Is there greatness in you?

November 15th, 2009

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Mailing list instructions

March 5th, 2010

In an attempt to aid communication in the lodge we have a mailing list. This allows information to be disseminated quickly and easily among mailing list members, and ideally, among all lodge members. I have put together some basic information and instructions on the mailing list. Click below to read these instructions directly. Or use the printable mailing list handout.

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From the East, March 2010

March 4th, 2010

From the East

I’d like to thank Worshipful Brother Troy Hartz, Junior Warden Dennis Wenzel, and the ladies from Sister’s Tea and Eatery for preparing a delicious meal for our Annual Sweethearts Dinner. It was good to see some brothers there that haven’t been able to attend a stated meeting recently.

The Grand lodge and our scholarship forms are in and on the website. Please visit http://www.pk149.org or see brothers Keith Hammonds or Jim Barkdull to pick them up.

Also, coming to a lodge near you is our 4th annual family game day. This year it will be on April 17th starting at 3:00. Bring your kids and your favorite board game, or your lucky euchre deck and come to the lodge for a few hours of fun. The Junior Warden will provide the snacks. There will be a sign-up sheet at the lodge.

“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

~ Micheal Marshall, W.M.

From the West

Brethren Greetings from the West: Brothers may I say thanks to all those that made the Sweetheart Dinner a success. However this may need to happen more than once a year for some of us to stay in good graces.

Brothers the lodge is planning on conducting degree work the next couple of months for those planning to join the fraternity. Contact lodge officers if you are interested in participating and would like to learn a part. The lodge is also seeking suggestions for fund raisers this year. Please send me your ideas that could support your lodge.

~ Skip Humphrey, S.W.

From the South

Greetings from the South. I have a question for you this month: Which of our brother’s was known to say, “I entered into Masonic membership by a brother who was a Hindu. Passed as a Fellow Craft by a Mohammedian and raised by an Englishman. Oh yes, the Tyler was an Indian Jew.” Any guesses? This is none other then, Bro. Rudyard Kipling.

Bro. Kipling was an English author of prose and poetry, born in Bombay, India in 1865. After being educated in England, he returned to India to work as a journalist at a local newspaper. His father was an active mason for many years, when disaster struck in his lodge. Not one of the brothers was willing to take the duties of lodge secretary. The older Bro. Kipling told the master his son was a writer and would be a possible candidate, but he was not yet 21 years old. Under special dispensation the younger Kipling was entered, passed and raised in the Lodge of Hope & Perseverance #782 English Constitution in Lahore, Punjab, India.

His accomplishments as an author were works such as “The Man Who Would Be King” and “Kim” which he used some Masonic themes. Children’s book such as “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” and “Gunga Din” have never gone out of print. In 1907, he was, and remains, the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature. He passed to the Celestial Lodge above at the age of 71, being buried in the Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abby in London, England.

~ Dennis Wenzel, JW

Look to the East, Feb, 2010

February 21st, 2010

From the East

Brethren, despite the bad weather, 2010 is off to a good start. We have several candidates seeking admission to our order. When the dates have been set for their Entered Apprentice degrees, we will post them on the website at http://www.pk149.org.

We will be having our annual Sweethearts Dinner on February 13 at 6:30 PM. We will be serving our famous Prime Rib. The cost is $15 for the men, and their Sweethearts are free. We really need an accurate count on who would like to attend. There is a signup sheet in the lodge, you can email pk149@kconline.com, or leave a message at 574-936-2664 to make your reservation.

We represent a fraternity which believes in justice and truth and honorable action in your community… men who are endeavoring to be better citizens…[and] to make a great country greater. This is the only institution in the world where we can meet on the level all sorts of people who want to live rightly.”
Harry S. Truman
President of the United States

~ Micheal Marshall, W.M.

From the West

Brethren, greetings from the West: may the February meeting be the right opportunity this year for many of you to join your fellow bothers for an evening of fellowship. As we look forward to each and every lodge event as the time and place to inquire about how many of our brothers and their families are doing. Speak to all potential members seeking to be a part of something great. Open the door for those wanting to do more for our society. Next time someone asks if you are a Mason proudly tell them you are a member of this fraternal brotherhood, share with them the contributions our fraternity provides the community and explain where they can obtain a petition if you already handed out your last one.

~ Skip Humphrey, S.W.

From the South

Greetings from the South. A brother who is dear to many masons in Indiana was born on July 18, 1913 in Vincennes, Indiana. Following in his father’s foot steps as a circus clown, at age 10 he traveled throughout the Midwest with a medicine show and by age 15 joined the vaudeville circuit. Yes, I am talking about Bro. Richard “Red” Skelton.
Bro. Red was a pioneer in early television variety shows. The “Red Skelton Show” ran for 21
years, three years short of the longest in history which was the Ed Sullivan Show. He created
memorable characters such as Clem Kidittlehopper and Freddy the Freeloader. Inspired by a
mason at a young age, who gave Red $5.00 to buy his mother a gift, Red knew he would be a
mason one day. Raised in Vincennes Lodge #1 on Sept. 20, 1939 he began his Masonic journey. Also joining the York and Scottish Rites, along with being a shriner at Al Malaikah Shrine in Los Angeles, CA. Bro. Red was a man of morals. Pressured to add some vulgarity into his acts he insisted: “Personally, I don’t think anyone should have to pay money at the box office for what they can read for nothing on public bathroom walls.” He wrote an explanation for the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 for children to understand freedom in this country. The Grand Lodge of Indiana gave Bro. Red his Award of Gold in 1993. His famous signoff line at every show was “Good night, and may God bless.” Bro. Red Skelton was laid to rest in Vincennes in 1997.

