FROM THE PILLAR OF WISDOM
Brethren & Ladies:
I know our Jr. Warden Steve will be writing about his experience and the legislation voted upon at Grand Lodge this past October and will try not to steal too much of his thunder. All of the Grand master’s Decisions were affirmed. Of his Recommendations three passed and four will be carried over till next year. Unfinished business from 2008 all failed. As for 2009 Resolutions three passed, four were carried over and four failed. This was my sixth and perhaps final trip to Grand Lodge Communications barring possibly carrying the Past Master vote at some future time.
As you all know November brings the time for election of Officer’s for the ensuing Masonic year, and I suspect all will go smoothly with one notable exception. Our current Treasurer Dick Covert, PM will be stepping aside to pursue more time with Bobbie and a desire to travel, with our lodge owing them a hearty thanks for their time and support over the years.
As master this year it has always been a pleasure for me and for all Masters of a lodge to present awards, to congratulate work well done, to see hiss Brothers grow into their position or Stations and watch his lodge take a Brother through the Degrees and raise Master Masons, they are the very best of times within a lodge.It is also a pleasure to announce that three of our Brethren in the Scottish Rite in the Valley of San Diego have been selected for high honor. Gerald Lynn, PM and David Haslim, PM will be coroneted to the 33rd Degree. Luis Gallegos will be elevated to KCCH.
We also want to remind everyone (adults only) of our hors d’oeurvre party Friday, December 4th at 7:00pm at our house. Bring your favorite hors d’oeurve with its recipe. Beer, wine and soft drinks provided. Please, RSVP.
Sincerely
and Fraternally,
Clinton R. Black, PM, WM
FROM THE PILLAR OF STRENGTH
Brethren,
The fee for joining our Fraternity will be increasing shortly, for what is a very worthwhile reason. At the beginning of October the Grand Lodge of California met for the 160th time. I was unable to attend due to personal illness and so my vote was carried by the Master.
Resolution No. 08-09, a carry over from last year passed with a 74.8% margin. This resolution increased the fee paid by applicants to the George Washington Masonic Memorial by a very nominal amount, to ensure that this beautiful Memorial might continue to be properly maintained. The objective of the Memorial is to inspire humanity through education to emulate and promote the virtue, character and vision of George Washington the man, the Mason and Father of our Country. Many of your lodge Brethren has visited this Memorial, both past and recent. The one thing they come away with is the beauty of the interior of its murals, statues and artifacts of a time past in America’s history.
Two lodges closely associated with George Washington were Fredericksburg Lodge (his mother lodge) and Alexandria-Washington Lodge where he was elected Charter Master. In 1909 Charles S. Callahan purchased several lots on Shuters Hill which he gifted to Alexandria-Washington Lodge as a new location for the lodge building. However after consultations, the Grand Master of Virginia in February1910 invited every Grand Master in America to assemble in Alexandria-Washington for the purpose of forming an association to build a suitable Memorial to George Washington by our Fraternity. Ground breaking began June 5, 1922 with the concept of a colossal building as a Memorial “Lighthouse”. Anciently sites such as this were selected for temples because of its high ground, also it was ground Washington himself would have been familiar with, and, last but not least, Thomas Jefferson once proposed it as an ideal site for our Nations Capital. The cornerstone was laid on November 1, 1923 by President Calvin Coolidge, former President and Chief Justice William H. Taft in a Masonic Ceremony with many thousands of Freemasons present. By 1970 the building was completed and in 1999 the Square and Compass was added to the front lawn. A point to consider is the planning, construction and maintenance of this Memorial edifice was accomplished with not one dime of borrowed money, but of the support of our American Fraternity past and present.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Kyle Dau, PM, SW.
FROM THE PILLAR OF BEAUTY
Greetings and salutations Brethren and Ladies:
This month I bring results from Grand Lodge Communications 2009. As this is my first attendance at this 160th such event I now humbly report the results to the best of my ability. Many items were covered and I will not try to cover all of them but invite you to go to the District website and review them all.
Notable was the unanimous affirmation of all four of the Grand Master’s Decisions. Three of those decisions dealt with the interpretation of guidelines for the use of alcoholic beverages at lodge events and events held in Masonic lodges, evaluating Moral Turpitude in the event of consideration of non-Masonic behavior charges, and the restoration of those found to be in violation of such charges after a Masonic Trial. The fourth decision changed the way Social Networks and advertising found on internet websites are to be viewed, and in effect make such venues on a par with print or broadcast media.
There were seven Grand Master’s Recommendations, three of which passed and the rest carried over to next year. Notable was the overwhelming approval of the Grand Lodge of Iran (in exile) to be recognized by Grand Lodge in order to allow our Brothers to meet in the state with the largest population of expatriated Iranians, n to just in Massachusetts where they have until now only been able to meet in this country. Healthy debate followed introduction of rules similar to those in the Wisconsin Masonic Code used to give the Master of the lodge power to stem the arbitrary use of negative ballots in lodge. This measure was carried over with a 63% positive vote. Also carried over by a 79% affirmative vote was a recommendation to allow solicitation in emails by Masonic organizations. Passed was a recommendation for the clearer definition of un-Masonic conduct.
