The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272
January 2006
Volume 8, Number 1
From the East ...
The Christmas Pot Luck and Toys for Tots dinner was a great success! I won't
steal the Junior Warden's thunder, and will instead thank all of you that
brought toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. I delivered them
the next morning and the Marines, 19 years old to a retired Marine 85 years
old, were still busy packing toys and delivering them. No one was turned away,
and there were still a few left for "seed" next year. Twenty-three to be exact!
Thank you again for your generosity
"Have a Safe and Happy New Years!"
Bill Wilson
Worshipful Master
From the West...
I mention this encounter to accent the joy and friendship of our Brotherhood.
In the coming year I am looking forward to watching and participating in the
growth of Audubon Park Lodge. Through Masonry we can contribute something
to our community and with membership growth we can be of stronger influence
and help to our community and to the Brotherhood. Let's work together to increase
Audubon Park's membership and our visibility in the Spokane community as a
symbol of help and philanthropy.
Bill Queen
Senior Warden
January 18th, at 6:30, WB Eric and his brother will prepare Clam Chowder for
our Family Night. This is one week earlier than our regular Family Nights,
so remember to mark you calendars accordingly. WB Eric requests we RSVP so
he knows how much chowder to make. If you may RSVP me at 744-1237 (days -
wk) or 466-1788 (evenings - home), or RSVP with WB Eric at 328-2910. We are
looking forward to seeing you the 18th.
Junior Warden
Grand Lodge Life Membership: Lodge Brothers, their friends or family, may
purchase a Grand Lodge Life Membership. The membership can be purchased by
a Mason during his lifetime; it can be purchased, by others, as an Honorarium
or Memorial to him. The funds are forwarded to Grand Lodge for investing and
managing. The principal amount for Audubon Park Lodge is now in excess of
$45,000, the Lodge benefits by receiving the interest (about $2,400.00) on
an annual basis. We now have 165 members enrolled in the program. For more
information please contact me and I will be pleased to answer your questions.
Dues 2006: If you have not paid your 2006 dues please remitting as soon as
possible. Please inform me of any address changes so we may keep the Lodge
and Grand Lodge records current. Please provide an email address if possible.
Fraternally Yours:
We had a productive work party Saturday December 10. Brothers Larry Neil,
Chet Echelbarger, Eric Berman, and WM Bill Wilson joined me at the Lodge on
a cold but sunny day. We did stop for "refreshments" but got the following
accomplished.
Interior windows in the Tyler's room, Cloakroom and restroom, Ladies room,
Hillyard room and dining room were cleaned. The broken drapery rod in the
dining room was repaired and correct drape hung. Loose doorknobs were tightened.
Cloakroom closet and memorabilia room were thoroughly cleaned. OES rug was
permanently fixed to the floor. Other rooms were vacuumed. The snow thrower
was fixed and returned. The new walk off mat was installed at main entrance.
Sidewalks were cleared of ice. Door stop was installed at entrance to Hillyard
Room. Tyler's Room drapes removed for cleaning. Radiator in Memorabilia Room
was fixed.
There is still much to do, but we made a lot of progress. I hope more of you
can make the next work day, which will be some time after New Years.
Fraternally,
At the December Stated meeting the Lodge opened
and conducted a lot of business. Several reports and communications were presented.
A petition for a new member was read and ballot was conducted and approved
for Mr. Raymond Lader. Plans were discussed for the upcoming December Family
Night as well as several events coming this spring.
Audubon Park Masonic Foundation.
In December the Board of Directors met and decided no changes were necessary
in its investment policy or holdings. By increasing the investment base to
$250,000.00 the foundation will have adequate annual revenue to assist the
Lodge and Temple in balancing their budgets. The foundation asset base is
now over half of its goal! The Board of Directors would greatly appreciate
receiving donations to begin a great new year!! All of us have and will continue
to make a difference!!
The Couples Dance Club held its last dance on December 10th. The dance club
members donated gift items and cash to Cross Walk. The dance raised and donated
$25.00 to Cross Walk. The Cross Walk Program is designed to primarily assist
children living on the streets.
January 18th the foundation will host a "Clam Chowder & Salad Dinner" for
"Family & Friends Night," everyone is invited. Proceeds will benefit the foundation.
Please RSVP as Chef Larry needs to purchase the "fixens" in advance and preparing
the clam chowder is an all day process.
"Valentines Dinner & Dance" will be held on February 12. Dinner will be catered
from Olive Garden and Live Music by Diane Copeland. Buffet dinner is 5:00
to 6:30 pm and dancing is from 6 pm to 10 pm. The Ballroom and tables will
be decorated and the event will be an "experience" to be enjoyed and remembered.
Please contact me for information or to RSVP.
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.
Luther Burbank (1849-1926). He was a world renowned plant scientist. Raised
in Santa Rosa Lodge No. 57, 1921 and 33 degree in 1925.
Masonic Quiz
Q: What was the first Masonic magazine published in the United States?
A: The Freemason's Magazine and General Miscellany, in 1811.
Q: Who compiled the first Lexicon of Freemasonry in the
United States?
A: See the February 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
January 2006
1/11 January Stated Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
1/12 Ivanhoe Chapter #80 - Order of Eastern Star - 7:30 p.m.
1/18 Family Night - "Honoring Concordant Bodies" - 6:30 p.m.
"Clam Chowder and Salad
Feed."
Please RSVP Eric 328-2910
1/24 Temple Board Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
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.
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