August 2019 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Trestleboard

Printed Every Month 129th Anniversary

AUGUST 2019

Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 members RW Jim Baker, WB Roger Biede, WB Brad Johnson, and Bro. Steve Johnson joined the newly elected Grand Master of Arizona, MW Gregory A. Vasquez and 40 other Masons for a week in Washington DC. Some of the activities that the group participated where the laying of a Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, Opening Grand Lodge at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, a trip to Mount Vernon, a Masonic Themed Tour of Washington DC, and Fireworks on the Fourth of July. It will be a trip not soon forgotten.

We still have lots of work to do on the Lodge building, looking at you stucco, but this month we did knock off one of the more important project, the roof. Right before the first Monsoon of the season no less! They fixed all the cap flashing that had come loose the last couple years and then sealed up a number of the vents that were leaking! The Lodge used a great local roofing company owned by a Brother! WB Ramon Loen lives in Eloy and the current Secretary of Anahuac Lodge No. 83.

We still have a couple small projects that we would like to complete before the end of summer.

Fraternally,

Dewey Jefferson 2019 Trustee Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

Brethren, I hope you're all having a great summer! Personally, I have been enjoying a lot of quality family time. In fact, so much so that I wanted to spend this months letter introducing you all to them. Some of you have met My wife (Dana) and son (Gio) but due to all kinds of reasons, most of you have not or likely did not get past a casual greeting.

es out from heavy workloads or when co-workers dont come through when needed. If it wasnt for Dana, I likely wouldn't be worthy of being a Mason and I doubt I'd have the proper motivation to climb the ladder of our beloved fraternity. On the flip side of that, if it wasnt for masonry, I wouldn't have pushed myself to be more than just the loveable schlub I was.

I met Dana way back in high school in 1997. Do to failing algebra I ended up having to retake it the next year, and lucky me (arguably unlucky for her) i was placed in her class and seated behind her. She was a sweet, quiet, A student.

Pretty much my exact opposite. I quickly fell for her and although she had little interest, eventually wore her down through sheer persistence and got her to go out with me. The following years would take us through a rocky road of several moves to other states, multiple break -ups and lots of time and distance in between. Finally we reconnected in 2005 and have been together ever since. She really is my better half in every way. More disciplined, more organized, more intelligent and much better looking. We have now been living together for 14 years and most of that, 10 of them, I've been a Mason. Ironically my journey with Masonry is something that she does not understand. Probably because most what it requires is very opposite of my inherent traits, since I have a tendency to be very relaxed (lazy), unorganized, and very forgetful. I said "ironically" because she may not get it but she embodies everything you want from a good Mason.

She is charitable, both to friends and family and any stranger whose life might be improved by anything she can provide.

She is a leader. Professionally she has managed a community and now a non for profit, but further than that, stick her in a group of people who cant decide on anything; like what to do or where to eat, she will take charge. Within minutes she'll not only have the where and what but she'll have directions, reservations, coupons, and seating arrangement figured out.

Although I've loved her for decades and admire what she has become, nothing has wowed me more than when our boy Giovanni came into our lives and gave us the titles we're both proudest of, Mom and Dad! As every parent knows, no amount of planning can prepare you for challenge of raising another human being, but it has to be so much harder for a meticulous planning, germophobic, neat freak! Every challenge has been rolled through with her usual grace and tenacity. Whether its tirelessly researching behavioral lessons, illnesses and treatments, schools or other unknowns to dealing with diapers and being puked on and bugs and all the other grossness the kids (particularly boys) bring into your life, she is always there doing her best impression of Super Mom!

Honestly I big part of my love for Masonry comes from it being something that let's me better understand my wife. It allows me to truly empathize when she lays out her work struggles of organizing events and people. When she stress-

Fraternally yours

We all know masonry can be difficult. Becoming and officer or running a lodge or serving in grand lodge is a heavy endeavor. One that's unfathomable to me without the trusted, supportive partner by your side. I count myself as blessed beyond words to have such rock solid support. I am thankful to have her and I am equally thankful to have had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with some of your supportive families and look forward to meeting more of them hopefully at our family pool party One last side note, since Dana is always so supportive of me, I wanted to return the favor. The non profit that Dana works for is called E3 Africa. E3 stands for Enrich, Empower, Educate. It is dedicated to providing education to impoverished children in Uganda. There are many ways to contribute. Simple donation, sponsoring a child, or volunteer work. If any of you feel moved to check it out, visit E3africa.org

Anthony Raimondi 2019 Master Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

Perpetual Life Memberships are based on our current dues. Your Perpetual Life Membership benefits you and the Lodge. To apply, you need to be current on your dues, complete a simple application and include the appropriate fee.