Unfinished 2008 business resulted in two of three passing. Hazing restrictions and increased applicant fees to cover costs for the George Washington Masonic Memorial passed. A change to fund distribution from Life Membership funds failed.
There were 10 Resolutions for consideration in 2009*, 2 of which passed, 4 of which failed and 4 carried over to 2010 Grand Lodge Communication. Notable were Resolutions to expand the ability of Masonic organizations to use limited forms of gambling to raise lodge funds. Two were introduced, one was restricted to allowing Shrine organizations to use such methods and failed, and the other would permit all Masonic organizations some ability to conduct raffles and other restricted methods of gaming and was carried over with a 59% affirmative vote. Of note also were measures introduce to allow a lodge secretary to hold concurrent offices in multiple lodges which failed, and another measure to grant lodge secretaries and District Inspectors a vote at Grand Lodge failed also.
My overall impression of the proceedings was that much care and thought go into each and every item upon which votes are to be cast by both the Grand Lodge representatives and the various committees through which they are vetted before they come to the floor for consideration. And while this is a more representative process than that of our current state and federal election process, one could only hope and pray that our elected representatives would exercise as much due diligence and care on items presented on the various floors of Congress as the Brethren exhibit at Grand Lodge.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Steven Laurvick, Jr. Warden
LADIES CORNER
Hi Ladies;
We were overwhelmed by the attendance at our October Stated Meeting dinner. It came at a great time, especially for the children, since it was so fun and exciting for them to display their costumes in front of their Dads, family and friends. It was also nice to see the Moms participating! They were great and thank you! I didn’t want to be the only one in costume! A big thanks to Bonnie Smith who again did a great job on the table decorations and her costume was the best! She made it herself and it amazes me all the time (it shouldn’t) how many talented ladies we have. Bonnie, just a comment: Bethany loved your beanies babies and checked out every table, you did a good job.
As you know there are many things coming up in the Holiday Season. The new Master of the Lodge, Kyle Dau,PM, will be installed in December and Gerry Lynn, PM and David Haslim, PM will be conferred a 33rd degree by the Scottish Rite. Luis Gallegos will be conferred a KCCH of the Scottish Rite. Congratulations to all of them! In honor of these accomplishments and the wonderful year we have had with the lodge we invite all of you to come to our home for a horsed’ oeuvre party. Bring your favorite horsed’ oeuvre with its recipe to share. Prizes for the tastiest and most unique. The date is December 4th at 7:00PM. Please RSVP.
Till later,
Judy
DID YOU KNOW?
A Native American woman was the first Tyler of the first lodge in Kansas. She was Mrs. Matthew R. Walker, wife of the first Warden of Wyandotte Lodge. The lodge first met in the Walker home. Mrs. Walker became the first Grand Matron of the Eastern Star in Kansas.
DID YOU ALSO KNOW?
That a Masonic lodge was constituted on the decks of Old Iron Sides. Henry Knox Lodge of Massachusetts was constituted on the famous American frigate March 17, 1926 after its reconstruction in the Charleston Navy Yard, Boston.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Your items of Masonic Education and general interest are always welcome and earnestly requested. Just be sure to have them to me no later than November 20. You may contact me by email uglidedc@cox.net or telephone 760-751-3469.
Fraternally, Dick Covert, PM Editor
TREASURERS OFFICE
Our present Treasurer, Dick Covert, PM has announced that he will not stand for re-election for the 2010 Masonic Year. (Someone said they heard him say.... If nominated, I will not run; and if elected, I will not serve). Brethren interested in serving as Treasurer in the future should make their interest known to the Master and Wardens.
NOVEMBER STATED MEETING DINNER MENU
Spring Mix Salad
Stuffed Pork Roast
Roast Chicken
Rice Pilaf
Asparagus Tips
Assorted Hot & Cold Beverages
Assorted Rolls
Pumpkin Pie
FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK
PLEASE If you are not on the permanent dinner reservation list, call at least two days prior to a Stated Meeting. We are always delighted to see you at Stated Meeting and dinner, but it can be difficult accommodating everyone who shows up without notice. Cost of dinner is $12.00 each. Brethren on the permanent list should call if they are unable to attend dinner. Please remember also to keep us advised of address and telephone number changes.
Fraternally, John S. Gamache, PM, Secretary
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 Charles Allen
3 Willard Meyer
6 Michael Monroe
7 Stephen Allen
9 Ronald Howard
14
John Fitch
William Stanfield
15
Bruce Marx
James Meyers
Clarence Seyfferth III
Paul Stephenson
18 Otto Drum
24 Alex Pina
26 Kent Dau, PM
29 Matthew Botu
30 Darryl Sandaker
ECHOES FROM THE PAST
62 Years
Joe Medeiros MM 11/22/47
Robert Wilson, PM MM 11/22/47
58Years
David Hull MM 11/27/51
49 Years
Robert A. Carsten, PM MM 11/28/60
48 Years
Richard Bergstrom MM 11/09/61
41 Years
James W. Campbell, PM MM 11/26/68
