December 4, 2007

District Deputy Grand Master, Clarence E Hedges makes an Official Visit to Morning Star Lodge No. 734.

Last night was an Official Visit of the District Deputy Grand Master, Clarence E Hedges. Clarence started his journey into Freemasonry on August 24, 1977 as an Entered Apprentice at Horeb Lodge No. 363. That same year he became a Fellowcraft on October the 5th and a Master Mason October 19, 1977. While at Horeb Lodge he became a Past Master twice, the first in 1983 and then again ten years later in 1993.

Clarence’s journey didn’t stop there, for he branched out while still at Horeb to become a member of the Eureka Chapter 98 in 1983 at Yates City, IL. At the Eureka Chapter 98 Clarence became a Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Exulted all on the same day, May 20, 1983. Within 5 years, in 1988, Clarence also became Excellent High Priest at the Eureka Chapter.

1983 was a big year for Clarence, because while still at Horeb Lodge and the Eureka Chapter 98, Clarence branched out even further to become a Royal Master and Select Master on November 15th at the Council #1 in Knoxville, IL, Thrice Illustrious Master in 1994, and later becoming a Super Excellent Master on June 1, 1996.

Branching out even farther, Clarence joined the Galesburg Commandery #8. There he earned the degree Order of the Red Cross and Order of Malta on October 27, 1986. On November 24, 1986 he moved on to the Order of the Temple, and in 1988 became Past Commander.

Clarence also became involved in the York Rite College and earned the Knight’s York Cross of Honor (KYCH) on September 19, 1996.

Today Clarence is nearly as busy as he was in the past attending many lodge meetings all over Central Illinois, in charge of Masonic Funerals, certified lodge instructor for the State of Illinois since 1996, and is in his 6th year as District Deputy Grand Master for the Sixth Western District.

See more photos of this event on the Photo Gallery Page.

December 6, 2007

Morningstarlodge734.org now has a District School Schedule.

December 12, 2007

Database Crash

The Lodge Community Server seems to have suffered a database crash. The server will need to be reinstalled and may be down for a day. If you were planning on setting up a new account please bare with us and try back later in the day or tomorrow.

December 15, 2007

Annual Christmas Dinner

The Morning Star Lodge No.734 held its Annual Christmas Dinner at 6:30 PM for members and their families. Smoked ham and turkey was the main-on-tray. Santa showed up around 8:00 PM so the children could tell him what they want for Christmas, with the evening winding down around 9:30 PM.

See more photos of this event on the Photo Gallery Page.

December 18, 2007

First Degree Catechism & Second Degree

At our Regular Stated Meeting the lodge was also treated to a First Degree Catechism by the Entered Apprentice Chad Jason Green followed by his Second Degree. On behalf of the members of Morning Star Lodge No. 734 congratulations Chad on becoming a Fellow Craft and hope to see you soon for your Third Degree!

February 6, 2008

Annual Chicken and Beef Noodle Dinner

The Morning Star Lodge will be holding it’s Annual Chicken and Beef Noodle Dinner on the 8th. of March from 4-7 pm.

Proceeds will go to the Annual Easter Egg Hunt
held on the 22sd. of March.

February 10, 2008

Morning Star Lodge Internet site doing great!

The Internet site of the Morning Star Lodge No. 734 is doing great! Masons from all over must be checking out the site, catching up on lodge news, and enjoying the photos and information the site provides. Since the site was launched in October of 2007 to the present, the site has had 180,547 successful server requests.

Report provided by Analog and Report Magic.

February 11, 2008

The Lodge Community Server is back!

The server suffered a database crash when the service provider changed over from a free service to pay. The Lodge Community Server had to be reinstalled once the changeover was completed but is now up and running.

If you are a Mason and would like to join the Community Server of the lodge you can do so by going to this link below:

The Morning Star Lodge Community Server

February 12, 2008

New Computer Learning Center at the Lodge

The Morning Star Lodge No. 734 now has a Computer Learning Center. Many brothers have asked if anyone can help them to learn how to use a computer, thus the Computer Learning Center was born. If you would like to learn how to type a letter, scan a picture, take digital pictures, backup documents, files or pictures, and so much more, come out to the lodge. Classes will be held before and after meetings. The lodge will be opened at 5:30pm for the computer class.

