By Brother Jim McGuigan
Put 60 Brothers and guests in a roofing warehouse, add brisket, a trebuchet and watch the magic happen!
Inspired by the Shed Lodge in Reedsburg, the Brothers at James M Hays Lodge have been putting on this annual event for four years. This stag event quickly became one of the signature events for the Hays Boys. Billed as “Brisket, Beans and Brotherhood”, it has attracted guests from across the state — and even a Brother from Florida. This is where brotherhood happens and the bonds are palpable.
When a man asks “what does your Lodge do”, the answer is “we do cool stuff” and that opens up the door to talk about events like Shed Lodge. Some may see this as non-traditional Masonry, but the smiles and the laughter keep Brethren coming back. And this year, like years in the past, another man petitioned to join the Lodge. This is how Hays Lodge adds value to the masonic experience. It’s a great place to invite friends and even show your sons what Masons do. It piques their interest and inspires them to ask questions.
And then there’s the near-legendary brisket. It’s the hook that gets the bodies in the door. It’s the smiles, the stories and the brotherly love that keeps them coming back.
The beginning: then-Grand Master Gary L. Stang invited me to the Shed Lodge in Reedsburg and they did a full opening where he said, “Jim, you’ve got a warehouse, don’t you? I charge you with holding the first ever Shed Lodge in District 12.” It was the first time a Grand Master had ever asked me to do anything and I was honored to have been asked.
It just continues to grow!
