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The Trestle Board

Smithfield Lodge #455 A.F. & A.M.

8013 Main Street, North Richland Hills, Texas

P. O. Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182

Lodge telephone number:   817.656.2311

Contact the Lodge on  Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 7 PM and 9 PM

                                      WEB ADDRESS: http://www.smithfieldlodge.com

 From the East       

Brethren,

Greetings from the East!  I sincerely hope that year 2006 has started in a good way for you!  It's a good time of the year to set goals and create a plan to achieve those goals.

Brethren, the Lodge will have its annual Fish Fry on March 2, 2006.  Come on down and enjoy the fish fry!  The fish fry is open to brother Masons and prospective Masons.  This is a big event, so enjoy the fun and get ready to eat a great dinner at our March stated meeting!

The Lodge web site has received a lot of positive feedback from people who have visited our web site!  Last month we received an application for the mysteries from a local gentleman who had visited the web site and filled out the application online.  He contacted the Lodge and brought his application to the Lodge in person.  Additionally, Masons from other Lodges like to read the Trestle Board online.  I have received some interesting Email from a few brothers who have read the Trestle Board online.  Another Mason wants to rekindle his Masonic activities and sent me an Email from our web site to inquire about the Lodge.  These are exciting times.  Technology is definitely at work in today's Lodges!  Many thanks to those who diligently work our web site!  Their efforts are reaping benefits to the Lodge!

The floor school work at Smithfield Lodge is very good!  The Lodge devotes many hours to practicing the conferral of degrees as well as the memory work for the trial, questions and answers to all the Blue Lodge degrees. There are many Masons at Smithfield Lodge who really know the ritual and questions and answers.  Our floor school instructor is one of the best in the state of Texas!  The members who work on the floor school do so in a very diligent manner and with enthusiasm.  Many thanks to Brother Les who diligently works every Tuesday and Thursday evening as floor school instructor!

Brethren, we will have a another "garage sale" in the Spring.  The officers of the Lodge are planning the details as to how the goods will be collected as well as when the garage sale will be held.  Look for further details in next month's Trestle Board.

The committees on membership, education and pins have all done a great job.  Brethren, since announcing these committees, I have received some interesting feedback from other brothers.  One brother from another lodge submitted the January Trestle Board to the MWGM and his staff for review concerning membership and education.  Other brothers have mentioned members of the Lodge who are overdue their 25 or 40 year pins.  The pin committee has done an excellent job in compiling the membership data to see who is overdue a pin and who is to receive a pin in the near future. This is a lot of work, but it is something that the Lodge must do to ensure that all the members who are past due their pins receive their pins.

As we are in the middle of the Masonic year at this time, I would like to say to the brethren that it's not possible to function as Worshipful Master without other helpers and brothers who serve the Lodge in several capacities.  Some of the best brothers I've ever met or known are those who have consistently served the Lodge through the years with their continual giving and service.  It's not possible to keep the Lodge functioning and moving forward without the help of many brothers.

I clearly see that there are many brothers at the Lodge who have a great heart.  Without their dedication and service, the Lodge would be nothing! Many brothers have spent many years serving Smithfield Lodge.  It is to these brethren that I say “Thank you”!

It is my most sincere wish that all of your goals and dreams will come to pass.  It is always a great feeling to see your goals and dreams come true!

Fraternally,

Michael Haygood

Worshipful Master

From the West

Brethren,

It’s that time of year again, time for the annual fish fry. I hope everyone makes the extra effort to come out and join us this year! It’s always good to see everyone, especially those who live far away or don’t get out often anymore. If you need a ride feel free to call me at metro 214-538-9520, and I’ll pick you up and take you home.

Several of us from Smithfield attended the town hall meeting at the temple on February eighth. It was held in the beautiful Commandary room on the fourth floor. We discussed three topics – one day classes, lowering Masonic age of admission to 18, and recognition of a Prince Hall Grand Lodge. In Tarrant County the Masons are generally against one day classes and for lowering the age to 18, and recognizing a Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Texas. There was a lot of interesting discussion.

