November 2020 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Trestleboard

Printed Every Month 130th Anniversary

NOVEMBER 2020

The Grand Lodge of Arizona joined the Grand Lodge of South Africa, Grand Lodge of New York, Grand Lodge of Lebanon, Grand Lodge of Bulgaria, Grand Lodge of Manitoba, Grand Lodge of Quebec, Grand Lodge of Vermont, and the Grand Lodge of India on October 31st for an International Masonic Town Hall.

RW Randy Jager DGM represented Arizona, answering a number of questions relevant to the health of the craft in our jurisdiction. More than 100 Masons took part in the call as Masons joined from all over the world.

The Masonic Roundtables were started during the pandemic as a way of build our Masonic bonds worldwide an the virus was shutting down our ability to meet in person.

Grand Masters and Past Grand Masters are brought together to share their experiences, their knowledge, and their ideas on issues that affect us all.

Time and date for the next Masonic Town Hall coming soon!

(Contact the Lodge Secretary at 3,9, or 69 for more information)

Brethren,

playing with imagination. Sure lightsaber fights and nerf wars are great, but when it comes to seeing the monster we’re fighting or traversing the hazardous lava fields, I cant seem to shake the uncomfortable feeling of embarrassment of how immature I’m being or how silly I look, and quite frankly that makes me super sad.

However there’s always that one magnificent day a year, where everyone Is encouraged to immerse themselves into a character to play. Where we all get feel the joy of the freedom of being childish. To play dress up, eat way too much candy , watch spooky movies , decorate pumpkins and just generally have fun! There no real obligations. No forced family get togethers. No stressing the perfect gift. No big meal to cook. Just out right revelry. This year Halloween just couldn’t come soon enough.

With all the heaviness of the world that I’ve been griping about in these pages the last few months, a holiday with no religion, nationalistic affiliation or agenda is just what the doctor ordered! It a time where neighborhoods will once again thrive with signs of life and masks are perfectly welcomed. I know there are still restrictions and accommodations that will be made to keep things as safe as possible, but I am just glad that for the most part, the general public seems as eager to celebrate to festivities to the best of our ability. I hope you all have (had) a happy and healthy Halloween

We have finally hit my favorite time of year. Goodbye to that scratching heat, hello beautiful days and chilly nights! Fall is finally upon us and my absolute favorite holiday, Halloween, helps us to welcome it back cheerfully. Now although I am a sucker for a good horror story and I am always searching for evidence that some supernatural spirits might still dwell among us, that is not what attracts me to Halloween. No, for the best thing about it is the opportunity to play pretend and be whatever it is you want to be. Its an opportunity to re-

live some of that magic of imagination we enjoy during our youth, when all our towels were capes and any random stick was sword. As we grow older and reality of the real world pervade our very beings, it seems unavoidable that we lose that sense of creative possibilities.

We’re told to “grow up", that we need to stop playing those “silly games". The more we let it slip away the harder it is to hold on to. Most people that know me, know full well that I consider myself a big kid, but even though I still get a thrill out of cool new toys, I still have trouble when playing with my son when it comes to just

Anthony Raimondi 2020 Master Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

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I hope that everyone is doing well we are now in the month of November. It is now the time of year where we remember our veterans and recognizing them for their service. It is now starting to get cooler (finally), and it is that time to start listening to Christmas music and finding our selves around family members twice in about 30 days, Thanksgiving then Christmas. And as this year starts to wind its way down let’s reflect on what has happened over the year and ask ourselves what have we done to either help improve ourselves or our surroundings? Have we taken the time to keep our passions in check? Have we accomplished what we said we would do differently this year after our resolutions that we made in January? And are we better for it through the thick and the thin of what this year was?

local lodge. And the voice said hey we got a call from a brother from another lodge that said that you were searching for a lodge to join and wanted to be able to let you know where you could go to find more information. After he received that call the man had a new direction, a new journey to look forward to and then started showing up to his local lodge every month to find out more about what was going on.

