The Corinthian 93

THE CORINTHIAN 93

Corinthian Lodge No. 93 A. F. & A. M.N·MJune 2023

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

We remember our Brothers

On Wednesday, May 3rd, at our regular communication, we held a Masonic Memorial for our Corinthian Brothers who were called from labor during the past year:

John Abendshein

January 4, 2022 – Member 28 Years

Robert Briscoe

September 28, 2022 – Member 57 Years

Preston Coddington

March 18, 2022 – Member 3 Years

Rundic Lend

December 27, 2022 – Member 40 Years

John Parks III

May 20, 2022 – Member 57 Years

Marshall Strickler

December 20, 2022 – Member 39 Years

Thomas Thompson

January 25, 2022 – Member 39 Years

Raymond Vogel, Jr.

March 11, 2022 – Member 56 Years

Eleven attend Grand Lodge Semi-Annual Communication

Eleven Corinthian Brothers attended the Semi-Annual Communication at the Grand Lodge on Saturday, May 20th.

In the morning session, Deputy Grand Master Randy Watson spoke about the finances and demographics of Maryland Masonry, and Grand Master Frederick Spicer gave a "state of Maryland Masonry" address. It was fun seeing the Grand Line officers having a good time with all of us.

Then after lunch, we voted on the new Grand Lodge officers. Our WM Rick Jones had the honor of nominating MWGM Frederick Spicer for his second term as Grand Master. Then, he was further honored by being invited to sit in the East with the Grand Master and the other dignitaries.

It was a fun day, learning about the status of Masonry in Maryland and renewing old friendships.

PMs Joe Frank and Joe Creamer (center), both Grand Inspectors, process into the Grand Lodge.

We had a fine lunch of homemade soup and various sandwiches at intermission.

Brothers attend Crescent Lodge's raising of two, aided by the Knights of Mecca

Five from Corinthian Lodge attended Crescent Lodge's raising of two to the sublime degree of Master Mason on Thursday, May 25th. This was a tune up for us for our anticipated raising on June 7th, as we witnessed the Knights of Mecca masterfully do their thing. PMs Roger Dunn and Doug Ports participated as members of the Knights.

At dinner before the meeting, Crescent's WM Ron Burdynski and Corinthian PM Joe Frank who both had birthdays on that day, celebrated with a cake. WM Burdynski gifted PM Joe with a flag flown over Fort McHenry in 2012 to commemorate the War of 1812.

Corinthian Lodge literally is family

There are myriad family connections in Corinthian Lodge. Some more recent include Brothers Evans, Henthorn, Hodgson, Jones and Vogel— all fathers and sons, the Joneses extending even farther. Even Brother Markel found out after he joined that his late uncle had been a Corinthian Brother, raised in 1938.

There is another father/son pair who have a rather unique distinction. Brothers Frank— Joe, Sr. and Jr., were both raised to the degree of Master Mason on the same day! They were part of a large group raised by the Grand Lodge on June 19, 1999. Every so often they are at lodge together, as Joe, Sr. lives in Florida. Our May 24 meeting was such an occasion.

The son of a Mason is termed a "Lewis." The word Lewis denotes strength, and in operative Masonry it refers to pieces of metal dovetailed into a stone, which forms a "cramp," and enables the operative Mason to raise great weights to certain heights with little effort, and to fix them in their proper bases.

In speculative Masonry, Lewis refers to the son of a Mason. His duty is to bear the heat and burden of the day, from which his parents, by reason of their age, ought to be exempt; to help them in time of need, and thereby render the close of their days happy and comfortable.

The use of the word in speculative Freemasonry seems to have arisen as a result of the old friendship between France and Scotland.

MMAgain let it pass to the ROYAL lov’d NAME,

MMWhose glorious Admission has crown’d all our Fame:

MMMay a LEWIS be born, whom the World shall admire,

MMSerene as his MOTHER, August as his SIRE.

First MMA Symposium held at Odenton Lodge

The first ever Maryland Masonic Academy Symposium held on May 27th, was inspiring, uplifting, and infinitely more than we expected. Even the lunch was superb—catered by Mission Barbecue.

The idea for a Maryland Masonic Academy was the work of MWPGM Kenneth Wyvill (2015-16) at left, who spoke first, kicking off the symposium.

