Cookies for our widows

Standards Club

The traveling trophy will stay in Rochelle until January.

Masonic Veterans Memorial Dedication

11-11-11

We are here today to recognize the value of those among us who, throughout our history, have served the country in the military. In its very birth and throughout the generations our nation has called for its citizens to report for duty, train, protect our shores and interests, and ultimately fight the many conflicts which have shaped our history.

Within a few years of Rochelle, then known as Lane, becoming a city, local Masons held their first meeting. It was June of 1857 in a brick building known as the "Republican Block" in the SE corner of Cherry av and Lincoln Hwy. Soon the Union would face one of its worst crisis in the form of a long and bloody Civil War.
Soldiers come from all walks of life. They are an accurate sample of our population, because they come from and eventually return to the communities which raised them, some of them only to find their final resting place in our cemeteries.
So it is not surprising that many members of various local organizations are veterans. One of them, Charles "Bud" Elkin, a Korean War Era Army Veteran and a member of our Fraternity, wanted to leave something to his community in the form of this memorial, so that, when going about our usual vocations downtown Rochelle, our minds would pause for a second as we reflect on what we owe to our Military servicemen and women.

Today marks the anniversary of the end of the Great War or WWI which crushed millions of lives. Survivors in 1918 truly believed it was going to be the last war, as there just could never be, in their minds, another horror of this magnitude.
Halas, since then the call to arms has come again and our sons and daughters have responded. Americans have fought on every terrain and in every condition, so many never to come home. As we speak, these colors are worn proudly by our troops from Baghdad to Afghanistan and everywhere our leaders sent them. Others, back home, are training to replace them.

The military has produced some of the finest men and women, some famous like Georges Washington, others known only to their local communities. But to each of them, serving was a duty they owed to God, their country, their family, their neighbor, and themselves.
This makes them one of the strongest threads in the fabric of our nation. Today we pay tribute to them, to the fallen and to their families, as we publicly renew our obligation to them, by recognizing their valor and sacrifice.

Eric Da Costa
Worshipful Master

Front Page!

Masons and the biscuit factory

2011 Grand Master's Award of Excellence

- Posted from my iPhone

In memory of Brother Jerry Tracy

Gerald Franklin Tracy, 82, of Rochelle passed away Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at Rochelle Rehabilitation Center. Jerry was born Sept. 16, 1929 in Newton, IA the son of Frank and Madge (Rinehart) Tracy. He graduated from Geneseo High School and then attended U of I. In Oct. of 1950 Jerry joined the United States Air Force and served in the Korean War until his Honorable Discharge in Oct. of 1954. Jerry married Mary Ellen Butler on Feb. 25, 1951 in Rochelle, IL. Jerry and Mary Ellen are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle. Jerry was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was a Mason in the Horicon Lodge, and a member of the Lions Club. Jerry enjoyed woodworking making cabinets, tables, etc. for his family and taught all who wanted to learn, how. He was a manager at Ace Hardware for many years. Jerry was a health insurance agent at Swift until they moved and then was an independent agent. He and his wife spent part of the winter for 20 years in Florida, where they loved collecting small seashells on the beach. He loved fishing in northern Wisconsin. Jerry loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren.

Jerry is survived by his wife Mary Ellen of Rochelle; one daughter: Susan (Thomas) Hillison of Rochelle; three sons: Bruce (Cindy Beckmann) Tracy of Overland Park, KS, Brian (Debbie) Tracy of Rockton, IL, Brent (Karen) Tracy of Rochelle, IL; brother: Mike (Coleen) Tracy of Stewartville, MN; ten grandchildren: Krista and Scott Hillison, Alex, Greg and Claire Tracy, Sara (Michael) Barnhart, Stephen, Adam (Kari), Eric and Evan Tracy; four great-grandchildren: Issac, Reuben and Josiah Barnhart, and Jackson Franklin Tracy.

