Prepare for the Future –Academic 2023 BOWL

By Herman Albers

The 39th annual Masonic Academic Bowl is now registering schools for participation and all lodges are asked to support their local school or schools.

The dates of the tournament are:

Sectionals -- Saturday February 18, 2023, at locations to be determined throughout Illinois.

State Finals - Saturday March 4, 2023, at Bloomington High School.

The program was started for several reasons, not the least of which was to provide positive recognition for academic excellence. Another primary reason was to get lodges out of their buildings and into the community by recognizing student achievement through their scholar bowl programs. By contacting schools, coaches, and parents, Masons could become more visible to the community and to young adults who are the leaders for the next generation.

In early October, all lodges were sent a letter explaining the program and asking it to participate in the program. If you need a copy of the letter, talk to your lodge officers, or contact the chairman (albers@htc.net). More information on the tournament, its history, and format are available at the website (academic bowl.org).

Sponsorships consist of several parts. Financially, a full sponsorship for a school in the tournament is $150. If a lodge cannot sponsor a school fully, partial sponsorships are recognized. Two lodges can partner to provide sponsorships for a school and a lodge can sponsor more than one school. The lodge remittance form is available on the Grand Lodge website (ilmason.org) or via the committee chairman.

Lodge sponsorship of a school, however, means more than just financially supporting the program. It means lodge members are encouraged to contact the school principal, contact the coach, meet with team members, and demonstrate that they are interested in their school and program. One of the best ways to show support is to attend the Sectional Tournament in February for your school(s). Be on site. Shake the hands of the coach and team members. Tell them who you. Tell them who you are representing. Show them that Masons are interested in their school and their program. I urge you and your brethren to invest a few hours on a Saturday in our youth’s future. They will be impressed with you, and you will be impressed with them.

Another part of the program is to get schools involved. All schools with scholar bowl programs were sent an invitation to register in September. As the website shows, about sixty schools have currently registered. The deadline for registering is January 10, 2023. Some coaches will not register until the deadline looms. Some coaches will register at the next opportunity. Some coaches need a gentle reminder from a local Mason to email the registration form to the chairman.

The school coach must register the team; a lodge cannot register a school. Masons are urged to check the website and if their local school is not registered, contact the school, coach, or principal, and ask them to get involved in the tournament. There is no cost to the school. If you need help, contact the Academic Bowl Committee member in your area. The contact by local Masons is a huge part of making this program successful.

With the longevity of this program and about three hundred schools participating annually, the Masonic Academic Bowl program provided by the Grand Lodge is an effective way for Lodges and Masons to become more visible and involved. The Academic Bowl Committee urges you and your lodge to be effective in your community. Your school and your lodge will be better for it.

