The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272
April 2005
Volume 7, Number 4
From the East ...
By the time you read this we should have another new Mason in our Lodge. We
plan to initiate Mr. Larry Neil into our fraternity. Brother Bill Wilson will
be in the East. As I have heard concerning raising children, "It Takes a Village
to Raise a Child." Seems to me a former First Lady and current New York Senator
had a book out by that title. Political persuasions aside, I think we can
make the case that "It Takes a Lodge to Raise a Mason!" Cute comparison -
huh? But seriously, what is one of the main reasons new Masons stop coming
to Lodge? I suspect it's because he doesn't feel like he belongs or there
is nothing there of interest to him. Let's all vow not to let that happen
with Brother Cliff Miller and soon to be Brother Larry Neil. I have been coaching
Brother Cliff and he is coming along very well. He is enthusiastic and is
studying the work and making excellent progress. Speaking of enthusiasm Brother
Jerel Rowe has demonstrated his proficiency as an Entered Apprentice Mason
and will soon be passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft Mason. Brother Jerel
has been enthusiastic and involved in the Lodge. That is partly due to his
own desire but also because of the involvement of Brother Allan Jones, his
coach, mentor and friend. Each one of us as members of this Lodge has a personal
"stake" in the welfare of every other brother. It can't be any more important
than taking a new Mason "under your wing" and instilling in him all the enthusiasm
we have for this wonderful Fraternity.
Have you been to the Lodge recently? The ceilings in the Tyler's Room, Cloak
Room, Fireside Room and Ladies restroom have been replaced with new sheet
rock and textured. The furniture has been moved out and back at least once
as we have had to accommodate the contractor and the Job's Daughters and Ladies
of Eastern Star. Our next step will be to paint those rooms and move the furniture
back - for the final time.
You will also note a "new addition" to the Lodge next time you are there.
We (the Temple Board) decided to put the OES carpet down and leave it in place.
The Ladies had a difficult time moving it each month so we decided just to
put it down and leave it. It adds a dramatic "flair" to the Lodge. We have
been given permission to cut a hole so we can access the electric plug in
the floor for our lesser lights. Let us know what you thing when you are next
in Lodge - if not before - at April Stated Meeting Wednesday April 13. That's
all for this month - See you in Lodge - bring another Brother when you come.
Chuck Young
Worshipful Master
From the West...
I wish to thank all that helped make the last two meetings
go so smoothly. The stated meeting was my first go at sitting in the East,
and it was made much easier by all the "help" I received. It all seems a blur
right now, almost like my First Degree night! It made it a bit easier for
what came later ... another First Degree conferral and Lodge opening!
We now have another new Mason, Brother Larry Neal. His brother is already
a Shriner and President of the NW Shrine Clowns Association. Maybe Brother
Larry is looking to follow in the grease paint? Thanks to WB's Dick Hawley
and Eric Berman for sitting as the Senior and Junior Stewards tonight, and
VWB Chet Echlebarger as out Tyler. Accolades also go out to WB Bob Good for
keeping the Treasurer's seat warm for him, and VWB Doug Tucker for doing the
Entered Apprentice Charge. I also appreciate WM Chuck Young for sitting in
the West and keeping me on the "straight and narrow" no matter how wobbly
I tried to make it.
All in all, I am very thankful for everyone's help and support in making this
a special night for our new Brother! Oh, joy, that means 2 Fellowcrafts coming
up that I get to look forward to doing.........
Bill Wilson
Senior Warden
I hope everyone that attended the corned beef
& cabbage dinner on the 16th of March had a wonderful time. Rumors and accolades
have it that the meal was outstanding!! With both Lib and I being ill, we
are sorry that we were not able to attend the dinner.
This month the Family Potluck will be on 4/27/05 at 6:30. This potluck will
be a "Spring Fling"! Lib and I will be barbequing hamburgers and hotdogs.
If you each would bring your favorite summer salad to top it off that would
be a wonderful addition! We'll bring Spring in a grand way.......!!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of your for your cards
and calls and prayers during my recent surgery. Things like this are never
easy, but when shared with and supported by Friends it makes the trip thru
much easier. Thank you to each of you.... Libby and I want to thank each of
you again for making the potlucks a success and always "Remember to share
your smiles as you never know who might need one".
Bill Queen
Junior Warden
The Temple Board met Tuesday, March 22. The Board reviewed
the Temple Board Association finances, projected income and budget. For March
the Temple Association had monthly expenses of $1,368, monthly income of $1,890,
and an account balance of $17,832.
The Temple Board approved no longer charging rent for use of the building
for Ivanhoe Chapter 80 Order of Eastern Star and Job's Daughters. We will
review our decision in September.
The Board approved renting the building for half days when it is not rented
for the day. If you have a party or some other need for the building please
contact Floyd or Chuck.
The contractor finished installing the ceilings. Now we need to plan our next
workday! It will probably be on a Saturday and will be announced at the April
stated meeting... I'm sure our Worshipful Master would be delighted to provide
pizza for lunch. We need a good turnout of our brothers so we can get the
ceilings painted and prepare the walls for painting. We have plenty of work,
so please plan to join the fun!
