JoJo on the Go

JoJo is our Lodge monkey and good will Ambassador. He will be out and about – visiting other Lodges, stopping in to check on distant Brothers, comforting those in need of support. Updates for his travels will be posted here.

So, where in the world is JoJo?

JoJo has been on extended travel with Sister Laura Babbit as she serves as the Grand Worthy Matron of Virginia Order of Eastern Star (https://easternstar-virginia.org/).

Gettysburg Battlefield October 2020

JoJo joined up with Brother Eric LeHew and Brother Mark Gilbert (Shekinah Fernwood Lodge No. 246 PA) to check in on the Friend to Friend Memorial on the Gettysburg Battlefield.

JoJo Tours the White House - Feb 2020

and thought he could move in...

JoJo and District 2 tour Mt. Vernon - Jan 2020

Twin Bill at Stephen's City Drive-In, July 2019

JoJo and a few of his closest friends took in a twin bill at the drive in in Stephen’s City. A big THANK YOU to RW Greg Valker for making the arrangements!

June 2019

Brother JW Eric LeHew (and JoJo) lead a fraternal visit to Fairfax Lodge No. 43 in Culpepper. Also on the trip were Brothers Mark Santos, Levi Cleofe, Rob Carloff, Rob Martin, and WB Bill Alexander.

JoJo in Scotland - Summer 2019

JoJo hitched a ride back to Scotland with Brother Stockdale after his visit at the Festive Board. They are making the rounds in Scotland. Seen here visiting Lodge Hope of Kurachee No.337 and Brother Mark and the Master of the Lodge. Right photo is Lodge Elgin & Bruce No. 1077.

JoJo Tours Central Virginia - Summer 2019

JoJo embarked on a trip through central Virginia. During his journey, he stopped by as many Lodges as he could find, visited Appomattox Courthouse where Lee signed the surrender to Grant, and came across a reboot of a 50 year old Virginia marketing campaign.

JoJo found this artwork in Appomattox. This is a refresh of the Virginia is for Lovers campaign.

JoJo enjoyed checking out the piece thoroughly.

JoJo visited Appomattox Courthouse to see where the Civil ended and chat with the locals.

On the courthouse porch

Scene from the McLean House where the surrender was signed

Press cranking out the pardons for the Confederates

JoJo in the room where it all happened!

Chatting up the park rangers

Isaiah Edwards of Chambersburg PA, on guard duty outside the courthouse

Farmville

Dillwyn

Along the trip, JoJo stopped by as many Lodges as he could find. Some were easy to locate, others were very well hidden.

JoJo stopped by one of his favorite restaurants in Lynchburg

After being inspired by history, JoJo picked up playing a new instrument

Strasburg Railroad - May 2019

Enjoying a step back in time on the Strasburg RR (the oldest continuously running short line in the US!), several D2 families took a ride on the rails and stopped off for a picnic. Other local attractions include the National Toy Train Museum, the PA Train Museum, and the Red Caboose Motel.

Franklin Lodge - May 2019

JoJo is back on the road. Out spreading the good word and visiting with Brothers from foreign countries.

A recent trip had him riding with Brother Eric LeHew down to his mother Lodge No. 151 in Franklin VA. Eric’s first masonic coach (RW William “Billy” E. Allmond, III) received his Masonic 50 year veteran pin during their visit.

JoJo was out West again visit with Brother Lance Cottrell and his family over the holidays..

Williamsburg - June 2018

JoJo was soaking up the history while visiting colonial Williamsburg. He skipped the processional, but enjoyed climbing the Lodge and looking for WB Chuck Covarrubias.

Chambersburg, PA - April 2018

Visit to George Washington Lodge No. 143 in Chambersburg, PA. JoJo started his Civil War tour of the Town at the house where John Brown plotted his raid on Harpers Ferry. From there, he made is way over to the Masonic Temple that also played a role during the Civil War.

Things then got a little crazy as JoJo put on his best King Kong imitation…

He settled down once he got inside. He posed with the Master, the DDGM, the Officers, and even turn a turn running things from the East.

