Writing my last blog entry opened the floodgates of memories. I took some good natured brotherly teasing about the length of the last entry but that's okay, Fellowship Lodge generates many fond memories and some not so fond, but I digress.
Something that occurred at every regular stated meeting was introductions. Introductions in Fellowship Lodge were different than most and again another tradition. After opening the lodge, the Master would go around the room and introduce every Past Master of Fellowship Lodge usually beginning with the Secretary. It would go something like this, "Good evening WB George Savage it's a pleasure having you in lodge this evening." The respondent would typically say how good it is to be in lodge and what they are looking forward to etc. This was just a nice touch and paid respect to the Past Masters of the lodge.
My association with 490 goes back to my DeMolay days. I remember like it was yesterday, we DeMolay boys were selling hot dogs and pop at the old IMA during the circus. My dad and WB Danny Helmer were chatting while we were working, WB Danny asked my dad why he didn't come to the DeMolay meetings. My dad replied that he couldn't attend, Danny said well you're a Master Mason aren't you and my dad said no that he wasn't. WB Danny then asked an obvious question, " How did David get into DeMolay?"
Dad explained that I had been sponsored by a teacher. Danny investigated further and my dad said that he had wanted to join but did not know how, BINGO ....the magic answer and WB Danny took care of that. My dad thoroughly enjoyed the craft and travelling with WB Howard Durbin and WB Jimmy Carter. My greatest accomplishment in my Masonic career was helping lead my dad to the fraternity. Of course dad joined Fellowship 490 and the rest is history as they say.
WB Mel Malone was a great influence to many brothers. I first met WB Mel as a DeMolay dad advisor. Fellowship Lodge was a huge supporter of DeMolay and most of the advisors came from 490. WB Danny Helmer, Russ Helmer, WB Chris Corrigan, WB Mel Malone, WB Roy Warren, WB LT Wiliston to name a few.
WB Mel also did the makeup for the Master Mason Degree, yes makeup. The fellowcrafts all received a trip through Mel's barber chair for makeup and beards along with the ruffians, the kings, and others. The third degree was quite the production.
Another tradition that 490 had was it's unique way of presenting the charge to the brethren. WB Mel would dress as father time complete with a scythe, beard, wig and makeup. I remember vividly WB Mel doing the charge during my degree, it took a while for me to realize who it was. After a couple of paragraphs I was able to pick up Mel's slight accent.
What made WB Mel's delivery unique was that he would come from the East and present the charge on the East side of the altar with the newly made Master Mason on the West side of the altar with the cast of the allegory assembled around the new Master Mason. Through a succession of Grand Lecturers this was deemed illegal and 490 was forbidden from doing it in this fashion again.....thus ending a long standing tradition.
This seems like an appropriate time to call this entry complete. Undoubtedly more will follow as I contemplate the wonders of Fellowship Lodge #490
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