Today at the I-Hotel in Champaign-Urbana there was a retirement reception for Right Worshipful Grisham and Right Worshipful Miller.  Many Friends and Brethren came from all over the State and beyond to say their well wishes.

Take a moment here and send them a message:


Jeff Henson
Senior Warden-Western Springs Lodge-1136
Junior Deacon-Evergreen Park Lodge-1136

One suggestion from John Kitzmiller at Tinley Park & Evergreen Park Lodge:

Conduct or hold atleast 3 CPR/First Aid Training sessions with a certified CPR/First Aid Instructor at your Lodge or another Lodge.  This may be combined with another event such as the ILCHIP and Lodges are encouraged to invite the public and advertise the program.

1 Point for the 3 programs
2 Points if all programs are done in a public venue with appropriate advertisments in a local paper. 

Thanks for this suggestion John.

Jeff Henson
Senior Warden-Western Springs Lodge, 1136
Junior Deacon-Evergreen Park Lodge, 1171

I'm starting to notice that many Lodges are now planning on going dark for the Summer.  For some it is a good chance to take a break, grab a chair and go to the beach with the Family.  For others they concentrate on fixing up their Lodges or possible planning future trestle boards.  Whatever you will be doing while your Lodge goes dark this summer, make sure that you enjoy your time and plan for many rounds of refreshment from the heat!

Jeff Henson
Senior Warden, Western Springs Lodge-1136
JUnior Deacon, Evergreen Park Lodge-1171

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the newly installed and appointed Officers this summer.  All the Installations that I have been lucky enough to attend have been great and have re-energized my own quest within Masonry.  Remember to take your duties responsibly and remember that while your position is of a volunteer basis that your duties are vital to your Lodge and even the Fraternity, in general. 

I look forward to hearing your stories of the Installation going on across the State.

Jeff Henson
Senior Warden, Western Springs Lodge
Junior Deacon, Evergreen Park Lodge

I just received The Spring, 2011 Illinois Freemasonry Magazine and I think it is a great and very informative article.  Brother Ed Walker did a great job this month with the help of many Brethren who contributed articles across the State. If you have any article for submission or question in general feel free to contribute them to Brother Walker: FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ILLINOIS FREEMASONRY MAGAZINE e-mail:  Edward R. Walker   or call:  (309) 721-4446

Please send articles and other newsletter submissions to:      Edward R. Walker      2001 14th St.      Silvis, IL 61282



Sincerely, Jeff Henson Senor Warden, Western Springs Lodge #1136 Junior Deacon, Evergreen Park Lodge #1171...

Hello Brethren,

I have recently been to two Board of Examiners Grand Lecturer Schools.  The first was in Lansing, Illinois about a month ago and most recently Saturday in Springfield.  This was my first time attending these classes and I found it to be exceptionally educational.  The uniforms and knowledge of Our Board of Examiners was truly impressive.  As OUR Grand Master Richard Swaney says all the time we have best Degree work in the World.  Has anyone else had the chance to attend any of these classes?  What are your thoughts?  Any Suggestions?


Jeff Henson
Senior Warden-Western Springs Lodge, 1136
Junior Deacon-Evergreen Park Lodge, 1171

Please give us some feedback on your Lodge.

My Brothers,     I hope you all are well and attending lodge.  In the past week I attended a couple of lodges that conferred degrees with multiple candidates. It is really great to see lodges growing. Some seem to be growing at an alarming rate while some are needing to have past masters go back through the line out of necessity. I think it is great that there are past masters still involved in there lodges. It has been pointed out to me that the lodges with lack of past master participation seem to always have some sort of troubles down the road. I have heard some brothers state that their goal is to make it to the east. Which is a great goal, but the problem is that was the end for them. I believe past masters are an important part of blue lodges functionality. They should be given responsibilities in the lodge which coincide with there interests. If they enjoyed helping new brothers, they could help with the Intender Program or maybe help newly elected officers with their chair work. Doing something you like to do makes it less tedious. ...

Please let us know what has been successful at your Lodge for Fundraising.  Allot of different Lodges are looking for ideas.

Jeff Henson
Secretary of Western Springs Lodge #1136
Junior Deacon of Evergreen Park Lodge #1171

My Brothers,

Tidings from a traveling brother. My name is John L. Scardina Jr. and I live in the Northeastern part of Illinois. Romeoville to be exact. I am somewhat new to Masonry as I was raised to MM on March 30, 2010. I was 42 years old when I was raised. I really feel like I have a lot of ground to make up. I don’t know how Masonry hid from me for all those years. I could have easily obtained a double digit membership pin by now! However it seems the Grand Architect had other plans for me. The last 12 months in Masonry have been fast and furious for me. Those of you who have come to know me, already know that I am in lodge more nights than I am not. (I am disabled and not working.) You see, I am not one of those brothers who can memorize something written very easily. Because of this I set out to see as many opening, closings and degrees as I possibly can. My progress in ritual is coming around, slowly.

Enough about me! Let’s get to the meat of Masonry! I go to a few lodges in my area and I...

What are other Lodges doing to Bring in New Members and keep them coming back?


Jeff Henson
Secretary of Western Springs Lodge #1136
Junior Deacon of Evergreen park Lodge #1171

Two major Messages from The Grand Master's Town Hall Meeting on 4/8/2011 in Weschester.

They got married, where? by Bro. Dan'l Lee
How fitting for a man who has embedded his life with the principles and philosophy of Masonry to pledge his life and love to his Lady in a Masonic Lodge.

Right Worshipful Brother Richard “Van” Vanderhoef serves our Grand Lodge as the Chairman of the Masonic Service Association (MSA) Field Representatives. In that capacity he oversees the visitations of Masonic Representatives to all of the Veterans Hospitals throughout Illinois.

Brother Vanderhoef took over a very important program of our Grand Lodge that had little or no direction. He has worked tirelessly to make sure that all of our Veterans whether Masons or not are visited and are not lacking in any manner.

His organizational skills and “go get em” attitude have turned this into a fine oiled machine and our veterans are being rewarded because of his efforts. The Masons of Illinois are being represented at each of the Hospitals and at a few of the satellite facilities as well.

1LT Robert R. Ortiz is a Medical Officer assigned as the Executive Officer to the 7203rd Medical Support Unit (MSU) located in Hobart, IN.

On June of 2009, 1LT Ortiz was activated and on September 2009 deployed to Afghanistan on support of our Global War on Terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom X.

Upon arrival in Afghanistan, 1LT Ortiz was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and later to the 101st Airborne Division as a Combat Advisor for the Afghanistan’s National Army 1st Brigade, 201st Corp Brigade Surgeon

On November 9 and 10, 2009, a Masonic Student Assistance Program team training was held in Rushville at Deb and Di's Restaurant. The program ran from 8:00 to 4:00 both days. Four schools participated in the training, Rushville-Industry High School, Schulyer-Industry MIddle School, Industry Elementary School, and Webster and Washington Elementary School.