Issuu

CARRIED THROUGH

OREGON MASONIC NEWS

APRIL 2026

EXECUTIVE

Holly Darling OMN@oregonfreemasonry.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Marc L. Strong

Carl D. Thompson

Michael D. Robinson

Neily M. Cooper, III

Gregory A. Hinkelman TO

Moments That Matter

Spring seems to have sprung early in Oregon, and with it comes a sense of excitement as our Masonic year continues to fly by. We are quickly approaching our 176th Annual Communication in Salem, to be held at the Grand Hotel and Convention Center, details are on page 10. I look forward to seeing many of you there to enjoy fellowship and share the passion. Bring your best boots and hats for the Western-themed Fellowship Banquet on Thursday night!

Th is year has been both busy and deeply rewarding. Visiting Lodges across Oregon, sharing meals, and enjoying warm hospitality with Brothers and their families has been a highlight. Grand Lady Lanni and I are truly grateful for the kindness, wonderful meals, and thoughtful planning we’ve experienced everywhere we have gone.

April will be especially full, with several major events, including Grand York Rite, the Baker Valley Scottish Rite Reunion, DeMolay Hall of Fame inductions, and the Grand Masters’ Trip to Washington, D.C.

The Grand Master's Trip to Washington DC is an event we schedule and attend once every five years when Oregon's Masonic Families are on display for all to see. The Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Oregon is the featured jurisdiction at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. We will get to share things we are doing within all of our hardworking Masonic Family organizations with anyone who visits the memorial during the month of April. All of the paraphernalia that each Masonic Family Organization has sent to them will be displayed by the Memorial to capture and promote the many wonderful things our Oregon Masonic Family is involved with. We will be representing Oregon at many events including an Occasional Grand Lodge at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial.

I hope to see many of you along the way to culminate at our 176th Annual Communication. It is an honor and a privilege to have been elected to be the Grand Master for Oregon and the journey is creating many memories as we share our passion for freemasonry with the Masonic Family in Oregon and around then world.

I hope to see many of you along the way to culminate at our 176th keep

Thank you and keep supporting, visiting, and including the Oregon Masonic Family as you Share your Passion across Oregon Freemasonry.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Marc L. Strong

Grand Master

2025-2026

BROTHERHOOD BuildsBETTER MEN

Why Male Mentorship Still Matters Today

By W.B. Carl D. Thompson, Bend Lodge No. 139

Freemasonry provides a space many men today rarely experience: a place to be honest, to be guided, and to grow alongside other men. In a world where male friendship is declining and mentorship is scarce, these spaces matter more than ever.

There is a conversation Freemasonry sometimes finds difficult to have openly. It is the conversation about the importance of men supporting and learning from other men. Often, people hear something different—they hear exclusion, arrogance, or a belief that women are lesser. That is not the intention. This is about human development and the role mentorship and shared experience play in forming character.

For much of recorded history, men participated in organized male settings—trades, military service, guilds, and fraternal groups—where older men guided younger ones.

Not perfectly, not always wisely, but consistently. A boy did not become a man alone. He was corrected, challenged, and held accountable. Today, that environment no longer exists naturally. Many boys grow up with minimal consistent male mentorship, limited to teachers, coaches, or media influences. Few spaces remain where men gather not to compete, perform, or posture, but to teach one another how to live with integrity, restraint, and responsibility. Instead, many men live socially connected yet personally isolated lives.

Freemasonry is not a social club. It is one of the last structured environments where men are expected to improve themselves. Older men counsel younger men. Younger men observe how older men handle loss, anger, success, marriage, fatherhood, and failure. A man can admit weakness without losing dignity because everyone in the room understands the

same struggles. These spaces are male only not to diminish women or mixed spaces, but because the dynamic of conversation changes depending on the setting.

Men behave differently in the presence of women—not worse, just differently. They instinctively perform, protect, impress, or withdraw, often softening admissions and hiding fears. Fears about failing their families, inadequacy as fathers, anger, or doubts about purpose are often easier to voice among men who share similar experiences. Male spaces in Freemasonry allow honesty without embarrassment. A struggling husband can ask another man how he saved his marriage. A young father can admit he is overwhelmed. A man can speak openly about anger, grief, or confusion and be corrected by someone who understands firsthand.

