Arcturus Degrees

October 11, 2011
by randy.rote

This Thursday is the Arcturus Degrees at Acanthus, we will be having dinner at 6 and the Royal Master degree will start PROMPTLY at 7. The Select Master Degree will follow right after the RM. Please make sure to have all candidates there by 6:30-6:45. Doug Mentzer will be in charge of them and will make sure they know where they are going. Dinner will be a free will offering, play pay what you think the meal is worth, the money you pay helps pay for the cost of the dinner.

Please contact info@acanthus632.org with any questions.

: York Rite

Congratulations, 2011-2012 Grand Lodge Officers!

September 20, 2011
by randy.rote

Acanthus Lodge #632 would like to congratulate the recently elected Grand Lodge officers of 2011-2012, serving under Grand Master Jerry L. Levay.  Your service and dedication to your respective communities and to Freemasonry is greatly appreciated.

The Brothers of Acanthus Lodge #632 are most pleased to be represented by two particularly close Brethren. Past Master Brian D. Pappaducas will serve as Grand Marshall. Past Master W. Charles Smithson will serve as Senior Grand Deacon.  Congratulations, gentlemen. You have set a fine example for us in our home lodge and we are happy to see all of Iowa receive the benefit of your labor.

2011 – 2012 Grand Lodge of Iowa Officers

Grand Master Jerry L. Levay Sioux City
Deputy Grand Master Michael W. Fletcher Winterset
Senior Grand Warden Jon D. Wagoner Sioux City
Junior Grand Warden Richard L. Martin Creston
Grand Treasurer Shane A. Harshbarger Altoona
Grand Secretary William R. Crawford Glidden & Cedar Rapids
Grand Chaplain Jon M. Gimmy Davenport
Deputy Grand Secretary Tim S. Anderson Albia & Cedar Rapids
Grand Marshal Brian D. Pappaducas Ankeny
Senior Grand Deacon W. Charles Smithson Des Moines
Junior Grand Deacon John D. Pierce Clarinda
Senior Grand Steward Kevin A. Nelson Waterloo
Junior Grand Steward Jeremy J. Myers Osage
Grand Tyler Wendell B. Borland Moville
Grand Musician John M. Klaus Mount Vernon

See more at the newly redesigned Grand Lodge of Iowa A.F. & A.M. Website.

: Grand Lodge

Calendar Updated!

September 14, 2011
by randy.rote

Sorry for falling behind on the calendar updates everyone. The loss of our Brother Secretary put us behind in getting the latest update out.  A HUGE Thank You goes to Brother Ben Mayer for stepping in and assuming the duties of Secretary.

What's Up?

Pancakes! – Saturday, 09/17 7:30 am – 10:30 am

This is the big one folks. The Beaverdale Fall Festival is in full swing and we expect the lodge to be very busy. If you can lend a hand in the kitchen, Past Master Steve Hall tells us all the extra hands are appreciated. 

Hot Dogs – Friday & Saturday :: 09/16 1pm – 10pm'ish :: 09/17 10am – 10pmish

Brother Phil Gauthier is heading up the hot dog stand again this year. All extra help is welcome. We'll be serving up delicious dogs during the afternoon on Friday and beginning at 10am on Saturday.  We're not quite sure yet when things will close down, but we expect that most people will be gone by 10pm, but the party's never done until we're done.

Next Monday

Dinner and 1st Degree
 

: Events

Bob Kellar Memorial Fishing Trip

September 4, 2011
by randy.rote

Brother Bob Kellar          Big Rock Resort, Leech Lake, MN 

June 2012

As you know, Brother Bob Kellar passed away suddenly on the first day of a fishing trip on Leech Lake, MN, in the company of two other brothers of Acanthus Lodge. Brother Bob had been planning this trip for a couple of years prior and was having a wonderful time doing what he enjoyed.

He commented during that trip,

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could get a group of Acanthus Lodge brothers to make this trip together next year?”
- Bob Kellar

In memory and honor of Brother Bob, we are planning a memorial Acanthus Lodge fishing trip to Big Rock Resort, on Leech Lake, MN, for June of 2012.

