Episode 184 - Bro. Ronald B. Carson, DDGM.

[00:00:02] From the new recording lair located deep beneath the Wine and Spirit Store in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

[00:00:10] You're listening to the Masonic Lite Podcast.

[00:00:16] Studio 665 presents Masonic Lite Podcast.

[00:00:21] This show is recorded by Masons, for Masons, and is for entertainment purposes only.

[00:00:27] And please, no wagering.

[00:00:31] This podcast is not endorsed by any Grand Lodge, and the ridiculous ramblings of the hosts are their own.

[00:00:41] And now, here's your host.

[00:00:48] Hey everybody!

[00:00:50] What?

[00:00:51] It is the Masonic Lite Podcast.

[00:00:52] What'd you say?

[00:00:53] Yeah, right, we're all deaf right now.

[00:00:55] Holy moly, we got loud microphones.

[00:00:57] Woo!

[00:00:58] Episode number 184.

[00:01:01] Four!

[00:01:02] 184, that's a lot of episodes.

[00:01:04] That's a lot of episodes.

[00:01:05] It's a lot of freaking episodes.

[00:01:06] 16 from 200.

[00:01:08] Ah, love this.

[00:01:09] I can say I remember this thing from day one.

[00:01:11] Yeah.

[00:01:11] That's scary.

[00:01:13] Yeah.

[00:01:14] Yeah.

[00:01:14] You can remember anything from that day.

[00:01:16] It's scary.

[00:01:17] And you and I had to sit down on show number seven, remember that one?

[00:01:21] Yeah, that's on my list, Larry, to talk about is the controversy that you guys started.

[00:01:25] That was the one before me.

[00:01:27] I'm going to do that at one time.

[00:01:29] It's his fault.

[00:01:30] It's his fault.

[00:01:30] Yes, that one.

[00:01:32] All right, it is the Masonic Lite Podcast and tonight's episode is brought to you by our sponsors.

[00:01:38] And who are those sponsors, Tim?

[00:01:40] The employer of our guest.

[00:01:42] Ooh, George J. Grovenson.

[00:01:45] That's it!

[00:01:46] Yeah, baby.

[00:01:47] Hiram and Solomon Cigars.

[00:01:48] Oh yeah.

[00:01:49] Helm Construction.

[00:01:53] Intermezzo by Stephanie.

[00:01:54] So wait a minute, let's give him credit.

[00:01:55] Let's give him credit.

[00:01:56] All right.

[00:01:56] So if you're a regular listener to the show, you know that we have Scott Helm on occasionally.

[00:02:02] He's a great mason, good guy.

[00:02:05] He was a sponsor for a while and now he's out of that business and his son, Helm Construction,

[00:02:14] has taken over his role as a supporter of the Masonic Lite Podcast.

[00:02:19] So we thank you all.

[00:02:21] Check them out.

[00:02:23] See what they can do for you.

[00:02:24] Okay.

[00:02:25] I mentioned Intermezzo by Stephanie.

[00:02:27] Yeah.

[00:02:28] Great chocolate tonight.

[00:02:29] Any chocolate tonight?

[00:02:30] I read it the other day.

[00:02:32] Yes.

[00:02:33] Yes.

[00:02:34] She was in Columbia doing mysterious things with chocolate.

[00:02:39] Two Pillars Apparel and our fantastic Patreon supporters.

[00:02:45] Oh yeah.

[00:02:46] Yeah, baby.

[00:02:47] We do.

[00:02:48] We do sincerely love our Patreon supporters.

[00:02:51] You too can be a Patreon supporter.

[00:02:53] And how can they do that, Tim?

[00:02:54] How simple is it to do this?

[00:02:57] It is so simple.

[00:02:58] You can go to patreon.com slash MasonicLightPodcast.

[00:03:02] patreon.com slash MasonicLightPodcast.

[00:03:09] MasonicLightLightPodcast.

[00:03:10] Yes.

[00:03:11] And for as little as one dollar.

[00:03:16] A dollar.

[00:03:17] A simple dollar.

[00:03:18] It's not even half a cup of coffee.

[00:03:20] Not even.

[00:03:22] Not even.

[00:03:23] Not even.

[00:03:23] No.

[00:03:24] And we're about to have to undergo a major remodeling of the studio.

[00:03:29] Yeah.

[00:03:29] So we're.

[00:03:31] George.

[00:03:33] We have some thoughts.

[00:03:36] I kind of like the way Josh is going on this thing.

[00:03:39] I think that could be fun.

[00:03:40] I think it could be good.

[00:03:41] Let me give credit because sitting here tonight with us, our guest, Ron Carson, basically built

[00:03:48] this studio for us from the sticks.

[00:03:50] A lot of stuff fell off the truck when this project was going on.

[00:03:54] Scott helmed it all the.

[00:03:54] I mean.

[00:03:55] What?

[00:03:55] I didn't.

[00:03:56] I don't know what you're talking about.

[00:03:58] Huh?

[00:03:58] What?

[00:03:59] Nope.

[00:04:02] George don't know anything either.

[00:04:03] What?

[00:04:03] No.

[00:04:04] I'm kidding.

[00:04:05] You know, I don't.

[00:04:06] Have we had George on the show?

[00:04:08] Oh, my.

[00:04:09] We've tried numerous times.

[00:04:11] He is a very busy man.

[00:04:13] He's like a.

[00:04:14] He's a very bashful man.

[00:04:16] He's just everywhere and nowhere.

[00:04:17] I've talked to him several times.

[00:04:19] I know Pete tried to get him on a few times.

[00:04:20] And I think that was just him blowing them off.

[00:04:23] But I talked to him about three months ago.

[00:04:26] I actually called him.

[00:04:27] And he was like in Florida or somewhere.

[00:04:30] So.

[00:04:30] We'll have to.

[00:04:31] We'll have to send.

[00:04:32] We'll have to send the black stretch SUV limo.

[00:04:36] Yeah.

[00:04:36] To pick him up.

[00:04:37] Bring him here.

[00:04:39] And just to have champagne flowing hot and cold in the limo.

[00:04:42] And that.

[00:04:42] That would work.

[00:04:43] I can't wait to see him tomorrow.

[00:04:45] That's George.

[00:04:46] That'd be great.

[00:04:46] He won't hear this till Monday.

[00:04:48] So don't worry.

[00:04:49] You can also follow us.

[00:04:50] Good job at least until Tuesday.

[00:04:51] Follow us on all our social media channels.

[00:04:54] X threads.

[00:04:55] Facebook.

[00:04:56] Instagram.

[00:04:56] Et cetera.

[00:04:57] Yada yada.

[00:04:57] Tonight we have Jack.

[00:04:59] We have Larry.

[00:05:00] We have Josh.

[00:05:01] We have myself.

[00:05:02] Tim.

[00:05:02] And our special guest as Larry just said is the illustrious.

[00:05:06] Ronald B. Carson.

[00:05:09] District Deputy Grand Master of the first Masonic District.

[00:05:13] The very first.

[00:05:14] Of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

[00:05:17] Brother Tim.

[00:05:18] Yes.

[00:05:18] Was he on time tonight?

[00:05:19] He was not only on time.

[00:05:21] He was early.

[00:05:22] And he was appropriately dressed.

[00:05:25] He was.

[00:05:26] So na na na.

[00:05:28] Na na na.

[00:05:28] But for those of you at the Grand Lodge that are listening.

[00:05:31] He did not have his name tag.

[00:05:33] Oh that was.

[00:05:35] No gloves either.

[00:05:37] No gloves.

[00:05:37] No gloves.

[00:05:38] No name tag.

[00:05:39] Actually we forbid them.

[00:05:40] We forbid them in the studio.

[00:05:42] So.

[00:05:42] Where is our new.

[00:05:44] Where is a new host tonight?

[00:05:46] He's on other duty as assigned.

[00:05:48] Another duty.

[00:05:49] He said duty.

[00:05:49] He told us.

[00:05:50] I know he did.

[00:05:51] But I'm for the record.

[00:05:52] Oh for the record.

[00:05:53] Yeah.

[00:05:54] Jake is on special assignment tonight.

[00:05:56] He'll be back with us at our next episode.

[00:05:58] Is he storm chasing again?

[00:06:01] Maybe.

[00:06:01] Oh man.

[00:06:02] Maybe.

[00:06:03] Jake.

[00:06:04] Be safe bro.

[00:06:04] Yeah.

[00:06:05] Be careful out there.

[00:06:07] All right.

[00:06:08] Let's see what we've been up to since we last recorded.

[00:06:11] Oh dear.

[00:06:11] All right.

[00:06:12] So that's your hint Larry.

[00:06:14] Oh.

[00:06:15] Get ready.

[00:06:17] Good idea.

[00:06:17] I attended a.

[00:06:19] An executive board meeting.

[00:06:20] Of the York 12 Seaters.

[00:06:23] To discuss the possibility of merging Lancaster Forest with York.

[00:06:27] And what is that possibility?

[00:06:29] Uh.

[00:06:30] We have to go through the paperwork but it's probably a good possibility.

[00:06:35] Hey just so you know we have some leftover tall cedar scarves out here.

[00:06:38] We really?

[00:06:39] Yeah you can make a sale.

[00:06:40] I think that would be great for the inaugural meeting.

[00:06:43] Yeah.

[00:06:44] That'd be nice.

[00:06:45] Snow time, New Year's, blah blah blah.

[00:06:47] Whatever you got going on.

[00:06:48] Yeah.

[00:06:48] Okay.

[00:06:49] All right.

[00:06:49] Are you going to be the first tall cedar of the new group?

[00:06:51] No.

[00:06:52] Oh come on.

[00:06:53] You can do that.

[00:06:54] No no no.

[00:06:54] He's going to be a short shrub.

[00:06:56] No no no.

[00:06:57] Two years of grand tall.

[00:06:58] That was good enough.

[00:06:59] All right.

[00:06:59] So what else have you been doing?

[00:07:01] A lodge meeting.

[00:07:02] Maybe an azalea.

[00:07:03] Past master's night.

[00:07:04] Yeah.

[00:07:04] A good meeting.

[00:07:06] Josh wasn't there though.

[00:07:07] Oh man.

[00:07:08] Oh man.

[00:07:09] Oh I know we were looking for him.

[00:07:11] I told you I wasn't going to go because it felt weird.

[00:07:14] You felt weird.

[00:07:15] Yep.

[00:07:15] They're going to recognize past master.

[00:07:17] You're a past master and you feel weird.

[00:07:19] Josh.

[00:07:20] Well no that's why I would feel weird showing up at that meeting.

[00:07:22] We probably had a couple past masters up there that didn't know why they were there.

[00:07:26] So it shouldn't feel weird.

[00:07:30] I'm just going to go somewhere.

[00:07:32] I'm going to leave that alone.

[00:07:33] Just leave that lie.

[00:07:34] Sometimes it's best to just walk away.

[00:07:36] Yeah.

