The author of this history.
WB Archie W. Shiels,
A History of the Lodges of Whatcom County.
The author of this history the rest of the Hall, was done by WB Francis Wifler (an Honorary member of the Lodge). Unfortunately, the Wor. Sir was tired the day he lettered the Apron chest and we have two drawers for the Treasurer, but none for the Tyler. The Lodge received the chest on 17 December, 1990 with much thanks to Bro. Jenkins.
Mrs. Hotovitzky makes a hobby of painting and beautiful needlework, and is really an accomplished artist.
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The above transparencies are still to be found in the Lodge Room of our beautiful Nooksack Masonic Hall, hanging above the Stations in the East, South, and West respectively.
The Volume of the Sacred Law (VSOL)
The Volume of the Sacred Law that is used at our meetings was donated to the Lodge by a Masonic Widow in California. It was delivered to the Lodge on 17 April, 1989 by Bro. Miles Bouchard. He received it from the lady whose name is now lost, with a request that we find a good home for it. As it happened, the Lodge had just voted to purchase a new one, since the one we had used for so many years was now showing the ravages of time.
The Furniture, Tools, and Jewels
The Lodge Furniture
The Myrtlewood Lodge Room Furniture has already been described, and its history recounted in Chapter 6, so we won’t discuss it any further, except to say that the wood was obtained from the Myrtlewood forests in California and Oregon by WB Alpha Harris. He brought it to Nooksack where WB Jake Myers fashioned it into the beautiful pieces that were lovingly crafted by himself and finished by WB Wilson. Later, the Star after many years of working in the food booths at the Northwest Washington Fair and serving breakfasts saved up enough money to have their own Chapter furniture also fashioned from Myrtlewood by WB’s Myers and Wilson.
The Tylers Sword
John A. Thompson, who became a member of our Lodge in 1913, tells us that the sword used by our Tyler was presented to the Lodge by a charter member, R. F. McCollough, who was installed as the first Tyler to our Lodge, and that this sword was the one carried by McCullough in the Civil War. The sword is inscribed with his name and several Masonic symbols on the blade.
WB Archie W. Shiels,
A History of the Lodges of Whatcom County.
The Tyler’s sword is still in the possession of Nooksack Valley Lodge No. 105. It is engraved on the blade with the name R. F. McCullough and indeed has Masonic Symbols on the scabbard, hilt, and blade. Old it is, and although it is possible that it was used in the Civil War, it is highly unlikely, as the sword appears to be a sword as used by the Knights Templar.
The Officers Apron Storage Chest
The large chest in the Tyler’s Anti-Room was made by Bro. Les Jenkins. It is used to store the officers and candidates Aprons. The lettering on that chest, as well as Just above the Tyler’s Desk is an image of a Flying Eagle burned in wood. It was made by Les Jenkin’s wife Blanche in 1992. MWB James Vannice was Grand Master that year and had a pin made up with that Eagle and emblazoned under it was the motto “Soar With the Eagles.” Our MWB Brother is bald and so the Brethren of his Lodge, Whidbey No. 15, christened him with the nick-name, “The Bald Eagle;” a double allusion to his lack of hair, and the fact that prior to his retirement, he had been a Commander in the Aviation Branch of the US Navy. Blanche fell in love with his pin; got out her trusty wood burner, fashioned that picture, and presented it to the Lodge to hang in the anti-room on 20 January, 1992.
The Master & Wardens Illuminated Transparencies
(See pictures above)
There are three fine transparencies (painted glass) hanging in the Lodge room --- Sunrise, Noon, and Sunset. These were the gift of Mrs. Antoinette the wife of Bro., Dimitry Hotovitsky of Seward Lodge No. 219 of Alaska.
The little town of Belkofsky lies nestled in the low hills out on the far-flung reaches of the Aleutian Peninsula. There is not much activity there now, but in the old Russian days it was one of the best stations for the sea otter hunters. now there are about one hundred inhabitants, mostly natives, and it is here that Father Hotovitsky and his good wife live and minister to the spiritual needs of the inhabitants. They have a very small church, the Greek Orthodox, and the Hotovitskys have been there for many years --- a wonderful couple, doing so good for their flock.
The Myrtlewood Lodge Room Furniture has already been described, and its history recounted in Chapter 6, so we won’t discuss it any further, except to say that the wood was obtained from the Myrtlewood forests in California and Oregon by WB Alpha Harris. He brought it to Nooksack where WB Jake Myers fashioned it into the beautiful pieces that were lovingly crafted by himself and finished by WB Wilson. Later, the Star after many years of working in the food booths at the Northwest Washington Fair and serving breakfasts saved up enough money to have their own Chapter furniture also fashioned from Myrtlewood by WB’s Myers and Wilson.
The Volume of the Sacred Law (VSOL)
The Volume of the Sacred Law that is used at our meetings was donated to the Lodge by a Masonic Widow in California. It was delivered to the Lodge on 17 April, 1989 by Bro. Miles Bouchard. He received it from the lady whose name is now lost, with a request that we find a good home for it. As it happened, the Lodge had just voted to purchase a new one, since the one we had used for so many years was now showing the ravages of time.