September 2021 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Trestleboard

Printed Every Month 131st Anniversary

September 2021

We are sad to announce that WB Ray Osborn was called to the Celestial Lodge this weekend. Ray Osborn went to be with Jesus on August 6, 2021.

Ray was born on May 11, 1925 to parents, Emily and Andrew in Hastings, Oklahoma. He was the fourth child of six children.

In 1935, the family moved to Arizona in search of a better life. Ra was a student in Peoria. From there, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. He bravely served our country in World War II. He was a landing craft operator and was awarded a citation and commendation ribbon for meritorious service and bravery. The award came from Admiral Nimitz. Soon after exiting the Navy, he met and fell in love with Margaret “Peggy” Salie. The married in 1946 and started a family soon after. They were blessed with three children Brenda, Raylene, and Scott.

Sadly, Peggy passed away in 1972.

In 1973 Ray married Carolyn Pate. He sons, Leo and Lance Eiden, joined the family as young boys. Ray and Carolyn just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary.

Ray started his employment in the John Deere business

in the late 19402. He started out sweeping floors and emptying trash cans and worked his way up to owning multiple John Deere dealerships across Arizona.

Over the years Ray served on Coolidge city council, Lions Club, and a faithful Southern Baptist.

WB Ray was raised in Pima Lodge No. 39 in Coolidge AZ., on April 22, 1965, and joined Gila Valley No. 9 F & AM Masonic Lodge through that Lodge's consolidation in 2008. He served as Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 as Master in 2010. He was presented his 50-year pin in September 2015 and Senior Life Membership in 2016. WB Ray was also very active in the Order of Eastern Star, Ocotillo Chapter #21, Grand Chapter of Arizona.

In his 96 years, he accomplished and saw more than most people can comprehend.

Above any accomplishment, he was dedicated to his family, loved his grandkids fiercely, and was always happy to lend a hand…

To say that he was the ultimate Mason during his lifetime is an understatement.

(Contact the Lodge Secretary at WM3, GV9, or A69 for more information)

A man walks down the street of his hometown and sees the old Masonic lodge closed and falling apart. He had left for the service and said when he returned home he wanted to join the lodge because as a child he was so impressed by the quality of men he met there. He recalled the fish fry’s and barbecues he attended there, the Christmas parties and other events.

Brothers were asked to pitch in to keep their lodge alive.

Unfortunately, the Brothers has more important things to do. They would have all kinds of reasons why they couldn’t come give a few hours of their time.

There used to be dozens but eventually there were just a few, my husband called them ‘The faithful few’. Sometimes they barely had enough to hold meetings, they He saw an old lady walking down the street and asks her couldn’t do Degree work because they didn’t have what happened? He recalled how he would see the enough members present, they couldn’t grow because members gather for meetings, holding events for the they couldn’t bring in new men. Sadly as those faithful community and marching in few aged, they just couldn’t do it the parade. Such great men, all anymore. They tried but after beacons of the town, men of the events stopped, so did their influence but more importantrelations with the town folk. The ly, just great men. people who had enjoyed the events over the years lost interest The old woman stated, “ My in helping out. They drained husband used to attend lodge what little money they had left to there. For decades he would try and keep it open but it all spend countless hours workdried up. After they closed my ing to prepare for events and husband was miserable, it was the meetings, oh how he loved one thing he looked forward to being around his Brothers. each month and now it was He loved being a Freemason gone.” and so looked forward to the fellowship, he loved being The man looked on with tears in surrounded by good men, his eyes, such a great institution like minded men who knew they was something bigger that did so much for its community was gone. than themselves.”

Our Lodges are not just buildings of brick and mortar, “But what happened? “, asked the man, “Where’d they they buildings of Brotherly Love. Love held between all go?”

Brothers of the order and shown to our communities but they can’t survive on love alone. Like any great organiza“Well son”, said the old lady, “They died or moved away but it started down this path long before that. The Broth- tion, it is the members who keep it going. Much like the ers stopped coming, they stopped working on the lodge, crops of the field will die off without the rains, our Lodgthey stopped holding events. When the Brothers es will die off without its members. We all have other stopped attending, the events stopped, the people things that go on, that is life, but we must make every efstopped coming, when the people stopped coming, the fort to set aside the time, as little as four hours a month, fundraisers stopped, when the fundraisers stopped, the to attend meetings, do the work and maintain our temple.

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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 that the world needs more of us in it. word to his fellow Masonic brothers.