Once he had started putting that into his regular routine and some years later, he began to see how little he had needed to stress about what he was doing at work and in life. He had taken his lessons from lodge and started to apply them to the more stressful parts of his work and social life and found a way to balance it all. Because of what he had gone through in the degrees he was able to see his life in a whole new way that was able to help him.

While you are thinking about that I want to tell you a story. There once was a man who was leaving his home and was ready to start on a new adventure. He had no clue what was in store for him, but he said good bye to his loved ones and was on the road. When he arrived at his destination, he had only his car apartment and place of employment. When he arrived at his job, he felt way less than adequate for what he was signed up for. He felt that he was doing a terrible job at what he had spent years preparing for at school. Things were not going well, and he thought what am I going to do? I don’t really know anyone, and I have no way of being able to work through any of this with any out side help. He felt completely alone.

This is something that we all need to remember. Your own story may seem similar or completely different from this one, but we all had that moment were we first experienced how to manage our time and our passions from the lessons taught in the three degrees. We should never forget how that feeling was once we started to apply it to our everyday lives. And as such let this be a reminder that we should still be applying it to everything that we say and do today. For if we don’t then how are we truly improving ourselves as men and as Masons?

Fraternally,

John Woode

While he was dealing with this time of new-found stress, trying to make friends with his coworkers and find a way to make his new life livable he received a call and it was from someone that he had never met but knew would be able to trust in the very near future. It was a phone call from the

2020 Junior Warden Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

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The trivium is the lower division of the seven liberal arts and sciences and comprises grammar, logic and rhetoric.

These three subjects were essential to a classical education and the study of the trivium was first established in ancient Greece. Trivium is a Latin word meaning "the place where three roads meet "and are the foundation for understanding the upper division of the seven liberal arts. The upper division is comprised of arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy.

moving contradictions, thereby producing factual knowledge that can be trusted.

According to Wikipedia, Grammar teaches the mechanics of language to the student. This is the step where the student "comes to terms", defining the objects and information perceived by the five senses. Hence the Law of Identity: a tree is a tree, and not a cat. Or in masonic terms: a sprig of acacia is a sprig of acacia and not a Lion.

Sister Miriam Joseph described the trivium as follows:

Rhetoric is the application of language in order to instruct and to persuade the listener and the reader. It is the knowledge (grammar) now understood (logic) and being transmitted outwards as wisdom (rhetoric).

Aristotle defined rhetoric as, the power of perceiving in every thing that which is capable of producing persuasion.

Grammar is the art of inventing symbols and combining them to express thought; logic is the art of thinking; and rhetoric is the art of communicating thought from one mind to another, the adaptation of language to circumstance.

Logic is the mechanics of thought and of analysis, the pro- Grammar is concerned with the thing as-it-is-symbolized. cess of composing sound arguments and identifying falla- Logic is concerned with the thing as-it-is-known. Rhetoric cious arguments and statements and so systematically re- is concerned with the thing as-it-is-communicated.

Grammar, logic and rhetoric are the basis for learning, thinking and communicating for any student, especially a Freemason. It is vitally important we should endeavor to master these first three liberal arts in learning the ritual and communicating its principals to our candidates. In my next article I'll explore the relationship of the trivium to our teachings.

Fraternally,

Jim Baker 2020 Senior Grand Warden Grand Lodge of Arizona Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

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The fall temperatures remind me that we are close to the end of the year, and what a year it has been. The holidays where we get together with family and friends are drawing ever closer. This time of year is a wonderful time as the temperatures change, the trees change colors (in some areas), and the smell of fireplaces is in the air.

year. This I suppose is the same premise as the original 1st Thanksgiving in 1621.

Christmas comes next for many. Others it is Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and I am sure there are others. Whatever the holiday is, they all seem to have the same basic premise to them, that of being with family and celebrating their faith, or culture. There is also enough food for an army, presents, and laughter abound with all of these holidays.