W.B. Herman Albers, Academic Bowl Chairman

Robert Leroy Minor Harmony 3

Johnny Arthur Wagner New Boston 59

Wilbur Julius Jahr Doric 319

Ernest Edward Hoffman Maroa 454

Lenord K. Hensel Constellation 974

Jack Ray Reynolds Stephen Decatur 979

George J Toscas Hellenic 1084

Constantine Nicholas Kangles Clarence P. Schwarz 1163

Victor Joseph De Croix Morton 352

Finley Arthur Hauck Princeville 360

Roland Albert Hassebrock Douglas 361

Ivan Leroy Gunter Ashmore 390

Larry Dean Wood Bethalto 406

Jim Hewitt Paxton 416

Jeffrey Lynn Rowan Makanda 434

William Frank La Vres Chicago 437

Donald Ray Sheldon Cave-In-Rock 444

Eugene Bernard Pollock Bromwell 451

Francis Eugene Asselmeier Columbia 474

Dale Jack Sandelin Pleiades 478

Thorkil Winther Pleiades 478

Keith Frank Fencl Pleiades 478

Gary Dean Henson Alma 497

Paul Clifford Polete Murphysboro 498

Paul Eldon Hemken Madison 560

Walter Leon Wilhite Madison 560

Richard Earl Melvin Frankfort 567

Darius George Monken O'Fallon 576

Richard Lee Card Rock River 612

Dan William Chappell Manteno 636

William Henry Lilly Greenland 665

Roger Dean Brandt Erie 667

Gerald Lee Freeborn Buffalo Prairie 679

Roger Lee Ellingson Orangeville 687

Chris Allen Thompson Herrin's Prairie 693

Ervin Edward Kumm Gibson 733

Lowell Theodore Bell Morning Star 734

Terry Lee Miller Sesser - Goode 744

James Arthur Williamson Crete 763

Marvin Eugene Rentfrow George A. Sentel 764

William Alan Margeson Azure La Grange 770

James Louis White Ridgway 816

Leroy Edward Hansen Grove 824

George Henry Warriner III Mazon 826

James Odell Cobb Triple 835

Loring H Kohrt Silvis 898

John Richard Boland Elmhurst 941

James Irving Dahle Elmhurst 941

John Arthur Cella Elmhurst 941

Wayne Everett Williams Stephen Decatur 979

Robert Dean Watson Stephen Decatur 979

Terry Lee Elliott Anchor 980

Larry Gene Quick Anchor 980

Kenneth Craig Thompson Paul Revere 998

Delbert Ray Jeralds Hurst 1004

Jack Dean Scoville Emeth 1030

Louie Cross Zeigler 1048

Alan Lloyd Minton Zeigler 1048

Stanley Clark Link Wood River 1062

William Lee Heylek Villa Park 1113

Michael Leslie Budde Argo-Summit 1133

Aldon J Allen Hilton 1143

Edward David Ramsey Springfield 4

Ray Thomas Lusk Jr Macomb 17

Lee Odell Myers Mt. Vernon 31

William Forrest Freeman Olive Branch 38

Samuel Boyd Smith Herman 39

Emmett Franklin Roth Occidental 40

Carl Robert Berry Jr Bloomington 43

Richard Arthur Kangas Temple 46

Michael Eugene Sissom Caledonia 47

Marlin C Walker Unity 48

Harmon Presswood Chester 72

Phillip Dean Cochran Prairie 77

Randall William Sutton Prairie 77

Robert Henry Brinkerhoff Prairie 77

Terence Eric Cracknell Waukegan 78

Larry Gene Harbison White Hall 80

Donald Ray Parr Metropolis 91

John Charles Tice Samuel H. Davis 96

Richard Leon Seagraves Taylor 98

James Martin Bittle Rockford 102

Donald Gantz Devonshire Rockford 102

Neal Eugene Isbell Lancaster 106

Clyde Morgan Stokes Jr Anna-Jonesboro Masonic 111

Thomas Parker Strawn Mound 122

Rodney William Miller Empire

George Allen Greenwell Marshall 133

Henry David Newkirk De Kalb

Ronald Orren Williams Delavan

Alan J. Robel McHenry

Merle Edward Clucas Star in the East

Mark Quentin Schild Star in the East

Robert Bing Wells Lena

Larry Allen Buchenau Lena

Larry Allen Friese Lena

William Henry Miller Staunton

Dale Franklin Thayer Fulton City

Gary Vernon Isbell Farmington

Donald Robert Zessin Farmington

Craig Eugene Alcorn Centralia

Lewis White Flora

Albert Allen Gray Wilmington

Terry Leroy Smith

Ronnie Joe Horwedel Ipava

Daryl Fredric Notzke George Washington 222

Ross Brooks Baer George Washington 222

William Dale Chamness Cairo 237

Larry D. Buhrmester Western Star 240

Glenn E. Thomas Western Star 240

Glenn Edward Rinkel Illinois 263

Gary Wayne Palmer Genoa 288

Louis Gail Hummel Prophetstown 293

Delbert Keith Clayton Doric 319

Michael Wayne Williams Sr Doric 319

Lonnie Keith Devin Flat Rock 348

By Ed Walker

How active is your Lodge in communicating with your members and widows? Do you wish participation was greater than what you are experiencing today? Your Grand Lodge offers two very successful programs that have helped many Lodges, not only to maintain what they have now, but enables the Lodge to grow and keep members interested in Lodge activities and community involvement.