What a Mason is to me may or may not be the same as Being a Mason has made me want to be a better man, to another, and that is the point of being a Mason. Being a let things go where when I was a younger man I would Mason is being a man working to be a better man, howhave allowed things to get the better of me. It has taught ever that may be. Not all of us feel we need to improve me to really understand that golden rule that I was taught on the same things, and that is the beauty of Masons. We to live by, “treat others as you would have them treat are all trying to be better and are willing to help however we can, which in turn makes us better than we were beyou”. fore.

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 Fraternally, 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.

2021 Master Some question what I tell them, and others smile and say Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

Eric Smith

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Brethren,

back to California. So, we began searching for a new This note is simple gesture of thanks. There are several place to call home in Arizona. points for which I am grateful to this lodge and its mem- After over 6 months of actively searching, we finally setbers. tled on a place just South of the Charles Whitlow Rodeo Firstly, I want to thank you for accepting me into the fold Grounds and moved in the first week of December last and for the exceptional work done during my ritual. It is year. an honor to join you, and I hope to show myself worthy All was going well until the middle of May when Bill fell of the gift you have bestowed upon me. and broke his hip. After surgery and recovery his ability Secondly, I want to specifically thank the brothers who, to move on his own without assistance is severely limited.

We had planned to take him back to Modesto for his on short notice, gave up the bulk of their Saturday to birthday where he has family and Shrine friends.

But unfortunately, we had to cancel that plan.

Then just three days before his birthday, the family members who had planned on coming here had to cancel.

In a desperate attempt to provide Bill a special experience for a very special day, I reached out to Brother Lee Apger and asked if he could see if anyone would be interested in coming out. Only two of the brothers had ever met him before that day, but five brothers and three of their wives came out and helped him have “One of the best birthday parties ever” (his words) he has ever had.

Having Masonic brothers to hang out with and talk to is something that he has missed terribly and those brothers who came out really made his day.

A very special thanks to Lee and Kolleen Apger, help make my father-in-law, William (Bill) Strickland’s Dewey and Dana Jefferson, Jim and Shirley Baker, John 90th birthday very special. He is a livelong Mason having Woode and Steve Murphy. been made, passed and raised in 1952-53 joining his fa- My wife Anne and I want to thank you all from the botther in his Lodge in his hometown of Noranda Quebec. tom our hearts for helping us celebrate Dad’s 90th birthHe has lived in Modesto, CA for the last 60+ years where day he continued his masonic journey through Scottish Rite, Fraternally, York Rite and the Shrine.

Mark White

He came to live with us in Washington 18 months ago, several months after losing his wife of 62 years. After his first winter in the Seattle area, it was decided that he couldn’t handle the cold wet winters but didn’t want to go

Entered Apprentice Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

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You Can Become A Better Man (& Better Freemason) It’s a bit of cliche to say “travel broadens the mind” but - by MasonicFind that doesn’t make it any less true.

Be Mentally Tough As I’ve said already, life will test you and life will gladfully beat you down if you let it. Learning how to become mentally tough is one way to rise up to life’s endless challenges and you become mentally tough by doing the hard things that need to be done.

Be Loyal To Others (Your Word is Bond) If I shake your hand, in my eyes, that’s as good as a written, signed, and stamped legal document. My word is my bond, and I expect yours to be too. You do not want to be associated with a man who does not keep his word, and nobody else does either.

Control Your Vices, Don’t Let Them Control You I love my wine, I love my single malt, and I also enjoy the occasional smoke. This is not a problem, and it has never been. I understand some people have more of an addictive personality than others, but either learn how to control your vices or avoid them altogether.

As a Freemason, you can travel to just about every Masonic Lodge on God’s green Earth, and when you arrive there, you will find upstanding men who will treat you like a Brother. If you have the time (and the finances) to travel the world and explore new and different cultures, be sure to do so. You’ll become a much better man (and a much better Freemason) when you do.

Always Be On Time One of the most disrespectful things you can do as a man is showing up late. “If you’re early, you’re on time.

If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re late, don’t even bother showing up.” – Lombardi.

Get in the habit of showing up 15 minutes before your intended meeting time and anticipate factors (such as traffic) that might slow you down. If need be, get one of our brand new limited-edition Masonic watches.

Keep Your Space Clean, Tidy & Organized

Would you ever want to work with a disorganized, untidy man? Would you allow that sort of chaos into your Most people will say “real men don’t care how they business and your family? look,” and as usual, most people are wrong. Important, high-value men care how they look and you should do. Probably not, which is why I strongly recommend keeping yourself, your life, and your space (i.e. enviDon’t dress like a slob unless you are one. ronment) clean, tidy, and organized. It will help you in Invest in good clothes that fit you well, keep up impec- more ways than you can imagine. Invest in Good Items cable hygiene, and keep yourself well-groomed. Doing this will boost your confidence making many of these My grandpa used to always say, “I’m too poor to buy cheap stuff”. Growing up, I never quite understood things on this list much easier. what he meant by that, but now that I’m an adult myLearn How To Cook self, I know exactly what he meant.

