Paul Friend PM, Angola Lodge #236 - Editor (260-402-6122)

February 2023 EDITION

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN YORK RITE? PLEASE INQUIRE!

 ANGOLA YORK RITE DEGREE WORK

On February 25 and March 4, 2023, Angola York Rite will be part of a York Rite Festival with Ohio and Michigan. All 9 degrees and orders will be conferred on two consecutive Saturdays. More specifics mentioned later in this newsletter.

The festival will allow Master Masons to join York Rite. The initiation fee is $125 which includes your 2023 dues. As you have traveled through three degrees in your Blue Lodge, it continually mentions the need to search for more light in Masonry. York Rite provides this opportunity.

The degrees and orders are a continuation of the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees. As you try to make sense of the meanings of the first 3 degrees, York Rite will help you understand better the travels you have made. Give a York Rite member a call or discuss it with one you know to be a well-traveled Mason.

NORTHEAST INDIANA MASONIC NEWS AND EVENTS

ANGOLA LODGE #236 BUILDING NEARING 100 YEARS OLD

Construction of the current Angola Masonic Lodge building began on April 1, 1923, the cornerstone laid on August 21, 1923, and the building dedicated on St. Johns Day on June 24, 1924. At the time of the dedication, Angola Lodge had a membership of 616.

To celebrate the buildings 100 years of existence, a special coin has been struck to help commemorate the 100 year building. You can purchase the coin for $10.00.

ANGOLA LODGE #236 PROJECT

Angola Lodge collected new or slightly used socks to distribute to local groups as Turning Point, Project Help and Women in Transaction. Angola Lodge #236 collected 532 pairs of socks and made a presentation to Turning Point Manager, Leslie Schlottman in January 2023.

NORTHEASTERN LODGE #210 (Fremont) NEWS

Northeastern Lodge #210, continues its’ Monday morning coffee and donuts at the Fremont Lodge. They will continue to meet throughout the year. Meet around 8:00 AM for fellowship and leave when necessary (usually close to 9:00 AM).

The lodge is located a half block east of the 4 way stop, on the north side of State Road 120. If there is nobody at the Lodge, they will be at the new restaurant a couple buildings to the east.

Angola York Rite will present the United States Flag at the Feb. stated.

If you have questions about this project, call Wynn Hensel 316-0607

LEO LODGE #224

I have added Leo Lodge to this newsletter to announce their activities.

Thursday, February 2 – Stated meeting – Dinner at 6 Meeting at 7 Thursday, February 9 Fellowcraft Degree

Saturday, February 25 – Social/Fun Day at Leo Lodge 11 AM to 2 PM

ANGOLA MASONIC LODGE HISTORY LESSON

SO WHY DO I SHOW YOU THIS 1950’S PICTURE?

It is the site of the southwest corner of the mound – south of Angola State Bank. It is now an antique store – in the 1970’s it was Strocks Clothing Store for men. In this 1950’s picture it was a dress shop.

What do you notice? The 1950’s Mercury? The Angola downtown street sale? The cable over the street that ran from the State Bank south to the second story of the adjoining building so a sign could be hung (in this picture the sign is pushed to the south).

YOU SEE ANYTHING MASONIC? Look at the third floor of the building! See the Square and Compass? When

this building had a fire in the 1950’s the third floor of the building was removed. Also the square and compass stone was removed and found a new home.

This building at one time was owned by the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Masonic Lodge rented the third floor for their meetings, until the current Lodge building was completed in 1924. The move was made!

When you enter the current Lodge building, you will find this stone on the first landing as you go up to the Lodge. Aren’t we glad the Masons of old had this Masonic emblem preserved!!

SEARCH FOR PAST MASTER FAMILIES CONTINUES!!

There are now only 22 pictures to be found. A total of 100 are now in place. We have had 122 different Past Masters since the Lodge was chartered in 1858.

