by Midnight Freemason Contributor
Robert H. Johnson
 |
| Highland Masonic Temple, Denver CO. |
Early this year I was asked to come to the Colorado Masonic Symposium and give a talk. I didn't realize right away it was a Grand Lodge Symposium and, I really didn't know what to expect. I know how most symposiums go--several speakers, lunch, more speakers and then a meal together.
The talk I gave was one where I speak about the symbolism and esoteric nature of what is in our ritual. I also explore some of the other organizations that have existed in the past and present that also align to many of the facets contained within our Craft. After I agreed to do this talk, Brother Wyatt Page (the guy who planned this thing), asked me to also be a part of a panel discussion on Masonic Research Methodologies with Bro. Adam Kendall (Editor of the Plumbline AASR RS.)
I jumped at the chance to do this. But I had an ace up my sleeve. Scott Dueball, an Emeritus contributor to this blog is also the State Education Officer for the Grand Lodge of Illinois and just happened to be a member of Denver Lodge No. 5, so naturally I asked Bro. Page if Scott could come with and assist in this panel. Bro Wyatt agreed and that was that.
Fast forward many months, all-the-while checking the symposium website often to see the schedule--and the countdown clock, it was getting exciting. Finally it was the day to travel. Scott and I both woke up and did our normal thing. Went to work--all day. After work I headed to Scott's house. There, he and I gorged on Taco Bell with his wife and daughter, prior to taxing to the airport for a 9:00 PM flight to Denver airport. A couple things to note. First, amid the recent Taco Bell recall for metal shavings in the beef, Scott had assured me we'd be fine since we both went through the airport metal detectors and didn't set them off 😂. Second, Denver Airport really does have some freaky stuff, the hype is real.
We arrived safely and got to our hotel thanks to Bro. Patrick Dey--we did an episode of WCY with him, so he should sound familiar if you didn't already know of him. After arriving at the hotel, Scott and I crashed hard at about 1:00 AM. We woke by 6:00 AM and made our way to the host lodge, Highland Masonic Temple. I have to say the lodge building was stunning. Check these pictures out.
 |
| RWB Kevin Townley |
 |
| WB Adam Kendall |
I was able to kick the day off which was an amazing opportunity. There were more than 150 Brothers present, and not only that--there were still 150 people there at the end of the day. Sustained interest! All the speakers did amazing jobs. Check that link above for the website and the schedule. Of course, Scott and Adam killed it on the research panel. I, as well as everyone present learned something of value.
 |
| WB Dueball chatting after the panel. |
After all the education, there was the festive board. The highlight of this trip of course, was spending time with Scott and sharing fellowship with all these [new] Brothers. But when Junior Grand Warden, Ray Dunn took the podium...WOW. His speech was so full of passion, I mean-- I teared up. It was awesome. I found it to be so great, that I asked him to send me a copy and to do a reading for the WCY Podcast. That episode will come out soon.
 |
| A Panoramic of the Festive Board |
"So great, Robert. You went to another Masonic Education conference."
Yes I did. And it was fantastic. The concepts, the topics, the logistics, the fellowship--all of it went off like clock-work and could not have gone better. At least to me, an outsider, that's the way it seemed. I need to thank Bro. Wyatt for his amazing job in planning this. I need to thank Bro. Dave for his dedication to Masonic Education, to the Grand Lodge of Colorado for investing in Masonic Education with an event that likely cost a lot. And I want to thank Scott and Adam Kendall for their work on the panel discussion as well.
Freemasonry is Education.
~RHJ