It is a great time to use the kitchen to make all those wonderful dishes that seem uncomfortable in the summer months here in the Phoenix area. The windows in the house can now be left open and the fresh air let in, and the wonderful smells of food cooking permeates the outside air. The power bills also fall due to this, which is a positive.

New Years Eve is celebrated pretty much all around the world and on the same night. This night brings a close to the present year and hope for a better next year. This night also brings people, many of whom have never met, together to celebrate the passing of one year into the next.

Halloween is here, Thanksgiving is upon us shortly, and then Christmas and New Years. Halloween is a fun time for the kids as they go out and collect candy and things from neighbors simply by dressing up and saying “trick or treat� at their doors. This is the beginning of a time when all people come together and the hatefulness seems to go away, even for just one night now and then maybe another later.

This time of year that we are entering is the greatest time of year in my eyes. It brings people together, not just family and friends, but strangers to celebrate a holiday, many holidays. This time of year is the way we as humans should be all year round. What an even better and wonderful place this rock that we live on would be if that was the case. Well, one can hope, and there is always Thanksgiving brings family, friends, and sometimes even next year. strangers together to celebrate the survival of the 1st colo- Fraternally, nists to this country by aid of the native people to this land. Today though we often take that day as a day of 2020 Senior Warden thanks for what we have to be thankful for in the past Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

Eric Smith

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All, First and foremost I hope all of you are doing well.

I know it is early and with all the craziness going on I am sure not many are thinking about Christmas‌but I am!!!

Debbie and I will be hosting a Christmas Open House at our place again this year. The date is Saturday 5Dec2020 at 1800 (6PM) until it ends. Attached is a flyer as like last year.

Again this year we will be providing a couple main dishes and ask that everyone bring a side dish/dessert. We will also have wine, some alcoholic drinks, and some non-alcoholic drinks as well. If there is a special drink you want, please bring it.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you for another fantastic Christmas celebration.

Fraternally,

Eric Smith 2020 Senior Warden Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

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One of the simplest, but probably least-explored symbols of Freemasonry is that of the circumpunct, or as we refer to it in Mississippi’s ritual, “a certain point within a circle, embroidered by two perpendicular parallel lines, representing St. John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist; and upon the top rests the Holy Scriptures. The point represents an individual brother; the circle is the boundary line beyond which he is never to suffer his passions or prejudices to betray him. In going around this circle we necessarily touch these two lines, as well as the Holy Scriptures; and while a Mason keeps himself circumscribed within their precepts, it is impossible that he should materially err.”

A particular Brother and I constantly remind each other that there are days we need to trace out “little circles” to keep our passions within due bounds, usually when we find ourselves angry for whatever reason.

As Masons, we know that true circles are traced out by the Compasses. Masonry’s most recognizable symbol is that of the Square AND the Compasses together. So then, how might this lesser-known circumpunct help us square our actions? Let’s look at a little geometry.

Referring to Figure 1 in the attached illustration, if we choose a point anywhere on the circle, then connect that point to any two other points from a line denoting the diameter of the circle, the angle formed at the chosen point will always be 90 degrees - a perfect square. Masonically speaking, if our passions and prejudices do not exceed the bounds of the circle, our actions will necessarily always be “on the Square”.

may then deduce that if our passions exceed our circumscription, we may lean to our Brethren on the left and the right and their rectitude of conduct to keep us “on the Square”.

But what of the negative space? That area contained within the circle; what exists there? Our work describes the circle as that boundary which we should never permit our passions to betray us. Passions may be anger, but they may also include things which bring us pleasure - even Masonry itself.

If we never exceed our due bounds, are we truly acting “on the Square”? Drawing your attention to Figure 3, I submit that in staying in the “safe space” inside the circle, we may find that our actions are not truly squared.

Picking any point inside the circle, then extending lines to points crossing the diameter, we find that we are incapable of creating a figure that equals 90 degrees - we are unable to prove a square.

If we play it safe and don’t speak up for the weak and downtrodden, or if we fail to take action when doing the right thing is needed, we’re staying inside the circle and therefore not “on the Square”.

