The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272

 

November 2005
Volume 7, Number 10

From the East ...

As I sit here contemplating what just happened tonight it all seems a blur. Almost like when I was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason. Only this time, I saw everything that went on. It still is an overload to the senses when you are standing in front of a Past Grand Master, and have the whole elected Grand Lodge Team sitting on the sidelines. Not to mention all the Brethren of Audubon Park Lodge, friends, family, and visiting Brethren that took time out of their schedule to come and help make this a memorable Officer Installation for our Lodge!

I don't really know where to start, but here goes: MWB Harold Tucker did an outstanding and awesome job as the Installing Officer. It still amazes me how he can do it all from memory, for all the Officers and still make it "enjoyable" to go through. Thank you very much MWB Harold! Thanks goes to WB Dean Whittier for helping get everything straightened out for the installation, and keeping it going in the correct order. As the Installing Secretary he had to keep the jewels and artifacts in the correct order and timing so that no one was left out or installed in the wrong order. Kudos, like that word, to RWB Doug Tucker as our Installing Marshall. Great job of escorting the Officers to the East for installation and then seating them afterwards. Doesn't sound real important, until you have someone steadying you as you try to make your mind, mouth and legs work at the same time. Then he is the MOST important person there at the time! I know, been there and had it done tonight. A reassuring word from him sure helped kill the butterflies. As I know he did for all the Officers he escorted.

VWB Chet Echlebarger received several compliments tonight after the ceremony, but not to him. So I am passing them on to you Brother Chet. I had several people approach me and compliment on the "preacher" that we had who did such touching prayers! They added such a "nice touch" to the ceremony, was how one person said it. I agreed with them and told them that he does that all the time! Thank you, Brother Chet.

Accolades (I'm running out of descriptors here) to VWB Bill Willy for his musical interludes and accompaniment! I can't even play "Chopsticks" and you do all of your music with out any sheet music or prompts. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to add a nice ambiance and a touch of class to the Installation.

We had 2 very pretty escorts from the Job's Daughters that ran their back-sides off escorting all the elected and appointed Officers into the Lodge. We thank you all very much for the help as escorts, and in helping downstairs serving after the ceremony.

The young men from the DeMolay provided the Arch of Steel (oops, Latex) during the entrance of Officers-elect into the Lodge. For those of you that missed it, they were in different regalia tonight than their usual slacks and capes. These young men are part of the Demolay Clown Corps, and join the Shrine Klowns in their "gigs" at the Shrine Circus, and visits to the hospitals. Thank you Joeys for a special Arch this year. Ugga Boo!

A very special Thank You to Nancy Young and my wife Kathy for the refreshments after the Installation. They did it all, except for some help from the Jobies in the final set-up and serving. The cakes were simply fantastic, especially the "Rough Ashlar" with the Masonic emblem on it!

A Masonic Thank You to the Grand Lodge team for attending and making this a very memorable Installation. My sources say that this is the first time ever in the state that the whole elected Grand Lodge Team has been at an Installation! That put the icing on a very memorable and exciting evening!

Thanks to WB Chuck Young for a great year, and I only hope I can strive to fill his shoes and keep the Lodge going on the path he has lit and laid out for us all. I hope to see you all in Lodge in the coming year and promise that I will do my best to do what is best for our Lodge!

Bill Wilson
Worshipful Master

From the West...

Our Installation is over and the year of 2005-2006 ahead of us, but not our work and stewardship for our Fellow Brothers and Lodges. I am looking forward to serving you as your Senior Warden and all the upcoming activities of this coming year. For those of you that were not able to attend the Installation, we were assisted by the Job's Daughters and the Order of Demolay adding such a special touch to a wonderful evening. I feel that as Masons we should continue to embrace our young people in our fraternal works to light the Path for them to follow in our Fraternal Family.

On that same line, we attended the production of the "Lion King" yesterday with our Family. It was a Mothers & Fathers day gift from Rob, Heather, Maddie and Hannah. I mention this because it was a wonderful evening spent with our Family. In the production there is a focus on the "Circle of Life" and I feel as Masons we should dedicate, embrace and live our lives so that the Job's Daughters, Order of Demolay and other youth have a "Circle" to continue. This was so well represented by Friday night's attendance of the Grand Lodge members down thru the beautiful grandchildren in attendance. As Masons we need to live our lives so our Light and Hope will keep that "Never Ending Circle" flowing....

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

Bill Queen
Senior Warden

From the South...

Thank you for electing me your Junior Warden. I'll do my best to carry out my duties in a way that honors the office and your vote of confidence. However, please don't expect Irene and me to match the wonderful potlucks Bill and Libby hosted for us. But, with your help we will continue to enjoy the great food and camaraderie.

I guess it is natural to follow the Thanksgiving theme for our November potluck. So, please bring a salad or dessert and we will provide the main dish.

We all owe Bill and Libby a big thank you for the special potlucks and decorations they provided throughout this passed year.

I hope to see you all at our November stated meeting.

Allan Jones
Junior Warden

In Other News...

From the Secretary's Desk ...

