Three Hundred Men Enjoy Masonic Banquet – Smoker

Wednesday Evening was a Banner F. and A. M. Event

One of the best affairs ever staged by the Grand Lodge Masonic lodge was the banquet and smoker given Wednesday evening. Each member was requested to bring a non-Masonic friend as his guest. By six-thirty the hall was packed and three hundred men marched to the banquet room where tables were laid for that number.

After the invocation led by H. L. Mattice in which all the members took part by repeating the Lord’s Prayer, the Worshipful Master, W. H. Briggs welcomed the Masons and guests and introduced the toastmaster, Frank C. Arms. Mr. Arms, in his fitting and happy speeches of introducing the speakers, almost went beyond his own reputation as toastmaster. He introduced Fred L. Berry who responded on behalf of the guests to the Worshipful Master’s address of Welcome, who was followed by Hon. Frank Fritzgerald, business manager of the State Highway Department.

Claire Taylor of Charlotte, district manager of the 10th Masonic Service Commission, and Worshipful Master of the Charlotte Masonic lodge, spoke on some of the activities and intentions of the Commission and gave some interesting statistics concerning Masonic memberships. He also extended an invitation to the members to attend a school of instruction in Charlotte next Monday evening.

Chas. Manly, a past master of a Masonic lodge in Jackson was a witty as well as instructive speaker in Masonic affairs in his part of the State.

Miles Stark of Lansing formerly of Grand Ledge reviewed the history of the members of the Grand Ledge lodge who were present which kept the audience in an uproar.

Senator Gannser (editor’s note: should be Gansser) of Bay City, spoke something on legislative matters paid a high tribute to Lincoln, in which he quoted the Gettysburg speech and excerpts from the second inaugural address, and memorialized the boys of Michigan who were across in the World War. Col. Gannser paid a high compliment to the Worshipful Master and other Masons who are also members of the local battery for their enthusiasm in this work and assured them of his cooperation as member of the Senate Military committee, in furthering their ideals and hopes for a bigger and better troop and quarters.

Forrest L. Weaver, editor of the Lansing Masonic News, and member of the Grand Lodge Masonic Service Lecture Bureau spoke on Masonry. His talk was replete with Masonic history and symbolism and showed the deep study and interest he has for it.

The musicians of the evening’s entertainment were Lester Simpson, violin; Wilber Kingsley, accordian; Elmer Shoff, bones; Miles Stark, harmonlea; and Clare Stark at the piano. Elmer Shoff entertained with some juggling stunts. Wilbur Hennis led the community singing in which without exception every member present took a hearty part. Mr. Stark deserves credit for his selection of musicians who made the hit of the evening with their Money Musk, Turkey in the Straw, and other old time favorites, which appealed to the listeners more than the latest jazz tunes.

The supper was an old fashioned country Chicken dinner and with the tasty and appealing manner in which the cuisine art was handled by the chief of chefs, Fred Van Dyken the guests made short work of everything in sight and voted hearty thanks of appreciation to Van.

The Fellowcraft Club committee who had charge of the entire affair labored long and faithfully to put this affair over in the right way and saw their endeavors rewarded in a complete success. There was not a hitch in the entire affair and all were amply repaid in the passing of the happiest affair of Masonry in this lodge for some time. The members of this committee were Chas. Porter, Lem Dankin and Lloyd Smith.

The Worshipful Master announced that Wednesday evening, February 20th, would be Business Men’s night at which the Masonic business men of the lodge would assist in conferring degrees.