Specific dates in June of 2012 will be dependent on the number of participants and cabin availability. Initial plans are to drive to Leech Lake on a Monday, fish 3 days, and return on Friday (i.e.; 4 nights at the resort). Deposits and confirmation of attendance will be due to the resort in January of 2012. This advance notice is intended to provide Brothers who are interested in going on the trip, several months notice to facilitate planning and personal budgeting for the trip.

Everyone is welcome,…. even if you don’t want to fish! This is a great opportunity to create and share memories with Masonic fellowship around the campfire in memory of Bob.

Estimated costs for the trip (not including personal expenses, i.e.; libations, casino visits, etc.) are as follows:

Activity ( Assuming 4 people per vehicle/cabin ) Cost Per Person
Gas from Des Moines, IA to Leech Lake, MN    $50
Cabin Rental   $225
Food + Supplies    $50
Total: (NON-Fishing Brethren)   $325
Additional costs for fishing  
Fishing License    $25
Boat Rental   $100
Total: (Fishing Brethren)   $450
Confirmation and Deposit due January 2012  

Optional: Fishing Guide w/boat = $ 350 @ day

If you are interested in attending, please notify either Brother Greg Johnson, (515) 720-8207, gwjohnson52@msn.com, or Brother Dustin Ritter, (515) 240-3466, dustin.ritter@gmail.com.

See also: Attached Flyer in PDF format.

Acanthus Lodge #632 - Bob Kellar Memorial Fishing Trip - flyer

: Events

Bob Keller Funeral Information

August 18, 2011
by Nicholas McGahan

Friends and fellow Brethren,

Below are the details regarding services for Brother Bob:

Brother Bob Keller’s funeral service will be on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at Westover Chapel (6337 Hickman Road Des Moines, IA). Visitation/viewing will be from  1:00 – 4:00, with Masonic services to follow at  4:00. Reception/luncheon will follow the Masonic services at Acanthus Lodge, #632 (4133 Urbandale Avenue, Des Moines, IA).

Please assist in getting this information out to everyone via e-mail / phone.  Thank you all for your assistance.

Fraternally,

Brian Pappaducas


(Format edit Nicholas McGahan)
: Uncategorized

Brother Bob Keller passes to the Lodge above

August 17, 2011
by Nicholas McGahan

Brother Bob Keller being installed as Secretary of Acanthus Lodge for 2011

 

 

      Acanthus Lodge #632 mourns the passing of, Brother Mason and Secretary of Acanthus #632, Bob Keller on Tuesday August 16, 2011.  In the days of Operative Masonry, stonemasons buried their own with great solemnity and reverence, and so to shall we.  In observance of Brother Bob Keller’s passing Acanthus Lodge will be dark for degree work on Monday, August 22nd; but dinner will still be held at the regular 6pm time.  As information regarding the funeral services become available it will be posted on Acanthus’ website.

     ”One by one they pass away, the Brothers of our adoption, the Companions of our choice. A Brother whose hand we have clasped in the bonds of Fraternal Fellowship is now passing from our sight, and we know that we shall meet him on Earth no more.”  - Masonic Funeral Service

: Events

The Cornerstone

August 1, 2011
by randy.rote

It’s commonly known that you should start with a strong foundation if you’re going to erect a building that will last through the ages. The foundation, in turn, rests entirely on the perfection and placement of the cornerstone.

Any serious work must be approached with reverence and solemnity. First, we must pause and ask humbly for the Blessings of Deity. This also reminds us to evaluate our work, and to think about whether it’s truly worthy of divine favor. Second, we must go about our duty with seriousness and dedication. At the end of our time, we are judged and remembered by our actions, and how we handled the responsibilities put before us. Duties taken lightly are rarely executed fully and faithfully.

