Printed Every Month 130th Anniversary
February 2020
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1 Ticket $10 - https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr‌ 3 Ticket $20 - https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr‌ Gila Valley is raffling a one of a kind American Flag Feldman Custom knife to benefit their building fund! Brother John Delavan was many things to many people. To one individual, he was a teacher that gave him the skills to provide for his family and to create beautiful works of art. Many years ago Loren Feldman went to our Brother John and asked him to teach him to make knives as he had seen John working on many knives over the years. John jumped at the chance and worked with him for many hours teaching him the finer points of knife making. Delevan went so far as to give Loren his knife making equipment so that he could continue to hone his craft. Loren took the equipment home and started a new career which would take him places he would have never dreamt. Fast forward to know and Loren Feldman produces some of the finest knives in the world. Not only are they beautiful works of art, but they are made from some of the rarest items on earth. Museum quality dinosaur bones, rare gems, and even meteorites have been used in the making of some of his creations. Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 reached out to Feldman Custom knives and obtained one of his finest works, an American Flag themed knife that will surely be the jewel of your collection. He started with a Carbon Damascus Steel blade, known for its strength and beauty and used for the finest of knives. The blade has an American Flag done with mosaic Damascus by famous artist Doug Ponizo from Wisconsin. Doug Ponzio has been Making Damascus Steel in his signature style for well over 20 years. He does not just make Damascus steel, he makes amazing Mosaic Damascus steel also known as Pattern Damascus Steel. Doug is an early riser and in his shop every day, creating one of a kind works of amazing art. Doug Ponzio Mosaic pattern welded Steel is mostly sought after for knife making. Knife makers from all over the globe use his steel to make their knives. Quite simply because he can produce it with exceptional quality and unique patterns. The Hilt is made from Stainless Steel and Chromium for strength and beauty. Making up the Red is giraffe leg bone, dye red. The Blue is Lapis sourced from the mountains of Afghanistan and the White is Marble from Marble, Colorado. From the same mine that the marble used in the Abraham Lincoln Monument in Washington DC was sourced. This is a one of a kind knife that will never be replicated. The retail price of the knife is $3595.
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Hello brethren!
row and start anew. To restratagize and revitalize yourself. As long as your breathing it’s never too late to I hope your new year is starting off well. For those of make yourself better. This is something I always try to you that made new years resolutions, I hope those are keep in mind. Like anyone else , I am full of flaws. all still going strong as well. For those that didn’t, it’s Many bad habits that hold me back from being where I never too late to make a change. The new year does want to be or who I want to be in life. More than most always feel like a fresh new page, an opportunity to enparts of my life, masonry has been the best influence on act all those lofty ideals of losing weight, dropping a habbringing me closer to the man I want to be. Constantly it or beginning a new career. However we don’t really pushing me to be better than I was or more than I am. need a new year to to turn to that new page. It could I know I have a lot of work still ahead of me but with just as easily be a new month, new week or just any new great men like all my brothers of Gila Valley by my side day. to offer advice or whisper helpful criticism, I know I will Most importantly that also means if you did happen to continue to grow. already drop the ball on that magical new year goal, reAs much as I need all of you to aid in my personal jourmember that it’s certainly not too late to wake up tomorney, I also need all of you to help the lodge grow. We are a small lodge, and as such we really need every able body to be able function properly as a lodge. Whatever your passion in masonry may be, we have a need and a spot for you. We need planners, handymen, guys with a charitable heart. We need fund raisers and educators. Mentors and ritualists. I’ve been told by a few guys that people need to be “voluntold" but I just cant buy into that mentality. The guys that actively volunteer to take part in the aspects of lodge that they find rewarding are always more dependable and more likely to excel at their desired task. All of us have already volunteered to be a part of the fraternity, now it’s time to volunteer to help make our lodge, the type of lodge you would be proud to be a part of. It’s a new day brothers, let’s get to work Fraternally,
Anthony Raimondi 2019 Master Gila Valley Lodge No. 9
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As the New Year starts, many people have made resolutions to make changes to their lives. Many only last for a couple weeks and many more don’t even last that long. Many of these revolve around personal fitness or finance.
did not have it last year before your raise. Even the smallest amount each month will add up in time and pay great dividends in the end. Those dividends might be monetary or even emotional. Monetary is great and can help in times where things go sideways, or in many years when you have accumulated a small fortune. The emotional part comes from when you need the money that you have put away and now you have it. The stress that is not even realized by having an emergency fund is unbelievable.
