Masonic Week 2008

Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 - Arrival

Reed got off of the plane at BWI looking for Justin in the same spot he had been in the year before. Since he was not in that same spot he almost bumped into him while looking up to see which was the baggage claim was thinking he might be there. Justin then help Reed load his bags into the car and they were off to Justin's house in Maryland.

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 - Lectures at BBF and Rides for Grand Officers

We got a late start due to Reed's jet lag. That was ok though, all we had to do was pick up MWB Glen Cook the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Utah and IPM of Sentinel Lodge 4707 UGLE, WB Blaine H. Simons RWPGSec of Utah and Past President of Cabiri International and Gerald Cochrane Deputy District Grand Master of Oregon up from the hotel in time to get to Benjamin Brown French Lodge No. 15 in time for dinner before Lodge. It was a little bit of a squeeze with 3 grown men in the back seat, but we didn't have far to go. I have to say that the meal that we had at BBF was one of the best meals I have had before a Lodge meeting (as I, Reed, write this Justin concurs whole-heartedly). The Lodge was called to order on the Entered Apprentice Degree. Mighty fine work I must note, their floor-work was pristine, and I recommend ANYONE to this lodge. The Lodge was called from Labor to Refreshment so that the Lodge could bring in the non Masons to listen to a lecture by ILL:. RONALD A. SEALE, 33º the SGC of the AASR-SJ. He gave a talk on "The Conundrum of Conflicting Visions" which stated that when we stop seeing each other as members and see each other as Brothers we become better Masons. It was well presented and Reed enjoys seeing him speak as he has done so many a time, (Justin cannot ramble on enough about how well the lecture was presented). Reed got to meet WB Rashied Sherrieff Al-Bey who he had talked started talking with on Masonic Light (a yahoo group for Masons of all types) many years ago. We also got to meet Allesandro Gagliardi of NY and Steve Brettell of Maryland mutual friends on The Working Tools Magazines social group. We also meet new friends WB Balvin Dunn of NY and Joby Dixon of D.C. who are on The Sanctum Sanctorum though we had not talked with them much there. They are all great sites and all great Brothers. Glen caught a ride with one of the Brothers from the Lodge back to the hotel. Our ride back to the hotel was not so cramped only being Reed, Justin, RWB Blaine and MW Gerry. We dropped the Worshipful brothers off and headed back to Maryland.

Thursday, February 6th, 2008 - Masonic Week Officially Begins

We woke up late and drove to Alexandria with our luggage ready to check into the hotel. Last year it was to much to drive home every night so we decided to stay at the hotel Thursday and Friday nights. We had lunch and hung out in the hospitality suites until we could check into the hotel. The Philalethes Society and Knights of Freemasonry Universal (KOFU) hospitality suite is were we spent quite a bit of time socializing since it was just down the hall from our room. There also was not much that we could attend on Thursday as well. We met some very cool Brothers there. Dave Daughtery of KOFU was always there with his dog Mojo to greet. Ron Tarullo was always ready with coffee or to let us know where the cold drinks were. We decided that we would go to Naval Lodge No. 4 to hear a lecture on Friedrich Nietzsche and Freemasonry by Brother Ted Berry (also a great Masonic Light contributor). On the way out the door MWB Jeff Ballou of the MWPHGL of Washington D.C. invited us to Social Lodge No. 1 but we had already told Alessandro that we would see him at Naval Lodge and were giving rides to WB Balvin Dunn and WB Rashied Al-Bay. WMB Jeff said that he really wanted us all to show up to Social Lodge next year then. We got to Naval Lodge a bit late as we were not sure exactly how to get there and when they called off from Labor to Refreshment we were able to go in after we were properly clothed. We hear another great lecture, saw more great work, and had some great socializing done at the pub across the street afterwards.