The cornerstone laying ceremony is one that illustrates these values. The stone is placed at the direction of the Master in the proper place, so that the rest of the building may be constructed around it. A minor error in the placement or workmanship of this stone will affect the same in the entire structure. Every corner of that first stone must be squared, its surface must be level, and it must stand upright, leaning neither to the right or left. To make a stone that is of such exquisite craftsmanship takes dedication and skill. The skill is learned slowly over time, by practice. The dedication is the person’s will, focused on a worthy goal.

There is an allusion here to the practice of a Mason on the improvement of their character. The Mason must practice daily, with dedication, so that they may improve themselves; squaring their actions according to virtue, treating all others as equals, and conducting themselves with integrity and moral uprightness. This is a Masons solemn duty to their God, their neighbor, and themselves.

Our brethren from the Grand Lodge of Minnesota have posted a video of the cornerstone dedication ceremony for the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital, included below. We thank them for their work in producing and publishing this video.

Cornerstone Ceremony Part 1 of 4

Cornerstone Ceremony Part 2 of 4

Cornerstone Ceremony Part 3 of 4

Cornerstone Ceremony Part 4 of 4

: Symbols, Working Tools

Enlightenment

July 19, 2011
by randy.rote

Light and the quest for Light is a central theme in Freemasonry.  What is Light?  What does it mean to be searching for Light?  One term immediately comes to mind when pondering these questions, Enlightenment.

The roots of modern Freemasonry are readily found the in philosophies of the Age of Enlightenment.  Many of its traditions can be traced back much further than this, but we leave this as an exercise for another time.

The term, Enlightenment, can be traced back to the 1660′s, as found in the Online Etymology Dictionary
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=enlightenment

This source links to a book titled, The Enlightenment: The Science of Freedom , by Peter Gay and quotes the following:

“The philosophy of the Enlightenment insisted on man’s essential autonomy: man is responsible to himself, to his own rational interests, to his self-development, and, by an inescapable extension, to the welfare of his fellow man.”

Themes similar to these are present throughout the Degrees.

First, that each man has responsibilities.  You will find parts of each of the three degrees that emphasize a Mason’s duty to their God, their family, their neighbors, and to themselves.

Second, measurement and logic are necessary for self-improvement.  Evaluation and measurement are key themes that appear in many different forms; the square of virtue, the level of equality, and the plumb of uprightness (or rectitude).  Once you have measured your character and conduct against these principles, you apply logic and rational thinking to determine what adjustments must be made to better align yourself with these ideals.

Third, that each man has a duty to care for those in need.  Each one of us comes into this world with nothing.  All of us are, at one time or another, reliant on the goodwill and charity of others.  We should always remember our own periods of destitution when we encounter someone else who needs a helping hand.

 

 

As with any writing on the topic of Freemasonry, this post does not necessarily represent the official position of Acanthus Lodge #632, the Iowa Grand Lodge, or any other body of Freemasonry.

 

: Principles
:

Upcoming Events

July 10, 2011
by randy.rote

The calendar has been updated tonight with a list of events planned through August. In particular, we’d like to draw attention to our Stated Meeting tomorrow night and our Summer Pancake Breakfast this coming weekend.

Everyone is welcome to join us for dinner at 6 pm on Monday. A formal business meeting will be held at 7:00 pm and is open to any Master Mason who wishes to attend.

Everyone is welcome to attend the ALL YOU CAN EAT pancake breakfast this coming Saturday, from 7:30 am to 10:30 am. Adults $6, Children $3. Special thanks go to our breakfast crew for their dedication in putting on this event.

 

Thanks for checking in. We hope to see you soon.

: Events
:

Freemasonry’s Core Principles

June 26, 2011
by randy.rote

Freemasonry has many things to teach those who wish to study it. The foundations of Freemasonry are laid on three core principles; Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Each step of a Mason’s instruction, and hopefully each step of his life, builds on and reinforces these ideals.

Brotherly Love
Treat all mankind as family.

Relief
Render aid to those in need.

Truth
Truth is a Divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue.

 

We will go into more detail on each of these at some time in the future.

 

: Principles
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