The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272

 

March 2007
Volume 9, Number 3

From the East ...

     Brethren, Valentines Day has come and gone, but I hope that it isn’t the only reason you showed a little extra love to your loved ones. They have stood by you, through thick and thin , good and bad, and sad and fun times. Just for no reason at all, do something special for them. I know that they will appreciate it, and I know that you will feel better inside, too. In other words, do a random act of kindness out of the blue! (It may also make them wonder what you have been up to!)

     We will be “up to” something in March at our stated meeting. A suggestion has been made about a way to save about $900 a year for the Lodge. It will have to be talked over, and voted on to make it a reality. I will say no more, you’ll have to come to the Stated meeting to fin d out what it is. In other Lodge business, WB Eric Berman and I delivered the bicycles to Finch School for the Mason’s “Bikes to Books” program. The staff already has a program worked out for the kids to qualify for tickets in the drawing at the end of the year. We will keep in touch, and hopefully we can be there when the drawings are done for the boy’s and girl’s bikes.

     Keep thinking about “candidates” or other Brothers that would be interested in taking the Rusty Nail degree. It is a great way to get them, or yourself, back in to the swing of things and confident in Lodge protocol. The degree will be “given ” in a tyled, but not convened, Lodge. There will be a very relaxed atmosphere with NO pressure on anyone (except maybe the Master trying to remember to cover everything in an orderly manner). It will be a time for remembering and refreshing the ways we know an other brother in the light and in the dark. I hope those Brothers that have been absent for some time will accept our invitation to come and rejoin the fold of Brotherly love and affection . All that is required is a valid dues card, or another Brother to vouch for you in Lodge. I truly hope to see some Brothers that I have never met before that are long-standing members of one of the best Lodges in Washington ! You may also ask/invite non -members of our Lodge to come also, as we welcome ALL Masonic Brothers within our Lodge. Who knows, maybe they will affiliate with us also by the e n d of the night. I have selected April 18^th as the night for the Rusty Nail degree conferral, starting at 7 p.m. , and lasting about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Refreshments will follow the meeting.

 

     Do good unto all!    

See you in Lodge,

Bill Wilson
Worshipful Master

 

From the West...

"Happy St. Patrick's Day" from the West:

     The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737.  That was the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated in this country in Boston , Mass. Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing of the green and drinking green libations....  One reason St. Patrick's Day might have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring.  One might say it has become the first "green of spring".

     When I thin k of St. Paddy's Day I think of the little Leprechaun and the "Pot of Gold".  We search for the "Pot of Gold" at the end of the Rainbow a lot in our lives.  Whether it be a through our family, good friendships, a good job, good in come or good luck!  I believe that the "Pot of Gold" we seek is within all of us through our Faith in ourselves, our fellowman and trust in God.

     I want to thank Barry for a wonderful job on the Family Night potlucks, they have been evenings of good food and good fellowship, Brother Eric brought some friends to this month’s potluck and it was a pleasure to meet and talk with them.  It is always fun to meet new friends so hope to see more family and friends at future potlucks.  Also don't forget our Corn Beef a n d Cabbage dinner on the 21st which will be more celebration of the "Green "

     In planning for next year, I would welcome and encourage all of my Brothers to step up and take an office as we are short a few positions.  I welcome your participation and input as I am looking forward to this coming year with anticipation, and a little hesitation, as I am "slightly" nervous for this is a big responsibility and I want to represent Audubon Park Lodge with pride and dignity.  I have a few things in mind for activities and helping others like our "Bikes for Books" which will also be continued during my year.  Bill Wilson has established a very worthy cause well worth continuing and we thank him for all his hard work.  Along with continued updating and maintenance of the Lodge Hall which Bill has also very diligently continued and I plan to follow his lead.

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

Bill Queen
Senior Warden

From the South...

Greetings to all from the South.  Family night last month was well attended and included several visitors.  The variety of food once again was great all had a good time.  Our next family night will be celebrated at the Corned Beef dinner the foundation is putting on.  The cost is $10 a person; please contact Eric Berman at 509-328-2910 to RSVP.  The Grand Master will be attending and the evening should be a lot of fun.  I hope to see all of you there.  We will have our family night potluck dinner again April 25.  On a sad note, last month the Lodge hosted a memorial service for the passing of Dee Morse, wife of WB Floyd Morse.  Plan to attend Lodge; you don’t know what you are missing.  Come for the friendship and fellowship.  I hope to see everyone at the March Stated meeting.

Barry Rettkowski

Junior Warden

In Other News...

From the Secretary's Desk ...

Greetings Brothers.    I want to state Audubon Park Lodge is in  good financial condition and can improve its position  by understanding where it is now and what to do for its future.  Every thing ca n be positively worked toward. 

      Audubon Park Lodge commissioned me, in 1984, to develop the database a n d computerize the records of our membership, and I have kept it up to date.  Then  we had 235 members,  now 132.  Average Date of Birth = 1937.  Average age: = 69.15 years old.  Our oldest member is 100. 

     We receive yearly income from Grand Lodge Endowed Pool of Audubon Park Lodge of $2,188. 23 members paying dues of $65.00 = $1,495.  Revenues from our two main sources: $2188 + 1494 = Total $3,683.00. 