Women have their own spaces where they speak freely, and society rightly recognizes them as healthy and beneficial. Shared experience fosters honest conversation. Men require the same. In today’s world, many may benefit from it more than ever. Male friendship is declining, loneliness is rising, and guidance is scarce. Many men do not lack intelligence or opportunity— they lack formation and mentorship. They lack older men willing to look them in the eye and say, you are capable of more than you are living.

working together, each fulfilling their unique roles. Male formation strengthens the contributions men make in every aspect of life.

I know this not as a theory, but as lived experience. My parents divorced when I was very young. I was raised primarily by my mother, with stepfathers—three in total— and life was always changing. One of those men was a Mason. Both of my grandfathers were Oregon Freemasons. The Craft was around me, but never consistently enough to shape me. I respected it but did not yet understand it.

What I lacked was steady male guidance. I had no place where older men took a real interest in who I was becoming and were willing to correct, encourage, and hold me accountable simply because they cared about the man I would become.

Men are not formed in isolation. They are formed by other men—our Brothers.

Freemasonry provides that structure. It does not replace women in a man’s life; it strengthens how he shows up for them. A good lodge produces better husbands, fathers, and neighbors. A man corrected by other men becomes steadier at home and work, gentler in his relationships. This is not separation—it is preparation.

Society often asks why men struggle with anger, withdrawal, lack of purpose, or emotional isolation, yet questions the environments designed to address these challenges. Removing male-only spaces does not necessarily make men more connected; it may remove the places where mentorship and honesty are most accessible.

The purpose of Freemasonry is the development of men— encouraging growth in character, responsibility, and service so they can contribute positively to families, communities, and society. Strong societies require men and women

When I found Freemasonry, I found what I did not know I needed. Men expected something of me. They gave advice when I asked—and sometimes when I did not. They spoke plainly and honestly. They cared enough to correct me and stand beside me when life was difficult. I found encouragement, counsel, and a kind of brotherly love that exists only between men trying to make each other better.

Freemasonry did not replace my family—it strengthened me for them. It helped me become a steadier husband, a more patient father, and a more thoughtful man. These lessons were not taught in lectures alone, but in conversations, quiet moments after meetings, handshakes, difficult talks, and men simply showing up for one another.

That is what these spaces protect. They are not walls meant to keep women out. They are structures meant to build men up. And when men are built well, the people who benefit most are not the men in the lodge room—it is their wives, children, friends, and communities.

Men still need other men. Sometimes, a man does not realize how much he needed it until he finally finds it. Thank you to all the Brothers who showed up for me and continue to do so. Your guidance and friendship have shaped my life in ways I will always be grateful for.

ACARRIED THROUGH

Origins of the Grand Lodge of Oregon

By W.B. Michael D. Robinson, Esoterika Lodge No. 227

s we embark upon our 175th year, it seems valuable to retell the story of our origins found in texts no longer readily available, but important to all Oregon Masons.

The fi rst newspaper published on the Pacific Coast was printed in Oregon City under the name of “The Spectator”. In the very fi rst issue, February 5, 1846, was printed a call for all Master Masons to meet on February 21, 1846, to adopt some measures to obtain a charter for a Lodge.

Th is call was signed by Joseph Hull, Peter G. Stewart, William P. Dougherty. To these Brethren goes the honor of being the Masonic pioneers of the Pacific Coast. All three

were men of sterling character and leaders in the community.

Seven Master Masons responded to this call. These brethren, after consultation, prepared and signed a petition addressed to the Grand Lodge of Missouri, praying for a charter, authorizing them to establish a regular Masonic Lodge at Oregon City, Oregon Territory, to be named Multnomah Lodge.

There were no mail routes at that time extending across the continent, and it required several months for the pioneers of Oregon to communicate with the nearest settlements in the Mississippi valley. Brother W. P. Dougherty undertook

to secure the sending of the petition to the Grand Lodge of Missouri. He placed it in the care of Brother Joel Palmer, afterward a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 3, who was at the time one of the messengers of the Hudson's Bay Company, between St. Louis and the Pacific Northwest, and he delivered it to Brother James A. Spratt, of Platte City, Missouri. Brother Spratt presented the petition to the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and that body granted a charter on October 19, 1846, to Multnomah Lodge No. 84, which later was chartered as Multnomah No. 1 of Oregon Jurisdiction.

The journey of the charter to Oregon was long delayed, as no travelers were setting forth for Oregon so late in the season. For more than a year the charter awaited transportation to Oregon.

Finally, the opportunity came. Brother B. P. Cornwall was outfitting a party bound for Oregon in the winter at St. Joseph, Mo., and to him Brother Spratt entrusted the charter of Multnomah Lodge in December 1847.

