On Saturday February 10th Ann Arbor Fraternity Lodge had a booth at the Shrine Sportsman Raffle in Novi. Worshipful Master Dakota Legge, Senior Warden Zevi Bareket, and Past Master Eric Bettner used the booth to run a raffle for the lodge’s charity efforts. With raffle tickets and a brand-new chainsaw in hand we raised just over $700 for Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti. Hope Clinic not only functions as a food bank, but also provides dental, physical, and mental services for people in Washtenaw County and beyond.
Master's Letter February 2024
Brothers!
Calendar:
Jan 31st Burns Festive Board - Zal Gaz Grotto
Feb 2nd Groundhog Day - Fingers Crossed!!!
Feb 7th Regular Communication - Zal Gaz Grotto
Feb 10th Shrine Sportsman's Raffle - Novi Suburban Showplace (Come visit our table)
Feb 14th Valentine's Day - You've been warned!!!
Feb 21st Special Communication (EA Degree) - Zal Gaz Grotto
Feb 28th Master's Table - Location TBD
Happy February and month of Love and Time.
February is the month of love thanks to Valentine's Day being right in the middle of the month. How you define love is up to you but whatever it is you love be sure to love unconditionally. Masonry teaches about Brotherly Love but what does it truly mean? To me, brotherly love means not only the love for my brothers but the love for humanity and compassion towards one another.
February is also the month of Time as it is the shortest month of the entire year and as you can see in the calendar it is a very busy month for us. Make sure to use the tools given to you by masonry to take control of time and use it wisely and to your advantage. Time is defined as the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole. Remember to divide your time and make use of it for those purposes you set because we only have a finite amount of time.
February is an exciting month for us and I hope to see you all at our events outside of regular meetings because the gatherings and fun we have is what makes us a fraternity, not just the business meetings about bills, communications, and By-Laws.
Fraternally,
Dakota Legge
Worshipful Master
Most Worshipful Brother Richard H. “Dick” Sands
Brothers,
It is with heavy heart that I report to you that Ann Arbor Fraternity Lodge #262’s Most Worshipful Brother Richard H. “Dick” Sands died Monday evening at age 94.
Dick was truly a remarkable man and one of the greatest Masonic scholars any of us will ever know.
Dick was initiated, passed and raised in Golden Rule Lodge in 1964, where he went on to become the Master of the Lodge. He was installed as Grand Master of Masons in the State of Michigan on 1/1/1985. He was an honorary member to many lodges and received numerous awards but his greatest contribution to Michigan Masonry was writing Beyond The Northeast Corner .
By trade Dick was a physics professor and was a Professor Emeritus from the University of Michigan where he had been the chairman of the Physics Department for many years. Though Dick had been nominated for the Nobel Prize during his career, he was just “Dick” around the Lodge and at the Grotto where he enjoyed golfing, trap shooting and camaraderie—especially at Tom n’ Jerry parties.
Dick is survived by his wife Mary Sands, his sons our Masonic Brothers Bob Sands and Tom Sands and his two daughters Christine Sands and Karen Tinucci as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dick was predeceased by his wife Emma, who was the (national) Supreme Mighty Chosen One of the Daughters of the Mokanna.
The family will be requesting a Masonic funeral sometime in the spring of 2024.
Thank you WB Rich Kinsey for putting together this wonderful passage about MWB Dick Sands.
Sincerely,
Dakota Legge
Worshipful Master
Ann Arbor Fraternity #262
Master's Letter January 2024
Happy New Year Brothers!
Calendar:
December 31st New Year's Eve
January 1st Tom & Jerry party
January 3rd Regular Communication
January 17th EA Degree practice
January 31st Burns Dinner
As the new year is upon us it's a time for reflection as well as planning. We can reflect on the past year and all the good times we had as well as what we accomplished as a lodge together. As we plan our goals for the new Year we need to not only remember where we came from but where we want to go. I encourage everyone to think about what they want to see out of the lodge this upcoming year and how each of us can help achieve our goals.
According to the Chinese Horoscope 2024, the dragon represents authority, prosperity, and good fortune. The Wood Dragon year 2024, when combined with the nourishing Wood element, will bring evolution, improvement, and abundance; it is the perfect time for rejuvenated beginnings and setting the foundation for long-term success.