Ask your secretary about the Call-Em-All program that many Lodges are using on a regular basis to inform members of Lodge activities. The second program is called OurLodgePage, a free website that each Lodge has access to post events in your Lodge calendar, post new stories or items of interest to members, can also be used to pay dues online.

Again, if your Lodge is not using either of these programs, find out why and get going on enhancing your Masonic heritage.

R.W.B. Ed Walker, Editor

By Christopher J. Campbell

This is a story of how Arcola Lodge No. 366, a small-town lodge with extremely limited funds but lots of positive thinking, built a valuable Masonic and Community asset. When I first heard this story of how the Arcola Masonic Community Center came to be, I was intrigued and knew I had to share it with my Masonic Brothers. I met with WB Gary Doemelt and WB Zach Doemelt in early June 2022; this is their story.

Prior to the mid-1980s, the Arcola Masonic Lodge was housed at 108 1/2 East Main Street. WB Gary Doemelt was the Worshipful Master at that time. The lodge met upstairs, up thirty-three stairs in fact, above an insurance agency. The Lodge owned the building, and the insurance agent who rented the ground floor, Brother D. Lindenmeyer, was a member of the Arcola Lodge. In the early 1980s, the members of the Lodge realized that they would need to do something about the building; it was constantly in need of repair and those repairs were not always completed due to lack of funds. Almost every lodge has the same concerns: not enough money and not enough volunteers to do what is necessary.

In 1984, the lodge held an event, the purpose lost to memory, with the ladies from the local Methodist Church providing the meal. Moving people, food, and everything else up and down the thirty-three stairs, in an old building constantly needing repairs made it clear this building would need a lot of upgrades to serve the Lodge and the community. At a Stated Meeting shortly after this event, WB Doemelt asked the Lodge, “So, what do we do?” He mentioned the idea of establishing a building fund and of eventually moving out of the old building. To contribute to this building fund, it was suggested that those men who did not have close family could leave funds to the building fund in their wills. At the time, Arcola Lodge No. 366 had 106 members, approximately ten who regularly participated.

The adjacent building housed a photography studio on the ground floor and space used by the Lodge for kitchen and dining on the second floor. When its owners, the unmarried Thompson sisters, died, they left their building to the Lodge. Brother D. Lindenmeyer, the insurance agent on the first floor, made a fair market offer to buy the building and the Lodge voted to accept. The Lodge sold the building, including the adjacent

Thompson building, to Brother Lindenmeyer with an informal agreement that the Lodge could use the upstairs lodge areas if they covered utilities and insurance. Brother Lindenmeyer passed away in June 1995. After several years, his heirs were unable to continue to make the needed repairs to the building and to allow the Lodge to continue to occupy the building rent free. The Lodge needed to act!

By early 2013, the lodge was meeting in the break room at Doemelt’s machine shop east of downtown Arcola. At this time, the building fund was approximately $180,000; not enough to build a new building, but a lot of money to give away to another lodge or to Grand Lodge. The Lodge members could not reach a consensus of which other Lodge to join and could neither reach a consensus on whether to or how to disburse the building fund monies. WB Doemelt was again the Master. They were faced with several unattractive options: repair the existing building, move into another building, or close the Arcola Lodge and join another area lodge. WB Doemelt said, “I did not want to be the Master who closed the Lodge after 153 years”.

A core group of half a dozen or so of the Lodge membership then numbering forty-two decided to lead an effort to build a new building. These members were mostly retired, and many were or had been businessmen. They began to ask each other, “What can you do to contribute?” Building a new lodge building was a daunting challenge. This Lodge’s journey was not a carefully mapped out, scripted trip from point A to point B. Throughout the process there were revisions, setbacks, and many skeptics. Much of the planning and many of the ideas were developed over coffee at a local coffee shop, or beers at a local pub. In conversation and brain storming, the members hit upon a possible answer. They would make the public aware of their objective and keep the local community of Arcola up to date on their plans. With help from Editor Chris Slack, the Lodge shared their progress through weekly articles in the Arcola Record-Herald. Businesses and organizations in Arcola, a farming community of 3,000, stepped up and contributed.

