Lodge Picnic Announced

Brothers, we’re bringing back the Lodge picnic this year and partnering with the DeKalb County Shrine Club, a lot of who’s members are also Brothers in our Lodge. The date of the event is Sunday, August 16th and we’re meeting at the Sycamore Park in Sycamore (off of Rt. 64 — enter across from the driving range) at 1 p.m.

Lodge Day at the Ballpark Announced

In our efforts to continue to bring families back into Masonry, DeKalb Lodge is planning a family day at the ballpark on Saturday, August 29th. We’ll be going to the Kane County Cougars Class A minor league game out Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva. This night also features fireworks!

DeKalb Lodge Past Master Walt Chesher Passes

Sad news, Brothers. Worshipful Brother Walt Chesher, Past Master of DeKalb Lodge, passed onto the Holy Grand Lodge this week. Brother Quarnstrom informed me that there will be a Masonic Funeral Service at Anderson’s Funeral Home — across the street from the DeKalb Masonic Temple — this Friday (tomorrow) at 7 p.m.

All Brothers who are able to attend should come and give tribute and rememberance this this honorable leader of our Fraternity.

Wor. Bro. Mark Jacobs Talks About Masonry in Washington, D.C.

The George Washinton National Masonic Temple is one landmark members from DeKalb Lodge plan to visit during their Fall 2010 trip out to Washington, D.C.

We were fortunate this last evening’s Lodge meeting to have current the Worshipful Master of Geneva Lodge No. 139, C. Mark Jacobs, come out for a visit and special presentation about his recent Masonic trip out to the Washington, D.C area.

Wor. Bro. Jacobs was invited to sit in the East by Wor. Bro. Tome and towards the end of a rather spirited business meeting, gave a wonderful presentation that included some photographs of Masonic landmarks such as the Washington Monument, various memorials, George Washington National Masonic Memorial, the headquarters of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite and the Eastern Star headquarters.

Sycamore Commandery Ranks Second in Division

Good job, Sir Knights! The count is just in and Sycamore Commandery scored second in our Division after our Inspection this past spring! Aurora Commandery was ahead of us, though we lead Rock Island Commandery slightly.

As noted, Sycamore Commandery’s Inspection is scheduled for January 16, 2010 and we’ll be practicing throughout the fall so that we can do this all on our own this year (something, BTW, which should make us the number one ranked Commandery in our Division!).

DeKalb Shrine Club Dinner This Thursday

It’s Hawaiian Night this Thursday at Cabana Charley’s in Sycamore as the DeKalb County Shrine Club hosts a dinner for all Nobles and their guests. Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served thereafter. Dinner choices are:

• Jumbo Breaded Shrimp: $19
• Cod Fish Fry: $15
• Pork Chop: $16
• Sirloin Steak: $20

All dinners include mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls, coffee and dessert.

Come on out in your hula skirts, flowery shirts and coconut bras, order a Mai Tai or Blue Canoe and enjoy some Island Fun with the Nobles of DeKalb County Shrine Club! If you’re planning on attending, please call Pete Hove at 815-748-3807.

Worshipful Master in Vermont, Part 2

Greetings once again, Brothers.

I’m home from my vacation out east and back to summer in Sycamore. I thought I’d take this opportunity to let you all know about my afternoon visit with Brother Sandy Karstens, Excellent High Priest of Burlington Chapter No. 3 R.A.M. and a very active Mason in northwestern Vermont.

Brother Karstens and I met near his Lodge and spoke about our many Masonic organizations, our experiences in Masonry and things we’ve both done to make our Lodges, Chapters and other organizations more interesting for our members. We also spoke about some of the difficulties and challenges we face as leaders and members.

Sycamore Commandery Inspection Date Set

Sir Knights of Sycamore Commandery No. 15, put the date of Saturday, January 16th down on your calendar. That’s the day when we’re having our Inspection — a graded event that is mandatory for all Officers. In addition to the full-form opening, we’ll be putting on the Order of the Temple for at least one Candidate, if not more.

Look for e-mails, letters and other announcements about upcoming practices — this is the first time in many years that Sycamore Commandery will be hosting its own Inspection and we need the practice!

Worshipful Master in Vermont

Greetings Brothers, from Vermont!

Masonic Temple in Burlington, Vermont at the "top" of Church Street. A truly impressive building. Too bad it's no longer used by any Masonic body.

I’m here with my family for our annual trip out to the “homeland” (OK, my wife’s, anyway!) and I’ve good things to report. We had brunch on Sunday with Geoff Grove, the Worshipful Master of Burlington Lodge No. 100.

The Worshipful Master and his wife, Stacy, took us to Souza’s Brazilian Churascuria, a steakhouse who’s head chef is Wor. Bro. Grove’s Senior Steward (and his brother is the Junior Steward) — I offered Chef Kelly Dietrich a permanent spot as Junior Warden of DeKalb Lodge, as long as he cooks as wonderfully as he did that day!

First Lodge Meeting of the New Year Goes Well…?

DeKalb Lodge No. 144 kicked off the new Masonic year this past Tuesday with mostly new corps of Officers. While plans were to open 1-2-3 in form, the warmly welcomed appearance of a couple of new Entered Apprentices forced us to just open the Lodge on the First Degree. Opening went very well, except new Worshipful Master, Jim Tome, forgot the Pledge of Allegiance (a quick “rewind” got it back in).

Sycamore Commandery Elects Officers, Plans Big Year

Sycamore Commandery No. 15 held its Annual Meeting last evening — with quorum! — where the year was recapped by our Eminent Commander, Sir Knight Jack Chasteen, new Officers were elected and our incoming Commander, Sir Knight Hugh Cole, outlined some wonderful events, strategies and vision.

Elected as Officers were:

• Hugh Cole, Eminent Commander
• C. Mark Jacobs, Generalisimo
• James Tome, Captain General
• Ronald Fraser, Prelate
• Robert Fisher, Treasurer
• Jack Chasteen, Recorder
• Bill Draper, Sr. Warden
• Pete Suffield, Jr. Warden
• Micheal Crawford, Warder
• Marco Vargas, Sword Bearer
• Joe Nugara Sr., Standard Bearer
• Mike Mitchell, Color Bearer
• Bud Elkin, Sentinel