Brother Rich Mainley (pictured here), president of the Academy, outdid himself with the quality of speakers he assembled for us at Odenton Lodge. Dean of the Academy, Brother Dave Sandy, seemed pleased as punch with the caliber of speakers and the turnout.

We found ourselves seated between SW Justin Fuller and Prince Hall MWGM Noel Osbourne who attended along with many others from Maryland lodges.

Each of the seven speakers hit a home run, on topics such as Brother Mark Hartz describing the latest amazing Boumi children's health surgery breakthroughs, and Brother Rich Thurfield's take on modern media and Masonry. Even D.C.'s PGM Elias was able to enthusiastically energize the "gift" of the 1723 Constitutions, relating them to our own Constitution.

Brother Ted Severe spoke on his friend Rabbi Roland Gittlesohn's

experiences on Iwo Jima as part of the Fifth Marine Division and his now famous sermon, which almost was never given.

R.W. Brother Seymour Chambers, Grand Historian, spoke on the fascinating history of Prince Hall Masonry in Maryland from its beginnings in 1825 to the present.

Rich Thurfield, PM

Shelby Chandler, PM

Grand Lodge of Virginia

MWPGM Akram Elias

Grand Lodge of D.C.

All in all, it was an amazing day. We got to meet some wonderful new friends and hear some of their stories. Brother Sandy mentioned there would be another symposium. We can't wait.

To learn more about what the MMA has to offer, click HERE.

Brothers Kithcart and Ludwig pass their proficiency in FC Catechism

At our regular communication on May 3rd, our "dynamic duo" of Brothers Charles Kithcart and Peter Ludwig successfully passed their FC proficiency.

This sets them up to be raised to the degree of Master Mason, to take place at our regular communication on Wednesday, June 7th.

Brothers Peter Ludwig (L) and

Charles Kithcart.

President Rich Mainley of the Maryland Masonic Academy presents certificates to two Corinthian Brothers

Also at our May 3rd meeting, President of the Maryland Masonic Academy Brother Richard Mainley, presented certificates of achievement to Brother Jason Smith (left) in recognition of his completion of Pillar of the Craft, the second component of the Academy, and to Brother John Markel (at right) for his completion of the first component, Fellow of the Craft.

Brother Mainley encourages all Masons to participate in this Grand Lodge program of learning, as a means for new and current members to learn more about the Fraternity, thereby gaining further light.

If you are a Mason, click HERE to find out more about the Maryland Masonic Academy in the member portal of the Grand Lodge website.

Brothers Smith and Markel visit the 175th Anniversary meeting of Annapolis No. 89

On May 9, 1848, Annapolis Lodge No. 89 received its charter from the Grand Lodge of Maryland.

On May 9, 2023, 175 years later, Brothers Jason Smith and John Markel had the pleasure of sitting in on Annapolis Lodge's historic meeting in their incredibly historic lodge building dating back to before the founding of our Nation.

You can read here some of the fascinating history of their building, where Brother George Washington, and others (including some other Masons) who crafted our U.S. Constitution, ate and slept.

Our gracious host (pictured center above) was Brother Anthony Glass, Annapolis Lodge's Senior Steward, whom we had met as part of our recent Scottish Rite class.

We learned a lot of interesting history, particularly dealing with the Morgan Affair in upstate New York, from their WM Gordon Davids who is originally from that area.

Five Corinthian golfers play in charity event

On a perfectly gorgeous Monday morning, May 15th, five Corinthian Brothers carried their sticks to the annual Boumi Shrine Charity Golf Classic at Hunt Valley Country Club.

If you were up early, television station WBFF FOX45 promoted the event just before 8:00 AM.

Out of 30 foursomes from lodges across the state of Maryland, our Corinthian team came in eighth!

Pictured above, left to right, are Corinthian golf legends PMs Joe Frank and Roy Hodgson, WM Rick Jones, SS Richie Jones and JW Jason Smith. They will be available for autographs at our next regular communication.

If you've been hearing music recently at our Lodge meetings...

We'd like to recognize the excellent job Brother Ben Ludwig is doing adding music into our Lodge meetings. Brother Ben, our Junior Deacon, activates the sound system on an iPad from his station by the door.

We've heard several comments from the brothers about how much they enjoy having music during the meetings and how it adds to the ambiance and decorum. We also thank Brother Jason Standish who helped us get started with this.