How does a Lodge of a few dozen members, in a city of 3,000, raise well over $300,000 for a new building? It took work. The members of the Lodge wrote letters to hundreds of businesses, knocked on doors, asked for funds. WB Doemelt said that there were a few who promised support but failed to deliver. More surprising, though, were those who one would never expect to give a dime, but who gave generously. The Lodge knew that people are not apt to contribute to a cause without some benefit to themselves. So, the Lodge decided this new building would not be the Arcola Masonic Lodge, but the Arcola Masonic Community Center. A community center was an idea that elicited much more support. If other organizations would be welcome to use the building, contributing made much more sense.

Inside the new Lodge building, there is a wall facing the front doors, off to the right. Known as the Arcola Lodge Appreciation Board, it catches the eye immediately as one enters the building. On this wall are 106 names of individuals and organizations etched in bright blue anodized aluminum. Each name represents a contribution of $1,000 or more to the building fund. Doemelt will not say how much more but did note that many contributors donated far more than $1,000. He further said that every one of the 106 names on the wall represents a story. A story of respect or sacrifice or fraternity. In observance of the Lodge’s and contributors’ wishes, those stories will remain private.

Donations were not limited to cash; Doemelt estimates 80% of the building materials were donated. The local Rotary Club donated a floor buffer. The security system was donated. All the general labor was donated, much by members of the Lodge, but also including members of the Arcola community. Some specialty skills, however, were hired and paid out of the building fund.

Several Masons left monies to the building fund in their wills. Some of these are:

One Brother, a market owner named Raymond, left a sizable sum. When Raymond agreed to leave his inheritance to the building fund, he shook his finger in WB Doemelt’s face, and said “I expect you not to squander my money!” Advice the Lodge would follow. Raymond passed away in 1993, and true to his promise ten years previously, his will left $70,000 to the Arcola lodge building fund.

Another brother, known as ‘Dutch,’ left $6,500. Then there was WB Eugene ‘Shammy’ Shambarger; he was a Past Master of Arcola Lodge and served as Chaplain in 2013. His story is one of many miracles that show The Grand Architect of the Universe smiles favorably upon Masonry. Three Lodge meetings in early 2013 were pivotal for the Lodge for it was during this period that Shammy’s contribution to the new Masonic Community Center was realized. The Lodge had purchased a life insurance annuity on him since he was considered a key member of the Lodge.

Shortly after the Lodge started meeting at the machine shop, Shammy, now in his eighties, had fallen on tough times, both financially and due to failing health. WB Doemelt related that during the first Lodge meeting in 2013, Shammy appeared visibly moved and asked God for a way to contribute. While shopping shortly after that meeting, he suffered a heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was successfully treated. He told the Lodge that during his attack, he saw a hand in front of his face, and heard a voice saying, “it is not yet your time.” Two months later, on the morning of the third Lodge meeting, Shammy suffered another heart attack and died. The life annuity had matured a mere six days before his death. The Lodge lost a long-time and treasured Brother, but the building fund benefited from a sizable addition paid out from the annuity.

Building a New Building

The building needed a location. The City of Arcola contributed vacant property at 111 S. Locust Street. The Lodge secured the assistance of retired Douglas County judge, RW Brother Frank Lincoln, a member of Tuscola Lodge 332, for much of the legal assistance. Interestingly, RWB Lincoln’s grandfather had owned an auto dealership at that location when Lincoln was a young boy, and for RWB Lincoln it was a sometime playground.

Construction began with clearing the site in 2013. The building opened five years later, on April 17, 2017. With a large commercial kitchen, it provides the ability to cook meals for large groups; however, WB Doemelt says he is most proud of the soft serve ice cream machine. The kitchen includes two commercial freezers, a large commercial refrigerator, an ice machine, cooking appliances, and sinks for clean-up. Most of the kitchen furnishings were purchased out of the building fund.

Not all of what we see there was donated or covered by the building fund. The Lodge still needed to borrow $75,000. That mortgage, though, is being paid off well in advance, and the Lodge expects it to be fully repaid in mid-2024.

