The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272

 

December 2002
Volume 4, Number 2

From the East...

Here it is almost Christmas time and I am still trying to get myself into the mood for Thanksgiving. It seems that every year, time moves even faster than it did the year before. Which means that there is less time for me to get the things done that I want to do on a daily basis. But that is an old complaint to most of us and doesn’t need to be rehashed in The Pillars.

I am happy to have gotten through the month of November with as few problems as I did. Outside of the very bad case of laryngitis that wiped me out for attempting to confer the 1st Degree on our new Entered Apprentice Allan Jones and the bout of joint pain that we all had a touch of in November, life has been good to me and mine this Fall.

The Family Night - Gift Exchange (on Wednesday night, December 18) will be limited to a less-than-$10.00 gift for everyone who attends, plus an unwrapped children’s gift per each couple, or individual, as the case may be (for Toys for Tots ed.). This has been an exciting time for those who have participated in the past and I hope for those who join us for our Family Night. We’ll start dinner at 7:00 p.m. (Notice this is half hour later than last year.) Of course, our Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft Masons and their wives are invited to join us too, for this Family Night - Gift Exchange -Pot Luck dinner. We usually have a very good meal and some kind of entertainment for the brethren to enjoy. I am still in hopes that I can talk my lovely wife Pattie into singing for us sometime.

Until we meet again at our Stated Meeting (December 11), I wish that all of you will enjoy good health and prosperity. May God bless you and keep you safe and sound. Happy Holidays!

John M. Smith

Worshipful Master

From the West...

Greetings to everyone and the very best of the Holiday Season to you. We’ve been lucky so far with mild winter conditions. That’s good news for city dwellers but bad news for ski resorts. Still, a little snow on Christmas Day would be nice.

On November 20, 2002 Mr. Allan Jones was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason. Worshipful Master John Smith (who had laryngitis) passed the gavel to WB Paul Vielle, who conferred the degree. WB Floyd Morse gave the Lecture and WB Dick Hawley read the Charge. We had several brethren from other lodges in attendance. Refreshments followed.

Brother Jones works with Brother Chuck Young at the Shrine Hospital, so Chuck has agreed to be Allan’s coach for the proficiency. All in all, it was a nice piece of ritual work. My thanks to all brethren who attended for their support and a hearty Audubon Park welcome to you Brother Allan!

Hope to see you all at the Pot Luck Dinner & Xmas Gift Exchange on December 18. Junior Warden Chuck Young will have more to say about that.

Robert K. Good

Senior Warden

From the South...

It’s almost that time again. What time you ask? Time for the Audubon Park Lodge #272 annual Holiday Potluck Dinner and Gift Exchange. You just finished Thanksgiving? Yes I know, but because Thanksgiving was so late this year, Christmas is coming much sooner – but it will still be on December 25th. However, our Potluck is going to be the week before. So mark your calendars – Wednesday December 18th is the date. The Worshipful Master said the start time is 7:00 p.m. at the Lodge. Bring your favorite holiday dish, (casserole, dessert, salad, vegetable) and come prepared for a good meal, fellowship, and fun. This will also be a gift exchange, so bring a gift (under $10.00 or so) for each one who attends.

Finally – this is also our chance to help others less fortunate at this blessed time of year. For each individual or couple in attendance please bring an unwrapped new toy for the US Marines Toys for Tots drive. The Worshipful Master tells me there will be a contingent of Marines on hand to share the fellowship of the evening and accept our bountiful offering of new toys. If you are going to attend, please RSVP to 325-0906 and let me know what you plan to bring for us to share. Happy Holidays from the South!

Charles R. Young

Junior Warden

In Other News...

Special thanks to those many brethren who serve Audubon Park Lodge in important but less-visible ways. Two individuals deserve recognition ...

As most of you know, the Lodge makes extra money by renting-out the upstairs for weddings. Prior to each wedding, all the chairs along the sidelines are moved out into the central floor area to form rows (like in a theater.) Moving those chairs around is quite a labor! They’re heavy and unwieldy. VWB Echechelbarger saw a need and went to work. He fashioned a simple dolly to move these chairs without tearing up the rug or throwing-out our backs. What a labor-saving device this is! We thank you Brother Chester!