Man discovered fire some 2 million years ago (yes real- If you want to have a better, richer life, don’t always go ly), yet there are still plenty of men out there who can’t for the “cheap option”. Instead, invest wisely in comcook a meal to save their life. fort and in things that make your life better.

Groom & Dress With Purpose

Absolutely shameful. That’s all I’ve got to say about Money is a tool to be used to improve our lives. If that one. you’re not using it to become a better man (and a better Freemason), it’s pretty much useless.

Travel As Much As You Can 6

Be A Producer, Not A Consumer

I’m saying is:

Men are known to be the industrious gender, so even though this may be controversial, I think a man is at his best when he’s producing. We have enough consumption in the world. Contrary to popular belief, economies thrive when people produce and not consume. If you’re a man and you can produce, be sure to use your talent for the good.

Put in an effort, go the extra mile, and try – to the best of your abilities – to perform the best work you can.

Get Enough Sleep

According to many experts, getting enough sleep is crucial to a healthy and productive life. I understand men tend to be on the “ambitious” side but sacrificing your sleep to achieve your goals is, in my opinion, working backward. I’ve done the “4-hours of sleep per night” thing and it got me nowhere (even though it seemed like I was getting ahead). It’s my advice to you to get some sleep and rest properly. You’d only be limiting yourself and your potential if you don’t.

Pick Up A Single Piece of Trash When You Go Out Want to know how you can start making the world a better place starting today? Pick up a single piece of trash when you’re out and about (ideally, make it a habit to pick up one piece of trash a day). It may not seem like much, but it’s the easier and quickest way I’ve learned to make the world a better place. Of course, make sure to use a plastic glove if possible and/ or sanitize after.

Do The Best Job You Can

Give To Charity (Without Boasting About It) Freemasons are known to be benevolent. In fact, some might say Freemasonry is more a charitable organization than it is a “secret society”. While being charitable is always a good idea, there seems to be a trend lately where people boast about giving to charity (oftentimes recording themselves acting all noble and benevolent).

This, in my opinion, is disrespectful and distasteful. If you’re going to donate money, don’t do it for the social media clout.

Have An Abundance Mentality This trait (although often misunderstood) will open you up to more opportunities and experiences than a selflimiting belief will ever do. Some think having an “abundance mentality” means living beyond your means, which is far from the truth. What it means is don’t limit yourself, i.e don’t live in scarcity. Scarcity is not just about money. There are many poor people with an abundant mentality and plenty of rich people with a scarcity mentality.

As anyone who knows what it actually means to be a Don’t Be Too Frugal Freemason (and what your Masonic duties are), in life you need to put in the effort to do the best job you can. There are some instances in life where you have to be I’m afraid (and again, this is just my opinion) society frugal, but… if you’ve been blessed with good fortune seems to have settled into mediocrity. Good enough is and can afford to splurge on things and experiences good enough, when in fact, we can all do a little bit bet- that improve your life, by no means should you be fruter. I’m not saying you should be a perfectionist gal. Life (and money) are meant to be enjoyed. No(although there’s nothing wrong with that), but what body dies wishing they had collected more money.

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Fulton County Amateur Radio Club (FCARC) in as- occur on the day of the Equinox - 1400 UTC to 2200 sociation with Fulton Lodge No. 248 Free & Accept- UTC (10 am - 6 pm ET). Eight hours. ed Masons, Grand Lodge of Ohio.

Contest Dates ~ CQ More Light ~ 1st MLOTA - September 25, 2021 2nd MLOTA – Masonic Lodges on the Air Official Contest Rules http://cqmorelight.com/rules Purpose

To promote public awareness of ham radio and Freemasonry; to promote fraternal bonds within the ranks of Free & Accepted Masonic Lodges and its many Amateur Radio operators who are also brothers in the fraternity; and to encourage contact with other Amateur Radio Operators around the state, country, and world. You do not need to be a Mason to participate, but do get permission from your local lodge to contest from their property.

September 24, 2022 3rd MLOTA – September 23, 2023 Always the Saturday of, or immediately following the Autumnal Equinox.

Modes and Bands Modes of Operation: SSB only.

Amateur Radio Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters.

Please honor all band plans. All contacts must be in the Phone portion of the bands.

Stations may be worked once on each band.

