THE CORINTHIAN 93

Corinthian Lodge No. 93 A.F. & A.M.M · MNovember 2022

"If it isn't in The 93, you probably didn't need to know it anyway."

Brother Robert John BriscoeL

MMBorn - July 18, 1934MM

Raised - April 23, 1965MM

Home - September 28, 2022MM

It never rains on Harvest Home Day... sort of

It sure was brutal driving to Cockeysville in the dark that Saturday morning-- pouring down rain and with slick roads. But, was it worth it when we got there!

It was just as advertised. Everything imaginable Masonic to buy, wonderful sausage, pancakes and pumpkin pie, the Museum was fascinating, the games, the raffles, the brothers from all over.

Everything was grand including the Most Worshipful Grand Master who worked the crowd, eager to meet as many as he could, and who later presented the prizes. But again, let's let the pictures do most of the talking.

Here is the scene as you walked into the food tent. Lines of pancake and sausage griddles—and all you could eat. In the right foreground are Brothers John Reiter, PM, and Rick and Richie Jones.

Brother PM John Reiter helped keep everyone well fed.

Corinthian Lodge gathered in front of our tent as the rain cleared. Pictured (L to R) are Brothers Joe Creamer, PM, Richie Jones, John Markel, Earl Henson, Roy Hodgson, PM, Justin "New Dad" Fuller, Jason Smith, Frank Pugh, WM Joe Frank, Brendan Frank, Petitioner (at the time) Peter Ludwig and his dad, Brother Bob Ludwig.

Under the tent was the book our lodge members have signed at every Harvest Home Day since 1947.

In the museum library we ran into the Most Worshipful Grand Master himself, Marlin L. Mills. Brothers Richie Jones, Frank Pugh and Jason Smith were pleased to have their picture taken with WGM Mills on his special day.

PMs Joe Creamer and Les Hodgson flank 57-year member Brother Bob Jones, Jr., uncle of Brother Rick Jones. and great-uncle of Brother Richie Jones. Brother Les is sporting one of our new coffee mugs.

And then there was the cornhole tournament...

Competing against 13 other lodges, WM Joe Frank readies his toss, finding its way into the hole.

Brother Brendan Frank, playing partner with his dad, displays excellent form as he lets one fly. (The bag is visible in the upper left corner.)

The result? Our boys are the 2022 Cornhole Champions, here receiving their award from the Worshipful Grand Master.

The corn husking competition seemed like it was over in two minutes flat. Silver Spring Lodge No. 215 won with the most corn husked the fastest.

Corinthian Lodge didn't husk any corn, but a bunch of us looked on. On the left in back, Brothers Richie Jones and Rick Jones watch with WGM Mills.

Finally, as if we hadn't already had enough fun, at the end of the day Brother Eric Fotis (left) won Lebanon Lodge's raffle for a beautifully-engraved rifle. PM John Reiter sold the winning ticket, as he has for the last four years!

The reverse of the Grand Master's coin indicates that our wages for the day have been duly paid.

Prizes and great memories of this day have been stowed away until next year. Our thanks to WGM Mills for a great two years of leadership!

It felt like we were in the presence of Masonic royalty

They advertised it as Corinthian Widows and Past Master's Night. But that was like calling the Super Bowl just another football game.

First, we were most honored to have several widows of our lodge brothers join us for dinner. It was moving and heartwarming to share a meal with such wonderful ladies and to realize how, by their very presence with us, they care about our lodge and what Corinthian Lodge must have meant to their husbands.

Pictured above (L to R) are Brother Joe Creamer, PM, Sandy Kenny, Rose Abendschein, WM Joe Frank, Charlotte Huber, Beverly Garner, and Brother Gary Norman, PM.

Here Brother Roy Hodgson, PM, (at the rear of the table) is seen holding court, regaling the table with his after-dinner commentary and remarks.

Before we went off to begin our regular meeting, on behalf of the lodge, WM Joe Frank and Joe Creamer, PM, presented the ladies with a bouquet of flowers. It was a truly delightful time with them.

Brother Bob Ludwig (at left) supplied a wonderful dinner of baked ziti and meatballs and sausage. WM Frank brought delicious pies, Brother John Reiter, PM, made sure there was plenty of ice cream, and Brother Gary Norman, PM, even provided an excellent blend of coffee.

