The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272
February 2006
Volume 8, Number 2
From the East ...
So, on that note, the February stated meeting will be about our finances.
There will be a complete explanation of the 3 bodies involved, (the Lodge,
the Temple Board, and the Temple Foundation), the monies invested, and the
monies that have been spent to date. I for one was a bit fuzzy on the exact
lay-out of the finances, and I'm sure that there are others that are in the
same boat. Maybe not as fuzzy, or maybe a lot fuzzier, but we are going to
lay it all out so that everyone can see what we are doing with the money.
This way there are no questions, doubts, rumors, or fuzzy areas. We all need
to know what is being done and how it is done. Some may be enlightened, and
then some may not, but we all will be on the same page as far as the finances
are concerned. February is also the Official Visit of the Deputy of the Grand
Master, VWB Dean Heineman. Come and visit and get more information in regards
to the Grand Lodge and the Grand Master's wishes and plans. See you in Lodge,
Bill Wilson
Worshipful Master
From the West...
I am looking forward to seeing you all in Lodge, Family Night and Temple Board
this coming month of February and upcoming events of 2006.
Bill Queen
Senior Warden
We will get back to our original schedule for Family Night Potlucks in February,
the 4th Wednesday. Our next Family Night will be February 22, at 6:30 PM.
We will have an Italian theme (not special decorations, but food). So, bring
your favorite Italian dishes, salads, breads and desserts. Irene and I will
provide lasagna, pop, and milk; the lodge will provide the coffee. I hope
we see you all there.
Junior Warden
The cost is approximately $140.00 for 200 copies. The dilemma is that the
US Postal Service requires 200 or more pieces to be mailed in order to qualify
for the bulk mail rate. If under 200 then the cost would be at regular $.39
rate. In order to save on postage more then 100 Brothers would need to receive
the Pillars by email. This realistically will not happen. We pay a $.39 fee
for each returned piece for address correction so correct addresses are very
important.
Dues: Thank you to the Brothers who have remitted their dues. The Lodge needs
these funds to pay our bills. If you have not yet sent your dues, please do
so. Brothers, thank you for your courtesy in dealing with the new Secretary.
It is appreciated.
Fraternally Yours:
A very successful work party was held on Saturday morning January 14. It was
timed so everyone could get home in time to cheer the Seattle Seahawks on
to victory! Those who helped were RWB Doug Tucker, WBs Eric Berman and Chet
Echelbarger and Brothers Allan Jones, Barry Rettkowski, Cliff Miller, Mel
Frank and yours truly. We got mini blinds hung, radiators painted, door knobs
tightened, pictures hung in both the Tyler's and Hillyard Rooms, some kitchen
and closet cleaning and straightening, and also made significant progress
in the Secretary's office for the transition. Many thanks, Brethren for all
your wonderful help.
The two most important issues decided this month by the board were: Election
of officers for the ensuing year:
Chairman, Bro Jerel Rowe WM,
WB Bill Wilson
Vice Chair, Bro Bob McVicker SW, Bro Bill Queen
Treasurer, WB Floyd Morse JW,
Bro Allan Jones
Secretary, WB Chuck Young Ex Officio,
WB Eric Berman
Change to By Laws -The By-Laws were revised last year, but the board is recommending
that they be changed again to make the administrative year and annual meeting
coincide more closely with the installation of Lodge officers. The board is
recommending the language be changed to indicate the annual meeting takes
place in the month immediately following installation of officers. The Board
has respectfully requested the Worshipful Master present this to the Brethren
for approval at the Feb 8 Stated meeting.
The next work party will be sometime in February, after Seattle wins the Super
Bowl. I hope many of you will be able to join us. There is still much to do,
but as the old saying goes, "We'll be successful if we eat this elephant one
bite at a time."
Just a reminder: 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.