A Fuller update

Back in the October Corinthian 93, we announced the birth of Ian Fuller, son of our Senior Warden Jason Fuller. We thought you'd like to see what's been on the mind of young Ian since that time.

Ian Shah Fuller on the day of his birth, September 14, 2022.

Eight months later...

"I've got my tux, my Grand Master's pin, when can I petition the lodge, Dad?"

EA Degree ritual for multiple candidates is modified at May 18th School of Instruction

At the May 18th School of Instruction, Grand Lecturer Bill Richard and Deputy Grand Lecturer Dave Sandy walked us through some changes in the way lodges will be receiving multiple candidates.

These new changes greatly improve the experience of the candidate when lodges receive into Masonry more than one at the same time.

A heavy-weight cast of ritualists were at the School, as we "received" three candidates and got to see the new refinements for ourselves.

In the picture above, Brother Doug Ports (second from left) speaks with Crescent Lodge's SD John Schoene, and DGL Dave Sandy shakes the hand of our host, Crescent's WM Ron Burdynski, as our Grand Lecturer, Bill Richard, looks on.

Also present to oversee the new changes were the Deputy Grand Master, Randy Watson, and Crescent Ritualist Roger Dunn.

From the desk of Joe Creamer, PM

A quick follow up on the Masonic Scholarship applications we received from students at Carver School: Lea Padden was confirmed as Corinthian's $500 scholarship selection for 2023.

For the second year in a row, a second Carver School application, by Ms. Kitty Shi and submitted to Masonic Charities of Maryland by Corinthian Lodge, was also selected for a scholarship from a secondary, State-wide pool of candidates.

Your attendance is requested at the Grand Lodge Summer Schools

Fun and informative, attendance helps fulfill a Grand Master's Award mandatory criteria for our lodge. Any officer who attends all four classes is awarded a certificate of completion.

These four classes will be held at the Grand Lodge in Cockeysville:

Tuesday, July 11 – 7:00 PM

Entered Apprentice Degree

Open full form, reviewing both single and multiple candidates

Exemplify degree

Tuesday, July 18 – 7:00 PM

Fellowcraft Degree, Open full form

Exemplify degree

Tuesday, July 25 – 7:00 PM

Master Mason Degree, Open full form

Exemplify degree

Tuesday, August 1 – 7:00 PM

Special Topics

Open full form MM Degree

Will discuss various other subjects and ceremonies

We'd like to highlight this Corinthian Brother

Editor's Note: This is a new series, a brainchild of Chaplain Gary Norman, PM. Each month we'll highlight one of our fine Brothers, interviewed by PM Norman.

This month... Past Master Joe Creamer

Joseph E. Creamer, PM

Past Master Creamer often wishes that each of us can find a “tribe,” a sense of belonging. Melanie, the daughter of a Mason, encouraged Joe to join the Fraternity after he worked near the Grand Lodge.

Corinthian Lodge raised Brother Creamer on December 14, 2012. Very soon after, he was serving as an officer, exemplifying a short time later. He served in the East from 2017 through 2019, elevating Corinthian’s diversity, among other things.

An accounting manager with an MBA by trade, brothers can find Joe involved at Corinthian Lodge nowadays as our “bean counter.” He also demonstrates his passion for, and commitment to, the lodge by teaching catechism classes. He is a prime motivator and organizer behind the Lodge receiving the Grand Master's Award the last several years.

A short time before his becoming Worshipful Master, his predecessor, Les Hodgson, oversaw the changing of the lodge meeting nights from Friday to Wednesday. Joe says he reaped the benefit of that decision as the lodge received 20 candidates during his three years as WM.

He credits several distinguished Corinthian Past Masters as ones who particularly helped him enrich the lodge during his tenure as WM: John Reiter, and Les and Roy Hodgson.

Brother Creamer values belonging. He serves as a co-chair of his company’s diversity committee, often recalling with me the night that Corinthian passed a Christian brother, a Jewish brother, and a Muslim brother to the Fellowcraft Degree during the 300th anniversary year of Masonry in 2017.

He recalled how his successor, PM Rob Carlson, recommended he take a fistful of Corinthian lapel pins when he was to visit lodges in England, and how this increased Trans-Atlantic relations, as well as the brand of Corinthian Lodge.

