The Working Tools Masonic Magazine And The Midnight Freemasons

by Midnight Freemasons Founder

Todd E. Creason

If you want to read a really good magazine written by Freemasons for Freemasons, you should check out The Working Tools Masonic Magazine.  I've been enjoying that magazine for some time, and it's surprising sometimes just how great the content is.  This month's issue features 14 contributors, including best-selling author Robert Cooper, author of Cracking the Freemasons Code and several other terrific books.  The magazine has gone from an e-magazine format, to also being available by subscription in a printed version.  You can even get it through the Apple Store now, too.  Visit the website for subscription information. 

Every issue has a little something for everyone.  I published a piece in the magazine about a year ago, and Michael Shirley and I published our first joint piece The Craft in Thirty Seconds in this month's (September 2012) issue.  If you missed it--that was a shameless plug.  But it's a terrific piece, and the only place you can read our article, is in this month's magazine.

There's an interesting connection between  the Working Tools Masonic Magazine and our humble blog, the Midnight Freemasons.  Not only have Michael and I published in the magazine, but one of the frequent guest contributors to the Midnight Fremasons, Bro. Steve Harrison, has a regular column in the Working Tools Masonic Magazine based on his popular blog the One Minute Mason. You'll find Steve's posts here.  And the editor of that fine magazine, Bro. Cory Sigler, has also published a piece on the Midnight Freemasons--and I'm hoping he'll do that again soon.  You'll find Cory's contribution here.  And my understanding from Bro. Sigler is, that soon, another Midnight Freemason, Bro. Greg Knott, is going to publish a piece in Working Tools.  You'll find Greg's contributions here.  I always look forward to Greg's posts, because they always include a sampling of his photographic skills. 

One of the things I've really enjoyed in turning this blog into a contributor site is working with a lot of talented people--each with their own insights and areas of expertise.

Judy Gordon gives us a perspective into Freemasonry through the eyes of a woman who grew up in the fraternity, is married to a Freemason, and is very involved with Job's Daughters.  I met her and her husband Ray in Pekin, Illinois, not long after I published my first book.  One of my first speaking gigs.  I'm not that good at it--one of the few places that invited me back!  And I brought George Washington with me!  The Gordons and the Creasons have become great friends--sadly Reggie and Roxanne (our canine children) have yet to meet.  Ray and Judy and been with me from the beginning of my writing career.  I always tell people that Judy has sold more of my books than Amazon.com.  And when I decided to form my own publishing company, Ray, a graphic artist, designed the Moon & Son Publishing logo that's on the spine of my books and the title page.  My lodge is sponsoring a 5K charity trail run next week--Ray and Judy are coming to join us.  And, of course, Ray designed the t-shirts. 

3 x 33-taken minutes after the ceremony.
Brandenburg, Niccum, and Creason. 
Three hands, three rings, two
Midnight Freemasons.

The Illustrious Scott Niccum, 33, can always be depended on for offering up pieces with great humor and huge heart--and that's a perfect description of Scott.  We met after I joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville (IL) and last year, shared an "Illustrious" experience together in Chicago neither of us is likely to ever forget.  He has been a great mentor of mine since I joined the Scottish Rite, but I'm careful about taking the advice he gives--he's often the guy that suggests things you definitely shouldn't do.  So we're very much alike. 

