Masonic Life Network

“There is a tide in the affairs of men”

The Operation Literacy committee presented this year’s Division 8 program, for the Grand Master’s project, “Raising A Reader” on Wednesday June 20, 2012 at the San Bernardino Scottish Rite Center.  The theme of the program was “There is a tide in the affairs of men”, and it was brought to life with guests speakers, a slide presentation, and donations to the Grand Master’s project from Lodges and other supporting groups.

After the welcome by the Master of Ceremonies, Jim Ridley, P.M., San Jacinto Lodge No. 338, Virgil Mink, P.M. from Temescal-Palms Lodge No. 314 gave the invocation. The invocation and benediction were chosen from the 2012 Operation Literacy Prayer Contest submissions.

A toast to the American Flag was given by Van Owen, P.M., Upland-Mt. Baldy Lodge No 419, in his Hero of 76 uniform, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dr. Gabrielle Miller, the National Executive Director for “Raising A Reader” spoke on evaluating interventions for at-risk learners. She brought home the importance of having students reading at grade level by the 3^rd grade, and how their program strives to put books in the children’s hands and follow their progress though out a school year.

Mr. John Zickenfoose (Mr. “Z”), who is the Outreach and FFL Coordinator for Corona Public Library, gave his personal testimony on the challenges he had as a young man who graduated from high school, unable to read. His road to literacy began by attending literacy classes at the Corona Public Library. He is now an advocate for literacy for our youth in the community.

The program continued with a presentation, written and produced by the Division 8 Committee that intertwined various narrators and a video about the history and importance of education and literacy in the United States.

The Illustrious Melvin K. Tallon, 33˚, Personal Representative in the Sovereign Grand Inspector General in California, welcomed us to the San Bernardino Scottish Rite Center on behalf of the Scottish Rite. He commented how the Grand Master’s project tied in with their perpetual charity that focuses on assisting children with childhood language disorders.

We then came to the most important part of the evening, when the representatives from the Lodges and other supporting groups presented their donations to the Grand Master, Frank Loui, for his project, “Raising A Reader”. There were donations from 19 Lodges from Division 8 and 3 Lodges from Division 7, who also participated. There were also donations from Moreno Valley Chapter Order of DeMolay and Yucaipa’s Order of the Golden Slipper and High Twelve Club.   The donations presented that evening exceeded $13,000.00.

Division 8’s Inspector at Large, Mark Sandstrom P.M., on behalf of the Division then presented a gift to Jeanie Loui and a crystal engraved plate to Frank Loui. The presentations were followed by the formal introduction of the Grand Master and his remarks.

The programmed was closed with the benediction, given by contest winner Robert Bronner, Fontana Lodge No. 653. Refreshments, fellowship and photo opportunities followed in the dining room.

We cannot overlook the importance of the participation and the donation made by the Moreno Valley Chapter Order of DeMolay and the assistance from the DeMolay from the Sonora League. These young men help not only in greeting the guests, but showed their support to this important endeavor. The Division 8 committee also wishes to send our sincere thanks to the San Bernardino Scottish Rite Center for the use of their facilities and the time they allowed us in preparation and practices for this event.  Our thanks also to our guest speakers for their time and their support of this years’ project.  And finally, but by no means least, the Committee cannot say enough to the Lodges from the Division 8 and Division 7 for presenting their donations, participating in the program, and their continued support of all events the Lodges in our division participate in.

A video of the entire event is available on this web site. Click on the link above under “2012 event was a success!” In the near future we will also be posting smaller sections of the program, for your viewing pleasure.

Franklin R. Lee

A.G.L. Division 8

The Grand Lecturer, the Very Worshipful Jack M. Rose, conducted the Division’s Master Mason’s class on Saturday, July 14^th at Evergreen Lodge in Riverside. At least 60 Mason’s were in attendance for the exemplification of the 3^rd Degree. The degree was presented in an exemplary manner by members from Temecula-Catalina Island Lodge, presenting the 1^st section of the degree, and the Division 8 Degree Team executing the 2^nd section.

The Grand Lecturer also spoke to the future of the ritual work in our Craft, and how the Grand Lecturer and the ritual committee are the custodians of the continuity of our traditions.