Joe currently serves as a Grand Inspector, is a member of the King Solomon’s Society, and in 2019, he received one of the high honors bestowed by the Grand Lodge of Maryland, the Warren Seipp Medal for Meritorious Service.

We are indeed honored to have him a member of our tribe at Corinthian Lodge.

The picture above is of Joe in London, standing in front of the plaque commemorating the location of the Goose and Gridiron alehouse, the site of the first meeting of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717.

"As we three

nfellow cowboys nwho traveled a nWesterly course nwere returning, nwe asked if any nstrangers had npassed by the nCorinthian Lodge nwebsite."

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We'd like to say, 'Happy June Birthday,' to these terrific Brothers!

mMl2 - Immor Franklin, PM

m15M -David Mulcrone

Mml4 - Gary Fergusson

mMl5 - George Della,lJr.

Mv17 - Shawn Mulligan

v15M - Michael Rachuba

v1M5 - Max Stein

vM10 - Shea Lee

vM15 - Steven Goldman

Mv16 - Sam Dvorak

vM20 - Christopher Cahill,lJr.

Mv27 - Keith Huber

vM29 - Christopher Eder

Since we won't be publishing over the summer, we're also wishing Happy July and August birthdays to these terrific Brothers!

MlJuly

mMl3 - Allen Wingate

Mml6 - Les Hodgson, PM

Mv17 - Ousa Tran

Mv17 - Jerome Weber

mMl9 - James Monninger

Mv11 - Gregory Boswell

v15M - Jason Danker, PM

v1M5 - WM Rick Jones, Jr.

vM15 - Peter Ludwig

vM21 - Courtenay Moon

Mv22 - Bill Francik, Sr.

vM23 - Jason Covey

Mv17 - Raymond J. Vogel III

vM26 - John Griffith, Jr.

Mv27 - William Kessler

Mv17 - William Richardson

vM29 - Melbourne Miller, Jr.

MlAugust

niMl2 - David Bradshaw

Mml3 - Zevi Lowenberg

mMl4 - John Downes

Mv15 - Andrew LaMarche, Jr.

mMl7 - Howard Denney, Jr.

mMl9 - Jeffery Scher

vM11 - Dean Bartch

v15M - Robert Eisenhart

vM12 - William Grau, Jr., PM

vM16 - Barda Mojra

Mv17 - Michael Cantrell

vM24 - Robert Carr,lJr.

Mv26 - Thomas Ruley, PM

vM30 - Mark Verdecia

Here's the latest scoop from the top down

From none other than our WM Rick Jones, Jr., here's a list of some major events coming up in June.

Because this is a monthly publication, these events will sometimes change. For the most current calendar information, visit the WM Calen dar or the Trestle Board, both on our Lodge website.

Saturday, June 3 – Grand Lodge Family Day PicnicN11:00 AM

A wonderful annual event put on by the Grand Lodge on the Grand Lodge grounds, 304 International Circle, Cockeysville.

Saturday, June 3 – Job's Daughters Officer InstallationN7:00 PM

At Towson Masonic Temple, we have a chance to support our local chapter, Bethel No. 36. Helps towards our Grand Master's Award and the Zerubbabel medal. There will be a Zoom link for this, posted as soon as we get it. Check the WM Calendar on the website.

Wednesday, June 7 – Regular communicationN7:00 PM

Note the new time! We anticipate raising two brothers to MM.

Dinner will be at 6:00.

Thursday, June 15 – Lodge of Instruction 7:00 PM

At Crescent Lodge, Boumi Temple, 5050 King Avenue, rear entrance. DGL Dave Sandy will teach the EA ritual work.

Thursday, June 22 – Crescent Lodge MM Degree 6:30 PM

At Crescent Lodge, Boumi Temple, 5050 King Avenue, rear entrance.

Wednesday, June 28 – Friendship Night and MCorinthian Widows NightN6:30 PM

We will have an end of the season blowout party, inviting friends, prospective candidates and honoring our widows. We will have at least one bushel of steamed crabs, fresh caught by our PM Joe Frank, corn on the cob, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and soft drinks.

Bring your wife, family, and invite interested friends who may want to join the Fraternity.

* During the summer, we will be keeping the WM Calendar on mour website up-to-date with events and information.