Hartsville Lodge No. 113 F.& A.M.

03/14/2026

🔺️ Today is March 14 (3.14) and it's Pi Day! The π is the irrational number that describes the relationship between a circle’s circumference and its diameter. No matter the size of the circle, that ratio is always about 3.14.

What makes π fascinating is that its digits go on forever without repeating. Because of this, mathematicians call π a transcendental number, meaning it cannot be neatly expressed using ordinary algebra.

For centuries, mathematicians tried to solve a famous puzzle called “squaring the circle”—drawing a square with exactly the same area as a circle using only a compass and straightedge. In 1882, mathematicians proved that this task is mathematically impossible, because π is transcendental.

Sometimes mathematics doesn’t just give answers, it tells us which questions cannot have one.

03/11/2026

Need to know how to store Vidalia Onions? Check this out.

03/03/2026

March 3, 1753: George Washington was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft at Fredericksburg Lodge in Virginia.

Sketch by Travis Simpkins

02/26/2026

THE SILENT SUMMONS
A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.
Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master's visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.

In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I'll be back in our Lodge next meeting."

-- Author Unknown

02/24/2026

🧅🌱 Fresh Vidalia Onions – Now Taking Orders! 🌱🧅

It’s that time of year again! Sweet, mild, and straight from the source — our delicious Vidalia onions are available for pre-order now!

📅 Taking orders through April 14th
🚚 Delivery: First week of May

💲 Pricing:
• 10 lb bag – $11
• 50 lb bag – $50

Perfect for cooking, grilling, salads, canning, or stocking up to share with family and friends. These only come around once a year, so don’t miss out!

02/24/2026

Though for today ….

Tell the part you used to hide

Lessons aren’t meant to stay buried.

We all have a moment we’re not proud of.

A mistake.

A failure.

An embarrassing season we’d rather edit out of the story.

But sometimes, that’s the very part someone else needs to hear.

If you learned from it,

If it made you steadier, wiser, stronger -

then it’s no longer just a flaw.

It’s a lesson.

And lessons aren’t meant to stay buried.

You don’t have to broadcast it to the world.

Not every story is for every room.

But when you see someone struggling

with the very thing you survived, that’s your cue.

Share it.

Not for sympathy.

But for impact.

And if someone judges you?

Mocks you?

Thinks less of you?

That’s on them.

Growth isn’t embarrassing.

Honesty isn’t weakness.

And the parts of your story you once hid

might be the exact proof that change is possible.

The Masonic Way: 15 Philosophies Every Man Should Live By isn’t just another book about Freemasonry.It’s a practical guide that helps you live as a true Mason, not only inside the Lodge but in every aspect of your life.If you feel like the demands of modern life are pulling you away from the tim...

02/24/2026

https://www.wilkinsonwiseman.com/obituary/micah-denning?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Micah Denning, age 81, of Portland, passed away on Monday, February 23rd, 2026 at his residence in Portland. Mr. Denning was in McMinnville, TN on February 20th, 1945 to the late Gaylon Benton Denning the late Jewel Lee Eaden. In addition to his parents, Mr. Denning was preceded in death

02/19/2026

February newsletter brethren

02/18/2026

Thought for the Day….

It was the last time, and you didn’t know it
So pay attention. Because today might be the last

There was a last time.

The last time you ran through your childhood home.

The last time your mother picked you up.

The last time you and an old friend laughed without tension.

You didn’t mark it on a calendar.

There was no announcement.

No closing ceremony.

It just... passed.

That’s how most endings happen.

Quietly.

Ordinarily.

Disguised as another Tuesday.

We think endings will feel dramatic -

music swelling,

clear signals,

a sense of finality.

But usually,

they feel like nothing special at all.

Until years later,

when you realize

you’d give anything

to step back into that ordinary moment

one more time.

So pay attention.

Because today might be

the last time something is this way -

and you won’t know

until it’s already gone.