Also, many of you commented on how well the grounds looked this fall. Brother Frank "Dutch" Rotter did a lot of this work; ...mowing the lawn, raking leaves, edging the sidewalks...all the many things needing to be done to prepare the Lodge for the coming winter. He didn’t make a big fuss over it. He just came, did the job and left. Thank you Brother Dutch!

These are just two of the several brethren who labor quietly in service to the Lodge without expectation of reward or recognition. Be sure to thank these worthy brethren when you see them and let them know we appreciate their service.

At the November stated meeting, Bro. Bill Wilson and WB Paul Vielle were recognized for their work in putting together the Audubon Park Webpage. As a result of this labor Audubon Park 272 received Grand Lodge’s, Pillar of Progress Award for ‘Information and Technology’. Also, at the same meeting , WB Paul J. Vielle received his Past Master’s Apron. Worshipful Master John Smith made the presentation on behalf of the Lodge.

MWB Harold E. Tucker is recovering nicely from his hernia operation. We hope to see him back in Lodge soon.

WB Eric Berman informs me that he’s sold about half (40) of the tickets for the upcoming New Years Eve Dinner and Dance to be held at the Lodge, Dec 31, 2002. This event features a buffet dinner from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. (Choice of two meats, veggies, potatoes, salads, rolls, deserts and lots more.) Dancing starts at 8:30 and runs to 12:30. A five piece band ALL THAT JAZZ will play all kinds of dance music: Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing, Country two-step and more. It’s BYOB. We will have mixers, pop and ice available. There will be door prizes and a drawing for some rather spectacular gifts. Wear ‘festive’ dress, that is, loose and comfortable clothing. Brother Eric and Lady Anne have hosted similar dances in the past, all of which have been stellar successes. This event promises to surpass even those! Cost? $25.00 per person. Where else can you get dinner and a dance on New Years Eve at such a price?! Tickets are required. Call or e-mail Eric Berman to make reservations. Eric’s work number is 455-4308 or e-mail at eeberman@hotmail.com. (This is a link to his email, just click and do it to it! ed.)

Just a reminder. Dues cards for 2003 have been mailed to members. Please remember that dues for 2003 are due by December 31, 2002. Thank you.

In Memoriam With sadness we report the passing of another Audubon Park member. Brother Henry Carl Alfano died on October 17, 2002. He received his degrees in Moses Lake, being raised there as a Master Mason on June 13, 1961. Later, he affiliated with Audubon Park 272. A memorial was held for Brother Alfano at our November stated meeting.

Famous Mason’s Corner

Christopher "Kit" Carson (1809-1868). One of America’s most famous plainsmen, Indian scout, guide, trapper and soldier. He was apprenticed to a saddler but ran away to join a party of hunters. His employer advertised in the Missouri Intelligencer, offering one cent reward for his return. He served as guide for General John C. Fremont on the California expedition. Kit Carson was probably the best known white man among the western Indians. Raised in Montezuma Lodge No. 109 in New Mexico (then under Missouri charter).

Masonic Quiz

Q: Why is the Sprig of Acacia used as an emblem in Freemasonry?

A: It probably originated because of the Jewish custom of planting a branch of acacia vera (gum arabic plant) on the grave of a departed relative. It symbolizes Masonry’s great doctrine, the immortality of the soul.

Q: What is the Tyler’s Toast"?

A: See next month’s Pillars!

Calendar of Events

December

3 Bethel 64 meeting of Job’s Daughters, 7:00 p.m.

11 Stated Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

17 Bethel 64 meeting of Job’s Daughters, 7:00 p.m.

18 Family Night (Pot Luck Dinner & Xmas Gift Exchange. Also Toys for Tots) 7:00 p.m.

31 New Years Eve Dinner & Dance!! 7:30 - 12:30 p.m.

January

7 Bethel 64 meeting of Job’s Daughters, 7:00 p.m.

8 Stated Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

21 Bethel 64 meeting of Job’s Daughters, 7:00 p.m.

 

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