The Cornwell party set out from St. Joseph on the Oregon Trail in April 1848. Only five persons made up the party, and it was too small to travel safely among the hostile Indians. So, Brother Cornwall and his associates lingered at Omaha, Neb., until a large group of Ohioans came along, with whom they journeyed to Fort Hall, near what is now Pocatello, Ida., where they arrived in August 1848. There the trail divided; the southerly branch, leading to California; the westerly, leading to Oregon.

Brother Cornwall and several others, having heard of the discovery of gold in California, decided to seek their fortunes in that country instead of coming on to Oregon, as originally intended: he therefore placed the charter in the keeping of Brothers Orrin and Joseph Kellogg (father and son), of whom he says: "I had tested them and found them to be Master Masons." Brother Joseph Kellogg had with him a small cowhide trunk, which he had made in 1834, and for the greatest possible safety of the charter, he placed it in this trunk, and carefully conveyed it to Oregon City, and delivered it to Brother Joseph Hull, one of the original petitioners.

To Brother Hull goes the distinction of being the fi rst Master of a Lodge west of the Great Plains. When Multnomah Lodge held its fi rst meeting on September 11, 1848, it was the only Masonic Lodge in existence between Mexico and Canada, and the Pacific Coast and East Texas. The Grand Lodge of California was formed in April of 1850, and two more Oregon Lodges were Chartered out of California: Willamette No. 11 in 1850, and Lafayette No. 15 in May 1851 (later No. 2 and No. 3 of Oregon). From these beginnings came the Grand Lodge of Oregon on September 15, 1851, and with that the great influences which come from our beloved Craft took root in Oregon.

Brother Joseph Hull

Brother Joel Palmer

Th e cowhide trunk that carried the original charter resides in the M.W.B. Robert M. Richmond Library and Museum on the Grand Lodge campus in Forest Grove, Ore.

- Coach Scolinos

By Chip Bailey

Submitted by R.W.B. Tracy M. Harris, Grand Chaplain

In 1996, Coach Scolinos was 78 years old, and five years retired from a college coaching career that began in 1948. He shuffled to the stage to an impressive standing ovation, wearing dark polyester pants, a light blue shirt, and a string around his neck from which home plate hung — a full-sized, stark-white home plate.

After speaking for twenty-five minutes, not once mentioning the prop hanging around his neck, Coach Scolinos appeared to notice the snickering among some of the coaches. Even those who knew Coach Scolinos had to wonder exactly where he was going with this, or if he had simply forgotten about home plate since he’d gotten on stage. Then, finally …

“You’re probably all wondering why I’m wearing home plate around my neck,” he said, his voice growing irascible. I laughed along with the others, acknowledging the possibility. “I may be old, but I’m not crazy. The reason I stand before you today, is to share with you baseball people what I’ve learned in my life, what I’ve learned about home plate in my 78 years.”

Several hands went up when Scolinos asked how many Little League coaches were in the room. “Do you know how wide home plate is in Little League?”

After a pause, someone offered, “Seventeen inches?”, more of a question than answer.

“That’s right,” he said. “How about in Babe Ruth’s day? Any Babe Ruth coaches in the house?” Another long pause.

“Seventeen inches?” a guess from another reluctant coach.

“That’s right,” said Scolinos. “Now, how many high school coaches do we have in the room?” Hundreds of hands shot up, as the pattern began to appear. “How wide is home plate in high school baseball?”

“Seventeen inches,” they said, sounding more confident.

“You’re right!” Scolinos barked. “And you college coaches, how wide is home plate in college?”

“Seventeen inches!” we said, in unison.

“Any Minor League coaches here? How wide is home plate in pro ball?” … “Seventeen inches!”

“RIGHT! And in the Major Leagues, how wide home plate is in the Major Leagues?

“Seventeen inches!”

“SEV-EN-TEEN INCHES!” he confi rmed, his voice bellowing off the walls. “And what do they do with a Big League pitcher who can’t throw the ball over seventeen inches?” Pause. “They send him to Pocatello!” he hollered, drawing raucous laughter. “What they don’t do is this: they don’t say, ‘Ah, that’s okay, Jimmy. If you can’t hit a seventeeninch target? We’ll make it eighteen inches or nineteen inches. We’ll make it twenty inches, so you have a better chance of hitting it. If you can’t hit that, let us know so we can make it wider still, say twenty-five inches.’”

