Volume II, Issue 2 Summer 2018

Grand Lodge F & AM of The Masonic Trowel Spreading The Cement of Brotherly Love

2018—2019 Grand Officers Tidings From the Grand East:

Bradley Phillips Grand Master How good and pleasant it is structure is that of a for brethren to dwell constitutional republic. The J.D. Sexton together in unity! There has Grand Lodge and it's Deputy Grand Master been an overwhelmingly Officers are elected officials;

David Bradley positive response from the whose duties are to help the Grand Senior Warden recent changes and forward subordinate lodges succeed thinking demonstrated from and achieve their goals. The William Ronald Frizzell our delegates, committee duty of the Grand Master is Grand Junior Warden members, and Officers. to interpret the Constitution

Larry Berry Working together brethren, I and laws in a manner that Grand Treasurer am confident that we can serve and benefit the continue to improve the brethren, not himself or any Carl E. Nelson, Jr., PGM morale within our Grand individual. Grand Secretary Jurisdiction and look forward You, as Arkansas ∴ ∴ Boyd Freeman to a bright future for Masons, have paid every M W Bradley R. Phillips Grand Senior Deacon Arkansas Masonry. We year to send the Grand have been blessed with an Master, Deputy Grand reports on the state of the Arnold Hodge abundance of new degree Master, and Grand Grand Junior Deacon Fraternity to date. Then for work. Many of our lodges Secretary to the Conference the first time ever, there will Teddy Holmes have been busy initiating, of Grand Masters of North be multiple seminars offered Grand Lecturer passing, and raising several America and the on various Masonic new Master Mason's thus Southeastern Masonic subjects, lead by your Joshua Currier Grand Orator far. What a blessing for our Conferences. These are not elected Grand Lodge Jurisdiction! I have attended vacation's! It is a chance for Officer's throughout the day. Ancel Ray Mathews several of these degrees your Grand Lodge Officers This will give you a chance Grand Chaplain and have enjoyed the time to attend seminars and learn to attend multiple to the fullest. new ideas and suggestions presentations on the various L.R. Phillips Grand Tyler The internal audit on how to build Masonry, ways to improve your lodge committee should be bring those innovations back and the newly implemented completing their quarterly and share them with their database program. If you report soon for your review. respective jurisdictions. This are a Secretary, I urge you Inside this issue: This will be emailed to your year, I am planning on to attend this seminar! lodge address only, so be sharing these ideas and Thoughts from the As an added bonus, Grand Officers 2 & 3 certain that your lodge has suggestions with you. Your attendance at the mid year

From the Grand Secretary 4 given it's e-mail address to Arkansas Grand Lodge has conference will give credit to

Lewis Jewel Application 5 the Grand Secretaries coordinated with the one of the requirements for Office. Arkansas to the EH English Award! Mid-year Conference 6 In the , the structure of host a Mid Year Conference Further details will be given Service Dogs @ Sylvan Hills 7 Arkansas Masonry has been at the Scottish as soon as possible and The Gr. Orator Speaks 8 compared to that of a Rite Temple on July mailed to your lodge dictatorship. My personal 21st beginning at 9:00am. It Secretary. AR Masons in Action 9 & 10 opinion of our fraternal will kick off with committee Continued on Page 4 The Masonic Trowel

On the Left, in the Grand East

Brethren: future of Arkansas It has been a busy year so Masonry, the atmosphere far. I have traveled to the across the state is Don’t miss out! Grand Masters becoming more and more Sign up to Conference in Indianapolis positive and there has Indiana, Grand been degree work being receive every Lodge in Nashville and to conferred across the state. issue of The the South Carolina Grand Let’s continue to grow in a Masonic Trowel Lodge in Columbia. What positive direction and help delivered directly a great experience to be a Arkansas in becoming to your R∴W∴ J.D. Sexton part of and see Brethren astrong force for, Deputy Grand Master dwelling together in Unity Friendship,Morality,Brother e-mail inbox! throughout our country. It ly Love,Relief, and Send your e-mail keeps me focused on the Truth.Remember Together address to the fact that Masonry has We Can Accomplish Much. Editor at: been, is, and always will be, a way of life devoted to Fraternally: Themasonictrowel what we can do for others. Jesse D. Sexton @gmail.com I am excited about the Deputy Grand Master No spam from me, EVER! T.J. Henwood, editor

Pay the Craft Their Wages

Brethren: quote I heard about an towards the future we What an exciting year arrow. “An arrow can will persevere and be we have had thus far in only be shot by pulling it the GREAT fraternity masonry in Arkansas. backward. When life is that we all joined years We have had lots of dragging you back with ago. Again I thank you degree work taking difficulties, it means it’s for the opportunity to place, schools of going to launch you into serve in your Grand instruction throughout something GREAT. So Line and I look forward just focus and keep to seeing each of you R∴W∴ David Bradley the entire state, and all Grand Sr. Warden in all tons of fellowship aiming.” This pretty soon. Until we meet and brotherly love. The much sums up some of again. other day I got to the way our fraternity thinking about where we has been over the past Fraternally, were, compared to several years, and as where we are now, and long as we keep David Bradley it reminded me of an old focusing and aiming Grand Sr. Warden.

