Oregon Public Broadcasting

Bend’s Masonic Lodge celebrates its 100th birthday this year.

At a meeting Thursday, more than two-dozen local members of the secretive organization planned the events leading up to the big day.

Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.

The members of the lodge say they are excited that their group’s 100th birthday falls in the same year as the state’s sesquicentennial -- or 150th birthday celebration.

The Bend Masonic lodge opened officially on June 17th, 1909. But the lodge will commemorate the occasion in May.

Derek Stevens says the group isn’t afraid to capitalize on the popularity of its secret traditions, made famous in films such as ‘National Treasure’.

Derek Stevens: “We’ll have a Masonic treasure hunt. We’re going to have people going through town, and through clues and maps, finding the original locations that the Masonic Lodge occupied. One of the houses that does remain -- well I shouldn’t say, because that will be part of the treasure hunt.”

Stephens says the historical tradition of the Masons is one of the reasons it continues to thrive.

But he says charitable programs, including one that encourages kids to read, are the group's way of giving back to the community.