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

March 2023 EDITION

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 IN NEED OF BOOKSHELVES

Angola Lodge member Nate Fultz is donating his military history library to the lodge. He has over 600 books but the Lodge lacks bookshelves. If you have a bookshelf not in use please consider donating it to the Lodge. One shelf is already in place of Colonial USA. The books have pocket cards so you sign out to read at home. Those who would like a listing of the books, call Nate at 260-243-8660 or email him at nwfultz@yahoo.com.

Concord Lodge #556

Concord Lodge and the Spencerville Order of the Eastern Star hosted another Veterans Court on February 9, with another veteran graduating from the program. The purpose of the program is to take Veterans who have been charged with a wrong to have that charge lifted if they complete a series of programs. It has been a very successful program for DeKalb County.

Pictured above is Judge Kurt Grimm (member of Concord Lodge) with Masonic member Jim Rosenbury. Jim was surprised with a certificate presented to the Lodge for hosting the program. A large number of Veterans have graduated over the past five years.

Individuals are allowed to view the court proceedings. They usually start at 2:00 PM and conclude around 3:30 PM. Future Veteran Courts will be announced for you to be able to attend.

Brother Ford Hudson will receive his 50 year of gold on March 14. Dinner at 6:00 PM with stated meeting starting at 7:30 PM.

Concord also sponsors the Riverdale Youth League for softball and baseball. Concord Lodge is printed on the jerseys and outfield fence.

ONE DAY BLUE LODGE CLASS ON APRIL 22 IN FT. WAYNE

lue Lodges are eligible to participate in a one day class for candidates to receive all three Blue Lodge Degrees, the Scottish Rite 4th degree and Mizpah Shrine cold sands. All require separate petitions. If interested nominees petitions need to be presented at Lodge March stated meetings, so they can be voted upon at the April Stated meetings. The class will be to honor Richard Lentz, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Indiana.

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.

ASHLEY LODGE LODGE #614

Ashley Lodge will hold a Master Mason degree on Thursday, March 23. The evening starts with a meal at 6:00 PM, followed by the degree at 7:00 PM. Keep this on your calendar. Several Steuben County Masons have been asked to assist with the work.

LEO LODGE #224

Thursday, March 2 – Stated meeting – Dinner at 6 - Meeting at 7 Thursday, March 9 – degree work – Dinner at 6 – Degree work at 7 Saturday, March 11 – Pancake breakfast 7:00 to 10:30 AM Thursday, March 16 – degree work – Dinner at 6 – Degree work at 7 Thursday, March 23 – degree work – Dinner at 6 – Degree work at 7 Thursday, March 30 – degree work – Dinner at 6 – Degree work at 7 Thursday, April 6 – Stated meeting – Dinner at 6 – Meeting at 7

Members urged to bring your family to enjoy food and fellowship at these meetings.

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 of Angola Lodge #236, since the Lodge was chartered in 1858.

Finding these Past Masters is a great challenge. We 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 SeelEy in 1937. WHO OUT THERE CAN HELP??

A more recent Past Master is – ARTHUR BISHOP IN 1949.

We cannot find the first clue of his background or family. Since some of the older generation out there were around in the 1940’s and 1950’s, someone ought to have a clue of where he worked or know of his children (if any). Please help!

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, March 2. Meal at 6:15 PM. Meeting at 7:00 PM. York Rite will open on the Council, with Benton Davis presiding as Illustrious Master. Officers be prepared to open the Council.

FIRST WEEKEND OF 2023 TRI-STATE FESTIVAL LAST SATURDAY

Angola York Rite members put on the Most Excellent Master Degree. Pictured are (l to r): Jay Minick, Paul Friend, Dan Ernsberger, Jimmie Milleman, Mike Anderson and Glen Rogers. Not pictured but in the cast were: Brant Moore and Benton Davis.

Nate Fultz of Angola Lodge joined York Rite at the event.

Pictured below are the new members of local York Rite Chapters and Councils from Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. You see the 40 new members in the class.