The building name, topping the front covered porch, reads Arcola Masonic Community Center. Sure, the square and compass appears on the front of the building, but this is not solely a Masonic Lodge. In fact, unlike some other lodges, there is no dedicated Lodge room. The lodge furnishings and materials are stored in a secured room, and due to clever planning and organization, can be set up for Lodge meetings in six minutes. The building dimensions are sixty-four feet by 112 feet, not including the covered porch on the front (west) side. Most of the space is dedicated to the large, open, meeting room. The floor is polished concrete, to reflect its multi-purpose use. Tables and chairs, providing seating for 250, are kept stored on built in racks and rolling racks in a closet in the northeast corner, in line with the kitchen.

Regular users, in addition to the Lodge, which meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM, include the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Both contributed to the building, and both contribute an annual fee for use. The Chamber of Commerce holds dances, and youth groups and church groups hold events in the building. When COVID vaccinations were being offered to large groups, the Arcola Masonic Community Center was where they were administered.

The Lodge has grown from forty-two members in the early days of this journey to seventy-eight members today. Despite almost double the number, however, WB Doemelt observes there is no way a Lodge can survive on dues alone, no matter how high. He says, “This building takes funds, and lots of them, to remain open each month. To keep that operating, it must be thought of and run like a business. It needs income to support its expenses.”

The Arcola Lodge holds several fund raisers, which in addition to the rental and ongoing contributions from users, keeps the building open. Arcola holds an annual Broom Corn Festival each summer; the Lodge participates as a vendor, serving drinks, ice cream, and other snacks. Each March, the Lodge holds a raffle with 31 days of prizes, worth at least $100 a day. Twice a year, the Lodge has a drive-through pork dinner; local citizens can drive up and receive a full pork dinner, prepared in the building’s large kitchen, which is up to the task.

WB Doemelt is justifiably proud of this facility, and what it took to achieve it. He stresses though that it was not one man’s work. There were many who contributed.

• Brothers who believed in the idea, and who left portions of their estates to the building fund

• O thers who left portions of the estate, and who contributed to the old lodge before the new building idea was even raised

• Brothers and other members of the community who provided their labor to work, in planning, preparation, and construction

• Local businesses and organizations who contributed funds, materials, and equipment

• Members of the community who supported and continue to support the building through attending the events held there

There have been too many contributions to name. As Doemelt states, this is not a major success story, and it is not the story of one person. Rather, it is about a Lodge, a group of Brothers who, through their Fraternity and dedication to one another, were able to come together, share a vision, and through that Fraternity and dedication, make that vision a reality.

In this writer’s opinion, Arcola is fortunate to have this Lodge of Masons as part of their community. They have given something valuable back to their community for now and many years to come.

Brother Christopher J. Campbell Junior Deacon, Tolono Lodge No.391

By Bro. Clint Borcky

For 150 years, this Lodge has been tiled.

To say that this year marks a momentous occasion for Herrin’s Prairie Lodge #693 would be putting it lightly. The lodge is not only excited, but also deeply honored to celebrate one-hundred and fifty years since receiving their charter. That means one-hundred and fifty years of history, one-hundred and fifty years of brotherhood, and one-hundred and fifty years of passing on tradition, ceremony, light, and the knowledge that a man may always improve himself in Masonry. In these one-hundred and fifty years, the lodge has suffered through wars, gang activity, death, sickness, riots, massacres, and shootouts (Herrin has not always been the quaint mining-town it is today) and it has always risen to the occasion and stands all the stronger for it. From its first year in 1872, not seven years after the ending of the Civil War, to the present day, the lodge perseveres. From dark days and darker nights, to sparkling light and hope in a torn community. From brothers answering the call of their country and never returning, to brothers helping each other weather the storm, this is Herrin’s Prairie Lodge #693.

Past:

In fall of 1872, the upstairs room of a flour mill was ordered to be cleared out in order to make space for meetings. This mill had been built just ten years prior, the third steam mill in the county, and was operated by William Jasper Pope. It boasted a cotton gin as part of the plant and miller Wiley Blair was brought in to oversee operations upon Pope’s death. There was not much else in the township of Herrin’s Prairie, though it did possess a number of churches, stores, a fourth class post office (with the name Herrin’s Prairie) and a boxed building named Stotlar School. This was, indeed, a prairie after-all and farming was the number one profession in the area. The mills allowed the grain that was harvested in the county to be milled and refined without having to outsource to more urban areas, like St. Louis. This brought work to the area and allowed the town to reach a large enough size that, on October 2nd, 1872, a group of men held the first stated meeting of Herrin’s Prairie Lodge #693.