James E. Frey, I don't know very well, but he impressed me early on.  We're members of the same Scottish Rite Valley.  We've crossed paths a few times, and I must admit, our few conversations together I have always enjoyed--he's a much deeper thinker than I am.  I'm always the Dr. Watson to his Sherlock Holmes.  He has a great appreciation for history and Freemasonry, and is a person that has gained a far deeper understanding of some aspects of Freemasonry that I haven't even begun to get into.  Last fall after our Scottish Rite reunion, we had a conversation, and I was already thinking about turning the Midnight Freemason into a contributor blog, and realized, he might be somebody that might have something unique to share.  When I decided to do this--I called him.  And he's offered up some very impressive, and well researched pieces.  I particularly enjoyed his two-part piece on The Masonic Philosophy of George Washington--which he researched and wrote at my request.   
Robert Johnson was the first person I invited to join the Midnight Freemasons.  I got to know him when he read one of my pieces on his Whence Came You? podcast. We've yet to meet face-to-face.  But his podcasts have become one of my favorite things.  He's got a great voice, and he always finds material for his broadcasts that I enjoy.  There's a link on the right-hand column of The Midnight Freemasons to the Whence Came You? podcast.  You can listen to it right here as you read through the posts.  You should check it out.   He sent me the perfect gift a few weeks ago, for a Freemason that never knows when to go to bed (which is where the title of this blog came from).  He made me a clock, and hand painted a square and compass on it.  It hangs on the wall right over where I work--a constant reminder of the 24-inch gauge. 

Old friends and Midnight Freemasons
Creason (left) and Knott (right). 
The look says it all--What is wrong
with you, Todd? I get that a lot.

Greg Knott I've known the longest (more than twenty years) and we're members of the same lodge, went through about the same time, and have traveled together in this journey into Freemasonry.  Our most recent project was chartering a new High Twelve in Champaign-Urbana (IL).  The Illini High Twelve No. 768--a rousing success as the largest newly chartered High Twelve Club in the United States in the last decade.  He's the Charter Secretary, and I'm the Charter President of that club.  His travelogues are amongst my favorites--he travels, and he takes us along for the ride through his stories and photographs. 

Then there's my good friend and writing partner Michael Shirley, who I was introduced to by the Grand Master of Illinois at the time, Richard Swaney.  He and I share a love of history, Freemasonry, writing, and Chinese cuisine.  We're each good writers, but together on a single topic, we seem to compliment each others strengths and weaknesses.  It's a rare thing to find a writing partnership like that.  You'll be hearing a lot more from us.  Article two is nearly finished, and the topic for article three is already planned. 

These are the contributors so far, but we're in our infancy as a blog.  Our readership is growing.  If you have something to offer, I encourage you--contact me.  We've got some great voices early on, and I want to continue to build on it.  Become part of the conversation.  Join us. 

~TEC
Todd E. Creason, 33° was the original Midnight Freemason. He's the author of several books and novels, including his popular Famous American Freemasons series.  In 2012, Todd expanded his popular blog The Midnight Freemason into a collaborative effort Midnight Freemasons. Todd is the Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and a member of both the Scottish Rite, and York Rite. He's also a member of the Ansar Shrine (IL) and Charter President of the Illini High Twelve in Champaign-Urbana (IL).  He is also the author of the blog From Labor To Refreshment . . .

Freemason Wisdom: Harry S Truman On Parenting

by Midnight Freemasons contributor

Todd E. Creason

"The best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it."

~Harry S Truman

Past Grand Master of Missouri

That's really good advice, and it's not always easy advice to follow.  You always believe you know what's best for your kids, and when they are young--you do.  As they grow, you try and steer them onto that correct path in life.  But there comes a day when you realize that your influence is beginning to wane.  Harry must have known that, and realized it was much better for a father to be a fan, rather than a critic.

I'm sure it wasn't Harry's first choice for his daughter Margaret to pursue a career as a singer, but he supported her, and in 1947, when a music critic harshly criticized one of Margaret's first music performances on the radio, Harry had a little something to say about it in a note he sent him.  "Some day I hope to meet you. When that happens you'll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below!"

And it all worked out.  Margaret has had a fine career.  She's not only a wife and mother, but she had a long career in radio, as both entertainer and journalist--in fact, she was paired with Mike Wallace.  She's also a historian and novelist. 

~TEC

Todd E. Creason, 33° was the original Midnight Freemason. He's the author of several books and novels, including his popular Famous American Freemasons series.  In 2012, Todd expanded his popular blog The Midnight Freemason into a collaborative effort Midnight Freemasons. Todd is the Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and a member of both the Scottish Rite, and York Rite. He's also a member of the Ansar Shrine (IL) and Charter President of the Illini High Twelve in Champaign-Urbana (IL).  He is also the author of the blog From Labor To Refreshment . . .