Indiana had candidates who joined the Angola, Auburn, Ft. Wayne and Elkhart York Rite bodies. Candidates were also present from Ohio and Michigan, who joined York Rite in their respective States.

There were six degrees presented – of which 4 were in Chapter and 2 in Council. The festival will conclude on March 4 in Bryan Ohio when the Orders of the Commandery will be presented.

Pictured below are the candidates and current York Rite members from Indiana. The candidates are seated and dispersed among current Indiana York Rite Masons. Among those present include active York Rite members from northern Indiana York bodies and several current and past Grand Line Officers of York Rite.

50^TH ANNIVERSARY TRI-STATE FESTIVAL COIN

This coin was struck to help commemorate the 50^th year of the Tri-State Festival in 2023. The Festival started in 1974 and has rotated its’ venue in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.

Current York Rite members or collectors of coins, will be able to purchase the coin at the festival or from active York Rite members in your community.

YEOMEN OF YORK – INDIANA PRECEPTORIES

ANGOLA YEOMEN OF YORK PRECEPTORY #2

TO MEET AT TRI-STATE FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, MARCH 5

The Angola Yeomen of York members are now the organizers of the Tri- State Festival, since the membership of this group of distinguished Masons are from the three states and is the natural organization to easily plan the event.

The Yeomen of York will meet at 10:45 PM at Bryan Lodge #215, on March 4, the location of the second day of the 2023 Tri-State Festival. The Lodge is located at 117 North Lynn Street, Bryan OH. There will be a short meeting to discuss future Masonic work and possibly take in new members.

The Festival on March 4 will include coffee and donuts starting at 8 AM, the Order of the Red Cross starting at 9 AM; Order of Malta (short form) starting at 10:15 AM; a noon meal; and the Order of the Temple starting at 12:15 PM. The day should end no later than 3:30 PM.

YEOMEN OF YORK PRECEPTORY CHARTERED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

The Grand Preceptory of Indiana has now gone international when a new Preceptory – Albion Preceptory #17 recently formed. It is located in the United Kingdom and recently received its’ official charter.

The photo shows (l to r) Mike Doxsee KYCH and member of Angola Preceptory #2; Simon Polkinghom, KYCH and Primus Knight Director General of Albion Preceptory; Graham Hancock, KYCH; Paul Johnston, KYCH and Grand Master of the Masonic Order of Athelstan; and Michael Anderson, KYCH and Deputy Grand Director General of the Indiana Grand Preceptory, Yeomen of York.

SCOTTISH RITE VALLEY – FT WAYNE

NEXT VALLEY EVENTS – STATED MEETINGS

The next Scottish Rite stated meeting is on Tuesday March 14. It will be held at the Ft. Wayne Mizpah Shrine 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

Master Masons are encouraged to join Scottish Rite. One must petition the Ft. Wayne Valley through a current Scottish Rite member. (Paul Friend will be glad to assist you to petition). 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 (at home on your computer). The first in the series were held in January and February but will continue in March. A total of 6 degrees will be presented in this fashion. Once your petition is accepted, you will be given a code to enable for you to watch the degrees:

The next four presentations will be as follows:

March 2 – 9th degree – Master of the Temple March 16 – 7th degree – Provost and Judge March 30 – 14th degree – Grand Elect Mason April 13 – 21st degree – Patriarch Noachite

To join Scottish Rite, contact the Scottish Rite Office (or Paul Friend) on the procedure to register for the degrees. You must present a petition.

Once the petition is accepted, you will be able to connect with the computer presentations (special procedure to enroll).

SCOTTISH RITE SCHOLARSHIP 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 2.75 grade average out of 4.00

A student from a deceased Mason is eligible

Application due May 1, 2023

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 meeting will be on March

• 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 (third from left), President and Treasurer and John Tchinski, Secretary (fourth from left). Both served well in 2022 and will continue another year. The are pictured with the Divan who installed them in December.

MIZPAH SHRINE

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.