North Central Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – May 27, 2021
Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International

Cryptic Masons International Collar
Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom

 

On May 27, a conference call was held with the North Central Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below.

Iowa

• Opened Lodges – no restrictions on meetings or degrees.
  • Majority of Lodges are conferring many degrees and are active.
• Excited to be going back to work in the Craft.
• Sessions
  • Grand Commandery
    • Thursday – Drill
    • Friday – Business – Elections, etc. Banquet in Evening
    • Saturday – Installation of Officers
  • Grand Council and Grand Chapter
    • Scottish Rite, Des Moines, IA
    • August 6-7, 2021
    • Friday – Thrice Illustrious Master? – Council Day – Banquet
    • Saturday – Order of High Priesthood – Chapter Day
• Meetings – All York Rite is meeting at this point in person.
• Degrees
  • November 20, 2021 – State-wide Festival
• Grand Lodge – 
  • September 15-17, 2021
  • Davenport, IA

Minnesota

• Session
  • 2021
    • Stephen Balke representing the GGM and GGC.
    • June 23-26
    • June 23 – Past Grand High Priest – 
    • June 24 – Visitation Day –  Necrology Service – PM
    • June 25 – Chapter in AM – Council in PM – Grand Banquet
    • June 26 – Commandery – Lots of legislation – Andrea Theater – “Grease”
    • Installations after each meeting.
    • Holiday Inn, Alexandria, MN (South side of I-94)
    • Registration Online – https://www.mnyorkrite.org/product/mngyrs/ 
  • 2022
    • June 23-25 (Last FULL weekend of June each year)
• Grand Lodge – Eased restrictions for those vaccinated.
  • Food is allowed to be served as well.
  • Following local rules for social distancing and mask utilization.
• Degrees 
  • Chapter is active – some Chapters are doing local degree work, Councils forthcoming.
  • Scheduling Festivals at this point.
    • January 29 – Minneapolis Scottish Rite (tent) – Chapter
    • February 19 – Minneapolis Scottish Rite (tentative) – Council
    • Commandery thereafter.

Nebraska

• Sessions
  • 2022 Dates Reported
  • Successful 2021 – Bill Snyder in attendance
• Fully opened.
• All York Rite is meeting.
• Survey
  • What do you like about being a Cryptic Mason?
  • What has your experience been in your Council?
  • Is there any part that you really like, and may want to learn?
• Quarterly Newsletter
• Working on updating email addresses. (expense avoidance)
• Degrees
  • Chapter – 2nd Saturday in September – Papillion, NE
  • Council and Commandery – 1st Saturday in October – Papillion, NE

North Dakota

• Sessions
  • Monty Glover is tentatively attending
  • July 8-10, 2021
  • Ramada Inn, Bismarck, ND
• Opening what restrictions they had, starting degree work.

South Dakota

• Government – no restrictions.
• Meetings – All are opening up.
• Degrees
  • Work in Lodge
  • Work in York Rite
• South Dakota Grand York Rite Sessions
  • September 15-17, 2021
  • Crossroads, Huron, SD for the Hotel (Huron Event Center)
  • Ladies program being planned.
  • Wednesday – Dinner – Trustees – YRSC Meeting – Thrice Illustrious Master in Evening
  • Thursday – Opening – Introduction of Dignitaries – Grand Council in Afternoon – Recognition Dinner – Holy Land Pilgrimage participant speaking.
  • Friday – Morning – Grand Commandery – Afternoon – Grand Chapter – Grand Banquet.
• Grand Lodge June 17-19, 2021
  • Ramada Inn, Mitchell, SD

Wisconsin

• Successful Grand Sessions
  • Brad Bingheim elected Most Illustrious Grand Master.

CMMRF

•  No report.

General Grand Council

• No report.