An Incredible Day

The day started with a Research Lodge #2 sponsored tour of the Iowa Grand Lodge Library and Museum. I stole the picture above from their Web Site.

Our tour guide was the Assistant Librarian, Bill Kruger. He was knowledgeable and informative.

This is hanging in his office.








The Library and Museum has a lot to see. A valuable Indian basket and a Masonic emblem made from
butterfly wings.













The War Memorial Room














Lots of Masonic "bling" on display in the Museum
A limited edition Chalice made to commemorate 500 years of Royal Arch Masonry.
T.S. Parvin the founder of the Library and for whom the T. S. Parvin Award is named and his chair which is on display. The engraved plaque listing twenty five (or six) years of recipients.
































It's a Library - It has books (over 100,000.








The clock was out for repair but the wood work and the inlaid table take my breath away. They have several pieces done by the same Brother.









This is Grant wood's Masonic painting.
This is set up as a parlor room from the old library. Ladies used to come in and hold meetings here.
We also got to go into the Vault where many rare books are kept. Including the first one acquired by T.S. Parvin from his girl friend who told him since he was more interested in her book than he was in her he should take the book. He did.




K.Y.C.H. Altar. This was the second event on the calendar for the day.









New members are congratulated.
Distinguished guests are presented.

The Grand Master of Masons in Iowa. Donald L. Mosier and the Grand Master General of Convent General Edward H. Fowler, Jr.
Brother Fowler came from Pennsylvania to present Past Grand Master General, John Harris Watts with his 50 year certificate as a member of K.Y.C.H. Jack will be 80 in November so he had been head of his Lodge, Chapter, Council and Comandery by the time he was 30 according to my calculations.
Certificates with two grand quadrants were presented to Past Grand Master Dennis Zahrt and current Grand Master, Donald L. Mosier. Both stated that this would be the last quadrant on their jewel















At the social time before the Grand Lodge reception.















I didn't take pictures inside at the Reception. Needless to say over 100 Brothers were all admirably introduced by Tim S. Anderson, Deputy Grand Secretary.

Some shots taken of Tables at the Prime Rib dinner.

These were my dinner companions. I thought I was going to avoid getting my picture taken but Tim and Frank both took pictures. Frank is in big trouble if it looks like me.











The requisite picture of MC Arnold and Cindy. The other couple is Peter from Arcadia Lodge and Amber



Don at the troth. I don't think I have ever been served that large a piece of prime rib at a Masonic banquet. And it wasn't "official" because we had carrots instead of green beans.

Once and future grand masters on their way to the line.

Doug ran into an old friend from our Table Lodge in Ames. I got a hug also (and she called me sexy. any body want to recommend a good eye doctor?)









The entertainment (?) was memorable.