Finding these Past Masters is a great challenge. I have discovered through genealogy sources that our first Worshipful Master Jesse Squier, who helped charted Angola Lodge #236 in 1858, is in my family lineage. I did not know that until now. If I go back to my gggrandfather, there were several brothers, one of the sons is my direct ancestor of my grandmother Dairy Squier and another son was the ancestor of Jesse Squire. WHAT A STORY!

Need your help to find some pictures of our remaining Past Masters! I have no clue on where to find some of the early Masters. For example, Jesse Squire in 1858; Simeon Latson in 1874; Otto Schultz in 1884; Fred Snyder in 1897; Clyde Ritter in 1909; Earl Dole in1921; Kenneth Rathbun in 1927; Wayland Seely in 1937. WHO OUT THERE WORKS WITH ANCESTRY.COM ON YOUR COMPUTER? I have not used it yet but understand it can give a person some leads. WHO CAN HELP TO FIND ANY TYPE OF CLUE? HELP SEARCH AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN FIND!

A more recent Past Master is – CARL SUNDAY IN 1969.

Carl’s wife Barb was involved with the Angola Mayors Office and was head of the Elliot Manor Housing on Williams Street. WHO KNEW HIM?

TEXT PAUL FRIEND OR CALL AT 260-402-6122 with possible leads.  Thanks!

Shown are the current 100 pictures – 22 to go! See the blank picture frames?

Let’s fill them!

YORK RITE NEWS

Angola York Rites’ next scheduled stated meeting is on Thursday, February 2. Meal at 6:15 PM. Meeting at 7:00 PM. Cast members will practice on the Most Excellent Master degree, which Angola York Rite will cast at the Tri-State Festival on February 25, 2023.

York Rite will open on the Chapter, with John Doehrman presiding as High Priest. Officers be prepared to open on the Chapter.

BATTALION 2 MEETING ON FEBRUARY 2 IN AUBURN

This meeting is important for Commandery Officers and members to attend. You will be hearing plans for next year’s Commandery goals from the Grand Commandery. This starts at 12 noon and will end by 1:30 PM.

The Indiana Academy session will also be held (starting at 2:00 PM) to learn more about how the Commandery functions and learn some of the protocols and sword manual instructions. You will learn!

Tri-State York Rite Festival

On February 25 and March 4, 2023, Angola York Rite will be part of a York Rite Festival. All 9 degrees and orders will be conferred on two consecutive Saturdays.

The festival will allow Master Masons to join York Rite. The initiation fee is $125 which includes your 2023 dues.

York Rite extends lessons learned in the Blue Lodge degrees. It allows you to better understand the meaning of the Master Mason degree in particular. Lessons include how the use working tools in Masonry to build your spiritual temple, how to receive your wages, learn the Masters

Word and its meaning (the word was lost in the Maser Mason degree), and eventually become a Sir Knight of the Knights Templar. You will not regret joining – I assure you!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW

State contacts to assist you:

Indiana:           Mike Anderson 260-319-0586 canda.craig03@re-comm.net Ohio: Ken Crouch 419-460-0296            kencrouch85@yahoo.com Michigan: Don Trumbull 734-775-4045            trumbulldonald@gmail.com

Candidates welcome

From Indiana, Ohio and Michigan

Saturday, February 25, 2023 Jackson-Coolidge, MI Lodge Saturday, March 4, 2023 – Bryan Ohio Lodge Degrees to start at 9:00 AM each Saturday.

Save the dates!!          Help pass the word, copy, post and/or distribute this notice.

TIME TO SEEK OUT PETITIONS

TRI-STATE CASTING FOR THE WORK

Please notify if there have been any changes!

Mark Master                          Lafayette Chapter #4 (MI) Past Master                   Bryan Chapter #45 (OH) Most Ex. Master          Angola Chapter #58 (IN)

Royal Arch                            Combination of MI Chapters (MI) Royal Master                Ft. Wayne 33rds (Indiana)

Select Master                         Bryan Council #101 (OH) Red Cross                    Angola Yeomen of York #2

Malta                                      Ft. Wayne Commandery #4 (IN) Order of the Temple Bryan Commandery #74 (OH)

50^TH ANNIVERSARY TRI-STATE FESTIVAL COIN

This challenge coin was struck to help commemorate the 50^th year of the Tri-State Festival in 2023. It will be given FREE to all candidates. Current members will be able to purchase the coin at the festival.

