Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Interesting Masonic Information-Part 2

From an email message from David Hunter of Hiramhunter Masonic Supply, posted by Soj. Pam Noyes, WHP:

August 26, 2009

After last weeks message regarding the Meridian, I received several comments and confimation of that tragic event but more so the events of the return of the ring.

I was encouraged by Brother Patrick Higgins to feature an article regarding Walter Breuning, from Great Falls, Mont., where 112-year-old proudly stands as the oldest man currently living in the nation.

Thanks to Brothers Higgins and Macgilivary for helping with research and they believe Walter is a 33rd also and are 99% sure he belongs to Cascade Lodge #34 in Great Falls, MT.

If you know Brother Walter, and have his address let me know.

I would love to send him a Birthday Card next month when he turns 113 !

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW A GREAT NEWS VIDEO

CBS story regarding Walter

I also found this article:

Walter Breuning, in addition to inheriting the title of Oldest Living Man in the World, has been recognized for yet another title: the world's oldest Mason and Shriner.
Members of the organization came from all over the state - and country - to honor the legend, including the Imperial Potentate of Shriners International and the highest ranking Shriner in the world, Jack Jones.
Walter was given a plaque and pin for his seven-plus decades of dedication to the cause during a Sunday ceremony at the Rainbow Assisted Living Center in Great Falls.
"There's many men who are interested in these organizations, but when it comes to commitment, Walter is the man," explained Grand Warden Tom Duffy, Jr. "He's had years of commitment, 75 plus in Masonry and Shrinedom. Boy, if Webster had a definition behind it, wouldn't it be Walter right behind 'commitment'?"
It was just about a week ago the oldest man in the world died, allowing the title to be passed to Walter, and it's been a busy week since then for Walter, including fielding calls from around the country and visits from well-wishers, including one from Governor Schweitzer.
(from July 22, 2009) The title of "Montana Governor" is pretty exclusive, but Governor Brian Schweitzer met a man that's in line for an even more exclusive title.
Schweitzer chatted today with 112-year old Walter Breuning, who is believed to be the oldest living man in the world now. The previous holder of the title, Henry Allingham of England, passed away over the weekend, which leaves Breuning as the new record-holder.
Schweitzer and Breuning talked about various things including the economy; Breuning says these days don't even compare to the Great Depression. He and the governor agreed that Montana's economy is faring better than much of the rest of the nation.
Breuning noted, "That's why Montana is in such good shape. We got a lot of good salaries going to everybody. The state highway, hell, what do you get? 21 dollars an hour? Sure! That's good wages."
The governor also presented Breuning with a basket of fruit.
Breuning says eating well and keeping your mind active is the key to a long life. He will celebrate his 113th birthday in September.

Interesting Masonic Information-Part 1

I have been receiving emails from an online Masonic supply store that I had purchased a few things from for my installation. Below and in the next couple of posts I am sharing the contents of a couple of those messages.

Posted by Soj. Pam Noyes, WHP

Quoted from the email message received from David Hunter of Hiramhunter Masonic Supply:

I received this story from one of my customers and thought I would share it with you too.

Thanks Wor Bro Harry A. Bruno!