[00:07:37] Indeed.

[00:07:39] No.

[00:07:40] All of them were cognizant.

[00:07:41] It was a good night.

[00:07:41] You missed a good night.

[00:07:43] So how many times have you been to Goose and Gridiron in the last two weeks?

[00:07:47] I haven't.

[00:07:48] Oh wow.

[00:07:49] I've missed two weeks in a row.

[00:07:51] I'm going to write this down.

[00:07:52] Terrible.

[00:07:53] Terrible.

[00:07:53] Wow.

[00:07:55] I ask you Jack Harley.

[00:07:57] Yeah.

[00:07:58] Oh me?

[00:07:59] What have I been up to?

[00:08:00] Yeah.

[00:08:01] It's been a sort of typical couple of weeks for me.

[00:08:05] My calendar's not scrolling.

[00:08:07] I've resorted to that.

[00:08:08] Okay.

[00:08:09] I've trained you all well.

[00:08:10] But not a ton of stuff.

[00:08:13] But the stuff that I've had is interesting.

[00:08:16] The candidates that are going through the line.

[00:08:18] I really, I love the guys that are like freshly minted masons right now.

[00:08:23] They're just super excited.

[00:08:25] They're energized.

[00:08:26] They want to be a part of stuff.

[00:08:29] So that's really cool.

[00:08:31] So my Monday Night Lights is great.

[00:08:34] That's still going on.

[00:08:35] I will hear remark however that on Thursday, October the 3rd, I and my spouse, the lovely

[00:08:45] and talented Stephanie Harley, were at Telus 360 to watch and hear the Reverend Horton Heat

[00:08:54] perform his style of rockabilly.

[00:08:58] And if you've never heard the Rev, I commend you to go.

[00:09:06] It's a super party.

[00:09:08] It was just a great time.

[00:09:09] It was ridiculous, loud, oh my God.

[00:09:12] But it was a lot of fun.

[00:09:14] And Telus is a cool small venue.

[00:09:17] It wasn't super crowded.

[00:09:19] It wasn't terrible.

[00:09:20] It was just a great time.

[00:09:21] So we did that.

[00:09:23] And then what have I done?

[00:09:25] Well, I'm working on my piece for the Legion of Honor ceremony.

[00:09:29] I have a small part in the Demolay Legion of Honor ceremony coming up later this month.

[00:09:36] So I've been working on that and just working with the new guys.

[00:09:42] Great.

[00:09:42] And getting my Royal Arch feed on.

[00:09:45] How's that working?

[00:09:46] It's great.

[00:09:48] The Grand Line is awesome.

[00:09:53] Just dropping in like a puzzle piece that fits.

[00:09:57] Like you've been doing it all along.

[00:09:59] Well, we'll see.

[00:10:02] Kickoff is in December, right?

[00:10:04] Yeah.

[00:10:04] Yeah.

[00:10:05] Well, actually, I won't get installed until the third Thursday of January, which I believe

[00:10:10] is the 16th.

[00:10:12] Ooh, when we're done, we need to write that down.

[00:10:13] We'll get to the end of this.

[00:10:14] Can you just ask?

[00:10:15] I'm not sure what you're...

[00:10:18] Oh.

[00:10:18] So I've been asked to serve as District Deputy Grand High Priest for the Holy Royal Arch

[00:10:24] Chapter District 4.

[00:10:27] So I will be installed in January in that role.

[00:10:32] Well, congratulations.

[00:10:33] Well, thank you very much.

[00:10:34] That's awesome.

[00:10:35] Thank you very much.

[00:10:36] That one slipped by.

[00:10:38] You lost your opportunity to file an objection there, you know?

[00:10:43] That's what that black ball is for.

[00:10:45] Yes, sir.

[00:10:46] Anyway.

[00:10:47] All right, Josh.

[00:10:49] Well, as Larry pointed out, I missed our launch meeting.

[00:10:54] Larry's pretty vicious about that.

[00:10:55] There he is.

[00:10:57] I don't know that I would have made it anyway.

[00:10:59] I probably would have been late.

[00:11:00] You will make it in November though, right?

[00:11:02] Oh, absolutely.

[00:11:03] I will too, Larry.

[00:11:05] I promise.

[00:11:05] I will definitely be there.

[00:11:06] I've already blown off two appointments on that day, including voting.

[00:11:10] I think Ron will even be there.

[00:11:12] That's right.

[00:11:13] That is voting day.

[00:11:16] That's what it is.

[00:11:17] Yes, you did schedule.

[00:11:17] The only one who won't be there is Tim.

[00:11:19] You did schedule an official visit on election day night.

[00:11:24] I did.

[00:11:25] I wanted to come see my brother get his 50-year pen.

[00:11:28] I'll vote early.

[00:11:29] Well, I can't because I'm the judge of elections in my precinct.

[00:11:36] I could vote early, but it wouldn't help.

[00:11:37] We could get to the bottom of a lot of things right now.

[00:11:40] Exactly.

[00:11:40] We sure could.

[00:11:42] Anyway.

[00:11:42] All right.

[00:11:43] Our guest, Ronald B. Carson.

[00:11:45] How about you?

[00:11:46] What have you been up to recently?

[00:11:47] Well, September's back at it.

[00:11:48] Get up close to that mic now.

[00:11:50] Thank you.

[00:11:51] September's been a busy month.

[00:11:52] Back at it after August.

[00:11:54] We had the cave degree, official visit up at Elizabethtown School.

[00:11:58] Cave degree?

[00:12:00] Okay.

[00:12:01] Kind of, sort of.

[00:12:02] The Indian degree.

[00:12:03] I'm sorry.

[00:12:04] Yes.

[00:12:05] We knew what you meant.

[00:12:06] I thought maybe I missed something.

[00:12:10] I may have.

[00:12:16] Let's do the time warp again.

[00:12:22] We're back at it.

[00:12:23] We're getting ready for the Liberty Tree planning on October 19th.

[00:12:28] Make a note to talk more about that.

[00:12:29] Where is that going to be, by the way?

[00:12:31] Just briefly.

[00:12:32] We're going to talk about it later.

[00:12:33] Cornwell Furnace.

[00:12:34] Thank you.

[00:12:34] We'll talk about it more later.

[00:12:36] Great.

[00:12:36] Cool.

[00:12:37] So just a busy month.

[00:12:38] Glad to be here.

[00:12:39] Shut up!

[00:12:42] I'll tell you when I tell you.

[00:12:43] All right.

[00:12:44] We're going to move on now.

[00:12:47] All right.

[00:12:47] I have actually...

[00:12:52] It's going to be a great episode tonight.

[00:12:55] Two AMD things on my calendar, which is awesome.

[00:12:59] On the 26th, I participated.

[00:13:02] I actually attended the AMD Ladies' Night for Constance.

[00:13:07] Oh, yeah.

[00:13:07] So they had a ladies' night dinner.

[00:13:09] Bouncing.

[00:13:09] Bouncing.

[00:13:10] Bouncing.

[00:13:10] Bouncing.

[00:13:11] Bouncing.

[00:13:12] Bouncing.

[00:13:12] Councils to come.

[00:13:14] And that was a fun event that was held at the Big Valley of Harrisburg.

[00:13:18] And then the next night...

[00:13:20] I'm sorry, not the next night.

[00:13:21] It was the next week.

[00:13:22] It just felt like the next night.

[00:13:25] Lucius Caritas had our regular meeting at BJ's up in...

[00:13:30] I believe it was Mifflintown.

[00:13:32] Somewhere up north.

[00:13:33] Did I miss you?

[00:13:34] And it was amazing.

[00:13:36] Jack had posted, or somebody from Jack's AMD Council had posted a picture of Ural's event

[00:13:42] and called it the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

[00:13:44] That was me.

[00:13:45] And I felt that.

[00:13:48] I really felt that at our event this last week.

[00:13:51] Brother Dan Confer from Carlisle gave an outstanding paper.

[00:14:00] Larry...

[00:14:00] What?

[00:14:00] Larry's hallucinating you.

[00:14:02] Larry's hallucinating.

[00:14:02] Tim's knee's over there going like this.

[00:14:04] The whole table's shaking.

[00:14:06] He's very excited.

[00:14:07] Come on, man.

[00:14:07] I'm very excited about tonight.

[00:14:08] He's a restless leg.

[00:14:11] So that was a fun event.

[00:14:13] Oh, God.

[00:14:14] The next day, Pilgrim Preceptors had its one-year anniversary meeting.

[00:14:21] That group was founded one year ago.

[00:14:24] And so we met in Mechanicsburg for that.

[00:14:26] And then today was a very special day.

[00:14:31] Does he always talk this much?

[00:14:32] Yes.

[00:14:33] Yeah.

[00:14:34] Today was a very special day.

[00:14:35] Eureka West Shore Lodge, number 302, met with the taxing authority in Cumberland County.

[00:14:42] And the recommendation is the approval of our tax abatement status.

[00:14:47] Huzzah!

[00:14:48] We're really excited about that.

[00:14:50] Well played.

[00:14:50] Well played.

[00:14:50] And we've still got to wait for...

[00:14:52] It's not that horrible a process.

[00:14:53] It's really not.

[00:14:54] It's really not.

[00:14:54] You just follow the rules and fill out the forms and get out of the way.

[00:14:58] The legislation says you have to meet these five criteria.

[00:15:01] You just tell how you meet those five criteria.

[00:15:03] Yeah.

[00:15:04] And then there's something called the HUP standard that the taxing authorities have put

[00:15:10] in place.

[00:15:11] HUP.

[00:15:11] And you show how you've met those.

[00:15:13] Yeah, exactly.

[00:15:14] All right.

[00:15:14] And so that was, as I said, was pretty simple.

[00:15:17] I did have the opportunity this past weekend to visit one of Ron's lodges.

[00:15:23] Lodge 774 had a spaghetti dinner.

[00:15:26] 704.

[00:15:27] 704.

[00:15:27] I'm sorry.

[00:15:28] 774 is Fulton County.

[00:15:30] Never say it, Ron.

[00:15:31] Sorry.

[00:15:31] 704.

[00:15:32] Apologies to all the...

[00:15:33] Well, maybe I do want them to take credit for it.

[00:15:35] No.

[00:15:35] Actually, Tim, it's 704.

[00:15:38] 700...

[00:15:38] Oh!

[00:15:39] There it is.

[00:15:40] There it is.

[00:15:41] Oh!

[00:15:42] 704.

[00:15:43] 704.

[00:15:44] Brother Zach Boyer is the worshipful master there.

[00:15:47] And they did a fantastic job.

[00:15:49] Not only...

[00:15:49] I mean, you think about spaghetti.

[00:15:50] It's like, what can you do good or bad with spaghetti?

[00:15:53] But it wasn't...

[00:15:54] The meal was really good.

[00:15:56] The spaghetti sauce was amazing.

[00:15:57] But the fellowship was even better than that.

[00:16:00] That's great.