Dr. Samuel H. Bundy, a preacher at the nearby Gum Springs Church served as the Worshipful Master during that time. Other member’s include his son, William H. Bundy (who would go on to be the last surviving Charter Member upon his death in 1938) and D. R. Harrison, an influential figure in the area. Harrison’s cousin John D. Herrin, who was a merchant in the neighboring town of Carterville and the previously mentioned miller, Wiley Blair, were the first to be initiated into the degree of Entered Apprentice. Other Masons in the area, including Civil War veteran John G. Williams, transferred membership to the newly formed lodge during this period as well. [1]

Fast forward fifty-four years and you’ll arrive in a very different town of Herrin (no longer Herrin’s Prairie, though the lodge opted to keep the extended name). While farming was still a large part of the local economy, field-hands and milling began to give way to coal miners and mine shafts. In 1922, the most horrific labor dispute the country had ever witnessed had culminated in the sleepy community. Strike breakers, or Scabs as they were called, had been massacred at a nearby mine by the strikers themselves. The survivors were rounded up and marched within a block of the Herrin Masonic Temple (the lodge had moved into a room above a store and post office before the large temple was built downtown). Their march would end at the city cemetery, where they would be shot and dumped in shallow graves with no markers. This event was known as the Herrin Massacre. [2]

This tragedy left the community divided for many years, and was still fresh in every citizen’s mind in 1926, when another horrific event would shape the community. A local election had been manipulated by the Ku Klux Klan and results were produced in their favor. The town of Herrin, then a much more callous place, was divided once again. Several events led to the front steps of the Masonic Temple, which was a polling place at the time. Many prominent Klansmen were in the area, attempting to sway voters, when a gunfight broke out. As many as 6 were dead, and many more were wounded on the lawn of the Temple. A bullet fired by a Klansman, missed a resident and lodged itself in the brick of the Masonic Temple wall. According to author Gary DeNeal, “The bullet remained in the concrete for years and, despite efforts at patching, [is] still discernible …” [3]

Scars, even in buildings, tend to fade overtime and time marches on. Most times were good, certainly, though the more disturbing images always seem to cast a shadow on the better days. Herrin’s Prairie Lodge #693 served as a beacon in the community. The lodge saw many young brothers off to face Germany in WWI, Japan and the Nazis in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East, and to this day proudly honors those who served, both brother and stranger.

Time was not kind to the large Masonic Temple in Herrin, and in 2006 it was sold. Anyone can still wander by there today and see the pockmarks left by bullets (only one from the 1926 shootout, more were added later by a man who claimed the Freemasons caused his divorce!) and almost hear the voices lost to memory as they whisper their woes and triumphs. The building is now owned by the Herrin Memorial Hospital and used for record keeping, but it is still a beautiful sight to behold.

With every sad passing comes the possibility for rebirth. It was in this spirit that a new building was built on the opposite end of town. While the new lodge appears quainter, it never ceased in activity. Through the years, thousands of dollars have been raised in the Masonic spirit of bettering the community by bettering its men. Each day is a new chapter in a book that continues to be a page-turner.

Present:

As of 2022, the lodge is more determined than ever to remain a constant in the eyes of our beautiful little city. Herrin’s Prairie Lodge proudly donates to the Herrin’s Prairie Lodge

Scholarship, which is awarded to a student at Herrin High School every year. The lodge recently marched in the Herrin Festa Italiana parade, where a large Square and Compass were on prominent display! An annual fishing derby was proposed by BRO. Jesse Richardson, which is for children under the age of 14 years old. The derby awards prizes for most fish caught and largest fish caught and awards trophies to the winners.

“My favorite event is the kids fishing derby,” states W.M. John Smoot, “I feel that it is a fun way to introduce kids to the outdoors and it is something anyone can do. It has been a great way to connect with the community and provide something for the kids to do.” [4]

This was an incredible event that many people in the city of Herrin now look forward to every year. The lodge is also elated to be sponsoring a Jr. Ball League baseball team and has helped raise money for a youth skeet shooting team that they purchase better equipment.

