Upcoming 145th Communication of the Grand Lodge
The 145th Communication of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota will be held June 20-22 at the Best Western Ramkota in Sioux Falls.
- Summons
- Agenda
Grand Lodge Guest Speaker
We are pleased to announce that Brother Scott Wolter will be our guest speaker for Friday evening’s Grand Masters Banquet at this year’s Annual Communication. Brother Wolter is best known as the host of the hit show America Unearthed, which begins a new season this month on The Travel Channel. He is the author of several books, with the soon to be released Cryptic Code of the Templars in America being the subject of his presentation.
Professionally, Scott, a forensic geologist, founded American Petrographic Services in St. Paul, MN in 1990 and continues to serve as President. He has been the principal petrographer in more than 7,000 material forensic investigations throughout the world, including the evaluation of fire-damaged concrete from the Pentagon following the attacks of September 11, 2001.
If you haven’t already, please be sure to register for this year’s session in Sioux Falls. Please note: you must be registered and have purchased a banquet ticket for Friday evening to attend the presentation. Attire is formal tuxedo or suit and tie.
2019 Black Hills Hero Award
Presented by Whitney Rencountre, Chairman Visit Rapid City Board of Directors
Since 1990, Visit Rapid City has presented the Black Hills Hero Award to a person or organization instrumental in bringing a large number of people to Rapid City and the Black Hills for an event or convention.
This year we are thrilled to acknowledge a very deserving group for their leadership, vision and hard work. Since learning Rapid City had been awarded the 2019 Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America in 2016, members from the Masons Grand Lodge of South Dakota have been working diligently alongside Visit Rapid City to host this prestigious group.
For three years the local planning committee worked to create a monumental experience for their fellow Masons — and they DID! From February 16 through 19, Masons from all over the world traveled to Rapid City to congregate and experience the beautiful sites of our city and the surrounding Black Hills and Badlands.
This annual conference is the largest gathering of Grand Masters in the world and the local planning committee extended a BIG South Dakota welcome and warm hospitality to 880 delegates - making it the largest conference in nearly four decades, all during Rapid City’s 2nd coldest winter on record.
The Masons would like to give a shout out to the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, Minerva’s, Grand Gateway Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, Country Inn & Suites, Quality Inn, Stagecoach West / Mt. Rushmore Tours, Rapid City Regional Airport, Prairie Edge Trading Co., Landstrom’s Mount Rushmore Gold Factory, Xanterra at Mount Rushmore, Black Hills Central Reservations, Mt. Rushmore Society, Crazy Horse Memorial, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota Air and Space Museum and Chapel in the Hills for their contributions and helping make the convention a BIG success.
On behalf of Visit Rapid City, it is my honor to present the Black Hills Hero award to the Grand Lodge of South Dakota. Accepting the award are members from the local planning committee: Mike Rodman (Chairman), Jack Welker, Harold Ireland, Steve Barns, Jeff VanCuren, Brian Cole, Herbert Cook, Dave Meltz, Kevin Karley, Yancey Smith, and Bill Coffield.
Visit Rapid City would like to sincerely thank the Grand Masters of Masons for Doing Big Things. Congratulations!
50-Year Pin Presentation
Brother Perry DePoy of Eagle Butte Lodge #172 in Eagle Butte was presented with his 50-Year Pin on May 20 at Eagle Butte Lodge. Brother DePoy’s pinning had a very good turnout, with family members, Lodge brothers and District Master Wade Kopren in attendance. Despite the chilly day (and the chilly lodge until the furnace caught up!), it was a great evening of catching up and visiting amongst members.
L-R: Mike O’Neal, Robert L. Booth, Terry O’Neal, Walker Rose, Andrew Schuler, Darla DePoy (daughter), Joe Rose, Joseph Balderas, Robyn DePoy (daughter-in-law), Chuck LeCompte, Shannon DePoy (son), Hailey DePoy (granddaughter), Perry DePoy, Ardis DePoy (wife), Ben Booth, Travis Spiel, Case DePoy (grandson), Robert H. Mader, Robert B. Mader, Dan Booth, Wade Kopren
Worshipful Brother Eide Honored
WB Allen Eide of Jeptha Lodge #121 was presented with his 50-Year Pin from PGM Virgil Andersen, with Allen’s wife Elaine looking on, at the annual Recognition Banquet held May 5 at Jeptha Lodge #121 in Hudson, SD.
Brother Sandquist Honored
Brother Gary R. Sandquist of Redfield Lodge #34 in Redfield was awarded his 50-Year Pin by District Master Doug Bjorke of District 9. The presentation took place on May 15 during a stated meeting of Redfield Lodge with 20 members in attendance.
DM Doug Bjorke, Kate Sandquist (wife), Bro Gary Sandquist, WM Darrell Schutte
Winner Lodge #166 Holds Widows Recognition Night
The Brothers of Winner Lodge #166 in Winner honored Masonic widows with a dinner and program on May 12.
Seated, left to right: Patsy Schlaikjer, Ramona Stiehl, Clarine Black, Jo Green, Bobbi Viedt, Beverly Burnham. Standing, left to right: Doug Nelson, Jack Frantz, Richard Ringstmeyer, Jim Halvorsen, Dan Patmore.
60-Year Awards Presented
Brothers Bert Ryno and Robert Pierce of White River Lodge #181, were presented with their 60-Year Pins by WB Jack Frantz, DM of District #12, on May 6 in White River.
WB Jack Frantz, WB Robert Pierce, WB Bert Ryno, and White River Lodge WM Bill Sinclair.
Welcome!
Welcome to the
The Grand Lodge office and library are located at the Masonic Center in Sioux Falls.
How to Contact Us
|
|
|
|
|
|
More News
Read the latest South Dakota Masonic Messenger.
From the East
It’s an odd sensation, but this will be my final article as Grand Master. In many ways, the year has seemed to fly by, while in others it seems like an incredibly long time. We have had... [Continue reading...]