Friday, February 8th, 2008 - Socializing

We woke up early so that we could go to the Grand Council of Knight Masons "0". Reed was able to sign up because there are no Knight Masons in Utah. Justin could not because petition there was a council of Knight Masons in the state that he lived in. At this point Justin had to go run some errands. After becoming a Knight Mason, Reed then went to the Society of Blue Friars and heard a paper about Southern Baptists and Freemasonry. Reed then went to a Masonic Light Luncheon hosted for the 12th year in a row by Janet Wintermute a Mason of the Feminine persuasion. It was attended by Janet, Reed, Balvin, Alessandro, MWB Glen Cook, Piers Vaughan, Harry Lyon, Rob Morton President of Morton Books, Oliver Kruze, our new friend Ted Hogan and Jay Hochberg (who I didn't get to meet at the other end of the table) among others. Members of Masonic Light can read Janet's account at Masonic Light yahoo group by searching "And the food was good, too..." After lunch Justin returned from his errands and joined Reed for a drink in the Philalethes/KOFU Hospitality Suite. We socialized with more Brothers until we went to the Royal Society of Knights Occidental dinner. It was not a bad dinner and worth the time if you want to get the highest award that is the GCO (Grand Cross Occidental) which is awarded to anyone who attends 5 annual Convivials (meetings). Unfortunately it is usually at about the same time as the Philalethes dinner which has great speakers. We were torn that we had already obtained ticket for the RSoKO dinner. We then attended "The Elevator Degree" with William Isabelle as Master Hunter and preformed by the Pacific Northwest Players. Last years S.N.I.P.E degree was excellent and this years was no less a privilege to see as well as a great degree. The moral this year is one that we agree with whole heartedly. Those of us that work and learn to get our Master Mason degree feel slighted by those that get it in one day with no work what so ever. We also feel that the "One Day Brother's" are cheated of the opportunity to learn at great length the lessons earned through trial and open catechism. We then went to the Masonic Order of the Bath degree and Justin, WB Balvin and MWB Glen were newly inducted. Reed met with Russ Schlosser in the Knight Masons Hospitality Suite and had a great conversation with him. We then had more fellowship in the Philalethes/KOFU Hospitality Suite.

Saturday, February 9th, 2008 - Last Official Day of Masonic Week

We found out the Grand College of Rites Speaker was not going to be able to make it to the meeting so we opted to pack and check out of our room. Reed attended the Grand Master's Council "A" of the allied masonic degrees and was installed as the Tyler of Grand Master's Council. Blaine Simons was installed as Junior Warden, as well, of Utah. We then met a new friend Ted Hogan from Chicago who recently back from military service over seas. The three of us then headed upstairs for a light lunch at the hotel restaurant. After lunch Reed, Justin and our friend Ted of Chicago and Russ "Sloshz" Schlosser also of Chicago, had a great conversation about the differences between Northern and Southern Jurisdictions Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. We then left a bit early to go meet up with our friend Jenna Line who we met at last years AMD Masonic Week. We spent the evening with her until we had to take her back to the Metro so that she could get to her car in time to get home at a reasonable hour. We then drove back to Maryland ourselves.

Sunday, February 10th, 2008 - Lazy day

We sat around the house and caught up on season 1 of Heroes.

Monday, February 11th, 2008 - Blog writing and more laziness.

We watched more Heroes, sat around, started these blogs and found out the Lodge we were going to attend, Shryock Lodge 223 in Maryland, was having a sweethearts night so Reed's attempt to visit a Lodge in Maryland were going to be of no avail.

Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 - Freezing rain and still no Lodge.

We went to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and left about 5pm to try and get to Henry Knox Field 349 in Alexandria VA about 7 miles away. Well around 8pm we finally got there and the building was closed due to the freezing rain that kept us froma getting there in a timely fashion. Reed's attempt to visit a Lodge in Virginia were of no avail as well.

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 - Sweethearts Night.

The whole reason Reed was staying in town till Thursday was to attend Justin's Lodge. They had a sweethearts night as well so Reed will have to attend Lodge in VA and MD next year.

Thursday, February 14th, 2008 - Valentines Day on a plane.

I (Reed) have finished this blog and now have to pack so I can catch my flight.
I am looking forward to seeing you all next year at AMD Masonic Week 2009.

Blog by Reed Fanning and Justin Budreau.