Mississippi’s ritual states that we have a duty to relieve the distressed, to soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries and to restore peace to their troubled minds. If we choose to look the other way, if we choose not to get involved when others do the same, if we do not push our passions to their edge, are we truly practicing “on the Square”? Simple geometry suggests we may not. Walk on that circle, then your actions will always be on the Square.

What if our passions and prejudices do go beyond our intended bounds? Referring to Figure 2, consider a tanSincerely, an Fraternally, gent that lies just outside of the circle, but crosses the parallel lines can still prove a square. A line drawn from the Jim Whitfield center to that tangent line will intersect at 90 degrees. We Indianola Lodge No. 450 8

The Masonic Sheaf of Corn, in King Solomon's day represented part of the wages reaped from the Master Masons labor.

(Ceder, Fir,and Algum) which came from Lebanon, for which to build the Temple.(chronicles 2:10)

The Masonic sheaf of corn represents Charity to the less Today, it is used as a symbol of that time, long ago, most- fortunate, as in these excerpts from the Holy scriptures. " ly during the dedication, constitution and concentration of When though down thine harvest in thy field, though a new Lodge and in the laying of corner stones. shall not again to fetch it: It shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless for the Widow" ( Deuteronomy 24-20) In those times, the Masonic Sheaf of Corn the fruit of our labors, our sacrifices and all we have done to deserve When though gather the grapes of thy vine yard, though shall not glean the it afterward: It shall be for the them. The Plenty of the Harvest Corn, Wine, and Oil stranger,for the fatherless, and fir the Widow"(Deuteronomy 20:24) The Sheaf of Corn represented the "the county of the realm" to our Ancient Brethren the people if Israel. While we are paid in dollars and cents today, Corn, wine, and oil were the wages if the fruits of their labors.

Most Masonic Scholars believed that the Masonic ritual actually represents the more generic term, meaning "grain", in general. This is why you sometimes hear mention of the Masonic Sheaf of Wheat, the Masonic sheaf of barley or the Masonic Sheaf of grain used some what interchangeably. Here in the United States and Canada, we usually think of corn as large hybridized cobs which are some shade of yellow or white.

At Halloween we see Indian Maze used in decorative fall harvest display, but not usually in the grocery sores for human consumption. have been associated with " the harvest and the plenty" Indian maze can be a solid color, but most of it is variesince King Solomon's time... And Before Masonic wages: gated colors of red, deep purple, dark yellow and almost When King Solomon requested of King Tyre the wood white.

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

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www.azmasoniclibrary.org

Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 8 am White Mountain Lodge #3 F & AM will hold the annual Clothe a Child at Bealls Outlet west of Wal Mart. The Lodge will buy clothes for approximately twenty four children 5 to 10 years old. We will seek the assistance of Destiny and Globe school teachers to select 12 children from Globe and 12 children from Destiny. Because of the COVID-19 everybody must wear a MASK including Masons, children, parents, and volunteers.

This program has been held every year for over fifty years. Dave Johnson was a long time supporter and upon his passing asked that donations be made to Clothe a Child.

The program operates on donations and any are appreciated.

Make donations to White Mountain Lodge #3.

Bealls Outlet assists the program by opening the store one hour before normal and giving discounts on purchases.

Volunteers help the children pick clothes and more are always needed. The program is charitable tax exempt 501c10. For more information contact James Rasmussen 928-701-3646 or any Mason.