Personal fitness is a great resolution assuming you stick with it. It doesn’t have to be a huge change to make a difference. Getting out and moving, whether that be just walking around the block each night after dinner, can make a huge impact on your physical fitness. Not only that but if you make this a regular thing and include those that join you for dinner (family/friends), it can also have profound and positive effects on your relationship with those folks. By getting out and just walking together you talk about things and learn things you may not have known about each other while improving communications within the house. This will also help with your cardiovascular health so you can enjoy more time in the future with those in your life.
“They” say that it takes the body 2 weeks to figure out a new routine as far as physical fitness or eating habits. It is somewhat the same with changing finances. If you can make it through a few weeks/pay periods with these changes, then the rest is easy because you have developed a pattern or habit.
Both of these types of resolutions are great and can lead to the same result, that of being happier and closer to those you love. Whatever your resolutions may have been I encourage you to stick with them. I hope all of your resolutions are ones that lead to your continued Another major thing people make resolutions about are happiness and a stress free life with those whom you their finances. This too is a great resolution assuming love. you stick with it. If this is the time of year where you re- . ceive a raise, you might want to look into putting half of Fraternally, that raise into some form of an investment or savings. If Eric Smith you make the change now and let it happen, then by the 2019 Senior Warden end of the year you will be used to it. The change in Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 amount being put away will not even be missed as you
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The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association is proud to offer for the 2019 holiday season a beautiful gold and enamel plated ornament: The Working Tool—United in Brotherly Love. This ornament unites several essential Masonic symbols that illustrate the crucial and divine lesson of brotherly love. The triangular frame, topped by the Masonic emblem over a sky blue circle, represents the Fraternity. The raised Trowel is every Master Mason’s primary tool: as the Trowel spreads the cement that unites the many different stones or bricks of a building into a single, strong whole, so Master Masons spread brotherly love to unites men throughout the world. Behind the Trowel shines the Blazing Star, an ancient Masonic symbol of Divine Providence, representing the divine nature of brotherhood. As President, Brother George Washington used an ivoryhandled trowel to lay the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol. Just as the trowel inspires Masons to use brotherly love to overcome their differences, the new American Republic united all the states under the motto E Pluribus Unum, “from many, one.” To order yours, please call 703-683-2007, ext. 2017, or visit our website at http:// gifts.gwmemorial.org/cgi-bin/webdata_gws.cgi?fid=1567624740&query=Category%2B1%3DHoliday% 2BOrnaments%26pagenum%3D1%26cgifunction%3DSearch&cgifunction=form
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EVERY MASON JUST LIKE EVERY MAN HAS FAULT !!! According to the ethics of Freemasonry, it is made a duty obligatory upon every member of the Order to conceal the faults of a Brother; that is, not to blazon forth his errors and infirmities, to let them be learned by the world from some other tongue than his, and to admonish him of them in private. So there is another but a like duty or obligation, which instincts him to whisper good counsel in his Brother's ear and to warn him of approaching danger. This refers not more to the danger that is without and around him than to that which is within him ; not more to the peril that springs from the concealed foe who would waylay him and covertly injure him, than to that deeper peril of those faults and infirmities which lie within his own heart, and which, if not timely crushed by good and earnest resolution of amendment, will, like the ungrateful serpent in the fable, become warm with life only to sting the bosom that has nourished them. Admonition of a Brother's fault is, then, the duty of every Freemason, and no true one will, for either fear
or favor, neglect its performance. But as the duty is Masonic, so is there a Masonic way in which that duty should be discharged. We must admonish not with selfsufficient pride in our own reputed goodness - not in imperious tones, as though we looked down in scorn upon the degree offender - not in language that, by its hardness, will wound rather than win, will irritate more than it will reform; but with that persuasive gentleness that gains the heart - with the allsubduing influences of "mercy unrestrained" - with the magic' might of love - with the language and the accents of affection, which mingle grave displeasure for the offense with grief and pity for the offender. This, and this alone is Masonic admonition. I am not to rebuke my Brother in anger, for I to have my faults, and I dare not draw around me the folds of my garment lest they should be polluted by my neighbor's touch; but I am to admonish in private, not before the world, for that would degrade him; and I am to warn him, perhaps from my own example, how vice ever should be followed by sorrow, for that goodly sorrow leads to repentance, and repentance to amendment, and amendment to joy." - Mackey's Encyclopedia entry on Admonition.
