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Jan/Feb 2009 Issue #1
Message from the Editor……
Welcome to the newest edition of the Masonic Masters’ Association newsletter. We will use this forum to communicate with all of our members and member Lodges. We hope to publish and mail a copy of our newsletter every few months, sooner if needed, to keep everyone up-to-date.
In accordance with the Association Objectives, we will not only let everyone know what is happening on the SW circuit, we will also communicate Lodge events and happenings, District news, and even some Masonic educational materials. It is our hope, and expectation, that this newsletter will help assist each of us in social and ritualistic functions, as well as promote a stronger bond of fellowship. Please feel free to submit your thoughts, ideas, comments, and suggestions to us. You can use US Mail and send to our Secretary at MMA c/o WB John R Miller, 9577 Sylvester St, Taylor MI 48180, or via e-mail to masonicmasters@wideopenwest.com . We will review everything that comes in, so please feel free to contribute.
Important Information…..
As of this writing, we have not yet received all of the Officer’s Information Forms from our member Lodges. It is important that we receive these forms as soon as possible, as the information is needed to complete the roster book. If you have not yet done so, please forward this form, along with your dues payment, before 06/FEB/09.
Our website is up and running again. We are working on a new look and feel. Please visit us at www.masonicmasters.com . We will continue to update the site with information as it is received.
Our annual election of Officers was held on 03/JAN/09 at Lola Valley Lodge. Officers for 2009 are as follows;
President - WB Don Thamarus – Lincoln Park Ionic 539 (2004)
President Elect - WB Mark Vardakis – River Rouge 511 (2000, 2009), Lincoln Park Ionic 539 (2008), RGL dist 5A
Vice President - WB Roy Cooper – Lincoln Park Ionic 539 (2005), River Rouge 511
Treasurer - WB Don Davis Jr – Allen Park Key 580 (2004)
Secretary - WB John R Miller – River Rouge 511 (2008), Golden Ark 595
Chaplain - WB Joel Clement – Hiram 110 (2006), River Rouge 511, DDI dist 50
During the Senior Warden’s Dinner, Brother Corey Curtiss (River Rouge 511) was appointed as Sheriff.
Announcements of Upcoming Events
07/FEB/09 – Annual Installation of MMA Officers. Lincoln Park Masonic Temple. Social Hour at 6:00 and Dinner at 7:00. This is a change of venue. Tickets are $15 and available from any MMA Officer
12/FEB/09 – Roseville Lodge 522 – 27151 Gratiot Ave, Roseville - Warden’s Night, 7:30 pm. EA Degree with refreshments served between 1st and 2nd sections.
13/FEB/09 – Olive Branch Lodge 542 – 1170 Mason St, Dearborn – SW Dinner, 6:30 pm.
15/FEB/09 – Daytona 500 Party – Golden Ark Lodge 595 – 23263 Goddard Rd, Taylor – 1:00 – 6:00. Tickets are $10 and available from any officer.
25/FEB/09 – Livonia Lodge 586 – 27705 W. 7 Mile Rd, Livonia – SW Dinner, 7:00 pm
10/MAR/09 – Wolverine 484, Findlater 475, Lincoln Park-Ionic 539, River Rouge 511 – 1561 Southfield Rd, Lincoln Park – SW Dinner, 6:00 pm.
19/MAR/09 – Allen Park Key 580, Golden Ark 595, West-Gate Cyrus 520, Sunlight 600 – 17212 Ecorse Rd, Allen Park – SW Dinner, 6:30 pm.
20/APR/09 – Wayne Lodge 112 – 27137 Palmer Rd, Westland – SW Dinner 7:00 pm
15/OCT/09 – Plymouth Rock Lodge 47 – 305 Fleet St, Plymouth – SW Dinner time TBA.
19/OCT/09 – Hiram Lodge 110 – 25730 Gibraltar Rd, Flat Rock – SW Dinner, 6:00 PM
28/OCT/09 – Trenton-Wyandotte Lodge 8 – 2550 W. Jefferson Ave., Trenton – SW Dinner, time TBA
As you can see, there are still dinners yet to be scheduled. Once your Lodge has scheduled their SW Dinner, be sure to let us know the date so that we can publish it in the newsletter, and post it on the website.
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY AND MOUNT RUSHMORE – THE MASONIC CONNECTION
Few monuments embody the American spirit and the greatness of our country as
much as the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore.
The Statue of Liberty in New York is one of the best known icons of liberty
enlightening the world.
Few members of the Masonic fraternity know of the part played by Freemasons in
the planning and erection of the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore.
Brother Frederick A. Bartholdi was inspired by his own experience when he began
to design this mammoth figure.
He was an Alsatian and his own country had been taken over by the French after
the Franco-Prussian War, in which he himself participated.
He was a member of Lodge Alsace-Lorraine, organized in 1872 by prominent
intellectuals, writers, and government functionaries.
In June 19, 1884 he took his first model of the statue to his Lodge seeking the
critical approval of his brethren.
Again, on November 13, 1887, he gave a report to the Lodge about the methods
adopted for the erection of the full scale project. Sort of an “after-action”
report.
And in 1987 he again appeared before his Lodge to tell of the welcome and
excitement he had received from his Brethren and friends in America.
But everything wasn’t easy. There were financial matters involved, and the
French people had to raise money in rather small amounts--because the Statue was
to be a national gift from the French people to the United States.
Back in the US there were delays as well because it was up to the US to supply a
site, and prepare the pedestal.
In 1887 Congress approved the site selected by Gen. William T. Sherman. It was
the site of old Fort Wood. The granite for the base came from Leete’s Island,
Conn.
The cornerstone was laid on August 5, 1884 with full Masonic ceremonies. Grand
Master of New York William A. Brodie presided.
It was officially turned over to the United States on July 4, 1884 in a ceremony
at which Count Ferdinand de Lesseps (who you may remember from your high school
history of the Panama Canal) presided..
The Statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886. President Grover Cleveland
accepted the gift.
Liberty’s torch did not shine out to sea 50 miles as planned.
In 1916 the torch was redesigned by another Mason, Brother Gutzon Borglum.
Mount Rushmore
Brother Groblum was to become famous for a work of his own—Mount Rushmore.
He worked on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial from 1927 until his death.