October 1, 2007 Second Annual Cajun Potluck & Stated Meeting
This was a marvelously successful Stated Meeting. Junior Warden Frank Bolshazy had requested Brothers bring along a Cajun style dish and Frank himself prepared quite a few pots of various items. I know he had Red Beans and something with shrimp that was absolutely delicious. The big surprise was how many other Brothers carried in huge pots of wonderful food. By the time we were ready to eat it looked like a production line. I myself was barely able to fit a spoonful of each item on one plate. Frank had brought along food storage bags and extra bowls and asked at least two times for the brothers to take home the leftovers.
Frank had specifically asked the Brothers to leave out some of the really intense spices so all could enjoy the food. The plan was to bring along the spice and allow each serving to be doctored at serving time. I don’t recall eating anything that was excessively spicy. Spices were on hand though. At one point I glanced over and David Bolshazy was swabbing his dad’s forehead as Frank consumed the various offerings.
That’s Rick Poole’s Jambalaya in the foreground
We need a longer table
Lodge opened and I was aware of a fellow all decked out in a very elaborate apron and collar. He ended up seated fairly close to the Senior Steward chair which I was occupying. It turned out that this was Ian Foster Past Master of Nine Muses Lodge 235 of Gloucester in England. Ian told us that his Lodge was founded in 1777. He noted that Gloucester dated all the way back to 400 B.C.
Master James E. Beggs and First Time Visitor P.M. Ian Foster of Nine Meuse 235 Lodge
I was sitting in the Senior Steward chair because my friend Patrick Price had asked to be sidelined due to his working commitment. I had never really learned the response of the Senior Steward because Patrick had always been there to perform that function. I had stood in as Senior Steward when Steve (not his real name) Nguyen (pronounced Win) had been passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft.
Worshipful announced that one of our regularly scheduled Lodge nights in October would be cancelled because some of the officers would be at The York Rite Fall Festival in Laughlin. Mr. Beggs announced that a movie called The Magic Flute will be shown. This film is based on a work of Mozart. Jim said that there has been speculation down through the years that Mozart met an untimely demise. Some have postulated that it was because some Masonic Secrets had been revealed by Mozart that he met his end. At this point Brother Ian stood up and told the Lodge that Mozart used to visit the Nine Muses Lodge and that Johann Sebastian Bach dropped in also. Somehow Brother Ian was aware that the two used to sit down and play impromptu concerts together which were quite marvelous.
October 8, 2007 THREE ENTERED APPRENTICE LOW HIGH
Sometime over the weekend Las Vegas managed to break another Temperature Record. Apparently it was the coldest high temperature ever recorded on that date. That was a wonderful record. Temperatures were ranging in the mid eighties and it was quite refreshing. A lot of people were commenting on how pleasant the days have been.
Somewhere I heard that our Las Vegas Hispanic population had crested over 50%. I know I’ve been seeing a lot of little brown people all over the place and every day it seems as if another shop is putting up a sign in a foreign language. I reckon now I’m a minority. I think now I’m a WASAP. That would stand for White Angelo-Saxon Agnostic Person. I know when ever I see my son-in-law he always says, “ Wassss Aaaap?”.
Junior Warden Frank Bolshazy had brought along a huge hero sandwich and carved it up for the Brothers before Lodge. I had two slices because I had come direct from my work. That was a very tasty and welcome snack.
Snack before Lodge
Master Beggs with Historian Report Photo by Mike Duncan
Master Jim Beggs came along. He had taken the printed Historian Report and inserted it into a three ring binder and left it on the table where the brothers could peruse it. I flipped through and found the image of Curtis Swanson that I had taken at the Helldorado Parade. I pushed it across to Curtis for him to see. He seemed pleased with the image. I thought it was a good picture of him. The light from the setting sun was wonderful that afternoon.
This week we got to meet Arie Marancenbaum, Gerald Cornell and Mike Terzian. Somehow those guys met up and kind of stayed together before being brought into Lodge. That’s when I managed to get a picture of them.
Poor Blind Candidates: Arie Marancenbaum, Gerald Cornell and Mike Terzian
I was intending on standing in for Patrick at the Senior Steward station if asked. Two weeks ago I was able to answer the Master for the Fellowcraft Degree. The response is a bit different for Entered Apprentice. I was worrying over getting the wording just right and also there is a bit of an introduction for the candidates when they are at the Inner Door. I was rehearsing that over in my mind. I think I was a bit distracted when I went out to the Bronco to get some cough drops. Somehow I managed to place the keys on the front seat as I was rummaging around inside the car. Then I locked the door behind me. The keys were still on the front seat. I didn’t realize it at the time and I was frantically searching all over. Finally it dawned upon me. Idiot!
After Lodge, Brother Jim Walton was kind enough to drive me to my house. That took 20 minutes. Then Jim drove me back to the Lodge. That was another 20 minutes. Jim waited to see if I had the right keys and had the door opened before being satisfied I would be ok. Then I got to drive home and that took another 20 minutes. Long night.
October 15, 2007 Master Mason THREE Past Grand Masters
This was the evening we raised Russell Johnson. Russell must live in Arizona and will be returning to Arizona shortly. His Grandfather is apparently very highly thought of in Arizona. Oasis conferred the Degrees on Russell as a Courtesy for Arizona Masons.
Wonderful Sunset underway
I was returning my street clothes to my car and noticed the most wonderful sunset was underway. I rushed to the car and got out the camera. In just that short amount of time most of the dramatic colors had passed. David Bolshazy arrived sporting a brand new Tuxedo and shiny shoes. He looked very handsome. That new outfit was such a stark contrast to the scrubs he had been wearing to Lodge.
