Deadwood Valley Scottish Rite Quasquicentennial Celebration Speakers
(pictured left-right) RWB Harold Ireland 32o, Deputy Grand Master/Grand Master-Elect, Grand Lodge of South Dakota; The Honorable David Ruth, Jr. 32o, Mayor of the City of Deadwood; Mike Rodman 33o, Venerable Master of the Deadwood Valley SR; Sarah Wold-Hanson, OTR/L Therapy Manager, Lifescape of Rapid City, The Deadwood Valley’s speech clinic partner; and Illustrious Jeffrey Larson 33o, Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Orient of South Dakota.
Deadwood Valley Scottish Rite Celebrates Quasquicentennial
By Jaci Conrad Pearson, Black Hills Pioneer
DEADWOOD — The surprising amount of history housed in the massive Masonic temple is both marvelous and majestic, and Saturday night, provided quite an apropos, immersive backdrop for the Deadwood Valley Scottish Rite quasquicentennial (125-year) celebration, for the Masonic organization chartered Oct. 20, 1893.
“The Deadwood Masonic Temple building is one of the few buildings in Deadwood that is still owned and operated by the same entities that built it, with its ground breaking in 1892 and completion in 1902,” said Venerable Master Michael Rodman. “Among the Deadwood Valley Scottish Rite’s earliest members were Sol Star, Seth Bullock, George Ayres, David Swanzey, D.C. Booth, W.E. Adams, and Nathan Franklin. The Deadwood Valley Scottish Rite’s historical backdrops have been described as one of the five best Scottish Rite backdrop collections in the United States.”
Scottish Rite is directly tied to the fraternity of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternal organization in the world. It is the mission of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, to improve its members and enhance the communities in which they live by teaching and emulating the principles of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth while actively embracing high social, moral, and spiritual values including fellowship, compassion, and dedication to God, family, ... [Continue reading...]
New Brothers Raised in Sioux Falls
New Brothers were raised October 13 in Sioux Falls. Pictured with MWGM DaNiel Wood, they are: from Trinity Lodge #200 — John Davis, Robert Decker, Matthew Gage, Erik Nyberg, Kevin Nyberg and Richard Stensaas; from Unity Lodge #130 — Jason O’Dell, Ryan Patrick and Eric State.
Brother Ehlers Receives 60-Year Pin
Two of the principal tenets of Freemasonry are loyalty and seriousness to the brotherhood and obligation taken upon becoming a Master Mason. Brother Elmer Ehlers epitomizes these tenets and was awarded his 60-Year Pin from the Grand Lodge of South Dakota on September 27, 2018. The pin was presented to him at his home in Whitehall, Montana, with his wife Mary Ann proudly observing. Presenting the pin were Junior Warden Jim Staedt, Senior Steward Tom Jenkin, and Secretary John Kreis of Mystic Tie Riverside Lodge #17 in Whitehall.
Brother Ehlers was born on July 15, 1935. He married Mary Ann Goodart on April 1, 1953. They had three children, two of whom survive — daughter Mary Jean and son Merlin Dean. He has a history of not only loyalty, patriotism, and family, but also hard work. He went to work for the U.S. Forest Service on January 1, 1955, and, despite suffering a serious injury, worked continuously until February 1974. Brother Ehlers moved several times over the years and finally settled in Whitehall 1979.
His Masonic history is long. He was initiated in Tin City Lodge #112 in Hill City, South Dakota, on April 2, 1958; passed July 2, 1958; raised August 6, 1958. He also assumed leadership roles in his lodge, serving as Junior Warden in 1962 and Senior Warden in 1963 and 1965. He was awarded his 50-Year Pin on June 6, 2008.
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Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America
The Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America includes representatives from 66 jurisdictions from around the world. It allows for the sharing of Masonic insights and excellent breakouts on key topics with input from the jurisdictions.
The 2019 Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America will be hosted by South Dakota. A workgroup has been meeting weekly for most of the year to facilitate the activities that will be included in this once in a lifetime event.
We request your support in making this the best conference ever. Volunteers are needed to assist during the conference to be guides, drivers, hosts, etc. If you are available, please sign up through the Grand Lodge office and let them know what day/s you are available and where you would like to assist. Come participate and enjoy some of the special events!