The Pinal County Animal Care and Control is once again full of dogs and needs our help again. Please bring in your old blankets and dog toys for us to donate for our next Stated Meeting!! There will be a box for collection of the donated items! Other items that are needed: Cleaning supplies - Blankets and towels – Peanut butter (xylitol-free) – Pet Food Medicine - Office supplies - Grooming tools 7
The mythical history of Freemasonry informs us that there once existed a Word of surpassing value, and claiming a profound veneration; that this Word was known to but few; that it was at length lost; and that a temporary substitute for it was adopted. But as the very philosophy of Freemasonry teaches us that there can be no death without a resurrection-no decay without a subsequent restoration-on the same principle it follows that the loss of the Word must suppose its eventual recovery. Now, this it is, precisely, that constitutes the myth of the Lost Word and the search for it. No matter what was the Word, no matter how it was lost, nor why a substitute was provided, nor when nor where it was recovered. These are all points of subsidiary importance, necessary, it is true, for knowing the legendary history, but not necessary for understanding the symbolism. The only term of the myth that is to be regarded in the study of its interpretation, is the abstract idea of a word lost and afterward recovered. The Word, therefore, may be conceived to be the symbol of Devine Truth; and all its modificationsthe loss, the substitution, and the recovery-are but component parts of the mythical symbol which represents a search after truth. In a general sense, the Word itself being then the symbol of Devine Truth, the narrative of its loss and the search for its recovery becomes a mythical symbol of the decay and of the true religion among the ancient nations, at and after
the dispersion on the Plains of Shinar, and of the attempts of the wise men, the philosophers, and priests, to find and retain it in their secret mysteries and initiations, which have hence been designated as the Spurious Freemasonry of Antiquity. But there is a special or individual, as well as a general interpretation, and in this special or individual interpretation the Word, with its accompanying myth of a loss, a substitute, and a recovery, becomes a symbol of the personal progress of a candidate from his first initiation to the completion of his course, when he receives a full development of the mysteries.
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Time, Patience, Perseverance Those three words resonate with me more than any other when it comes to accomplishing what I seek. For me Truth is at the forefront of that search. At the conclusion of the 3rd degree the most important presentation is the Bible or Holy Writing’s presentation. Within that Book is where we learn the use of time, patience and perseverance to accomplish that of which we seek. In that search for Truth, one of the most vital for our fraternity is to find the common ground that unites us across this earth. For the Freemason it begins with the Ballot Box. In the Ballot Box lecture you are told that you and you alone are to be the judge of the qualifications of the petitioner. Your judgement along with that of your brothers determines who is accepted into Freemasonry, a Fraternity of Like Minded Men. We obligate ourselves in each degree to aid and assist each other and our families. We are charged to be loyal and law abiding citizens and practice the four Cardinal Virtues. We are also tasked with making ourselves better men and the world we live in a better place.
Now that we understand these Obligations and Charges, the question is how do we come together as Like Minded Men in a time when there is much turmoil and divisiveness in our communities, country and the world we all live in? We all have our own opinions, convictions, moral and ethical standards and we should stay true to them. We have entered a new decade and many challenges remain to deal with in the coming years such as the instability and violence in our world, attacks against the teachings and ideals of Freemasonry, the political arena, the changing demographic of our society and the advancement of technology. Most of these issues have been dealt with by our predecessors in one form or another since the transition from Operative to Speculative masonry. Our forefathers prevailed and Freemasonry survived and continues to be the strongest and oldest fraternity in the world.
ing the patience to listen to our Brethren and the fortitude to persevere will accomplish that which we seek, making ourselves better men and the world a better place. Although we do not discuss politics and religion in our lodge meetings, these issues confront us on a daily basis. How we handle these challenges and the actions we take may well determine our future. May our vision for the future be as clear as the year we have begun (2020).
Jim Baker, 2019 High Priest Globe Chapter No. 7 RAM
By making the time to sit at the table with our Brethren, hav-
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Gila Valley is playing poker for Charity! Bring an item to help a baby and cash for chips and descend upon Bro. Joe Guinn’s house on March 7th at 7pm for another great night of Poker with your Brothers! We are asking that you bring something to donate to Compassion Connect that will help fill their Care Closet. Bring Diapers and or baby wipes! Anything that a baby might need, we want to fill it up! The poker is Texas Hold ‘em and the Cigars are Cuban… or from other tobacco growing counties! There is a pool and hot tub for those so inclined. We will be enjoying pulled pork sandwiches for dinner. $20 initial buy in, rebuys unlimited, cash game. For information, Contact the Poker Commission Bro. Joe Guinn at guinnjoe@gmail.com.
