Inman Masonic Lodge's Steak Dinner Fundraiser

A steak dinner fundraiser was held on March 18th, 2017, at Lyman Lake Lodge.  Over 75 attendees gathered for the dinner, including RWB Mike Smith, Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina, and his wife Lynn, as well as WB Paul McWilliams, Senior Grand Deacon, and his fiancée Bonnie. 

The evening began with musical entertainment from the Plum Hollow Band.  Brother Jared Miller on guitar, fiddle and vocals, Kris Dedmon on banjo and vocals, and Brother Glenn Miller on pedal steel and vocals, played bluegrass for the crowd.  A delicious steak dinner prepared by the officers and members of Inman Lodge was then enjoyed by all in attendance.  Afterward, thirteen cakes were auctioned off, with an additional two given as prizes for cake walks.  Many thanks to WB Stephen Pinker and the officers of Inman Masonic Lodge, and the Pinker family in particular, for a successful night of good food and good times!

Brother Carroll Campbell

Brother Carroll Campbell passed away March 15, 2017.  He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on May 13, 1967, and received his 40 year membership on March 21, 2008.  Bro. Campbell's obituary can be viewed here.

The 300th Anniversary of Freemasonry

Lodges around the globe will be celebrating the 300th Anniversary of Freemasonry this year.  Worshipful Brother Matthew Tripp, Worshipful Master of Mount Zion Lodge #9, Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio, puts the Anniversary into perspective.  “On June 24th, 1717, in London, England, four Lodges decided to create the Grand Lodge of England,” WB Tripp explained.  “And this structure of organization has continued for three centuries and spread around the world.” 

“Masonic Lodges existed before that time,” WB Tripp said.  “But, the 1717 date represents the basic, creative step in the overall continuity and agreement of principles that still govern the international fraternity we have today.”  The United Grand Lodge of England’s celebration of 300 years will be held in the Royal Albert Hall, London, England on October 31, 2017.  Invitations to the Grand Masters of all Grand Lodges recognized by the UGLE have been sent.   

The first Lodge in South Carolina, Solomon’s Lodge #1, was chartered by the Grand Lodge of England in 1735.  The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina was granted a charter just one year later.  The Grand Lodge of South Carolina, with its 288 Lodges, will be celebrating its 280th Grand Lodge Communication this April.

The Ancient Free Masons Club of Spartanburg County will be celebrating the 300th Anniversary by conferring a Master Mason’s Degree on Saturday, June 24th, at Saint John’s Masonic Lodge #333 AFM, 190 West Main Street in Spartanburg, at  7 PM.  The degree will be conferred in “traditional observance” form, with candlelight and classical music.  A meal will be served at 6 PM, and it is recommended, but not required, that all who attend wear a shirt and tie.     

Worshipful Brother Reggie Walter Cox

Worshipful Brother Reggie Walter Cox, Past Master of Inman 201, has passed away.  He served as Worshipful Master of Inman Masonic Lodge in 1982.  WB Reggie, along with WB Jackie Gregory, were the founding members of the Inman Masonic Lodge Charles Heatherly Memorial Golf Tournament held annually at Village Greens Golf Course.  For 30 years, Reggie & Jackie have headed this golf tournament which has funded many of the philanthropic endeavors of Inman Masonic Lodge, most notably the annual scholarship awards to many Chapman High School Seniors, and funded the formation of the Inman Masonic Lodge Scholarship Fund.

 A memorial service will be held at Hopewell Baptist Church, 1919 Highway 11 in  Landrum, SC, at 3:00 PM on Saturday, March 11th.  Rev. Lynn Stewart will officiate the service.  The family is at the home, and will receive friends prior to the service on Saturday, 1:30 until 3:00, at Hopewell Baptist Church.  A service of Masonic Rites will be held at a later date at Inman Masonic Lodge and will be announced.

WB Reggie's obituary can be viewed here. 

