Very "Masonic" day yesterday.

So I needed to go up to 397 yesterday to work on some degree work with Br. Rich. My 8yo. son is out of school for the summer so he had to come with me. He absolutely enjoyed the experience. When I took him upstairs to show him the lodge, he was very inquisitive and was looking at everything. The Tyler's sword was particularly cool to him. The whole way home and then some I heard about how cool the "big room upstairs is". Only 11 more years and he can join the fraternity. Last night I traveled to Tuscan Lodge #342 in Jefferson Ohio. Several of the brothers there were at my raising. The lodge is really cool. It has very high ceilings in the lodge room and a huge mural on the wall in the East. Watched another passing, the WM's brother. After eating some delicious chicken dumpling soup, and enjoying the fellowship, I was given a tour of the lodge by the WM. The lodge has a "Smoking Room" which is now something of a museum for the lodge, off of this room there is the "Billiard Room" which has a pool table, a billiard table, and a ping pong table. They have special dispensation to have lodge in the "Billiard Room" and have an altar, aprons, jewels, and plenty of chairs. This lodge was designed and built as such, in if i remember correctly 1892. The age shows but adds to the feel of the lodge. I definitely look forward to heading back in Sept. after the lodge reconvenes. So over all it was a very "Masonic" day form me. Going to my home lodge tonight!

I want to go to a lodge tonight, but it will have to wait.

I really want to go to lodge tonight but I have to take my son to karate instead. I love my family and am more than willing to do anything for them. Sometimes I wish I could do two things at the same time. I am on the quest to find a lodge that has a larger amount of brothers around my age. at my lodge there are 2 other brothers around my age then a gap and brothers 55+ to our oldest brother who is 102. The image on the left is WB Harold Potter at his 100th Birthday Celebration at Hartsgrove Lodge #397 Friday 2/5/10. He is a great man and all the brothers call him "Grandpa" Potter. Grandpa Potter was Master of our lodge at 100 years old, which as far as I can tell, is the oldest WM in Ohio ever.



Below is a picture of Grandpa Potter at installation just before his 100th birthday.

Below is a view of my home lodge facing East.

Now, I really enjoy my home lodge and all the brothers, but I am looking for more light and fellowship, thus explains my travels. I cannot wait until my wife and I head back to her hometown in Ephrata PA. I want to visit the lodge there. I am also considering visiting some other PA lodges that are close to the state line.

First Travel -Triandria #780

So today I traveled to a new lodge for the first time, Br. Roy went with me. We checked out Triandria Lodge #780 which is also in the 25th District. The Brothers were very welcoming and the lodge was beautiful. This lodge appears to have been a church at one time. This evening I got to watch a Brother get passed. I have not had the chance to observe the ritual as of yet and thoroughly enjoyed it. After lodge was closed we retired to the hall located downstairs, ate a little talked a little and enjoyed the fellowship.

Let's get the journey started.

So let me start this blog off by telling you a little about me and my journey. I was raised to Master Mason on 2/24/2012. My Home Lodge is Hart's Grove Lodge #397 F&AM located in Hartsgrove Ohio. 397 is in the 25th Masonic District of the Ohio Grand Lodge We are a small lodge, but welcome all brethren from near and far. Our oldest Brother turned 102 days before I was raised. Being 30 I am one of the "young guys". I enjoy going to lodge as often as I can, but I am seeking more fellowship and brotherhood. I will be using this blog to document my travels and observations of the lodges I visit as well as my home lodge. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in visiting my home lodge. Fraternally yours, Tom