Suggested Frequencies

Objective

These are only suggested frequencies. Operators To have competing stations operating from as many should use good amateur radio practices and be conof Masonic Lodges as possible. Making contacts from siderate of others - do not cause interference. a Masonic Lodge to other Masonic Lodges is the goal all stations should strive for. Note: stations not located in a Masonic Lodge may only contact stations operating from inside a Masonic Lodge.

Contest Period First Saturday following the Autumnal Equinox, unless the Equinox is on a Saturday, in which case it will 8

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Within Freemasonry, the term “jewel” – though it does not connote an item of great material value – commands special respect. Our Masonic jewels assume a variety of forms. The jewels of a Fellow Craft Mason include “… the attentive ear [which] receives the sound from the instructive tongue… [so that] the mysteries of Masonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts.”

Within the lecture of the Entered Apprentice Degree, the candidate is introduced to the jewels of the lodge. The Grand Lodge of Arizona Monitor states:

A CASUALTY TIMES

OF

THE

In 1826, New York Masons were blamed for the disappearance and presumed death of William Morgan, a man who had posed as a Mason in an effort to write an exposé on Masonic ritual. Following this incident, dubbed “the Morgan Affair,” American grand lodges sought to defend themselves from other would-be imposters.

One strategy was by reversing the categories of the immovable and movable jewels so that nonMasons would have a more difficult time posing as members based on knowledge gained from reading exposés.

This original order is reflected in one of the earliest exposés, Samuel Prichard’s 1730 “Masonry Dissected”:

The Jewels of a Lodge are six: three immovable, and three movable… The Immovable Jewels are the Square, the Level, and the Plumb; and they are termed immovable because they are the jewels of the three principal officers of the Lodge… The Square denotes Q. What are the Immoveable Jewels? morality, the Level equality, and the Plumb the recti- A. Trasel Board, Rough Ashlar, and Broach’d Thurtude of life. nel.

The Movable Jewels are the Rough Ashlar, the Perfect Ashlar, and the Trestle Board. The Rough Ashlar is a stone as taken from the quarry in its rude and natural state. The Perfect Ashlar is a stone made ready by the hands of the workman, to be adjusted by the workingtools of the Fellow Craft. The Trestle Board is for the Master Workman to draw his designs upon.

The definitions above are familiar to most Masons, and reflect our understanding of these jewels and working tools today. But interestingly, the categories of immovable and movable jewels were originally reversed – and they remain so in Masonic ritual throughout many parts of the world.

Q. What are their Uses?

A. Trasel Board for the Master to draw his Designs upon, Rough Ashlar for the Fellow-Craft to try their Jewels upon, and the Broach’d Thurnel for the Enter’d ‘Prentice to learn to work upon.

This definition of the rough ashlar is easy enough. It fits nicely with the perfect ashlar in our current ritual, which demonstrates one’s growth in Masonic knowledge, as well as shaping our lives in accordance with the principles of Freemasonry. The reference to the Trestleboard, although it is spelled a bit oddly, is also easy enough. But what is the “broached thurnal”?

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ANOTHER TYPE OF ASHLAR

tered Apprentice Mason has a clear understanding of By referring to early lodge tracing boards, we find that the perfect ashlar he is striving to create. the broached thurnel is a smooth stone with three equi- The original ritual does away with this assumption, prolateral sides and one topped with a pyramid. In the posing an interesting direction. If we begin a journey 1730 ritual, this symbol was assigned to the Entered without a set destination, any path will lead us to its end Apprentice and the rough ashlar was assigned to the – but perhaps this journey will not merit our time or Fellow Craft. But shouldn’t this be reversed? Accord- efforts. Likewise, if, as Masons, we strive to shape our ing to the symbolism we follow today, the Entered Ap- rough ashlar without a vision of the finished stone, any adjustments will seem like progress – even if they are actually setbacks. It is only by understanding the finished product that we can work to achieve it, rather than wasting time – or wasting stone.

“If we begin a journey without a set destination, any path will lead us to its end – but perhaps this journey will not merit our time or efforts.” prentice would begin with a rough ashlar, while the form of a perfect ashlar would be assigned to a more advanced Mason. This dichotomy has puzzled Masonic scholars for many years. But I believe that there is an answer, and it is based on how we should perceive these two important symbols.

The beautiful broached thurnel was diagrammed on the master’s Trestleboard so that the Entered Apprentice would understand his goal. When we work to shape our minds “as living stones for that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,” we must also follow an example of how to live. It all now makes sense. We changed this symbol in our ritual, and the metaphors of this updated ritual hold meaning for us.

