The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272

 

December 2006
Volume 8, Number 10

From the East ...

Brethren, we have just raised another Brother to the sublime degree of a Master Mason!  Br. Gary Syme was raised the 29^th of November to the ultimate degree of Masonry. Congratulations and welcome, Gary ! I would like to thank all those that helped with the conferral and the Drama to make this a special night for him. The weather was cold, but Brotherly Love, and a little help from the thermostat, kept the Lodge nice and comfortable! We had visitors from Deer Park , Coeur d’Alene , and Medical Lake that helped fill the seats in Lodge.

            That is what Masonry is all about, Brothers helping Brothers. If you get a chance, visit another Lodge and see how they work and do their floor work. It lets them know that there are other Brothers out there that care and take an interest in Lodges besides their own. Who knows, they may return the favor and visit ours!

            Remember that December 20^th is our Family night and Toys for Tots collection night. Bring something for the “pot” and a new unwrapped toy for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots. There will also be a gift exchange for the families following the dinner, so don’t run off too soon. You may be “right” on, or “left” out! Hint Hint!

See you in Lodge,

Bill Wilson
Worshipful Master

 

From the West...

THREE WISE WOMEN
Do know what would have happened if it had been three wise women instead of three wise men?  They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole and finally brought practical gifts.  After reading this little ditty, I just had to share it as it made me smile.    I thought our Ladies might enjoy it also. 

 

But in all seriousness, this is the Season we celebrate our Savior's birth.  Let’s take the "Gift" that was given on this day into 2007 in our every day actions and lives.  Let us approach our jobs with more zeal, our friendships with more passion, the fortunate with more compassion and our responsibilities with more love in our Hearts.  Each day is a "Gift from God" that we should open with excitement and together share that excitement.

 

Libby and I want to wish each of you a very "Merry Christmas" and a "Happy New Year" may this Holiday Season be filled with lots of memory making activities for you and yours.  I am looking forward to 2007 with each of you at Audubon Park Lodge.

 

Remember to share your smile as you never know who might need one.

Bill Queen
Senior Warden

From the South...

The November family night was well attended, the food was great and everyone had a good time.  There were several guests and Eastern Star members in attendance.  Our December family night is Wednesday, December 20 at 6:30 p.m.   Please bring your favorite holiday hot dish, salad or desert to share with all.

            We will be having a holiday gift exchange after dinner.  If you would like to participate bring and wrapped gift, $10 limit, to dinner.  Worshipful Master Bill Wilson will be leading the exchange.

The Holidays are a time to remember others and help bring cheer into their lives. At our December family night potluck we will be collecting toys for the Toys for Tots program, bring whatever you can. Please take time to join us on 12/20/06 at 6:30 pm .  All are welcome.

Barry Rettkowski

Junior Warden

In Other News...

From the Secretary's Desk ...

Your Secretary has been very busy with the usual: correspondence, dues cards, minutes, and etc.  It is very helpful when you notify us of address changes.  It saves the Lodge money by having correct addresses of our members.  We have "lost" 7 of our members as we do not have current addresses. 

There are about 20 members remaining to pay dues for 2007.  I would like to thank the fourteen brothers who have paid for their Grand Lodge Endowed Life Memberships.  This will greatly improve the finances of the Lodge as the years pass.  If you would like more information regarding a Grand Lodge Life Membership please email or call me. 

Audubon Park Lodge and Worshipful Master, Bill Wil son, still needs a few good men to serve in various minor positions.   Please consider making yourself available to serve. Being a volunteer occasionally will help out tremendously. 

I would like to extend my condolences to our Masonic family and friends on the loss of loved ones or friends this past year.  I hope the memory of their lives will burn fondly and brightly within each of us.  So many of us have had our hearts touched this past year. 

I wish each and every one a most joyous and peaceful Holiday Season, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Fraternally Yours:

W.Br. Eric E. Berman

Audubon Park Masonic Building Association

There were two main topics discussed at the November meeting.  The first concerned continuing to rent the Lodge to the Church of God . There have been some concerns, so we are checking more carefully.  While the monthly revenue has been very nice the extra use of supplies, utilities, wear and tear on the building, etc. are all factors.  We hope to have a decision in the next couple weeks.

