Masonic Home Journal The Oldest Continuously Published Masonic Newspaper In The United States LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY 40299 January 2020 136th Year of Publication Number 4 York Rite College Golden Award Recipients Page 2 Masonic Home Journal January 2020 Grand Master’s Message Greetings Brothers: As I look back at the Christmas season, I find that this was the perfect time to celebrate with family and friends and to create memories that will last forever. Brothers, I hope that this season brought you joy and happiness. It is so rewarding to witness the many charitable things that Masons do across the state. Some examples include: purchasing toys for children, making Christ- mas baskets for the elderly or needy, giving gift cards and volunteering during the holidays, all of which is greatly appreciated by countless organizations, charities and the Brothers who just need a helping hand. A simple and kind act from the heart can inspire others and uplift their spirit. I’m proud to witness, brothers showing thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, hon- esty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. I was privileged to attend the annual Veterans brunch in Bardstown, KY honor- ing the National Guard Unit, Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artil- lery. This unit has been deployed 3 times since 2003. Once to Fort Campbell for a year, then to Iraq for 16 months and lastly, to Djibouti for 9 months. They Geary F. Laird Grand Master 2019-2020 also served in Vietnam in 1969. It was a pleasure to meet those serving our great nation. Thank you to William Riggs and the members of Duvall Lodge #6 and Suburban Lodge #740 for all of their hard work and commitment to making Masonic Home Journal this a successful event. Masonry and the history of our country are intertwined The Oldest Continuously in loyalty, honor and of course, patriotism. I am proud that our Masonic Frater- Published Masonic Newspaper In The United States nity continues to support our Veterans in many ways, such as this event. OFFICIAL ORGAN OF In the months of December and January, we have installed or will be installing THE GRAND LODGE OF KENTUCKY First issue published June 14, 1883 newly elected officers for the ensuing year. Many lodges are now under new Issued the First of Each Month leadership with the elections and installations. This is the time for new ideas SUBMISSION DEADLINE: and a fresh start for all lodges. Brothers, these newly installed officers will need For the February Issue is January 5th your support and encouragement throughout the year. Prepare to help them Published monthly by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky when called upon extending a Fraternal hand of assistance. A time has come 11620 Commonwealth Drive, Louisville, KY 40299 502-893-0192 to implement new goals to create interest, to strengthen and make our lodges Non-members $8.00 per year. stronger. As leaders of your lodge, let it be said that you live your life as a Resolutions of Respect................................50¢ per Line Lodge Notices and By-Laws Notices.......$1.25 per Line Master Mason, true to your obligations. I want to encourage you, my fellow Directory Notices on Page 14-15............$45.00 per Year Masons, to revisit your Masonic obligations and to again study and reflect on General Advertising Rates.........$40.00 per column inch, per issue their meanings. No Classified No Reading Notices On Saturday, January 25, 2020 the Grand Lodge of Kentucky will host our Entered post office, Masonic Home, Kentucky 40041 as third class mail. annual MASONIC EDUCATIONAL WEBINAR at noon EST. Following the webinar, there will be 6 opportunities throughout the state to participate in face Editor: Jon S. Dawson, PM (239) (502) 541-6953 [email protected] to face meetings. It is the DDGM’s responsibility to have a location for these Email Submissions to: Educational meetings within their district on the dates and times listed in the [email protected] DDGM handbook. The master of each lodge is responsible for attending or ap- pointing a representative to attend either the webinar or one of the face to face Submission Guidelines: meetings. The schedule for these meetings is listed in the DDGM handbook, Digital Photos are the preferred format. 