I appreciate all of the Brothers who attended this important annual meeting. Meeting with the Grand Lecturer gave us the opportunity to continue the high standards we have set upon ourselves and the presentation of our Craft’s ritualistic ceremonies. I would also like to thank the Brothers of Evergreen Lodge for donating the use of their facilities for the day. I would especially like to send the division’s thanks and appreciation to the Very Worshipful Jack Rose, for not only taking the time to prepare and attend our Master Mason’s School, but also for bringing his talents and experience to us in Division 8.

Frank Lee – AGL

Division 8

Redlands RAM #77 hosted a tri-tip steak dinner and home-made  cherry/chocolate cake with 7-toasts in open Table Lodge for Master Masons and  guest to learn more about the York Rite and Freemasonry.Fifty-five RSVP guests were in attendance and enjoyed the fellowship,  Masonic education, and experience of an open Table Lodge.  A photo was requested of the event but the cameraman never left his plate see photo. Redlands Lodge #300 will be hosting its roast-the-master  fundraising dinner on August 25 at 6:30pm.  All Masons, family, and  friends are invited.  If you are impressed with the tri-tip steak dinner, you won't want  miss Redlands Lodge's next dinner event.  RSVP  now, 'cause if you snooze, you just may lose!

Dave Hall

Ernest Borgnine, 1917-2012

Ernest Borgnine (born Ermes Effron Borgnino; January 24, 1917 – July 8, 2012) was an American film and television actor whose career spanned more than six decades. He was an unconventional lead in many films of the 1950s, winning an Oscar in 1955 for Marty. On television, he played Quinton McHale in the 1962–1966 series McHale's Navy and co-starred in the mid-1980s action series Airwolf, in addition to a wide variety of other roles. Borgnine was also known for his role as Mermaid Man in the animated television serices SpongeBob SquarePants. Borgnine earned an Emmy Award nomination at age 92 for his work on the series ER.

Borgnine was born in Hamden, Connecticut. He was the son of Anna (nee Boselli), who emigrated to the United States from Carpi (Modena, Italy), and Camillo Borgnino, who emigrated to the U.S. from Ottiglio (Alessandra, Italy).

Borgnine's parents separated when he was two years old, and he and his mother went to live in Italy. By 1923, his parents had reconciled, and the family name was changed from Borgnino to Borgnine. The family settled in North Haven, Connecticut, where he attended public schools. Borgnine took to sports while growing up, but showed no interest in acting.

Borgnine joined the United States Navy in 1935, after graduation from James Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Connecticut. He was discharged in 1941, re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor, and served until 1945 (a total of ten years), reaching the rank of gunner's mate 1st class. He served aboard the destroyer USS Lamberton. His military decorations include the Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Borgnine received the honorary rating of chief petty officer (CPO) in October 2004 from Master Chief Petty Officer of The Navy Terry D. Scott for Borgnine's support of the Navy and naval families worldwide.

After the war was over, Borgnine returned to his parents' home with no job and no direction. As he was unwilling to settle for a dead-end factory job, his mother encouraged him to pursue a more glamorous profession and suggested that his personality would be well suited for the stage. He surprised his mother by taking the suggestion to heart, although his father was far from enthusiastic.

After graduation, Borgnine auditioned and was accepted to the Barter Theater in Abingdon, Virginia, so-called for its audiences bartering their produce for admission during the Great Depression. In 1947, he landed his first stage role in State of The Union. Although it was a short role, he won over the audience. His next role was as the Gentleman Caller in Tenessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie. In 1949, he had his Brodway debut in the role of a nurse in the play Harvey. More roles on stage led him to being a decades-long character actor. Thus began his legendary show business career.

Bro. Ernest Borgnine’s later films included Ice Station Zebra, The Adventurers, Willard, The Poseidon Adventure, The Greatest (as Muhammad Ali’s manager), Convoy, Ravagers, Escape From New York, Moving Target and Mistress.

Bro. Ernest actively donated his time to worthy causes. He volunteered to be Stories of Service National spokesman, urging his fellow World War II vets to come forward and share their stories. He also served one year as the Chairman of the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, visiting patients in many Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. In 1996, Borgnine toured the United States on a bus to meet his fans and see the country. The trip was the subject of a 1997 documentary, Ernest Borgnine on the Bus.

Bro. Ernest was a Freemason in Hollywood Lodge No. 355, and a 33rd° Scottish Rite Mason in the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose at that organization's Lodge in Junction City, Oregon. He contributed articles to several Masonic publications. One of his articles appeared in the website belonging to Lodge Callendar #588 in Falkirk, Scotland.