[00:16:00] They have meatballs?

[00:16:02] They did.

[00:16:02] Yeah.

[00:16:04] Yeah.

[00:16:05] That's some serious spaghetti.

[00:16:06] Yeah.

[00:16:08] Yeah, absolutely.

[00:16:09] So anyway, that's what I've been up to.

[00:16:11] I do.

[00:16:11] So, I think it is time to take a break.

[00:16:16] And we'll come back with our special guest tonight, the illustrious Ronald B. Carson.

[00:16:21] Ah, wait.

[00:16:26] Why choose George J. Grove & Sons for your next home improvement project?

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[00:17:31] And we're back.

[00:17:32] What?

[00:17:33] Tonight's guest is the illustrious Ronald B. Carson.

[00:17:36] Wait.

[00:17:37] He's a 33rd degree district deputy grandmaster of the 1st Masonic District.

[00:17:41] And this is about your first rodeo with the Masonic Light podcast.

[00:17:45] It's been a while.

[00:17:46] It's been a while.

[00:17:46] It has.

[00:17:47] But we're glad that he agreed to come back tonight.

[00:17:49] Yes, I appreciate the invitation to come back.

[00:17:51] So, I'll start with a couple of questions and then I'll let these guys jump in.

[00:17:56] No.

[00:17:56] No.

[00:17:57] Okay.

[00:17:58] Talk to us about a little...

[00:18:00] You're not the boss of me.

[00:18:02] Right.

[00:18:03] Talk to us...

[00:18:04] Wait.

[00:18:04] I mean, kind of you are really.

[00:18:07] Never mind.

[00:18:07] Jack, are you okay?

[00:18:08] No, I'm fighting with my earphones.

[00:18:11] Flip the thing.

[00:18:12] There you go.

[00:18:14] There it is.

[00:18:15] It wasn't right.

[00:18:17] Transformers.

[00:18:18] I could have helped you with that, Jack.

[00:18:20] Shut up, Josh.

[00:18:25] So, obviously, not everybody can just jump into the role of district deputy grandmaster.

[00:18:30] Tell us a little bit about your Masonic background before you became district deputy grandmaster.

[00:18:38] I believe you started in D. Malay, is that right?

[00:18:40] So, I started in D. Malay.

[00:18:41] I aged out, decided not to get involved with masonry because I knew it took a commitment

[00:18:46] to go through what I wanted to get through.

[00:18:49] Just a night a month.

[00:18:50] I remember Jim Toley, Bob Benderup, and John Anaskavage coming to my house.

[00:18:56] And I told them that my goal was to be master.

[00:19:01] Obviously, that excited them because at that point, I don't think they have a lot of people

[00:19:04] coming in saying, Jim, you're a master.

[00:19:07] Sure!

[00:19:07] Well, I guess we can let you do that.

[00:19:09] Yeah.

[00:19:10] I was raised in September, was senior warden in November.

[00:19:19] Wow!

[00:19:20] Talk about the short track.

[00:19:22] Wow!

[00:19:23] And then I went through the chairs, and I am proud of this because my grandfather said,

[00:19:28] Ron, you can't ever lead anything unless you can do everything.

[00:19:32] So, I thought, okay, well, I knew all three degrees, like Brother Jack and a few past masters.

[00:19:41] We were certified in everything that we needed to do as masonry.

[00:19:45] We had to be.

[00:19:45] You and I had the same instructor back in those days.

[00:19:49] Ray Greiner and all that.

[00:19:51] I miss Greg.

[00:19:52] I do too.

[00:19:53] He was great.

[00:19:54] If it hadn't have been for him, I probably never could have done it.

[00:19:58] I'll give him that.

[00:19:59] He was great.

[00:20:00] He was, yeah.

[00:20:02] Ray got a lot of people along that probably otherwise would have never made it.

[00:20:05] Yeah.

[00:20:06] Yeah.

[00:20:06] But if you'd have handed me a purple book and said, here, learn all this, there's no way.

[00:20:11] So, well, Ray Greiner was my next person to discuss in my journey.

[00:20:17] I got wrapped up in school of instruction.

[00:20:22] Wrapped up or tied down?

[00:20:24] To be honest with you, for years, for two years, I was about the only one from Lamberton

[00:20:29] that went to school.

[00:20:31] I consistently went.

[00:20:33] That makes you eligible to be principal.

[00:20:35] That's what happened.

[00:20:36] So, brother Ray, he got a job as a mason.

[00:20:40] I mean, he was a traveling mason, a real mason in some other state.

[00:20:44] And the responsibility fell on me for the most part.

[00:20:50] And I went from school principal to district deputy.

[00:20:55] And I think if you look around the state, that's probably the case for a lot of your

[00:21:01] district deputies because one of the things that you should be is well known in the district.

[00:21:07] And one of the ways to do that is the school.

[00:21:12] And after that, here I am, seven, almost seven years later.

[00:21:18] So you were principal of school of instruction while Larry Durr was district deputy grandmaster.

[00:21:26] So you served with our grandmaster before he was ever grandmaster.

[00:21:31] He was DD at the time.

[00:21:32] That is correct.

[00:21:33] And now that you mentioned brother, the grandmaster, I'm going to tell you how this story folds out.

[00:21:39] So I'm principal.

[00:21:40] I was helping him put trim in his house.

[00:21:44] We were both on our knees putting up base molding.

[00:21:46] And he looked over at me and he says, Ron, what would you think about being district deputy?

[00:21:50] Did you fall off the ladder to help an interview?

[00:21:52] I said, well, brother Larry, not much.

[00:21:55] That was the end of the conversation because quite frankly, I didn't realize what he was asking.

[00:22:01] Nor did I even, honestly, I just, I never thought about it.

[00:22:06] Well, eight months later, he says, would you be interested?

[00:22:12] Tag, you're it.

[00:22:13] Well, yes.

[00:22:16] And here I am.

[00:22:19] So what is it like to be a district deputy grandmaster in the district of the sitting grandmaster?

[00:22:27] And two previous past grandmasters.

[00:22:30] And two previous past grandmasters.

[00:22:32] That's right.

[00:22:33] Ain't easy.

[00:22:33] It's extremely fun.

[00:22:35] Stay nice here, boys.

[00:22:37] Yeah.

[00:22:37] Stay nice.

[00:22:38] Just saying.

[00:22:39] Hey, we come from, okay, go back James Buchanan 43.

[00:22:44] That started it out for district one.

[00:22:47] Right.

[00:22:47] I mean, that's where it-

[00:22:48] It started districts at all.

[00:22:49] It started districts at all, right?

[00:22:51] Yes, that's correct.

[00:22:51] And then to be followed up by three right worshipful grandmasters is, in my opinion, pretty fricking amazing.

[00:22:58] So in what year are you going to be grandmaster?

[00:23:01] So effective in the near future, we're not going to pinpoint any names or dates, but I will relieve myself from that duty and I am looking forward to becoming an active member in the lodge and wherever else I'm needed within the district.

[00:23:24] Great.

[00:23:25] Hear, hear.

[00:23:25] I am, it's quite the journey, John.

[00:23:30] Okay, now let's talk about what you really think about.

[00:23:33] Ah.

[00:23:35] So I'll come back in four years.

[00:23:40] No, legitimately, I mean, go back to your blue lodge and help them.

[00:23:46] Exactly.

[00:23:46] Because all of the blue lodges, not yours or mine or anybody else's, but all of the blue lodges need past masters to mentor the new guys.

[00:23:56] You don't have to run the lodge anymore.

[00:23:58] In fact, you should not want to run the lodge anymore.

[00:24:01] But you got to come back and you got to help those guys learn what they need to learn.

[00:24:07] Absolutely.

[00:24:07] Because there's a lot of hidden knowledge that they don't know.

[00:24:11] I mean, you know, experiences and stuff that, you know, you've had to comb down a lot of stuff in your time.

[00:24:22] Well, unfortunately, the past master, when he's done Morshipful Master for the most part, and I wish I had the answer of why they just sometimes disappear.

[00:24:34] Mm-hmm.

[00:24:37] I know your whole story, Jack.

[00:24:39] I know how you became a Mason.

[00:24:41] I know how you worked your way up.

[00:24:43] I know how you self-taught yourself.

[00:24:49] And to go through and do what you did as a Mason, as a officer, as a master, then come back and continue to do things.

[00:25:03] You are 100% correct that the past masters need to come back and support the lodge.

[00:25:08] Oh, my goodness, yes.

[00:25:09] Not run the lodge.

[00:25:10] Yeah.

[00:25:10] And this lodge up here is a prime example, Effort of Lodge, number 665.

[00:25:16] And 65.

[00:25:19] Got that, Josh.

[00:25:20] Thank you.

[00:25:22] You know, it's exciting.

[00:25:24] It's refreshing.

[00:25:25] And what's really cool is you come back and you see these new guys that are just coming in.

[00:25:31] They're serving dinner.

[00:25:33] They're interacting.

[00:25:35] They're showing up.

[00:25:36] And they're truly excited about Masonry.

[00:25:41] And that specific part falls on people within our lodges that either are past masters or have experience about Masonry within that lodge.

[00:25:55] But – and like – all right.

[00:25:56] So we're onto a topic now.

[00:25:58] We're talking about that.

[00:25:59] Okay.

[00:25:59] So – but there isn't any curriculum, right?

[00:26:05] And I don't want there to be a curriculum.

[00:26:07] That's the thing.

[00:26:08] Every lodge is different.

[00:26:09] Every candidate is different.

[00:26:10] Every mentor is different.

[00:26:12] I don't want there to be an imposed curriculum.

[00:26:15] I agree.

[00:26:15] That's the worst thing you can do.

[00:26:17] But if you just get together and talk about stuff, you know, that's when you teach Masonry.

[00:26:24] And find your own internal niche.

[00:26:26] Yeah.

[00:26:27] Yeah.

[00:26:27] So six and a half years ago, I was looking for a district mentoring person.

[00:26:37] And I called Jack.

[00:26:39] And that is exactly what Jack told me.

[00:26:41] He's like, Ron, it's not one size fits all.

[00:26:46] What works for me up here isn't going to work for your lodge down yonder.

[00:26:50] Okay.

[00:26:50] And he's right.

[00:26:52] We all have our –

[00:26:55] Go ahead.

[00:26:55] Go ahead.

[00:26:56] Somebody's coming in and it's okay because I knew he was coming in.

[00:26:59] Okay.

[00:26:59] I forgot to tell you guys, but continue.

[00:27:01] All right.

[00:27:01] Sorry.

[00:27:02] Go on.

[00:27:04] Damn it, I forget where I was at.

[00:27:05] Yeah, I knew you did.

[00:27:06] I knew you did.

[00:27:07] I didn't know if we were getting jumped or what.

[00:27:11] It's all those Illuminati that are coming in.

[00:27:14] Please come in.

[00:27:16] All right.

[00:27:17] Do you want your name sent out into the interwebs or not?