Just a reminder, please give one of the Temple Board members a list of the
Lodge keys you have.
To learn more about what is happening in our Lodge visit our webpage at www.audubonpark272.com.
The current schedule of activities is posted there.
Happening at the lodge ...
Audubon Park Masonic Foundation.
APMF had a wonderful fiscal year with activities, fund raising and gifting.
Our revenues were: Stock gains $ 3,820; two dances $262.78; Appreciation Dinner
$451.34. Donations total $3,476.00 including Fund Raising Letters and Sustaining
Membership of $1055. Gross revenue was $8,011.00. And, NO EXPENSES!!
We donated funds to: Job's Daughters $400; Rainbow Girls $100.00; Food Bank
Turkey Fund $200.00; finally, $1,000.00 to AP Lodge 272 to fund 148 reading
books for 2 grade schools.
The Twelfth Annual Meeting & Corned Beef Dinner was a wonderful event. When
the "counten was done" we had a net of $451.00, which was deposited into our
investment fund. "St. Patty's Social Hall" was decorated aptly with colors
of white and green, with candles on the tables. Job's Daughters, advisors
and all of the volunteer helpers served the food and assisted with the task
of clean up. W.B. Floyd Morse served as Chief Chef and was assisted by Br.
Robert McVicker. Thank You to everyone who helped with our event. You did
a wonderful job.
SPORTS SHOW AND YARD SALE: Fund raising event April 16th 8am to 4pm. APMF
and Temple Board are participating in a Sports Show and Sale. Vendors will
display and sell their wares: Guns, Knives, Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Outdoor,
crafts, etc. Vendors will also have furniture, rummage and yard sale items.
Please inform others they can rent tables to sell their excess "sports items"
and other valuables. If you not want to personally sell your items we are
accepting donations of rummage, garage and yard sale items. We especially
want donations of sporting items. This is an opportunity to clean out the
corners of the attic, basement and garage. If possible, I will arrange picking
up donated items for the sale. By participating you can financially help the
Foundation and Temple and receive an income tax deduction. Audubon Park Masonic
Foundation is a Non-Profit Corporation. Donations to APMF may be remitted
to: APMF P.O. Box 18678 Spokane, WA 99228. Phone: 509-328-2910
Email: eeberman@hotmail.com.
Fraternally Yours: WB Eric E. Berman, Sec-Treas. APMF
"Master's Challenge"
"I would like to encourage all Brethren of Audubon Park Lodge #272 to attend
the Job's Daughters, Bethel #64 Stated Meeting on Tuesday April 19; 7:00 -
8:30 p.m. at our Lodge. Let's have as many Masons from Audubon Park Lodge
as we can fit in the room there for the Jobe's."
Brethren - I guarantee you will have a good time as you watch these young
ladies - our future - as they do the work of the Bethel. They will make you
feel good about yourselves and about being Masons. I hope you can all make
it. WM Chuck Young
What is Freemasonry?
If someone asks "What is Freemasonry?" the following is a good answer. Freemasonry is kindness in the home * Honesty in business * Courtesy towards others * Dependability in work * Compassion & concern for the unfortunate * Resistance to evil * Help for the weak * Forgiveness for the Penitent * Love for one another and , above all, Reverence and love for God * Freemasonry is many things but most of all it is: A Way Of Life.
Famous Masons' Corner
Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910). Better known as
Mark Twain he was an author, a humorist and a river boat pilot. Member of
Polar Star Lodge No. 79, Mo., 1861
Masonic Quiz
Q: What part did Masons play in the famous "Boston Tea Party?
A: Most of the participants were Masons and the planning of the raid started
in a Masonic lodge.
Q: Who was the first native born American to become a Freemason?
A: See the May issue of the Pillars for the answer.
Calendar of Events
April 2005
4/5 Bethel #64 Job's Daughters Meeting 7:00 p.m.
4/13 April Stated Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
4/14 Ivanhoe Chapter #80 - Order of Eastern Star - 7:30 p.m.
4/15 Bethel # 64 Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
4/22 Temple Board Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
4/27 Family Night - 6:30 p.m.
May 2005
5/3 Bethel #64 Job's Daughters Meeting 7:00 p.m.
5/11 May Stated Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
5/12 Ivanhoe Chapter #80 - Order of Eastern Star - 7:30 p.m.
5/17 Bethel # 64 Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
5/24 Temple Board Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
5/25 Family Night - Honoring Mothers & Widows - 6:30 p.m.
Officers 2004-2005
Worshipful Master WB Chuck Young
Senior Warden
B Bill Wilson
Junior Warden B
Bill Queen
Treasurer
VWB Douglas Tucker
Secretary
WB Floyd Morse
Chaplain
WB David Ferguson
Marshal B
Robert McVicker
Senior Deacon
B Allan Jones
Junior Deacon
B Barry Rettkowski
Senior Steward -------
Junior Steward
WB Eric Bermen
Tyler
B Rob Queen
Grand Lodge Lecturer VWB Douglas Tucker