The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272

 

March 2006
Volume 8, Number 3

From the East ...

We have strived to meet our 10% "recruitment" as per the Grand Master's proposal for new Lodge Brothers, and thanks to the work of WB Chuck Young, we have done that! Welcome to our Lodge, Brothers Sam Atwood and Ray Lader! On the night of February 23rd, we initiated 2 new brethren into our fraternity!

This was the first double initiation that I have been privy to, in our Lodge, since becoming a Mason. With only a couple of minor glitches, it came off very well! I wish to thank all that were involved, and those that were "shanghaied" or volunteered into filling a couple of chairs. We were only 3 minutes off of starting at 7 p.m. as I had promised. Oh, well, that's MST! (Masonic Standard Time) Thank you MWB Harold Tucker for filling-in as the Senior Warden. Kudos go to WB "Curly" Warner for volunteering to sit in the South on such short notice. He volunteered without being asked, the day before! RWB Doug Tucker got to sit in his old chair one last time, too!

VWB Dean Heineman and RWB Doug Tucker made it a very special night for our new Brothers with a presentation of GM coins for each of them. They also presented the same to 2 new Brothers that came down from the Deer Park Lodge to see their first First Degree initiation! As an aside, it sure gets warm sitting in the East doesn't it Brother Queen? Brother Queen conferred the degree upon Brother Ray Lader, and I did the one for Brother Sam Atwood. An outstanding job, as usual, was done by WB Floyd Morse giving the lecture. Thanks to WB Chuck for giving the EA charge.

Again, thanks to all that attended and helped make this a special night for our new Brothers!

See you in Lodge,

Bill Wilson
Worshipful Master

 

From the West...

Happy St. Patrick's Day... This is the month of the year that seems to be dedicated to "Luck". "Luck of the Irish", "Luck be with ya" and always that elusive "Pot of Gold" at the end of the Rainbow are all familiar phrases. March also brings the first signs of spring and new beginnings for the year.

As Master Mason's I feel we have the "Luck" or would rather say the good fortune of our fore fathers to have such a wonderful Fraternity of Brotherhood to celebrate with one another. I don't really think luck had anything to with it, the blood sweat and tears of early Masonry brought us to where we are today. Let's work in earnest to share this "Luck" or as I would prefer to say "Gift" with our fellow man. Hopefully this year, we can continue to increase the size of our Lodge and continue to grow in Fellowship and Commitment to our Lodge and fellow Brothers.

I am looking forward to seeing you all in Lodge, Family Night and the Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner on the 15th of this month. I want to wish you all a St. Paddy's Day filled with the "Green," plus a little "Blarney".

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

Bill Queen
Senior Warden

From the South...

There is no article from the South this month. Brother Allan Jones has taken a leave of absence, and Brother Barry Retkowski will be seated in the South in his stead.

In Other News...

From the Secretary's Desk ...

There are 25 members with dues for 2006 still to be yet remitted. Since these outstanding dues have not been received in a timely manner, it was necessary for the treasurer to request an advance of $500.00 from Audubon Park Masonic Foundation to meet its bills and expenses. The Board of Directors reviewed the written request from Worshipful Master Bill Wilson and approved it unanimously.

The strength of all institutions lies in its members; current and future. Our Fraternity is no different. Masonry prides itself in its ability to attract men of the highest quality. The challenge of a fraternity is to be relevant and significant to these men Our Fraternity will survive as long as we are able to attract men who are willing to be active members and willing to serve. Some will serve only on a committee, others will choose to serve as Officers and Master and finally others will serve in the Grand Lodge system. Each year from among their ranks will come a Grand Master.

As we "ole timers" travel the road of time, it is important to have youth following in our footsteps. We must encourage and educate the Brothers who will replace us in Masonry. The numbers are not as important as is the ability to develop the leaders of the lodge for tomorrow. We owe it to those we know to expose them to Free Masonry in the manner which is the most appropriate to each of them. Who knows, maybe the right hand of the man you next shake will be a future Master of a Lodge or even become a Grand Master.