February 15, 2008

First Degree of Morris Dan’L Lee

Last night was the First Degree of Morris Dan’L Lee. Dan’L as he likes to be called, graduated from Mahomet-Seymour High School in Mahomet, IL. Today he is a 32-year-old who works for CVS Pharmacy. His base store being here in Canton but he also works in other CVS Pharmacy’s in the surrounding area. Dan’L was a very polite young-man whom after his First Degree made a very eloquent speech thanking the brothers of the lodge for this opportunity to become an Entered Apprentice. On behalf of the members of Morning Star Lodge No. 734 congratulations Dan’L on becoming an Entered Apprentice and we all hope to see you soon for your First Degree Catechism & Second Degree.

March 8, 2008

Annual Chicken and Beef Noodle Dinner

The Morning Star Lodge No. 734 held it’s Annual Chicken and Beef Noodle Dinner last Saturday to raise funds for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Big Creek Park in Canton, IL on the 22sd of March. The dinner went well with the dinning hall full of customers nearly all night, and even though the Brothers worked hard to make this event a success they still found time to have some fun.

See more photos of this event on the Photo Gallery Page.

Earl F. Wys a Grand Lodge Membership Representative presented a very helpful lecture presentation on the Membership Program enacted by the Grand Lodge. The program was designed to inform Masons on the fraternity standing in Illinois and to help Brothers improve on the recruitment of new members.

Earl has been a Mason for 13 years, a member of the York Rite, he is also the Right Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work for the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Illinois,

Today Earl is in his 44th year of working for the Caterpillar Corporation.

March 20, 2008

Second Degree of Durand Sprague

Last night was the First Degree Catechism and Second Degree of Durand Sprague. Durand did a superb job on his first catechism and soaked-up the Second Degree like a sponge. Durand was a perfect gentleman the whole evening and is going to make, in my opinion anyway, an outstanding Mason.

When Durand was a younger man he and his good friend Ed Seward served their country by going into the Navy together. There Durand would reach the rank of Boilermen 3rd Class. In this present day-and-age the same good friend Ed Seward, along with his other friend Terry Seward, convince Durand into joining our worshipful lodge.

In the past Durand fathered 2 children, a boy and a girl. Today his daughter has blessed him with 2 granddaughters. When not spending time with his family, Durand enjoys passing the time listening to Country Music, fishing, and bowling. In the past he enjoyed working on cars in his spare time and in the future he plans on, in his own words, “maybe taking up golf.”

When asked what he liked about Masonry so far, Durand commented that he was still new to Masonry but he did like the camaraderie among the brothers.

On behalf of all the brothers at Morning Star Lodge No. 734 we wish you good luck Durand on your Second Degree Catechism and hope to see you soon.

March 22, 2008

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Because of the weather the Annual Lodge Easter Egg Hunt was held at Alice-Ingersoll Gym in Canton, IL. For only 2 dollars one was served a drink, chips, a hotdog, and a chance to win a bicycle. The hunt was split by age groups and the drawing for the bicycles was at the close of the event.

See more photos of this event on the Photo Gallery Page.

For the past 14 years Frank and Mindy Jones have unwaveringly brought joy to the hearts of children and adults alike with the Annual Lodge Easter Egg Hunt. Frank does point out that they could not do it without the help of the brothers of Morning Star Lodge. Yet the brothers of the lodge know that Frank and his wife deserve most of the credit and thank them for their steadfast commitment to the people of Canton and the surrounding area.
		Frank was raised back in 1996 and was the Worshipful Master of Morning Star Lodge No. 734 in 1998. Frank is also a member of the York Rite at the Galena Commandery in Galena, IL, and Past Assistant Deputy Grand Master for the 6th Western District.
Frank spent his childhood living in London Mills, IL, and graduated from Spoon River Valley High School. Frank and Mindy have three children and now live in Canton, IL. Frank likes to spend most of his spare time with his family, but does enjoy the occasional hunting trip. He also loves to listen to the Blues and Rock & Roll and his favorite singer is Ozzy Osborne, and in the past 12 years he has enjoyed coaching baseball and softball. On behalf of the brothers of the lodge and the people of the Canton area thank you Frank and Mindy for all the hard work.