Annapolis Lodge No. 89 A. F. & A. M.

Closing out 2011 with a Bang: 7 New Master Masons Raised at GL Event

Secretary — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:44:34 +0000

Ending what has been an incredible year of Degree Work, Annapolis Lodge No. 89 participated in the second Degree Day put on by the Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Maryland in 2011. The event began at 9:00am on Saturday, December 17 and brought together at least 30 of the 99 Lodges in the Grand Jurisdiction. Of the approximately 150 Brothers Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on that day, 7 were from Annapolis Lodge No. 89.

The event was held at the Grand Lodge of Maryland’s impressive headquarters in Cockeysville, north of Baltimore City.

The Grand Lodge of Maryland

The Degree Work was overseen by the Grand Line and Most Worshipful Grand Master Stephen J. Ponzillo, III within the beautiful Corinthian Room on the second floor of the building.

The Corinthian Room: Lodge Room for the Grand Lodge of Maryland.

Both the Second and Third Degrees were conferred that day, with the Craft being called from Labor to Refreshment around 12:00 noon. Lunch was served in the elegant ballroom.

Brethren at Refreshment in the Grand Ball Room

Halls of the Grand Lodge

Landing at the Top of the Grand Staircase

A great time was had by all assembled. We congratulate Bros. Hoffmann, Gilligan, Evans, Walker, Lord, Gregg and Shindoler, all of who walked through the doors of the Grand Lodge in the morning as either Entered Apprentices or Fellow Crafts and left in the afternoon as Master Masons.

Freemasonry across the United States continues its renaissance. Men of all ages, ethnicities, faiths and backgrounds are rediscovering the benefits our great Fraternity has to offer. Freemasons meet upon the level, act upon the plumb and part upon the Square.

Thus may we ever meet, act and part.

The Rose Window of the Grand Lodge

Annapolis Lodge Passes 8 Fellow Crafts in One Night

Secretary — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:15:58 +0000

On Thursday, December 1, 2011 Annapolis Lodge No. 89 was greatly blessed with the opportunity to Pass a record 8 Brothers to the 2° in one Night.

Our Lodge has been steadily growing in membership over the past several years and last night’s Degree Work was the most visible example yet of the renaissance Freemasonry and our Lodge in particular is experiencing.

With such a large group it was necessary to enlist the help of the Brethren on the sidelines. Many thanks to all who helped out, especially our Past Masters and two visitors who were present that evening. Worshipful Master pro tem Wiker did an excellent job in officiating and special credit is due to Worshipful Master Goettge who helped prepare and direct the candidates “back stage,” so to speak.

Most of all, congratulations to Brothers Aanenson, Lafferty, Shindoler, Hoffmann, Gilligan, Chappell, Kircher and Evans who are now Fellow Crafts.

Annapolis Lodge No. 89′s Fall Chocked Full of Master Mason Degree Work

Secretary — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 03:01:17 +0000

An Emulation Style 3rd Degree Tracing Board

The fall is always busy seasons for Masonry in the United States. Most Lodges, including Annapolis Lodge No. 89, reemerge from the “Period of Darkness,” i.e.: summer vacation. This means that the backlog of summer paperwork, investigations and Degree Work is completed in the Fall. Annapolis Lodge continues its Instruction year around, so at the end of the summer we often have many Brothers ready to advance to the next Degree.

This Fall Annapolis Lodge No. 89 has been blessed with a great group of men ready to be Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.

No matter what conspiracy theorists will tell you, The Master Mason Degree is the highest and most important Degree in Freemasonry. No Brother Mason can join the York Rite, Scottish Rite or Shriners without first receiving and completing his proficiency in the 3°. It is by far the most dramatic Degree of the Blue Lodge. After a Brother has received it, he is a full member of his Mother Lodge and entitled to travel and sit with Brethren in any legally constituted Master Mason Lodge on the face of the globe.

This year Annapolis Lodge No. 89 has four separate special events to Raise Brothers. On Saturday, October 15, four Annapolis Lodge Fellow Crafts were Raised in a special ceremony at the Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Maryland. The ceremony was an amazing event and included hundreds of Masons from Lodges across the Grand Jurisdiction. Grand Master Ponzillo officiated the event himself. Congratulations to Brothers Stratton, Martinez, Figueroa and Sparks who were made Masters on that memorable afternoon.

At the end of the month, On Saturday October 29 at 10:00am, Annapolis Lodge No. 89 will host the Shrine Degree Team “The Knights of Mecca,” who are renowned across the state for their exemplarily work in the 3°. They are also under Dispensation from The Grand Master to perform the 3° with some special twists not often seen in Lodge rooms. This event will be made all the more special because the two Brothers scheduled to be Raised on that morning are related in more ways than just Freemasonry: they are father and son. Congratulations in advance to the Brothers Turner.

Shortly after that, on Saturday, November 5, Door to Virtue Lodge No. 46 of Westminster, Maryland will confer the Master Mason Degree on one Brother from Annapolis Lodge No. 89. The Degree Work is being carried out as a courtesy to Annapolis and will be performed by the officers of the Grand Line of the Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Maryland. What is perhaps most remarkable about this particular conferral is that it will take place the spectacular George Washington Masonic Memorial. This massive structure, located on the banks of the Potomac River in Alexandria, Virginia, is perhaps the most impressive Masonic building in the world. Congratulations in advance to Bro. Wisner.

Finally, five days later on Thursday, November 10, Pythagoras Lodge No. 146 of Cockeysville Maryland will confer the Master Mason Degree on one Brother from Annapolis Lodge No. 89. The Degree work is being conferred by the line of Pythagoras as a courtesy to Annapolis. Congratulations in advance to Brother. Gregg.