[00:27:22] Yes.

[00:27:22] It's up to you.

[00:27:22] Sure.

[00:27:23] I need your consent.

[00:27:25] All right.

[00:27:25] So brother Gabe Mink, who is a member of Effort of Lodge, just arrived.

[00:27:29] He has a donation to make for the social hall and I'll get to that in a minute.

[00:27:34] But right now, that's District Deputy Grand Master Ron Carson.

[00:27:38] Can't go too far.

[00:27:39] Ron, that's Gabe.

[00:27:40] How are you doing, man?

[00:27:42] Nice to meet you.

[00:27:43] So we're going to say, Ron, finish your thought.

[00:27:46] Here we go again.

[00:27:47] He forgot what it was.

[00:27:47] Or make up a new one.

[00:27:49] I don't know.

[00:27:49] Whatever you want to do.

[00:27:50] You could offer our guest a seat.

[00:27:53] I could.

[00:27:53] There are chairs.

[00:27:55] He has to put on a headset too, right?

[00:27:57] Yeah, come over here and you can...

[00:27:58] Oh man, you're going to be on the show!

[00:28:01] Oh, you can't stay.

[00:28:02] All right.

[00:28:03] All right.

[00:28:05] You guys are letting him off the hook.

[00:28:07] Well, there's a gestational issue.

[00:28:10] It's a thing.

[00:28:12] So yeah, the past masters, bottom line, the mentoring, the inter-lodge relationship, fellowship,

[00:28:19] working together.

[00:28:21] That is crucial.

[00:28:22] That is crucial.

[00:28:23] And unfortunately, the new officers, the new members don't have the knowledge to help with that mentoring.

[00:28:33] That falls on people like all of us in this room.

[00:28:36] Yeah.

[00:28:36] The worshipful has-beens, the past whatevers, the guys that have been around.

[00:28:40] Exactly.

[00:28:40] The ones who have that tribal knowledge, that experience that like, man, I know, and I've told this story a couple of times on the show, I'm sure.

[00:28:50] But when I sat master, I hate bingo.

[00:28:55] I hate bingo.

[00:28:56] I hate bingo.

[00:28:59] Viscerally.

[00:29:00] Right?

[00:29:00] But at our summer picnic, there had always been bingo.

[00:29:06] And there were some people whose only connection to the lodge was bingo at the summer picnic.

[00:29:13] I didn't understand that.

[00:29:16] I didn't understand that.

[00:29:17] And when I killed bingo at the summer picnic, they went away.

[00:29:23] You know?

[00:29:24] It's that kind of tribal knowledge that the past masters have to pass on to the next generation of officers.

[00:29:34] Because if you don't, it's just- What do you mean strawberries?

[00:29:38] What's a- Peaches?

[00:29:39] What about peaches?

[00:29:40] What?

[00:29:42] I made the strawberry night mistake.

[00:29:46] Oh, no!

[00:29:47] I recall that.

[00:29:50] Sis, no, boy.

[00:29:51] I totally forgot.

[00:29:53] It was part of his mission as the Lambertin killer.

[00:29:55] You had one job.

[00:29:56] Well, no, I was- Yeah, that's it.

[00:29:59] Part of being the Lambertin killer.

[00:30:01] All right.

[00:30:02] So let's take a quick break and we will come back with more with our guest, Ronald B. Carson.

[00:30:08] Vinyam.

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[00:30:45] That's twopillarsapparel.com.

[00:30:59] And now we invite you to another episode of Deep Thoughts with Larry Maris.

[00:31:07] The

[00:31:22] Why it doesn't rain in the desert?

[00:31:25] It rains everywhere else on Earth but not in the desert.

[00:31:30] Just think that if it rained in the desert there would be trees, forests as far as the eye could see,

[00:31:38] flowing creeks filled with fish and wildlife galore, and sheep grazing on the hillside.

[00:31:45] So why doesn't it rain in the desert?

[00:31:51] Because it's the desert that gets crickets.

[00:31:56] Well done!

[00:32:17] And now for the rest of the story.

[00:32:20] Larry brought us back from break because he was impetuous and eager to-

[00:32:25] He wants to get home and watch Dancing with the Stars.

[00:32:26] Eager to restart with-

[00:32:27] Is that the chick with the ankle bracelet on?

[00:32:31] Is she still competing?

[00:32:34] I think she is.

[00:32:36] Anyway.

[00:32:39] So, before the break, we were talking with our guest Ron Carson.

[00:32:44] Who?

[00:32:44] And Ron, I know there were several things that you wanted to be able to talk about tonight.

[00:32:47] Well, no, I just wanted to put the ball kind of back in somebody else's court because I don't like the pressure being there.

[00:32:52] That's going to cost extra.

[00:32:53] Let's do it.

[00:32:54] If you-

[00:32:54] Yeah.

[00:32:55] We'll take another break.

[00:32:57] Let's do it.

[00:32:59] Atta boy.

[00:33:00] Last one was a good one.

[00:33:01] Yes, it was.

[00:33:02] No, so on my list of things that I was thinking about since Jack called me to come up tonight was the podcast in general.

[00:33:12] You know, I remember the initial days of it and what'd you say-

[00:33:17] You weren't supposed to know about it.

[00:33:18] We survived it.

[00:33:19] 184, is that where we're at tonight?

[00:33:21] 184.

[00:33:22] 184 episodes later.

[00:33:23] Uh huh.

[00:33:23] And to be here that many episodes later because I was principal when this thing first started.

[00:33:34] And-

[00:33:35] We have no principals, by the way.

[00:33:36] Just so you know.

[00:33:38] I'm sorry.

[00:33:38] Which is why he's about to be on the way he was talking about.

[00:33:41] Well, that's not what I meant.

[00:33:41] That's with P-A-L.

[00:33:45] The principal is your P-A-L.

[00:33:49] Damn it, you guys keep doing this to me.

[00:33:51] I'll lose my check.

[00:33:52] Yeah, that's the point.

[00:33:53] But anyhow, I remember the first couple episodes were kind of controversial.

[00:33:59] Uh, maybe with some things that were discussed here and-

[00:34:03] No.

[00:34:04] There was some discussion between some of us sitting in this room that we had to get her

[00:34:09] cleaned up quick or we stopped this thing and you know, it's cool because-

[00:34:14] The lost-

[00:34:14] Are you referring to the lost episode?

[00:34:18] There is the lost episode.

[00:34:20] Wow.

[00:34:21] And there's also the West Wing episode.

[00:34:23] Somebody's got it reported somewhere, I'm sure.

[00:34:25] Yeah, so that lost episode, is there any way we could bring that back in 2026?

[00:34:30] Oh, heavens yes.

[00:34:31] I think we probably could.

[00:34:32] Yeah, because then we're beyond the clear.

[00:34:34] All right.

[00:34:34] All right.

[00:34:38] Somebody, one of our listeners out there has that lost episode.

[00:34:41] Somebody has that episode recorded, I'm sure.

[00:34:44] So if you do, send it to MasonicLightPodcast at gmail.com.

[00:34:48] But I'm glad you guys are at where you're at today.

[00:34:50] Thank you.

[00:34:50] I like seeing you guys at the events and-

[00:34:55] What?

[00:34:58] That's Jack apron sniffing over there.

[00:35:03] That's what it sounds like, people.

[00:35:04] Jack's apron sniffing over there.

[00:35:05] I thought it was a new position on the mic.

[00:35:08] I thought he liked it.

[00:35:11] Is that his name?

[00:35:12] Oh my God.

[00:35:13] Anyhow.

[00:35:15] So I'm proud of you guys.

[00:35:17] I mean, you got a nice place here and-

[00:35:19] You helped build it.

[00:35:21] Well-

[00:35:21] I remember you putting the sheetrock up on the wall.

[00:35:26] I didn't do any of the finish work, which I'm glad of, but it's-

[00:35:30] Because you don't want your name on it?

[00:35:32] Is that what you're saying?

[00:35:35] You know, and that brings me to the next thing is Brother Pete.

[00:35:40] And I know you guys from a Masonic Lake Podcast standpoint miss him.

[00:35:45] I know from a lodge level we miss him.

[00:35:50] A district level we miss him.

[00:35:54] And there's a lot of places out there that I know miss him that we don't know.

[00:35:59] And the reason that I know that is one of our secretaries at work may be just barely 30 years old.

[00:36:07] And Pete made an impact on her life through the Sanny Stumble and some other things that he put together up in Elizabethtown.

[00:36:20] So, you know, you just-

[00:36:24] You hear Pete Razzieri, well he wasn't only a Mason, but he was a community inventor and went out and took care of things.

[00:36:32] Yeah, he was.

[00:36:34] Definitely one of a kind for sure.

[00:36:36] Yeah.

[00:36:38] And I've actually, I've personally learned a lot from Steph, his wife, since he passed away.

[00:36:48] And, you know, she doesn't, we've said it before on the show, she doesn't like to be called a widow.

[00:36:53] She's a spouse of a deceased brother.

[00:36:55] And that's okay.

[00:36:57] Yeah, totally good with that.

[00:36:58] And so she's actually helped us understand the right way to offer help.

[00:37:07] Yep.

[00:37:08] Right?

[00:37:08] We've actually changed the way in which we refer to those spouses.

[00:37:12] I completely-

[00:37:13] We just had our lodge banquet a few weeks ago, and we did not say introduction of the widows.

[00:37:18] We said the introduction of the spouses of our deceased brethren.

[00:37:21] Right.

[00:37:22] Right.

[00:37:23] And I've taken that to heart.

[00:37:25] And when everybody wanted to help with the yard, when they did all that, did that yard work, she said, like, here's what you do.

[00:37:35] If you're going to say something, say, would it help if I did this thing?

[00:37:41] Yeah.

[00:37:42] Right.

[00:37:42] A specific thing.

[00:37:44] Would it help if I did that?

[00:37:46] Because if it would help me, I would say yes.

[00:37:48] And then you would do it.

[00:37:49] But if you ask, like, oh, is there anything I can do for you?

[00:37:54] Nothing.

[00:37:54] I'm fine.

[00:37:55] I'm good.

[00:37:56] So that was a terrific lesson from his wife, Stephanie.

[00:38:00] Yes.

[00:38:00] She's a terrific person.

[00:38:01] Yes, she is.

[00:38:02] And she's a big fan of George J. Grovenson's contracting, yes.

[00:38:08] And intermezzo-bust, Stephanie.

[00:38:10] That's important too, Jack.

[00:38:11] And all of our sponsors.

[00:38:13] But anyhow, I just, I thought 184 later and I think Pete's probably on a lot of our minds on a daily, weekly basis and he'll always be missed.

[00:38:24] Yeah.

[00:38:25] Here's to you, brother Pete.

[00:38:27] Amen.

[00:38:28] So we'll get on to this nasty hurricane that came and the one that's coming.

