The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272
September 2009
Volume 11, Number 3
From the East ...
Greetings Brothers, for being dark for the last 2 months it
has been a very busy time. It was very
special attending Grand Lodge here in Spokane Doug Tucker and our
Grand Lodge work. The election of VWB
Dean Heinemann to the Grand South was exciting.
RWB Dean attended our June Stated meeting the following week and spoke
about the experience and the future.
I have very much enjoyed visiting other lodges during this last year including two visits to Easter Washington Lodge of Research. They presented two very interesting papers. I have been to all of the lodges in our district and several in other districts during the year. Visiting is a special and important part of Masonry.
On Aug 29th our lodge sponsored a
motorcycle rally with the Christian Motorcycle Club as a fund raiser for Bikes
for Books. We are providing bikes for
three schools this year. The event was a
great success and everyone had a great time.
A special thanks to WB Richard Hentz
and WB Eric Berman for organizing this
event. Thanks to all of the brothers
that helped, this is what masonry is all about.
September 9th is our next stated meeting. We will be electing officers for the coming year at this meeting. We need everyone there supporting our lodge. Let me know if you are ready to fill a chair, it takes all of us to make it work.
There is a special event coming up
at our October stated meeting on 10/14.
Grandmaster Gale Ken ney will be
visiting our lodge. There will be a
dinner prior to the meeting; details will be provided at the September stated
meeting. I hope to see everyone at this
important event.
Finally I would like to thank all who have made my year in the East an enjoyable and memorable time. This Lodge is a special place and serving as master has been a humbling experience. Again thank you.
WB Barry Rettkowski
Worshipful Master
From the West...
On August 29, Audubon Park Lodge
272 held its first Motorcycle Charity Run for Bike for Books. It was a great success and a full report will
be given at the September meeting. Special thanks to W.B. Eric
Berman , W.M Barry Rettkowski ,
W.B. John Smith , V.W.B. Gaylon
Arisman , V.W.B. Charles Young and W.B. Dean Whittier for all
the help and support.
Brethren, a great mason and man pass into the Celestial Lodge this summer. Some of you have met this Mason when he attended lodge and some of you heard me speak of him. That man and Mason is my farther, Andrew Peter Hentz, Jr. The dust has returned to the earth as it was, and his spirit has returned to God who gave it. Brethren, take the time to tell the people you love that YOU LOVE them and care for them.
Fraternally Yours,
WB Rich Hentz
Senior Warden
From
the South...
As summer draws to an end (finally)
it is time to turn our thoughts and labors back to our Lodge and our Brothers.
Several of the Brothers repaired all the torn seat covers, and I have heard
that there are still some sore fingers after that! Another Brother donated a
sign to replace the one stolen by some low-lives that have no idea about
brotherly love and friendship. Several other Brothers got together and
conducted a motorcycle run to help raise funds for our Books to Bikes program.
Do you see a common thread? A few, several,
some, not most or all Brothers. If we are to survive in these economic
hard-times, most, if not all Brothers must band together and help when and
where they can to make our Lodge a viable and surviving entity. We can’t let it
go the way of other Lodges and let it slip into oblivion and disuse. I am not
asking for monies (that would be nice) but your time and effort in anyway to
help they Lodge in its endeavors. You have some expertise that can be put to
good use at the Lodge, so why not volunteer it or offer it when needed? Let
someone know ahead of time what you can and will be able to do. If you need
transportation, let us know there are lots of us that can pick people up that
want to help!
There are still several things that
have to be done at the Lodge, that won’t cost anyone anything except a little
time and effort. Things as simple as running the burnisher on the downstairs
floor, figuring out what and how to take care of the fountain at the bottom of
the stairs.
I know as Junior Warden I am to
take care of the refreshments, but by pitching in and helping the Lodge you
will be refreshing your commitment to the Lodge and Brethren, and giving your
self-esteem a bit of refreshment. There is no need for excess, just a little
bit here and there and a lot will get done!
WB Bill Wilson
In Other News...
Junior Warden
From
the Secretary's Desk
Greetings my Brothers;
Dear Brethren: From my heart I say Thank you for your support these past three years. It has been my privilege to faithfully serve our Worshipful Master, Officers, A.P. Lodge and all of our members. My tour of duty as your Lodge Secretary will be ending with the installation of a new Lodge Secretary. This was a very difficult decision and not made lightly. For, several nights, I did not sleep at all.
In June I informed the
Officers of the Lodge, Temple Bldg
Our membership has declined primarily due to deaths. The average age of our member is in the 70's. When our income and expenses are compared: the Lodge expenses are about $2000 a year more than our revenue. I issue a challenge to our Lodge Officers to design a financial plan, and; the members to support the implementation of that plan.
