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Post Office Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182 USA
Lodge telephone number: 817.656.2311
Best time to contact the Lodge: Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6 PM and 9
PM
November, 2001
Smithfield Lodge #455
Golden Trowel Recipients
Les Egger, PM, Life Member
A.M. “Bo” Hestilow Jr, PM
R.T. “Bunk” Koonce Jr, PM
Charlie R. Groves, PM
David W. Myers, PM, Treasurer
James B. "J.B." Hutcherson, PM
Billy R. Campbell, PM, Secretary
Cantrell Autrey, PM, DDGM
R.E. “Bob” Holder, PM
T.C. “Top Cat” Powell, PM
Brethren,
Having submitted my article for the September issue of The Trestle Board, prior to September 11, I was unable to speak of those events in that issue. Therefore, I want to take just a second to convey my condolences to each and every person who was effected by the actions of the terrorists. That includes the families who lost loved ones in the actual attacks, and every American citizen in this great land of ours. I would ask you to take just a minute or two each day to ask our Lord for divine intervention during this time. Our leaders need guidance, our bereaved brothers and sisters need comfort, and we all need the blessed assurance of HIS presence in our lives. Linda and I join you in seeking God’s solace and a feeling once again that we are safe and loved in HIS arms.
Now on to Lodge business… Our Garage Sale, which was held on Sept. 28 and 29 was a huge success. Thanks to all the Brethren who helped. A special thanks to Bro. Gary Spraggins who made lunch for us on Friday.
Mark your calendars for October 19, 2001 which is the date set for the Wives and Widows Banquet. This is a family affair. Y’all come! In December, we are looking forward to the Christmas Party at the Masonic Home and School. This will be December 5. Also in December, The Grand Lodge Convocation will be held Saturday, December 8.
Excerpt taken from THE BIBLE IN MASONRY
THE MEANING OF MASONRY
In all the rich symbolism of Ancient Craft Masonry, two symbols, or symbolic themes, predominate. One is the search for light; the other is labor of building. The source of light is the Holy Bible, and the grand representation of the builder’s art is King Solomon’s Temple.
Searching persistently and building carefully, the candidate travels slowly towards the East. As he pursues his quest for light and more light and still further light in Masonry, he learns by the way to use the working tools of the stone craftsman, until at last he finds himself portraying the character of the greatest of all legendary builders, the master architect of King Solomon’s Temple. Searching and building, light and the Temple, --the two dominate Masonic themes are distinct but not separate, complementary rather than supplementary.
And the search and the labor are not completed by the candidate within the Lodge. Light is revealed, and the sacred source of all light is clearly indicated, but the search for complete illumination must be eternal. The Temple in the Masonic ritual is almost but not quite completed; the allegory rises from a physical to a spiritual Temple, “a house, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Regardless of symbolic revelations in Masonic degrees apart from the Lodge, the unending search and the labor toward perfection, begun in the Lodge, must continue with the initiated Mason throughout his life.
Jim W. Allen, Worshipful Master
Brethren,
I would like to thank all the Brethren who worked the Garage Sale and I personally think you all did a wonderful job. A special thanks goes out to Bro. Bo who supervised it and made sure it ran smoothly.
Thanks to the Stewards for doing a wonderful job on the dinners for The Golden Trowel Award and the Fifty Year Award. The Brethren and families enjoyed it very much. We had a great turnout for both events. I just hope that we have a good turnout as well for the Wives and Widows Banquet on Oct. 19.
I would like to extend a personal thanks to Bro. Les Egger for his continuing support in our teachings and floor school. All the Brethren thank you as well. You are an inspiration to your Lodge and Brethren. Job well done Bro. Les.
If you haven’t been to Lodge lately, then you’re missing out on all the activities. Come on down and enjoy.
Morris Hestilow, Senior Warden
Brethren,
September was a very good month here at Smithfield, we had Entered Apprentice Degrees, A Golden Trowel Award, an 50 Year Award and our annual Garage Sale along with and still had time to do floor school. All of this being accomplished through those Brethren who are always here to keep the Lodge going. I have been doing some calculations and am not completely satisfied with my results. On an average night here at the Lodge, we only have about 6% in attendance while on a Stated Meeting night, we have approximately 18-20% here. At an EA and FC Degree we have 10-12% while at a MM Degree we have 16-18% in attendance. Now I understand that there are a lot of elderly Brethren that cannot attend due to health and or transportation reasons, and I am told that there are a lot of Brethren that are no shows because they are “burned-out” with Lodge and are afraid that they may be asked to participate in Lodge activities and no longer care to do so. Then there are those who for reason or the other have just seemed to lost interest, why I don’t fully understand.
How do we explain to our newest Masons what is happening? I have asked myself this question numerous times and have not come up with a logical answer.
Brethren, if you would like to attend Lodge again, but do not have a way to get here, please just pick up the phone and call one of the Lodge Officers (their phone numbers are listed on page 3) or another Brother that you know who attends on a regular basis, and I will guarantee that we will somehow get you there and back home and that you will truly enjoy the evening and the joy of true Masonry once again.
