The Official Publication of the Audubon Park Lodge #272

 

September 2005
Volume 7, Number 8

From the East ...

Greetings Brethren, I certainly hope you had an enjoyable summer. I can hardly believe it's time for me to write once again, after two months "off". It sure has been a busy summer at the Lodge. There have been many rentals, which is good for our revenue. There have also been many "painting parties", some attended by many, others by only a few. I want to especially thank Brothers Allan Jones, Barry Rettkowski, Cliff Miller, Floyd Morse, Bill Queen, Jerel Rowe, Dick Hawley, and Larry Neil for the help at various times with scraping, cleaning and painting. When you see the Lodge this fall you are going to be very impressed with how nice it looks. Still a LOT to do, but we have made some major improvements. Thanks also to Fred Morse, brother of our Secretary, for donating the insulating wrap for the radiators. I'm sure you will agree that adds a nice touch as well.

Brother Bill Wilson had surgery and as I write this is recovering at home. He looks and sounds good and reports he has virtually no pain in his leg after the surgery. Brother Barry Rettkowski reports his boss saw WB Franz Adelquist "out and about" the other day and he looks really good too. WB Franz, we are so grateful the doctors were able to help so quickly and that you recovered from your very serious heart attack. I'm also told by WB Floyd Morse that WB Dean Whittier is doing well too. WB Dean is, by his own words, a "tough ole bird" and we are certainly glad of it and glad for your good health.

The One Day Conferral on August 13 was by all accounts a success. Brothers Jim Mathias and Larry Neil are now Master Masons. The challenge will be for mentors WB Floyd Morse and WB Eric Berman to insure they are properly instructed in Masonic ways and are soon proficient in the third degree. Speaking of which, we will be voting on a candidate at September Stated meeting. We will also be voting whether to reinstate another Brother. I'm pleased to announce that Brother Cliff Miller has demonstrated satisfactory proficiency as a Fellow Craft, so we will need to set the date for his Third Degree, probably in late September or early October. I will coordinate with Brother Bill Wilson regarding who will confer that degree.

All for now - see you in Lodge - bring a friend who hasn't been there in awhile. It's always good to see the Lodge full for stated meetings."

Chuck Young
Worshipful Master

From the West...

As I sit here recovering from a very nice and enjoyable August Family Night, I would again like to say "Thank You" to Bro. Bill Queen and Libby for another excellent and remarkable Family Night. I think I can safely say that we all are going to miss these evenings when we move up Bro. Bill. Hmmmm, I wonder …. Naw, I wouldn't do anything as dastardly as that!

Speaking of moving up, remember that the September Stated meeting is "Move Up Night", so start practicing your new parts so we can all be comfortable with them. It is my hope that if I am elected to the East for this coming year, that we will maintain, or exceed, the excellent floor work that we have done this last year! Keep up the good work, and I look forward to seeing you in September!

I would also like to thank those who sent their Get Well wishes to me after I had my surgery. It is very nice of all of you to do that and I really appreciate it! I also appreciate not having any pain in my left leg or back!

Bill Wilson
Senior Warden

From the South...

Happy summer!! Hope you have been enjoying our beautiful summer season. Seems impossible that it has flown by so fast and we are now making plans for fall and winter months. I remember as a child always wishing for the "next" season and my Mother saying "don't wish your life away son because the older you get the faster it goes!!" and she wasn't kidding...... August 24th we had a "summer potluck" and it was well attended and full of delicious foods!! There was a very good turnout and good time was had by all. We were pleased to have Very Worshipful Brother Dean Heinemann as quest for dinner. Worshipful Brother Chuck Young gave us an update on the improvements that have been made to the Hall this summer. It is looking very nice and pleasing to eye thanks to all the hard work of the Brothers of Audubon Park!

The next potluck is September 28th; it will be an "Autumn Fest". Bring a dish that "warms your tummy" for the autumn nights! Libby and I want each of you to know that we appreciate the support and attendance to the Family Nights. It is a pleasure each month to see and visit with all of you and always "Remember to share your smiles as you never know who might need one".

Bill Queen

Junior Warden

In Other News...

Temple Board Report

There was no Temple Association meeting in August due to several members being out of town. The next meeting will be held September 27th. 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.

 

Brother Allan Jones

Audubon Park Masonic Foundation.

Audubon Park Masonic Foundation experienced a very typical summer. We received a number of contributions from our members, two memorial donations, serendipity jar donation, and 20 pounds of aluminum cans.

Audubon Park Masonic Foundation Board of Directors met at the request of President Richard Roark. The board decided to explore alternate fund raising activities, hold less frequent fund raising activities and concentrate on the activities that are held. APMF will continue its semi-annual fund raising letter (Sustaining Pledge Program) and Corned Beef Dinner.

W. Br. Eric reported on the various dances he and Lady Anne coordinated last year. Every dance was a success, and raised money for the foundation; however they are very labor intensive. There are no plans for dances in the near future.

Regarding raffle's, there will be fewer of them. The prizes will be larger even if they need to be purchased. If you would like to donate a raffle please contact the foundation secretary.

The challenge for the board is to explore how APMF can continue making progress towards it goal of $250,000? Donations received are invested to continue building our asset base. Only part of the earnings can be used in supporting our charitable programs. Next time you have the opportunity to make a donation, consider the foundation and know where your funds are going and how they are being used. A higher asset base is needed to continue growing and supporting its programs.

APMF provided the funds for the lodge to purchase 128 reading books for 2 schools and number of classes for Spokane Public School District 81. The children sent a number of thank you letters to chairman Allan Jones. In reading these letters, it makes you very proud to be a Mason and to help provide such a wonderful opportunity to the kids because of the donations given to the Foundation. .

APMF fund raising efforts are supported by volunteers. All funds received are invested and no funds are used for expenses. Volunteers provide the stamps, envelopes paper, labels and etc. We always can use surplus postage stamps, envelopes and etc. Also we send out cards and have run short of same. If you have any extra cards we do have a use for them.

The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., September 13 at Ripples on the River. Lodge members are welcome to attend. If you plan to, please let me know so I can make the reservations. Also if you have an interest in serving on the foundation board, please let me know.

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



Famous Masons' Corner
John Jacob Astor (1763-1848) A German-American financier who made his money in the fur trade and New York real estate. One of the very early members of Holland Lodge No. 8, N.Y., which he served as Master in 1788.

 

 

Officers 2004-2005

Worshipful Master        WB Chuck Young
Senior Warden               B Bill Wilson
Junior Warden               B Bill Queen
Treasurer                       VWB Douglas Tucker
Secretary                       WB Floyd Morse
Chaplain                        WB David Ferguson
Marshal                         B Robert McVicker
Senior Deacon               B Allan Jones
Junior Deacon               B Barry Rettkowski
Senior Steward              -------
Junior Steward              WB Eric Bermen
Tyler                              B Rob Queen
Grand Junior Warden   RWB Douglas Tucker

 

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