Bro. Ernest Borgnine died of renal failure on July 8, 2012, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He was 95 years old.

May the Great Architect of The Universe grant our brother Ernest sublime guidance as he journeys to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns.

Until then, my brother…

(Article by Bro. Ed S. Fernandez)

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Borgnine

http://www.muratshrine.org/

http://www.mastermason.com/callendar588/

The second annual Division 8 Inspector of Instruction and family weekend in Big Bear was held on June 29 and 30, 2012.  Members of Big Bear Lake Lodge and many of the Inspectors and their wives, joined the A.G.L., Frank Lee and his wife Lewrana, on Friday evening for dinner, hosted by Big Bear Lodge. Since our ISI weekend last year, the Lodge has transformed their reception hall into a stage and entertainment area, including floor to ceiling panels, removable stage area and they have added a professional light and sound system. The evening began with a social hour, complete with hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment, provided by the singing duo  “The Heart Lights”. You may remember them for their beautiful music at our weekend last year and at the Division’s Operation By Your Side in Ontario. Social hour was followed by another gourmet dinner, prepared by the Lodge.  The 2 inch think pork loin chops were cooked to perfection and were accompanied with an artistic salad, complete with raspberries, stuffing and peas with bacon. Not to be out done was the various desserts that were offered, from cheesecake to ice cream and cookies. We were again serenaded with golden oldies all during dinner. The evening concluded with lots of great conversation, and a few couples continued the party at the main hotel for the weekend, the Robinhood Resort.

 Saturday started off bright and early, with beautiful weather and breakfast for all at the Lodge at 8:00 A.M. They pulled out all the stops again, for a great breakfast which included eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes and biscuits and gravy. The men were then approached about adding a First Degree to the day’s activities. After a bit of strategizing about filling all the positions and factoring in the other required activities of the day, the men proceeded to open the Lodge and get some ISI work out of the way. The women enjoyed socializing together, reading, doing needle crafts, planning their strategy to beat the men in a friendly man against the woman scavenger hunt.

The men called a recess and we divided up into teams, and the hunt was afoot! Each team of 4 had to visit various stores around town, all within, walking distance of the hotel, and complete a game book, where you had to find items in each store that the first letter of the item spelled out M-A-S-O-N-I-C. Such as: Aunt Em’s orange marmalade. As some of the woman had participated in the scavenger hunt last year, they again were very creative with some of their answers.

The men returned to the Lodge for the first degree and to finish their I.S.I. The women enjoyed a couple of hours of shopping, enjoying the sights and relaxing. The woman returned to the Lodge, and continued to visit while the men finished the business of the day. At 3:00 we were then all treated to a scrumptious lunch of BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs with all of the fixings’, hosted and prepared by Rim of the World Lodge. Lunch also included a concert by three young ladies that belong to the Mountain Marveletts.

The crowd began to get a little restless as we waited anxiously for the Sr. Warden of Big Bear Lodge, Johnny Wells, to determine the winners of this year’s hunt. Many of the teams knew they had come up with some clever answers and hoped to persuade the group that they should get extra points for their efforts. There was lots of laughing, sneers and cheers as they read each teams answers from the various stores. Many questionable answers were accepted or rejected by a room full of judges. In the end the judges accepted “Mason’s on display” as a correct answer from one of the woman’s teams. (One team of men were all gathered inside one very small store, and from the outside it looked “Mason’s on display”) But they did not accept “Ceiling fan” as a correct answer from one of the men’s teams, nor did they accept “Exit Sign”. It was all in good fun, and the author of the game decided, if we did this again, they would have to add the rule that the answer had to be something for sale in the store. In the end there was a three way tie. By the luck of the draw, the men’s team, headed by Frank Lee won (No! not rigged at all) They received some “lovely gifts” for participating, such as a Big Bear coffee mug, a baseball cap and a nice nylon backpack/bag. We thank Johnny for the time and effort it took to contact the stores, prepare and print the treasure book, donating the prizes and being a great M.C. and head judge for the event.

The weekend activities were officially over and many left to return to their homes “down the mountain”.  A few couples extended their stays until Sunday and had a great time. The Division wishes to again thank Big Bear Lodge and Rim of the World Lodge for again hosting the weekend and continuing this new tradition for the Division, where we can combine work, fun and fellowship together and to also show from the desert to the sea (the Salton Sea that is) we can work together.

Frank Lee – AGL Division 8