But it is interesting to contemplate how our Masonic experiences might have been different had we been given the broached thurnel as an example of a perfect ashlar before beginning our journeys within the craft.

Our current ritual defines the rough ashlar as a stone “taken from the quarry in its rude and natural state,” presumably by the Entered Apprentice who is expected to perform simpler tasks as a beginner Mason.

The perfect ashlar has been “adjusted by the working tools of the Fellow Craft,” the square, level, and plumb.

-California Freemason But, our ritual includes an assumption: that the En-

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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One of the stories I heard growing up in Florence was about Adolfo ‘Harpo’ Celeya, a survivor of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, which actually is pretty famous.

The 1975 American film thriller Jaws led to many viewers fearing the ocean. In the film, a giant maneating great white shark attacks beachgoers at a New England summer resort town. It’s up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist and a fisherman to hunt the beast down.

One of the more unsettling scenes from the movie was fisherman Quint’s revelation that he survived the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. He and his fellow sailors ended up in the water, becoming prey for sharks as they drifted alone at sea for days until rescued. Quint described the frightening experience of a shark looking at you with its black, lifeless eyes, hearing the screams of other men and watching the ocean turn blood-red.

the water alive. After five days at sea, only 317 survived.

Adolfo “Harpo” Celaya is one of the few remaining survivors of the USS Indianapolis. The Smithsonian has This story represented the real-life tragedy of those serv- called this event one of the worst shark attacks in human ing aboard the Navy cruiser during World War II. On history.

July 30, 1945, two Japanese torpedoes struck the USS Indianapolis just days after delivering components of the Celaya enlisted in the Navy in 1944 when he was 17 and fought in both the Battle of Okinawa and the Battle of atomic bomb later dropped on Hiroshima. Within 12 minutes, the flagship of the U.S. Navy’s 5th fleet sunk. Iwo Jima. He reached the rank of fireman second class Of the 1,196 people on board, around 900 made it into while recovering from the attack, and returned

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to high school after his discharge at 18.

PTSD during his games. He would sometimes envision He spent his days drinking at local bars to cope with his the opposing team as his attackers out at sea. “Well, I had five guys from Douglas running after me, and it trauma. Things took a turn for the better when a Florence High School basketball coach encouraged him to would look like sharks coming after me,” he said. join the basketball team while getting paid through the Last laugh GI Bill.

From surviving war to winning a high school basketball Despite being considered the best basketball player in town, the principal demanded he not be put in the starting line up because of his Mexican heritage. But the following year, he led the Florence Gophers to the state playoffs, even as signs in the stands at his games read “No Mexicans” or “No dogs allowed.”

state championship, the 92-year-old can smile about it all now. “As a 17-year-old kid, you dream about those things, but I never thought it would happen.”

Harpo is still alive and often gives talks around Town and are well worth the time. The next time he is speaking is at McFarland State Park on Veterans Day 2021.

Sometimes he would speak Spanish during his games, such as calling out “Tire la pa’ ca!” when he wanted his English speaking teammates to pass the ball to him. At Fraternally, one point, the coach of an opposing team accused the Florence team of cheating, claiming that his use of Span2021 Deputy Grand Master ish gave them an unfair advantage.

Grand Lodge of Arizona F. & A.M. But the Purple Heart recipient recalled struggling with

Jim Baker

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Are you in the mood to go clubbing? Masonic Book You can have healthy, respectful debates about someClubbing, that is! Did you see that Brian Gay is starting thing other than politics in our book club. And instead a Masonic Book Club at Gila Valley?? of dry reports, you can read juicy, exciting Masonic inWhy would you want to join the Gila Valley book club? terests that you have long wanted to discuss. Hearing other readers’ perspectives on the same story might That’s a question I am now hearing. change your own ideas about what a book means.

So this month I’ll share a few reasons why we at the Gi- Books and Drinks go well together. la Valley think that this book club is good for you!

This one is obvious! Snacks are also fun, especially Reading is good for your brain. when they’re thematic. Our book club in Gila Valley will meet regularly and matches books and drinks and There are many studies that show reading is good for cigars each time. Bring your smokes, drinks and lets strengthening both the physical structure of the brain talk Masonic books! and social soft skills like intelligence and empathy. Why wouldn’t you want to benefit from regular reading?

Book clubs are sociable and prompt discussion with old or new Brothers.

Just hanging out and talking about your own lives in relation to the book you’re reading is healthy and enjoyable. Sometimes reading as a social activity can bridge differences of opinion and bring people together in new ways. “Companionship and intellectual stimulation—and thinking quickly during book club discussions—all of these things are very healthy,” said Michael Roizen, M.D., chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic, in a recent study.