Freemasons Wearing It Proudly

by Midnight Freemasons contributor

Judy Gordon


"No man should advocate a course in private that he's ashamed to admit in public."

~George McGovern

T-shirts can be decorated with text and/or pictures, and they are often used to advertise, promoting products, companies, films and websites.

As you can see, we have a variety of t-shirts in our home, Ray and I like to advertise our organizations. I wore my Job's Daughters bethel t-shirt and 3 people made comments about Job's Daughters. (I had forgotten I had it on). Another time is when Ray and I went to a restaurant on Route 66 and we found out the owner of the restaurant was a Mason.

We are not ashamed to wear these shirts...we are proud of our organizations and we love to talk about the group as well. Tie dye is becoming the "in" thing to do. Back in the 60's one could find tie dyed shirts everywhere. Recently  Illinois Job's Daughters had their annual Job O Rama. Everyone tie dyed their shirts and by saturday night, the shirts were done. (modern technology- a washer and dryer helps a lot).

Let me tell you about H.I.K.E--the girls go on a hike to raise money to purchase hearing aids, or any device that would assist a child to communicate. It stand for Hearing -Impaired -Kids - Endowment ...and so thus is the end of the t-shirt collection...oh but wait, I believe there will be another shirt added to our collection as we will be attending a charity walk on 9/15/12 sponsored by Ogden Lodge at Homer Lake. 

Todd's Note:  What Judy failed to mention is that her husband Ray probably designed many of these shirts.  I know for a fact he designed the logo for the Ogden Lodge Charity Trail Run, and if you'd like to participate in that 5K race on 9/15/12, and get one of Ray's shirts, contact me ASAP at webmaster@toddcreason.org

Judy Gordon is very active in Job's Daughters. She's the Past Honored Queen, and Bethel Guardian of Bethel No. 55, Pekin (IL). She received the Cryptic Masons Masonic Youth Leadership Award along with her husband, Ray Gordon in July 2007. She's also Past Matron of the Morton Chapter No. 974 (IL) of the Order of the Eastern Star and Historian of the Emblem Club No. 424 of Pekin (IL) Judy is the recipient of the Degree of Royal Purple (2012) and elected as the Grand Marshal for Illinois Job's Daughters (2015-16). Ray and Judy have three grandkids, and a very spoiled dog, Reggie (who incidentally volunteers as a Therapy Dog at local hospitals and nursing homes.)

The Craftsman's Journey: Part VII

 by Midnight Freemasons Contributor

Michael Shirley

The classic form of an F-5 mandolin hasn’t varied much since Lloyd Loar invented it and Bill Monroe made it desirable above all others. Some luthiers have paid homage to it while changing it a good deal, most notably the great John Monteleone, with his elongated scroll and entirely different headstock. But there’s something unexplainable about the standard F-5 that appeals to people like me: it’s just looks right.

That said, the stain colors can vary a lot, and can provide personality to an otherwise standard form. A classic tobacco sunburst looks entirely different than a blonde clearcoat, and a good luthier can match the look to the player’s personality. Joe matched both our personalities: he wanted an old-fashioned look, which wasn’t surprising, given that he’s a pretty old-fashioned guy, despite the fact that he builds computers for fun. I wear a three-piece suit with a pocket watch on a gold chain, so it wasn’t rocket science to figure out my taste. “It’ll be brown,” he said. As I said, we’re friends. But what a brown it turned out to be!

http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/4956756

This is the seventh installment of Michael Shirley's Mandolin Series.  To be continued . . .

W.B. Michael H. Shirley is Past Master of Tuscola Lodge No. 332 and Leadership Development Chairman for the Grand Lodge of Illinois. He's also a member of the Illinois Lodge of Research, the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. He's also a member of the newly-chartered, Illini High Twelve No. 768 in Urbana-Champaign. The author of several articles on British history, he teaches at Eastern Illinois University.