Let's start the year off strong with setting the foundation (bylaw updates) so that we can focus on our long-term success or goals(more brotherhood events).
Finally, I want to thank all of you for an amazing 2023.
Fraternally,
Dakota Legge
Worshipful Master
Master's Letter December 2024
Thursday November 23rd Happy Thanksgiving
Wednesday November 29th Movie Night Princess Bride 6:30pm movie starts at 7pm
Wednesday December 6th Regular Communication/Lodge of Sorrows 6pm dinner 7pm gavel
Thursday December 7th Start of Chanuka
Saturday December 9th Installation of Lodge officers
Wednesday December 20th, 2024, Officers Meeting 6:30pm
Thursday December 21st Joyest Yule
Monday December 25th Merry Christmas
Tuesday December 26th Start of Kwanza
Wednesday December 27th Grand Lodge of Michigan and Most Worship Prince Hall Grand of Michigan Joint table lodge Weber’s Ann Arbor
Monday December 31 NYE
Tuesday January 1st Tom and Jerry
This will be my last letter as Worshipful Master but fear not I was elected to the position of Secretary for next year, so there will still be many, if not too many emails and messages from next year. I am thankful for my year in the East and look forward to seeing what Worshipful Master Elect Dakota Legge has in store for us next year.
Back in May of this year I was challenged by a Past Master for our Lodge to put some skin in the game for a charitable cause. Something more than just showing up with a check and a smile. So, at our September Regular Dakota and I brought before the Lodge the idea of making 500 meal bags for Hope Clinic which we have been supporting since WB Eric Bettner’s year. So, after a few months of begging for help from a few Grocery stores the Kroger on Plymouth Rd stepped up to help. Julia the manager worked with me on getting the best deal, ordering the products for the least amount of waste, and she had the store donate a $500.00 gift card bringing us way under budget. Wednesday night on the 15th many of us came together and bagged 500 individual meals, which is on average only a one-week supply for Hope Clinic. And on the 16th with presented Hope clinic with bags. It was a lot of work and I was happy to see brothers bring family members to help with work, and mostly wearing a smile doing it.
Lastly, I want to say happy holidays to all my brothers and their families. May we all find a little peace on Earth.
Master's Letter November 2023
Wednesday October 25th Master’s Table Session Room 7pm 3685 Jackson Rd Ann Arbor 48103
Tuesday October 31st Happy Halloween
Wednesday November 1st Lodge Annual Communication. Dinner at 6pm Gavel at 7pm
Wednesday November 8th Brother’s of Literature/Masonic Workshop 7pm TBD
Wednesday November 15th Special Hope Clinic Food Pantry 630pm Zal Gaz
Thursday November 23 Happy Thanksgiving
Wednesday November 29th Fellowship to be discussed
Wednesday December 6th Regular Communication/Lodge of Sorrows 6pm dinner 7pm gavel
Saturday December 9th Installation of Lodge officers
Wednesday December 27th Grand Lodge of Michigan and Most Worship Prince Hall Grand of Michigan Joint table lodge Webers Ann Arbor
November in America is synonymous with the idea of being thankful. Many of us think of being thankful for the things they have. But rarely do we think about being thankful for the things we have done, and by extension the things that our friends and family have accomplished. On Wednesday October 18th I preformed my last degree as Master of the Lodge, and the fact that I will only have two more regular communications before I am relieved of my scared trust. I think every Master whether its his first, second, or fifteenth time starts to reflect on his year around this time. Every Master faces challenges but not every Master can be truly thankful to his officers.
I’m thankful that each of my line officers have done more than expected and often without being asked. How proud and thankful I am when I get an email from an officer when they know they can’t be at a degree, but the next officer is ready to step up. Even more thankful when there is no notice, and each officer is ready to jump up to do the work. And I am thankful that your work has been exemplary. Few lodges in Michigan or anywhere else can measure up to the our degree work, while not always word perfect the intent has consistently been delivered with both enjoyment and conviction that a hoodwinked man can feel. Your passion for learning and improvement has not gone unnoticed.
I am thankful for Lodge coming together every couple of weeks, it has been a source of strength and energy for me. And I am thankful for the less traditional things you have participated in. Our lodge Seder was an enjoyable event.
I’m even thankful to as Worshipful Master have to call on members who are going through tuff times. Especially knowing that if I too am in a situation where I need support I can count on many to be there.
