America was raised by Bro. George D. Grimes, resident of the Masonic Homes and a member of Lodge No. 62, Reading. Bro. Grimes, who is 103 years old, has been nan1ed Chevalier of the Nation a Order of th e l egion of Honor by the Presiden t of U1 e French Republic as a sw"Viving member of t.he U.S. armed forces who fought in France in World War I. Todd J. Cook , a r esident of the Masonic Children's Home and Senior CoW1selor of the Elizabethtown Chapter, Order of DeMolay, assisted Bro. Grimes. The flag, which had tlown over the U.S Capitol on Aug. 25, was presented for the Freemasons Cultm-al Center by Congressman George W. Gekas. Pennsylvania Senator and Bro. Noah W. Weng er, Ephrata Lodge No. 665, presented and rais ed the flag of the Commonwealth. Th e flag of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which was presented by the Grand Lodge, was raised by R. W. Past Grand Ward en Thom as H. Burgess, a member of Aza ea Lodge No. 687, Hazleton , and a r esident of the Retireme n t Living Community of th e Masonic Homes.
During the ceremo nies, Grand Master Dluge made special presentations. The Grand Master's Service Award was presented to Bm. Titus for his outstanding servi ce to the c ommunity. The Grand Master gave Bro. Carl R Flohr, P.M., George Washington Lodge No. 143, Chambersbw·g, th e prestigious Pennsylvania Frankli11 Award and a p l aque to him and his wife , Arl en e, when he nan1ed the therapy pool in his honor (see story below). The Grand Master gave special recogn i tion to Bro. Jay G Brossman, Ephrata Lodge No. 665, for his continuous sup p01t of the Masonic Homes and rumounced that the new ballroom of Lhe Freemasons Cultural Center will be n amed i n his h onor.
FLOI-IR TI-IERAPY POOL NAME D
Bro. Carl R. Flohr, P.M. (right), Lodge No. 143, Chambersburg, and h is wife , Arlene, who is Worthy Grand Matron , Grand Chapter of Pennsylv ania, th e Order of the Eastern Star, were recognized and honored by R.W. Grand Master, Robe r t L. D uge, Jr. , duri ng the unve il ing of a sign for t he the rapy poo l n the M ason ic He alth Care Center. The poo , whic h was approved for the fourth phase of the Maso_n ic Health Care Center Construction Project , was named t he Flohr Therapy Pool in recognitio n of Bro. Flohr's dedication and service as a member of the Committee on Masonic Homes from 1991 through 1999, d uring which time he a so served as Cha rman of the Bu ding and Grounds Subcommitt ee Bro. Flohr offered the services of his firm to contr ibute al l of t he pumps, pipi ng, and design for t he pool, and he in stal led muc h of the piping
Rr·o. Holu- Fr·anldin Mt•dal. Durin g the Date Stone Ceremony , R.W. Grand Master
Robert L. D uge, Jr. awarded the prest ig ious Pe nnsylvan ia Fran k in Medal to Bro. Car R. Flohr. The surprise recognition occurred when this issue of The Pennsylvania Freem ason was at the prin ter. A comp ete report of t he tr ibute and proper recognition of Bro. Flohr's achie vements will be given In the Febru ary issue.
Making the Decision to Move to Re sid e nti al Living
"I ca n 't af f ord to li ve at Masoni c Homes" .is an erron eous state ment heard from t ime to t i me. The tru t h s tha t t her e are many ave nues that make moving t o Masonic H om es a p ossibility f or man y peop l e. Residen ti a livi ng, whi ch is t he Village Gr een Ar ea, s a w onder f ul examp l e of aff or dable and c onvenient living. That ar ea offer s ni ce r oom s with private baths. M eal s are served three t imes a day in Gr an d Lo dge Hall L aundry and housek eeping assi stan ce s avail abl e to mak e ife more el'\i oyable.
Each b uilding r ecently was equipped wi th a comm tmi ty ki tch enette area tl1at is perfect for tl1ose " ate nigh t" sn ack s Ther e is a shuttle bus to t ranspor t res idents all over the campus Frequent t rips to o ca l shopping ar eas, malls, an d restaw·an ts are also included. Scheduled acti vi ti es and r ecreational ar eas rotmd out a f ull living exp eti en ce.
