Splendid Event at Dalby Springs Lodge #684

There was a splendid event at Dalby Springs Lodge #684, on April 10, 2001.  
This small rural Lodge in District 1A has a membership of 42.  Members of
District 1A were asked to help Dalby Springs #684 with a Fellowcraft Degree
on this particular evening.  It was a magnificient, unprecedented event for
our District.  There were 32 Master Masons in attendance.  It is significant
to note, however, that there were 16 Past Masters from other Lodges and 7
Past District Deputy Grand Masters.  The "magic" of the evening was presented
by our DDGM, Robert D. Tyson, as he announced that every Lodge in District 1A
was represented at this meeting.  RW Bro. Tyson, increased the significance
of this event as he picked a degree team that was composed of a member from
all 7 Lodges of District 1A.  The "District Team" for that evening then
conferred a wonderful Fellowcraft Degree.  Following the Degree, as comments
were made by members in attendance, Brother James Ramsey, District Instructor
for Masonic District 1B, challenged all members to return for a Masters
Degree when the new Fellowcraft was ready for advancement.

On  August 28, 2001, that challenge was answered with a spectacular evening
for our area.  Dalby Springs Lodge #684, once again the host, conferred a
Master Mason degree on the same young man.  John Bradly Rowan received his
Masters Degree in Wards Creek Baptist Church (immediately next door to the
lodge).  Don Power, District Masonic Relations Officer-1A, had been tasked to
provide a degree team that would spark the interest of Masons in the area and
draw a crowd. The lodge secretary, Bobby Griffis, working with District
Deputy Grand Master Robert D. Tyson, secured a special dispensation from the
Grand Master, as it was decided in advance the Lodge would not have the room
required for the crowd anticipated for this degree. This was a wise decision
by this Lodge as almost 90 Master Masons were in attendance.  

Following a covered dish dinner in the Lodge, this crowd of Masons went next
door for the degree. The first section of this degree was conferred by 7 Past
Masters of the 7 Lodges in District 1A, the remaining positions being filled
by members of Dalby Springs Lodge.  The second section of this degree was
conferred by current and past District Deputy Grand Masters of Masonic
District 1A and 1B.  The Apron presentation, Bible presentation, and Ballot
Box explanation were all delivered by Past Masters of District 1A.

The two District Deputy Grand Masters and their Service Teams had decided
earlier in the year to campaign for increased visits between Lodges in the
area in an effort to bolster attendance.  As the good- natured bantering
between the two District Leaders went on during the evening, both agreed that
this was the culmination of a great effort.  Both were pleased, though not
really surprised by the number attending, and RW Tyson (DDGM-1A) remarked to
RW Kelly Robinson (DDGM-1B), "that District 1 was supporting Masonry at every
opportunity and events such as this must be repeated to perpetuate the bond
between the two districts and among ourselves."

Following the degree, as comments were made by visiting Brothers, many
challenged the District Service Teams to plan and arrange for more events
such as this in the near future.  Worshipful Master Homer Collins remarked
that it would be tough to top this event.   He did say however, that he would
bring it before the Lodge and issue the challenge to come up with another
"History making event."

Congratulations to Worshipful Master Homer Collins,  DDGM-1A Robert D. Tyson,
and his Service Team in their tireless, determined efforts to promote Masonry
in District 1A.