18 through 35 years old - 25 times annual Lodge dues ($3,700) 36 through 50 years old - 20 times annual Lodge dues ($2,960) 51 through 65 years old - 15 times annual Lodge dues ($2,220) 66 years old and above - 10 times annual Lodge dues ($1,480)

The concept of circumspection has long been a part of Freemasonry. On this subject, the Old Charges of 1722 (vi, 4) are explicit. "You shall be cautious in your words and carriage, that the most penetrating stranger shall not be able to discover or find out what is not proper to be imitated; and sometimes you shall divert a discourse and manage it prudently for the honor of the Worshipful Fraternity."

www.azmasoniclibrary.org

What is it to be a Mason? Many have asked and many have answered. Being a Mason is different for every man. To some it is just simply being a better person in general, and to others it is more. To me being a Mason means I am held to a higher standard than most, not very much different than being in the US Military. As a Mason I feel that I am looked at as someone with higher moral standards, and then sometimes I am looked at as someone who is part of a cult.

Being a Mason to me is being a man who lives by a higher moral code toward all mankind. A citizen that follows the laws and will stand for his country when called upon to do so. A man who is a brother in every sense of the word to his fellow Masonic brothers.

Being a Mason has made me want to be a better man, to let things go where when I was a younger man I would have allowed things to get the better of me. It has taught me to really understand that golden rule that I was taught to live by, “treat others as you would have them treat you”.

When asked if my ring is a Masonic ring, I gladly with pride say “Yes it is”. Then if asked I explain what being a Mason is. Most have no idea what a Mason is or what we do for our communities, some believe what is in the movies and found on Google. Some have seen the symbol, others have not and just think it is an awesome ring. Some question what I tell them, and others smile and say that the world needs more of us in it.

What a Mason is to me may or may not be the same as another, and that is the point of being a Mason. Being a Mason is being a man working to be a better man, however that may be. Not all of us feel we need to improve on the same things, and that is the beauty of Masons. We are all trying to be better and are willing to help however we can, which in turn makes us better than we were before.

Fraternally,

Eric Smith 2019 Senior Warden Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

The Memorial for Ray Zak will beheld on Sunday, September 19th at Pinal Lodge No. 30 in Casa Grande, Az. Services will begin at 3:00 pm. They will be having a Masonic Memorial, Eastern Star Memorial and a Senior Life DeMolay Service. After the Services there will be a dinner for all.

Bro. Ray was a dear friend and Brother to all that knew him and will be dearly missed. .

We encourage you to attend to help us say goodbye to this amazing Mason

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 in February!

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

You cannot go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending CS Lewis We have been using the description that Lodges are "System of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols and here to make Masons and to make Men better for a number of years now. I ask you today, how is Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 doing for your Rough Ashlar? Lets take that a step further, is the Lodge living up to your wishes and expectations? There are many ways to improve one’s self, is Masonry in Florence hitting some of them?

The Officers of the Lodge and the Long Range Planning committee have been asking themselves those same questions for a number of years.

We have put together a Masonic Education plan where there is now an Educational piece at all meetings. These educational pieces equally split between existing pieces and original pieces written by our members. In addition to education pieces in meetings, we have started to meet on Mondays to talk Masonry, analyzing the ritual and finding our own truths on its meaning. This is not just for a our newer Masons, everyone is invited. Masonry discussions are definitely a way for self improvement, but it is not the only way.

This month I want to address another avenue of being a better man, one that sometimes is looked down on in the Masonic circles, public charity or service. There is the argument that Freemasonry is not a chartable organization, however I would humbly argue the opposite; that Freemasonry is by it stated purpose, might need to be charitable to reach it’s full potential.

Fellowcraft Joe Guinn recently explained his view on Masonry not being a religion which he explained as Religion dealing with a mans relationship with God, with Masonry dealing with Man’s relationship with Man. Additionally, we are obligated to prove to the World that on becoming a Mason we have become a better man. How better to do that than serving and helping your fellow man within the community.

We should be out in the community, sharing our good deeds, showing the world that although we are a secret organization we are here in Historic Florence and we are the pillars of society. Lets make a difference, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of our fellow men, women, and children. In our Historic Community.