If you or som eone you kn ow would like more infonuation on Resi dential Li ving, call (800) 422- 1207 Th e Jhendly Masonic Homes staff will be happy to answ er yom questions
Resid ents en oy ed a sc rump t ous mea l , mus c, and enter ta inmen t at th i s summer's " Renaissance Fa ire," a speci al ev ent wh ich t ook pl ace n t he Vi ll age
All t hose setvi.ces and more are included in on e p er-diem f ee. Ther e is no n eed f or a down p ayment, nor is i t r equired that all asse ts b e signed over. A fi nan cia l asses sment is m ade during th e applicat ion pro cess an d sugges ti ons ar e m ade at t hat time t o ass s t in y ou r de cisi on No r equired amoun t o f mon ey s necessary to en ter th e Masonic Homes. If a r esiden t tun s out of funds, t he mon t hly income will b e accepte d as paym ent fo r services b eing p ro vided Any balance is m et through co ntribution s, bequests, and t ru sts th at are r ecei ve d for M asonic H om es' operations
l\lnsonic Easte1·n Stai" Home-Enst Se1-ves
Part of th e M s sion of the M asonic Eastern Star Home-East at Warmi nster is t o ser ve per sons in Phil ade l phi a County who are day-one Med ic aid rec pients. A Med ic are an d Me dicaid-certified f acility, t he home offers nursing and assisted li vi ng accommod ations in a suburban sett ing, of f er ing:
• qua lity c are ser vices 2 4 hours a day;
• ac cess to med ical services when needed;
• delicious, nutr it ous meals t hree times dai y;
• pers onal bea uty care;
• a complete religious program of regular interdenom i national and secular services;
• many recreationa activities such as arts and crafts, games, bingo, and sing-alongs;
• planned trips to see enterta i nme nt, go shopping, and enjoy pic nics; and
• a beaut ifully landscaped courtyard Special events in th e outd oor courtyard are a
()utreachProgramm
Hosting Statewide Health Fairs
The Masonic Home s Outrea ch Program is hosting a series of Healt h Fairs at sites w ith n each of t he seve n Masonic Regions across t he Commonwealth. They began in October and will cont inue i nto Apr l. Each event is being coordinated w it h the respective District Deputy Grand Masters and local lodge vo l unteers n each region. Local resources an d health care providers will be feat ure d, as well as agencies and associations which offer various degrees of supp or t for Masonic and non-Masonic familie s.
Each Health Fair is designed to bring contacts and opportunities to local communities. Information, iterature, and hands-on sem inars offer educa· tion on topics such as Alzheimer's Disease, Prostate Hea th, Caregiv ing, Women's Health I ssues i ncl ud ing Breast Cancer, Safety In the Home, Long -Term Care Insurance, Medicare, and many more. Besides the opp ortunity to meet local c ommunity healt h care providers, attendees may watc h a useful video presentation or part in an educational seminar led by representatives from the list of presenters and participants.
The series began n the First Masonic Region at the Masonic Eastern Star Home-East at Warmi nster on Oct. 28. Locations for future events in 2001 include the Jaffa Mosque in Altoona (Reg ion 3) on Mar. 24, the Scottish Rite Cathedral In Williamsport ( Reg ion 6) on Apr 7, Masonic Homes at El izabethtown ( Region 2) on Apr 2 8 , and the Masonic Vi llage at Sewic k ley (Region 4) on Nov. 10. Er i e, Allentown, New Cast e, and Scrant on are on the list of future sites as w ell.
Having Problems?
Concerned About Loss of Medicare Health Insurance? ...
Need Assistance?
Outreach Can Help!
SI NG L E LAY EB GI F'T BO X $2!). 00 p t· r h ox
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DOU BLE L AYE H GUT BO X $35 .00 JWr h o x
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Dis c:ow r Ca rd o rd er:; an· a rT(' IIfl'c I. C i 1'1 ho \. o r d e rs s hou ld he placed hy Dc•r 1:1 10 1' 11:-. 111'1' cl cl ivr l'\' hy Drc. :25. All boxeb \\ i ll Ill' s h ipp r·d DcT. l H 1111 l1'ss n rlw r wise s p ec if it' d . S h ippin g c lw rgr» a rr for c'<IC' Ii box f'o r rarh adrh·c•iJ :-, As k l'lbout cos t:> for .s hi p p iu g Ol lfs icl l' Pc ' IIIIS\'knnia.
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"Our
Move to Retirement Living!"
Br o. Roy a nd Doris Ec klund in f r ont of t h en· Re tir em en t L ivi n g co t tage at t h e Mas onic H omes a t E liz ab ethto wn.
The last i ssue of The Pennsylvania Freemason featured Bro. Roy Ec kl u nd, Brownstone Lodge No. 666, Hershey and his w ife, Doris who were i n t he process of mov ng to Ret ireme nt Liv i ng The r home n Pal myra was sold, and t hey were look in g for ward to thei r relocation to Retireme nt Livi ng at t he Masonic Homes in Elizabethtow n. They have now settled into t heir new home in Ret i rement Li vi ng and t o quo t e Bro. Roy, " We co u dn ' t be happier!"
