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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
December, 2001
In Sacred Memory of
Brother J.W. Beach,
Brother E.L. Gotcher PM, and
Brother J.S. Phillips
“they were true and faithful Brethren among us.”
The month of October has come and gone. We have been busy with the conferring of Degree’s, and hearing proficiency work from our new Masons. The Wives and Widows Banquet was well attended. The food prepared by our Stewards and their helpers was excellent, as always. The Lodge Officers and Brethren served the guests at this special dinner honoring our Ladies.
Three Brethren passes to the “Celestial Lodge” above this past month. Details can be found elsewhere in the Trestle Board.
There is an Entered Apprentice Degree to be conferred on November 8. Mark your calendars, also, for December 5, 2001. This is the date of the Christmas Party at the Masonic Home and School. This year we will be sponsoring Cabin 3, which at this writing, is home to 11 girls ranging in age from 8 to 17. Linda will be giving you more details in another section of this edition of the Trestle Board for anyone who might want to contribute to the gifts for the girls. All Masons and their ladies are invited. We have been asked not to arrive before 6:30 PM as the children need time to attend chores and homework before the party. I am suggesting we start the party at 6:45 PM.
Excerpt from THE OHIO MASON: Friday, October 12, 2001:
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Freemasonry always has been a power for good wherever exerted. Let us prove that we are the power. Let us forget that we belong to-one Jurisdiction or another and remember only that we are Freemasons, abiding by the same obligations, actuated by the same impulses, striving for the same goal and present ourselves a solid phalanx of friends and brothers marching determinedly against sloth and apathy, corruption in high places, and other evils which encompass us; spreading the gospel of Freemasonry which in all ages has been the Light of the World.
James W. Allen, Worshipful Master
Brethren,
Just a short message to let everyone know that I really appreciate all the help the Brethren have put forth this Masonic year in helping not only myself, but Smithfield Lodge as well.
We have had some outstanding Degree’s this year, and some very enjoyable family events that everyone enjoyed. It is always a pleasure to get to see those who have not been able to make it here at Lodge in quite awhile.
We will more than likely be slowing down just a tab for November and December due to the holidays coming up, and of course we can’t forget about Deer Season (that’s where I’m at while JW takes care on this end).
I would also like to remind the Brethren of the Lodge Endowment Fund and remind you that this is another way we can all give a helping hand to the Lodge. Please give what you can, when you can. The Lodge and especially our Brother Tiler will greatly appreciate it.
Morris Hestilow, Senior Warden
Brethren,
First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very safe and prosperous Holiday. Please, if you are planning on traveling during the Holidays, be extra careful and allow yourself plenty of time to get to you destination and back home safely.
We had a good Entered Apprentice Degree on Nov. 8. I thank those of you who attended and were able to help out. It is really wonderful to see someone new coming into Masonry and ready to accept life with a new meaning and outlook.
We will be dark on Thursday, Nov. 22, for Thanksgiving, and from Dec. 18-31 for the Christmas Holidays. Please keep all in your thoughts and prayers during this time.
I would like to also remind those Brethren who like to attend Grand Lodge in Waco, that the meeting date is set for Saturday, Dec. 8th, and there will be several of us leaving the Lodge that morning at about 4:15 AM in order to get to The 64th Masonic District Breakfast at 6:00 AM. We will be meeting at George’s Restaurant . I will repeat the address again that was in last month’s issue.
Directions follow:
Take I-35 southbound to Waco, exit at 17th-18th Street, stay on the service road, go to second traffic light, veer to the right on Speight Street, George’s is located on the corner of Speight Street and Circle Drive (1609 Circle Drive). We hope to see you all there.
Gary L. Spraggins, Junior Warden and Editor
Brethren,
There have been several articles written about how we, as a people, responded to the terrorists attacks in the eastern United States. We can be proud of the way we went about recovering from the events, our patriotism, our willingness to donate to the various funds, and our outrage toward the perpetrators. We talked about how we should learn tolerance towards those, who no fault of their own, look like those who acted against our country. Those of us who have taken the teachings of Masonry to heart, can tell the world that this is what we have been saving for years. Do not get this wrong, we still are against tyranny wherever it raises its ugly head. However, we must remember that we, as Masons, give homage to the teaching that all men are created equal. We must defend that premise, and stand ready to tell all that this is what we believe. Ignorance must be exposed when, and where we find it.
I want to thank those of you who have sent in your dues as we talked about in our last article of The Trestle Board. I have now received the dues cards, and will be sending those notices, and dues cards to you soon.
We are having a good year at the Lodge. Come on out. We still meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings to practice the esoteric work, teach questions and answers, and enjoy the fellowship of others. It make no difference what level you want to work on, we will have someone ready to help. Thanks to those who are steady in their attendance.