[00:38:32] And I want to report that Mannheim Lodge 587 through Willie Reed at the meadery is looking to get donations not on a monetary value, supplies that the people in North Carolina or Florida may need now or may need here and probably by Sunday.

[00:38:58] Okay.

[00:38:59] Uh, George also offered to take the trailer down from the shop once it's loaded and take supplies down.

[00:39:12] So we're starting just to-

[00:39:14] And they're coming up wintertime in the mountains out there.

[00:39:16] It's going to get cold and it's going to, there's going to be long nights.

[00:39:20] So there's, I think I read somewhere that they're not really looking for water or food stuffs, but they want warm clothes, blankets, tents, and things that people can get by with in the cold, in the coming cold weather.

[00:39:36] Yeah.

[00:39:36] So by the time this episode comes out, we'll be in, we'll probably have things out on the websites of things that we're asking for to take down there.

[00:39:47] It's just a conversation that came up early today and we've already made some headway on establishing that program.

[00:39:56] So there'll be more information to come out, but, uh, you know.

[00:40:00] Actually, the Grand Lodge has already sent out after Helene.

[00:40:04] After Helene, yeah.

[00:40:05] If anybody out there is an individual or if your lodge wishes to get involved in this relief effort, you can go to MSANA, which is the Masonic Service Association of North America.

[00:40:24] I thank you.com.

[00:40:25] Wow.

[00:40:26] There you go.

[00:40:27] Well done.

[00:40:27] Well done, Josh.

[00:40:28] And click on current appeals and it will list the, all the different hurricane areas that have been affected.

[00:40:35] And they obviously take monetary donations, but they also take other things as well.

[00:40:39] And the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is coordinating all of its efforts through the MSA group.

[00:40:46] And I think that's fantastic.

[00:40:49] I will, I will say a shout out to my daughter who lives in Ocala, Florida.

[00:40:55] Ooh.

[00:40:56] And they're right smack.

[00:40:58] Apparently the hurricane has shifted and is going to hit Tampa more directly now.

[00:41:03] Yeah.

[00:41:03] And she's in Ocala, which is about 75 miles north of that.

[00:41:09] They own a horse farm down there and they had to transport all of their horses into the World Equestrian Center, which has numerous barns, but they're all hurricane resistant.

[00:41:20] Most of them are built like a cement foundation.

[00:41:22] And they're built in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

[00:41:24] They evacuated the animals into this and they're there.

[00:41:28] But they had some damage the last time, the last hurricane that went through.

[00:41:33] Mm-hmm.

[00:41:34] Fencing and trees down and so forth, but not really extensive.

[00:41:38] But this one here is going to be a lot different.

[00:41:40] Yeah.

[00:41:40] It's going to be bad.

[00:41:42] If it's the only one.

[00:41:43] There's like a string.

[00:41:44] Yeah.

[00:41:45] Yeah.

[00:41:45] Yeah.

[00:41:46] So it's bad news.

[00:41:49] Anyway.

[00:41:49] We only have three more things on my list here and then I'll do it.

[00:41:53] Just keep in mind, Ron, it is a comedy show.

[00:41:55] So.

[00:41:56] Is it?

[00:41:56] Yeah.

[00:41:56] So just coming off of that.

[00:41:57] All right.

[00:41:58] Well, we'll do it in intervals.

[00:42:00] Is that all right?

[00:42:01] Yeah.

[00:42:02] We'll go from happy, sad.

[00:42:04] We'll go up and down.

[00:42:04] Peaks and valleys.

[00:42:05] Thank you.

[00:42:06] It's all good.

[00:42:06] My wife loves that.

[00:42:07] I love that.

[00:42:08] She loves it when I'm happy and then upset.

[00:42:10] Easy now.

[00:42:10] We don't want to hear too much about that.

[00:42:19] I love something here to make this more appealing.

[00:42:21] However, in Pennsylvania, we have the Master Craftsman Master Builders Award.

[00:42:29] And I'm not going to touch on the award itself.

[00:42:32] Master Builder is for the newly raised mason less than one year.

[00:42:37] Master Craftsman is for the mason who was raised after one year.

[00:42:41] There's one difference on the two forms and the one on the master builders.

[00:42:49] There's five items on the second sheet.

[00:42:52] You have to do three.

[00:42:53] On the craftsman, you have to do all five.

[00:42:57] And the reason I'm talking about this is one of those requirements is a first line signer.

[00:43:02] And this topic came up at least twice in the past four weeks.

[00:43:08] So I'm going to just let everybody know my stance on the first line signer requirement.

[00:43:15] You know, when I joined Masonry, I had very few personal friends that I kept from high school, college, or whatever.

[00:43:28] Ninety-eight percent of my closest friends are Masons.

[00:43:33] I wouldn't have met those people had I not been part of this fraternity.

[00:43:38] So for me, it's difficult to pull in that first line signer because my external Masonic relationships between people isn't that deep.

[00:43:49] So, you know, if you're one of those guys out there that are in need of a first line signer for a Master Craftsman award, reach out to me.

[00:43:59] We'll discuss it.

[00:44:03] Well, I think it's important though.

[00:44:05] Let's read between those lines, people.

[00:44:07] You can do that.

[00:44:08] But I think it's also important not to get so far over into the weeds on this that you just sign off on anyone.

[00:44:16] Oh, yeah.

[00:44:17] Absolutely.

[00:44:18] I will say that the guys that I have met that have gone and achieved the Master Craftsman award or Master Builder award is the first one.

[00:44:28] The Master Builder award is within your first year as a Master Mason.

[00:44:33] The guys that I've met that have received that award are phenomenal Masons.

[00:44:38] Jay Lamy.

[00:44:39] They're committed.

[00:44:40] They're learning work.

[00:44:42] I agree.

[00:44:42] They're attending things.

[00:44:43] They're doing stuff.

[00:44:44] They know people.

[00:44:45] It's great.

[00:44:46] It's probably one of the best programs the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has ever put out.

[00:44:53] And then they extend it to the Craftsman award, the Master Craftsman award to Masons who are more experienced but didn't get it done in the first year.

[00:45:02] Maybe it wasn't available then when you were brought in or you just didn't apply at the time.

[00:45:09] But the Master Craftsman award is for Masons who have been already a Mason for a year.

[00:45:14] So if you haven't and you're a relatively new Mason, do it.

[00:45:19] Absolutely.

[00:45:20] Whichever one is appropriate for you, just do it because I'm here to tell you, it's great.

[00:45:24] It's a great induction program.

[00:45:26] It's a great foundation.

[00:45:27] It's a great induction program.

[00:45:29] It starts you looking at historical stuff.

[00:45:31] It starts you looking at ritual stuff.

[00:45:33] It starts you working at attending fellowship stuff.

[00:45:36] It's great.

[00:45:37] It's just a terrific program.

[00:45:38] Absolutely.

[00:45:38] And since we're on this type of induction conversation, let me hear a remark, however, that in the Scottish Rite of the Northern Masonic jurisdiction, if you happen to be a member of that group, the program called the Pathfinder program, I have actually described it as the master builder program for Scottish Rite Masonry.

[00:46:01] You're going to take copyright stuff.

[00:46:03] And that's okay.

[00:46:05] I actually said, I posted this on Facebook, so I'll mention it here.

[00:46:09] I actually was sitting in a meeting, and I'm not going to identify the meeting that I was

[00:46:14] in, where we were connected to someone else via a Zoom call.

[00:46:18] And it was like, come on, just finish this.

[00:46:23] I need to be done so I can go outside and smoke a cigar.

[00:46:27] I pulled up Pathfinder on my computer, and I started to go through that and identify all of the waypoints that I had already done.

[00:46:40] I basically finished the program in about two and a half hours while I was watching this freaking Zoom call.

[00:46:47] It actually helped me.

[00:46:49] It was the best use of my time ever.

[00:46:51] But I would encourage you, if you're in the Scottish Rite Northern Masonic jurisdiction, take a look at Pathfinder, because it has the same effect as the master builder program has for Pennsylvania Freemasons.

[00:47:04] If you are not a Pennsylvania Freemason, you can still see those types of things on the pagrandlodge.com website.

[00:47:13] Please check them out.

[00:47:15] Ron, what else is on your list?

[00:47:17] Ron's got a list.

[00:47:19] I do.

[00:47:19] It's a pink sticky note.

[00:47:20] This is great.

[00:47:21] But it's like micro feed, this pink sticky note.

[00:47:24] So at school, Jack, the secretary, they always ask for my notes after I'm done at school.

[00:47:30] So I hand it to him.

[00:47:32] And John B. Singer was filling in for Steve a few months ago, and he says, Ron, this ain't worth shit.

[00:47:41] It works, guys.

[00:47:44] So two quick topics.

[00:47:47] Rejuvenization Committee, Brother Jack's a part of.

[00:47:50] It's kind of split up into two different ends.

[00:47:53] And I will tell you that one of the lodges, 226 in this district, has taken advantage of that since last September.

[00:48:03] It's done well.

[00:48:06] And I would encourage any lodge that doesn't feel like they're functioning up to where they should be to at least hear these guys.

[00:48:16] Because if you listen to them, look at the plan, look at your statistics within your lodge, you'll probably have a better feel for where you should be with what you have to work with.

[00:48:31] And that's what I want to say.

[00:48:32] And Jack, I appreciate what you're doing.

[00:48:34] Yeah, it was divided at its concept into, OK, what are we going to do in the lodges, like the activities of the lodges?

[00:48:44] And that was the other group.

[00:48:45] And the one that I was in was more of the business management type stuff, like red, amber and green, right?

[00:48:59] It was a stop, go, caution kind of like analysis.

[00:49:03] Red light, green light.

[00:49:04] Red light, green light.

[00:49:05] Yeah, exactly.

[00:49:06] It was that lodge self-analysis that you go through, like deep dive, all that kind of stuff.

[00:49:13] A couple lodges did it.

[00:49:16] It wasn't mandatory.

[00:49:17] It's not something that can be mandatory.

[00:49:19] It has to be organic, right?

[00:49:23] But the thing about the program, if you do it, your lodge will grow.

[00:49:30] Period, stop, full stop.

[00:49:32] It just will.

[00:49:33] What data do we have on that?

[00:49:35] We've seen the very few lodges that have really bought it have succeeded.

[00:49:42] And Ron just mentioned one of them.

[00:49:45] We need to highlight those.

[00:49:46] So we do, but in the meantime, people should get on the bus because it is a good program.

[00:49:57] It's not fully fleshed out.

[00:49:59] I'll give it that.

[00:49:59] I love Steve and he did a great job pulling this thing together.

[00:50:05] The component that's missing is the follow-up after the meeting.

[00:50:08] Like, it's kind of like plugging everybody into the wall and getting all of their engines wound up and go.

[00:50:16] And they take off.

[00:50:17] And as soon as they get to the end of the court, it comes out of the wall, right?

[00:50:21] Okay, what do I do now?

[00:50:22] I don't know.