SCOTTISH RITE VALLEY – FT WAYNE

NEXT VALLEY EVENTS – STATED MEETINGS

The next Scottish Rite stated meeting had been changed from February 14 to February 21. It will be held at the Ft. Wayne Scottish Rite building. Dinner will be at 6:15 PM with meeting to follow. If you are a candidate they will do the first essential degree (4th) starting at 5:45 PM.

INVITATION TO JOIN SCOTTISH RITE

Any Master Mason is encouraged to join Scottish Rite. One must petition the Ft. Wayne Valley through a current Scottish Rite member. There is a fee of $150.00 to petition and once voted on, degree work will proceed, starting with the introductory or 4th degree. One must take a required set of 5 degrees ending with the 32nd degree. Once one receives the 32nd degree you are an official Scottish Rite member. Many degrees will be available on a Scottish Rite website in the future.

THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE RITE

Scottish Rite degrees can be obtained through this program (home on your computer). The first in the series was held on January 20. On February 2 the 4th or introductory degree will be presented to those who are new candidates at 7:30 PM, along with the 8th degree. On February 16 will be the 5th degree. A total of 6 degrees will be presented in this fashion.

Contact the Scottish Rite Office (or Paul Friend) on the way to register for the degrees. You must present a petition to be able to join Scottish Rite, then take the above degrees. One the petition is accepted, you will be able to connect with the computer presentations (special procedure to enroll).

SCOTTISH RITE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE NOW!!

The ABBOTT SCHOLARSHIP is available with the following qualifications:

• Must be from a family with a Mason in good standing
• Be a High School Senior – minimum 75 grade average out of 4.00
• A student from a deceased Mason is eligible
• Application due May 1, 2023

The NURSING SCHOLARSHIP is available with the following qualifications:

• Student enrolled in a nursing
• Graduate of a High School in Wayne Scottish Valley County
• Demonstrate
• Family does not need to be connected to family member in
• Application due March 1,

POKAGAN SHRINE CLUB & MIZPAH SHRINE NEWS

POKAGON SHRINE MEETING IN FEBRUARY 2023

The stated meetings of the Pokagon Shrine Club will continue to meet on the third Wednesday of each month. The next stated will be February 15 at Glendarin Golf Course. You are invited to order your meal around 6:15 PM and enjoy fellowship while you eat, with the meeting starting around 7:00 PM.

POKAGON SHRINE CLUB OFFICERS INSTALLED

The Clubs’ leaders for next year will be Jeff Stanford, President and Treasurer and John Tchinski, Secretary. Both served well in 2022 and will continue another year. The Divan who were present to help celebrate the Shrine year and install the officers for 2033 were (in picture l to r) Brooks Targgart, High Priest; Keith Jacobson, Oriental Guide; President Jeff Stanford; Secretary John Tchinski; and Potentate Jeffrey Baumgardner.

MIZPAH SHRINE CIRCUS CANCELLED FOR MOST

With the weather conditions last week, most schools had a two hour delay, thus the Circus was a great disappointment in that most were not able to attend. The plans will be to double up in 2024 and take the 4th and 5th graders. Prairie Heights did not have a school delay and were able to attend.

POKAGON SHRINE CLUB OFFICERS FOR 2023 ARE:

Jeff Stanford                     - President/Treasurer John Tchinski       - Secretary

Ashley Chapter #229

Meets on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday in Ashley Lodge .

Spencerville Chapter #386

Meets on the 1^st Thursday in Spencerville. Dinner at 6:30 PM with meeting at 7:00 PM.

Masonic members and your ladies should inquire with Phyllis Gaff if you wish to join one of these Chapters.