Book clubs are fun!

All book clubs include some time to get to know the other members better. A book club can help you meet new people and make new friends, all in a relaxed atIn this book club, you can discover new Masonic books mosphere. They are a great addition to a social calenthat you might have otherwise completely overlooked – dar, being a low key and relatively inexpensive activity. you might find a new favorite this way. Or, you can en- No matter how serious our book discussions are, just getting together and chatting on a regular basis can be courage the other members of your club to read and discuss your own favorite book that you’ve been dying fun! to talk about with somebody! Also, having a deadline to get a book done can help to get you going on your read- Fraternally, ing, even in our busy world. You just have to schedule in this reading!

2021 Senior Warden This Book club offers a way to reflect on our society Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 today.

Reading things you might not have otherwise can expand your horizons.

John Woode

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PYRAMID SCHEME DID AN UNWITTING MASONIC ARTIST LAY CLAIM TO AN AMERICAN ICON?

By Lily Young What started as an idea to turn a quick buck on a national holiday morphed into a million-dollar idea for Jim McCullough. As a starving artist in the seventies, McCullough fell backward into owning the copyright to the Eye of Providence, that mysterious image on the dollar bill. And while he never managed to cash in on his fortune, the story behind it is about as bizarre as the floating, radiating eye itself.

“It’s the most iconic image on the planet,” McCullough says. “Everyone knows that symbol.”

The saga started in 1976. McCullough, a member of Mill Valley No. 356, and his business partner, Preston “Presto” Stuart, were film students in San Francisco, where they ran a T-shirt business. In honor of the bicentennial, they’d been designing shirts sporting classic Americana like the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag. Then another idea struck them: How about a T-shirt featuring the Eye of Providence, that strange, trippy symbol on the back of the dollar bill?

Certainly, it’s one of the strangest government symbols around: a floating human eye within a triangle, illuminated by a shining ray of light, levitating over an unfinished brick pyramid. To an artistic spirit like McCullough, it was practically irresistible.

For generations, the image has baffled onlookers and, thanks to what seems like a connection to Freemasonry, inspired countless conspiracies. In reality, the all-seeing eye isn’t unique to Masonry, and is actually a common representation of divine protection used in many religious traditions.

In the case of the circa-1782 seal on the dollar, the eye watching over an unfinished, 13-step pyramid is typically interpreted as God’s benevolent sanction of the new nation. It’s surrounded by the phrases annuit coeptis (“He has favored our undertakings”) and novus ordo seclorum (“a new succession of ages”). The film National Treasure and the novels of Dan Brown have contributed to the misbelief that the image conceals

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a secret Masonic meaning. And while there are iconographic echoes aplenty to be found in the great seal where Masonry is concerned, they’re more likely emblematic of a shared affinity for Renaissance-era symbolism than any kind of conspiratorial clue.

has the paperwork related to the copyright in his basement. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, only a federal court can determine a copyright if it’s contested. (This one isn’t.) Furthermore, any work made pre1926 is in the public domain.

All McCollough wanted to know was: Could he get sued for using it?

As Eddy explains, McCullough and Presto don’t actually own the Eye of Providence; they own their sketch of it, which happens to look the same. So the millionHe wrote to the U.S. Department of the Treasury to inquire, and in response was sent a Form H application dollar question remains: Are McCullough, Presto, and Lonesome Eddy sitting on a potential goldmine? for reproduction copyright. McCullough called the copyright office back. He wasn’t trying to buy the rights Lord only knows. McCullough and Presto never tried to the Eye of Providence, he explained. Just put it on a or managed to make money off the image, and the Tshirt. shirt company is long gone. McCullough says he’s seen the symbol out in the wild, but never taken any steps to The staffer explained: The Eye of Providence was an unprotected image. But McCullough and Stuart could sue anyone for copyright infringement. file a reproduction copyright claim on it for a simple $6 fee. So they did. Weeks later, they received a stamped certification in the mail. They now owned one of the most recognizable images in American pop culture. “I remember being exhilarated,” McCullough recalls. “It was amazing. I guess we were supposed to have it.”

It’s better that way, he says. Both Stuart and McCullough are jovial, aging artists with no appetite for courtroom drama. The symbol, they say, shouldn’t belong to litigious profiteers.