Food continues to be a driving activity at the lodge as every year multiple breakfasts, lunches and dinners are hosted. From mostaccioli to biscuits and gravy. From the most tender pork steak you’ve ever cut into, to soul-warming chicken & dumplings. Herrin’s Prairie #693 is always cooking and using food as a way to show the city citizens that the lodge is a warm and welcoming place.

Light, and further light, is also a staple for the brothers of the lodge. It is not uncommon to see members from the Masonic lodge in Herrin, turn up at degree work all over Southern Illinois. W.M. Smoot stated that, “2022 has been about rebuilding. We have worked to provide many opportunities in different areas because everyone joins for a different reason and we want everyone to be able to receive the light they desired when they first joined.”

We are also happy to work alongside other Masonic organizations such as Rainbow Girls, Order of the Eastern Star, and The Widow’s Sons

The Illinois Freemasonry (Pub. #1014-655) is published four times a year (February, May, August, November) by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois. Subscription rate is $1.00 per year. The offices of publication and headquarters and general business offices of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois is 2866 Via Verde, Springfield, IL 62703. The sole owner of the publication is the Most Worshipful Grand Loge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois at the address listed above. There are no known bondholders, mortgage or other security holders.

MC. Recently, the Lodge in Herrin also started acting as the annual meeting facility for the local Swords of Bunker Hill chapter and hope to partner with many more organizations in the future.

As with all things, the future of Herrin’s Prairie Lodge #693 will remain uncertain. Only the passing of time can reveal the work, the fellowship, the community involvement, the laughter, the tears, the education, the light, the commitment, and the hope that will continue to flourish amongst the brothers here. Members desire that the Lodge remains a beacon of hope for men looking to improve themselves in Masonry, and this is echoed in the words of W.M. John Smoot when he says, “I hope the lodge continues to promote the basic principles of Freemasonry and expands [it’s] participation in the community.” The lodge looks forward to celebrating their sesquicentennial in style and look to the east for all that is to come.

Here’s hoping for another 150 years of seeing that the Lodge is tiled.

By John Evans and Dave Hutt

The Brethren of Edwardsville Lodge No. 99 are on the move. After the dense fog of the pandemic season, the membership wanted to start having fundraiser breakfasts once again. The decision was made as a Lodge to make our efforts more visible in the community of Edwardsville/Glen Carbon. It was decided that the proceeds of our fundraising efforts should be forwarded to worthy organizations in our community. The overarching goal was to get individuals from the community into our Lodge besides the usual lodge member.

The first event we had in April was earmarked to benefit the Glen Ed Food Pantry. The director of that community organization was invited to attend the Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast and pass out information about what they do. The event was well attended both by Masons and the community, including the Mayor of Edwardsville and at least one Alderman. In conjunction with Branch No. 14 of the Western Catholic Union, the breakfast served over fifty people, raised $352, and collected 195 pounds of can goods and non-perishable food items. The amount raised was matched by Branch No. 14 in the amount of $250 making the total $602. This amount along with the collected food items were presented to the Glen-Ed Pantry on May 13, 2022.

June’s breakfast named “Faith in Action”, a local faithbased group that aids the elderly in the community, as the beneficiary of our labors. For the first time in recent memory, there were more non-Masons than Masons in our Lodge. The June 18th event raised $588 with the proceeds presented on June 24, 2022.

(Photo)

Our most recent breakfast was held on July 16 to benefit the Scottish Rite’s Children’s Dyslexia Center. This time, we invited BSA Troop 216 to offer a service opportunity for any Scouts that wanted to participate. The final donation total reached $1115, and a request has been submitted to IMCAP to request any matching funds they are able to supply.

The energy of Edwardsville Lodge No. 99 has been amplified by the summer’s activities, and future community beneficiaries have been selected for the upcoming fund-raising activities.

W.M. John Evans – Worshipful Master and Brother Dave Hutt - Treasurer Edwardsville Lodge No. 99