CALIENTE COFFEE CLUB SINCE 1985
First and third Tuesday at 9:00 am Caliente Club House, Florence Arizona
MASONIC CONVERSATION, FELLOWSHIP, and EDUCATION For Information call Dewey at 520.576.2329
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Brethren,
learning and development partnership between someone with vast experience and someone who wants to learn. Interaction with an expert may also be necessary to gain proficiency with/in cultural tools. Mentorship experience and relationship structure affect the "amount of psychosocial support, career guidance, role modeling, and communication that occurs in the mentoring relationships in which the protégés and mentors engage”. Within our 6,000 members we have men in most every vocation, men with most every hobby, and hopefully men volunteering in most every way. Are you getting everything out of Masonry that you should be? There is an old African saying “When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground” and with all respect to the senior men in our Fraternity, we have a ton of stocked libraries in our midst. Take the time to get to know your Brothers young and old, ask questions, read the volumes of knowledge they have accumulated. Both of you, and the Fraternity will benefit.
This month I had the pleasure of speaking at an event designed to give high school students the opportunity to interact with the professional world and encouraging them to think about their long-term goals. Students were then given the option to attend a 20-minute information session for the career area they preferred the most. The options were medical, public safety, trades, agriculture, automated industrial technology, veterinary medicine, engineering and hospitality. After that session, they could then move on to their second preference. The professionals from each field gave the students a taste of what to expect should they choose to pursue a career, including necessary education and training. They also took questions so students could get a better sense of whether that career field would actually be best for them. This led to some great discussion and some interesting insight from both sides. Follow up discussion with the speakers showed that they received just as much out of the exercise as the students. Both students and the professionals were better for taking part in the event. A subsequent discussion with a newly raised Mason regarding mentorship got me to wondering how many of us, as Masons, take advantage of the similar opportunity we have afforded by our great Fraternity. This man, as most who enter our Fraternity, joined the Lodge to grow as a person by interacting with like-minded men. Fraternally, The ever-correct Wikipedia defines Mentorship as “a relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced Roger Biede or less knowledgeable person. The mentor may be old2019-2020 Junior Grand Steward er or younger than the person being mentored, but he Grand Lodge of Arizona or she must have a certain area of expertise. It is a
www.azmasoniclibrary.org 11
Brethren,
been empowering and uplifting and give particular attention to all of the things that Masonry helps us to This year is going to be one filled with many new opportunities for Gila Valley Lodge. With the 2020 drive in our lives. Its a time to reflect and to hold one another accountable to the precepts and tenets we all year ahead of us, WM Anthony Raimondi has helped to set some lofty but very beneficial goals. As share. It is an amazing opportunity to be a member of the greatest organizations in one of the most meanchair of the lodge Truth Committee, our primary focus will be on the education of the candidates, the ingfully impacting ways. membership, and the officers. We are going to be With these particular areas of focus (2 of many) it is working through some pretty innovative and engaging our hope that we as Brothers of GV9 we will be able ideas in an effort to provide the most value to our to help shape our individual stones so that we may members and community. each one of us be better fitting stones for that eternal temple. Even if it is only to come down and listen, I There are a couple of these initiatives that I would invite and encourage you to participate in our discuslike to discuss in particular. Those being our lodge sion groups they will re-ignite your passions and stated meeting education and our Monday After Discussion Group. Our stated meetings will be featuring make you feel proud to be a Mason. a different guest speaker every meeting to present to Fraternally, the lodge. These presentations will be unique and individualized so that the lodge may gain an opporDaniel Genchi tunity to learn about the history, ritual, and/or philos2020 Ritualist ophy of Freemasonry. We are very excited for the Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 line-up we will be putting together. Every month will be a different topic, a different speaker, and a different experience. Our goal is to make our education topics as engaging and interactive as possible. We encourage any and all to attend, you will not be disappointed. The Monday After Discussion Group will be an additional event to add to your calendar. The group meets on the Monday after the stated meeting at 7pm at the Lodge. The mission of this group is to provide real-life exposure to Masonry. It is an opportunity to meet Masons of varying tenure, to get to know a brother, to share experiences, to pass on knowledge and to gain a new and more profound understanding of what Masonry means to its members. Our discussions have