Gone are the days of never-end ing home main te nance - housekeep i ng, lawn care, the probable snow removal, and all the other responsibil t ies that go along w th owni ng you r own home . The Eck lunds are now enjoying t he lifesty le t hey deserve. Knowi ng that hea lth care serv ices are ava lab le on t he campus on a fee-fo r-servic e basi s also prov des the addit iona l security and peace of mind for the future.
The pr mary question for Bro. Roy and Doris was whether the r new home cou d accommodate all of the r exist ng furniture and personal be long ngs. Th e answer is an empha ti c "Yes ! "
Bro. and Mrs Eck lund chose a cott age that has more tha n 3,000 square feet and inc udes a porch, garage, and ful basement: Thanks to Doris f urniture placement sk il ls, everything wen t smoothly and according to p an on move-i n day.
Follow-up, acco rding to Bro. Eck l und, is c ritica l , and the staff at M aso nic Homes has fu lfilled ts comm tments to meet the r needs and expec t at ons during t h s time of t rans t ion. The Eck l un ds also have apprec iated the frie ndli ness of t heir new neighbors and the new re ationsh ps t hey are bui ldi ng .
Bro. Eck lund sums it all up w hen 11e says, " It's all about secur ty, comfort, and a co nt inuat ion of our home wi t hout a ll t he respo nsibil it es."
If you or yo ur spouse are at east 65 years of age and wo ul d desire i nformat on on Reti rement Living at t he Masonic Homes, call (800) 676 -6452 or comp let e and mail t he adjoi ni ng coupon. M embers of the staff wi ll be happy t o answer your questions and arrange a persona appo nt men t and t ou r
Send me more information about Retirement Living at the Masonic Homes.
Name Address: C ty State: Zip
Phone:(_)
Complete coupon and return to :Mar k e tin g Offi ce Masoni c Ho m es One Masoni c Drive
Do n a l d L. A lb ert
Secretaries Employing State-of-Art Membership Computer Program
Most of you arc aware that om· Grand Lodge has been developing a Memb ership Computer Program to aid our Grand Lodge and blue lodges.
T am pleased to inform you t.hat after much hard work and delays we have been successful n releasing a new st.ate -o f-t he-art means of conununications sys tem to t w odge secretaries. At this Lime, t il e system allows yom· lodge secret ary lo conec·t. lodge member s' addresses, phone numbers, other pertinent membership information direclly into the Grand Lodge system. As we continue to enhance and move forward wiU1 this system, features will bC' addf'd which will provide greater usage for all participants.
Yom Dist:Jict Deputy Grand Ma'lter has bl"en provided access Lo the system. That \vill help him in his role as U1e Grand Mastl"r's !'\"presentative to conummicate infmmation between Grand Lodge and your lodge in a timely manner.
We also are developing ways for lodge officers and other Masonic mf'mbf'l'S lo interface with this system. We anticipate the comp l etion or this activity prior to 200 1.
All of this interface activity is conducted via the I nternet, using an ISP (In ternet. Service Provider) and is availabl e to yo u , personally, for a l ow month ly feE' and a fi nancial retmn to your l odge for your usage. .VhE'n yo u install the ISP, you w ll be r equ red to provide a credit card number and indicate your lodge munbcr by using the pull-down screen, then follow thl" easy stC'ps lo log-on to our Grand Lodge web site, «www.pagrandlorlge.org» ISP access to the Internet also can be made available to non-Masonic use>rs. ln addition, ISP c<m be used as a membership tool, since it lakes you dirl"ctly to the Grand Lodge web site to view all categorif's included in this web site.
Please ask your l odge S<'CTf'tmy for additional information regarding obtaining access to the Grand LodgE' I SP to utilizf' the web site. Also, please shmc <my comments or questions you may have d i re ctly with yom· lodge secretru.y. At this time, approximatf'ly 50 percent of the lodge sccretm·ies arc utilizing the> Membersh p Con1putcr Program and we hope to be at 100 percentpart cipal ion in t h(' nea r l'uLLu·e.
R.W.P.G.M . Williamson Steps Down, Bro. Labagh
Succeeds as Executive Officer of PA DeMolay
AI th e tonclusion oflhe ruulllal convention of the Pennsylvania Del\ t o lay, R. \V. Pasl Grand Master Sru.nuel C. Williamson rC'signC'd as lhr Executive Officer for Pennsylvania. He stepped down after serving for 13 yem'S as tllC' ranking rl"presenlalivP for Del\lolay Int \"mational in the local jmisdiclion. The GrcUld Master of Dei\Iolay Intemational, Ross Van Ness Bay<.'r, l\ I. W. Past Grand 1\taster of New Jersey, appointed Thomas R. Labagh, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Youth fo'oundation , tu succeed Bro. Williru.nson.
