A visit to the West - Lake Superior Lodge 67

I headed out west in the U.P. This afternoon, to a small village called Ewen. I've been there on several occasions, but this evening was an official visit as Most Worshipful Grand Master.  You see, this Lodge is a consolidation of three Lodges, Ontonogan, Rockland and Ewen. The name became so long, they chose to change it to something more representative of the region. I'm going to digress a bit to Rockland Lodge, which had celebrated 150 years. I remember my first visit, it was a cold evening in Mass City, my old friend George Mikkola invited me up. The stairs were narrow and winding, the glass was depression style, and in the sitting room was a jungers heater, where everyone gathered around. Brother Bob Spears, who said he liked being called buffalo Bob, showed up with some fresh jerky. After stoking the heater with coal, and passing the jerky around to take a chaw off the end, the topic of conversation was wringer washers and the types of engines they had on them. One brother piped up and exclaimed he just purchased one with a kick start on it. After the lively discussion was put to bed, they thought it about time to have a lodge meeting, which was secondary to the purpose of the gathering.  Well this evening, there were 12 brothers from the three lodge consolidations, all with interest in the affairs of the current lodge. Business was discussed, storied reminisced and a chance to hear the Grand Master.  All were very cordial, most lived several miles away. Dessert was enjoyed, and we were on our way back home.  It was only a 312 mile round trip tonight, and such is life in the U.P.  I wouldn't have it any other way........