The second was about finding a Temple Manager , so far no one has stepped forward offering to assist.  If you or someone you know might be interested, please let one of the Temple Board members know.  We are seeking someone with rudimentary maintenance skills and the time to oversee the building and grounds and supervise the maintenance and upkeep.

We also need at least one new brother to fill a vacancy on the Board when Brother Bob McVicker stepped down. If you are interested please let WM Bill Wil son know.

Let me know if you would be available to help with shoveling snow.  I just love doing it but would love to share the task.

Fraternally,

WB Chuck Young

Happening at the Lodge

If you did not attend November’s Lodge meeting you missed out on a lot of fun and fellowship.  WB Floyd Morse was installed as Treasure and B. Bob Shive as Tyler .  Several reports and communications were presented.  The evening’s Masonic education about Masons and the USMC was presented by WM Bill Wilson. The Lodge approved participation in Tom’s Turkey Drive and made and donation.  Several brothers added to the donation.  Don’t miss out on the fellowship, attend Lodge.

Audubon Park Masonic Foundation.

Memorial Contributions were recently received to honor the memory of the following: Mary Emma Hentz, mother of W.B. Richard Hentz and wife of Br. Andrew Hentz, who visited us from Utah at our Oct Stated. 

Br. Earl C. Elkins, at the request of his wife, Ardella, Audubon Park Lodge also lead the participation in Br. Elkins Celebration of Life.   

Gertrude Berman, wife of Br. Warren H. Berman, who preceded her in his passing in 1997, mother of W.Br. Eric E. Berman and Br. Neil Berman.  To honor Warren and Gertrude, their seven children previously contributed a sum towards a window in the north side of the Social Hall.  Family, friends and Masons have contributed additional sums to the Memorial Program to help repair the drapery.    

Honorarium or Memorial Contributions can be made to honor any individual, or family they do not need to be a Mason.  The sums are invested and only the income can be used to repair or improve the Temple building.  To date the Audubon Park Masonic Foundation Memorial & Honorarium Fund has received $3,308.83 from 42 contributors.  Please consider honoring a loved one or friend during their life time or when they pass on.  

Required minimum distributions from Individual Retirement Accounts now can be made directly to Audubon Park Masonic Foundation and avoid declaring the distribution as income!!  If you need more information regarding or assistance in arranging the distribution please let me know.    

With Thanksgiving approaching, the Board of Directors of the foundation extends their best fraternal wishes to you Brothers and your families.

Fraternally Yours:
WB Eric E. Berman, Sec-Treas. APMF
Email: eeberman@hotmail.co

The Pillars
Do you find them interesting? Are they relevant? Is there too little or too much information? Would you like to see something different? Should they be sent less often? Is email an option for you? Would just a post card listing the upcoming activities be adequate?

For many years the Lodge officers have struggled with the question of how we keep our Brothers informed in relation to the expense incurred doing so. Reviewing the budget and bring expenses in line with projected revenue, one of the items being discussed is the expense of printing and mailing the Pillars. W.M. Bill Wilson has taken under consideration several proposals. He may choose to change nothing or he may make minor or major changes. The Pillars are prepared and bulk mailed to some 200 addresses 10 times a year at a cost of about $141.00 an issue. The expense is approx one-fifth of the budget. The Lodge officers are very sensitive to the fact that many of our Brothers live miles from us. It may have been years since a Brother has had the opportunity to visit his Lodge, and the Pillars is the only contact he may have with us in Spokane. We want to make sure everyone still feels welcome and connected to our Lodge. Please take a moment and give us your opinion.

Famous Masons' Corner
Lewis Wallace (1827-1905), Lawyer and author of the novel Ben Hur.  He was a Major General, Union , during the Civil War.  Raised in Fountain Lodge No. 60, Indiana.

 

 

Officers 2005-2006

Worshipful Master     WB Bill Wilson

Senior Warden            B Bill Queen

Junior Warden            B Barry Rettkowski

Secretary                     WB Eric Berman

Treasurer                      WB Floyd Morse

Chaplain                        VWB Gaylon Arisman

Marshal                          -------

Senior Deacon                -------

Junior Deacon                B Rob Queen

Senior Steward               -------

Junior Steward               -------

Tyler                            Br. Bob Shive

Senior Grand Warden    RWB Douglas E. Tucker

Deputy of District 27              VWB Chuck Young

 

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