I am looking forward to being proud and thankful on November 1st when we as a lodge elect next year’s officer line, knowing that I will be proud of my current line for years to come.
Our Brothers at St. Mary’s #4 MWPHGLoM are hosting a Black and White Gala at Phoenix 13 in Ypsi. The event will be hosted by none other than our very own honorary member Worshipful Master Hernando Flowers tickets can be purchased here
Master's Letter October 2023
Wednesday October 4th Regular Communication. Chilie Cook Off at 6pm Gavel at 7pm
Wednesday October 11th Brothers of literature/Masonic Workshop 7pm TBD
Wednesday October 18th Master Mason Degree dinner at 6pm gavel at 7pm
Wednesday October 25 Master’s Table Metzger’s (third time is a charm)7pm
TBD Lodge Certification
Wednesday November 1st Regular Communication dinner 6pm Gavel 7pm
Wednesday November 15th Hope Clinic Sack Meal building night. 6:30pm
My two favorite tropes about Autumn in Michigan are a crock pot full of chili, and change. Halloween isn’t a trope it’s a holiday and the best one all year. As our leaves have started changing into brilliant fall colors, our days are getting shorter, our nights are getting cooler, we have a few changes to our lodge schedule of events as well.
We will still be having our annual Chili Cook Off at our Regular Communication. But due to scheduling conflicts with the facilitators of the Masonic Book Club/Masonic Workshop the day has been moved to the second Wednesday of the month. The Book Club is not an official Masonic Body, nor is it controlled by the Lodge and the scheduling of their meetings is under their purview. The Lodge Certification which was to be Held on October 18th is currently being rescheduled. Phoenix 13 in Ypsilanti will be hosting us a date and time will be announced soon, and I will be sending a summons to the officers to attend once the date has been confirmed. We are doing this to fit in one last degree before my terrible reign as Master is over. So, October 18th will be a Master Mason degree. Dinner at 6pm Gavel at 7pm
Speaking of my year as Worshipful Master coming to an end. November 1st will be our Annual Communication where we will be conducting business that will affect the lodge for the coming year. Officer Elections, Budget, and Continuing Resolutions will be taking place.
I hope to see you all in Lodge soon
Master's Letter September 2023
Saturday August 26th Lodge Picnic 11am Island Lake Park Shelter B
Wednesday Sept 6th Regular Communication Dinner at 6pm Gavel at 7pm
Tuesday Sept 12th Masonic Workshop/Brothers of Literature
Wednesday Sept 20th Special Communication MM Degree Dinner at 6pm Gavel at 7pm
Wednesday Sept 27th Master’s Table Metzger’s 7pm
Wednesday Oct 4th Regular Communication Dinner at 6pm
Wednesday Oct 18th Lodge Proficiency
Wednesday Oct 25th Partner’s Night Knight’s Steak House
September quickly approaches which always reminds me of “Back To School”. Of course, in Ann Arbor that means something different than a lot of cities. Yes, we have a traditional school district, but Washtenaw County has no less than four colleges. WCC, Concordia, Eastern, and of course the crown jewel UofM. Once again, our streets will be packed with students, many here for the first time. Some decide to make Ann Arbor their home after graduation. I mention colleges and more specifically UofM because of both the direct and indirect Masonic Influence our Fraternity has had. Freemasonry helped found UofM
“When it came to funding the project, Woodward being a Freemason himself looked to Zion Lodge No. 1 of Detroit for financial support. On September 15, 1817, Zion Lodge met and subscribed the sum of $250 in aid of the university, payable in the sum of $50 per year. Of the total amount subscribed to start the university two-thirds came from Zion Lodge and its members
And indirect meaning that all Greek Fraternities and Sororities have taken directly from Freemasonry in their ritual. Also earlier colleges were less diverse in their class offerings, they taught in schools of thought that particularly masonic in nature …Alludes to the seven liberal arts and sciences which are grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy.
And much like students returning to learn our summer break is also over so September also reminds me of “Back to Lodge” and my final months as Master of our esteemed lodge.
Also, I sent out an email about Masonic Relief in Hawaii. Individuals can also make a donation by check. Please make checks payable to "MSA Disaster Relief Fund" and send them to: Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation 1200 Wright Ave. Alma, MI 48801. We will forward a contributors list and the entire amount, in addition to our own contribution, to the MSA for distribution.