GW 143 that night was honoring 7 50 year vetrans, 1 60 year vetran, and 1 70 year vetran. This made JoJo feel quite young. The Brothers of GW promised to come visit JoJo in Herndon this Fall.

Hamilton-Thompson 37

June 2018

JoJo was feeling the brotherly love at Hamilton-Thompson 37. In quite the paradox, both Herndon and Freedom Lodge both had 4 Brothers in attendance (but there were only 5 visitors…) for “friendly visits”.

JoJo hugging it out with Ed Ziemba while Bros Axel and Brad stand guard. No more Monkey nappings!

White Post, VA - April 2018

Visit to Treadwell No. 213 in White Post, VA.

This visit was a little more relaxed. JoJo helped WM Mark Williams make breakfast for the visitors then sat down with Geoff and Heather Hoyt to enjoy a big meal himself.

JoJo tried is paw at the Secretary’s desk during Brother Evin’s Master Mason degree. He was overheard at the end of the evening from the cleft of the desk proclaiming “this job is not for every monkey, I never want to sit here again!”

Open House - Herndon Lodge

Never one to miss a good breakfast or pass on a great opportunity to learn, JoJo dropped in on Herndon’s Open House to take in the happenings.

JoJo was equally comfortable on either side of the education programs offered – whether it was taking it all in with others or showing RW Rhey how to get the job done.

Helping in the kitchen with Sandy and Paul Turner.

Selling Tom Feely a breakfast ticket.

Chowing down with Brothers and sharing fellowship.

Wearing some bling with Howard Sobel.

Accepting the Lodge’s Challenger Team photo from RW Pobat.

Gettysburg - April 2018

JoJo on the Gettysburg Battlefield…

JoJo started the day off strong…

But… quickly found the horses to be just too intimidating and retreated to the saftey of the vehicle.

Strasburg, VA - May 2018

JoJo (and others) paid a visit to Spurmont Lodge No. 98 in Strasburg VA. Bro SD Eric LeHew’s Great Great Great Grandfather was the charter Master of this Lodge. His Father (Bill LeHew) joined for the visit as well.

JoJo with the officers

WB John Jewell serves up some BBQ with JoJo

WM Mike Singleton with Bro Eric & Bro Bill LeHew

Great Great Great Grandpappy LeHew

Elizabethtown, PA - May 2018

JoJo took a trip with the Herndon and Ashburn (Hernburn) DeMolay Chapters to Elizabethtown PA for the 3rd annual Dodgeball for Dyslexia tournament, benefiting the Children’s Dyslexia Centers. Twelve teams competed – NoVA brought five. JoJo was eliminated early but the Herndon DeMolay brought the trophy home! While roaming around Pennsylvania, Jojo visited the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown PA.

The Lodge room is huge, but the walls are too slippery to climb. They also have a lovely Chapel that is just too pretty to climb. JoJo just sat there trying to identify all the Masonic Families and symbols in the stained glass. How many can you find?

So instead of climbing JoJo ran to Chocolate World at Hershey Park. He made a new friend.

Monkey Napped! - May 2018

While resting peacefully in the truck during a recent visit to Freedom Lodge, JoJo was awakened from his slumber and snatched from the vehicle, bound and brought to parts unknown. The Monkey Nappers left this note along with a photo… Our JoJo certainly seems to be in peril.

Slowly but surely clues began to emerge. JoJo was leaving behind signs to point his rescuers to his location.

The first lead up a winding staircase...

Beyond some ancient ruins

To a place where a founding father declared the view worth the trip across the atlantic...

But the captors then retired up into the country... the trail had gone cold...

JoJo’s fortunes were not to be turned so easily. Additional intelligence came via a local that he had seen a group of 3 strangers passing that way with another being lead by a cabletow. They were traveling a westerly course. They attempted to pass here… which would have landed them near this marker…

A passerby spotted JoJo in a upstairs window! We were getting to close to finding him.

In an odd turn of events and by use of his guile and charming personality, JoJo was able to escape his captors. He ran wildly into the street where he looked up to see this emblem...

He gave the grand hailing sign and yelled “CARTWRIGHT!” But, no one came to his aide.