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Brothers, I hope that everyone has had the opportunity to get settled into their newly elected and appointed positions for the ensuing year. What I would like to bring up is what light are you going to share this year? Are you going to bring new light to the craft? A fellow man or woman in need? Possibly to yourself in personal reflection and meditation? Whichever means that you are bringing the light out in your day to day lives is up to you. But I would like to spend some time finding out how do we find that light or share it with others in our day to day lives with those that we just be acquaintances for a short period of time or that we may never see again? When we are in public and we find ourselves driving to work or getting groceries or even just going out to the shooting range we have multiple opportunities to be able to show our light and or enlighten others on our daily drive. This can be anything from letting multiple cars on from the on ramp to the highway all the way to letting someone else having the parking spot in the lot. Although they seem not important at the time, they can also have long lasting impacts in the near future. Why or how is this possible you might ask? and I would respond with well they maybe having a bad day and with a small act of kindness they have the possibility for a brighter day, or they could also be someone that you may see as a future employer or employee. When we look at the second possibility it becomes a little bit more obvious as to how we can bring light to someone’s day. You may have also been going in the same direction and they may end up holding the elevator for you as you are going to the same destination. With these simple intentional purposeful acts of kindness, we can be spreading the light of how we have been taught. While in Reflection and meditation take the time to read and or find your self reflecting on the ritual, or other literature about the craft and finding something
that rings true to you. When you are doing this, this can help you to redefine who you are and how you may approach your day. Because when you take time to reflect at the end of the day or meditate as to how you want your day to start, you are setting your self up for a day of productivity or ending your day with a notion of understanding and peace of mind. While applying this we find ourselves thinking outside of how we are emotionally and start to become more focused on our rational thinking. And when we find ourselves
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here, we can see things brighter and clearer and have a better understanding as to what has happened in our day or what we set out to do for the day. Finally applying all of this and bringing it back into the craft. We find ourselves going to meetings attending events and maybe we have been doing this for 3 months or 30 years it does not matter, we should always be finding time to come back into the craft with new ideas or new thoughts on what we have experienced outside of the lodge. When we bring in new ideas thoughts and experiences we can bring new light to the craft that may help spark a new light and then it leaves shining brighter than when it entered.
John Woode 2019 Junior Warden Gila Valley Lodge No. 9
WB Mike Smolenack Curtis Johnson WB John O’Hara PM WB Delbert Lewis PM WB Ray Osbourn PM WB Billy Bayless Family of Robert E. Turley WB Forest Hammer Family of Ken Holland
Baby Rylee Ringer Baby Miguel Martinez Baby Angeliya Celeste Holt MW Grand Master of Arizona First Responders The Armed Forces Our Veterans Our dearly departed Brethren Brethren Gila Valley Lodge No. 9
February Birthdays
February Anniversaries
Brian Ringer Joshua Seagrave Gale MacDougall Derek Dorman Don Richard Robert Molloy Dalton Cole
James Jameson James P. Kasburg John Woode Robert Molloy
2-1 2-6 2-7 2-10 2-18 2-25 2-26
March Anniversaries
March Birthdays Bertram J. Pampanin John Anderson Steve Johnson
2-6-1970 2-7-1995 2-17-2018 2-18-1992
3-22 3-24 3-26
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Daryl Neil Daniel Genchi Bertram J. Pampanin Cody Linderoth Kenneth Smith Robert Holt Bertram J. Pampanin Joseph A. Puchacz Anthony Raimondi Robert Shoppell Lee Apger
3-2-2013 3-8-2008 3-8-2008 3-14-2016 3-22-2010 3-23-2019 3-24-1975 3-25-1981 3-25-2011 3-28-1998 3-29-2008
Erected in the 1920s and 30s, it soars 333 feet as a beacon of Light and knowledge, educating and inspiring all who visit it. Recognized in 2015 as a National Historic Landmark, the Memorial is one of the most impressive and iconic buildings in the area around our nation’s capital. Our new fundraising endeavor, The Landmark Century Campaign, aims to support a thorough restoration of the Memorial. And we can help! Today, the Memorial is a museum like no other in the world. Everything we do revolves around our vision: “to inspire humanity through education to emulate and promote the virtues, character and vision of George Washington, the Man, the Mason, and Father of our Country.” Open seven days a week, the Memor i a l o f f e r s detailed exhibits and guided tours that teach the general public about George Washington, his life and virtues, and the role that Freemasonry played throughout his life. Further, the Memorial is an important space for the performing arts, social gatherings, public events, and educational seminars. And, of course, it is an active
Having a tree planted on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial is an excellent way to honor an important individual in your life. And also a great way to express thanks to an organization, such as a Lodge or Chapter. For a donation of $750, the tree will be cared for in perpetuity, and a handsome stone marker placed near the tree will communicate your dedication.
Masonic temple, housing two Craft lodges and regularly hosting visiting lodges from around the country. The Memorial is a central hub connecting Masons to one another, and connecting the Craft to the public, our nation, and our world F o r t h e p a s t d e c a d e , t h e Memorial Association has devoted tremendous energy and resources to the renovation of the Memorial. Major exhibits have been added. Interiors have been repaired and repainted. Lighting has been updated. But the most considerable work is the top-to-bottom restoration of the building itself—the first such renovation since the Memorial was completed nearly a century ago. Beginning at the Memorial’s pyramid level, we have begun a multi-year project to perform all needed structural repairs. Stone by stone, are repointing the mortar and protecting the building from water penetration. When completed, the building will be in bet-
ter than new condition.