[00:50:22] How do we do this?

[00:50:23] I don't know.

[00:50:24] So that's where we need the next level of follow-up.

[00:50:29] And hopefully that will come this year.

[00:50:40] In the last recording episode, we hit upon a phrase.

[00:50:45] Live it.

[00:50:47] Right?

[00:50:48] This is a complete accident.

[00:50:49] Somebody just said it and then somebody else said it and then we said it back and forth.

[00:50:53] Live it.

[00:50:54] If you live the Masonic principles, the world will beat a path to our door.

[00:51:00] I'm convinced of that.

[00:51:01] The world needs us.

[00:51:04] Right?

[00:51:04] It needs what we have and what we represent.

[00:51:07] And if we live the concepts of it, if we're higher thinking and noble and courteous and generous and all of those things that we're supposed to be, we won't have to recruit anybody.

[00:51:25] Because people will need this.

[00:51:27] And they'll come to us for it.

[00:51:30] That's my thing is we have to live this.

[00:51:34] Otherwise, it's pointless.

[00:51:35] Otherwise, it's just a dinner club.

[00:51:38] Right?

[00:51:38] Went from a bowling league to a dinner club.

[00:51:41] There you go.

[00:51:41] I don't want that.

[00:51:43] I want to think.

[00:51:44] You know, I want to.

[00:51:47] None of us want that.

[00:51:48] Yeah.

[00:51:49] Right?

[00:51:49] And I thank you and Steve and everybody on your committee for what you're doing.

[00:51:54] Yeah.

[00:51:55] You've helped out one significantly.

[00:51:58] I'm hopeful we can establish the same thing with another.

[00:52:03] And I know that there are several lodges throughout the state that you've helped.

[00:52:09] So thank you.

[00:52:10] And again, fellas, if you got that kind of lodge, reach out to them because they will help you.

[00:52:17] So last thing is a Liberty Tree.

[00:52:20] Talk about that.

[00:52:21] Oh, yeah.

[00:52:22] Yeah.

[00:52:23] Now, I can't add any comedy to the Liberty Tree.

[00:52:28] However, October 19th.

[00:52:29] So talk to us about what a Liberty Tree is and represents.

[00:52:33] Okay, so the Liberty Tree is a seedling taken from what was to be where the founding fathers signed the Constitution or something like that.

[00:52:50] Hold on.

[00:52:51] Let me get my phone.

[00:52:54] So my understanding of the Liberty Trees is that across.

[00:52:57] Josh, you have to edit some of that out.

[00:52:59] Across the column.

[00:53:01] Like a lawyer in the website.

[00:53:01] Exactly.

[00:53:02] Oh, my God.

[00:53:02] What's your website, lawyer?

[00:53:05] It's funny.

[00:53:06] People keep asking him that.

[00:53:07] So you ask me something about you already know.

[00:53:10] So my understanding of the Liberty Trees is that they were around the colonies.

[00:53:14] And it was the place that people would gather in the various communities to find out what's going on.

[00:53:20] And so as a result of that, the quote unquote Liberty Trees became a thing.

[00:53:26] Now you have the information.

[00:53:29] So in every county, the Grand Lodge is going to plant one Liberty Tree.

[00:53:33] Right.

[00:53:33] Brother Abram Schaffner from Passmaster from 226 started out on this venture like two years ago.

[00:53:41] We finally got everything in motion.

[00:53:44] We are physically planting the tree at Cornwell Furnace up in Lebanon County this coming Saturday.

[00:53:52] But October 19th at 1 o'clock, which is also a Saturday, is the presentation.

[00:54:01] That's when the Grand Lodge will be there, the people from the state.

[00:54:06] There will be some mayors and some local politicians, so on and so forth there.

[00:54:11] It will be about an hour event from 1 to 2.

[00:54:14] And that happens at the Cornwell Furnace.

[00:54:18] And we're looking forward to some decent weather and a nice turnout.

[00:54:24] And it should be fairly exciting.

[00:54:26] And I will tell you that I'm sorry to say that that was a first.

[00:54:30] I didn't know about the Cornwell Furnace.

[00:54:33] But they actually made the cannonballs and the medals for the bullets during the Civil War.

[00:54:40] I took a tour many, many years ago.

[00:54:43] Oh, yeah.

[00:54:43] It's very cool.

[00:54:43] You wouldn't believe it.

[00:54:44] He was there when they were in the Civil War.

[00:54:48] He was a semen.

[00:54:49] He is.

[00:54:51] I poured the lead.

[00:54:54] But it's an amazing place up there.

[00:54:57] No, it's a subdivision.

[00:54:58] And the cool thing I learned is in 73 when Agnes came, the mine flooded.

[00:55:06] Their pumps went out because it couldn't handle the water.

[00:55:10] So after Agnes was over, they said, you know what?

[00:55:13] We're done.

[00:55:14] So they stopped mining.

[00:55:16] So this thing filled up and is now a significant lake.

[00:55:19] That was owned by Lebanon County.

[00:55:22] Then when Elizabethtown started to expand, they were worried about their water consumption.

[00:55:28] So they bought the lake from Lebanon County.

[00:55:30] Now Lebanon County wants to buy the lake back.

[00:55:34] So it's kind of cool.

[00:55:35] But that place started out as like 5,000 acres of foundry.

[00:55:41] It needed an acre of wood to burn every day.

[00:55:46] I mean, it's just amazing.

[00:55:49] The place will be open for a tour for us or for those who are there.

[00:55:53] Wow.

[00:55:53] Wrap your arms around that for a minute there.

[00:55:56] An acre of wood to burn every day.

[00:55:59] Okay.

[00:56:00] Mm-hmm.

[00:56:00] Wow.

[00:56:02] So anyhow.

[00:56:03] So that's Lebanon County.

[00:56:05] That's one of the, what, 67 counties in Pennsylvania.

[00:56:09] Has Lancaster found a location yet?

[00:56:12] I'll give you a good guess.

[00:56:13] Where do you think it's going to go?

[00:56:15] Buchanan's property.

[00:56:16] Buchanan's property would be my guess, too.

[00:56:18] Longs Park.

[00:56:19] Maybe we'll have to buy two.

[00:56:20] All right.

[00:56:22] Masonic Villages.

[00:56:23] Oh, really?

[00:56:25] Oh, yeah.

[00:56:26] That's true.

[00:56:27] That'll be next year for sure.

[00:56:28] Memorial Garden?

[00:56:30] I don't know specifics, but I know that it'll happen next year.

[00:56:34] Okay.

[00:56:34] I always forget they're in Lancaster County.

[00:56:37] Yes, they are.

[00:56:38] But they are happening all over the state, and I know a lot of them are scheduled this fall.

[00:56:42] A bunch of them will happen next year.

[00:56:44] And these activities are part of the America 250 group that is celebrating the 250th anniversary of our freedom from England that will take place during, guess what year?

[00:57:00] 2026.

[00:57:01] The scary part is I remember all the hoopla around 1976, the 200th anniversary.

[00:57:08] Could not have imagined 50 years later.

[00:57:11] And here we are.

[00:57:13] So that America 250, if you go to America250.org, it's part of each state has its own connection to that group.

[00:57:23] Is it America250PA.com?

[00:57:27] Something like that?

[00:57:28] I should know this.

[00:57:30] Anyway, there's a lot of activities building up.

[00:57:33] And lodges are actually encouraged to volunteer to be the hub, if you will, of your local community for this celebration.

[00:57:43] So go to America250.com.

[00:57:45] And if there's no one signed up to be your hub for your area, volunteer for that.

[00:57:53] You could be a hubba brother.

[00:57:55] Hubba brother.

[00:57:56] That's right.

[00:57:57] So I'm going to sign off and just thank everybody for inviting me.

[00:58:00] You're not doing that.

[00:58:02] You're not doing that.

[00:58:04] We've still got some more stuff for you.

[00:58:06] Au contraire, mon frere.

[00:58:08] We've got a break.

[00:58:09] One more break.

[00:58:10] And then we're going to come back with Walter.

[00:58:12] We're going to come back with copious dues.

[00:58:14] And then Larry will come lose the chance.

[00:58:16] And then maybe we'll let you go.

[00:58:17] I've got to do some math quick.

[00:58:19] All right.

[00:58:20] Don't tell us.

[00:58:20] We'll be right back.

[00:58:21] I'm not.

[00:58:28] As far back as the mid-1800s, records exist describing the pre-meaning tradition of brethren

[00:58:34] smoking cigars during and after gatherings.

[00:58:38] To this day, the practice of smoking cigars remains very much alive in many lodges.

[00:58:44] This custom is considered a time for brethren to relax, exchange ideas, and enjoy the simplicity

[00:58:50] and fellowship that is the very essence of our brotherhood.

[00:58:54] This is what Hyreman Solomon Cigars is all about.

[00:58:58] Our starting principles are to bring Masonic brethren together in the harmony of a good cigar.

[00:59:03] Pull up a chair, sit back, light up any of our premium cigars, and enjoy the history.

[00:59:09] Hyreman Solomon Cigars can be found at fine cigar retailers.

[00:59:14] For a complete list, visit HyremanSolomonCigars.com or check them out on social media to find out

[00:59:21] when they'll be at a live event near you.

[00:59:24] Hyreman Solomon Cigars is pleased to be the official cigar of the Masonic Light Podcast.

[00:59:39] In Masonic news today, in an historic event,

[00:59:44] arcing the common principles and unique ceremonies of our various Grand Lodges

[00:59:50] at the Unity Day Ceremony,

[00:59:52] was announced that all of the Grand Lodges had forgotten to bring a capital.

[00:59:59] And the event was postponed.

[01:00:01] That's the Masonic news.

[01:00:03] So more it was.

[01:00:06] That's great, Walter.

[01:00:08] Very good.

[01:00:10] Because it's a good opportunity to announce an upcoming Unity Day celebration.

[01:00:14] What?

[01:00:14] No way.

[01:00:16] Wait a minute.

[01:00:16] We just did that.

[01:00:18] Yeah.

[01:00:19] No, we didn't.

[01:00:20] Unity Day.

[01:00:22] Plant the trees?

[01:00:24] That's nothing to do with planting trees, Larry.

[01:00:34] I'm so glad there's no video for this.

[01:00:36] I was thinking earlier, it's a shame there isn't.

[01:00:41] Josh, you can edit that too, right?

[01:00:43] Tim, what are you talking about?

[01:00:44] Camera right up there in the corner.

[01:00:46] Just get the whole, yeah.

[01:00:48] So, the Unity Day in Pennsylvania.

[01:00:51] Tell us about it, Tim.

[01:00:52] Will be on January the 25th, 2025.

[01:00:56] What was that?

[01:00:56] I'm sorry, say again?

[01:00:58] January the 25th.

[01:00:59] January 25th.

[01:01:01] Yes, 2025.

[01:01:03] And where will that be held, Tim?

[01:01:04] That will be held at the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

[01:01:07] Whoa.