Hugh Wayne Johnson

Brother Hugh Wayne Johnson laid down his working tools on February 27, 2017.  He was a 54 year member of Inman Masonic Lodge.  Visitation for Brother Johnson will be at Seawright's Funeral Home on March 1st, 2017, from 6 to 8 PM.  Funeral services will be held in Seawright's chapel on March 2, 2017 at 4 PM, conducted by Rev. Benny Green and Rev. Ralph Brown.  Graveside services, including Brother Johnson's Masonic Rites, will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Inman, SC.  

Brother Johnson's obituary can be found here.  Please remember to keep the family of Brother Johnson in your daily devotions.

Glyn Curtis Babb

Brother Glyn Curtis Babb laid down his working tools on February 18, 2017.  He was a 50 year member of Inman Masonic Lodge, and a veteran of World War II.  Visitation will be held at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307 from 1-2:30 PM.  A graveside service with military rites will follow at 3 PM in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens at 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307.  The service will be conducted by Rev. Steven R. Owensby.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, PO Drawer 2909, Spartanburg, SC 29304, or online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or the Charles Lea Center Foundation, 195 Burdette St., Spartanburg, SC 29307.

Steak Dinner Fundraiser

A Steak Dinner Fundraiser for Inman Lodge has been announced for March 18th at Lyman Lake Lodge, 200 Lyman Lake Lodge Road in Lyman, SC.  This is a ticket-only event, with the price being $25 each.  Only 100 tickets will be available.  The event begins at 5 PM with a singing performance by Chosen Voices.  At 6 PM the meal begins, with a 12 oz. ribeye steak, baked potato, salad, roll, dessert and a drink.  At 7 PM the cake walk begins.  For $1 per walk, you can participate in a chance to win a delicious homemade cake.  This event is open to the public.  To order your tickets, contact WB Stephen Pinker at 864-415-4459, WB Jeff Honeycutt at 864-809-0866 or WB Lynn Lowe at 864-680-0743.

Cornerstone Laying Ceremony

On October 22nd Inman Masonic Lodge participated in a public cornerstone laying ceremony with MWB William B. Rogers and the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina.  Many Brothers from across the state were in attendance as the cornerstone was dedicated for Inman Community Volunteer Fire Department’s new facility.  Grand Lodge opened at Inman Lodge, then proceeded to the Fire Department to commence the cornerstone dedication, a ceremony performed for hundreds of years.  This event, open to the public, gives a glimpse into the world of Freemasonry as the structure is declared tried and true, worthy of the purpose to which it has been dedicated.  

2017 Officers Elections

At our Regular Communication on November 3rd, the officers for 2017 were elected and appointed.  Brother Stephen E. Pinker was elected to serve as Worshipful Master, Brother Ken Kuszmaul was elected to serve as Senior Warden, and Brother Steven Setzer was elected to serve as Junior Warden.  RWB Doug O’Shields was elected to serve another term as Treasurer, and WB Paul McWilliams was also elected to serve another term as Secretary.  Our Worshipful Master-elect appointed Brother Steve Parris as Senior Deacon, Brother Stan Wiertzychowski as Chaplain, and WB Steven A. Pinker as Tyler.  The Senior Warden-elect appointed as Junior Deacon Brother Bob Metger, and the Junior Warden-elect appointed as Stewards Brothers Gene Kuszmaul and John Woodyard.  The private installation was held on December 1st at the Regular Communication, and the public installation was held on December 3rd.  Good luck to these Brothers on their service for the ensuing Masonic year.

Ladies & Awards Night 2016

Inman Masonic Lodge’s annual Ladies & Awards Night was held on November 5th.  A catered meal from John’s Café & Catering was served to all the Brethren and their ladies in attendance.  The awards presentation followed the meal, with 25, 40 and 50 year pins and certificates presented, as well as plaques and certificates for all the officers of 2016.  The Master and Wardens 150% Award was presented to WB Paul McWilliams, and the Mason of the Year Award was presented to Brother Stephen Pinker for their service to the Craft, and Inman Lodge in particular.  Once the awards presentation was concluded, some of the Brethren volunteered to read letters they had written to their ladies professing their love and appreciation for them and their support.  At the conclusion of the evening, the ladies were presented with printed copies of their letters to frame, and a red rose.