The Society of Washington Lodges is for regular Lodges (recognized by the Grand Lodges of the United States) who are committed to supporting the Memorial. There is a one-time donation of $2,500.00, which can be applied toward Patronage. 15
Before the downtown parking garage was built on Granite Street in Downtown Prescott, Arizona, the opportunity was taken to make an archaeological dig of this portion of the old red-light district. Among several other things, this project unearthed the colorful story of Prescott's only two-story brothel. In archaeology, the prime artifacts are most often found in the areas where the refuge was dumped. As a result, (and speaking of dumps,) the true star of this story is: "The Privy at Prescott's Double-Decker Brothel." Seems the old "Double Decker" was one of them pricey, high-class type joints. That is, if what they threw in the crapper is any indication… Surprisingly, ownership of the property was held by at least two citizens of the highest prominence. Of course, it's important to remember that prostitution was legal back then, not being outlawed in Prescott until August 16th, 1913. Although the prostitution industry was still looked upon as being seedy, some entrepreneurs still took advantage of this cashcow. The Courier reported in 1895 that there were "now over one hundred female denizens," in the redlight district. From 1872 to 1878, the property was owned by Mr. & Mrs. Hezekiah Brooks. He was Yavapai County's first probate judge. However, the two-story building had not yet been built. That was accomplished by Mary "Annie" Hamilton, who was one of the only owners of a brothel property who wasn't an absentee. The 1880 census listed her as "housekeeper" and the six other women residents were specifically listed as "prostitutes." In 1889, the two-story building was purchased by Morris Goldwater. Curiously, the property changed hands four times in a single day: February 8th, 1879. Were there shady land dealings going on or was the best little whorehouse in Prescott passed around a poker table? Both Brooks and Goldwater were very respected me in the Town and Aztlan Lodge #1. Brooks was Master in 1872 and Goldwater was a Past Master of the Lodge and later Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons in Arizona Historic Florence, AZ’s Daniel C. “D.C.” Stevens was among those taken in by James Reavis in association with the Peralta land grant, also known as the Barony of Arizona, a pair of fraudulent land claims which, if certified, would have granted him ownership over 18,600 square miles of land in central Arizona Territory and western New Mexico Territory. During the course of the fraud, Reavis collected an estimated US$5.3 million in cash and promissory notes ($163 million in present-day terms) through the sale of quitclaims and proposed investment plans. The Pinal County Historical Society displays a deed showing Stevens paid $25 to use his own land, with Reavis retaining the water rights. D.C. Stevens was much better with finances in other parts of his life, serving as Treasurer of Gila Valley No. 9 F & AM Masonic Lodge for many years, and not getting taken once! (Reavis pictured) Do you have some Arizona Lodge Masonic Trivia? Please send to us so that we can include it in a future edition!
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Robert Nelson "Bob" Leatherwood (June 1, 1844 – April 3, 1920) was a Civil War veteran, American businessman, and politician who served three terms in the Arizona Territorial Legislature and two years as Mayor of Tucson. In addition, he started the "Tucson Rangers", served as Tucson's Sheriff (two terms), aided in the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad, helped capture Geronimo, ran a successful fruit farm in the Santa Catalina Mountains (3c Ranch), and served as the Commissioner of the Arizona exhibit at the 1904 World Fair in St Louis, MO. Full Bio: "When he arrived in the "Old Pueblo" of Tucson, AZ in May 1869, he numbered among his most treasured possessions his Confederate army uniform, a garb that he wore at all important functions. By 1870, He bought land where the Pima County Courthouse now stands and built and outfitted a stable. He transferred from Clay Masonic Lodge #301 in NC and became a charter member of the first Tucson masonic Lodge #263- (now #4) where the record book lists his name with signature as Rufus Nelson Leatherwood. He was elected to the Village Council of Tucson in 1874 and began a period of 25-years in public office. He served on the council five consecutive terms, was elected Treasurer in November 1878 and became Mayor of Tucson in 1880, the year the railroad reached the town. In a moment of deep civic pride, Leatherwood determined that the outer world should be informed of the great event and sent telegrams to a number of dignitaries including US President Hayes. He was persuaded to also send a telegram to the Pope which read: "To His Holiness, the Pope of Rome, Italy. The Mayor of Tucson begs the honor of reminding