By Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Wisconsin Brother Jeff Schoenfeldt
I think we are all ready for winter to be over and for spring to come.
I have to admit: I cheated a little bit this month . . . our whole family was able to get together for a week in Florida to celebrate my wife’s 50th birthday. It was fun to be at Disney with the whole crew in the sun and 80 degree weather! Ava came from Vermont, Evan from Texas, and Ethan from Milwaukee. It was such an incredible blessing to spend time with all of them – and remind myself to find balance in life and stay in check of my 24-inch gauge.
Since my last article, I had the honor of installing the 2026 Lodge officers of Perseverance Lodge 1836. They are an historical lodge with members from several states that meet up at “rendezvous” – this meeting was in Athens, Wisconsin. The Lodge is lead by my Brother and friend, Jim “Bone” Goldsmith from Oregon Lodge. Thanks for having me, Brothers – this marked my 45th Lodge installation of the year.
Following that was D2’s “Hooked on Kindness” Gala in Eau Claire, where DD Bryce Fransway and his Team helped raise money for the Grand Masters Appeal (thank you!). Then I was in Janesville for their re-obligation night, which was such a beautiful ceremony. The more than 50 Brethren gathered all participated in taking all three degree obligations again – and I was honored and humbled to be asked to be the exemplar for the EA Degree. DD3 Corey Nowak also showed up with a van full of Brothers to capture the statewide Traveling Trowel, so that was a great night for Brotherhood!
I had the opportunity to help my friends at Reedsburg Lodge in their yearly fundraising tradition of assembling and selling around 1800 chicken pies. I was invited to a delicious meal and wonderful conversation at the home of Reedsburg PM Bob Anderson and his Lady, Edna, the night beforehand – and then at 8:00 a.m. the next morning, we all gathered to make some chicken pies.
This was truly special and a “full circle” moment for me. You see, back when I was first appointed an Area Administrator in 2012, I showed up at Reedsburg Lodge to do my first visit there and instead of a stated meeting that night, they were assembling chicken pies – so I sat down next to Joe Williamson (RIP) and joined in! It was one of the highlights of my four years as an Area Administrator and it bonded me with the Brothers of Reedsburg Lodge, a Lodge which will always be special and dear to me.
We also had a great time at the annual James M. Hays Crawfish Boil! In the last three years, that Lodge has grown by 35% because they are constantly doing events like this to foster friendship and Brotherly Love. After this event, I drove down to Union Grove to support the Eastern Star chapter who served up a delicious pork loin dinner – and enjoyed a couple hours of conversation with my friends, Brothers Eric Markusen and Nick Wiegert.
Another highlight of my month would be the Henry S. Baird Lodge of Sturgeon Bay’s Steamboat Dinner. This community dinner is a tradition for the Lodge – 91 years strong! This year, we assembled 1,431 meals that were purchased by businesses and members of the community to be delivered to the homes of those in need across Door County, into Brown and Kewaunee Counties, and even across the water onto Washington Island. The meals included roast beef, turkey, a baked potato, and abundant sides – and were really large enough to provide two meals worth of food!
Long-time former Lodge Secretary Tom Pinney (70 years a Freemason!) headed up the meal for many years, but this year handed that responsibility over to his son, Geoff, who spells his name wrong (that’s a joke between us – ha!). Our Brother Tom is in the final days in his battle against cancer, and a couple of us were lucky enough to go to his house to say our goodbyes to him. Holding his hand, telling him how successful the Dinner was going, how much he meant to me, and thanking him for being a Freemason is the most powerful thing I have done as Grand Master. Fair winds and following seas, Brother Tom!
Finally, as many know, I personally sign every Masonic Anniversary card that we send out to Brothers across the state. I feel very strongly that I want every Mason to know that Wisconsin Freemasonry values and appreciates them being our Brother (although sometimes, after 8 hours of signing, my penmanship gets a little sloppy – sorry!). Well this past month, March 13 to be exact, was my 19th anniversary of being raised in this incredible fraternity. At first, I just skipped my card and left the inside blank; why waste the time? Then, after thinking about it, I looked at it as an opportunity to remind myself to stay within the points of my compasses, no matter my temporary title:
“After 19 years, you still carry the same obligation – and have the same responsibility to be the good in the world. May the next 19 years find you still working, still learning, and still building. Freemasonry makes you a better person!”
Every one of us is a work in progress. Everyone.
I look forward to seeing you in my travels, Brothers – keep being the good in the world!