Making the evening profoundly special was the presence of so many Past Masters-- over 20 years of them. It was inspiring to realize how much these men were respected and how much they had given to Corinthian Lodge and even other local lodges.

Pictured here are WM Joe Frank with Corinthian Lodge Past Masters I. Clyde Franklin, Jr. (at left) and Jules Poston.

We were fascinated by them, and sometimes we laughed with them, as they told stories of their years in office. But for this two-month old Mason, we felt completely in awe of their commitment, leadership, the respect they received and what each of them had meant to our Corinthian Lodge.

Our Esteemed Past Masters

Left to right, Joe Creamer, Rob Carlson, I. Clyde Franklin, Jr., Doug Ports, Roy Hodgson, John Reiter, Gary Norman, Jules Poston, Jason Danker, Les Hodgson, and Matthaios Roussos, also Grand Inspector.

Finally, to cap off a truly magnificent evening, our welcome and sincere congratulations to two dear brothers who were made Honorary Members of Corinthian Lodge:

Brother Doug Ports, PM, a member of Mt. Moriah No. 116, a constant presence at our lodge meetings and rehearsals and of immeasurable help to our lodge, especially to those going thru the chairs.

Brother Dave Wineholt, a member of Charity Lodge No. 134 in Freeland, Maryland, has been a longtime "regular" at Corinthian Lodge, mutually enjoying the brotherhood and close friendship here.

Bingo at Bonnie Blink always makes for a memorable evening

Early Friday night, October 7, we went up to Bonnie Blink (Maryland Masonic Homes) for our annual night of Bingo with the residents. We're not sure who enjoyed the evening more, our members or the residents.

There really is no other Bingo caller in the land quite like Brother Roy Hodgson, PM, who's been doing it masterfully for years.

Because Bonnie Blink is technically a healthcare facility, we had to wear masks. But that was no problem for Brother Roy whose lilting voice was plainly heard by all.

Helping to hand out prizes (from left to right) PM Roy Hodgson; PM Joe Creamer and Melanie Hotham; Marissa and PM Les Hodgson; Brother Rick Jones and Glenna; and Brother Richie Jones.

After the last number was called, we made sure everyone was satisfied by going home with at least one prize. Then we helped each resident back to their room. No doubt, a grand time was had by all.

Magnificent grandeur was on display at our visit to two Masonic monuments

On Saturday morning, October 22nd, we departed for our nation's capital to visit two exquisite Masonic icons of architecture.

Our first stop was the House of the Temple (above, under construction in 1912), the headquarters of the

Southern Jurisdiction (S.J.) Mother Council of the World of the Scottish Rite. The S.J. comprises all but 15 Northeastern states.

Begun in 1911, Grand Commander James Richardson instructed famed architect John Russell Pope to make "the new Temple as magnificent as art and money can make it.”

In the grand entrance hall in front of the stairs leading up to the grand lodge room our enthusiastic entourage posed for a group photo.

Crafted into part of the wall outside the grand lodge room is the Tyler's Chair. Here PM Roy Hodgson is outside the door with a drawn pocket- knife in his hand.

The House of the Temple was also the first public library in D.C. and still works as such. WM Bryan Campos of Highland Lodge is on the first level of the stacks. A mezzanine level is above.

Inside the immense lodge room, which is used also by several local blue lodges, that's Brother Gary Norman, PM, sitting in the East as Brother Matt Ruth takes his picture.

Centered in a place of honor and respect in the center of the solid marble altar in the grand lodge room is the family Bible of Brother Burl Ives, 33°.

Only two flags have ever flown on the moon. One is the U.S. flag that is still there. The other was one flown by Brother Buzz Aldrin, the first Mason to walk on the moon. It was an embroidered flag with the words, “Supreme Council, 33°, Southern Jurisdiction, USA.”

After returning to Earth, Brother Aldrin visited the House of the Temple and presented the flag to Grand Commander Luther Smith (picture above).

We saw that flag on display at The House of the Temple.

While on the moon, Aldrin opened a Representation of the Grand Lodge of Texas and, thereby, established Masonic Territorial Jurisdiction there. The moon lodge thereby created has been transferred to Texas and any Mason can affiliate with it!

After touring the House of the Temple, we drove to Alexandria, Virginia to get off our feet and have some lunch at former Washington Redskins' quarterback Joe Theisman's Restaurant. We did not see Joe.