Join the Lodge in one of our Community Outreach efforts. Currently we are trying to support the Veterans Park, the Humane Society, and Bro Joe is asking the Lodge help with a Charity dear to his heart that is helping the people of San Tan Valley. We will have more info on all at any of the Stated Meetings, now we just need you to step up!

Fraternally,

Roger Biede III JGS 2019 Junior Warden Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

The

Twenty years ago, in Nashville, Tennessee, during the first week of January, 1996, more than 4,000 baseball coaches descended upon the Opryland Hotel for the 52nd annual ABCA's convention.

While I waited in line to register with the hotel staff, I heard other more veteran coaches rumbling about the lineup of speakers scheduled to present during the weekend. One name kept resurfacing, always with the same sentiment — “John Scolinos is here? Oh, man, worth every penny of my airfare.”

Who is John Scolinos, I wondered. No matter; I was just happy to be there. 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.Seriously, I wondered, who is this guy?

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 confirmed, 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 seventeen-inch 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. “This 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. “This 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. (Continued next page)

“If I am lucky,” Coach Scolinos concluded, “you will reWe are allowing others to widen home plate! Where is that member one thing from this old coach today. It is this: "If getting us?” we fail to hold ourselves to a higher standard, a standard of Silence. He replaced the flag with a Cross. “And this is the what we know to be right; if we fail to hold our spouses and problem in the Church, where powerful people in positions our children to the same standards, if we are unwilling or of authority have taken advantage of young children, only to unable to provide a consequence when they do not meet the standard; and if our schools & churches & our governhave such an atrocity swept under the rug for years. Our ment fail to hold themselves accountable to those they church leaders are widening home plate for themselves! serve, there is but one thing to And we allow it.” look forward to …”

“And the same is true with With that, he held home plate our government. Our soin front of his chest, turned it called representatives make around, and revealed its dark rules for us that don’t apply black backside, “…We have to themselves. They take dark days ahead!.” bribes from lobbyists and Note: Coach Scolinos died in foreign countries. They no 2009 at the age of 91, but not longer serve us. And we albefore touching the lives of low them to widen home hundreds of players and plate! We see our country coaches, including mine. falling into a dark abyss Meeting him at my first while we just watch.”

ABCA convention kept me returning year after year, lookI was amazed. At a baseball convention where I expected to ing for similar wisdom and inspiration from other coaches. learn something about curve balls and bunting and how to He is the best clinic speaker the ABCA has ever known berun better practices, I had learned something far more valu- cause he was so much more than a baseball coach. His mesable. sage was clear: “Coaches, keep your players—no matter how From an old man with home plate strung around his neck, I good they are—your own children, your churches, your govhad learned something about life, about myself, about my ernment, and most of all, keep yourself at seventeen inchown weaknesses and about my responsibilities as a leader. I es." had to hold myself and others accountable to that which I And this my friends is what our country has become and knew to be right, lest our families, our faith, and our society what is wrong with it today, and now go out there and fix it! continue down an undesirable path.

"Don't widen the plate."

!

W

This is one of the most important and significant Symbols in Freemasonry. As such, it is proper that its true form should be preserved. French Freemasons have almost universally given it with one leg longer than the other, thus making it a carpenter's square American Freemasons, following the incorrect delineations of Brother Jeremy L. Cross, have, while generally preserving the equality of length in the legs, unnecessarily marked its surface with inches; thus making it an instrument for measuring length and breadth which it is not.

It is simply the trying square of a stone-mason, and has a plain surface; the sides or legs embracing an angle of ninety degrees, and is intended only to test the accuracy of the sides of a stone, and to see that its edges subtend the same angle.

In Freemasonry, the square is a symbol of morality. This is its general signification, and is applied in various ways: 1. It presents itself to the neophyte as one of the Three Great Lights.

2. To the Fellow Craft as one of his Working-tools.

3. To the Master Mason as the official emblem of the Master of the Lodge Everywhere, however, it inculcates the same lesson of morality, of truthfulness, of honesty. So universally accepted is this symbolism, that it has gone outside of the Order, and has been found in colloquial language communicating the same idea. Square, says Halliwell, Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words, means honest, equitable, as in "square dealing." To play upon the square is proverbial for to play honestly. In this sense the word is found in the old writers.