Services will be held 10:00 AM Sat. Oct 29, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle with Rev. Dr. James Tilley officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday Oct. 28, at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home from 4:00 - 7:00 PM with a Masonic Service at 7:00 PM. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle. Burial will be at Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle

Pig Roast

Posted from my iPhone

Pig Roast

- Posted from my iPhone

Work in progress

- Posted from my iPhone

Masonic Veterans Memorial - Part 3

Masonic Veterans Memorial - Part 2

Masonic Veterans Memorial - Part 1

Masons donate to the Rochelle Police K-9 Unit

From left to right: K-9 Officer Emily Anderson and "Don", Chief Eric Higby, Past WM Bud Norcross and new WM Eric Da Costa.
$650 were raised to support the purchase and training of a second Police Dog during a chili dinner in May.

Installation of Officers 2011-2012

Newly installed Officers:

WM Eric Da Costa
SW Don Hinderliter
JW Kevin Eggenburg
Treas Ken Stohl
Sec Bud Norcross
Ch Otto Heisner
SD Rich Spahn
JD Greg Spahn
SS Clint Dickey
JS Ryan mcroberts
Mar Don Vogeler
Org Walt Roush
Tyl Brad Prosser

Fellowship Dinner provided by Eastern Star

The May 3rd Fellowship Meal was a huge success! The Eastern Star ladies provided a nice meal for one of our largest dinners yet; a whopping 63 people! There was a lot of smiling faces as the meal ended, a lot of conversation, and in short good fellowship. The ladies of the Star gave a short talk on the Star and invited those to join if anyone felt inclined.
After the presentation, the Star announced that all the monies from the dinner basket would go to a local food bank. It was then time for the belly masons to adjourn to the Lodge room for their annual meeting. Unknown to the men, the Star then invited all of the ladies and the children to stay and play Happy Bingo. Even the grandchildren had a good time playing and getting small presents provided by the Star. Of all the large contingent of widows (20) who attended this meeting, none left early.
We feel that something special has happened to our Lodge!
Another event of the evening was the presentation of certificates to those members selected as giving service and dedication to Masonry and this Lodge. Some were still busy in preparing for planting of their crops while others were not confident about going out in the evening. They were not neglected as the certificates were either mailed or delivered by hand.
Our next Fellowship meeting will by on June 7th. We will have our Scholarship winner as well as invited prospective new member attend the meal. Of course our ladies will all be contacted by letter and a personal telephone call to remind them of the dinner.
Special Ladies birthdays for June are: Shirley Tadd, Barb Tolley, and Marion Lang (who will be 94 yrs old).

For Sale

Brand new KT Sword. Sale to benefit the Lodge. Make offer.

