Master’s Letter | May 2010
Spring has arrived and I, for one, couldn’t be more thankful. The trees have leaves and the flowers are blooming. We’ve even had some marvelously warm days. With all the snow gone now, we may even see a few more faces at lodge that we’ve been missing.
April 17, our FC degree day in Dearborn, will go down as one of the most memorable Masonic days of my life. I could not have been more proud of our lodge and the degree team. We passed 15 (!) candidates in the Scottish Rite Cathedral lodge room. Fourteen of these brothers were from AAF 262; one was a guest from Walled Lake No. 528. We had Masonic guests from many area lodges, including Prince Hall, and two young Masons from the Bowling Green, Ohio area. Sharing the East with me was Grand Lecturer R.W. Bro. David Hutton. Far from an anonymous, mass affair, each candidate was individually conducted through the degree. The spirit of Masonry was palpable in the room and watching it unfold from the East was a rare gift - “Thank you” Brothers.
While I’m doling out “thanks,” such are also due to W. Bro. Seymour for again arranging this year’s Ladies Night out at the Hunt Club in Plymouth. This is always a fine dining experience and this year was no exception. “Thank you.”
The annual Grand Lodge Communication is taking place in Mount Pleasant on May 18 and 19. I will be discussing all legislation under consideration at Grand Lodge at our regular meeting on May 5. Brothers, I value your input and look forward to your thoughts. May 19 is also a degree night for our lodge. Because I, and perhaps one or both of our Wardens, will be absent, immediate Past Master Chris Fultz will be presiding. I hope to assist him by scheduling all the necessary degree parts, but I would like everyone’s help in providing a good sideline turnout for him and our candidates.
On Friday, May 21, we have been invited by Windsor Lodge No. 403 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada to attend a Master Mason degree. In order to arrange this event, both our lodge and Windsor Lodge had to obtain dispensations from our respective Grand Lodges. Though Ontario and Michigan were once contained, albeit briefly, within the same grand lodge jurisdiction (the First Provincial Grand Lodge of Upper Canada (Ancients)), this relationship necessarily ended with the conclusion of the American Revolution and the withdrawal of British forces from Detroit. Windsor’s Masonic work continued and developed along lines similar to those current in England today; the work here in Michigan, though divided only by the Detroit River, evolved along lines consistent with other American jurisdictions and its own needs. Those able to attend this special Master Mason event, therefore, will see a form of Masonry quite different than that practiced by AAF262. W.Bro. Lowell Easton is renting a van to drive 9 brothers over for the evening. Anyone else attending will need to make their own arrangements. The cost for the van ride will be approximately $18 per person and everyone who wishes to go will need a passport for the border crossing. Space is almost full for the van, though brothers can also car pool; please consult the trestle board for more details.
Brothers, we are doing great things. I hope that you all are having as much fun as I am. See you in lodge.
S & F
Robert C. Blackburn, WM
UPCOMING EVENTS
-
April 28, 2010
Masters Table Dinner
Corner Brewery, Ypsilanti, MI | Trestleboard -
May 2, 2010
Regular Communication
Hathaway’s Hideaway -
May 19, 2010
MM Degree | Conducted by Chris Fultz, PM
Hathaway’s Hideaway -
May 18 & 19, 2010
Annual Grand Lodge Communication
Soaring Eagle Casino | Mount Pleasant, MI -
May 21, 2010
Official Lodge Visitation & Master Mason Degree Presentation
Windsor Lodge No. 403, G.L. of Canada in the Province of Ontario -
June 23, 2010
Festive Board with Golden Rule No. 159
Zal Gaz Grotto | Speaker to be announced
Fifteen Fellowcrafts Passed in Dearborn
On Saturday, April 17, 2010 the lodge convened in the Valley of Detroit Scottish Rite Cathedral located in Dearborn, MI to confer the Fellowcraft degree on 15 brothers. Fourteen of these Brothers were from Ann Arbor Fraternity No. 262 and one from Walled Lake No. 528. The degree team is to be especially congratulated. They worked very hard and it was a profoundly moving experience. The spirit of Masonry was palpable in the room.
Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer David Hutton, Roseville No. 522, was in attendance, along with brothers from Walled Lake No. 528, Cedar No. 60, Myrtle No. 89 and Milan No. 323. Brethren from Redeemer 53 (Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Michigan), and Weston No. 560 (Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio) were also present.
A sincere thank you to all who turned out and helped make this day such a memorable experience.
SOCIAL: Master’s Table Dinner | Corner Brewery
If you are free and interested in learning more about Ann Arbor Fraternity No. 262, be sure to stop by Wednesday at 6:30PM for dinner and fellowship at our monthly Masters Table dinner.
Corner Brewery is a cozy microbrewery, located in Ypsilanti, MI - just north of the Depot Town area. Large tables, laughs and a menu full of both food and drink await you!
Our Master’s Table Dinners are monthly social events and are open to ALL Masons, candidates, their male friends and those interested in Freemasonry.
Corner Brewery
720 Norris Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
http://www.cornerbrewery.com
MORE INFO: http://bit.ly/2010-04-masters-table
[URGENT!] April FC Degree | Change of Venue
Greetings.
Sadly, we have been informed that our arrangements at the Detroit Temple next weekend are no longer going to be possible. It seems the entire building has been rented and so we will not have access to a lodge room. Hopefully we will be able to reschedule some of our MM degrees down there in July.
W. Bro. Justin Krasnoff has made arrangements for us to meet at the Valley of Detroit Scottish Rite Center in Dearborn for Saturday April 17, starting at 10:30 a.m. It is a nice, large space and for those interested in Scottish Rite, you will get to see where this body meets. Free parking is available 2 blocks North on Monroe Street.
NEW LOCATION:
Valley of Detroit | Scottish Rite Center
907 Monroe Street
Dearborn, MI 48124-2309
It is unfortunate that this happened, but we truly hope that you will still attend. We have over 14 candidates receiving their degree - and we could use your assistance!
Mozart's "The Magic Flute" | University of Michigan
Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” will be presented for FREE tonight [April 6, 2010] and Thursday evening [April 8, 2010] at the University of Michigan - and in a very interesting manner, current to today’s “green initiatives”.
“This green opera production — the second by Robert Swedberg’s operaworkshop students — minimizes the production’s carbon footprint. Using LED lights, paperless rehearsals, recyclable and all-natural materials in sets and costumes, and other strategies, Professor Swedberg expects to reduce the carbon footprint by 95% as he did inlast year’s green opera — written up in Opera America as the first in the country. U-M collaborators abound.”
Admission is free. Click the link above for details and directions.