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The Sun at Meridian Height Brethren: get your ideas and include your name, lodge, feedback. All ideas and and a way to contact you As we, your Grand thoughts are welcome, no (phone or email) in case I Lodge Officers, are matter how simple or need to talk to you. If you preparing for the July 21 outrageous. You never can’t attend the meeting Mid-Year Conference, I know when one thought or send your ideas with hope each of you are idea, simple or someone who will be making plans on attending. outrageous, may trigger a attending or email them to The meeting will not only better thought or idea. me at: be a great opportunity for Unfortunately, our time will [email protected]. us to get together and be limited so we will not be share good fellowship but able to get too detailed at I am looking forward to also exchange information this point. seeing you at the and ideas to help build our To make sure nothing conference or at least R W Wm. Ronald Frizzell ∴ ∴ fraternity. is lost, I would like for you hearing from you. Grand Jr. Warden On that note, my topic to write down your ideas of discussion at the and bring them with you to Fraternally, conference will be Masonic the meeting. Having education. My plan is to everything in writing will be Wm. R. “Ronnie” Frizzell discuss some of the ideas a huge help to me, Grand Junior Warden I presented in my previous especially since my newsletter article. But memory is not what it once more importantly, I want to was. Be as specific as take time to hear from you. possible and please My primary goal will be to

The Masonic Trowel Editor’s Notes Don’t miss out! Is a publication of Sign up to The Grand Lodge of receive every Free & Accepted Masons of Brethren: Lodge. Local community issue of The Arkansas events, and Lodge family Masonic Trowel P.O. Box 2460 I hope you have enjoyed this events are especially solicited. delivered directly Little Rock, AR 72203-2460 second edition of “The Masonic to your Trowel” for the 2018-19 Take that phone off of your e-mail inbox! Carl E.Nelson, Jr. PGM Arkansas Masonic year. hip, and take a few pictures. Send your e-mail Grand Secretary Send them to: address to the I am excited that this edition [email protected] Editor at: features many activities at Or text to: 501-413-8181. T.J. Henwood, PDDGM Themasonictrowel Editor Lodges across our state. Please @gmail.com [email protected] keep the information flowing in I appreciate this opportunity to so that your Lodge can be serve our Grand Lodge. I No spam from Grand Lodge of AR © 2018 featured in a future edition. really appreciate your help! me, EVER! TJH © 2018 T.J. Henwood, All Rights Reserved YOU can help make this T.J. Henwood editor newsletter better represent all of Editor Arkansas Masonry. Please send me a note about events at your Page 3 The Masonic Trowel

On The Grand Secretary’s Desk Brethren: that he did consent to a Lodge of Kentucky. He will background check. The be here to show us how to Greetings from the Grand background check is up to us it and the benefits to Lodge office. I hope the lodge to have done. our lodges. Brother everyone is having a great The lodge keeps the white Secretaries; it is important start to the summer, copy, the Grand Lodge that you or someone that except the grass cutting of office gets the yellow copy, assist you attends this course. and the investigating meeting. committee gets the pink Two years ago, the lodge copy. You can still scan it Our lodge secretaries secretaries voted in a and the back-ground need to check the mailing meeting to do away with all consent form and email it address when you are petitions and go back to to the office. But the lodge sending items to Grand M∴W∴ Carl Nelson, PGM the 3-part petition. We had needs to maintain the Lodge office. The Correct Grand Secretary new petitions printed and original white copy. mailing address is PO Box are available from the 2460, Little Rock AR. Grand Lodge office. The The digest of laws has 72203. Address labels are only petitions that are been updated with the new available through the acceptable are on the 3- laws and the repealed Grand Lodge Office. Many part form. A petition is a laws from our past Grand of the secretaries are historic document that is Lodge session. I know sending items to the old filled out and signed by the many of you have asked address, which causes a petitioner and should be when the new database delay in us receiving them. keep as a record in the will be up and ready. We lodge forever. When the are planning on bringing it Brethren we are here to petition is sent to the online July 21st at the assist you and the lodges. Grand Lodge office it must Grand Masters mid-year be complete and a copy of conference. We will have a Fraternally, Don’t miss out! the background check meeting at that time with MW Carl Nelson PGM Sign up to waiver form included with the developer MW Keith Grand Secretary receive every it. That just lets us know Drier from the Grand issue of The Masonic Trowel delivered directly We’re on the Web! to your www.argrandlodge.com e-mail inbox! Send your e-mail address to the Tidings From the Grand East: Conclusion Editor at:

Themasonictrowel Continued from page 1 @gmail.com There is a saying "positive attitude yields positive results". Brethren we are continuing to work hard to keep the positive energy flowing in Arkansas masonry. Together, we ARE No spam from going to achieve great results for our fraternity. Results that will pay dividends for future me, EVER! generations of Arkansas Mason's! T.J. Henwood, editor Fraternally; MW Bradley R. Phillips Grand Master Arkansas Page 4 The Masonic Trowel

Are You a Lewis?

The Lewis is a tool used in operative masonry to aid the workmen to lift large heavy stones to be placed accurately during construction. The son of a Mason is called a “Lewis” in England because it is his duty to support the sinking powers and aid the failing strength of his father; “To bear the burden and heat of the day that his parents may rest in their old age, thus rendering the evening of their lives peaceful and happy.” - Oliver

Application for Lewis Jewel

Name of Recipient: ______Lodge: ______Additional Name Bars (if Applicable) Name: ______Lodge: ______Cost Lewis Jewel X $50.00 each Additional name bar X $25.00 each Total Amount: ______The requirement for qualification of the Lewis Jewel is being the direct descendant (son) of an Arkansas Master Mason (either living or deceased). Once the information has been confirmed in the Grand Lodge database for the recipients, the jewel and/or name bars will be shipped to the lodge postal address. It is the lodge/recipients responsibility to engrave the name bars so prior planning is recommended. The purpose of the program is to recognize Masonic families within Arkansas. The appropriate time to the jewel to the youngest generation within the family is during the master mason degree after the bible, Grand Masters lapel pin and other items are presented. ADDRESS TO WHERE JEWEL IS TO BE SENT: Name:______Address: ______Additional comments:______

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Grand Master’s Mid-Year Conference

July 21, 2018 Albert Pike Memorial Temple

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Vets Service Dogs @ Sylvan Hills

May 16 of 2018, the brethren of Sylvan Hills #754 held an educational program and cook-out fund-raiser all about Service Dogs for Veterans. Two Vietnam vets who are members of Sylvan Hills are benefitting from having Service Dogs. At left, Bro. Robert Grubbs with his dog, Scout. Scout came from Soldier On Service Dogs in Fayetteville, AR. The event was two- fold: First as an educational seminar from Brother Grubbs and Brother Robert Felcher about the benefit of Service Dogs and second as a fund- raiser to help Brother Grubbs convert his vehicle to hand- control, to allow him to continue his mission of education about service dogs. The Jr. and Sr. Wardens (Bros. Justin Preachers and Bryce Moore, above) fired up a BIG grill from Delta Dental.

The Lodge served some 80 hamburgers and hot dogs, raising $300.00 for Bro. Grubbs.

Brother Robert Felcher (left) is using his military experience as a dog handler to train his service dog Rosie. Both Scout and Rosie respond to heart and diabetic conditions that Bros. Grubbs and Felcher suffer from. Bro. (then Corporal) Robert Felcher w/Waco. Update: An unfortunate incident has forced Scout to be Ton San That, Vietnam returned to SOSDs for additional training. 2/27/1969

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Our Grand Orator - Joshua Currier

My name is Joshua Gene Currier I am 37 years old, a graduate of McCrory High School and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Where I graduated with a Bachelors in Accounting and a Bachelors in Management Information Systems (computer business) in 2003. I have worked at Ross Ford Toyota in Wynne for the last 11 years as the Comptroller (CFO). Before Ross Ford Toyota I owned a computer consulting firm and assisted running the family farm with my father and grandfather. I am a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in McCrory where I accepted the Lord in 1993 as a 12 year old. My wife Misty and I have an 11 year old son named Braxton and we have been together 17 amazing years and married for the last 14 of those. W∴ Joshua Currier Grand Orator Growing up my life revolved around farming and baseball. When I wasn’t on the baseball field I was in the rice field. After my playing days ended I took up umpiring and later became the Little League Baseball Crew Chief for the state of Arkansas in 2002. While finishing college I umpired all levels of baseball from tee ball to college. In 2003 I was awarded the opportunity to umpire in the Little League World Series. Which is the greatest and highest honor a volunteer umpire can be awarded. Now days I enjoy spending my off time with my family on a body of water somewhere. We spend many a free hour fishing for Trout on the upper White and floating on Lake Norfork.

