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Answer to Masonic Conundrum #106 The Wayfaring Brother: Burl Ives, Freemason and Voice of the Season (with assistance from ChatGPT) I walked with a limp and a bag full of cheer, Narrated a snowman we still hold dear. A folk singer, an actor, a voice you all know, Especially when winter begins with a glow. […]

Reflections from the Road: On Brotherhood, Growth, and Knowing Ourselves The first article I wrote as Grand Lodge Education Officer explored the importance of travel. I wrote it about this time four years ago. It hardly seems possible that so much time has passed. True to that message, I’ve been on the road again—twice in

If You Could See What I See As Grand LEO, I often get the privilege of addressing members of the craft, and attempting to inspire thought and reflection.  It is a labor of love.  It is also true that I do not often get the opportunity to simply enjoy the sidelines, and take-in and observe

Conundrum 104 – Rudyard Kipling The answer to Conundrum 104 was of course Brother Rudyard Kipling.  Those who answered correctly were WB Jerry Johnson (Accacia Lodge #51). Born in British India, Kipling was a British author who penned such greats as the Jungle Book, The Man Who Would Be King and several famous poems including

Order from Chaos It is said that Einstein once said something along the lines of, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”  It is a concept worth reflecting on – especially in these uncertain times, and an idea that helps us take the hardest and most important step: the first one.  In what seems to

    Conundrum #103:  Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle A Friendship Affected by Spiritualism When I was little, I remember going to the Cedar Rapids public library with my mom and dad to escape summers’ rain.  One of my first memories there was checking out a kid’s book called, “Spooky Tricks”.  Even at

    What If …? As a child, I remember watching WWF with my dad on the USA network. It was during the era of Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, Andre the Giant, and Jake the Snake among others. There was also controversy about professional wrestling being fake. Regardless, it provided entertainment and involved significant physical

    Reflections of Honey Bradley Phelps, Grand Lodge Education Officer Many of us face challenges balancing our interests and needs with the demands of everyday life. In response to this struggle, I revisited the book, Atomic Habits by James Clear. Available in both print and audio formats, I highly recommend it for its valuable

 In Retrospect …  I can no longer believe in coincidence. Strengthsfinder tells me that I have a propensity for connectedness, and I’ll admit that I may biased because of that. None the less, I think it is safe to say that this is a bias shared by many in our fraternity. Throughout our teachings, we

It’s that time of year when new officers are being installed in lodges across the state. I’ve had the privilege of attending numerous lodge installations, and it’s always a refreshing experience. Participating in these ceremonies serves as a reminder of the significant responsibilities that lodge officers willingly assume. I understand firsthand that, amidst the nervousness