your Holiness that this ancient and honorable pueblo was founded by the Spaniards more than three centuries ago and to inform your Holiness that a railroad from San Francisco, California now connects us to the Christian world." {signed} R. N. Leatherwood. A small group of Leatherwood's friends drafted what was purported to be a reply to be read at the celebratory banquet. "His Holiness the Pope acknowledges with appreciation receipt of your telegram informing him that the ancient city of Tucson at last has been connected with the outside world and sends his benediction, but for his own satisfaction would ask, Where the hell is Tucson?" {signed} Antonell Leatherwood assumed that Antonell was the Pope's secretary and for days after the event neither he nor others would believe that the telegram hadn't actually originated at Rome. As mayor, Leatherwood established the first speed limit at five miles per hour on horseback or in a carriage and a city jail was requested to be housed in the old three-room arsenal. The mayor requested a full-time attorney on a yearly basis and he resigned from politics in 1881-1882 to sell his land and Leatherwood Stable to Pima County so that a courthouse could be built. He was elected to the 13th territorial legislature in 1885, returned to the 14th and the 17th-(1893-'94). During 1886, he helped organize the Tucson Rangers, a group of 50 men involved in law enforcement. The next few years, he helped promote the gravity water system for Tucson. He was elected as sheriff in 1894 for a two-year term and re-elected in 1896. He was known to every cattle rustler and outlaw between El Paso and California, as a man to be feared and avoided. One incident was his untiring tracking of two murderers for months, finally locating them in Death Valley and returning them in irons to the Tucson jail. In 1904, he was the Commissioner for the AZ Territory in charge of the Arizona exhibit at the World's Fair at St. Louis. He was an unsuccessful primary candidate for the state senate in 1914, his last attempt at public office. The last years of his life were spent on the north slopes of the Catalina Mountains at Apache Camp, living in a pine board cabin on Rattlesnake Gulch. He had owned the mining interests in the area but had sold them to the Copper Queen Mining Co. staying on as a caretaker for the company. He lived in a tent house the last ten years or so of his life in his famous peach and apple orchard. Leatherwood was an early and active member of Tucson Lodge #4 F&AM. He died the evening of April 3, 1920 at Rossi's Restaurant on East Congress and burial services were held in the Red Room of the Masonic Temple on the 6th. 17
February 3, Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 5:00 pm Dinner at Mount Athos 7:00 pm Stated Meeting 9:00 pm Post meeting discussion at Mount Athos
February 6, Pinal Lodge No. 30 7:00 pm Stated Meeting
February 8, White Mountain No. 3 10:00 am Stated Meeting
February 8, Globe Chapter No. 7 R.A.M
February 7, 2019 Kearny Poker Night Ray Winkelman Lodge No. 24 7:30 pm Poker Kearny Style 209 Essex Road Kearny AZ 480-433-9023
February 15, 2019 Home Tour Town of Florence
2:00 pm Stated Meeting
11:00 pm Downtown Historic Florence
February 10, Gila Valley Lodge No. 9
March 7, 2020 Lost Dutchman Degree
7:00 pm Monday’s at the Lodge
February 11, Ocotillo Chapter No. 21 OES
Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Superstition Mountains, Arizona
7:00 pm Stated Meeting
10:00 am Degree Begins
February 13, Apache Lodge No. 69
June 4-6, 2020 Grand Communication
7:300 pm Stated Meeting
February 20, Eloy Lodge No. 46
Grand Lodge of Arizona Wild Horse Pass Resort and Casino
7:00 pm Stated Meeting
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WB Jim Baker is the current High Priest The “Capitular” or Chapter Degrees of Freemasonry refers the four degrees of the York Rite system that follow the “blue lodge” or “Craft” degrees. The Holy Royal Arch is the final degree and the culmination of the Chapter experience for a candidate. The Chapter is the second body of the York Rite of Freemasonry (following the Symbolic or 'Blue' Lodge), though in some Jurisdictions it is considered the completion of the initial three degrees and is part of the regular Craft experience. All Master Masons are eligible for membership. Contact WB Jim Baker, High Priest, or Paul Dore at pauldoresr@cox.net for more information
Do you have a son 12-21 years Old? Saguaro Order of the DeMolay is the premier youth leadership organization building young men of character and dedicated to making young men better people and leaders and sponsored by Gila Valley Lodge 9, Pinal Lodge No. 30, and Eloy Lodge No. 46 Meetings are held twice monthly on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month starting at 6:00 pm. All parents are welcome and are encouraged to attend and get involved in this great organization. They meet at Pinal Lodge #30 located at 1140 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande, Arizona 85122.