When he thought all was lost… his captures closing in on him once again… he then saw the promised land…

The Brothers hearing his call, rushed to his aide and chased off those that would have brought him harm. The ruffians had been identified and foiled of their plan to illegally gain that of which they were not entitled to have.

They were last seen ducking into this building…

JoJo is once again home and safe.

Idaho - June 2018

On a trip through Idaho, JoJo stopped in to visit with Brother Jason Wright and his lovely daughter Elizabeth.

Elizabeth shows JoJo the falls at Idaho Falls

Jason regularly plays chess at the local library. JoJo wasn't much help.

They stopped by the local lodge, but no one was around

Portland, Oregon - July 2018

JoJo continued a westerly course and meet up with Right Worshipful Brother Rob Hopkins in Portland. Together they stopped by Kenton Lodge No. 145 in northwest Portland. Kenton goes dark for July and August. Very friendly Brethren here. The barber shop is on the ground floor of the building. The Lodge Room is on the 3rd floor. It is about a half mile from home, so they could walk to Lodge meetings or to get a trim.

Hampton, VA - July 2018

JoJo visited with WB Bill and Sue Rennagal while they attended Supreme Assembly IORG at Hampton, VA. Sue is serving as the Supreme Worthy Advisor and several Rainbow Girls. There were about 1400 in attendance from all over the world. We’ll have to see if JoJo has any “Renagal Minutes” to share on his return

Sue, Bill, and JoJo with the Rainbow Girls

JoJo in New York City - August 2018

Being a great baseball fan, JoJo enjoyed the Yankee seats.

He checked up on his name sake.

and went out partying on the town

but when a monkey goes to NYC, he only really thinks of one thing….

how hard could it be?

Rt. Wor. Bro. Center and his Assistant with the newly installed Master (Ian Hunter) of Civil & Military Lodge No. 726 on the night of Installation.

JoJo at his official post in Lodge as Organist’s Assistant.

Bermuda - December 2018

JoJo has gone international! He has been visiting with RWB Les Center in Bermuda. They have been seen at Civil & Military and Lodge St. George. Invitations from Hannibal Lodge and the Bermuda Past Masters Lodge have already come in for January.

Hanging with the Brothers before Lodge.

RW Bro Center, Organist of Lodge Civil & Military, along with his Assistant JoJo on the night of their installation.

Taking part in a Sunday morning rehearsal at Civil & Military Lodge for a First Degree.

JoJo pays an official visit to Lodge St. George on the occasion of their annual installation. Seen here sitting on RWB Center’s knee. JoJo had a great time, and was a huge hit with the Brethren.

A visit to soggy Texas with Brother Steve Palmer

Texas is experiencing an usually wet end of summer / early fall.

Here are some pics from Ray Roberts Lake – Ray Roberts Lake is up near Tioga where Gene Autry is from. Randy Travis has a place up in Tioga also. Ray Roberts Lake is also near Pilot Point where they were going to have Bonnie and Clyde Days (technically it was only going to be a one day event, so I’m not sure why they call it Bonnie and Clyde Days) but they cancelled it due to rain – fun fact, Bonnie and Clyde Days Day celebrates the actual filming of the bank robbery scene from the movie Bonnie and Clyde starring Warren Beaty which was filmed in Pilot Point, and I think that is hilarious. But I was hoping to get a shot of JoJo while they were reenacting the bank robbery scene from the movie – but it was cancelled So we took JoJo to some places and no events.

Odds are, if you were to move to Texas, it used to be that you’d want to move to Austin, Little Elm… or maybe Frisco. And, if I had to choose between Frisco and Little Elm (which I did) I’d choose Little Elm (which I did) because it is cheaper and there is less traffic. But it turns out that I should have chosen to live in Prosper which was not even on my radar when I was looking for a house. Last year (a year after I moved to Little Elm) they announced that Windsong Ranch, which is a “burbclave” in Prosper, was getting a 5 acre Crystal Lagoon. If you don’t know what a “Crystal Lagoon” is, Google it – basically the water in the picture below is going to look like the Bahamas next year, and they are going to have a bunch of beaches on it. If you don’t know what a burbclave is, it is a fully autonomous walled community as coined/described in the book “Snow Crash” by Neal Stephenson. The North Dallas and North Texas areas are filled with burbclaves. But now, if you are reading this and you want to move to Texas, you should move to Windsong Ranch because I need friends in Windsong Ranch so I can hang out at the Crystal Lagoon.