300 DPI (or as large as you can) which each lodge should have received, also on the Grand Lodge website and Please consider your subject matter and lighting. in this Masonic Home Journal. Education is the key to our success and every Provide a list of names of the individuals in the photo mason should strive to make advancements in Masonic education. I encourage Word documents are the preferred format for the articles. all members of the craft to further their knowledge of freemasonry. Please send photos as separate files. Thanks for your help. January 2020 Masonic Home Journal Page 3 Grand Master’s Message (cont.) All Mason’s Day is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort. We will assemble in the Rotunda at 10:00 am EST and the ceremony will begin at 10:15 am EST. Kentucky Freemasons will be recognized in the House and Senate Chambers. Lunch will be on your own. We will start the day off with a breakfast hosted by Hiram Lodge #4. That evening, there will be a Master Masons De- gree conferred on a candidate, time TBD. Appropriate dress for this meeting will be a business suit and tie. Final details will be in the February Masonic Home Journal. Brothers, please mark your calendars for this historic Masonic event. As we wear our Masonic jewelry and drive our cars with Masonic emblems on them, do we reflect on their meanings and practice masonry in our everyday life? I challenge you to set examples and be role models to others. You are the face of freemasonry. Terri and I wish you and your family a safe and prosperous new year. May God continue to bless our great fraternity and God Bless America! Brothers, I encourage each of you, BE THAT MASON THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. Fraternally Thine, Geary F. Laird Grand Master of Masons, Grand Lodge of Kentucky F.& A.M. New QR Code Brothers, below is a new QR code to connect to the Grand On The Cover Lodge Website. York Rite College Golden Award Recipients Give it a try by scanning it At Hiram #4 in Frankfort the Brothers Raymond Webb and Ron Wise were honored with a Golden Award present by the York Rite College. To our knowledge only 7677 Golden Awards with your smart phone. Let have been presented in the history of the college. Counting the US and Canada that is only us know what you think. 100 awards given per year across both countries. This is a rare and select group of recipients. Brother Raymond Webb and Brother Ron Wise are pillars of the craft, one with over 50 years of service to the craft. Their service over the years, includes being a mentor to their Brothers and ever faithful in the degrees, yet always being in the background as the Brothers were initiated. Shown in the photo are (L-R): George Brooks, PGC, Past Governor; Terry Lee McFarland, DDGM District 20; recipients Raymond Webb and Ron Wise; Chuck Smith, Master; Bill Brown, Past Governor of North Central College #116; Joe Giles, Governor North Central College #116 and Grand Generalissimo of the Grand Commandery of KY. Photo by: John Feimster Page 4 Masonic Home Journal January 2020 Passionate People Inspiring Lives Brother Ray Wolford Awarded SAVE THE DATE Ambassador of the Year 2nd Annual Carefree Living Luncheon April 16, 2020 at Noon The Olmsted Keynote speaker: University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart Pictured, left to right, Brother Todd Lacy, Masonic Homes president, Brother Bruce Lott, Masonic Homes vice president of fraternal relations, Brother Ray Wolford, Brother Gary C. Rose, PGM, Brother Jason Wilson, Masonic Homes chief development officer, Chair Harold Armstrong, Masonic Homes Board Brother Ray Wolford was recognized on Monday, Oct. 21 at the 220th Annual Communication held at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. He was awarded Ambassador of the Year for the second year in a row by Masonic Homes Kentucky. Brother Ray was raised a Master Mason at Zoneton Lodge No. 964 in 2010 and has served as Past Master. He became District UPCOMING EVENTS 15 Ambassador in 2016 and has done an incredible job of promoting Grand Master and First Ladies’ programs. To date, Great Day of Service Brother Ray is responsible for more than $9,500 in pin sales and April 18, 2020 direct gifts from Lodges, Eastern Star chapters and individuals. Volunteer with other Kentucky Masonic Homes would like to extend congratulations and thanks Masons and help beautify to Brother Ray for committing his time and talent to Masonic our campuses. Homes’ residents and mission. CORPORATE RESOURCE LOUISVILLE CAMPUS SHELBYVILLE CAMPUS Established in 1867 CENTER Village Active Lifestyle Community Masonic Home Shelbyville as the first Masonic Sam Swope Care Center and Pillars Assisted Care and Pillars Assisted Living Masonic Homes Kentucky home of its kind. Sproutlings Pediatric Day Care & Preschool 330 Masonic Home Drive NORTHERN KENTUCKY CAMPUS Miralea & Meadow Active Lifestyle Community Masonic Home, Ky 40041 Spring Hill Village Grove Pointe Assisted Living Community twitter.com/MasonicKy 866.764.6631 / 502.259.9627 FirstLight Home Care masonichomesky.com Care Clinic facebook.com/MasonicKy January 2020 Masonic Home Journal Page 5 Masonic Educational Conference Information MASONIC EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION MASONIC EDUCATIONAL NO MEALS ARE TO BE SERVED Video-Conference Viewing Sites DRESS CASUAL - ALL MEETING TIMES ARE PREVAILING TIMES January 25, 2020 12:00 Noon, EDT - 11:00 AM, CST This year the Grand Lodge of Kentucky will present the Masonic Education Conferences in a dual format.