Pause. “Coaches… what do we do when your best player shows up late to practice? or when our team rules forbid facial hair, and a guy shows up unshaven? What if he gets caught drinking? Do we hold him accountable? Or do we change the rules to fit him? Do we widen home plate? “

The chuckles gradually faded as four thousand coaches grew quiet, the fog lifting as the old coach’s message began to unfold. He turned the plate toward himself and, using a Sharpie, began to draw something. When he turned it toward the crowd, point up, a house was revealed, complete with a freshly drawn door and two windows. “Th is is the problem in

our homes today. With our marriages, with the way we parent our kids. With our discipline.

We don’t teach accountability to our kids, and there is no consequence for failing to meet standards. We just widen the plate!”

Pause. Then, to the point at the top of the house he added a small American flag. “Th is is the problem in our schools today. The quality of our education is going downhill fast, and teachers have been stripped of the tools they need to be successful, and to educate and discipline our young people. We are allowing others to widen home plate! Where is that getting us?”

Silence. He replaced the flag with a Cross. “And this is the problem in the Church, where powerful people in positions of authority have taken advantage of young children, only to have such an atrocity swept under the rug for years. Our church leaders are widening home plate for themselves! And we allow it.”

“And the same is true with our government. Our socalled representatives make rules for us that don’t apply to themselves. They take bribes from lobbyists and foreign countries. They no longer serve us. And we allow them to widen home plate! We see our country falling into a dark abyss while we just watch.”

“If I am lucky,” Coach Scolinos concluded, “you will remember one thing from this old coach today. It is this: “If we fail to hold ourselves to a higher standard, a standard of what we know to be right; if we fail to hold our spouses and our children to the same standards, if we are unwilling or unable to provide a consequence when they do not meet the standard; and if our schools & churches & our government fail to hold themselves accountable to those they serve, there is but one thing to look forward to …”

With that, he held home plate in front of his chest, turned it around, and revealed its dark black backside, “…We have dark days ahead!”

Freemasonry emphasizes values such as integrity, fr iendship, respect, and service. As Freemasons, we should keep holding the Craft to “Seventeen Inches.”

- Tracy M. Harris, Grand Chaplain

cheers to 100 YEARS

Louie E. Sansing Celebrates Turning 100

By Brother Neily M. Cooper, III, Vista Masonic Lodge No. 215

Very rarely do we get the opportunity to celebrate a century of life with someone we love—and even more rare is celebrating a life so deeply admired by Masons, family, and friends alike. On February 21, 2026, we had the honor of wishing Illustrious Brother Louie E. Sansing a happy 100th birthday. In high spirits, W.B. Sansing shared stories and anecdotes from an extraordinary life.

He recalled his early career as a lineman for the electric company in Portland, Ark., including a memorable climb of a 99-foot pole—so high, he joked, he could see all the way to Portland, Ore.—foreshadowing his lifelong connection to electricity. Over the course of his century, he witnessed monumental changes: the rise of sound fi lms, television, telephones, personal computers, and modern medical advances.

W.B. Sansing’s professional career took electricity to communities around the world, from India to Vietnam, the Philippines, Tunisia, and Indonesia, improving countless lives through his work with electrical co-ops.

Freemasonry has been central to his life: 79 years of service in the Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shrine,

and York Rite have enriched his community at local, state, and international levels. More than two-thirds of his life has been dedicated to building a better world, both professionally and fraternally.

Happy 100th birthday, Illustrious Brother Sansing—a life truly well-lived, admired, and celebrated by all who know him.

To read "Reﬂections on 75 years" an interview with Louie, scan this QR code

The Craft in Conversation

Takeaways from the Conference of Grand Masters

By R.W.B. Gregory A. Hinkelman, Senior Grand Warden

Masters of Masons in North America gathers for several days to discuss issues facing our jurisdictions and Freemasonry as a whole. Th is year’s conference was held in Chicago. The weather was cold but clear, and the Windy City offered only a slight breeze.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & THE CRAFT

The Trustees of the Grand Lodge of Oregon attend this conference annually. Activities began with the Western Conference meeting one day prior to the full conference. The Western Conference includes eleven jurisdictions: Alaska; British Columbia and Yukon; Washington; Oregon; California; Hawaii; Arizona; Baja California; Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California; York Grand

Lodge of Mexico; and, most recently, Alberta, which joined last year. Th is year’s meeting was hosted by the Grand Jurisdiction of British Columbia and Yukon.

