MyGrandLodge.org - Grand Lodge of South Dakota

Grand Lodge: June 14-16, 2012

Grand Lodge is coming soon!

Here is a link to the 2012 Grand Lodge Registration Form
Here is a link to the 2012 Grand Lodge Agenda

Commission on Masonic Education: Outstanding Lodge Education Officer

Masonic education is an essential part of every Masonic Lodge. All too often we overlook our brothers’ desire to “further their light in Masonry” and make the unfortunate mistake of assuming that the lessons of the three degrees are complete in themselves. Continuing Masonic education takes a multitude of forms ranging from simple presentations based on Masonic Service Association “Short Talk” bulletins, to reader’s theaters presenting Claudy’s Masonic plays,to formal or informal discussion groups. Recognizing the many ways we all learn as Masons, and the value of sharing our experiences and “best practices,” the Commission on Masonic Education annually presents an award to the Outstanding Lodge Education Officer.

The Outstanding Lodge Education Officer (LEO) Award award is presented yearly by the Commission on Masonic Education at the Grand Lodge Awards Banquet in June. The winner’s name and dates of the award are engraved on a traveling plaque to be displayed at the lodge of the recipient LEO for the next year.

- For more information about LEO, click here.

- For the registration form, click here.

As seen in the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader

There have been several news articles on bullying in the press lately. School are holding workshops and trying to teach staff what to look for and how to deal with their rising affliction, especially the new cyber-bully.

There is also a program offered through the South Dakota Masonic Grand Lodge that has been very popular in helping to train staff. This is a National program that for the most part has been popular in Western South Dakota but in June the Masonic Lodges of Sioux Falls along with the Grand Lodge of South Dakota and the El Riad Shrine will be hosting a program designed for teacher, principals, councilors and basically anyone who deals with children. It is called the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program or MMSAP for short.

The Sioux Falls event is FREE and will be an intense three-day workshop to be held June 11, 12 and 13th at the El Riad Temple in Sioux Falls and is open to the first 70 registrants who sign up for this training. Not so long ago the prime issue may have been skipping class, misuse of alcohol, or cigarettes in school. Today our entire society is facing depression, suicide and bullying. Not only do these affect our youth but the consequences become real behavioral problems and social issues for our society. The MMSAP program has outstanding presenters from Newman/Stecher International who teach educators, bus drivers, school nurses and other who come in contact with children how to recognize at-risk children and then how to develop research-based interventions designed to change the outcomes of the child.

The presenters are always available by e-mail or phone so after the seminar for questions or concerns that might arise again at NO cost to you or your school district. The program does offer graduate credit through SDSU for $40.

For more information, you may call Don McCoy at 605- 366-5062, or e-mail at donm@alliancecom.net. You may also contact the El Riad Shrine Temple for more information at 605-336-1117.

Hill City Lodge #112 Celebrates Four New Brothers

Hill City Lodge #112 celebrates four new brothers. SGW Chuck Gilson was the Master. PGM Jack Welker SW, Herald Ireland JW, and David Meltz SD of Lodge 220 did the 2nd section and Jake Smith did the 3rd section and the charge.

The candidates were impressed that brother Masons would come so far and from so many directions to help them become new Masons. The four new brothers are the biggest class in many years for Lodge 112, which is very actively increasing its membership.

Hill City Lodge #112 completes the Fellowcraft Degree

2nd Annual MOJO Walleye Tournament

The 2nd Annual MOJO Walleye Tournament will be held June 23, beginning with registration and check-in at McClelland’s restaurant, north of Fr. Pierre on Highway 1806, starting at 6:00 A.M. The entry fee is $100 per two-person team, which includes a steak dinner after the tournament. For more information and the registration form, click here.

The Easter Bunny Visits Hudson!

Jeptha Lodge #121 held its annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 7. This is held in conjunction with the annual fund-raiser breakfast used to pay down the remaining balance on Hudson’s new Community Building.

Every registered child received a number through a double ticket registration system. After the Easter Bunny arrives and the 1,500+ eggs are gleaned from the City Park, the children are invited to join their parents for breakfast across the street in the Community Building where their registered numbered will be individually announced allowing each child to select the prize of their choice from an array of over 250 available prizes valued at from $1-$5 each, presented primarily by the Masons with some items coming from outside of the fraternity. The tickets are then placed in the three category baskets to be used in selecting the grand prizes, which this year were three appropriately sized bicycles (for the three age categories).

This year we registered 215 children and fed approximately 500 people. After the food and drawings we had two egg tosses, one for 12-to-18-year-olds and a second for 18 years and up. The prize for the younger group was two $50 bills provided by Poet Refinery (our local gasohol plant) and for the older group the prize was a 19-inch flat screen TV provided by one of our Lodge Brothers.

This is a fun and gratifying event, but as you can imagine, takes a great deal of time, effort and financing to pull it off. It also requires about 25 Brothers to fill positions necessary to govern this event, and each one displays a 3 x 5 square and compass on their outer apparel to make certain everyone knows the Masonic Lodge in sponsoring this delightful event.

The message in the following letter speaks volumes about the credibility of our organization.

From: ******

Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2012 4:02 PM

Subject: A Joy to Share

When the Pastor in our church ask for Joys and Concerns today a little boy...piped up in a loud voice to say, “I WON A BIKE”!

He had won a bike at the Easter Egg hunt in Hudson (sponsored by the Masons). He went on to announce that he, “didn’t even need training wheels. ” The whole congregation was thrilled. [The boy’s] mom is a single mother that works at…a low paying job that helps her get by but doesn’ t leave any money for extras like a bike. She has had a real struggle. [The boy] is in church with his great grandma and his aunt every Sunday and is always a happy little guy with lots to say during children’ s sermon. You can believe that the Pastor and many in the congregation said, “Thank You, Lord,”and I would add “Thank the Masons in Hudson” for blessing this little boy.

Your Easter Egg Hunt brought joy to so many. What a beautiful event. Many, many thanks for your part in making this happen.

Blessings,

Webmaster: names were hidden to protect the child’s privacy.

Brother Cyril Beeching Turns 100

Brother Cyril Beeching member of Cedar Lodge No. 124 and Black Hills Scottish Rite recently celebrated his 100th birthday at a Black Hills Scottish Rite meeting at the Deadwood Masonic Temple attended by about 30 Brother Masons. Brother Cyril is very active in his lodge attendence. Brother Cyril Beeching Turns 100

Brother Beeching about to cut his cake

...for older news, see the Archives

Contact Us!
Mail:	Grand Lodge of South Dakota 520 S. First Avenue Sioux Falls, SD 57104-6902
Phone:	(605) 332-2051
Fax:	(605) 332-4199
E-Mail:	GLodgeOfSD@ll.net