It may be 100 years before another Christmas season sees Norman taken by storm -- snowstorm that is -- like this year's.
One thing will wait 100 years for sure. It will be that long until 22nd-century Masons with the Norman Masonic Lodge No. 38 will be reading about this year's storm, and other goings-on of the day, as part of a time capsule dedicated by the lodge Sunday.
"We wanted to leave a lot of memories about the period and what Norman is like today," said Daniel Hanttula, senior deacon for the lodge. "What a home costs, costs of staple items, group attendance numbers, things like that."
The capsule also featured Masonic memorabilia, photos of the lodge rooms and the incoming officers for the lodge, People Magazine's 2010 yearbook, the city's 2009 community report card and a copy of the Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, edition of The Transcript.
"We wanted to show where we are halfway to the bicentennial you will be celebrating," newly-installed Worshipful Master Louis Khoury said in a letter addressed to the future membership and enclosed in the capsule.
Perhaps adding the most personal touch to the capsule were letters written by each of the lodge's officers, addressed directly to the men who will have their assignments a century from now.
They talked of their lives, the challenges faced by the lodge and society in general in 2009, and their hopes for what the lodge will be like when the capsule is opened.
"I wish I was there to see how the lodge as evolved since I left this world," wrote Senior Warden Travis Roberts.
The Masons have a long history in Norman, actually beginning before statehood. The first charter of the lodge took place Nov. 5, 1890, with two Grand Lodges in the state merging in 1909, giving the Norman Lodge its last and most recent charter Feb. 11, 1909.
The University of Oklahoma's first president, David Ross Boyd, was an early member of the lodge, and Henry C. Muldrow also was an honorary member of the Norman lodge and first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Oklahoma. He donated money to open a Masonic dorm at OU, which today stands on campus as Whitehand Hall.
Sunday's dedication coincides not just with the 100-year charter anniversary but also to the day with the observance of St. John's Day, which is every Dec. 27.
The capsule was stored Sunday by members in the lodge's library, not to be opened until St. John's Day in 2109.
"I hope to be here when they open it," joked the lodge's chaplain, Robert "Pepper" Haraway, a Masonic Lodge member for more than 50 years.
Christian Potts 366-3544 cpotts@normantranscript.com