[01:01:07] One North Broad Street.

[01:01:09] One.

[01:01:10] Yeah, I remember that.

[01:01:10] One.

[01:01:11] One.

[01:01:11] North Broad Street.

[01:01:12] Just like one dollar.

[01:01:14] Just one.

[01:01:15] Just one.

[01:01:16] One North Broad Street.

[01:01:16] North Broad Street.

[01:01:17] And they're not planting trees.

[01:01:18] They're not planting any trees down there.

[01:01:20] There's no place to plant a tree in front of that lodge.

[01:01:22] Because the tree grows in Brooklyn.

[01:01:24] Right.

[01:01:24] Jackhammer and Philadelphia.

[01:01:25] Anyway, that is from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., $75 per ticket.

[01:01:31] And you can go on the Grand Lodge website and find out more information.

[01:01:35] Whoa.

[01:01:35] And we'll make sure there's a gavel there.

[01:01:37] So the unity, I mean, for those of you that don't know, along this part of the Mid-Atlantic

[01:01:43] Coast, there's a bunch of different Grand Lodges that have slightly different ritual.

[01:01:50] Just slightly.

[01:01:51] Each from the other.

[01:01:51] Just a little bit.

[01:01:52] Just slightly.

[01:01:52] Except for us, who are completely off the chart.

[01:01:55] Right.

[01:01:55] But it's a day where a bunch of Grand Lodges get together and each one exemplifies a certain

[01:02:02] aspect of their ritual, whether it's a degree or some other part of it.

[01:02:06] Right.

[01:02:06] So it's very cool.

[01:02:09] I think there's food involved.

[01:02:11] There is some food.

[01:02:12] And general hospitality in New York.

[01:02:13] It's a Masonic event.

[01:02:14] Which is not inexpensive.

[01:02:16] Just hospitality in New York at any rate.

[01:02:19] But it's definitely a cool event in Center City, Philadelphia.

[01:02:26] If you've never visited the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, this is an opportunity that you

[01:02:31] will never regret.

[01:02:33] So if you can make it due and just think about that.

[01:02:37] We're in flyover country.

[01:02:39] So just wave as a crossover.

[01:02:41] Absolutely.

[01:02:42] Hey, Jack.

[01:02:43] What?

[01:02:44] It's time for something special.

[01:02:46] Is it time for...

[01:02:48] Kobe!

[01:02:49] Copious dues!

[01:02:52] This is that part of the show where we, your hosts, try to guess how much you, our guest,

[01:02:59] pay every bloody year in copious dues.

[01:03:04] Now, this does not include banquets, meals, and lodging, but just your dues card.

[01:03:12] And please take out the one that you got suspended for last month.

[01:03:18] Because you obviously haven't paid that one.

[01:03:22] A body which will remain nameless.

[01:03:24] You guys are great ball busters.

[01:03:25] Ron!

[01:03:26] Tell us!

[01:03:27] No!

[01:03:28] Don't tell us!

[01:03:28] No!

[01:03:29] Don't tell us!

[01:03:30] Larry Boy!

[01:03:33] $859!

[01:03:35] $859 is the guest from Larry Boy.

[01:03:37] Tim!

[01:03:38] Tell us!

[01:03:39] Tell us how much you think Rod pays in his copious dues.

[01:03:43] $347, Bob.

[01:03:44] $340.

[01:03:44] See, you're getting the trend.

[01:03:46] You're...

[01:03:46] Harris was what?

[01:03:49] $859.

[01:03:49] $859.

[01:03:50] And Josh was...

[01:03:51] Josh hasn't guessed yet.

[01:03:52] Josh hasn't guessed yet.

[01:03:53] My guess is going to be $902.

[01:03:58] $902.

[01:04:01] I'm going to say $401.

[01:04:06] So, to review.

[01:04:08] Think.

[01:04:09] Review with us, Tim.

[01:04:13] Josh has $902.

[01:04:15] Very high.

[01:04:16] Josh, you're very high today.

[01:04:18] Larry, $859.

[01:04:22] Jack Harley, $401.

[01:04:24] And I guess $347.

[01:04:27] And Larry guessed some number that...

[01:04:29] $859.

[01:04:30] He made up in his mind?

[01:04:31] Okay.

[01:04:32] All right.

[01:04:32] $685.

[01:04:33] So...

[01:04:34] What?

[01:04:35] $685.

[01:04:36] $685.

[01:04:37] No way.

[01:04:38] You made that up so Larry could win.

[01:04:39] Was it really $685?

[01:04:40] No, it is.

[01:04:41] That's what I circled before you guys even started.

[01:04:44] Wow.

[01:04:45] Wow.

[01:04:46] Larry wins again.

[01:04:47] No, he went over.

[01:04:48] No.

[01:04:49] No, Larry went over.

[01:04:50] Oh, that's right.

[01:04:51] That's right.

[01:04:52] So, Jack wins.

[01:04:54] Never mind.

[01:04:54] Yeah, Jack's a good one.

[01:04:55] Jack wins.

[01:04:55] That's right.

[01:04:56] Jack wins.

[01:04:56] You go over.

[01:04:57] It doesn't count.

[01:04:58] I'm going to go low, low, low, low, low.

[01:05:01] I thought I won.

[01:05:02] Jack wins.

[01:05:03] Yeah, Jack.

[01:05:03] Even if I would have paid Uber, you still would have won.

[01:05:10] It's not that much.

[01:05:13] It's only one night a month.

[01:05:15] So, speaking...

[01:05:16] I mean, can we spin off onto a topic?

[01:05:19] A minor topic.

[01:05:20] Spin off topic.

[01:05:21] But it seems like we're devolving into...

[01:05:25] And I say devolving.

[01:05:26] In some cases, it's great.

[01:05:27] In some cases, not.

[01:05:29] Like the appendant bodies are dissolving into dinner clubs.

[01:05:36] Some are.

[01:05:38] Yes?

[01:05:39] No?

[01:05:40] Larry?

[01:05:42] No.

[01:05:43] No.

[01:05:44] No.

[01:05:44] No?

[01:05:44] No.

[01:05:45] The only pendant body that I belong to that kind of moves in that direction at Tall Cedars.

[01:05:53] Right.

[01:05:53] But that's been something historically they've done for 50, 60, 70 years.

[01:05:57] Right.

[01:05:57] Right.

[01:05:58] But Scottish Rite?

[01:05:59] No.

[01:06:00] Okay.

[01:06:01] No.

[01:06:02] I don't think so.

[01:06:03] Certainly not the York Rite bodies.

[01:06:05] No.

[01:06:06] Well, if you get into the side bodies off of chapter, like AMD and those kinds of...

[01:06:14] You would call your AMD council a dinner club?

[01:06:18] Yeah.

[01:06:19] Really?

[01:06:20] Both of them.

[01:06:21] Now, they're great.

[01:06:22] Like I said, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

[01:06:24] Yeah.

[01:06:25] But it's dinner.

[01:06:27] And it's dress up.

[01:06:29] And that's what it is.

[01:06:30] You should come visit mine.

[01:06:31] Okay.

[01:06:33] Let me know when that happens.

[01:06:34] Yep.

[01:06:35] You guys not eat dinner?

[01:06:37] We do eat dinner.

[01:06:38] Okay.

[01:06:39] I'm not saying we don't eat dinner, but it's much more than the dinner.

[01:06:41] I can't count Ubar because that's always been a drunken feast.

[01:06:45] It's a dinner club.

[01:06:46] Yeah.

[01:06:47] Well, it's a dinner club.

[01:06:48] It's a dinner club.

[01:06:49] You know, yeah.

[01:06:50] I'm rethinking.

[01:06:50] Dinner club, tall cedars, high 12.

[01:06:53] You know, those are still carrying on.

[01:06:56] Like York Rite and Scottish Rite, they have an obvious degree component.

[01:07:00] I shut down high 12.

[01:07:01] So, Jack, what triggered the observation on that?

[01:07:05] I don't know.

[01:07:05] I just, you know, we're forever sitting around talking about how to fix it.

[01:07:10] And then you have to ask, well, is it really broken or is it just not what it was?

[01:07:16] And I maintain that it's not what it was because it never is what it was.

[01:07:19] It's always something new.

[01:07:21] And it changes generation to generation and societal need to societal need.

[01:07:25] It just, it morphs itself to fill the needs of adult men, right-thinking adult men in an economy.

[01:07:36] And it doesn't matter what the economy is or what the, you know, what the society is.

[01:07:40] It just fits.

[01:07:42] And I think that's what it is.

[01:07:43] And I think that's what we're moving toward.

[01:07:45] We went after the post, after the World War II surge, right, the bubble everybody talked about.

[01:07:51] We're getting down now to where we're at a different level.

[01:07:54] We're going to continue on because there are still men who need this.

[01:07:59] But it's more than a dinner club.

[01:08:01] It has to be more than a dinner club.

[01:08:03] Appendant bodies, I said.

[01:08:05] Okay.

[01:08:05] Appendant bodies.

[01:08:06] But the appendant bodies, you know, everybody wants to join an appendant body and, you know, go, I don't know, whatever they think they're joining in the appendant bodies.

[01:08:15] Some of it, all of it is important.

[01:08:18] All of it is the same moral principles restated in a different sort of genre, right?

[01:08:24] Right.

[01:08:25] But the – but a lot of it is just becoming that.

[01:08:32] Just – I mean a lot of what I'm involved with, right?

[01:08:36] Now, I know a lot of guys are involved with stuff that I'm not involved with.

[01:08:39] In York, right, I only went as far as chapter.

[01:08:42] And I only intend to go as far as chapter because that's – as I understand the system, that's as far as I care to go in that system.

[01:08:52] I'm 32nd degree Scottish Rite because that happened in a day.

[01:08:56] And I didn't really know what any of it was all about.

[01:08:59] So I just sat back and took it all in.

[01:09:03] But the other stuff that I'm involved with at my level – clearly, I am not Illuminati and don't intend to be.

[01:09:11] But that's an invitational body, right?

[01:09:14] Yes.

[01:09:15] You're not Illuminati?

[01:09:16] I don't think so.

[01:09:18] Shh, Larry.

[01:09:19] We're not allowed to talk about that.

[01:09:20] It comes with a ring or something, rings of power and stuff like that.

[01:09:24] Anyway, no.

[01:09:25] I mean it just – it was an observation.

[01:09:28] I'm not sure why I made the observation.

[01:09:30] It was just one of those things that I was thinking about where are we going.

[01:09:35] And I would – go ahead, Ron.

[01:09:37] So I think at Harrisburg Consistory.

[01:09:39] Yes.

[01:09:40] Go back a couple years.

[01:09:42] Attendance wasn't near what it is now.

[01:09:45] We always have a dinner afterwards.

[01:09:47] But what they did is started to invite the ladies to have their own dinner downstairs while we have our meeting upstairs.

[01:09:56] And that in itself definitely brought out a lot of attendance in the past three years, hands down.