Great Men wear a Fez! We're counting on you… Who do you know that would make a good Mason and Shriner? A friend? A family member? A coworker? Commit to making a difference! The future of our fraternity relies on your commitment.
CLICK HERE TO REFER A GOOD MAN The individual you refer will receive a series of communications, the first of which will identity you as the referral source.
The Scottish Rite is a Masonic organization that continues a Master Mason's education of the first three degrees. The Scottish Rite is one of several appendant groups of the worldwide fraternity known as Freemasonry. Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies, and each body confers a set of degrees. In the Southern Jurisdiction these are the Lodge of Perfection (4°-14°). Chapter Rose Croix (15°-18°), Council of Knights Kadosh (19°-30°), and the Consistory (31°-32°). The 33rd Degree is an honorary degree awarded for exceptional service. Have a question? Ask a Personal Rep! 19
Brethren, Friends, and Family, This year the Masonic Charities of Arizona approved 18 grants totaling $30,000 to organizations throughout Arizona. These 501c3 charitable organizations provide much needed services to their communities. Those services include assistance to our Veterans at the three VA Hospitals in Arizona, Domestic abuse shelters, child learning disabilities, training and assistance for people with special needs, support for soldiers abroad, Adult literacy programs and Personal hygiene kits for the working poor and homeless. We are able to award these Grants from the income of our investment fund, Lodge and Personal donations and support from Grand Lodge. In order to keep up with the desire to expand our Grant distribution to more organizations and communities around the State we ask for your help. We have registered with the Amazon Smile Foundation. Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization selected by their customers. For Amazon customers to select the Masonic Charities of Arizona to receive these donations go to http://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-2746389 to automatically select us. Or you can go to www.smile.amazon.com and you will be prompted to select a charity. Now you are ready to shop and support the Masonic Charities of Arizona. The Board of Directors of the Masonic Charities of Arizona extends our appreciation to all of you for your support. Fraternally, Craig Hutchison Secretary, Masonic Charities of Arizona www.masoniccharitiesaz.com crghutch@gmail.com
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Anthony Raimondi Email: Raimondi_57@msn.com
Eric Smith Email: jiminys@yahoo.com
Email: jwoode591@gmail.com
MWGM Gregory A. Vasquez 2019-20 Grand Master F. & A.M of Arizona
Dewey Jefferson Email: djndjedderson48@yahoo.com
Chairman: WB Anthony Raimondi Email: Raimondi_57@msn.com
Lee Apger
Chairman: WB Daniel Genchi PM
Email: lkapger@gmail.com
Email: dmgenchi@gmail.com
Chairman: Eric Smith Email: jiminys@yahoo.com
Robert Holt
Chairman: WB Roger Biede III PM
Email: r.holt0129@gmail.com
Email: roger.biede@gmail.com
Chairman: Dewey Jefferson Email: djndjedderson48@yahoo.com
David Jones Email: dejones2063@gmail.com
Chairman: WB Roger Biede III PM Email: roger.biede@gmail.com
Chairman: Gale MacDougall HPM Email: bearinbox@con.net
Daniel Genchi PM Email: dmgenchi@gmail.com
Dewey Jefferson Chairman Daniel Genchi PM Roger Biede III PM
Gale MacDougal Email: bearinbox@con.net
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The first mention of Moon Lodges can be found in the Cooke Manuscript of 1410, one of the oldest documents belonging to the Masonic Craft. In the U.S., Moon Lodges were first noted in colonial times around 1717 to be operating in Philadelphia, Boston and Tennessee. There appears to have been approximately 3000 moon lodges in the U.S. at the turn of the last century but by the 1950’s that number had decreased to 500. Today, by last count, there are roughly 129 moon lodges in the U.S. A moon lodge was born out of necessity due to the lack of natural or artificial illumination by which one could travel to and from meetings. During the 18th century, transportation was limited to horseback, horse & buggy, walking and even in some circumstances by boat. There were no paved roads and very few gravel but merely two dirt ruts that would meander through bush and fields rarely in a straight line. With only a candle or coal oil lamp to light the way, a full moon provided welcome companionship for a long and lonely trek. Individuals would travel 810 miles or more and were unable to make the long trip home at night and would be supplied lodging by a fellow brother, leaving after breakfast to return home the next morning. Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 continues to follow this tradition and is honored to be still one of the remaining “Moon Lodges” in the United States. Our Stated Meetings are the Monday On or Before the Full Moon of the Month, The Lodge also goes “Dark” during the summer months of July and August, where no Stated Meetings are held. 24