At the Valley of Portland, we often speak about “making good men better”. While this journey begins with internal reflection and the study of our degrees, its most profound expression is found in how we serve others. As Scottish Rite Masons, our core value of Service to Humanity is not just a sentiment; it is […]
Masonic Values
Maine Boys Need Mentors, Not Just Messages
Boys hear a lot of messages about who they are supposed to become. Be strong. Be respectful. Be confident. Be independent. Be kind. Be a leader. Be yourself. Those are good words, but words alone are not enough. Boys need to see what good men look like in real life. They need fathers, grandfathers, coaches, […]
Patriots’ Day and the Masonic Tradition: Service, Duty, and Devotion to Country
Each April, Patriots’ Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the founding principles of our nation—principles grounded in courage, sacrifice, and a commitment to the greater good. Observed throughout Maine and Massachusetts, the day commemorates the opening battles of the American Revolution and honors those who answered the call to serve their communities and their […]
Why the Road Still Calls: Continuing the Masonic Journey Through the Scottish Rite
Why the Road Still Calls For many men, becoming a Master Mason represents a significant milestone—one marked by learning, achievement, and a deeper understanding of the Craft. Yet for some, even at this stage, there remains a quiet sense that the journey is not complete. The road still calls, inviting further reflection, growth, and discovery. […]
What Freemasons Mean by “Making Good Men Better”
As a new year begins, many of us naturally pause to reflect—on who we are, what we value, and how we might continue to grow in the months ahead. Within Freemasonry, this spirit of reflection is not reserved for a particular season. It is central to the Craft itself and is captured in a phrase […]
How Freemasons Can Battle Food Insecurity in Maine
It’s a troubling statistic—especially as Thanksgiving nears: As you read these words, more than 180,000 Mainers are struggling to put food on the table. In fact, food insecurity in Maine has become such a serious problem that it now impacts 1 in 5 Maine children. How can Freemasons in central and southern Maine put our […]
How Freemasons Can Be Especially Kind to Children at Halloween
If you’re like most Freemasons—or Americans, for that matter—you probably have very warm memories of Halloween. Fun and funny costumes. Trick-or-treating with friends. Community parties attended by pretend-ghosts, Spider Man, or Barbie. But for some children, Halloween can be a challenge, as they struggle with shyness around others or fear of scary costumes. So how […]
Why Great American Author Mark Twain was a Freemason
You’re probably heard his name your whole life: Mark Twain. (Real name: Samuel Langhorne Clemens.) But did you know that the famously independent, crusty, deep-thinking Mark Twain was a Freemason—one who greatly admired and helped to promote the values of the Brotherhood through his world-famous books and other writings? Early Ties to Freemasonry World-famous for […]
How Maine Values Intersect with Freemason Values
From Abolitionist editor Elijah Lovejoy … to Civil War General Joshua Chamberlain … to revered U.S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith … Maine values have shown themselves throughout history to be virtually synonymous with integrity and a deep-seated commitment to ethical conduct. So how do Maine values specifically intersect with Freemason values? Let’s take a moment […]
How Freemasons Can Help Unite a Divided World
Look all around you, and you’ll see a very troubled, divided world. But amid all that, we as Freemasons have been called to be very different. We have been called to be “Men who unite and not those who divide.” So how can we, as Freemasons, do our part—and more—to help unite a divided world? […]