Fraternally,
The January Stated meeting was conducted as a "stop
and go" session with VWB Dean Heinemann providing the control. This was requested
by WM Bill Wilson to improve the lodge's floor work. Several reports and communications
were presented. Up coming events were discussed and several votes were taken.
Sickness and distress reports were given. The evening's Masonic education
titled "14 Reasons to attend lodge on a stormy night" was presented by WB
Chuck Young. You don't know what you are missing. Come to the next Stated
meeting, February 8th.
Audubon Park Masonic Foundation.
Temple Board requested funds to purchase blinds for the Hillyard Room (Fireside
room). The Foundation approved of the purchase. W.Br. Chuck Young was able
to purchase and install the blinds for less then half of the estimates. The
Temple board was reimbursed $98.00 for the blinds. The Hillyard Room looks
really nice. Thanks to W.Br. Young and the volunteer work crew. Hope all of
you will have a chance to view the area on your next visit to our Lodge.
Valentines dinner and dance is fast approaching. It will be held Feb 12, at
5pm. We are offering four favorite entrees from Olive Garden with salad, bread
sticks, desserts and coffee. You may bring a beverage of your choice. There
will be live music for your listening and dancing pleasure by Spokane's favorite,
Dianne Copeland. The dinner alone is worth more than the $25.00 per person,
requested donation. Please consider joining us.
Please join us for our annual "Corned Beef & Cabbage Appreciation Dinner"
on March 15, 2006 at 6:30 pm. This is the required annual meeting of Audubon
Park Masonic Foundation. Certificates of Appreciation will be handed out to
our members by Al Jorgensen, Grand Master, who will be with us for the evening.
I am a notary and will gladly, without charge, notarize your documents. For
all notary services, please be sure you have adequate identification and documentation.
Not all Brothers are able to come to my office. In those circumstances, if
at all possible, I will come to your residence.
Audubon Park Masonic Foundation has an asset base of $130,000 and has over
half of its goal of $250,000. The board of directors will meet in February
to consider how much of its income from assets will be distribute to its beneficiaries.
WB Eric E. Berman, Sec-Treas. APMF
Email: eeberman@hotmail.co
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.
Roy Rogers - Popular radio,
movie and TV actor and singer. He was raised in Hollywood Lodge No 355, California.
He was a member of the Scottish Rite and Shrine.
Masonic Quiz
Q: Who compiled the first Lexicon of Freemasonry in the United States?
A: Albert G. Mackey of South Carolina, in 1845. He drew heavily from a German
edition from 1822.
Q: What bible was used when George Washington was sworn in as President,
1789?
A: See the March issue of the Pillars for the answer.
Who do I talk to?
If you want something put into the Pillars or to contact
the Lodge secretary:
Audubon Park Masonic Lodge #272
POB 9575
Spokane, WA 99209-9575
Secretary: W.Br. Eric E. Berman 509-328-2910 email: eeberman@hotmail.com
Pillars Editor: Br. Barry Rettkowski 509-928-0075 email: brettkow@mindspring.com
Calendar of Events
February 2006
2/08 February Stated Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
2/09 Ivanhoe Chapter #80 - Order of Eastern Star - 7:30 p.m.
2/21 Temple Board Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
2/22 Family Night - "Valentine's Celebration" - 6:30 p.m.
March 2006
3/08 March Stated Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
3/09 Ivanhoe Chapter #80 - Order of Eastern Star - 7:30 p.m.
3/15 Corned Beef and Cabbage Feed - Visit by Grand Master
3/21 Temple Board Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
Officers 2005-2006
Worshipful Master WB Bill Wilson
Senior Warden B Bill Queen
Junior Warden B Allan Jones
Treasure WB Floyd Morse
Secretary WB Eric Berman
Chaplain WB Chuck Young
Marshal B Robert McVicker
Senior Deacon B Barry Rettkowski
Junior Deacon B Rob Queen
Senior Steward -------
Junior Steward -------
Tyler
B Bob Shives
Grand Junior Warden RWB Douglas Tucker