Still, the eye is “secretive and wonderful,” says McCullough, now a marketing consultant for HollyWell, maybe. That was 45 years ago. McCullough still wood films. He always wanted to turn his unlikely copbelieves he owns the copyright. But that’s where things yright into some kind of lasting project, one that might get hazy. As for other documentation, McCullough make a buck. Instead, it’s left a different kind of legacy, cites his attorney from the time, a former guitar player he says. “It was good for a laugh.” who goes by the name Lonesome Eddy, who says he

The

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Brethren

elderly Masons. Medical advances in this country I was doing a little reading on Phoenix Masonry.org have been so great that life expectancy has increased and the elderly constitute a large and growing segment web site & found this article to be very interesting. of the population. Savings, pensions, and social secuMasonic Homes rity benefits are sufficient for many people to be able For over a hundred years, many Grand Lodges have to maintain their own homes. Others are less fortubuilt & maintained what have come to be known as nate, and need the help which Masons are ready and willing to give.

Masonic Homes.

The first of these Homes was the Masonic Widows A recent publication by the Masonic Service Associaand Orphans Home and infirmary which was estab- tion of the United States shows that 34 of our Grand lished on 200 acres , of land in the city of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1866. Initially, many of the Homes were created to provide shelter, education and training for orphaned children. Now the Masonic Home in Kentucky is only operated for the elderly.

Over time, several factors contributed to the allevia- Lodges currently maintain Homes for the elderly. tion of the need that had prompted the construction The Grand Lodges of Alabama, California, Connectiof these Homes. These included economic improve- cut, Delaware, the District of Colombia, Florida, ments and the advent of Social Security. Also, medi- Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, cal advances reduced the death rates from tuberculo- Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minsis, pneumonia, and similar diseases, which had previ- nesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, ously resulted in the premature death of young par- New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texents. as, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and WisconAt present, only nine Grand Lodges continue to opersin. ate Children’s Homes: California, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Although more than half of these states already had Pennsylvania, and Texas. In these Homes, everything Homes for the elderly by 1910, most states have renis done to provide the Children with a stable, support- ovated older buildings and constructed new facilities ive environment. They attend local schools in some to meet the changing needs of their residents. Differjurisdictions; in others education is provided in the ent levels of care are frequently provided, so that inHome. The Grand Lodge raises finds to send the dependence and quality of life are not sacrificed. A children to summer camps and to provide opportuni- typical state provides residential accommodations for ties for sports and entertainment throughout the year. those without serious health or mobility problems, a They also make scholarships available to the children facility with skilled nursing and medical care for shortterm illnesses or those needing surgery, and also longfor college or advanced training. term accommodations for the seriously, There has been no decline in the need for Homes for 18

chronically ill seniors. A relatively new development is the investment some jurisdictions are making in ”Independent Living” communities for younger retired Masons, their wives and widows. These communities include apartment units in attractive locations close to the Masonic Home, so that all the Home’s recreational facilities and activities are accessible as well as emergency nursing care.

Grand Lodge officers are generally appointed to serve as trustees and board members ar the Homes. They and the administrators keep the Grand Lodge in touch with residents’ needs and the likely future needs of older Masons. Special projects such as landscaping, equipping new laundry rooms, providing patio furniture or mini-busses are funded by the Grand Lodges, and many Masons give freely of their time and talents to the Homes and their resiures were available for 1985, came to over $88 million dents. dollars.

Those states that do not operate a Home, maintain Charity Funds which are used to provide relief for el- Masons regard it as a privilege to be able to support derly Masons and their widows in their state. The their Brethren in their golden years, and the Homes amounts contributed to these funds differ widely, de- give testimony to the brotherly love and affection which pending on various factors. These include the alterna- are the keystone of Freemasonry. tives available, and the level of need in the jurisdiction, Fraternally, the number of Masons in the area, and the particular history of the charity in the Grand Lodge.

Dewey Jefferson

In the states that do support a Masonic Home, financial support for the Home is one of the major Grand Lodge charities. Operating expenses for the Homes whose fig-

2021 Junior Warden Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

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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A cowan, once, simply meant, "a man who learned to build walls without mortar." He was termed by some a "dry-diker" and defined "a mason without the word." A Masonic catechism of 1730 asks, "If a cowan is catched, how is he to be punished?" Answer: "To be placed under the eaves of the houses (in rainy weather) till the water runs in at his shoulders and out at his shoes."

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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 RW Jim Baker, or WB 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!

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The Widows Sons, Masonic Riders Association is a group of Master Masons who have gathered together to promote Freemasonry within the motorcycling community and help introduce motorcycling to our non-riding Masonic brethren. As Freemasons we are committed to "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth" tenets of our lives, as Widows Sons we are devoted to supporting Widows and Orphans of our Masonic brethren. We hold events and rides as fundraisers for this noble cause, and other charitable causes. The chapters in Arizona are very diverse with members from various areas, lodges, and a variety of motorcycles.