The Meridian
A Masonic "Sign, Token or Word" Brings Comfort after a Tragedy

We learn of certain "signs, tokens and words, whereby one Mason may know another in the darkness as well as at noonday". But what about a sign from beyond.... from the eternal Lodge above... that all is OK? On Monday, January 31, 2000, Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crashed into the Santa Barbara Channel off the California coast. On board that flight were two couples from Poulsbo, Washington. The men, Bob Williams and Bob Thorgrimson, were friends and Brothers. Both were Past Masters of Warren G.Harding Lodge. A tragic crash, the plane broken into bits, and its precious contents scattered to the four winds of heaven. Most plane pieces settled into the sea in water 700 feet deep. Other pieces, like the seat cushions, floated to the surface, there to be picked up by fishermen and others providing assistance after the crash. Two fishermen on a small boat, the Meridian, worked for hours hauling wreckage and personal effects on board. They dutifully turned everything over to the Coast Guard, as evidence to help reconstruct the crash and determine its cause. Or at least they thought everything had been turned over to the authorities. On the day after the crash, two squid fishermen were washing their boat of the jet fuel that contaminated the debris picked up the day before. Stuck in a recess under the handle of the deck hatch, was a gold and red Masonic ring. Word got out that the fishermen had this Masonic ring. The local Sheriff came to the house of one of the fishermen demanding the ring be turned over to him as evidence. The fisherman's wife was threatened with arrest. She refused! The ring was going to be returned to the family of its owner. "She wasn't giving it up -- she was that strong in her convictions" The two fishermen, one a native of Poulsbo, spent twenty hours contacting Masonic Lodges trying to identify to whom the beautiful ring belonged. They finally determined that the ring belonged to Wor. Bob Williams, given to him by his wife Patty. The ring, worn by the passenger flying thousands of feet above the ocean, in a plane that falls to the ocean's depths; the ring that mysteriously appeared within hours of the crash on the deck of a boat being worked by a fisherman hailing from that small fishing town of Poulsbo, 1100 miles from the crash site. Who can possible explain how something so small would curiously be found by these two fishermen who would make every effort possible to see that the ring would bring peace and light, after death, to the loved ones of the deceased? Bob Williams' daughter feels she knows the answer. Tracy Wnizek struggled to accept the death of her parents, but the Masonic ring was a sign from her father. The father and his small daughter had long ago made a pact that the first to die would send a signal to the other that all was well in the hereafter. Only a year before the accident, after her grandfather died, she reminded her father of their old pact. A message would be sent from beyond "to let the other person know if it's OK, like we think it's going to be". The Masonic ring was her signal... a message from her father. The "Meridian" truly was a divine ark, sailing in the tempestuous sea of troubles off the coast of California last January. Bob William's Masonic ring was a sign to a troubled daughter that her parents had found rest in the Lodge not built with hands, eternal in the heavens. On February 13, 2000, more than 300 people gathered at the Bremerton Masonic Temple in memory of their four friends and Masonic Brethren. The Bremerton Scottish Rite and Warren G. Harding Lodge conducted memorial services. Hearts were feeling the loss of loved ones and a few minds had to be wondering, that the Grand Architect of the Universe used a Masonic ring as a sign to a grieving daughter, in the darkness of her grief, that her parents were in a far better place and wanted her to know that "all is OK"? Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are extended to the families of these two couples and to the Brethren of Warren G. Harding Lodge.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Other Shrines Sickness and Distress Prayer Requests

Dear Sojourners,

From email notices I received, please pray for the following Sojourners (and their family members) from other Shrines as shown below. I am once again heading to Oregon to visit Soj. Roger Noyes of Starlight Shrine #1.

Posted by Soj. Pam Noyes, WHP Starlight Shrine #1

H. JoAnn Painter, SWC mother passed away yesterday -8/11. No further details at this time.

Ken, PSWOS and Gretchen, SWT Sayres' granddaughters Josie-7 and Haley-12 lost their mother on Aug. 1 as the result of a motor accident.

Soj Barbara Brooks (SWO) for Patricia & Pat) mother passed away this morning (8/12) Visitation 5-8 Thursday and Funeral at 10:00 Friday at Wellman Funeral Home in Circlesville, OH.

Hilda Weber- Hope Shrine, Oak Lawn (Barbara Eagan's traveling companion for many years and also her SWH) is very ill. She is now under Hospice and is responding only to voices.

Oh and please remember them with cards!

Rogene R. Rogers
Supreme State of the Order Comm.

Alchor Shrine Member May Mew took our Heavenly Father's Hand August 12. No news yet on the Memorial.

Catharine Borst, WHP, Alchor Shrine

Re: May Mew – there will be family services only. A dinner in celebration of her life will be towards the end of September. Donations to Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, 94501.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Concerns for August 6, 2009

CONCERNS:

It was reported today that Soj. Bert Maitland is at home recovering from open heart surgery. Soj. Del Clark is helping care for him.

Soj. Roger Noyes was re-admitted yesterday to the ICU at OHSU and is currently receiving treatment for a blood clot and undergoing dialysis.

Please lift both our beloved Sojourners in prayer. Thank you.

Posted by Soj. Pam Noyes, WHP

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Bunco Party held on August 1, 2009

W. Shep. Sharene Parini and W. Guide Chris DiGuilio did a fantastic job with the Bunco Party annual fundraiser. Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves (or very intensly concentrating on those dice), as you can see in the photos in the other two posts below.

Thank you to everyone who helped with food donations, door prize donations, drawing prize donations, set up and clean up. Also a big thank you to everyone who came and participated in the event!

Posted by Pam Noyes, WHP