Bro. Williamson followed in the footsteps of R.W. Past Grand Samuel c. Wi lli ams, Master Jo hn L. McCain, whom he succeeded as the Executive Ol'lic<.'r, and capably guidl"cl lhe Order in lhe Conuuonwea lth R W P G M throu gh prosperous years. Though the Pennsylvan i a DeMol ay will miss his l eadership, he will be devoting the m<:\jur part of his time to developi ng new programs through the Pennsyl vania Youth Foun dati on. Bro. Wi lLiamson was iustrunl cntal i n foun ding the Pennsylvania Youth ru.1cl the or ginal ren ova ti o n of t he Patton Masonk Sch ool fo.r l3oys nto t.l w Masoni c Conference Cen ter-Patton Campus, and has continued in nn' ess cledica t ion to the youth of the state. F tti ng ly, a scho arship fimd has been established in his honor ancf from it come awru.·cls to deSC'lv ng DeMo ay boys in Bro. William son's nam e.
The new Executive Officer for Petmsylvania, Bro. Labagh, is a Past Master of Abraham C 'l'rf'irhler Lodg e No. 682, Elizabethtown. lie sctvcd for a long lime as the Assistant Executive Officer for Pennsylvania Df'Molay m1cl holds a myriad of DeMolay and Masonic honors, including tl1e Degree of Chevalier, DeMulay Legion of ll onor, and t h i" Guild of the Leather Apron ("Advisor of lhC' YC'ru.·"), ;md is an Active Member of the International Supreme Council uf Del\1olay. He is a Past Slate Master Councilor of New Tel'SI"Y DeMolay and worked for DeMolay International prior tu canting to the Pennsylvania Youth Foundation. ln late September in Pittsburgh, he wac; coro nC'tN I a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33", A.A.S.H
For Third Consecutive Year, Prestigious Award Earned by a PA Job's Daughter
For t he thi rd consecutive year, a Pennsylvan a Job's Daughter has been pr esented t he prestigious Supreme HIKE award, an honor given at the annu a Supreme Session of t he Internat iona Order of Job's Daughters. This year's award was earned by Kimberly Detwiler, a Past Honored Queen, from Bethe l 14, Quarryv i e, La ncaster County, for her efforts in leading Pennsylvania's members in the ir fund-rais ing activities for HIKE.
The special honor is awarded to a Job's Daughter who individually has raised the most money intern ationally for the organization's philanthropic project, the HIKE Fund, Inc. HIKE is the Hearing Impaired Kid s Endowment that was created in 1985 as the philanthropic project of the Internat ional Order of Job's Daughters. It assists youth from birth through the age of 20 by awarding grants to purchase hearing assistance devices. Recipients of the grants need not be related to a member of Job's Daughters.
Pennsylvania Job's Daughters a re very proud to be the only state organization to have received this award since its first presentation in 1997 and hope that the s upportive Family of Freemasonry is equally proud of them.
Not o nl y do Pennsy l va ni a's Job 's Daug hte rs raise mon ey f o r HIKE, th ey a so have th e o pportuniti es to p res ent gra nts wh en th e recipi ents are from th eir stat e Ei g ht year-o ld twin g irl s, Sa rah and Megan Dodson (photo) , e ac h received a ch ec k for $4,000 for new hearing aid s
Why do Grand Lodge officers wear the color purple?
The colo r purple is most commonly associated with royalty, but this is not U1e case \vith Freemasonry as the color purpl e has a much more significant meru.ling in regard to the Craft. Purp e is an emblem of union, being pr oduced by the combination of blue and scarlet. The color is worn by Grand Lodge officers as a constant reminder that they have been entrusted to cultivate an1ongst the brethren, such a spirit of u nion as may cement them into one complete and harmonious society. (Sow·ce: Masomy Dcd'ined, by E.R. .Johnson, Kissinger Publishing)
What is the origin of the expression "Blue Lodges?"
T h ere are several Uleories, of which two have the most adher ents. Some believe that operative Masons fell t h at b ue, I he col or of the sky both by day and by n ght, was associated in the ir mi nds with pur ty of Deity, whic h Masons attempted to emul ate. Others rofc r to the c hange made by speculative Masons, shortly after t11e establishment of the Grand Lodge of Engl and, substituted bl ue for white as the official Masonic color presumably because it was the color of the Order of I he Garter of which a num ber of Masonic l eaders were members. (Soun:e: Masonic Que$1ions & Answers, co1npiled by the Q(fice of Masonic Education, Gmnd Lodge of PA, 1999)
Why are we called "Freemasons?''