[01:10:05] The dinner – so I think of our AMD meeting as far as eating dinner, sitting and discussing.

[01:10:16] That's basically what we do.

[01:10:18] We have an intelligent conversation about some topic or similar to what we're doing here at our AMD.

[01:10:27] We have a nice dinner.

[01:10:30] I didn't say it was wrong or bad.

[01:10:32] No, I know, Jack, but I don't think enough people take advantage of the getting together.

[01:10:41] The communication part of it.

[01:10:43] Yes.

[01:10:43] To make it happen.

[01:10:45] It actually brings up a good point.

[01:10:47] If you find yourself, whether it's a Blue Lodge, whether it's an appendant body, regardless,

[01:10:54] if it's not meeting your need, go find one that does because they are out there.

[01:10:59] We were talking about this offline, how that every Blue Lodge out there has its own kind of culture,

[01:11:07] has its own kind of standards.

[01:11:09] While we're all under the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania here in Pennsylvania,

[01:11:15] the 340-some lodges that are out there, every one of them are different.

[01:11:21] Yes.

[01:11:21] So if that lodge is not what you thought it was going to be, go find the one that is.

[01:11:27] Or do what you've said often.

[01:11:30] Be the change.

[01:11:31] Be the change that you want to see.

[01:11:33] Right.

[01:11:33] And I would say the same thing about whether it's a Scottish Rite Valley,

[01:11:38] whether it is a York Rite, you know, council chapter, commandery, whatever the case is,

[01:11:44] go find the one that meets your need.

[01:11:48] If you're finding yourself in a dinner club, go find the one that's not the dinner club.

[01:11:53] Unless it's a really chill dinner club.

[01:11:55] Well.

[01:11:56] And it's cool.

[01:11:57] Yeah.

[01:11:57] But, yeah.

[01:11:58] And that's okay.

[01:11:59] Yeah.

[01:12:00] All right.

[01:12:00] So, Ron is trying to say something.

[01:12:02] All right.

[01:12:02] Go ahead.

[01:12:03] Well, I'm still – I'm looking at the Scottish Rite clubs and those types of things.

[01:12:08] They've always been, in my opinion, a dinner club.

[01:12:14] Oh, really?

[01:12:15] Scottish Rite?

[01:12:16] Scottish Rite clubs.

[01:12:17] Oh, the clubs.

[01:12:18] Okay.

[01:12:19] Like the county clubs.

[01:12:20] Like the county clubs and all that.

[01:12:21] Yes.

[01:12:21] Those – you're right.

[01:12:22] You're right.

[01:12:22] Those are.

[01:12:24] Well, Tim, it's like you said.

[01:12:25] You had a choice to join Lodge A or Lodge B.

[01:12:30] You chose Lodge B and knowing now what you knew, what you didn't know then, you're lucky, you're happy you didn't choose Lodge A because it didn't fit those needs.

[01:12:42] Correct.

[01:12:42] Unfortunately, masonry doesn't have a way to figure out each lodge's needs because we're all within a half-hour drive, which ain't no big deal no matter where you want to go to.

[01:12:54] And you don't know what you don't know about freemakers, especially people coming in.

[01:12:58] You just – you really don't know.

[01:13:00] You don't know enough of an asking question.

[01:13:01] And we're very blessed in this part of the state where within an hour's drive, you can be in 30 different Lodges.

[01:13:09] You can be in three different Scottish Rite Valleys.

[01:13:13] You can be in however many different York Rite bodies that you want to be in and other side groups.

[01:13:20] But the fit is definitely the most important thing for someone's future.

[01:13:27] All right.

[01:13:27] So, Ron, thank you very much for being our guest tonight.

[01:13:29] It's been great.

[01:13:30] Now it's been I've been done?

[01:13:30] Huh?

[01:13:31] I'm done officially.

[01:13:32] No.

[01:13:32] No, you're not done.

[01:13:33] Get out.

[01:13:34] You're not done until the chickens are done.

[01:13:37] All right.

[01:13:37] So coming up in the next short time, what have we got coming on?

[01:13:42] Ron, what have you got coming up in the next week or so?

[01:13:46] Well, we're planting a Liberty Tree Saturday.

[01:13:48] October 19th is the official ceremony at 1 o'clock, Cornwell Furnace.

[01:13:55] We have our official visit at the Grand Masters Lodge this month, which we will presenting at this point for Master Builder Awards.

[01:14:07] And that date for the visit is Tuesday, October 27th.

[01:14:18] And there is dinner before, so you could reserve with the secretary.

[01:14:24] We have school this month, as always, on the fourth Monday.

[01:14:29] And a lot of other things happening, and I would encourage you to look at the First Masonic District website.

[01:14:35] Brother Barry Thiel has updated that.

[01:14:37] Everything is pretty much up to speed.

[01:14:41] So I would encourage you to check out our website.

[01:14:45] All right.

[01:14:46] Jack, what do you got coming up?

[01:14:47] Well, let me jump onto my calendar.

[01:14:54] I'm going to start going on visits with the current District Deputy Grand High Priest, Harry Eisenbeis.

[01:15:02] Okay.

[01:15:03] We're going to start calling on some of the chapters that I'll be in charge.

[01:15:08] Well, not really in charge of, but administering.

[01:15:12] Jack, how long of a term is that?

[01:15:14] Sorry to interrupt.

[01:15:15] I think they want you to serve two, and then after that, it's just by the, you know, whatever, will and pleasure of the Grand High Priest.

[01:15:28] But the, so I'm looking at what else I've got.

[01:15:32] We've got our chapter meeting on the 17th, and then the District Deputy Grand High Priest retreats on the 18th and 19th.

[01:15:41] And then DeMolay on the 20th.

[01:15:46] The 20th, Sunday the 20th at Elizabethtown is the ceremony of the awarding of the Legion of Honor.

[01:15:55] And if you're not familiar with the DeMolay Legion of Honor, it's for people, it's not necessarily a Masonic youth specific award.

[01:16:08] It's more to recognize people who have committed themselves and their time and their energy and their money to the fraternity in one way or another, and specifically to support the youth groups going forward.

[01:16:24] So I actually have a small part in that ceremony, and I'm really excited about it.

[01:16:31] I'm really nervous.

[01:16:32] Which part?

[01:16:33] The commander in the south.

[01:16:35] Oh, cool.

[01:16:36] So I have a couple of lines, and I haven't memorized anything in a long time.

[01:16:43] And we started this talking about Ray Greiner.

[01:16:46] I had somebody I was accountable to every week that I had to learn what he gave me the previous week.

[01:16:53] With this, I got it printed, emailed to me.

[01:16:56] I got it printed off.

[01:16:57] I got it, read it, learn it.

[01:16:59] I can't do it.

[01:17:01] It's hard as hell.

[01:17:02] It's just not the way I learned.

[01:17:07] Jack, get your ass moving.

[01:17:11] Uh-oh.

[01:17:12] Put those chickens back in the coop.

[01:17:13] No, that was it.

[01:17:15] That's perfect.

[01:17:15] Put those chickens back in the coop.

[01:17:16] That's perfect.

[01:17:17] Oh, no, that was perfect timing.

[01:17:19] That's great.

[01:17:19] That was perfect timing.

[01:17:20] And several friends of the Masonic Light podcast will be honored at this upcoming recognition.

[01:17:26] Yes, that is true.

[01:17:27] Including one of the hosts.

[01:17:31] Anyway.

[01:17:31] Larry, how about you?

[01:17:33] What do you got coming up?

[01:17:34] Ghost in Great Iron.

[01:17:35] Get up on the mic.

[01:17:36] Ghost in Great Iron.

[01:17:37] That's it.

[01:17:38] Okay.

[01:17:39] Josh?

[01:17:41] Just the episode.

[01:17:42] I don't think I really have anything else going on this month.

[01:17:45] Okay.

[01:17:45] On the 15th, which is the day after this episode drops, the Lancaster Lodge of Perfection reunion

[01:17:51] at the Lancaster Masonic Center.

[01:17:54] If you are in the Scottish Rite, you can knock out a couple of degrees by coming down there.

[01:17:58] It's always a fun time.

[01:17:59] On the 16th, my lodge's past master dinner occurs where we get to hear from our incoming master

[01:18:06] and officers about their proficiency and their plans and all that good stuff.

[01:18:11] On the 19th, which is that Saturday, the big valley of Harrisburg will host a murder mystery dinner.

[01:18:22] Speaking of, as Brother Ron said, things you can take your spouse to.

[01:18:27] It's a great night.

[01:18:30] It's always a fun time.

[01:18:32] Awesome.

[01:18:32] Awesome.

[01:18:32] And then, as you mentioned, on Sunday, the 20th, the D-Millay Legion of Honor.

[01:18:39] And I think that's about it.

[01:18:41] So, Jake, we miss you.

[01:18:43] Look forward to having you back on our next episode.

[01:18:45] And I think with that, go ahead and let those chickens out, Josh.

[01:18:53] Special thanks to Everlodge665.

[01:18:57] Say it like you mean it.

[01:18:58] Come on, Larry.

[01:18:58] This is not a funeral dirge.

[01:19:00] Come on, Larry.

[01:19:02] Come on, Larry.

[01:19:03] Whip it up!

[01:19:04] Our producer and director, Josh Lamberton.

[01:19:08] Pump it up!

[01:19:09] And our marketing director, Tim Dedman.

[01:19:12] Jack Harley, our news director.

[01:19:14] That guy.

[01:19:15] Yes.

[01:19:18] Doug Maidenford, our Masonic Light contributor, Austin Schifrin.

[01:19:23] We don't hear much from him anymore.

[01:19:25] We're going to hear from him in two weeks.

[01:19:26] Oh, yeah, yeah, okay.

[01:19:28] Two weeks.

[01:19:28] And that's pretty much it.

[01:19:31] Really, isn't it?

[01:19:32] I am taking the book with me on vacation this weekend.

[01:19:35] I will have it finished by then and annotated.

[01:19:38] Oh, okay.

[01:19:39] I see that.

[01:19:40] Yep.

[01:19:40] Anyway, well, anyway, thanks for listening.

[01:19:44] And thanks to our patrons for supporting us all these years, these past few years.

[01:19:49] I think we have to reignite Larry's light within here.

[01:19:52] Wow, I guess so.

[01:19:54] All right.

[01:19:55] So thanks, everybody.

[01:19:56] And good night.

[01:19:57] And Larry, you want to close again with your little have fun?

[01:20:03] Do a diddy?

[01:20:04] Yeah.

[01:20:04] We didn't hear it the first time.

[01:20:05] Did you get it?

[01:20:06] Okay.

[01:20:06] And this is Larry Maris saying thank you for listening.

[01:20:09] And remember, have fun and do good.

[01:20:13] Bye, everybody.

[01:20:15] Yeah, bye, everybody.

[01:20:17] Bye.

[01:20:17] Bye.