The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272
September 2003
Volume 5, Number 7
From the West ...
How soon the summer ends. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and took
the time to enjoy the simple blessings the Good Lord has given us. You know
what I mean; -the little things, like watching children at play in the park,
appreciating the beauty of Mother Nature all around us and savoring that inner
joy when helping a neighbor.
It is time for us to begin a new year for Audubon Park Lodge. Let us strive
to share the joys of Masonry with our community. Let us show our new brethren
and petitioners what it means to be a Mason. Let us help them understand how
men with a common belief in a Supreme Being and strong moral fiber working
together can make a difference not only within their community, but also in
themselves.
I challenge the brethren of Audubon Park to think of ways to improve the image
of Masonry in Spokane. Lets reach out to the community. Ask yourselves, are
there other worthy organizations we should be involved with?
What new ideas do you have for building Masonry through community involvement?
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in Lodge for our stated meeting on
September 10.
Senior Warden
Bob Good
From the South...
It has been a very busy and certainly fast summer. I was able to attend the
outdoor initiation conducted by North Hill Lodge at St. George's School. It
was very well attended and there were several brothers from Audubon Park.
I am especially thankful for the hat I was loaned for the occasion. Otherwise
my sunburned head would have "glowed in the dark". What a wonderful experience
to be among so many brethren from the Spokane area plus the Grand Master and
his team. I hope the new brother fully appreciates the significance of the
event.
Speaking of initiations - our newest candidate - Jerrel Rowe has indicated
he would like to be initiated on Wednesday September 17. Brother Bob Good
will be out of town that week so we are looking for someone to pro tem as
Senior Warden that evening. We also will need to "fill in" several of the
other positions to insure we have sufficient brethren to insure we bring our
newest candidate to light in top notch fashion. Remember our first stated
meeting of the fall will be September 10. We sincerely hope to see you all
in Lodge that night as we re-acquaint with one another after the summer hiatus.
See you there!
First Degree Planned
Mr. Jerel Mason Rowe will be initiated as our newest Entered Apprentice on
September 17, 2003. All Masons are invited. Please come to help welcome a
new brother to Masonic light. Events get underway at 7:00 p.m.
Masonic One-Day Conferral set for Fall
Special Thanks to the Summer Crew
Early this summer, Brother Dutch Rotter did the Lodge a much-needed service
by removing the great (but diseased) birch tree from the front lawn. The tree
is gone, the stump is no-more and the spot where it stood has been graded
and re-seeded . The overall appearance of the Lodge is greatly improved. We
also want to thank the many brethren who stop by the Lodge during the summer
to perform the many groundskeeping and maintenance chores.
Notes from District 27
VWB Doug Tucker informs me that the winner of this year's Grand Master's Senior
Wardens Competition was Bro. Bob Holler of Medical Lake Lodge 104. Audubon
Park 272 congratulates Bro. Holler on this noteworthy achievement!
New Editor for Pillars Needed
Just a note to let you know we're still looking for a new editor to take over
the Pillars newsletter. The October issue will be the final one with WB Paul
Vielle as editor. (He's moving on to other Masonic projects.) This job requires
anywhere from three to four hours a month to put an issue together. If anyone
is interested in collecting the articles, doing the proof-reading and getting
the issue ready for the printers, please contact SW Bob Good or WB Paul Vielle.
News Items from the Foundation
Audubon Park Masonic Foundation (APMF) is growing steadily. We are at one
third of our goal of $100,000.00. The assets of the Foundation currently are:
$33,215.19. We have had a great return on our investing and strategy. I extend
a very heartfelt Thank You to everyone who has contributed to this worthy
cause over the years. It would really be significant if we could reach one
half of our goal, $50,000.00, by December 31, 2003.
This summer the Foundation was able to assist the Temple Building by making
a secured loan to the Temple in the amount of $2,000.00 to help pay the Insurance
Premium on the Building. The insurance company was charging the Temple 14%.
The Temple is paying the Foundation, principal and interest payments, from
its rental income.
Anne and I have been planning Dances, Themes and Schedules for the coming
year. We have the facility and musicians booked for four dances: Nov 7 Sadie
Hawkins, Dec 31 New Years Eve, Feb 14 Valentines and April 30 Western Theme.
The net proceeds to be invested and benefit Audubon Park Lodge and Temple
Building. We are willing to expend our effort, time and money hosting these
dances. However we are in need of volunteers. We are wanting to put together
two Dance Committees. 1) Planning Committee to plan and work out logistical
details for the dances and 2) Work Committee to help with decorating and cleanup
at the dances. We promise this will be a fun experience. And If a few lodge
members would assist with only one dance, it really would help spread the
load from our shoulders. Please consider giving it a try. Call me and we will
set a time for the first meeting.
The Serendipity Fund continues to grow. This effort started with a few pennies
found on the street, a refund check for under a dollar, a few more coins here
& there and penny-jars donated to us throughout the year. So far that fund
has received over $430.00 in donations! Next time you run across a penny on
the ground or change in the wash machine, change in your car, or a few coins
left on your dresser, consider donating them to our Serendipity Fund. Every
donation however small is gratefully received. You can see, over the years,
these small sums add up!
Finally, we've all heard disheartening stories of donors getting ripped-off
in learning that, very little of their donation actually went to the charity.
This is not the case with our Foundation. APMF has no overhead. Our dedicated
volunteers donate their time and talent. All the envelopes, cards, paper,
stamps, ... everything used in our communication and fund raising efforts
is donated. One hundred per cent of monies received is invested. Volunteers
do it all. If you would like to serve with us on the Board Of Directors or,
on the Dance committee please call me.
Fraternally Yours: W. B. Eric B. Berman, Sec-Treas. POB 18678 Spokane WA 99208.
509-328-2910
In Memoriam
Two more Audubon Park brethren have left us to join the celestial lodge above.
Worshipful Brother John David Key
"Twilight and Evening Bell and after that the Dark
And may there be no sadness of farewell when I embark."
Famous Mason’s Corner
A: The word "worchyppe" or "worchyp" is Old English and means "greatly respected."
Even today, English and Canadian mayors are still addressed, "Your Worship."
The title "Worshipful" in modern Masonry continues this ancient expression
of high esteem or great respect for the person addressed.
Q: Who was the foremost naval officer of the American Revolutionary period
who was also a Mason?
A: See next month's Pillars!
September
2 Bethel 64 of Job's Daughters meeting, 7:00 p.m.
10 Regular Stated Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
16 Bethel 64 of Job's Daughters meeting, 7:00 p.m.
17 Entered Apprentice Degree for Mr. Jerel Rowe, 7:00
October
7 Bethel 64 of Job's Daughters meeting, 7:00 p.m.
8 Regular Stated Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
21 Bethel 64 of Job's Daughters meeting, 7:00 p.m.