Night Music - I Ain't Down Yet

Festive Board.

Proof

 One of my favorite things to do is to go to Specialis Procer Lodge and then out to eat afterwards.

We have moved back upstairs in the Consistory building for our meetings and we really like the more intimate atmosphere of the Scottish Rite Classroom.  The Blue Lodge Room was just to large for our small Lodge.

Our meetings are purposely short and we accomplish our business in right around an hour

Picture from Proof Web Site.

After the meeting we choose a place to go and have supper.  This is where the real fellowship of our Lodge takes place.  The Brethren sit, eat and discuss many topics.  Sometimes jokes are told but we always have a good time.  Friday evening we went to Proof.

Brothers on my right.

and left.  One a lawyer and one in law school...They always have an interesting discussion.

 Proof has an interesing menu.  I started with cheese.  This was the finest blu cheese I have ever eaten, drizzled with Iowa Honey (for my allergies -which I don't have) and home made crackers.
 Roasted beet salad with beet/balsamic marshmallow, pistachio piccada, and goat cheese cream.
This was my salad and I had duck.  I don't usually eat duck but the server recommended it and it was wonderful. Kevin said that his scallops were perfectly prepared. Their menu changes from time to time.  I was very satisfied as were most of the Brothers.  One of them had a little difficulty with the slowness of getting the check and I do have to admit that they did not bring the silver out in a timely manner. (We had to ask for it.)  I was trying to figure out how I was going to eat the salad with the knife from my cheese.  But  they did bring it and since I was in no hurry I was not as upset as he was.

The food was really well presented and it was delicious.  I would recommend going back there again.  I found the place on my phone app.  One of the brothers looked it up on his phone app and saw that it had an 89% rating.  I have no problem with that.  Food was great  -  atmosphere perhaps a little sterile for my taste (I like opulence) -  staff - welcoming and pleasant (could have been just a little more attentive) - chairs - not quite as tall as I need for my long legs but adequate. Company - tremendous.  I had a good time.

Oh on a side note.. Someone came up to me as I sat down. I had my hat on as there was no place to put it.  He said he thought I looked like John Huston.. Not sure I should be flattered as he is dead.  Later one of the women who was with him came over and asked me if I was a client at a Des Moines Firm...They must have been discussing who I was as she was from the same table as the guy who said I looked like John Huston.  She got my name...Weird..

Arcadia Lodge Past Master's Dinner

These are the pictures from Arcadia Lodge Past Master's Dinner. Past Master Bill Yungclas was presented with his District Lecturer's Certificate by Bryce Hildreth who was his teacher.

A New Master Mason

The Brothers of Arcadia Lodge met tonight to Raise Brother Joel to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. I am very impressed with this new Brother (But then I am usually impressed with the men who join our Lodge) and his ability to think on his feet and his sincerity when he expressed gratitude for the efforts to bring him into Lodge and the work that goes into a degree. What he doesn't know is that it is one of the best things that we, as a Lodge, do. It is one of the things that we are all about. Initiating, Passing and Raising and we have been doing it for hundreds of years.

Welcome Brother Joel!

Lodge Night

1. He slowly opened the door to his locker. He hung his police uniform on the hooks and took out his suit. It was Lodge night.

2. He watched as the last employee left his business, locked the building and made the evening bank drop. He then headed off with a whistle on his lips and a spring in his step. It was Lodge night.

3. The young man helped his wife clear the table. He then said good night to his children and snuck into his room to change his clothes. Upon leaving he smiled at his wife and kissed her. It was Lodge night.

4. It had been a hard day. Navigating through the complexities of the legal system was rewarding work. It was also tiring. Normally he would have been headed home for a relaxing evening. But tonight was not normal and he felt none of the usual fatigue as tonight was Lodge night.

5. Life had not been pleasant since his wife died. His family lived far
away and with each passing year it became harder and harder to do the simple things in life. And most of all he missed his life long partner. Tonight he felt a little less pain and life didn't seem nearly as bad. It was Lodge night.

6. The accident had been terrible. But there was some consolation that his skills as a doctor had saved a life. Still it would not be easy and there were possibilities of complications. But for a while he could place his worries in the hands of others as tonight was Lodge night.

7. It is hard looking for work when the job market is scarce. Each day he faced the nameless horde of people who continue to tell him that he was not needed. He faced rejection and the possibility of hardship at every turn. Tonight he knew he was wanted and needed, it was Lodge night.

8. He sat alone in the small room wearing clothes that were not his. He had received warm welcomes from a number of men he didn't know and a few he did. Now with an ancient relic of a bygone age they told him to wait patiently, yet he looked forward to it with anticipation. It was his first Lodge night.

9. From all walks of life we come. We donate our time to an age honored tradition. We donate our money to help those who cannot help themselves. We gather in fellowship and part in peace. For a while we can lay aside our differences and worries to bask in our shared experiences. We can talk with men who are our equals, men who work to better themselves. And we serve as mentors to our newly-raised Brethren

Tonight is Lodge night and I am glad I am a Mason.
Author Unknown

It has been a year since I posted that. I think it is time to read it again. We had a super good time at Lodge tonight. Lots of good fellowship. Caring and concerned Brothers. The Eastern Star served the meal before the meeting.

Jeremy had to borrow my cap because his hat has disappeared. Looks good on him.

The minutes are written and sent out to the members and I am off to bed.
ARTYAL, Hugs, j