#1 District Meeting - Be a Winner!!

On Saturday October 22, 2011 Caribou lodge served as the host lodge for the District #1 Annual Meeting.  The evening opened at 6:00pm with a potluck supper, followed by the meeting at 7:00pm.  As usual the cooks of

The Dining hall filled up rather Quickly

district one put on quite the spread with each of the eight lodges providing some unique and new flavors along with many of our potluck favorites.

In planning the event RW Neil Haines was confident that we would see attendence near eighty people.  This however posed a bit of a challenge for our lodge logistically as our dining room can only seat about forty people comfortably.  Therefore on Friday night a few of the brothers and their families got together and did some preparation.  This included setting up enough tables and chairs to seat an additional 54 individuals in the lodge hall.  With all of the preparations in place and additional food at the ready, our District Deputy appeared to

Overflow dining in the Lodge hall

have everything under control.  Now the big question was how many would show up.

The evening was very successful with eighty-two people in attendance.   There was plenty of good food and even more laughs and fellowship.  Seven of the eight lodges in District #1 were represented at the event, although all eight lodges did contribute to the effort, which was much appreciated.

Caribou lodge was very pleased to receive our Most Worshipful Grand Master Louis Greenier along with his Suite of officers back into his home lodge for the evenings events.  Some of the members of the Suite traveled from as far away as Lubec and south of Portland.

After receiving the Grand Master and his Suite, those in attendance were led in an opening prayer and the

Wor. Bob Ellinwood and RW Neal Haines

Pledge of Allegiance and then the gavel was turned over to DDGM Neal Haines who provided a wonderful program for all.  Neal started off by explaining much of what the district has been involved in, over the last year.  Including a new lodge hall being dedicated in Fort Kent and a major renovation to Monument Lodge in Houlton.  He discussed the Chips programs, Books for Bikes, Masters & Wardens, the Mentoring Program, and the breakfasts at the Veterans Home in Caribou.  He then in turn brought up brethren from each of these programs to provide a more detailed outline of the activities within the district.   This was highlighted by a representative of the Veterans Home that provided the group with an overview of the facility and the activities that they provide for the residents.  It was surprising to me that the Caribou Veterans Home has a waiting list of over ninety people on it waiting to get in. The floor was then given to Worshipful Bob Hancock who gave an often touching and yet comical tribute to first our Grand Master and then our District Deputy Grand Master.  He concluded his time by recitation of a wonderful poem which he dedicated to RW Haines.

The Gavel was then passed to M.W. Greenier who spoke about the Grand Lodge of Maine and the importance of the support we receive from our wives to do the good works that we do.  He then invited his wife to the East who gave a nice talk explaining the significance of the "Little Blue Slipper" pins that many of the wives were wearing.  The Grand Master then had several of his suite come up and provide information about some of the activities going on at the State level.  One of the most interesting bits of information that was provided was that Grand Lodge is in negotiations to purchase a building in Holdon, ME to serve as the New home form the Grand Lodge of Maine.  The final speaker for the evening was RW Richard Rhoda who provided an interesting history of the District #1 Lodge that was almost but never formed on Loring AFB back in the 1950s.  MW Greenier then closed Caribou Lodge in Piece and Harmony around 8:30pm.

Here are a few more pictures from the evening for you to enjoy.

Freemasonry & Mixed Martial Arts - Aprons, Black belts, and Secret Handshakes

I know that this entry is going to make many of you (John) shake your heads in disbelief but give it a chance I think it will make sense.  In my travels online I came across a picture of a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight that was televised on HDNet this summer.  I admit to being a fan of MMA, especially on
late nights when I have the TV to myself.  If you look at the trunks of the fighter of the left, specifically at his left leg you will see the Square and Compass.

This was very intriguing to me, and immediately brought me to think about how the Masons need publicity like this.  Something sexy like the MMA will promote the organization and entice new members to join.  With excitement I did a quick Google search for; "Masonry, Mixed Martial Arts" and I came up with the following article.

Freemasonry & The Martial Arts - Michael Schiavello   You can click on this link and read the entire article, if you wish.

