2023 Annual Lodge Historical Report (Harmony Lodge No. 21)
Harmony Lodge No. 21
F. & A. M.
LOGAN, UTAH 84321
2023 Annual Lodge Historical Report
2023 AD (our 107th year) has been a year of growth for Harmony Lodge No. 21 under Worshipful Master Kurtis B. Payne’s leadership. The focus for the year has been on brotherhood and improving our ritual proficiency and floor work. Stated meetings were well planned and focused on getting the lodge business done quickly, with efforts to share education with brothers and have esoteric discussions and lectures on masonry.
Under the direction of Worshipful Brother Timothy Fellows, Deputy Grand Lodge Lecturer, practices were held every week, excluding holidays and stated meeting nights. The first half hour to forty-five minutes was focused on helping new brothers work on their catechism proficiency. The next several hours were dedicated to practicing and learning each of the degrees for those acting in their various roles. These practices proved to be quite fruitful. The lodge performed 9 degrees throughout the masonic year, where five new brothers were initiated into our great fraternity, and four brothers were passed to the degree of Fellowcraft. We appreciate the help and support of Brothers Steven Lancaster, Joseph Milner, Kim Passey, and Zachery Johnstun for their assistance on some of these degrees. Three raisings and a passing are planned for the beginning of 2024 to continue progressing these fine brothers.
In May, we were informed of the passing of Brother Carl D. Fortune, Sr., who had laid down his working tools by his son, Brother Carl D. Fortune, Jr. Carl had been living with his son in Texas while maintaining a residence in North Logan. Brother Carl had been a long-time member of Harmony Lodge No. 21 and Five Points Lodge No. 1137 in El Paso, Texas, a Hiram Award recipient, a mason for 65 years, a 32nd-degree Scottish Rite mason, a Past Worth Matron in OES, and a Shriner. He will be greatly missed. Several brothers got together with Carl, Jr. when he came to North Logan to help transfer his father’s belongings to a moving van that he took back to Texas and to reminisce on Brother Carl Sr.’s memories.
Another focus of the lodge has been to increase our success at the West Gate. A small committee that worked with each of the contacts made by interested gentlemen received from beafreemason.org, lodge text messages, emails, and voice mails. Each new contact was invited to all open events, welcomed and received by various brothers, and introduced to our lodge and Freemasonry. We found that if these prospects attended at least two events (pre-stated meeting dinners, open installation, etc.), they would petition the lodge for the three degrees. After a thorough investigation by the investigation committee, several of these prospects were initiated this year. The Lodge plans to expand these efforts in 2024, as we currently have sixteen active inquiries on the books.
For our charity efforts for the year, the Lodge partnered with the William A. Burnard Warming Center. The warming center is located at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Logan. The center provides a warm place for the homeless in our valley to stay out of the cold winter weather. Harmony Lodge worked with the W.A.B staff to petition the Masonic Foundation of Utah for a grant to provide cots, blankets, and other items to be used in the center by their patrons. Hopefully, both organizations will hear back on the success of their proposal in the next few months.
The lodge held several events outside degree and stated meetings. An Oktoberfest was organized by Brother Phil Henderson, Junior Deacon, which was well attended by brothers, their families, and friends. A training on Grand View was also conducted by our secretary to help familiarize them with the information that could be gleaned from this software. Brother Carl Ellsworth, Senior Warden, who works as an IT professional, conducted a training on online security for the lodge members. He also planned a game night, which was also well attended.
A public installation of officers for the pursuing masonic year was held in December. Worshipful Master Matthew Harris was installed for his 2nd year as Worshipful Master. His first year as Worshipful Master was in 2017 at Yucca Valley Lodge No. 802 in California. Worshipful Brother David Hutchinson was the installing officer, Worshipful Brother William McCraw was the installing marshall, and Worshipful Brother Robert Green was the installing secretary. All did an exceptional job, and we appreciate their service to our Lodge. In attendance were Right Worshipful David Tingey, Deputy Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Shaun Davis, Grand Tyler, Harmony Lodge brothers, their family, and friends. The lodge room was fully packed! The lodge recognized our Worshipful Master’s lady, Maria Harris, for her assistance and support of our lodge and Worshipful Brother Harris.
We look forward to another tremendous Masonic year.
Peace and harmony prevailing,
Gary T. Roberts, Secretary