As a Masonic symbol, it is of very ancient date, and was familiar to the Operative Masons. In the year 1830, the architect, in rebuilding a very ancient bridge called Baal Bridge, near Limerick, in Ireland, found under the foundationstone an old brass square, much eaten away, containing on its two surfaces the following inscription, the U being read as V: I. WILL. STRIUE. TO. LIUE.-WITH. LOUE. & CARE.- UPON. THE. LEUL.-BY. THE. SQUARE., and the date 1517. The modern Speculative Freemason will recognize the idea of living on the level fled by the square This discovery proves, if proof were necessary, that the familiar idea was borrowed from our Operative Brethren of former days.

The square, as a symbol in Speculative Freemasonry, has therefore presented itself from the very beginning of the revival period. In the very earliest catechism of the eighteenth century, of the date of 1725, we find the answer to the question, "How many make a Lodge?" is "God and the Square, with five or seven right or perfect Masons." God and the Square, religion and morality, must be present in every Lodge as governing principles.

Signs at that early period were to be made by squares and the Furniture of the Lodge was declared to be the Bible, Compasses, and Square.

In the public lecture of Brother Herbert A. Giles, Worshipful Master of Ionic Lodge, No. 1781 at Amoy, delivered in 1880 and entitled Freemasonry in China, says: From time immemorial we find the Square and Compasses used by Chinese Writers to symbolize precisely the same phases of moral conduct as in our system of Freemasonry.

The earliest passage known to one which bears upon the subject is to be found in the Book of history embracing the period reaching from the twenty-fourth to the seventh century before Christ. There in an account of a military expedition we read: "Ye officers of government, apply the

Colllpasses!"

In another part of the same venerable record a Magistrate is spoken of as: " A man of the level, or the level man" The public discourses of Confucius provide us with several Masonic allusions of a more or less definite character. For instance. when recounting his own degrees of moral progress in life, the Master tells us that only at seventy-five spears of age could he venture to follow the inclinations of his heart without fear of " transgressing the limits of the Square." this would be 481 B.C. belt it is in the works of his great follower, Mencius, who flourished nearly two hundred years later, that we meet with a fuller and more impressive Masonic phraseology.

In one chapter we are taught that just as the most skilled artificers are unable, without the aid of the Square and Compasses to produce perfect rectangles or perfect circles, so must all men apply these tools figuratively to their lives, and the level and the marking-line besides, if they would walk in the straight and even paths of wisdom and keep themselves within the bonds of honor and virtue.

In Book iv we read: "The Compasses and Square are the embodiment of the rectangular and the round, just as the prophets of old were the embodiment of the due relationship between man and man" In Book vi we find these words: The Master Mason, in teaching his apprentices makes use of the Compasses and the Square Ye who are engaged in the pursuit of wisdom must also make use of the Compasses and the Square. In the Great Learning, admitted on all sides to date from between 300 to 400 years before Christ, in Chapter 10, we read that a man should abstain from doing unto others what he would not they should do unto him, ' this," adds the writer, is called the principle of acting on the Square. " In all rites and in all languages where Freemasonry has penetrated, the square has preserved its primitive Signification as a symbol of morality. ~ Mackey

Brethren, We are reminded that the 7 liberal arts and sciences are important as we go on our journey through Free Masonry. So I will take us on a journey through one of these Liberal arts and it is the 6th which is music. There are plenty of times where we are informed with how we see music in the lodge. Usually we hear it during the pomp and circumstance of our degrees and during installation of officers or at major events with the Grand Lodge. But what I am going to bring to you are some interesting songs and I am sure you can figure out where some of these would go in regards to degree work.

But before we get to far in let us take a look at opening and closing of the lodge.

For most who have been in the lodge for a while you may know the opening and closing by heart by now. So think about these lyrics that I am about to give you and think how could this help to show the importance of the opening and closing of lodge?

Opening maybe before opening a lodge think of these words to the tune of ‘My country Tis of Thee’

Glad hearts to Thee we bring, With joy Thy name we sing,

U-nite our souls in love,

Fa-ther a-bove,

Smile on us from a-bove,

Cre-a-tion Prais-es Thee,

Till life is o’er,

Thy bounties full and free

Then ga-ther us to Thee

In all a-round we see em-blems of love.

Thy Kingdom Lord to see In thine own fold to be for-ev-er more.

Through these words, and if sung before opening or after opening, could be a refreshing new addition to the opening. If you rearrange the words and make some adjustments, you will see a reference to the prayer that is familiar to most of us.

