Let me be one of the first to wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or whichever tradition you celebrate this time of year – and a Happy Holiday Season!
I know some people don’t like the term “Happy Holidays” but to me, it’s not glossing over any personal reason for the season – but rather a celebration of all the good times spent with family and loved ones from Thanksgiving through the end of the year.
The feelings that stretch of the calendar exudes are something I sincerely wish we could capture and appreciate all year round. During the holidays, people are happier, kinder, more generous and caring. They smile, hold the door for others, and tend to say “please” and “thank you” more often. To be honest: during the holidays, everyone acts more like Freemasons!
Since my last article, I had the pleasure of presiding over the rededication of Twin Cities Lodge No. 61 as they celebrated 170 years within their community – and 100 in their beautiful Lodge building! If you get a chance to visit the Neenah Masonic Center, I highly encourage you to do so – it’s truly one of the great hidden treasures we Masons have in Wisconsin!
The following week, I attended the Freemasons Lodge No. 363 Table Lodge at the Westmoor Country Club in Brookfield. Not only was it an amazing gathering of friendship and Brotherly Love, but they also asked me to present our Masonic Brother, Milwaukee Chief of Police Jeffrey Norman, a certificate naming him an Honorary Past Master! This is an incredible honor bestowed to our Brother by his fellow Lodge Brethren in recognition of the leadership he displays both inside and outside of the Lodge. Congratulations, Brother!
The next night, I attended McKinley Lodge’s Ladies at the Table Dinner. In 2018, now-Past Grand Master Ken Gorgen and I were stuck at an airport together and, over a couple of beers, he told me about this annual dinner and said that if I ever had an opportunity to attend, I should. Seven years later, I took him up on that invitation and it was an amazing five-course meal with toasts to famous female leaders throughout history. I also took the opportunity to present Jan Gorgen with a certificate of appreciation for her support of our fraternity over the years, including her over 20 years as a staff member of Grand Lodge!
The following week, I was in La Crosse for the District 5 fall meeting, which had a very nice collection of Brothers in attendance! Prior to the meeting, District Deputy Nathan Randall led a donation of an Emergency Jump Bag to Trooper Dawson, marking the 141st bag Wisconsin Freemasons have donated to the Wisconsin State Patrol!
Later that week, I had breakfast with about a dozen Brothers prior to the Union Grove Lodge Saturday morning meeting. The meal was delicious, the Brotherhood and laughter were strong – and it was an easy way to be visible in their community! During their Lodge meeting, I not only had the chance to address the Brothers as their Grand Master – but they also called me before the Lodge to read the November Grand Master’s Message, as they have a tradition of reading these monthly articles in their Lodge meetings. Following the meeting, Brother Jason Williams of West Allis Lodge held a very interesting educational talk on the Missing Sections of the Middle Chamber, which was extremely well researched and very well done!
From there, it was on to Three Pillars at Dousman where the majority of the Wisconsin Freemasonry Leadership Team had been meeting on our Strategic Plan. After a quick lunch in the dining hall with the residents, our group resumed our meetings until five of us had to leave to travel to Beaver Dam to take part in Dodge County Lodge’s Ladies at the Table celebration. They had a packed dining table set up in their Lodge room for the 45 attendees – and Past Grand Master Jim Olson did a marvelous job as the Master of Ceremonies.
As I make my travels across the state, one of the main points I am trying to drive across is how much your Wisconsin Freemasonry Leadership Team appreciates and values all the work that you are doing! You have answered the call to arms to increase activity within your communities and to be proud Freemasons! Our members are the lifeblood of this fraternity – and we thank you for all that you have done, are doing, and will continue to do for Masons and Masonry in Wisconsin!
So, as we now find ourselves in this season of gratitude, let me humbly say thank you for being a Freemason. Thank you for all that you do in your Lodge. Thank you for all that you do to support your fellow Brothers. Thank you for all that you do in your community. For those of you I know, thank you for being my friend – and to all others, thank you for being my Brother and I appreciate the trust you have placed in me this year.
God bless you all this holiday season – and enjoy the time spent with Brothers, family, and friends. Safe travels and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