As I began to read it, my mind was swirling with thoughts of MMA fellowship nights that might be appealing to younger men.  But as I read it, I came to realize that the author was not suggesting MMA as a means of promoting Masonry.  Instead he pointed out that the similarities between Martial Arts and Masonry were numerous and he took both very seriously. He compared the Lodge Hall to a Dojo, our Apron to a Black belt, and our working tools to weapons.  But when I read "As any martial artist will tell you, martial arts is not merely about kicking and punching, just as Masonry is not about secret handshakes and passwords" I began to think more about the big picture and what Masonry meant to me.  Why did I join Masonry and more importantly why did the author join.  Fortunately he tells us; "as to why I wanted to become a Mason. This is what I answered: I once read a quote that Freemasonry makes good men better. I like to think that I am a good man but if there is a way to make me a better man, and that way is Freemasonry, then I want to be a part of it.”  

The author concludes the article with, "Just as martial arts is not just about kicks and punches (though they do play a major part), so Freemasonry is not about secret handshakes, signs and words (though they also play a part). Both martial arts and Freemasonry’s biggest similarity is, in my opinion, that both are designed to build character, develop the “Budo” spirit of martial arts and the “perfect ashlar” that is the Freemason’s aim, and make us all round better human beings."

So how do we get that word out to perspective members and successfully explain to them what we do and entice them to join?  I guess by striving to become better ourselves and offering the same to those worthy candidates who want to become a better men.


But just maybe... a Mixed Martial Arts demonstration by our DDGM at Saturday's  District Meeting wouldn't hurt either Neal.  "BE A WINNER!!!"

Draping the Charter

A. Atwood "Bud" Anderson 

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CARIBOU and CLEARWATER, Fla. - A. Atwood "Bud" Anderson, 93, died Sept. 12, 2011, in Clearwater, Fla. He was born Oct. 13, 1917, in Caribou, son of Arthur and Alma Anderson. Upon graduating from Caribou High School, he became a postal carrier. Bud enlisted in theArmy in 1943. He served in Army postal units in France and England during World War II. In England, he met and married Evelyn "Joan" Holder of Chippenham on Victory in Europe Day, May 7, 1945. While living in Caribou, Bud cleared the land at Madawaska Lake on which he and Joan built a summer camp. Bud became Caribou postmaster in 1954 after serving more than a decade as a clerk. He was a longtime member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church and a third degree Mason. He was a member and president of Lions Club. He was also a Shriner and a member of Caribou Country Club. Upon Bud's retirement, he and Joan wintered in Florida and summered at Madawaska Lake. Survivors include two sisters, Josephine Hills of Ocean Park and Carol Hills of Massachusetts; several nieces and nephews. A celebration of Bud and Joan's lives will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Caribou. Contributions in Bud's memory may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Caribou; or Church of the Good Shepherd Discretionary Fund, 639 Edgewater Drive, Dundee, FL 33838.

Bud Anderson was raised in Caribou lodge in November 1947.

Members recognized for Decades of Service

Caribou lodge has been fortunate of late to be able to recognize members of the lodge for their years of service.  At our October Stated meeting we once again were able to show appreciation to three of our outstanding members.  

Wor. Wendell Spooner and Wor. James Bell

Celebrating Forty years of membership in Caribou lodge Wor. James Bell was recognized by Wor. Wendell Spooner who also presented him with his 40 year pin.  Spooner the top signer on Bells application and the Master who raised him, went on to share the stories of Jim as he first joined the Brotherhood.  Then Jim spoke about the Masons and his efforts with the Boy Scouts of America.  Jim believes that the two organizations share many of the same values and that Masonry should look to become more aware of Boy Scouts as a possible feeder organization.

The floor was then turned over to the Most Worshipful Grand Master Louis Greenier who presented Dale Dee and Gary Richards with their Fifty year Veterans Medals. 

DDGM Haines, Dale Dee, Gary Richards, and MW Greenier

Both men were very pleased to receive their medals and gave brief comments to the lodge about their experiences in Masonry and Caribou lodge.  Photos were taken Br. Ivan Shaw and the lodge returned to its routine business. 

Festive events like this are great to celebrate but they also get me thinking.  In each case, these three men care enough about the Fraternity to maintain their membership but have become less active than they once were.  Caribou lodge currently has 111 members, and this theme is a fairly common occurrence.  Now I expect that this is being experienced amongst many lodges but how do we fix it?  I understand that members become less active for a number of very good reasons, but it would be good to understand if their is anything the lodge could do to entice them to return to a more active role.  If you have any suggestions please let me know with an email at cariboulodge@gmail.com .  In the mean time I want to thank all of the members of Caribou lodge for your years of effort and hope that we can see you soon at one of our stated meetings.

Thoughts about the Fraternity from the 19th Century

“A real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestricted rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflict; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the blessing he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection. He venerates the good men of all religions. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principle.”

— The Farmer's Almanac, 1823