Here is the spillway control structure for the Ray Roberts Lake Dam

Thats the Ray Roberts Lake dam on the horizon. What you also can’t see very well because of the bokeh is the fishing pier that is underwater due to the rain we’ve been having. This is a stark contrast to as little as a few weeks ago when we were on water restrictions. The Trinity river in Dallas is 40 feet above normal right now.

We took JoJo to the “Dam Store”:

Here is the Little Elm Park amphitheater where they have live music, plays, speaking events, etc:

As you can see, at Little Elm Park, Lake Lewisville raised so much they flooded the beach and the bon fire pits are fully submerged. The lighted sand volley ball courts (that are open 24/7) are on the verge of being flooded.

Then we took JoJo to Denton, the county seat of Denton County, it has a town square with a nice looking building in the middle, as does most every town in Texas (note the break in the clouds lasted about 2 hours). Name a good sized town in Texas, and odds are the town square looks similar to this:

Past Master and current Senior Warden of Lebanon Lodge, Bill Foreman, was kind enough to get his picture taken with JoJo.

Road Trip w/Brother Eric - October 2018

All buckled up and ready for the road trip from Virginia to West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina!

First a stop in West Virginia to see the world’s fourth longest single span bridge!

Just hanging around with the Park Rangers!

Driving into Pigeon Forge, TN, JoJo saw his long lost uncle and idol “King Kong!” What else is there to do when visiting a Tourist Trap?

A third National Park off the List, this time with SD Eric LeHew!

When visiting the Smokey Mountains you need to make friends with the natives! This is Barnaby the Bear and he sends his greetings from Gatlinburg, TN

Heading home over a long 1,500 mile road trip, JoJo started to take a nap and shirked his duties as Co-pilot for Brother Eric LeHew.

Found a Lodge in Bristol, TN after a long drive. Too bad it was closed for the night, but the mural on the side was very inviting!

Following in the footsteps of Frontiersman Brother Daniel Boone!

October 2018 - Metropolitan Lodge

Greg, Axel, and JoJo visit with the wonderful Brothers at Metropolitan

JoJo weathered Hurricane Florence in Hilton Head with RW Ken Shelton.

JoJo stopped in to see WB Chuck Covarrubias and Judy while passing thru the Sunshine State.

JoJo Down Under - October 2018

At the changing of the seasons JoJo and Brother Carloff sorted out their differences and decided to make a last-minute trip to Australia. For this was not a normal holiday or site seeing vacation, it was to seek more light.

Initially, Bother Carloff was overheard saying he did not like JoJo, they did not see eye to eye, nor did meet on the square or leave on the level. This was no fault to JoJo. Under the observations of numerous Brethren, Brother Carloff and JoJo where escorted to the South where they worked out their differences and to put the matter at rest. In short, Brother Carloff did not realise the impact a small monkey could have on the wider Masonic community. Our differences being sorted, JoJo had the privilege escorting Brother Carloff to Australia.

JoJo and Brother Carloff went to the National Capital on a spiritual and enriching masonic tour of Canberra. For those not familiar with Canberra, Canberra is very similar to the Washington DC Metro area whereby, it is a “designed” city with a lot of named and unnamed government agencies, a large defence presence, industry, politicians, museums, monuments, round-a-abouts and the list goes on and on…

Canberra is also known as the bush capital and you can get to everything in approximately 30mins. At one point in time, Canberra was the only place in Australia where prostitution was legalised, you could by fireworks and marijuana was decriminalised! Circa 2000.

Brother Carloff was overheard telling JoJo – “no we are not going to Canberra for those above reasons – that was a long time ago…We are in fact, special guests of Lodge Ethos 963, one of the most prestigious Lodge’s in Australia and I hope your Tux is clean.” Brother Carloff and JoJo enjoyed the Brethren’s company, were treated to a fully catered two course meal and indulged in all the alcohol we could stomach.

