The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272
February 2005
Volume7, Number 2
From the East ...
It's been quite a month - literally! First we had loads of snow, then temperatures
below zero for a couple days - followed by record setting high temperatures.
Mother Nature is sure keeping us guessing. I thought I might be able to get
a round of golf in there the temperatures were so balmy.
We had a great work party on Saturday January 15, coordinated by Temple Board
President Chet Echelbarger and Treasurer Allan Jones. We planned to clean
out the east stairwell and we did. We sorted and cleaned and tossed a lot
of items that had found a home in the Lodge which no one could find a good
use for. Thanks to Brother Allan for hauling all the excess "stuff" to the
transfer station. Many of the records and the old kneelers were donated to
the Eastern Washington Lodge of Research. Several members of Eastern Star
joined us to sort out and try to consolidate their items as well. Thanks to
all of you for all your hard work.
When the group showed up Saturday morning they found no heat and frozen pipes
in the boiler room. Thanks to some quick thinking by Brother Allan a portable
heater was purchased and used to thaw the pipes. A very special thank you
to Brother Jerel Rowe and his colleague, after nearly 12 hours work they got
our boiler up and running with plenty of heat. We are confident the boiler
is going to work as it should thanks to all their work. It was sure nice to
have heat when I was in the building to allow the City Water Department to
replace the meter. There is still plenty more work that needs doing. Please
watch for announcements and if you can help out - we'd be glad to have you
lend a hand.
Brother Allan presented a Petition for Membership at January Stated meeting.
I've appointed a team to investigate the candidate and hopefully we will receive
their report in February. If you know of a good man who seeks to become a
better man, invite him to one of our pot luck family nights so he can meet
the Brethren and their Ladies. To paraphrase the US Marines, "we're looking
for a few good men."
I visited with WB Paul Vielle the other day and I'm pleased to report he is
looking forward to coming back to Lodge and getting more involved again. Nancy
and I also had a chance to visit with WB Dick Hawley and his Lady Carol recently.
We hope to see all of them at our Family Nights. I know you all will join
me in welcoming Paul & Dick back "into the fold".
That's enough for this month. See you in Lodge - call a Brother and invite
him to come with you. It's always much more fun and fulfilling when we have
a good crowd at Stated meetings."
Chuck Young
Worshipful Master
From the West...
Bill Wilson
Senior Warden
I want to thank everyone
for attending the Family Night on 01/26/05. We all enjoyed a Chinese New Year
feast fit for an "Emperor" it was delicious! We had lots of wonderful oriental
dishes and of course the "chopsticks" to eat it all with. The attendance was
good and fellowship even better. We were joined by the Honored Queen of Bethal
#64. The Lodge presented her with a check for $250 for scholarships. She invited
us to attend their meetings, said they would love to have us visit.
The "door prize" was won by Brother Barry Rettkowski's wife, Kathy. It was
tea light candles, sesame cookies and "Lucky Candy" for the Year of the Rooster.
Kathy graciously donated the tea lights to the Lodge/Star/Foundation for their
use in the various activities of each group. The "Lucky Candy" was passed
around so let's hope 2005 and the Year of the Rooster is good for all of us.
We are looking forward to seeing you at next months Family Night on 2/23/05
at 6:30 PM. This evening will be dedicated to our Sweethearts with an evening
of "Sweets for the Sweet" in honor of Valentines Day. Now dig deep for your
favorite, sinnnnfully good recipe. Calories DO NOT count on this day. Gourmet
coffees and teas will be served by candle light and soft music.
Libby and I want to thank each of you for making the potlucks a success and
as always "Remember to share your smiles as you never know who might need
one".
Bill Queen
Junior Warden
The Temple Board met Tuesday, January 25. The meeting was very productive
and long. The Board finalized the Building Rental Agreement and Rules for
Use documents. A building use schedule will be posted so we all can know at
a glance when the building will be use and when it will be available. This
will help with renting the building, scheduling meetings and maintenance.
Speaking of maintenance, on Saturday, January 15, several members of the lodge
came to the lodge workday. We accomplished what we set out to do, including
a trip to the dump. We were fortunate to have come to the lodge that morning
(very cold), and we found the boiler off and frozen. Brother Jerel Rowe came
to our rescue. Jerel spent eleven and a half hours repairing the boiler. We
now have a boiler like new and a new thermostat. We got our vacuum cleaners
repaired, and are planning to have drywall installed on the ceilings in the
Fireside, Tyler's Room, Cloak Room and upstairs restroom. The bids are in
and the contractor approved. We are continuing to define the duties of a Building
Manager. We have interviewed one brother, but we are still writing the job
description. If you have any lodge keys please provide Chet, Bob McVickers,
Chuck or Allan a list of the keys. We are working with Brother Eric Berman
to have our extra funds invested so we receive a good interest rate. And,
finally, we will have another workday in the near future. The lodge needs
lots of tender love and care and your Temple Board is trying to do as much
of the work with members as we can to save money. If we get a good turnout
no one person has to do too much work. The lodge is scheduled most Saturdays
throughout February; so, while not ideal, our next workday is scheduled for
a Sunday afternoon, February 20. We hope to see you all there.
