2023 Annual Lodge Historical Report

Harmony Lodge No. 21
F. & A. M
LOGAN, UTAH 84321

2023 Annual Lodge Historical Report 

2023 AD (our 107th year) has been a year of growth for Harmony Lodge No. 21 under 

Worshipful Master Kurtis B. Payne’s leadership. The focus for the year has been on 

brotherhood and improving our ritual proficiency and floor work. Stated meetings 

were well planned and focused on getting the lodge business done quickly, with efforts to 

share education with brothers and have esoteric discussions and lectures on masonry.

 

Under the direction of Worshipful Brother Timothy Fellows, Deputy Grand Lodge 

Lecturer, practices were held every week, excluding holidays and stated meeting nights. 

The first half hour to forty-five minutes was focused on helping new brothers work on 

their catechism proficiency. The next several hours were dedicated to practicing and 

learning each of the degrees for those acting in their various roles. These practices 

proved to be quite fruitful. The lodge performed 9 degrees throughout the masonic 

year, where five new brothers were initiated into our great fraternity, and four brothers 

were passed to the degree of Fellowcraft. We appreciate the help and support of Brothers 

Steven Lancaster, Joseph Milner, Kim Passey, and Zachery Johnstun for their assistance 

on some of these degrees. Three raisings and a passing are planned for the beginning of 

2024 to continue progressing these fine brothers.

 

In May, were were informed of the passing of Brother Carl D. Fortune, Sr., who had laid 

down his working tools by his son, Brother Carl D. Fortune, Jr. Carl had been living with 

his son in Texas while maintaining a residence in North Logan. Brother Carl had been a 

long-time member of Harmony Lodge No. 21 and Five Points Lodge No. 1137 in El 

Paso, Texas, a Hiram Award recipient, a mason for 65 years, a 32nd-degree Scottish Rite 

mason, a Past Worth Matron in OES, and a Shriner. He will be greatly missed. Several 

brothers got together with Carl, Jr. when he came to North Logan to help transfer his 

father’s belongings to a moving van that he took back to Texas and to reminisce on 

Brother Carl Sr.’s memories.

Another focus of the lodge has been to increase our success at the West Gate. A small 

committee that worked with each of the contacts made by interested gentlemen received 

from beafreemason.org, lodge text messages, emails, and voice mails. Each new contact 

was invited to all open events, welcomed and received by various brothers, and introduced 

to our lodge and Freemasonry. We found that if these prospects attended at least two 

events (pre-stated meeting dinners, open installation, etc.), they would petition the lodge 

for the three degrees. After a thorough investigation by the investigation committee, 

several of these prospects were initiated this year. The Lodge plans to expand these efforts 

in 2024, as we currently have sixteen active inquiries on the books.

For our charity efforts for the year, the Lodge partnered with the William A. Burnard 

Warming Center. The warming center is located at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Logan. 

The center provides a warm place for the homeless in our valley to stay out of the cold 

winter weather. Harmony Lodge worked with the W.A.B staff to petition the Masonic 

Foundation of Utah for a grant to provide cots, blankets, and other items to be used in the 

center by their patrons. Hopefully, both organizations will hear back on the success of their 

proposal in the next few months.

The lodge held several events outside degree and stated meetings. An Oktoberfest was 

organized by Brother Phil Henderson, Junior Deacon, which was well attended by 

brothers, their families, and friends. A training on Grand View was also conducted by 

our secretary to help familiarize them with the information that could be gleaned from this 

software. Brother Carl Ellsworth, Senior Warden, who works as an IT professional, conducted 

a training on online security for the lodge members. He also planned a game night, which was 

also well attended.

A public installation of officers for the pursuing masonic year was held in December. 

Worshipful Master Matthew Harris was installed for his 2nd year as Worshipful Master. His 

first year as Worshipful Master was in 2017 at Yucca Valley Lodge No. 802 in California. 

Worshipful Brother David Hutchinson was the installing officer, Worshipful Brother William 

McCraw was the installing marshall, and Worshipful Brother Robert Green was the installing 

secretary. All did an exceptional job, and we appreciate their service to our Lodge. In attendance 

were Right Worshipful David Tingey, Deputy Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Shaun Davis, 

Grand Tyler, Harmony Lodge brothers, their family, and friends. The lodge room was fully 

packed! The lodge recognized our Worshipful Master’s lady, Maria Harris, for her assistance 

and support of our lodge and Worshipful Brother Harris.

 

We look forward to another tremendous Masonic year. 

Peace and harmony prevailing, 

     Gary Roberts, Secretary