HESPERIAN | One God is the author of life. | The soul of man is immortal. | Reverence for God is exemplified by actions toward men. | Vol. 2008 Issue 1 20 March 2008 “Only that day dawns to which we are awake. The sun is but a rising star and these may be An Hesperian Paradise—A stylized speculation but the Spring years in the history of the human race.” H.D. THOREAU Inside this issue: The 145th Installation of Officers at Hesperia 411 Lodge Installing Senior Deacon, Bro. Alberto Ramirez (far right) leads our new officers before the altar: Bro. Charles Renslow, PM (Chaplain), Masonic Charity 2 Bro. Christos Sakkos (Marshall), Bro. Shiloh Madsen (Junior Steward), Bro. Alejandro Tribin (Senior Steward), Bro. James Voss (Junior Deacon), Bro. James Stephens (Senior Deacon), Bro. Ronald Ehemann, PM (Secretary), Bro. Roger Frazier, PM (Treasurer), Masonic Humor 2 Bro. Marino Pallotta (Junior Warden), Bro. Robert Harvey (Senior Warden), and Bro. John Sarabia (Worshipful Master). Academic Bowl 2 Veteran’s Outreach 2 WORSHIPFUL M ASTER ’S A DDRESS - 2008 Masonic Education 3 Today’s Journey 4 Vision for the coming year Yesterday’s Journey 5 I was informed last year at the seminar for Wardens that new membership was a pressing issue. I agree. I was more interested in the other pressing issue which arose at the seminar: new member attendance. To that end, I hope to create an atmosphere where, not only can we initiate many new Meeting at: Masons this year, but also interest them in both regularly attending and participating in our meet- Jefferson Masonic Temple ings, charities and activities afterwards. 5418 West Gale Street Chicago, Illinois 60630 As you know, Hesperia has been fortunate in having made many new Masons and Chuck has per- sonally done a wonderful job in increasing our membership. I would like to add to his success by www.hesperia411.org creating an environment of friendship as well as fun. Meetings should address both our responsi- 2nd and 4th Thursday bilities as a lodge and our duty to increase interest in continuing attendance among newer brothers. 2nd only in July, Aug., Any suggestions by my fellow brethren regarding the advancement of this goal are most welcome. Nov., & Dec. I hope that in the coming year we create excitement in the lodge while continuing to adhere to the Publisher: Bro. C. Renslow ancient and beautiful rituals that make Masonry so important to all men who join us. Please submit your articles, Sincerely, postcards, images or events for future issues. John Sarabia, WM GRACELAND - A S PECULATIVE “Great men are those who realize that the MASONIC J OURNEY - O CT . 2008 spiritual is greater When in ancient times , Nature, that steady hand of the A Sphinx graces and guards the entrance to the than any material Schoenhofen Pyramid as the sun approaches the force, that thoughts Supreme Architect of the Universe, presided over the retreat of closing of the day in the West. rule the world.” the icy glaciers of America, El Merica to some, that ancient, mythical, pristine, western or hesperian paradise, a valley they the time of this flood, on a distant Ralph Waldo Emerson had carved was filled with perfectly clean, fresh, clear glacial side of the globe, a great, ancient melt-water. Soon, perhaps with little warning, the lobate ridges and lush forest lay in what we now “Life teaches us to be containing it burst at their southwestern extremity, at a place know as the eastern Sahara, most less harsh with our- we now know as Willow Springs, blasting a narrow canyon in ancient Egypt, perhaps silently selves and others.” the vast glacial dam of clay and stone, exposing there the nearly anticipating a new and future dawn half-billion year old Niagaran Dolomite strata below. These more of man. That age was about 14,000 Bro. Johann von Göethe ancient stones bear the record of a time fully 1-40th the age of years ago. The place of this catas- the Universe itself and are also found at Niagara Falls . (1) At trophic flood we (continued p. 6-8) P a ge 2 Vol. 2008 Issue 1 Hesperia - Dedicated to the Practice of Charity “God is very good to us. Let us ... show our sense of His goodness to us by continuing to do good to our fellow creatures.” Bro. Benjamin Franklin Night Ministries: On two occasions these last few months, brethren joined the Night Ministries in both the Uptown and Lakeview neighborhoods in Chicago. In each case several dozen homeless, including a large number of homeless youth, were served sandwiches or hot soups provided by Bro. Renslow and Bro. Sakkos (10 gal donated by Artimis of Mt. Prospect). Vital Bridges: Led by Bro. Harvey (SW), Bros. Elia (PM), McDermott, Sakkos, and Caisson periodically assist with the distri- Lori Cannon, Bros. Elia, Harvey and McDermott bution of groceries to needy HIV+ persons. Patrons receive 4 bags per month. Hesperian Humor In the year 2008, the Lord came unto Noah, now living in the US, and said: 'Once again, the Earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing. You have 6 months.' Six months later, the Lord noticed Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark. 