Latest News
October 22, 2025
Brethern:
The Brothers of Jeptha Lodge #121 in Hudson South Dakota cordially invite you to join them for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship at their regular meeting November 18th at 6:00 PM. The menu will consist of Oyster Stew and Chili accompanied with sandwiches, cookies, and drink.
Following the regular meeting we will be self entertained as WB Tom Lewis leads us in a game of Jeopardy. Bring your thinking cap and maybe you can take home a prize.
We are looking forward to seeing you there. As always, bring a car load.
Please let either me or WB Greg Westra know if you plan to attend so we can plan accordingly. Also let us know if you're bringing any Entered Apprentices or Fellow Craft so our members that are new to their stations can prepare as needed.
P.S. You are welcome to bring your ladies or prospective members. While they may partake in the meal itself they will not be allowed to attend the tyled meeting. They would be more than welcome to wait in the lunchroom during the meeting if they so desired.
Joseph D. West, Secretary - Jeptha Lodge #121
1121 21st Ave,
Rock Valley, IA 51247
Cell: (712) 470-1457
E-Mail: elementends@gmail.com
Please note that as of May 12th, 2025, my street address has changed.
October 21, 2025
The 4th Degree Team went to Yankton for Scottish Rite on October 11th. Duane filled in for Brian and everything went well.
Mike Ingebrigtson was installed as Marshall.
A few more ceiling tiles came down. We will meet at the lodge at 9:30 on Saturday the 25th. Repairs should take a few hours but it depends on how things go.
Greg had five keys made. One went to the Secretary’s briefcase. One will go to Dan next time he’s here. Cole was temporarily given one for the ceiling repairs. Allen had lost his keys from when he was Master but he did return them tonight. This did include an original locker key.
Ditch walking was postponed to October 28th. We will still meet at 6:00 pm.
The Secretary will get the email invitations out for the Oyster Stew in the next few days. Wives and guests are welcome for the food, just not the meeting. The assignments are as follows:
- Oyster Stew: Ron West
- Chili: Dave Hansen, Tom Lewis, Mike Ingebrigtson
- Juice: Galen Janen
- Water: Brian Sohl
- Setup Helpers at 2:00 pm: Dave, plus two more.
We have Meals on Wheels this week.
In lieu of an education program WB Allen shared a story. As current Education Officer of Spearfish Lodge, despite only being an honorary member, he made note of the FC sign. East river, we do the sign across our breast. West river, he has only ever seen them go from shoulder to opposite waist instead.
He also shared a story of his recent Santa adventures. It’s been five years now since he was a mall Santa. While on a recent trip to Newcastle, Wyoming, with his wife he ended up invited to another Santa event. His wife was having some quilting done and the lady that helped run the establishment and setup the machines ended up contacting Allen and asking if he’d be a Santa in Rapid City for a day.
Despite his fear he may not be able to make the drive home Allen agreed to be Santa for 11 hours on December 13th.
Later, while getting his Santa gear around, he found 12 piece box of candy canes. He couldn’t remember eating one but one was missing, and the quantity just so happened to match the number of members present so he handed them out to the lodge.
After WB Allen concluded his remarks, WB Dave added a comment on the EA due guard. He noted that as it is supposed to be where your hands were placed while taking your obligation your hands would be more forward in front of you, not right next to your stomach.
October 22, 2025
Brothers, as has been mentioned in the minutes of the last few meetings we’ve had ceiling tiles falling down due to the outer wall slowly working its way out. There is a plan to do some cabling and come alongs to slowly work it back in a bit. Brother Cole is leading us in the implementation of this plan.
This Saturday, the 25th, we will meet at the lodge at 9:30 am to do the work. Cole believes it should take a couple hours. There will be a few brothers with the expertise doing the important work but we'll need other brothers there as gophers to give them whatever assistance they need. If you're free and have time please come and help get this done so our ceiling is back to what it should be for our upcoming Oyster Stew and Chili Feed.
Joseph D. West, Secretary - Jeptha Lodge #121
1121 21st Ave,
Rock Valley, IA 51247
Cell: (712) 470-1457
E-Mail: elementends@gmail.com
Please note that as of May 12th, 2025, my street address has changed.
Not Just a Man. A Mason.
How Do I Join?
Freemasonry is available to men of good character who believe in a Supreme Being. We are closed to avowed atheists and agnostics. There are no restrictions relating to race, creed, or religion.
To begin, contact a Mason by telephone, by e-mail, or in person. He will be happy to answer your questions, or refer you to someone who can.
If you decide that Masonry is right for you, the next step is to request a Petition for Degrees of Masonry, which will ask for some basic information, such as your name, age, occupation, and place of residence.
Your sponsor will present your petition to the Lodge, which will consider your request. When your petition is accepted, you will face a three-step initiation. Each step opens doors to new knowledge and deeper understanding.
These initiation rites are solemn and wholesome, intended to convey basic moral truths and principles of morality that are accepted by good men everywhere: the Golden Rule, tolerance, gratitude to the Almighty for His many blessings, love of and respect for one’s family, charity towards all men, and patriotism. Upon taking part in the the first step, called the Entered Apprentice degree, you will advance to the second degree, known as the Fellowcraft, and, ultimately, raised to the Master Mason degree.
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