We are trying to have more family activities which are always very enjoyable and everyone seems to have a great time, and we can help you get too these functions as well.
I would also like to mention that if any of you, including the Lodge Widows, ever need any type of help in getting something done and or fixed, please just call the Lodge or one of the Officers and we will see what we can do to help you out. We have done things like this in the past and are always there to help. Besides the helping out, we guarantee that if nothing else, you’ll enjoy the company and visitation. So just us a call any time.
Gary L. Spraggins, Junior Warden, Editor
Brethren,
The time for dues is upon us. I have not yet received the notices from the Grand Lodge, as soon as they are received, I will forward them to you, however, if you want to send you dues in early, you may do so. The dues remain at $50.00 this year. It will save postage for the Lodge if you want to send the dues in now. Thanks.
We just got the notice for the annual 64th District breakfast, it will be held in Waco on December 8, 2001, at 6:00 AM. We will have a new place to meet. George’s has been serving the breakfast for several years, they now have their own Banquet Hall. Directions are as follows: Take I-35 southbound, exit at 17th-18th Street, go to second traffic light, veer to the right on Speight Street, the address of George’s is 1609 Circle Drive, just across the street from George’s Restaurant, see you there.
Early registration forms are now at the Lodge, if you want to use one see me.
We are going to erect a grave marker on the grave of one of our Charter members, W.A. Autry in Colleyville, if you wish to contribute to this worthy cause, see me or one of the Lodge Officers.
Fraternally,
Billy R. Campbell, Secretary
October 19 -- Wives and Widows Banquet Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 6:30PM and Community Builders Award
October 22 -- M.W.S. Association Southside Lodge #1114 6:00PM
October 24 -- M.W.S. Association Masonic Home and School 6:00PM. Joint Meeting of the 14th and 64th Districts
November 1 -- Stated Meeting Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 7:30PM, Covered Dinner 6:30PM
December 5 -- Masonic Home and School Masonic Home and School To Be Announced, Annual Christmas Party
January 12 -- 50 Year Service Award Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 6:30PM, For Bro. J.B. “Hutch” Hutcherson, PM
Please give these Brethren a call and or visit.
The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.
F.M. Aldrich 11-21-69
S.C. Bachman PM 11-18-93
J.H. Badoni 11-21-00
J.M. Bone 11-21-98
M.D. Cumbie 11-27-62
J.K. Darnell 11-10-60
C.E. Dawson 11-12-59
J.L. DeFord 11-16-71
E.C. Galloway 11-28-52
R.A. Gant 11-19-62
E.L. Hartsfield 11-19-78
S.E. Henderson 11-18-99
G.W. Karnes 11-18-99
J.D. Martin 11-08-62
B.G. McGinnis 11-29-66
D.W. Myers PM 11-20-85
H.L. Patterson 11-03-61
E.N. Pearson 11-06-79
M.E. Young 11-02-61
Congratulations Brethren!
Just a couple of Simple Recipe’s for your enjoyment:
CREAMY CHILI-STUFFED POTATOES
6 Large baking potatoes
6 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
2 tsp Natures Seasons Seasoning Blend
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
One 4 oz. Can diced green chilies
2 tsp Morton Seasoned Salt
Dash of freshly ground pepper
Paprika
Prep Time = 20 minute
Cooking Time = 1 hour, 15 minutes
Servings = 6
Bake potatoes at 375 F, 1 hour or until tender. Cool slightly. Slice off top;
scoop out pulp, leaving 1/8 inch shell. Beat pulp until fluffy. Add cream
cheese, butter, sour cream, chilies, Morton Seasoned Salt and pepper, mix well.
Refill shells with mixture. Bake at 400 F for 15 minutes or until browned.
Sprinkle with paprika and serve.
Steak Marinades
(Makes 4-6 Servings)
1/4 Cup Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 Cup Sweet & Spicy Steak Sauce
2 Tbsp. Lemon or Lime Juice
2 Tbsp. Oil
1/4 Cup Dried or 1/2 Cup Fresh Minced Onion
3/4 Tsp. Salt
1/2 Tsp. Dried or 1 Tsp. Fresh Minced Garlic
(See Cooking Instructions)
Seafood Marinades
1/2 Cup Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
(See Cooking Instructions)
Chicken Marinades
(Make 4 Servings)
1/3 Cup Worcestershire Sauce
1/3 Cup Lemon Juice
1/3 Cup Olive Oil
1/2 Tsp. Ground Ginger
(See Cooking Instructions)
Marinade Cooking Instructions
Combine marinade ingredients and mix well. Place mixture over meat, fish, or
chicken. Marinate for two hours or over night in refrigerator. Discard marinade.
Grill or bake until done as desired. (Meat - 10-15 minutes for medium. Chicken -
until juices run clear. Fish - 6-10 minutes per side depending on size & type).
Refrigerate leftovers.
Not submitted by the Stewards
Send your questions or comments to: Gary Spraggins (ggllss@msn.com)
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