And because it is done to a familiar tune it may help to bring the brethren into a more reverent setting for Lodge.

Then with the same tune this song can also be used in closing with another 2 versus.

Hail Universal Lord,

May friendship, truth and love,

By heaven and earth adored,

Drawn from the Light above,

All hail! great God;

Our actions rule.

Before Thy name we bend,

So when from labor free,

To us Thy grace extend,

We shall accepted be,

And to our prayer attend,

And through Eternity,

All hail! Great God.

Pass nobly on.

I hope that these words from the New Masonic Musical Manual composed and Arranged by Bro. William H Janes. Of Polar Star Lodge, No. 245, F.&A.M. will speak to you as you go through your meetings in the future. Be ready for more songs to come in later entries until then, Stay on the level.

Fraternally

John Woode 2019 Junior Deacon Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

The meeting of a Lodge is so called a Communication.

There is a peculiar significance in this term. To communicate, which, in the Old English form, was to common, originally meant to share in common with others. The great sacrament of the Christian Church, which de-notes a participation in the mysteries of the religion and a fellowship in the church, is called a communion, which is fundamentally the same as a communication, for he who partakes of the communion is said to communicate.

Hence, the meetings of Masonic Lodges are called communications, to signify that it is not simply the ordinary meeting of a society for the transaction of business, but that such meeting is the fellowship of men engaged in a common pursuit, and governed by a common principle, and that there is there-in a communication or participation of those feelings and sentiments that constitute a true brotherhood.

The communications of Lodges are regular or stated and special or emergent. Regular communications are held under the provision of the by-laws, but special communications are called by order of the Master. It is a regulation that no special communication can alter, amend, or rescind the proceedings of a regular communication.

So we find that a Masonic Communication takes on a much greater meaning that of joining together in a common brotherhood in pursuit of common goals and common purposes based upon our common principles. With that explanation in mind, we can better guard our-selves in the transaction of our lodge business, in the conferral of our degrees and in the meeting in fellowship with our Brethren. The Lodge Communication is much more than just a meeting. It is much more than an assembly of Masons. It is, must, and should ever be, a joining together of kindred spirits for those loftier purposes of promoting, practicing, and extolling those Masonic virtues we espouse.

The meetings of Grand Lodges are known as Grand Communications. is used to distinguish the level of meeting Masonically. The word Grand COMMUNICATION, as we learned from Mackey, is the name given to a meeting a lodge or Grand Lodge meets in a stated, special, regular, business, emergent, occasional Communication, using the word in its ancient sense of sharing thought, actions, and friendship in common.

Yes, that is the scuttlebutt, there are enough Jeep owners at Gila Valley that initial talks are in the works to form a club and start exploring the trails.

No word from the powers that be on whether those with 4X4’s not of the Jeep persuasion will be allowed to tag along. First planned trips will be occurring soon so reach out now. For information, Contact club President Bro. Joe Guinn at guinnjoe@gmail.com.

I hear that there might be club t-shirts and drink cozies for the charter members of the group!

Historic Florence’s own American Legion is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the founding of American Legion all year and their own 100th Anniversary on August 3 with a large block party!

Come down to Downtown Florence and partake in the fun, food, drinks and games to entertain everyone of any age!

There will be watermelon eating contests, gunny sac races, egg tosses, and too much more to list!

There will even be a cornhole tournament for those that feel like throwing some bags!

Come on down and support the local Legion and have some fun with your Brothers and Friends!

See the flyer for contact names for more information and to register for the cornhole.

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

Clynton Tubas II Curtis Johnson WB John O’Hara PM WB Delbert Lewis PM WB Ray Osbourn PM B. Trini WB Billy Bayless Family of Bro. Ray Zak WB Forest Hammer

WB James Rolle Baby Rylee Ringer Baby Miguel Martinez MW Grand Master of Arizona First Responders The Armed Forces Our Veterans Our dearly departed Brethren Brethren Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

All Masons withersoever dispersed

August Birthday

August Anniversary

Art Halpin Ron Miller Ethan Watkins Gene Anderson Daniel Genchi

Derek Dorman Mark Nielsen Tom Williams John Anderson

8-4 8-6 8-6 8-8 8-14

8-2-2012 8-6-1996 8-22-2015 8-26-1961

September Birthday Daryl Neil Carroll Michael James Jameson Ryan Kann James Kirk Lee Weber Wade Bell Nicholas Hayduke Richard Platt Michael Henry

9-4 9-8 9-9 9-9 9-9 9-13 9-13 9-15 9-19 9-27

September Anniversary Don Richard Charles Logan Lee Weber Art Halpin Eric Smith Rudolph Alexander Gene Anderson

9-13-1962 9-21-1991 9-18-1999 9-22-1992 9-26-2015 9-28-1966 9-29-1966

Brethren, I bring you greetings from Globe Chapter No. 7 Royal Arch Masons and invite all Master Masons to consider further light in Masonry through the Mark Master degree.