'Noah!' He roared, 'I'm about to send the rains; where is the Ark ?' 'Forgive me, Lord' begged Noah, 'but things have changed. I needed a building permit & they say I need a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I've violated zoning laws. The Dept. of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for costs related to moving power lines. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. An animal rights group sued me. The trades unions say I can't use my sons and the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. The EPA requires an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would require at least 10 years.' Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow appeared. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, 'You mean you're not going to destroy the world?' 'No,' said the Lord: 'your government beat me to it.' From the mind of Bro. Ray Masterson - a slightly abbreviated Academic Bowl - The Latin School “Tis the mind that maketh the body rich.” Shakespeare On 16 February Fred and I finally got into nated them from the championship the first year for their coach and the team of the famous New Trier High, attended by round. However, they were still in conten- seven, who had only three returning com- such luminaries as Charlton Heston and tion for second place with one more oppo- petitors. Fred and I thoroughly enjoyed Donald Rumsfeld. The contest was a dou- nent to meet, Maine South. The competi- ourselves and were very impressed by the ble-elimination series of rounds. In the first tion was very tight with each team trading maturity of all the teens in the competition. round the Latin School of Chicago faced questions with each question. No team was There were sixteen teams in this regional Loyola Academy . Latin won 340 to 190. I ever more than ten points apart. Now the competition and Latin finished was awed. They seemed like the Latin questions were much more difficult and this fourth. New Trier was the champion and, School of old. The next opponent was Pala- became their longest game and their hottest along with Stevenson and Maine South, tine which Latin also beat handily 275-155. competition of the day. With one question travels to Glenwood High School in Chat- Following the break, our Latin team faced left, the teams tied at 240 each, Latin did ham , south of Springfield , on March 1 st for Adlai Stevenson School and faltered. Latin not answer a question fully and Maine was the state championship. We met five other had every answer but was a bit slow at the given the opportunity to correct the answer Masons in attendance. We had a pleasant buzzer while Stevenson had two kids that and did so, winning the competition 245- conversation with them after the competi- were absolute whizzes and had answers be- 240. tion. This was a first time for most of them fore many questions were finished. Sadly Latin finished in fourth place but was justi- and they all want to return next year. Latin lost that round 245-150, which elimi- fiably proud of their achievement. This was Ray Masterson, PM FINIS Art donated by Bro. Moshen Modaressi, PM, 33° - MSA, Masonic Service Assoc. - State Coordinator - Veterans Both Bro. Modaressi as well as Hesperia contrib- of thanks and of the beautiful art he is once again uted to the funding of eye glasses for veterans in able to create. Right: Sketch by Greg Ramierez need. In at least one instance a veteran, unable to “The best general is the one who makes the best read medicine bottle labels, had found himself in use of the troops he has at hand.” Seneca, c. 0040 an emergency room as a result of a dosage error. It is only noble to be good." Bro. Johann von Another grateful recipient, moved by the concern Göethe, c. 1780 of strangers, now able to see properly, in tears, donated the drawing at right to the lodge as a sign “Live simply, God is among us.” Karl Linnaeus Vol.