Audubon Park Lodge, and our Fraternity, owes a "Standing Ovation and Thank You" to W. Br. Floyd Morse. W. Br. Floyd has served A.P. Lodge faithfully and diligently, in many capacities, for many years. He has been very active, and will continue to be active in Lodge (Treasurer) and the fraternal community. Floyd we "Tip our Top Hat to ya" and look forward to seeing you in Lodge after your well deserved vacation and trip to Europe. Oh Boy! What have I got myself into? --- In agreeing to serve as Secretary for Audubon Park Lodge, I knew I could not begin to fill those enormous shoes. When M.W. Br. Harold Tucker installed me in the Office as Secretary, I promised as a Mason to serve Audubon Park Lodge faithfully and perform my duties to the best of my ability. W.Br. Floyd will assist me in making a smooth transition. I also ask all concerned to have patience as I complete my "On the job training." Lodge Brothers can assist by observing what is communicated to Lodge members and communicate this information to me in return.

Floyd has notified a number of Brothers their 2005 dues are past due. And dues notices for 2006 have been mailed. Our Lodge budget is contingent upon the timely remittance of the 2005 and or 2006 dues. If payment of dues would be a hardship, please notify the Secretary so the W.M. can be informed, and he can consider how to proceed. Audubon Park Lodge participates in the Grand Lodge of Washington Life Membership Program. By remitting a single payment a Brother can purchase a Life Membership. And thereafter not pay regular dues. The lodge benefits in many ways including receiving the interest from the Grand Lodge Fund even after a Brother enrolls in the Celestial Lodge on High.

W.Br. Eric E. Berman

Temple Board Report

The Audubon Park Masonic Building Association Board of Directors met on October 25 for the normal business meeting. I wanted you to note the "new name" for your Temple Board. This was approved by the Grand Lodge and has been submitted to the Secretary of State for recording. The Board has decided to continue with regular "work parties" throughout the fall and winter. I'm sure you've noted all the improvements in the building, but there are many more that are needed. By setting a date we hope to get a lot more of the work done without being too much of a burden to anyone.

I hope you have noted the fresh coat of paint on our "yard sign". Many thanks to Brother Bob McVicker for volunteering to take on the project of painting the sign. It was sure looking weathered and the new paint sure spruces it up. Bob has also taken on the job of maintaining our sprinkler system. For those who are concerned, the brown lawn is the result of fertilizing the lawn when the sprinklers were shut off accidentally. The lawn has been over seeded and we are hopeful it will come back in the spring.

The Temple Board has decided to sell the upright piano and one of the three refrigerators downstairs. If you or someone you know is interested in either or both, contact one of the Temple Board members and let them know of your interest. No reasonable offer will be refused! If you see something that needs to be done around the Lodge, be sure to let us know. We are eating the elephant one bite at a time and although progress may seem slow at times, at least we are making progress."

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.

 

WB Chuck Young

Happening at the Lodge

The October Stated meeting was a very busy night with many reports and announcements. A report on degree work was presented, Brother Cliff Miller being raised to the 3rd degree and Mel Frank received his 1st degree. A reminder was presented about the corner stone ceremony at the VA Medical Center on Nov. 13. The day begins with a luncheon at 11:30, the cost is $7.50. The Grand Lodge will open lodge at noon at Audubon Park lodge. The corner stone ceremony is scheduled to begin at the VA center at 1:30 PM.

The election of officers for the upcoming year was conducted. WB Jerry Treffry presented information about York Rites and that they meet on the 4th Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM in the down town temple. Worshipful Master Chuck Young closed the meeting by thanking everyone for their support.


Audubon Park Masonic Foundation.

Entertainment Books 2006 have arrived. The "coupon book or card" provides for discounted purchases on food, entertainment and travel, including movies, golf, hotel, meals, airfare, and etc. They retail for $35.00. We sell them for $30.00 and we keep $6.00 for our charities. My experience is the book will pay for itself when used by the 3rd or 4th time. (Entertainment Books are also available for other communities. Please contact me if you want to order one.

Fraternally Yours: WB Eric E. Berman, Sec-Treas. APMF
Email: eeberman@hotmail.com.

Special Notice:

"FOR SALE - Piano and Refrigerator. We are disposing of the upright piano and one of the three reefers. Both are in good working condition but need a little TLC. Make us a reasonable offer. Contact any member of the Temple Board for more information."

DUES NOTICIES - The 2006 dues notices are dated 2005. The Secretary hopes this does not cause you any problems. Please contact the Secretary if you have any questions. "

THANKS AGAIN - I wanted to say again to all the Brothers of Audubon Park Lodge #272 how much I have enjoyed this past year, serving as Master of the Lodge. You showed your faith in me and I hope I returned it in some small way in my service. It was an honor and a privilege."

WB Chuck Young

Famous Masons' Corner
REdwin "Buzz" Aldrin Jr., The first Freemason and one of the first two human beings to walk on the moon. He followed Neil Armstrong onto the lunar surface on July 20, 1969. He was raised in Montclair Lodge No. 144 N.J. in 1956.

 

Officers 2004-2005

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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