~ Dennis Wenzel, JW

Look to the East

January 1st, 2010

From the East

I would like to thank the brethren for trusting me with the responsibility of being Worshipful Master this year. I’m truly humbled. Speaking on behalf of all of the 2010 officers I’d like to assure you that we will do our utmost to maintain the high standards set by those who have gone before us. I’d like to thank those brothers who managed to find time during this hectic month to make my Past Masters Degree and Installation something I’ll never forget. I’m not sure you will ever know what that means to me.

I’d like to congratulate Worshipful Brother Troy Hartz for a good year as Master in 2009. I have had a lot of good times over the years following you through the chairs.

The newsletter will be a little different in 2010 as we have a new editor. One of our newest Master Masons, Richard June, has taken on the task. If you have any comments or ideas please email him at rjune@bravegnuworld.com.

“There is no more dangerous experiment than that of undertaking to be one thing before a man’s face and another behind his back.” ~ Robert E. Lee

~ Micheal Marshall, W.M.

From the West

Brethren Greetings from the West: First let us congratulate Past Master Troy Hartz for his guidance during the past year. Brothers we also need to congratulate and pledge our support to Worshipful Master Michael Marshall. What a year 2009 has been for the Lodge and one can only imagine what 2010 will be like. I would like to thank all that continue to make this Lodge the fraternal organization it is and encourage those that had not stopped by for a while to join us at a stated meeting. Call me if there is something you would like passed on to the Lodge. May all of you and your families have a safe and Happy Holiday.

 ~ Skip Humphrey, S.W.

From the South

Greetings from the South. My articles this year will refresh your memories of masons past and present that have contributed much to our fraternity. Some you will know, others you may not; but one fact remains, we are all brothers that span the ages of time.

Born in 1911 in Cincinnati, Ohio as Leonard Franklin Slye. After not finding suitable work to raise his growing family, he moved to California in 1930 for better opportunities. Forming a trio song group called “Sons of the Pioneers” making a name for themselves in 1934. Being discovered as a movie actor he appeared in 100 movies and pictured on 2.5 billion breakfast cereal boxes through his career. He also had a TV show. Early in his Hollywood life he changed his name to Roy Rogers. Brother Roy was raised as a Master Mason in 1946, in Hollywood Lodge #355. He was a member of all appendent Masonic bodies and set up his own foundation for children because of his connections with his local Shrine. His signature line was well known, “Good luck and may the good Lord take a liken to you. Brother Roy died in 1998.

~ Dennis Wenzel, JW

Look to the East

December 1st, 2009

From the East

Brethren Greetings from the East: This is my last newsletter as your Worshipful Master, and it has been my honor and privilege to server you and this lodge. Although my time is almost over, I look forward to next year because I know our lodge is in very capable hands and that next years officers will continue to guide and improve our lodge. I also want to thank and congratulate my officers for their outstanding support and service to the Craft. They did an outstanding job and I wish them all success in the upcoming years.

We held an Open House at the Lodge on Saturday, November 21st, from 11:00 AM to 4:00PM in accordance with the Grand Master’s wishes of Lodges in Indiana opening their doors to the public. We had several guests come and visit our building. I would like to thank Worshipful Brother Keith Hammonds for leading this huge endeavor and also thank all of the brethren who were there to help aid and assist where needed. The food was furnished by the Plymouth Order of the Eastern Star… there were many good eats. Again a big thank you to all involved in this event.

The Kids Christmas Party will be held on Saturday December 5th, from 11:00AM to 1:00PM. Santa will be there around noon. There is a sign-up sheet for the Christmas Party in the James M. Barkdull Community Room of the lodge; kids must be 12 years old or younger. Come and enjoy the fellowship and fun…

This year’s Shop with a Cop Breakfast is on Saturday, December 12th, from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at the Plymouth High School. This is a wonderful event to see where we truly make a difference in the community.

There is a Master Mason Degree on Saturday, December 19th, at the lodge. Coffee and Donuts at 8:00AM and the degree is at 9:00 AM. Please plan on attending and showing your support to these newly raised Master Masons.

Don’t forget the Feast of St. Johns is on Monday, December 28th, at 6:00PM at the lodge. As always we will be serving our World Famous “Plymouth-Kilwinning” Prime Rib. THere is a sign-up sheet in the James M. Barkdull Community Room of the lodge, or call (574)936-2664 and leave a message that you’re coming so we can have enough food for everyone.

From my family to yours I would like to wish all the brethren, their families and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season.

~ Troy Hartz

From the West

Brethren Greetings from the West: I find that the longer I am involved with the lodge, or perhaps it’s just because I’m getting older, I start marking time not by what day or month it is, but by what event is going on at the lodge. It goes by so quickly. It seems just a short time ago that we were at the park for our annual picnic. Then the lodge’s open house has come and gone. Now we have a Master Mason Degree, a Past Master’s Degree, Installation of Officers, the children’s Christmas party, and the Feast of St. John all in this month. That must mean it is December. I’d like to wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It has been a special year for me serving the lodge as Senior Warden

~ Micheal Marshall, S.M.

Open House

November 21st, 2009

The Plymouth-Kilwinning Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons is having an open house today from 11AM to 4PM at 109 Water Street. If you are interested in Free Masonry or one of the appendant bodies (Order of the Eastern Star, DeMolay) now would be a good time to come down and find out more about them.

Website update

November 20th, 2009

The bulk of the website update is complete. Some data still needs imported, but that shouldn’t take long. Please direct any comments or questions to pk149@kconline.com.

Open House

November 5th, 2009

Plymouth-Kilwinning Lodge #149 is hosting an Open house on Saturday November 21, 2009. If you’re interested in becoming a FreeMason, come down to 109 Water St. in Plymouth. We’ll be here from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM to answer questions, show people around and discuss how joining the FreeMasons has changed our lives.

WSBT coverage

November 1st, 2009

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