Master's Letter August 2023
· Wednesday July 26th Master’s Table Metzger’s 305 N Zeeb Rd Ann Arbor 48103 7pm
· Tuesday August 8th Masonic Workshop/Brothers of Literature TBD
· Saturday August 26th Lodge Picnic 11am see letter for further info
· Wednesday September 6th Regular Communication
· Wednesday September 20th Special Communication Master Mason degree
Brothers we have a few events left while we are still “dark” first is the upcoming Master’s Table. If you are available, please come we have two gentleman that are thinking of joining our lodge and it would be great to make a good impression. Please let our Junior Warden know if you are coming ASAP so he can make reservations.
The other is the lodge picnic. Saturday August 26th at 11am at Island Lake Shelter B. There will be burgers and hotdogs, but we ask for you to bring something to pass. If you have no idea what to bring
Last name A-H bring a side dish
Last name I-P bring beverages
Last Name Q-Z bring a desert
Why words matter. Our ritual is “largely” unchanged for more than 300 years. Sure we might substitute words that are no longer used in today’s vocabulary but the intent and meaning is still secure which got me thinking about common sayings we hear and use all the time. We all use incorrectly because they have been shortened to have a different meaning if not the exact opposite intent.
Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.
The first half is often used to keep children from snooping or asking too many questions. But the full quote has quite a different meaning.
The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.
I think there is an important distinction here having wealth doesn’t make you a bad person, but what you did to earn it and if you hoard it to other detriment is more of a reflection of you as a person.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it burned in one.
It takes time to build something but can be destroyed in a flash. Whether it’s your reputation, your career, or your family.
The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.
The version we hear says that your family is the most important thing. But the real saying is that the bonds we make in life can be more important than being related. As a man with no family, I know this to be true.
The Early Bird Gets The Worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!
Sometimes its just as important to learn from the mistakes of others as to be the first one to do things
Jack of all trades, master of none though often times better than a master of one.
While it is important to have a depth of knowledge in what you do, its also important to not be so focused one thing that you can’t do other things. This is why we seven liberal arts and sciences.
Great minds think alike but fools rarely differ.
The second half of the expression, “fools seldom differ.” suggests that the people that came to the same conclusion aren’t so smart after all.
Life is short it’s actually the longest thing you’ll ever do.
While human life is fleeting compared to the age of a mountain, it doesn’t mean that you can squander your life on fruitless things. Live a life of meaning to yourself and others. Another saying comes to mind along with this one. A society is only great when men plant trees that they will never get to sit under.
The customer is always right in matters of taste.
If a man wants to buy an ugly hat let him buy an ugly hat. But the customer doesn’t get to change the rules.
Master's Letter July 2023
Sunday July 2nd Independence Day Parade now with more float Briar Wood Mall 9am meet up.
Tuesday July 11th Masonic Discussion Group TBD
Wednesday July 26th Master’s Table TBD
Sunday August 26th Lodge Picnic Island Lake Shelter B 11am
Wednesday September 6th Regular Communication Dinner 6pm Gavel 7pm
Here’s a small story that happened to me recently. Now that the weather is no longer cold, I prefer to drive with my window down versus using the AC and every day coming home from work it would feel at least 5 degrees cooler after I drove over the freeway getting home. At first, I stopped thinking about it by the time I got home and got out of my car. But it kept happening consistently. So, I started getting curious and decided to do some research. My plan was to find detailed weather maps of my area. Cross reference those with topological maps. Maybe there was some kind of natural barrier like a ridge or hill that caused this. Maybe I could check NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and google earth. Then one day I remembered that physics exists and the speed limit changes from 35 to 55 miles per hour at that overpass. Yep the correct answer was wind chill. While this story is a little embarrassing, and kind of silly, it should hopefully remind that sometimes the solution to a problem is a lot simpler than you make it out to be.
Brothers even though the Lodge is dark during July and August it doesn’t mean there is nothing to do. We still have plenty of events for fellowship. Most notably the Independence Day Parade. Now With More Float!!! AAF262 St. Mary’s #4 and Zal Gaz #34 will once again be marching and riding together in unity for our community. Brothers may wear aprons or Fezzes but not both. The whole Masonic Family is encouraged to join us. Nice shorts, polos, and bowling style shirts should be appropriate for the weather. We will have flags and toothbrushes to pass out to the kids.
