Wardens and Brethren,

In our third meeting of the year, we had our District Deputy Grand Master visitation. R.W Alsabe presented three 50-year medals with our Grand Master Rick Baccus. This year Jenks has seven (only three were able to come) members reaching 50 years in freemasonry:

Mark Force Will, Franklin Salvaki, Warren (Bill) Linfield, David Allsup, Merlin Simonson, Gary Greer and Charles Brown

The presentation was a short look back to the 1976 Bicentennial which served as a high-octane national “reset button,” trading the cynicism of the early seventies for a massive, red-white-and-blue birthday party defined by its iconic five-pointed star logo and a wave of “New Nostalgia.” While the United States was captivated by the majestic “Tall Ships” of Operation Sail and the underdog political victory of Jimmy Carter, the global stage was undergoing its own seismic shifts. From the end of the Mao era in China and the daring rescue at Entebbe to the high-tech triumph of the Viking 1 landing on Mars, 1976 was a year where the world seemed to be accelerating toward a more connected, high-stakes future.

Culturally, 1976 acted as a “Big Bang” for the modern era, witnessing the birth of Apple Computer in a California garage and the debut of the VHS format, while the soundtrack of the year clashed between the glamour of Disco and the raw energy of early Punk. This era of transformation was anchored by the Freemasons, who leveraged the anniversary to highlight the Fraternity’s deep-rooted influence on the nation’s founding principles, specifically through massive historical exhibits at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia honoring “Founding Brothers” like Washington and Franklin. In Rhode Island, the Craft took pride in the Ocean State’s unique claim as the first colony to declare independence, ensuring the “Spirit of ’76” remained a living tradition through the publication of the Bicentennial Review of RI Masonry and active participation in local colonial reenactments like Gaspee Days.

Looking to the future our April meeting will be looking at freemasonry and the American revolution with guest speaker R.W Walter Hunt. The lodge will open April 27th at 7pm. Food will be served before the meeting at 6pm, this month we will be having Chicken Parmesan •Sausage & Peppers, Sides •Penne Marinara •Garlic Roasted Potatoes and Roasted Zucchini.

Finally, don’t forget Jenks will be hosting JENKS TAVERN. Get your Tokens now for access and a Glass mug. This year’s theme is The Revolution celebrating 250 years of American independence. I hope to see or at least speak with most of you soon.

Fraternally,

Andrew (AJ) Brockway WM Jenks #24