As far as my Masonic career goes I was raised October 29, 2011 in Colony Lodge #190 in McCrory, Arkansas. I have served as Senior Deacon, Junior and Senior Warden, and Worshipful Master in 2015. I have served as the secretary of Colony since 2016. I am a plural member at Jackson #191 in Newport and Acacia #625 in Calico Rock. In 2017 I was appointed D.D.G.M. of District #10 in eastern Arkansas. I also served on the audit investigative committee that helped uncover the financial corruption at the Grand Lodge in 2017. In April of 2017 I was appointed assistant chairman of the Board of Finance by then Grand Master Carl Nelson. This year at the Grand Lodge session I was voted in to serve on the Board of Finance for the next 4 years and was also appointed Grand Orator of the M.W. Grand Lodge for 2018. I am a recipient of the Pillars of Solomon Award in 2014 and the Grand Lodge Award for Outstanding Service to the Craft which I received this year at the Grand Lodge Session for my work on assisting to root out the financial corruption that has tarnished our fraternity.

Outside of the Blue Lodge I am a member of the Jonesboro York Rite, Knight Masons, and the Eastern Arkansas Scottish Rite. I am also a member of Bendemeer Grotto in Little Rock. I am an Alumni Advisor for my college fraternity Kappa Alpha Order at UAM of which I was a member during my first 2 years of college at the University of Arkansas-Monticello before transferring to ASU Jonesboro.

Nothing gives me more joy in life than being with my family and friends. I have learned in my short 37 years that when all the fame and fortune has come and gone all we are left with in this world is the memories we have made. So when you are with you family, friends, and brothers whether it be on the River, Lake, or at the Lodge enjoy yourself and make as many memories as you can. The journey is so much more important than the destination.

Fraternally,

Josh Currier Grand Orator

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Masonic Work

4th Generation Masonic Ring After being raised a Master Mason in Aurora Lodge #423 at Walnut Ridge, Bro. James Myers received a Masonic Ring that had been worn by three generations of Masons before him. (Right) Bro. Myers receives his great-grandfather’s Masonic ring from his Grandfather, Bro. Billy Barber.

Hall Scholarship in Memory of Father

On June 4, 2018, Bro. Mike Bunn, Chairman of the Board of Charities, presented Miss Madison Hadaway (left) a Joseph P. Hall Scholarship in the amount of $1000, in memory of her father, Past Master Terry Lee Hadaway. Miss Hadaway is planning to further her education to pursue a Doctorate in Anesthesia at Baylor Medical School. We congratulate her, and wish her well in her studies and future. If any Lodge or Brother knows of a young person who will meet the requirements to receive a Hall Memorial Scholarship, or to inquire about the program, contact the Grand Secretary's office or any of the Board of Charities members.

From DeMolay to Mason Help! Sr. DeMolay, now Entered Apprentice at Redfield #700, You can help us make this newsletter better. Bro. Shelton Wood (center) is flanked by his father, Bro. Andrew Wood and MW Bro. Dan Lloyd, PGM on the left and Please send information about your Lodge’s MW Bro. Bradley Phillips and Bro. Sam Ashcraft, long-time activities. Send some pictures, too! DeMolay advisor and Active Member of the DeMolay Community events, helping a Brother in need, Supreme Council on the right. showcasing a member’s personal contributions to church, community, or your Lodge. Send your information to T.J. Henwood, editor at: themasonictrowel@

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Masonic Work

Batesville Masons at Lyon College Festival For the past several years, the brethren of Mt. Zion #10 have had a pavilion about at the Lyon College spring festival. The Masons of independence County have a long-standing relationship with the College. In the picture at left, notice the monument just up the hill behind the tent. Here is what it says:

Two new Master Masons at Edwards #393 RW Bro. Jeff Brazeale making the Bible presentation, and presentation of Grand Master’s pins to Brothers Elijah Thorndyke and Joe Young, III on May 5, 2018.

New Master Mason at Hot Springs #62, Bro. Joshua Probst (blue shirt) with (L-R) RW Bros. Clyton Haynes, DDGM and J.D. Sexton, Dep GM. On the right, WM Andrew Newman.

Big Turn-Out at Manilla #88 The brethren of Manilla #88 were out in force on June 16th, with Grand Master Phillips and Dep Grand Master Sexton for the raising of Bro. Aaron Master as a Master Mason.

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