The alternative is the continuation of "Fund Raising Letters" or events to meet the financial needs of the Lodge. It has been my experience, using "Fun Raising Letters" to: tell the Brothers what the needs are and "Let the Brothers vote by their check book". It is a democratic way for the Brother who chooses to donate to do so. Those who choose not do donate are not required to do so.
Fraternally Yours:
W. Br Eric E. Berman, Secretary.
Audubon Park Masonic Building Association
Regarding
commercial rentals: We had only two in June as one cancelled. July also only had
two as two others cancelled. Please note to reserve a date a renter must provide
a NON REFUNDABLE $100 DEPOSIT, so we did receive modest income from these
cancellations. There were NO rentals slated or held in August.
The
fall months are looking better. We have a wedding/reception slated for September
and two for October. I've also had quite a few enquiries from prospective
renters for into the fall and even into next year.
Thanks
to WB
Since
fall is soon upon us be prepared for an invitation to a "leaf raking
party" at some point!!!
VWB Chuck Young
Temple Board Secretary (for the time being!)
Audubon Park Masonic Foundation
The purpose of the Foundation was
and still is MONEY: The purpose is to develop an asset base of
$250,000 to generate sufficient income to support our Temple
Bldg
Simple Truth: Funds are needed to pay upcoming obligation of the Lodge the balance of the year. Why, the Lodge revenue is depleted and do not expect income until late fall or early next year. One solution is to continue supporting the funding of our Foundation so it can generate the income required to offset the rising expenses of the Lodge.
If you are able to remit a donation for the benefit of the Lodge, it would be gratefully appreciated. If you have any concerns or comments please call or send an email to me.
W.Br. Eric E. Berman
Secretary, Audubon Park Masonic Foundation
Email: eeberman@hotmail.co
Ivanhoe Chapter No. 80, Order of the Eastern Star
Our September 17th meeting will be
an Education Night with our new Deputy Instructor Ed Weber
of Adelphi Chapter. He will be telling us all the new things that will
happen in Star this year. We welcome Ed and will be working closely with
him. Reports of Grand Chapter and other surprises will take place.
October brings candy, Halloween and
other surprises! Our October meeting will take place at 7:30 pm on the 15th. October is a very
busy month in the Star Family. We will have the Grand Family here
for two Official Visits, Dinners and Luncheons. On Saturday October 17th
we will have the reception for the Grand Chaplain, Brother John Chamberlain of
Magnolia Chapter, Millwood.
November brings out the thought of
good food, family and friendship. Our meeting on November 19, 2009 , will bring us
together to celebrate Veterans Day and honor our service members
and Thanksgiving. Ivanhoe Chapter has members that served in various
branches of our Armed Services. Members Bill
Queen , Everett Miller, Bob McNickle, Janice Glidden and yours
truly. Thanks to all who have served to protect our freedom.
December brings the thought of
snow - last year we had to cancel our meeting due to the three feet
of white stuff that came from above. Our December
17th meeting will bring us together to celebrate Christmas and warm
thoughts of family and friends. One of Ivanhoe's traditions is to bring
our favorite cookies to share and the recipes too.
JR PM of Ivanhoe Chapter
Q: Who has charge of preparing the lodge room for the communication?
A: The Tyler
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
Or call or e-mail
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
Sept 2009
9/13
6/18 Ivanhoe
Chapter #80 – Order of Eastern Star –
9/27
Oct 2009
10/12 Start-Official
Visit at White Rose Chapter lunch 11:30 am
and OV at 1 pm
10/13 Star-Official
Visit at Spokane 7:30 pm
10/14 October
Audubon Park 7:00 p.m.
10/15 Ivanhoe Chapter
#80 – Order of Eastern Star – 7:30 p.m.
10/16 IE Past
Matrons/Past Patrons Dinner at 6 pm
- downtown temple
10/17 Star-Deputy
Instructor Training at 10 am
10/17 Star-Reception
for Grand Chaplain at 3 pm
10/22 Temple
Board 6:00 p.m.
10/28 Family Night
Potluck – 6:30 p.m.
10/28 Audubon Park Lodge officer installation
Nov 2009
11/11 November
Audubon Park 7:00 p.m.
11/18 Family Night
Potluck – 6:30 p.m.
11/19 Ivanhoe Chapter
#80 – Order of Eastern Star – 7:30 p.m.
Officers 2008-2009
Worshipful Master WB Barry Rettkowski
Senior Warden WB Richard Hentz
Junior Warden WB Bill Wilson
Secretary WB Eric Berman
Treasurer VWB Merle Iverson
Chaplain VWB Gaylon Arisman
Marshal WB John Smith
Senior Deacon ------
Junior Deacon -------
Senior Steward WB Floyd Morse
Junior Steward WB Bill Queen
Tyler B William Wendel
Grand Lodge Grand Master MWB Gayle Kenney