After lunch, we headed over to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Originally intended as a museum to house important artifacts commemorating the life of George Washington, it became so much more. The building of the Memorial began in 1922, but was not officially completed and opened to the public until 1970.

At the entrance, an inspiring statue of Washington greets visitors.

The view of the large Masonic G on the ground below from the observation deck over 350 feet above ground level.

You can walk around all four sides of the memorial at this height and the view of Washington, D.C, the Potomac River and Alexandria is breathtaking.

The above photo barely does justice to the magnificent view from the top of the Memorial, but on the left you can see the distinctive needle shape of the Washington Monument and then off to the right sticking up is the dome of the U.S. Capitol above the surrounding buildings. Remember, we are almost 10 miles away!

There were so many fascinating George Washington artifacts on display. Above is the trowel Brother Washington used in the Masonic laying of the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol building.

Among the many Bibles relating to Washington's life was the Washington family Bible pictured above. It is opened to the page on the right where Washington signed his name.

In the upper right corner of this page of his Bible, you can see his "Geo. Washington" signature at the top of the page.

After a long, but exciting day we finally arrived home around dinner time. Many of us wished we could have spent more time at each venue and maybe another day we will, but it sure will be great not to have to walk much for a few days.

We held our final October 'meeting' at Stumpy's Hatchet House

PM Joe Creamer said it best, "We’ve earned a break from the busiest lodge year in recent history."

So, our October 26th "meeting" was at Stumpy's and the only business transacted was funny business.

In the photo at left, our throwing coach, Soy, joins in the group photo.

Above, Soy expertly coaches Brother Gary Norman, PM, in the finer points of ax throwing.

WM Joe Frank showed up quite a bit under the weather but persisted nevertheless, bringing boxes and boxes of delicious wings. Brothers Jason Smith and John Vogel brought a wonderful assortment of adult brewed beverages. Junior Warden Justin Fuller being present, we were careful to convert not into intemperance or excess.

This was our second trip to Stumpy's and it's always a grand time.

Coach Soy watches as Brother Jason Smith aims another one for the red. Brother Chris Trammel (at right) looks out for his own safety.

Brother John R. Vogel III (at right with WM Frank) came with boxes of pins, jewelry, hats and other items belonging to his father who went home earlier this year. His father, John Raymond Vogel, Jr., was a Past Supreme Tall Cedar.

You're telling me even HE was a Mason?!

Stephen F. Austin

Born in Virginia and raised in Missouri, colonizer and political leader Stephen Fuller Austin (1793-1836), first worked to make Texas a state of Mexico, but later helped the American and European settlers of Texas gain their independence in 1836, Texas becoming for 10 years the Republic of Texas.

Brother Austin is acclaimed as “The Father of Texas” and the city of Austin, the Texas state capital, is named after him.

Austin was a keen and dedicated Freemason, a member of Louisiana Lodge No.109 in Ste. Geneviere, Missouri, and worked hard to establish Freemasonry in Texas from 1825 onward. However, the delicate political climate of the time hindered his progress (as Texas, until 1836, still belonged to Mexico). The Mexican General López de Santa Anna was Mexico’s dictator and, then as now, dictators feel threatened by Freemasons.

Brother Joe tells all

From none other than Brother Joe Creamer, PM, here's a list of some major events coming up in November.

For complete details and information on these and other items and events of interest visit The Trestle Board on our Lodge website.

Wednesday, November 2 – DeMolay visit

The Nelson J. Briggs Chapter of DeMolay, a Masonic youth group for boys, will give a presentation during our first November meeting. Several of our brothers were DeMolays or have sons in DeMolay. Our newest candidate, Peter Ludwig, is Past Master Councilor of the chapter. Call on at 7:30 PM.

Saturday, November 19 – Grand Lodge Annual Communication

Starting at 9:00 AM, all Master Masons are encouraged to attend this important meeting which only takes place once a year.

Installation of the newest Grand Lodge officers, including Maryland’s next Most Worshipful Grand Master-elect, Frederick A. Spicer, will take place that afternoon starting at 2:00 PM. (After that event, we officially retire our current Grand Master pins.)

Wednesday, November 23 – Thanksgiving Eve, Lodge dark

We will be dark this fourth Wednesday as we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.

Wednesday, December 7 – Election of Corinthian Lodge Officers

The first and only time we meet officially in December will be for the election of officers.

The lodge will elect the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Manager and three Trustees. The other officers are appointed by the newly-elected Worshipful Master.