It's going on 50 years since I talked with Lon Kvasager. That's when he was a Cub Scout in Troop 20.
Now, he is Grand Master of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of North Dakota. As such, he will be presiding over the Masonic gathering here next weekend.
So, over a cup of coffee, I asked questions -- things I have always wondered about the Masons. Kvasager, who is sales manager for Revolutions Sports in Grand Forks, had answers.
He expects about 175 people to attend the banquet Friday in the Alerus Center. There will be a parade down North Third Street at 6:30 p.m. Thursday to start things off. On Friday, there will be a Masonic College with the Grand Master's banquet Friday evening at the Alerus. A women's luncheon is scheduled for Saturday. And there are events at the Masonic Temple downtown.
Geologist Scott Wolter will be the speaker for the Masonic College on Friday afternoon. His book, "The Hooked X: Key to the Secret History of North America" picks up where the Kensington Runestone story leaves off.
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Learning, history
Over coffee, Kvasager told me he is intrigued and interested in learning and in history. That, he said, is why he enjoys belonging to the Masons.
"It's not a religion. It embraces no political party," Kvasager said. "It's all about taking good men and making them better. We are from different backgrounds, but in the lodge, we all are equal."
We talked about the demise of some fraternal organizations. The Elks are gone from the scene in Grand Forks. So are the Odd Fellows.
"The difference," Kvasager said, "is our history." He talks of Freemasonry and its centuries of history. Its members attract clergy, policemen, professors, lawyers, shopkeepers. It is said to be the world's oldest and largest fraternity. It describes itself as neither a forum nor a place for worship. Instead, it is a friend of all religions based on the belief of one God.
Masons of today hark back to the early patriots and founders of the United States as Masons.
Still, Kvasager doesn't deny that in these times there are not as many young people joining traditional organizations. He looks back at the post World War II and Korean War veterans, who were not joiners. Now, he said, "We are finding a generation joining because of involvement of their grandfathers."
The two lodges in Grand Forks are known as Malta and Acacia, each with about 200 members. "There seems to be a maintenance level," he said, "that should be large enough to assure their future."
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Yes, the Masons, as well as service clubs, make communities better. Right now, the Masonic Park is taking shape in the new southwest area of Grand Forks -- at 40th Avenue and South 20th Street. And Kvasager said the Park District finds parks that are sponsored are better parks.
He knows Masonry is not for everybody. Still, he believes it takes good men and makes them better.
In Grand Forks, the Masons center their activities in their venerable lodge building at 423 Bruce Ave. It was built in 1913. It is the home of related organizations such as the Shrine, Scottish Rite, Order of Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls and DeMolay for boys.
Adult members must first belong to the Masons before branching out.
Kvasager and his wife, Linda, have two married sons and four grandchildren. Kvasager will have a three-year term on the board of directors of George Washington Masonic Monument in Washington when he finishes his term as Grand Master. His office will relinquish his office as Grand Master this weekend to Charles Beeber of Fargo.
Reach Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.net or by telephone at (701) 772-1055.