Happening at the lodge
Attending lodge last month were 13 Brothers. The Worshipful Master read the
Vision Statement for our lodge. MWB Harold Tucker was represented his 50 year
pin. The temple board audit was completed and everything was in good shape.
The proficiency team reported that all brothers are all making progress. The
Worshipful Master reminded the lodge to attend any youth installation that
they can. WB Eric Berman was installed as the Junior Steward. Many other announcements
and communication were made to the lodge. Come see what you are missing.
This past summer our family completed a journey, near the Canadian border,
into the Cascade Mountains. We began and ended our journey on paved roads.
More interesting however were the side trips, the detours, we took from the
"relative safety" of the paved roads. We ventured onto gravel, then dirt roads.
We came across posted signs along the way stating we were leaving the highway.
We came across signs which read "improved road" then giving way to signs reading
"unimproved road. Further on a number of sign posts indicated: "proceed at
your own risk!" Many of these roads ended as animal trails and we could proceed
no further.
Our journey down the mountain seemed as spectacular with its many twists and
turns, ups and downs, as we retraced our way. We re-crossed the little streamlets
just beginning their decent, merging into creeks and rivers. Our path, unimproved,
improved, dirt, gravel roads each in turn gave way to the next and then the
safety and comfort of the highways.
I have reflected on this wonderful experience, and the parallel journey of
our Audubon Park Masonic Foundation. Many journeys start as an idea. The idea
takes form and a plan is designed. The reality test is applied by hitting
the road and implementation. Once a plan is implemented it may encounter many
twists and turns and experience ups and downs. On occasion it will be necessary
to draw new designs on the trestle board and make detours. APMF plan journey
began as an idea and as we made progress, it became improved and, with many
little successes along the way, the light became brighter, giving way to reality.
APMF experienced its share of ups and downs, twists and turns, bridges to
cross as well as detours and yes, SUCCESS.
We are now on the last leg of our journey and maybe the most exciting, our
destination is in sight. Because of the generosity of many donors (Masons
and non Masons) our Foundation assets have reached the first plateau. We are
now striving to reach the destination of our journey by having an asset base
of $250,000.00.
I am pleased to report the Foundation is doing what it is designed to do.
It has raised and is now managing an asset base of $110,000 and has made its
first distribution. Job's Daughters submitted a request for APMF to assist
with the petition fee of 3 young ladies and to assist in the expense of a
number of Jobies to attend a Jobies Weekend in Moses Lake. The Temple Board
and Lodge reviewed the request and unanimously voted to grant a substantial
part of the request. At the January 26 Family Night APMF proudly presented
to the Honored Queen of Job's Daughter (Bethel 64) a check in the amount of
$250.00. At our February 8th Board of Directors Meeting we will review plans
for improvements and requests for funding from the Temple Association Board.
As a gentle reminder, if you are so inclined to donate to our Masonic Foundation
and keep the dream alive please consider doing so. We will have our Twelfth
Corned Beef Dinner and Appreciation Night on March 16th at 6:30 pm. Grand
Master, Sat Tashiro, will be our honored guest. We will send an announcement
to you in the near future.
Phone 509-328-2910 Email: eeberman@hotmail.com.
Fraternally Yours: WB Eric E. Berman, Sec-Treas. APMF
Thank You
A thank you to all the brothers who helped at the lodge clean-up Jan. 15.
VWB Chet Echelbarger Temple Board President
Famous Masons' Corner
Daniel Carter Beard (1850-1941) Known as "Uncle Dan" he was one of the organizers
of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a painter and illustrator and author.
He was raised in the Mariners' Lodge No 67, N.Y., 1917.
Masonic Quiz
Q: Who published the first Masonic monitor?
A: William Preston, London England, in 1772
Q: How many Masons signed the Constitution of the United States?
A: See the Marchissue of the Pillars for the answer.
Calendar of Events
February 2005
2/1 Bethel #64 Job's Daughters Meeting 7:00 p.m.
2/9 February Stated Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
2/10 Ivanhoe Chapter #80 - Order of Eastern Star - 7:30 p.m.
2/15 Bethel # 64 Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
2/22 Temple Board Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
2/23 Family Night - "Valentine Celebration" - 6:30 p.m.
2/24 EA Initiaion 7 P.M.
March 2005
3/1 Bethel #64 Job's Daughters Meeting 7:00 p.m.
3/9 February Stated Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
3/10 Ivanhoe Chapter #80 - Order of Eastern Star - 7:30 p.m.
3/15 Bethel # 64 Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
3/16 Corned Beef and Cabbage Feed - 6:30 p.m.
3/22 Temple Board Meeting - 6:00 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