Even as these worthy Brothers achieve the 3°, there are many new Brethren being Initiated into the Craft by Annapolis Lodge. Regardless of whether this burst of new membership continues, Annapolis Lodge No. 89 will be very busy for the next few years. That is a wonderful problem to have.

Annapolis Lodge No. 89 to Confer the EA Degree on 09/29/2011

Secretary — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:57:19 +0000

On this coming Thursday, September 19, 2011 at 7:00pm Annapolis Lodge No. 89 will confer the Entered Apprentice Degree on four worthy candidates.

The Entered Apprentice or “EA” Degree is the first step a man takes when he joins a Masonic Lodge. It is the oldest of three Degrees of Craft Masonry and contains many elements that can be linked to our Medieval brethren: the operative stonemasons.

All Masons are welcome to attend the Degree, but Entered Apprentices are especially encouraged to attend. Lodge opens at 7:00pm. Proper attire is jacket and tie.

Annapolis Lodge No. 89 to Resume Labor on Monday, September 19

Secretary — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 23:03:26 +0000

Every year during the summer most Masonic Lodges in the United States “Go Dark.” Going Dark is a fancy Masonic term for essentially a summer vacation. Taking the summer off allows membership to spend time with kids who are home from school, take vacations and give the Line Officers a well needed rest. Lodges vary on when their Period of Darkenss is, but most are from end of June till beginning of September.

Annapolis Lodge No. 89 shall resume Labor on Monday, September 19th, 2011 at 7:30pm. We will most likely be opening in the Fellow Degree. If you haven’t been to Lodge in awhile, now would be the perfect time to come back to No. 89 and meet some of our many new faces. I promise you’ll be glad you did.

Bro. William Tarant

Secretary — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:16:10 +0000

Today Annapolis Lodge No. 89 received the sad news that Bro. William Tarant has Passed to the Celestial Lodge Above. The information came via a phone call from his widow. He was a resident of Florida at the time he passed. There are no plans for a Masonic Memorial. He will be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea as per his request. A Widow’s Pin and condolence will be sent to the widow on behalf of the Lodge. If any members of Annapolis Lodge No. 89 were close to Bro. Tarant and wish to send any correspondence or flowers please contact the Secretary directly.

His column is broken and his brethren mourn.

Two Annapolis Lodge Brethren awarded the Scottish Rite Knight Commander of the Court of Honour (KCCH)

Secretary — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:26:40 +0000

We are very pleased to report that two Honorable Brothers of Annapolis Lodge No. 89 have been chosen by the Supreme Council, 33° of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry to be awarded the Knight Commander of the Court of Honour. The Knight Commander of the Court of Honour, or KCCH as it more often called, is conferred upon select 32° Scottish Rite Masons. To be eligible a Brother must have been a member of the Scottish Rite for at least 46 months. He must have demonstrated exceptional service to Masonry or mankind and must be nominated by the Deputy of the Supreme Council or Sovereign Grand Inspector General. This honor cannot be asked for. If it is asked for, it must be refused. The number of KCCHs is strictly governed by the Supreme Council. In order to qualify for the 33°, the highest honor conferred by the Scottish Rite, a member must have been a KCCH first.

The Jewel of the KCCH is a red passion cross with a white center. In the center is a green trefoil which resembles a shamrock. This jewel is worn suspended from the left breast by a white ribbon. At Scottish Rite functions KCCH Brothers are easily recognizable by their red hats as displayed below:

This year Worshipful Bro. William Ernst and Bro. S. Dirk Wiker, SW will have this honor conferred upon them by Sovereign Grand Commander at the beautiful Scottish Rite Temple of Freemasonry in Baltimore, Maryland. After this they are referred to as “Honorable” and are entitled to denote “KCCH” after their signature on Masonic Communications. Congratulations Brothers, well deserved!

Annapolis Lodge Brother Helps Organize Golf Tournament to Benefit Wounded Warrior Project

Secretary — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:22:25 +0000

It is an honor to announce that an Annapolis Lodge No 89 brother is organizing golf tournament and benefit for the Wounded Warrior Project. Bro. Rick Harlow’s tournament will be Friday, September 19, 2011 at the Woodlands Golf Course. Any brother who wishes to participated, please contact the Secretary and he will put you in contact with Bro. Harlow.

The Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit dedicated to honoring wounded warriors of the United States Armed Forces. It work to raise awareness on behalf of wounded vets and raise money for severely injured service men and Women. More information about this worthy organization can be found here.

Annapolis Lodge No. 89 is Now Wi-Fi Enabled!

Secretary — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 01:36:08 +0000

As a result of the tireless work of Annapolis Lodge No. 89 Senior Deacon, Bro. LJ Collazo, Annapolis Lodge has entered into a contract with Comcast to provide wireless internet access to our Lodge building. It is a secure network. Any Brother or friend of the Fraternity who wishes to have access to it, please contact the Secretary. Now all of our tech-savvy Brethren will be able to use their wireless devices securely within our premises. We will also be able to use the internet access to help with any presentations or lectures that require internet access. Bravo, Bro. Collazo!

Bro. Ellis Tinsley, Junior Deacon Presents the first of Several Cryptograms

Secretary — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 04:59:31 +0000

Bro. Ellis Tinsley, our current Junior Deacon has a flair for creative writing which extends into the world of puzzles, ciphers and cryptograms. Below is the first of several that will be posted on this blog.

Any guesses?