The goal of the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine, as set forth at the organizational meeting in 1903, is to promote sociability, good fellowship and the betterment of all Ladies connected with the organization. Our Ladies participate in parades, mini-clinics, Shrine Circuses, and much more. Ladies may choose to be active in a variety of special interest Units within each local Court such as Oriental Bands, Patrols, Clown or Dance Units. Our Ladies are always ready to display their pageantry and glamour in order to show the public how much they enjoy their activities.

Today, LOSNA has nearly 8,000 members in 64 Courts across North America and even members in Japan and Taiwan.

High Twelve is an association of Master Masons who desire an hour of Masonic fellowship independent of the formal ritual of Lodge but dedicated to the service to the fraternity. High Twelve was founded by E. C. Wolcott in Sioux City, Iowa on May 17, 1921.

We practice the great lessons of Freemasonry and encourage members to attend and participate in their Blue Lodge activities. High Twelve unifies Master Masons from many Lodges in an association where fellowship grows into lasting friendships. As High Twelve Masons, we support the Public School System and encourage participation in constructive community activities. There are over 300 active High Twelve Clubs with 25,000 members in the United States, Canada and Foreign Countries.

www.azmasoniclibrary.org

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Sept 2, Pinal Lodge No. 30

Sept 2, Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

7:00 pm Stated Meeting

Official Visit to Pinal Lodge No. 30

Sept 9, Apache Lodge No. 69

5:30 pm Trustee Meeting

7:30 pm Stated Meeting

Sept 18, 2021 Saguaro Chapter

Sept 11, White Mountain No. 3 10:00 am Stated Meeting

Installation of Officers Pinal Lodge No. 30 11:00 am Installation Commences

Sept 11, Globe Chapter No. 7 R.A.M

Sept 20, Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

2:00 pm Stated Meeting

5:30 pm Trustee Meeting

Sept 14, Ocotillo Chapter No. 21 OES

Sept 27, Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

7:00 pm Stated Meeting

7:00 pm Friend to Friend Program

Sept 16, Eloy Lodge No. 46

Oct 2, 2021 Town of Florence

7:00 pm Stated Meeting

Main Street BBQ Throw down 51100 pm Competition begins

Sept 18, Memento Mori Widow Sons Location TBD: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WSMMChapter

11:00 am Stated Meeting

Dec 20, 2021 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

Sept 20, Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

Book Club Chapters 1-4 7:00 pm Drinks and Books begin

5:00 pm Dinner at Mount Athos 7:00 pm Stated Meeting 9:00 pm Post meeting discussion at Mount Athos

Dec 4, 2021 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Christmas Party 276 S. Starr Rd, Apache Junction 5:00 pm Social Event begins

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Jim Reid Brian Gay MWGM Mark Manning WB John O’Hara PM WB Delbert Lewis PM WB Ray Osbourn PM Wilbur (Bill) Dean Lawrence 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 Town of Florence Government United States Government

September Birthdays Darryl Neal Carroll Michael David Soto James Jameson James Kirk Ryan Kann Lee Weber Nick Hayduke Richard Platt Michael Henry

September Anniversaries 9-4 9-8 9-8 9-9 9-9 9-9 9-14 9-15 9-19 9-27

Don Richard Rudolph Anderson Arthur Halpin Lee Weber Eric Smith

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

Brethren, Friends, and Family, This year the Masonic Charities of Arizona approved 33 grants totaling $70,000 to worthy organizations throughout Arizona. These 501c3 charitable organizations provide much needed services to their communities all over Arizona Those services include Veteran assistance, 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 26

Email: jiminys@yahoo.com

Bro. Email: jwoode591@gmail.com

Dewey Jefferson Email: djndjedderson48@yahoo.com

MWGM Randy Jager 2021-22 Grand Master F. & A.M of Arizona

Bro. John Bryon Singer Email: jbyronsinger@aol.com

Chairman: WB Eric Smith Email: jiminys@yahoo.com

Bro. Lee Apger Chairman: John Woode

Email: lkapger@gmail.com

Email: jwoode591@gmail.com

Chairman: Dewey Jefferson Email: djndjedderson48@yahoo.com

WB Robert Malloy Email: robert_molloy@cox.net

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

Chairman: Dewey Jefferson

Bro. David Jones

Email: djndjedderson48@yahoo.com

Email: dejones2063@gmail.com

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

Bro. Brian Gay Email: bg1973@hotmail.com

Chairman: Gale MacDougall HPM Email: bearinbox@con.net

Roger Biede III PM Chairman

Bro. Gale MacDougal Email: bearinbox@con.net

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Robert Molloy PM John Woode

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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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