WE BUILD STORIES!
I’ve always loved to travel. Growing up, I’ve been lucky enough to make some crazy treks across Europe with my oldest brother. Camping under the stars, hiking to the top of Mt. Olympus, running from the Greek mafia, sneaking through hidden passages of Dracula’s castle, riding trains with soldiers through Macedonia, and great times spent teaching Belgian friends our Wisconsin ways – the stories won’t soon be forgotten. Now, our family trips are milder but no less adventurous—and now with more family-focused adventures. Nearly getting stranded on an island, swimming with sharks, and bathing in the Sulphur springs inside of a volcano. Reflecting now, I guess things haven’t changed much…
On our most recent trip, Laura & I sat in the airport terminal, waiting for our flight to the Conference of North American Grand Masters, I couldn’t help but ponder what it means to be a traveling man. Winter travel is always a bit of a gamble, so we were lucky to dodge the storms and make it with only a few hours’ delay. Thankfully, the biggest hurdle took the shape of the worst quesadilla I’ve ever had. It tasted like it had been made the day before, dunked in water, ground up in a blender, and then fried into a half-circle shape that barely held together. As we politely choked down that culinary disaster, I realized it was a fitting metaphor for the unpredictable, often hilarious journey of Freemasons on the move. Travel is about the stories.
I’m proud to report that our Wisconsin Way is traveling well beyond our borders, through shared stories of our success and the example of our leadership team’s talents. Our Grand Secretary MW DeWolf served as conference executive secretary with Lady Annie’s support, MW Humphrey and Lady Cindy brought their organizational expertise to ensure the conference ran smoothly. RW Schoenfedlt gave a presentation on the success of our FST and Jump Bag programs, with numerous other states adopting the program. W. Brother Bob Roth presented his expertise on property rights in Freemasonry.
Wisconsin was honored to host the Midwest Conference thanks to RW Gunderson’s planning. After a fun ice breaker, I asked MW Tourville to facilitate some truly engaging discussions with Grand Masters and leaders from neighboring jurisdictions. It feels like we are starting to make some real traction on critical issues facing our fraternity. Wisconsin was also well-represented in national appendant bodies with WI leaders from National Sojourners and Job’s Daughters in attendance. We were honored to be part of such a gathering, where the shared wisdom of the Craft shined so brightly.
At the Conference, I had the privilege of sitting with Grand Masters who shared their own humorous travel mishaps. I realized the heart of Freemasonry lies in our ability to laugh at ourselves, adapt to the unexpected, and keep moving forward.
Closer to home, we’re excited to encourage more travel through the new WI Traveling Passport. This initiative isn’t just about logging miles; it’s about fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and maybe even swapping stories about the best (or worst) meals while on the road. So, what does it mean to be a traveling man? It means embracing the journey, with all its triumphs and trials. Most importantly, it means carrying the light of the Craft wherever we go, whether we’re attending a conference, visiting another lodge, heading off to work, or just grabbing a bite at the airport. I encourage every Brother to hit the road, visit new lodges, and maybe even brave the occasional soggy quesadilla. After all, it’s not just about the destination—it’s about the stories we bring back to share.
