Meet Brother Dave Wilkins – Indiana’s Newest Master Mason for 2017.
Thursday evenings bitter cold was not enough to stop approximately 20 brothers from attending a superb dinner and then a sublime Master Mason degree. Brother Dave Wilkins asked the incoming 2017 officers if they could perform the Master Mason on January 5th – because the next day would have been his fathers 80th birthday. And while Dave’s dad had passed away a few years ago – the significance of becoming a Master Mason before that date meant a whole lot to him. To meet Bro Wilkin’s request – #421 had to perform the MM degree only 5 days into the new year. After the conclusion of the degree – our lodge was informed by visiting PM Steve Burnstein that we had in fact had made Brother Wilkins – Indiana’s first Master Mason of 2017. A superb way for Brother Dave (and Carmel #421) to start off the new year!
Our “brand new” lodge Junior Warden Ben Edde had his hands full organizing (and subsequently juggling) the craft list, making dinner, and then performing Senior Deacon duties. Well done Ben!
Additional help in the degree came from Past Masters – Rick Hurwitz, Neil Anger, and Steve Burnstein. 421’s “2016 WM” Dave Hommel, PM performed the weighty MM degree work portion, including other important duties. The help from all or our PM’s was CRITICAL to the success of the evening. 2017 WM Dave Philpott (on behalf of all the 421 lodge officers) would like to thank everyone involved. Our lodge and officers would also like to wish brothers Mike Power, PM and Charles Sparks, JS – a speedy recovery from the colds that kept them from attending the degree. Further wishes and prayers go out to our own Billy Sanders, PM – who is dealing with some heavy challenges with his family, including the declining health of his father. God bless you brothers! We are here for you!
In closing, it was a real treat to see some brothers, old and new, attending the dinner and degree. Hope to see you all again at the next degree!