     Our expenses include Grand Lodge per capita, rent to Temple Board and the Pillars. Total yearly fixed expenses are $ 5,225.00. The above expenses do not include regular Lodge expenses nor charitable grants which runs another $2,000 plus. 

     Audubon Park Lodge expends $4,000 more than it receives in revenue from its two main sources.  It relies on other sources such as dividends from its investments and grants from Audubon Park Masonic Foundation.  The lodge currently has the resources to meet its obligations.  Solvency is not the issue.  The issue is planning for the future.

     We are looking for Brothers who are willing to serve on the planning committee and participate in  reviewing and developing our plan for the future.  Especially wanted is your input: ideas, opinions, suggestions and questions.

Fraternally Yours:

W.Br. Eric E. Berman

Audubon Park Masonic Building Association

     Audubon Park Masonic Foundation board of directors met.  At our meeting were Worshipful Master Bill Wilson and Temple Board President Br. Jerel Rowe .  With concurrence of W.M. Bill and President Rowe the board decided to reinvest the bulk of its growth and income for the future of the Lodge and Temple Building . 

 

     The board decided to make monetary grants as follows: Jobs Daughters $400.00 for there service at two fundraising dinners.  Scottish Rite Children's Speech Center $100.00.  Bikes for Books, Public Schools Reading Program, Finch Grade School . (Grand Masters Program) $200.00.  Temple Board : repair or replacement of red drapes (Blue Lodge Room hanging in the East and West). $400.00.  A n d $1,000 in reserve to be requested by Lodge and or Temple Bldg.  Also $150.00 reserve upon request by the W.M.   The board will consider in the future additional requests.

 

     The following were nominated to serve as board members for the current year:  W. Brs. Richard Roark, John Smith, Eric E. Berman , and Richard Hentz, V.W. Brs Ed Barton , and Chuck Young,  Br. Larry Neil,  Worshipful Master Bill Wilson. Also nominated to assist were Brs. Terry Fossum and Gary Syme. 

 

     Sustaining Pledge and Fund Raising Letters campaign  is in its final stage.  I also sent out invitations to come to our Annual Dinner.

 

     The Annual meeting of the Masonic Foundation will be the Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner March 21st at 6:30 PM .  This is not a lodge meeting.  Everyone is invited to attend.  Grand Master Chuck McQuery will be our honored guest.  We will hand out Certificates of Appreciation to all of our donors for the past year.  We will also have a 100th year birthday celebration .  Alternate meals are available for those who do not like corned beef.  There will be door prizes, raffle prizes, silent auction and many other things. If you have an item for a door prize or a silent auction item please bring them as well.  Please call me for Q & A and to reserve dinner tickets. Please support this activity as the income is needed to build our fund to the Asset-base level of $250,000 to support our Lodge and Temple

 

     To all contributors we again thank you for your support.  Please consider calling or writing me.

Fraternally,

WB Chuck Young

Happening at the Lodge

 

Bro Sam Atwood is currently in New York attending Grad School .  His email address is satwood@gonzaga.edu.

 

 

Audubon Park Masonic Foundation.

In January, Audubon Park Masonic Foundation received four stock transfers from a client. If you have an interest in doing the same contact me to discuss it further. 

 

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows in 2007 owners of IRA's, who are age 70 1/2 or older, to exclude from income withdrawals (up to $100,000) when the withdrawal is donated, transferred directly, to a charity. There are many reasons to donate in this manner.  Again, please email or call me for more info. 

 

Clam Chowder Feed: As chairman of the event, I would like to thank all who came to our dinner and or made donations.  We had 44 paid diners, and fed 17 children , grandchildren , Jobs Daughters and advisors.  We received donations which helped set off the expenses. We cleared $135.00. 

I would like to thank our Jobs Daughters, Ladies, and advisers ( Bethel 3) for their assistance with the dinner, service and clean up.  Thank you to my crew for all their hard work: Anne, Tami, Jennifer, Emma, Grant, Ethan and Jonnah.  Also thank you to Br. Bill Queen , Br. Terry Fossum, Br. Gary Syme and Br. Barry Rettkowski for their help. Thanks to Maryjean , my Secretary, for her assisting as our greeter and receptionist.  And a very special thanks to Mr. Larry Harris, my brother in law, who served as our Chef. 

 

Audubon Park Masonic Foundation Annual Meeting will be held on March 21, 2007 at 6:30 pm . This is our annual Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner. The purpose of this meeting is to report on the activities and results of the previous year.  The Foundation also distributes grants to the various charities we support.  Certificates Of Appreciation will be presented to our donors.  M.W. Br. Charles McQuerry, Grand Master will be our very special guest and assist in presenting the certificates to our donors.  The board of directors invites and encourages all Masons, family member and friends to attend.

 

I have recently mailed a semi-annual fund raising letter to our Brothers.  Please consider remitting a donation to the foundation.  It will be very much appreciated as we are now growing!

 

The Foundation goal is $250,000!  An asset base of this size will generate $15,000 to $25,000 of annual income with which to support our Temple , Lodge and Charities! We currently are at $150,177.

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 approximately 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 Joseph Stillwell, (1883-1946), Known as Vinegar Joe.  He served in WW1 and WW2.  He was raised in West Point Lodge No 877, N.Y., 1916.

 

 

Officers 2006-2007

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                          B Gary Syme

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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