This is an introductory look into Royal Arch Masonry and expands on the building of King Solomon’s Temple. The Mark Master degree is offered free of charge by the Grand York Rite of Arizona and we hope you will consider expanding your travels in Free Masonry.

Also, before I forget, it would be very nice if the Lodge supported another Fraternal organization in Florence, the American Legion Post No. 9. My father was a member of the Legion and it is very dear to my heart.

They are celebrating 100 years and having a big celebration on August 3rd. Bring your families and enjoy Florence!

We have an good group of guys up in Globe and would love to have you come up the hill.

Please contact me or Roger Biede III for more information about the application process or questions.

The Companions of Globe Chapter No. 7 would like to confer this degree at Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 this fall. There is an application process but no obligation to pay dues or continue, although it is hoped that we pique your interest that you desire to be a Royal Arch Mason.

Fraternally,

Jim Baker PM JGW 2019 High Priest Globe Chapter No. 7 Royal Arch Masons

American Legion Post 9 In Historic Florence Arizona 100yr Anniversary Celebration.

There will be live band and DJ. Watermelon Eating contest, Gunny Sack races, Stick horses races, Water Balloon toss and Lots of family games.

They will also have a corn-hole tournament.

My thoughts as Entered Apprentice Mason. A year ago If you asked me what freemasonry was I couldn’t tell you anything remotely close about it.

Today I have a understanding and appreciation for something I never thought I needed in my life and what it has done for me. It’s made me take a honest look at myself and make me question who I want to be and not who I think I am. It has given me the working tools on how to be better man, husband and father.

Freemasonry makes me want to better by making me look for a deeper meaning into a phrase or

symbol. Something i never cared or thought of in the past but it’s also giving me a new appreciation for fellowship and the importance of it!

In closing I would like to give my explanation of what Freemasonry is to me, it’s about not making the truth but finding it for yourself. It’s about making men better by self examination by ritual, symbols and tools to help you guide your way through life.

Thank you to Gila Valley 9 for your continuing support!

Fraternally,

Brian Gay Entered Apprentice Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

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 Memorial offers 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 For the past decade, the 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.

WB Walter Page Sr. was the Charter Master of Apache Lodge No. 69 under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons in Arizona. He was owner and operator of the Waldorf Barber Shop for over 30 years and was Past Master of Oriental Lodge 20 F&AM. He was instrumental in the beginning of Apache Lodge No. 69 In 1971 and at the Special Communication of theGrand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons in Arizonato constitute the Lodge, his wife presented him with a gavel that he had used during his year as Master of Oriental Lodge No. 20.

WB Dom Chiomo then presented him a bible for the new Lodge as a gift from Arizona Lodge #2 Free and Accepted Masons.

Thomas S Bunch moved to Apache County Arizona in 1853 where he practiced law. He moved to Safford, Arizona in 1900 and was elected to Probate Judgeship. As a public man he was very popular and in every movement for the betterment of the country and was always found in the forefront of battle, whether educational, moral, commercial or otherwise. It was said that "Any move that would tend to uplift his fellow men he was not only interested in but active in its advancement and as a result the history of our Territory will record the fact of his activities in the great moral and commercial progress of our new State in the years to come".

RW Brother Bunch was made a Mason in Arkansas and a the time of his death was a member of Safford Lodge No. 16, Globe Chapter No. 7 R.A.M., Arizona Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar, and Arcadia Chapter No. 9 OES. He was past Master of Safford Lodge No. 16 and was at the time of his death in 1911 Deputy Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons in Arizona

In the early 1900's Mexican and American civic leaders met regularly and exchanged views on matters involving their towns.

Many, like A. L. Peck, George Marsh, Edward Titicomb, Anton Proto, Ignacio Bonillas, Manuel Mascare単as, and Prospero Sandoval, belonged to the same social clubs. Nogales Lodge No.11, promoted the rapport between both towns.