Fraternally Yours:

W.Br. Eric E. Berman

Audubon Park Masonic Building Association

Brethren, hopefully by the time you are reading this issue of The Pillars we will have the new window coverings in the Social Hall downstairs. The Audubon Park Masonic Foundation generously agreed to purchase custom made and installed duet style window coverings. These will replace the very old and worn drapes. The new coverings will highlight the wood window frames and allow the donor plaques to be readily visible. I for one am very excited to have the new coverings installed. We should be able to show them off for everyone at March Stated Communication and certainly for the Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner when MWB Al Jorgensen comes to visit.

Job's Daughters Bethel #64 decided to merge with Bethel #3 so the girls no longer meet at our Lodge. They have removed all their items and the closet off the Hillyard Room is now being used to store the Foundation items. Your Temple Board will need to decide how best to use the storage room off the Tyler's Room. If you have any ideas, be sure to convey them to one of the members of the Temple Board of Directors.

We will have another work party sometime soon. Painting and cleaning are still needed in a number of areas of the Lodge. It sometimes seems like progress isn't being made, but when you look around you can see much that has been done. Has anyone noticed that the windows in both downstairs rest rooms have been "frosted" to insure privacy?

That's all for this month, except to say once again - thanks to all the Brethren who have helped with projects around the Lodge. If you have some time when we announce the next work party, please consider giving an hour or so of your 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,

WB Chuck Young

Happening at the Lodge

VWB Dean Heinemann made his official visit to the Lodge. He was greeted by 15 members and 3 visitors. The Lodge worked through several reports and communications. The Lodge received a thank you from Toys for Tots and Crosswalk. Brothers Larry Neil and Cliff Miller proved up to the 3rd degree. The WM explained our Masonic groups and their funding process. Balloting for a new member was conducted and approved. Changes to the Audubon Park Masonic Building Association by-laws were approved. VWB Dean Heinemann presented his message and including remarks from the Grand Master. Don't miss out on what is happening at your lodge; attend this month's Stated Meeting. See you there.


Audubon Park Masonic Foundation.

Forty six guests attended the Valentines dinner and dance on Feb. 12th. The Social Hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion. The buffet table held Olive Garden favorites: ravioli, manicotti, and chicken dishes. Tossed green salad and bread sticks and cheese cake finished the meal. Eric and Anne donated champagne and sparkling cider to top off the evening. Dianne Copeland played many favorites for our listening and dancing pleasure. The Jobies, their parents and leaders, did a magnificent job serving and cleaning the table and the kitchen. They were given a very long and enthusiastic round of applause for their efforts.

The Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner and appreciation night will be held March 15th, at 6:30 pm (alternate meal: chicken, ham, vegetarian). The Social Hall will be decorated in appropriate colors and the buffet table set with plenty. Grand Master Al Jorgensen and a number of Grand Lodge officers and committeemen will be present for our annual meeting. There will be a very brief Foundation report. The Grand Master will present certificates of appreciation and other awards to members and donors. We will observe the will and pleasure of the Grand Master and his comments of his year, program and message.

The foundation will present checks to Bethel 3 of Job's Daughters, Spokane School Dist. Books for Kids and Audubon Park Masonic Temple Building Association for improvements

Over the years I have communicated to you, and explained that Audubon Park Lodge and the Temple Building are not financially self sufficient. For periods of time they do very well. Then the receipt of dues slow down or the rental revenue decreases. And one or both may require cash infusion along the way. For the past 25 years every Worshipful Master and Temple Board President (including me) has faced the challenge and the same experience. This is why it is so vital to increase the asset base of the APMF to the $250,000 level to be able to assist on a regular basis the Temple Building and Audubon Park Lodge.

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
General Douglas Mac Arthur, 1889-1964. Made a Mason "at sight" in 1936 by the G.M. of the Philippine Islands; affiliated with Manila Lodge No. 1. He received the 33 deg. In 1947.

 

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

 

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