Several presentations were given, including California’s “Keystone Initiative,” a leadership program focused on building confident leaders, deepening the Masonic experience, and demonstrating the value of Freemasons within their communities. Arizona also shared how modern technology is being used to enhance the lodge experience.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a recurring theme throughout the conference. Jurisdictions are exploring how these tools can assist with research, education, and administration. AI can help members locate information within codes or manuals more efficiently and is also being tested as a support tool for officer education programs.

Another area of interest is outreach. As communication increasingly shift s toward digital and social media platforms, some jurisdictions are using AI-driven analytics to better understand and reach men who primarily interact through online channels.

While the presentations were informative, one of the most valuable aspects of the conference is the fellowship and networking it provides. These gatherings allow leaders from across North America to share experiences, discuss challenges, and strengthen friendships within the Craft . Those connections make the conference both productive and rewarding. I look forward to continuing those conversations next year in Kansas City.

AI was a recurring topic as jurisdicti ons explore how new technology can support the work of Freemasonry.

Areas of interest include:

RESEARCH & REFERENCE –

Helping members quickly locate informati on in codes, consti tuti ons, and manuals.

MASONIC EDUCATION

– Assisti ng with oﬃ cer training, study materials, and educati onal resources.

ADMINISTRATION – Supporti ng communicati on, document preparati on, and organizati on.

OUTREACH & ANALYTICS –Analyzing digital engagement and helping lodges bett er connect with men in today’s online environment.

While sti ll developing, many jurisdicti ons see AI as a practi cal tool that can support lodge operati ons while preserving the traditi ons and personal connecti ons that deﬁ ne Freemasonry.

176 TH

GRAND LODGE COMMUNICATION ANNUAL

JUNE 4 & 5, 2026

SALEM CONVENTION CENTER | SALEM, OREGON

M.W. Grand Master, Marc L. Strong, invites all Master Masons, their spouse, and guests to attend the 176th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Oregon.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2026

Check-in

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Grand Master’s Banquet (By invitation only, formal attire)

6:00 p.m. – No-host Social Hour

7:00 p.m. – Dinner

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026

Check-in

7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Morning Session

7:45 a.m. – Musical Prelude

8:00 a.m. – Informal Opening (All Invited)

10:00 a.m. – Formal Grand Lodge Opening

11:00 a.m. – Ballot Opened

11:30 a.m. – Ladies’ Bingo Lunch 12:00 p.m. – Call to Refreshment

Fellowship Luncheon 12:00 p.m.

Afternoon Session

1:00 p.m. – Call to Order 4:00 p.m. – Call to Refreshment

Fellowship Banquet (All Invited, casual attire) “Cowboy Western” theme

6:00 p.m. – No-host Social Hour

7:00 p.m. – Dinner

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2026

Check-in

8:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Morning Session

7:45 a.m. – Musical Prelude

8:00 a.m. – Call to Order

11:00 a.m. – Ballot Closed 11:30 a.m. – Ladies’ Luncheon (Casual attire)

11:45 a.m. – Election Results Announced

12:00 p.m. – Call to Refreshment

Fellowship Luncheon 12:00 p.m.

Afternoon Session

1:00 p.m. – Call to Order Time TBD – Ritual Closing

Installation of 2026-2027 Oﬃcers (All Invited)

4:00 p.m. – Reception to Follow

Banquets

PGMs, PGMs' Ladies, New Oﬃcers (Three separate banquets. By invitation only. Formal attire)

6:00 p.m. – No-host Social Hour

7:00 p.m. – Dinner

LODGING

For room reservations, you may call The Grand Hotel at (877) 540-7800 or visit the Grand Lodge website www.OregonFreemasonry.com/AnnualCommunication. You will fi nd information about accommodations and a link to take you directly to The Grand Hotel’s special page to make room reservations. There you can select your room type, as well as see the amenities and cost. If calling, be sure to inform them you are with the Masonic Grand Lodge group. Room availability is fi rst come, fi rst served. To receive the group rates, you must make your reservations by Sunday, May 3, 2026

Additional accomodations can be found at the Best Western.

LADIES’ EVENTS

On Thursday, June 4, the ladies will play Bingo and enjoy a Baja buff et lunch.

Casual Dress attire.

On Friday June 5, the Ladies' Luncheon will be a Christmas theme and a BBQ buff et lunch.

For those ladies not attending either of these ladies’ events, you are welcome to join the men during the Thursday and/or Friday Fellowship Luncheons.