Academic Team & Fellowship Dinner

The April Fellowship Dinner was a huge success. 53 people were in attendance for a delightful spaghetti supper cooked and presented by Bro Don Vogler and his wife Tootie. They were the first to utilize our brand new kitchen and announced what a joy it was to have such a fine area for our food preparation. We would like to thank them for their special effort and hard work. Fellowship was at its maximum and some presentations were made. It was announced that Mildred Lane would be leaving the area and moving to her daughter's in Washington State. Incidentally, she will be celebrating her 93rd birthday this month. Other Special Ladies birthdays were also recognized: Donna Dodd, Helen Pulliam, Betty Barnes, and Ione McAnly.
Our sponsored Academic Team-the AFC students were in attendance for this supper and were presented a recognition plaque for their participation in the 2011 Academic Bowl. Their coach Steve Toole made comments about the team and their
experiences with the school competition. His information was very well received by all.
WBro. Harry Gross, Academic Bowl Committee Member also had some kind words for the team and the collective process of the competition.
Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Past Masters and a note of their dedication and time to the fraternity. After supper, the Masons all struggled up the stairs to the lodge room to witness a fine 2nd degree. The ladies talked about their upcoming outing and several ideas were expressed about where to go.
The next Fellowship Dinner on May 3rd will be presented by the ladies of the Eastern Star. We haven't been privileged to the menu at this point of time, but rest assured that it will be a delicious meal. The ladies will give a short talk on the Star. Also that evening we will have a recognition night for several of our senior members who have dedicated so much time and energy to Masonry in the past years.
May birthdays to be celebrated will be: Pat Koeching, Nita Hultgren, Vivian Mullins, and Lynn Messer. If these ladies are unable to make it, we will sing "Happy Birthday" to them anyway, probably in the key of flat. If any lady cannot make it to the Fellowship Meal on the month of their birthday and would like to send a note, we would certainly like to read it at the supper.
We are presently putting a picture board together of all of our Special Ladies. Many of you have moved from the area or are shut in and are not able to enjoy our monthly Fellowship Meals. And, many of you may not know each other. To solve this problem, we will provide a picture board in the dining hall of all of the living widows of our past Masons. Please send us a favorite picture of yourself. You pick out the picture you want-it doesn't need to be today's. Also, a picture of you and your husband (preferably not a wedding picture) would be appreciated for another picture board. It is just a way for everyone to recognize yourself and your husband; it would be greatly appreciated by all.
Remember, if you need a ride to the Fellowship Meal, please call a Mason. If you need assistance in any way, please call a Mason. And, if any of you would like to attend Easter Services and have no family to take you, please call a Mason. Next dinner is at 6:30 pm, May 3rd.

Past Masters Night

On April 5th the Rochelle Masonic Lodge met for a Past Master's Night. All past masters of the area and especially the Rochelle Lodge were invited for a night of recognition of their achievements and dedication to the fraternity.

Worshipful Brothers

Front Row: Otto Heisner, Rich Spahn, Ron Dean, Harry Gross, Virgil Ewald
Middle Row: Henry Toms, Orville Schoemaker, Ken White, Paul Mathis
Top Row: Wayne Williams, Jack Baylor, Jim Toms, Bud Norcross, Lyle Headon

IMOS Dinner

Rochelle's Horicon Lodge celebrated the receiving of the coveted Grand Lodge IMOS Award during a sit down dinner with 80 people in attendance. A delicious meal was served while being entertained by Bro Walt Roush on his keyboard. It was a very pleasing and pleasant evening.

There were several memorable parts of the program:
1. Madison Wilkinson an RTHS senior sang the National Anthem,
2. Karla Carwile made the presentation of the IMOS Award,
3. Orville Shoemaker , DDGM, presented Bro LaVerne Krahenbuhl with his
50 year pin and certificate.
4. A special Memorial Service was held by reading the names of our
Masonic Widow's departed husbands.

WM Bud Norcross acted as the Master of Ceremonies and filled in the gaps for information about the several parts of the program. He explained the Lodge's part of the sponsorship to young Madison Wilkinson on her trip to Europe with the national choir group. He introduced Karla and had a few words about her achievements in Illinois with the Grand Lodge. And, he also introduced our WB LaVerne Krahenbuhl for his 50 year award.
We were especially honored with the presence and presentation of a very informative talk about the IMOS program in Illinois, by Karla Carwile. Many of our widows and families in attendance did not realize the importance of this program in assisting the distressed Masonic Widows of this state. They had realized that Rochelle Masons were providing them with many considerations because of their late husband's membership with the Lodge. But, they realized for the first time the importance of this program and the leadership of the Rochelle Masons in this effort.

Bro LaVerne Krahenbuhl was presented his 50 year pin and certificate by DDGM Orville Shoemaker, on behalf of the Grand Master of Illinois. Laverne was very humbled receiving this coveted award as his family looked on.

Concluding the evening, WBro Lyle Headon led the memorial service of our widow's departed Masons. He read the 48 names on our rolls and explained the remembering of each Mason as he passed from our ranks.
The dinner meeting adjourned and everyone parted the enjoyable evening.