Since no Masonic organization existed on the Sonoran side, the American group sought and obtained special permission to accept Mexicans as members of their lodge. Mexicans such as Manuel Mascare単as, Ignacio Bonilla, and others became officers of the Lodge.

The growing rapport between Ambos Nogales extended to the government of both cities. Town leaders sought to resolve local matters on a personal basis without involving officials from their respective governments. A letter from the leaders of the Nogales Lodge No. 11, Arizona, to Mascare単as, then president of the Nogales, Sonora, city council recognized "that petty international questions are almost unavoidably owing to our peculiar international situation. We believe that such questions, not affecting the dignity of either nation can best be settled among ourselves without involving our respective governments in vexatious international controversies."This collaboration included practical matters, such as commerce, defense, the law, and even personal favors among leading residents of both communities. Mascare単as is pictured

Do you have some Arizona Lodge Masonic Trivia? Please send to us so that we can include it in a future edition!

August 2, 2018 Ray-Winkleman No. 24

August 3, 2019 Legion 100th Anv Party

Poker Night

American Legion No. 9

7:30 pm Poker Kearny Style 209 Essex Road Kearny AZ 480-433-9023

4:00 pm Breakfast

August 5, 2019 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Wildhorse Community Center

7:00 pm Monday’s at the Lodge

August 6, 2019 Saguaro DeMolay 6:00 pm Meeting @ Pinal Lodge No. 30

August 10, 2018 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

August 17, 2019 Lodge Pool Party 3:00 pm Breakfast

September 7, 2019 First Responders Appreciation Breakfast Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

Poker Night

8:00 am Breakfast

7:00 pm Poker and Fellowship

September 28, 2019 Master Mason Degree

August 12, 2019 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Raising Bro. Joe Guinn to the Sublime Degree of MM

7:00 pm Monday’s at the Lodge

August 13, 2019 Ray-Winkleman No. 24 7:30 pm Stated Meeting

9:00 am Degree Begins

September 29, 2019 Ray Zak Memorial Pinal Lodge No. 30

August 13, 2019 Ocotillo Chapter No. 21

3:00 pm Memorial

7:00 pm Stated Meeting

October 16, 2019 The Letter G: Gimel, Gamma or just plain G?

August 19, 2019 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 7:00 pm Monday’s at the Lodge

August 15, 2019 Eloy Lodge No. 46

Arizona Research Lodge No. 1 Phoenix Masonic Temple

7:00 pm Stated Meeting

7:00 pm Stated Meeting

November 23, 2019 Degree in the Desert

August 20, 2019 Saguaro DeMolay

King Solomon Lodge No. 5 / Prometheus Lodge No. 87 Tombstone, Arizona

6:00 pm Meeting @ Pinal Lodge No. 30

August 26, 2019 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 7:00 pm Monday’s at the Lodge

7:00 pm Monday’s at the Lodge

January 27, 2020 Make a Different Day Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Florence, Arizona

7:00 am Begins

DARK, 2019 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 7:00 pm Stated Meeting

DARK, 2019 Pinal Lodge No. 30 7:00 pm Stated Meeting

DARK, Globe Chapter No. 7 R.A.M 2:00 pm Stated Meeting

DARK, 2019 White Mountain No. 3 10:00 am Stated Meeting

March 7, 2020 Lost Dutchman Degree Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Superstition Mountains, Arizona

10:00 am Degree Begins

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!

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

Anthony Raimondi Email: Raimondi_57@msn.com

Eric Smith Email: jiminys@yahoo.com

Email: roger.biede@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

John Woode Email: jwoode591@gmail.com

Chairman: WB Daniel Genchi PM Email: dmgenchi@gmail.com

Chairman: Eric Smith Email: jiminys@yahoo.com

Brian Ringer Email:

Chairman: WB Roger Biede III PM Email: roger.biede@gmail.com

Chairman: Dewey Jefferson Email: djndjedderson48@yahoo.com

Daniel Genchi PM Email: dmgenchi@gmail.com

Chairman: WB Roger Biede III PM Email: roger.biede@gmail.com

Chairman: Gale MacDougall HPM

Dave “DJ� Jones

Email: bearinbox@con.net

Email: dejones2063@gmail.com

Dewey Jefferson Chairman

Gale MacDougal Email: bearinbox@con.net

Daniel Genchi PM Roger Biede III PM

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 8-10 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.