Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI

On May 12, 2010 Dave Baux was initiated as the newest Freemason at Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 in Madison. Brother Dave is an IT specialist for a large insurance company. He is also a professional photographer at Grey Oaks Photography. He has a very interesting hobby of working on a computerized flight simulator at his home. At the business portion of the stated communication the Brethren reviewed and discussed the resolutions pending before the Grand Lodge. The Loved Ones at the Table event for June 23rd at Brother Nick’s Café Continental was also discussed. A brief report was given that Brother Bob Blackburn had reviewed the financial accounts of the Lodge as a Trustee, and found the finances sound. The suggestion was made that the Lodge prepare an inventory of supplies on hand and needed. After the Lodge meeting and photographs, the Brothers enjoyed a Festive Board in Brother Dave’s honor on the occasion of his becoming a Freemason. He commented on his upcoming trip to the Antarctic through a National Geographic tour. Congratulations to Brother Dave on seeking and finding Light in Masonry!

Occasionally mention is made of BFL#83’s antique Working Tools used in our degree work. These Working Tools are symbolic and as such are applied to our morals as Free, Accepted or speculative Masons. Our Preceptor, and Honorary Member Brother Gregory Taylor, of England, has recommended that all Lodge Members memorize the Working Tools explanation from the various degrees. Perhaps to inspire us and to show others what we use in at least one degree, the attached photo was taken by Brother Markus Schumann at a recent Degree.

On April 28th Corey Kunde was initiated into Freemasonry in Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83. It was a very special event, as Corey’s Father, Charles Kunde, a member of Myron Reed Lodge No. 297, Brookfield, attended the EA degree. He was joined by Brother Frank Foti, also of Myron Reed Lodge. Corey is a chemist by profession, and is also pursuing a business degree at the UW-Madison. Charles Kunde has been a Mason since 1964, and shared some very moving experiences he and Corey have had. After the Lodge meeting the Brethren enjoyed a Festive Board in Corey’s honor on the occasion of his becoming a Freemason. It was a very eventful Festive Board. Brother Markus Schumann, who recently retuned from Germany, showed his recently deceased father’s actual working tools: an apron, square and plumb bob. His father was an operative mason in Germany, and these tools hold a special connection between him and Brother Markus. Brother Joseph Howell showed some pictures of his recent trip to Greece. Brother Felix Geissler, IPM, participated by telephone and was toasted by the Brethren. Various traditional Masonic toasts and extemporaneous toasts kept the firing cannons busy, with cannon fire and shouts of Vivat! ringing out loudly throughout the evening. Special toasts were made in Corey’s honor not only as the newest Freemason, but also on the occasion of his recent engagement. Congratulations to Corey on obtaining Light in Masonry!

On May 1 I had the pleasure of touring the Detroit Masonic Temple, the largest Masonic building in the world. Though something of a faded rose in the midst of abandoned buildings and run down parking lots, it is still a gem and well worth the visit. The Detroit Masonic Temple was completed in 1927, just before the Great Depression. It was designed by architect George Mason who appears as one of the gargoyles above the main entrance way. Regrettably, many rooms were too dark to photograph and I did not get to tour the Egyptian Room and library on this visit.

On March 31st four members of BFL#83 attended the annual combined Table Lodge with the Prince Hall of Wisconsin Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. Almost 300 Freemasons from all across Wisconsin were at the sold out event at the Prince Hall banquet room in Milwaukee. Brothers Dan Slavik, Pat Storrs, Brendan Connelly and Paul Gordon enjoyed the event, renewing acquaintances and making new friends in Masonry. Several Brothers expressed their interest in the Emulation Ritual, and complimented the workings of BFL#83.

On Friday, March 5, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting up with two fine Masons and Masonic Society members, Marc Conrad and Mike Poll, in their home city of New Orleans. New Orleans, particular during the months of March to June, is one of my favorite places to visit. Its rich and diverse culture, expressed so vibrantly in its food, architecture, and music, never fails to deliver a great time. For Masonic historians and ritualists, however, New Orleans has the added bonus of holding some of America’s most interesting lodges and Masonic structures.

A few days ago I found myself in the National Portrait Gallery and came across a painting of someone familiar to us all. This portrait of Brother Ben is by Joseph Siffred Suplessis and was completed during Franklin's time as a diplomat in France. It is the painting engraved on the US $100 bill. So, any time you want to look at a nice picture of Brother Ben just take out some of your walking around money!

Masonic Learning Center for Children and Scottish Rite Degrees are Subjects of Guest’s Night at Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 by WM Paul Gordon

Two prominent Scottish Rite Masons from the Valley of Madison presented informative and inspirational programs at a Brothers and Guests evening of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 on January 24th in Madison. Brother Erv Carpenter presented a before dinner program about Learning Centers for Children and the school operated at the Madison Masonic Center by the Scottish Rite of the Valley of Madison. After dinner Brother Bob Canfield spoke about the Scottish Rite degrees and the other charities supported by Scottish Rite after first giving a brief history of Masonry and its spread to North America in Colonial days. Several guests, two with petitions pending, joined the Lodge Brothers in learning about these very worthwhile efforts.

PM Felix caught up with two German Grand Masters: the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Germany, Rüdiger Templin, and the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the American-Canadian Grand Lodge, A.F.&A.M. Germany, Paul Curran. Both men had been attending this year's Grand Masters of North America Convention in Washington, D.C. W.Bro. Felix and the Master of his new home lodge, Hermann-Humboldt Lodge in Philadelphia, met with the Grand Masters to discuss their attendance at Hermann-Humbolt Lodge's 200th anniversary celebration next year.

Reprinted from the February 2010 Wisconsin Masonic Journal:

Two Officers of the Grand Lodge of Prince Hall Freemasons of Wisconsin visited Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 in Madison on January 13, 2010. Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden Minor King and Right Worshipful Grand Secretary James Martin attended the stated communication held at the Madison Club. They were escorted into the Lodge by Grand Lodge of Wisconsin Senior Grand Deacon Dan Slavik, who is a member of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83. Also in attendance were District Deputy Dave Bomkamp and Area Administrator Dale Holman. Brother Josef Pronnet, WM Aurora Lodge #30, traveled with the Prince Hall Officers from the Milwaukee area for the meeting. This was a very good opportunity for the Prince Hall Masons to observe the Emulation Ritual, which is used by Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, because an Entered Apprentice Degree was conferred on a new candidate.