MEALS

To make your meal selections online, visit www.OregonFreemasonry.com/ Annual-Communication

Meal tickets will not be sold at the door. Refunds unavailable to those unable to attend.

Oregon Grand Lodge Officers, District Deputies of the Grand Master, and visiting dignitaries will be sent a letter with instructions for signing up for meals online.

Reserved tickets for all meals will be provided in a packet and available for pick-up at the check-in station (open various hours, shown at left).

If you need assistance, please contact the Grand Lodge office no later than Friday, May 22.

THE MASONIC PASSPORT QUEST

Collect twenty or more Lodge seals or signatures in your Masonic Passport, and present it at the 176th Annual Communication to the Grand Lodge staﬀ to redeem.

Oregon Consistory No. 1 of Masters of the Royal Secret cordially invites all Master Masons in good standing

The Scottish Rite

Entered Apprentice

Degree & Feast of The Manifesto

For the ﬁrst time in our rich fraternal history, the Scottish Rite Entered Apprentice degree will be exempliﬁed in the Grand Jurisdiction of Oregon by the District 16 traveling degree team and Germania Lodge No. 46 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Louisiana.

Date & Times

Saturday May 30th, 2026

11am: Doors open

High Noon: Lunch & Feast of the Manifesto

2pm: Scottish Rite Entered Apprentice Degree by Germania Lodge No. 46 of Louisiana

5pm: Fellowship and Social (Scottish Rite Lounge)

Location

Portland Valley Scottish Rite Temple 1512 SW Morrison Street Portland, Oregon 97205

Tickets and a current dues card must be presented upon entry. No exceptions.

Meals and Degree tickets available via Event Brite: https://tinyurl.com/SREA-Manifesto

CELEBRATING

Let's make the 175th anniversary unforgettable—together

� HOST A REGIONAL CELEBRATION

� ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY

� EXCITE YOUR MEMBERS

� ADORN YOUR LODGE

GRAND LODGE SUPPORT

M.W.B. Mark L. Posler Appointed Assistant Grand Secretary

It is with great pleasure that I am able to announce that Most Worshipful Brother Mark L. Posler, P.G.M. has been appointed to the office of Assistant Grand Secretary. Most Worshipful Brother Posler began his duties in mid March.

James L. Morgan P.G.M. R.W. Grand Secretary Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Oregon

"I am looking forward to serving the Fraternity in a new role."

- Mark L. Posler, P.G.M.

Occasional Grand Lodge and Day of Training Held in St. Helens

Following the closed session of the Occasional Grand Lodge at St. Helens Lodge No. 32, the Lodge was opened to the public for a special presentation. M.W.B. Marc L. Strong had the distinct honor of awarding a 50-year jewel to Brother Charles R. Parks of St. Helens Lodge No. 32 in recognition of his longstanding service, dedication and commitment to Freemasonry.

Afterward, the Grand Chapter of Widow Sons, led by Brother Jason “Dizzy” D. Lavery, presented M.W.B. Marc L. Strong with a vest as an honorary member of the organization. In addition, they donated $1,000 to support the Grand Master's chosen charity. This presentation was made possible through the combined efforts of the Eastwind, Hiram, and Sojourner Chapters.

Life Membership Presentation

W.B. Andre J. Cvitanich, Grand Pursuivant, presented Brother Gary E. Fleming, II with a life membership certificate during the March stated meeting at Pacific Lodge No. 50.

Left to right: W.B. Andre J. Cvitanich, Brothers Gary E. Fleming, II, Neily M. Cooper, III, and W.B. Jeremiah T. Pruitt

Rite Works

W.B. Richard S. Nowacki, Western Region Donor Officer for Supreme Council SJ USA, takes a “super-selfie” at the 2026 Rite Works Scottish Rite Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, NV, with a sold out house. For more information about Scottish Rite and philanthropy visit www.ScottishRite.org.

70-Year Jewel

Presented

On January 20, 2026, at Rainier Lodge No. 24, W.B. Mark R. Reed, Senior Grand Deacon, was thrilled and honored to present to 95-year young W.B. Lawrence “Buzz” F. Beck his 70-year jewel and certificate. Buzz was a small business owner in Rainier, Ore. and very active in his community. He became a Master Mason on November 29, 1955 and was Worshipful Master in 1961. The Brothers of Rainier Lodge and his supportive wife Alice were in attendance for the presentation. Cake and fellowship were enjoyed by all.