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There is no word whose technical and proper meaning differs more than this. In its ordinary use profane signifies one who is irreligious and irreverent, but in its technical adaptation it is applied to one who is ignorant of sacred rites. The word is compounded of the two Latin words pro and canum, and literally means before or outside of the temple; and hence, a profanes among the ancients was one who was not allowed to enter the temple and behold the mysteries. "Those," says Vossius, "were called profane who were not initiated in the sacred rites, but to whom it was allowed only to stand before the temple-profane-not to enter it and take part in the solemnities." The Greek equivalent, had a similar reference; for its root is found in a threshold, as if it denoted one who was not permitted to pass the threshold of the temple. In the celebrated hymn of Orpheus, which it is said was sung at the Mysteries of Eleusis, we meet with this phrase, meaning I speak to those to whom it is lawful, but close the doors against the profane. When the mysteries were about to begin, the Greeks used the solemn formula, and the Romans, Procul, O procul este, profani, both meaning, Far hence, O far hence, be ye, ye outsiders! (see Vergil, Aeneid, book vi,

line 258). Hence the original and inoffensive signification of profane is that of being uninitiated; and it is in this sense that it is used in Freemasonry, simply to designate one who has not been initiated as a Freemason. The word profane is not recognized as a noun substantive in the general usage of the language, but it has been adopted as a technical term in the dialect of Freemasonry, in the same relative sense in which the word layman is used in the professions of law and divinity.

Accepted as the word is for general use among Freemasons, its ancient meaning "outside the Temple, an outsider," may be misunderstood. A peculiar instance of this sort came up for consideration in 1926 at the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands. One of the Lodges objected to the use of the word profane, in either English or Spanish, when reference is made to persons not Freemasons, because it "has no proper place in modern Masonry." Accordingly the Grand Lodge adopted this resolution: That the use of the word profane when reference is made to persons not Masons be avoided wherever possible ban the use of some other word or expression in its stead, such as uninitiated and non-Mason.

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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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

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 bedetailed exhibits and guided tours that teach the general gun a multi-year project to perform all needed structural repairs. Stone by stone, are repointing the mortar and public about George Washington, his life and virtues, protecting the building from water penetration. When and the role that Freemasonry played throughout his life. Further, the Memorial is an important space for the completed, the building will be in better than new performing arts, social gatherings, public events, and condition. 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.

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.

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Curtis Johnson WB Perfecto Rodriquez WB John O’Hara PM WB Delbert Lewis PM WB Ray Osbourn PM WB Billy Bayless Harry Howe 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

November Birthdays

November Anniversaries

Robert Alma Jacob Roberts Boyd Johnson Chip Frizzell Jim Baker Dewey Jefferson Tim Williams

John Singer John O’Hara Gale McDougall William Powell Michael Henry Jacob Robert Jim Reid Dewey Jefferson

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11-21-1961 11-12-1969 11-8-1985 11-23-1994 11-23-1997 11-22-1997 11-16-1999 11-28-2016

Nov 5, Pinal Lodge No. 30

November 7, 2020 King Solomon No. 5

7:00 pm Stated Meeting

Degree in the Desert, Tombstone Arizona 5:00 pm Degree Begins

Nov 9, Ocotillo Chapter No. 21 OES 7:00 pm Stated Meeting

November 28, 2020 Jr. Parada Parade

Nov 12, Apache Lodge No. 69

Heritage Park Florence, Arizona 9:00 am Parade line up 1000 am Parade Begins

7:300 pm Stated Meeting

Nov 14, White Mountain No. 3

March 26-28, 2021 Arizona Masonicon

10:00 am Stated Meeting

Holiday Inn Casa Grande, Arizona

Nov 14, Globe Chapter No. 7 R.A.M

June 4-6, 2021 Grand Lodge of Arizona

2:00 pm Stated Meeting

Prescott Resort Prescott, Arizona

Nov 19, Eloy Lodge No. 46 7:00 pm Stated Meeting

Nov 30, 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

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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! 17

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/942746389 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, Roger Biede III Secretary, Masonic Charities of Arizona rcbthree@hotmail.com www.masoniccharitiesaz.com 18

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Anthony Raimondi Email: Raimondi_57@msn.com

Eric Smith Email: jiminys@yahoo.com

Email: jwoode591@gmail.com

MWGM Boyd Robertson 2020-21 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

Daniel Genchi PM Chairman Roger Biede III PM Ryan Kann 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 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.

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