During the south, Brother Carloff presented the Worshipful Master Simon Van Holland JoJo as a gift from Lodge Herndon 264 to Lodge Ethos 963. You can see JoJo holding the American flag upside down…not sure if it was the alcohol or JoJo had a difficult time acclimatizing to the Sothern Hemisphere. Please refer to the before and after pictures.

JoJo remains a figurative symbol for brotherly love and open arms for any traveling man seeking more light making good men better.

Falmouth, MA - December 2018

A visit with Brother Eric Husebo in Falmouth MA afforded JoJo to see inside Marine Lodge and to see his first light house.

Brother Eric is serving Marine Lodge as their Senior Steward.

The murals reminded JoJo of Hiram Lodge in Winchester.

Light house in the background

JoJo and Brother Will Nutter trying to reach others on the HAM radio. Maybe MW Loyd Davis is listening in??

JoJo in California - November 2018

JoJo found himself back on the left coast and enjoyed some down time with Brother Jacob Yates…

Kicking back at the beach

A monkey needs to climb...

At Spanish Landing

JoJo in Texas - November 2018

A few more photos from Brother Steve while in Texas

Here is JoJo in Frisco - you can tell you are in Frisco when the cars start looking like this.

At the Dallas Star in Frisco, which is basically a Dallas Cowboys (America’s Team!!!) themed Reston Town Center, and the Dallas Star is also the world headquarters, training & medical facility for the Dallas Cowboys (America’s Team!!!!!!)… anyway – a lot of Dallas Cowboys players are honored around the Star – here is the Greatest Dallas Cowboys Quarterback of all time (GDCQBOAT) Troy Aikman’s memorial… may God rest his soul… wait, he’s not dead yet… in fact, he has a restaurant in Arlington called “Troy’s” which isn’t far from here, and he does a lot of advertisements for a local brick company: (editor’s note: JoJo is a staunch Steelers fan)

Here is the Dallas Cowboys indoor training facility at the Star (the Ford Center). There is a giant TV that shows all College and NFL football games (not just Cowboys games) and people can sit on the field, or sit in any of the restaurants across the street with outdoor terraces and watch the games. Up to the right there is the Omni hotel and that ledge with a glass railing is the hotel pool, so you can also sit near the Omni pool and watch football games as well. Up the left is Cowboys Fit, which is a gym you can join and get personal trainers who are ex NFL players or active/ex Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders – they also have a rooftop pool deck where you can watch football games on the screen from. No shortage of pools at the Star.

Here are some commentators broadcasting live from the Star:

There is a Lincoln dealership at the Star… I think you can get coffee and food in there as well – which is is weird. Completely unrelated to Lincoln, I forgot to mention earlier that some high school football teams that don’t have their own $50-100,000,000 football stadiums (there are a few) play games in the Star’s indoor stadium:

Speaking of high school football, here is the brand new Scottish Rite Childrens Hospital North Campus in Frisco – It is part of the Dallas Scottish Rite Childrens Hospital but the North Campus is strictly an outpatient facility. There are quite a few $50,000,000 – $100,000,000 high school football stadiums around here (Friday Night Lights is a real thing!!) and when some of those kids get injured, theoretically, they could come here and get their ACLs and what not fixed. They do outpatient surgical procedures and they have an indoor/outdoor running track and rehab facility… It’s pretty souped up in there. Fun fact, Dionne Sanders is a high school football coach (for his son’s team) – Jerry Jones’ grandson (just graduated this year) was QB for Highland Park High School – w

Neat rainbow effect, the side of the building is lit up rainbow colored at night as well:

Note the S&Cs:

JoJo in Scotland - February and March 2018

In March, JoJo went abroad to Scotland, where he was able to meet with Lodge Macduff No 940 in the province of Fife and Kinross, under the Grand Lodge of Scotland. He later visited Lodge St. Kenneth's #1441 the following week. In February, he had visited Lodge Wemyss #777.

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