Waukegan Lodge #78 AF&AM

January, 2016

THE TROWEL
News | Education | Schedule
Did you know?

THE THOMSON
MASONIC FRAUD

Matthew McBain Thomson

was born Scotland. In 1881
he settled in Montpelier,
Idaho. He returned to
Scotland but in 1898
returned to Montpelier
with a patent from the
"Scottish Grand College of
Rites".

He used this document

to create his "American
Masonic Federation", later
changed to "International
Masonic Federation". He
promoted the sale of all
sorts of "Masonic" degrees
by mail and worked
through paid solicitors.

Reduced rates were given

when groups were large and
many joined at the same
time. He and two others
were eventually
prosecuted for using the
mails to defraud and in
1922 they were sent to
prison.

www.waukegan78.com

The Masters Message

Brethren, "
Happy New Year!!! I feel a sense of optimism and excitement as
we enter this New Year! We will be picking up right where we
left o last year. We are looking ahead to a very busy year filled
with many degrees, Masonic education along with new and some
returning events. We hope to get all of our membership involved. "
First o the roof is finally repaired. Which has allowed us to
finally begin fixing and make small repairs to the lodge building
and organize our locker area. WB Brian Wilber has the new
Waukegan #78 jackets and hats organized and ready for you to
order. "
They are very nice, so get one while you can. The Waukegan #78
store is moving right along, I hope we can have it online within
the next month or so. We are starting the new year o with the
annual ocial visit at our January 18th stated meeting. I hope
you plan on attending. We will be holding a Ladies / Family day
on January 30th."
We will be finishing o the first month of the year with the first
degree conferral of the year. I hope you will join us! I strongly
encourage you to come down to the lodge and join in with your
1

Waukegan Lodge #78 AF&AM

Grand Lodge of IL

January, 2016

Brothers for some good masonic fellowship. I wish you all a

great 2016!!! "
Worshipful Master"
Erik Solomon "

!
The Grand Lodge of IL
has posted a new video
on it's website featuring
the Grand Master, Tony
Cracco. In the video he
addresses social media,
websites which give us
the ability to
communicate with our
friends, family and
anyone we wish to.

The Return of Something Great - Tradition

Renewed
It's been some years since Waukegan Lodge put on any kind of
"extra events" especially when we're talking about a Ladies
Appreciation dinner. The last time we put on the Ladies dinner
was a few years back when it had been head up by WB. Jack
Parcel. The lack of attendance by Brothers and Ladies forced
Waukegan to cancel the event indefinitely. Recently however, the
newly invigorated event committee will be having a new event
and will involve the whole family.

WB. Michael Patterson (chairman), WB Bob Lang and Bro.

Carlos Duran (SW) have come up with a great new event which
we all hope will become the new standard and a tradition for
fellowship and Ladies appreciation. The committee opted to go
with a Family Day where the brothers can bring their families and
Ladies.

He stresses the
importance that we have
as Brothers to make sure
that if people know we
are Masons on
Facebook, than we
should make sure we are
acting accordingly so as
not give the fraternity a
bad wrap.

Take due notice, and

govern yourself
accordingly.

You can visit the Grand

Lodge's website by
visiting :
www.ilmason.org

www.waukegan78.com

The first of these events (which will be quarterly!) will be held on

Saturday, January 30th. We will be showing two movies at the
same time. One in one room and another in the lodge hall which
will be children oriented. Along with lunch, there will be popcorn
and probably some games and what we hope will be lots of
fellowship and laughter. The event will also focus on making sure
our Ladies know they are appreciated. We hope to see you there!"

Secretaries Note*
With the new email service in eect, if you want to stay on the
forefront of what is happening with Waukegan 78, please make
sure you get your email address and phone number to the
Secretary. He can be reached at Secretary@waukegan78.com"

!
2

Waukegan Lodge #78 AF&AM

January, 2016

The Roof is DONE

Thanks to the great work by the roofers and our own Bro.
Mark Ross-Corbet (SS) and Rich Ianson ,PM (Anchor and
Ark), the roof is complete. As many of you know the roof had
been an issue for quite some time. If you saw what it looked
like before, you would think it was a whole new building
judging by the pictures we have of the completed project.
Please be sure to thank Bro. Mark and Bro Rich Ianson for
their tireless eorts in getting this project completed. We can
now work on the inside repairs without fear."

The Secretary's Masonic Cipher

Rules - Open to any member of Waukegan 78 or Anchor and Ark 1027. Be the first person to email the
secretary with your answer. Include the subject line "Secretary Cipher Answer", your name and lodge
number. Good luck!"
*Last month: In May of 1775, the first record of this happened.
Answer: Master Mason Degree!

This months Cipher...

This person is arguably the ONE and ONLY person who has been made a Mason "at sight"
posthumously. Who was it?

R.H. Johnson, PM"

Secretary, W78"
secretary@waukegan78.com"

www.waukegan78.com

Waukegan Lodge #78 AF&AM

January, 2016

!
!
Lodge Happenings
Waukegan #78

!
January 18th -Stated Meeting & OV w/ DDGM
!
January 25th - 3rd Degree Practice
!
January 29th - Instruction Club @ Wauconda
Lodge

January 30th - Family Movie Day / ladies

Appreciation

!
February 1st - 3rd Degree (Coleman)
!
February 8th -1st Degree
!

February 15th - George Washington Celebration

& Stated Meeting

!
February 22nd - TBD
!

*Just a note, the schedule is

dependent on the return of
catechisms. We will post updates
to the schedule as needed on
our website as well as weekly
announcements through our
call em all phone system and
Facebook page.

!
!
!

www.waukegan78.com Waukegan Lodge #78

www.1stneil.com - 1st NE
District Calendar

www.masonicinstruction.blogs
pot.com - Instruction Club

February 29th - Instruction Club @ Waukegan 78

- Be Early

www.waukegan78.com