Fraternally, Billy R. Campbell PM, Secretary
November 22 -- Go Dark For Thanksgiving
December 5 -- Masonic Home and School Masonic Home and School @ 6:45PM, Annual
Christmas Party
December 6 -- Stated Meeting @ 7:30PM, Covered Dish Dinner @ 6:30PM
December 6-8 -- Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, Waco, Texas
December 8 -- 64th Masonic District Breakfast @ George’s Restaurant, @ 6:00AM,
1609 Circle Road, Waco, Texas
December 18-31 -- Go Dark for the Holidays
January 12 -- 50 Year Service Award @ 6:30PM for Bro. J.B. “Hutch” Hutcherson,
PM
January 19 -- Grand Masters Regional Conference @ Fort Worth Masonic Temple,
10:00AM
Brother J.B. “Hutch” Hutcherson PM who is back in the Hospital, and is feeling better. He should be back home at the time you receive this article.
Brother W.W. White who is in the Hospital recovering from surgery.
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.
J.W. Allen, WM -- 12-10-57
D.R. Davis -- 12-19-72
D.S. Giles -- 12-04-81
M.R. Shepherd III -- 12-20-80
W.C. Stark -- 12-18-56
Congratulations Brethren!
From the DDGM:
Brethren,
It has been an honor to serve as District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 64A. I have made many new friends, and renewed friendships within the district and this great State of Texas.
I have had the opportunity to travel and experience gatherings that I had not had the pleasure of. The memorial service at the Alamo, the celebration at San Jacinto, and an installation of fourteen Lodges at the historic parade grounds of Fort Mckavette, where the Grand Mater was the installing Officer. I attended the Grand Master’s Conferences in Dallas, Wichita Falls, Longview, Waco, Houston, San Antonio, and of course Fort Worth.
Being the Grand Master’s personal representative, gave me the responsibility of spreading the Grand Master’s message throughout the District. The warm reception given to the Service Team and I from all the Lodges we attended was greatly appreciated. The Service Team this year was Brother Finn Watkins-District Masonic Relations Officer, Brother Billy Ray Fisher-District Instructor, and of course our own Brother Billy Ray Campbell-District Education Officer. It has been my honor to serve with them, and I hope we made a positive impact on each Lodge. Besides, we had the most HAIR of any team in 64.
Brethren thank you so very much for your support, and kind words.
Fraternally yours, Brian D. Bass, D.D.G.M. 64A
Greetings,
First of all, let me say thank you to the Brethren for a most enjoyable evening spent at the Lodge as they served we ladies a delicious dinner. The program for the evening was appropriately centered around a woman. The Brethren Honored Mrs. Joanne Johnson, City Councilwoman with the Community Builders Award. This is the highest honor a Mason can bestow on a non-Mason. Mrs. Johnson has been on City Council for 10 years. Previous to her work in politics, she was, and presently is, involved in community and church activities. She truly represents all that a woman can be in her personal and professional life. She, in turn, honored all of us with a lovely rendition of Amazing Grace. I would be remiss if I did not also mention another wonderful melodious voice heard that evening, as Chaplain Claude Davison opened the program with God Bless America. I must tell you that I felt that this was a Most God inspired evening of fellowship.
Now, on to Christmas and what we, as Christian men and women can do to put a little love and life into the season for youngsters we don’t even know. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about anyway?
Our party at the Masonic Home and School will be Dec. 5th. We have 11 girls in our assigned cottage. The breakdown in ages is: 2—8 years old; 2—12 years old; 3—13 years old; 1—14 year old; 2—16 years old; and 1—17 year old. I mention the ages because I am going to be bold and suggest that if you are interested in sharing in this evening of giving, you might consider, but need not limit you ideas to age appropriate books or board games. The girls will receive gifts from the Lodge to be purchased by the members of the Lodge and/or their ladies who have lovingly volunteered. However, I am thinking that it might be nice to have some extra goodies to leave with them. Of course, age appropriate make-up is always a hit. I would not suggest this for the younger ones though. And naturally, the school does not want us to give them anything with any suggestion of sex, violence, or drugs. Other than that, we are pretty open to whatever your hearts lead you to contribute.
During this time of such tragedy in our Nation, we are all searching for ways to help, to feel part of the healing process for those who have been directly affected. Obviously, from way down here in Texas, we cannot physically reach those in need in New York. The Masonic Home and School Christmas party is one way that we, hear at Smithfield Lodge #455 CAN make a difference. Please have your gifts to the Lodge by the last week of November, so that they can be included. Let’s make Santa’s bag so heavy, that he will need helpers to get it all to the cottage on December 5. Until then, HO-HO-HO AND THANK YOU!
Linda Allen
Send your questions or comments to: Gary Spraggins (ggllss@msn.com)
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