The nmne definitely dates back to tl1e days when Masonry was almost wholly operative in characte r Numer ous explanations have been suggested, such as: Masons worked in free stone ( which could be carved easily), and hence were called "free-stone masons," later shortened to "freemasons;" Uley were free men, not serfs; they were free to move from place to place as they might desire; they were given Ule freedom of the towns and localities in which they might wor k; and they were free of the mles and regulations that were usually imposed upon members of guilds. (Sourre: Masonic Questions & Answers, compiled by the Office of Masonic Education, Grand Lodge of PA , 1999)
District D Lodges Convert D.A.R.E. Van
Th e D.A.R .E. ( Dr ug Aware nes s Resistance Educat on) v a n in Be nsa e m Twp. is not on y an out standing mobi e educat i on a l a d i n th e prev ent ion of drug and a co hol abuse, it 's a prize-w i nner, having w on four t ro phies alrea dy. Th e mo st prest g ious be ng fir st pl ac e i n state compet t ion and second p ace nat on ally. On e ca n't miss th e roya purp le ve hic le embl azoned wit h appropr ate logos, inc l ud ng t he squ are and com passes
In the beg nn ng of 2 0 00, Thomas M Vasek, W. M of Harry A. Houseman Lodge No 717, Somerton, suggest ed to Kenne t h W. Bleiler, D.D.G.M. t hat all ten of t he lodges in Masonic District D unite in a special project to support D.A.R.E. It all came about when the Bensalem Police Department said that it was willing to convert one of its patrol vans to become a D.A.R.E. vehicle and Bro. Vasek's wife, Donna, who is the D.A.R.E. officer in the township, asked if lodges would be interested in the project. All of the lodges showed a keen interest and a tota of $18,000 was col ected - enough to a ll ow for the j ob to be done right. Representa ti ve of fi cers of t he lodges in Dist rict D are pictu red w ith the va n Bro. Vasek is at r ght wit h hi s c hi ldren.
The v an w as on displ ay at the s it e of t he Jun e Quar ter y Commun ication in Ely sbur g and has bee n o n displ ay at nu merou
Masons of Note
Brian B Luzier (right), J.M.C., Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682, Elizabethtown, traveled most of the way across the state three times to guide his father, Estel Boyd Luzier, through all of his degrees in Chartiers Lodge No. 297, Canonsburg. Bro. Brian is the Director of Residential Respite Services at the Masonic Homes in El izabethtown. He said the long trips didn't faze him because they afforded three of his proudest experiences In Masonic ife.
Mark A. Haines, D D.G M ., 7th Masonic District, had to admit that sometimes he 's "al wet. " When Reading Lodge No. 549 held its annual family picnic, it staged a dunking contest as a fund-raiser to support its Masonic Matching Grants efforts. Bro. Haines said that he didn't raise the most money, but he was the most frequently dunked participant.
Nov. 30 Deadline For Law Enforcement Scholarships
The Grand Master's Law Enforcement Scholarship information and applications we r e sent to all of the l odge secretaries, distri ct d ep uti es, an d mem bers of' t h e Pen nsy vania Masoni c Fou ndat i o n for Child r en Speak ers Bmeau Deadline f o r app li cations to be rece ived s Nov. 30.
Two scho ar ships will be awar ded ru.1d each will provi de t he student wi t h $2,500 per year , renewable fo r up to tl u·ee adcl l.iona l years, f o r a total of $10,000. T he student must maintain a 2.5 grade point average or better on a 4.0 sca e each year of his or her post-seco nda1y educabon.
Started in 1998, these scholarships were developed to honor students desiling to enter the law enforcement profession. 'lo apply, a student. must be a seni or and have been accepted at a college or unlveJ'Sity, have declared Criminal Justice as his or her m<:\jor, and be a son or daughter of a Pennsylvania Master Maso n in good standing.
"Masons have a deep rt>gard for those individuals w h o keep our conununitics safe through the daily wru.· on drugs, and Lhi s is one way to honor them," said Bro. Raymond G. Brown, Executive Director of t11e Foundat on A11yone who woul d li ke to rece i ve a scho l arship app li cat i on or lmow more abou t t he prog ram shou ld contac:t B r o. nrown at (215) 988-1!)78, o r M rs. Deborah McCoy, Ass stan t Direc t or , at. (7 17) 87 I -0408.