The days are getting noticeably shorter now. Master Beggs came out of the front door of the Lodge to speak on his mobile phone. I took a picture of him with the moon in the background.
Shorter days when Lodge opens after dark
Frank had brought along a huge Hero Sandwich of Roast Beef, Turkey and Cheese to help out Brothers that arrived without having dinner.
Snack for early Brothers
I was passing by the Lodge Room and noticed Brother Buck Hogan was on his knees doing something to the carpet. That was a pretty thoughtful thing to be doing.
David managed to christen his brand new shirt
No one will ever see that Mayo stain
Brothers Ken and Curtiss look over a 911 commemorative
Two Past Grand Masters
Lodge opened with Grand Lodge Officer MW David Ludke in attendance. An Alarm sounded at the Outer Door. Admitted were Dan Newman and Walt Galvin, sitting Master of Vegas 32 Lodge. Three Past Grand Masters were Present: MW G. Pat Williams, Past Grand Master of Masons in Nevada in the year 2000, MW Ovid A. Moore, Past Grand Master of Masons in Nevada in 1987 and MW Robert Conrad, Past Grand Master of Masons in Arizona in 2000.
Brothers before Lodge opens
PM Shibli Sawalha and PM Abe Velasco
Eight Past Masters introduced themselves. Past Master Eugene Kenny of Acacia Lodge and Shibli Sawalha, a Past Master from Illinois, were among our group.
Death invaded our Lodge. It was announced that Past master Winfred L. “Bob” Rash had laid down his working tools. Entered into Oasis Lodge on February 2, 1959 and Raised on April `13, 1959 he became the Master of the Lodge for 1978. Bob was a member of the York Rite, Scottish Rite and KYCH. Bob had been ailing for a long time now. We were used to getting weekly updates on his condition.
An Alarm sounded at the Outer Door. Admitted were Brothers PM Bruce Nelson, Michael Terzian, Alan Murphy and Dr. Bill Garner. I believe it was announced that all had passed their respective proficiencies.
Next week our Brothers are to gather at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to tend a booth at the National Hot Rod Association Rally. I heard on the radio that some of these vehicles reach over 300 miles per hour. Among the Brothers that volunteered to attend at the Nitro Bar were PM Mike Reinhardt, Phil Michaelson, Mike Duncan, Curtiss Swanson and Darcie, David Laino and Michael Terzian. The Brothers are scheduled to assemble at the Cannery at 5:00 AM on October 26th.
Master Mason Russell Johnson received a special Arizona Lapel Pin
Then we were ready to confer the Master Mason Degree on Russell Johnson. I had seen Russell before Lodge opened and I believe I never saw him so relaxed or maybe he was just relieved. His Grandfather was hoping to attend but could not be present. It was noted that Russell already had an Apron. I was volunteering to be the Senior Steward. Finally the sound of the Gavel from the Master. David Bolshazy did the Working Tool Lecture and that turned out very well.
PGM Ovid A. Moore
The Degree went very smoothly. The Arizona Delegation seemed very pleased. I think we were all happy they were so pleased. As the Lodge was closing I took the opportunity to thank PM Pat Williams for all of his help with our Fish Fry.
New Master Mason Russell Johnson
Master James E. Beggs conferred the Master Mason Degree
October 22, 2007 The Magic Flute
No official meeting was held this evening as some of our officers were attending the York Rite Colorado River Fall Festival in Laughlin.
Movie Night Hot Air Pop Corn Popper
All Beef or Turkey Hot Dogs
Bobo Room set up with a real screen
In the past for Movie Night we have used a portable projector illuminating the wall. Now our Bobo Room has framing for various and future plaques. This night we had a real screen set up on stage and I believe the projection was from our projection room though I don’t know who was controlling the projector.
PreMovie Snack: All Beef or Turkey
Frank Bolshazy, our Junior Warden, had obviously been preparing for this event. The Hot Dogs were so good I went back for one more after having consumed two at the first pass.
Properly prepared Hot Dogs
Master as Master of Ceremonies
We had four Brothers from Nellis Lodge. The Magic Flute was introduced by Master James E. Beggs. It was to last 134 minutes and to have one intermission. Brother Frank announced that the Ice Cream would be out for another 10 minutes. After that time it was to be placed back into the freezer until Intermission.
Lights, Camera….Action
October 29, 2007 Two Fellowcraft
Returning this week for the Second Degree of Freemasonry were Arie Marancenbaum and Michael Trezian. They had successfully passed their profiencies in the First Degree. I was glad. As I was attempting to park the vehicle I noticed Arie in his car and his lips were moving. I had to think back to that time when I was trying to memorize the various Obligations.
I didn’t get to the Lodge until 6:00 Pm. I went to the Bagel Shop after work for a snack. I’m sorry I did that. Frank had another of those monster sandwiches set out and there were a large quantity of Jalapeño Bagels.
Snacks for early Brothers
New Fellowcraft
I was prepared to assume the Senior Steward position if asked. Instead I was asked to perform the Junior Steward Position. That was a big relief. Brother Brad Jones acted as Senior Steward.
Frank Bolshazy acted as the Senior Warden and Phil Michaelson was Junior Warden. Michael Creason acted as the Senior Deacon and Jim Walton acted as Junior Deacon.
I think Frank was not aware that his microphone was turned on. Just as we were about to start up Frank could be heard commenting to son David something about a “wedgie”. David is now acting as our Master of Ceremonies.
Scott Kelly preformed the Lecture. Applause actually erupted after Scott did the singing portion of the lecture.
Deputy Grand Lecturer Scott Kelly wrapping up the Lecture