Brethren, if you have access to a computer you can check out our website at www.smithfieldlodge.com. I think you will be impressed. Brother Ernest Runyon has spent many hours working on it. It is a work in progress. Also try to view the section on Masonic Light. There are many new interesting things. I like the story, “The Broken Column Unbroken” by Rob Morris. There are many other stories and links.

Fraternally,

Herb Taylor

Senior Warden

From the South

Brethren,

The month of March is one that should find all Texas Mason’s preparing for the 55^th year that we as a state recognize Texas Public Schools Week.  In December of 1950, shortly after being elected Grand Master, Most Worshipful W.J. Burris drew up an outline that he shared with his District Deputies, a program, which he intended, would bring us closer to the education system, which the average person took for granted.  Assisted by the Committee on Masonic Education and Service, a program of preparation for observance of Public Schools Week was outlined to District Deputy Grand Masters at their conference on the day following close of Grand Lodge in December. Each District Deputy was instructed by the Grand Master to coordinate with Masters of Lodges in his District plans and preparations for Public Schools Week.

Grand Master Burris issued a proclamation calling upon all Texas Masons to not only assist in the program, but to impress upon their friends the importance of a closer affiliation between parents and teachers, and a revival of interest in problems of our educational system.

In his message about Public Schools Week to his District Deputy Grand Masters, Grand Master Burris said:

 "It is important that each of the Lodges understand fully that the proclamation that I issued on December 26^th, is to be fulfilled in each point; as it is so important that we, as Masons, dedicate this one week to the very important subject of Public Schools. Since through the effort of the Order, public schools in Texas were given their birthright.  I feel that the type of program proposed will accomplish this important undertaking."

History shows that in many of our older Texas cities, the local Masonic Lodge and it’s members, either started the schools in the area, or the schools were held in buildings, belonging to or built by the local Masons.

It should be noted that on January 19^th, 1951 Texas Governor and Texas Mason, Alan Shiver, signed into law, the State’s observance of  “Texas Public Schools Week”.

I know that there are some lodges that have some sort of celebration for Public Schools Week, but don’t include a school district or it’s members.  I understand that this is totally up to the membership of that particular lodge.  I guess I just don’t understand how we can honor the public school system, if we keep them out the observance.

I feel that we need to be more involved with our local school districts than we are, whether it’s holding a dinner and inviting a schools faculty, or even the school district’s board members.  How can we help to improve the community and show others that Mason’s are a good and upstanding group, it we keep it to ourselves?

I hope I haven’t offended anyone with this.  These are just MY opinions and not necessarily those of my Lodge’s membership.

Fraternally,

Rick Montey

Junior Warden/Editor

The Secretary’s Desk

Brethren, 

This has been a good month for Masonic meetings. Let me tell you about just a few.

The Masters, wardens, and Secretaries Association met at Ridglea Lodge in February. The program was from the Tarrant County Historical Society, Ms. Claire Ruddell brought her program of Masons of early Tarrant County. The names of Fielder, John Peter Smith, Cooke, and others was very interesting. Bro. Robert Holmes, P.M. of Fort Worth Lodge #148  helped in the presentation. We can be proud of those men who showed their Masonic principles in founding the first public schools in Fort Worth, their attention in performing charity work in the area, and their willingness to get involved in the community made all who attended the meeting feel proud of our heritage.

Brother Carmona loaned me a book titled "Force Without Fanfare". This is the autobiography of K.M.Van Zandt, the first merchant in Fort Worth, the founder of the First National Bank, and several other endeavors in Tarrant County. This was the story of a man who fashioned our homestead law. A dedicated family man, and a man to be admired. Thank you Gus for loaning me the book.

About thirty of you still need to take care of your dues. I hope I don't have to send you the second reminder to take care of this.

We are still getting petitions for the Mysteries of Freemasonry. If you have a man who meets the requirements, see me or one of the officers for a petition. We need good men now.

I hope you are getting Bro. Carl Jones' e-mail as I do. He has a news letter out of Dallas which lets Masons the world over know what is going on in  the Dallas and Texas Masonic  community. He endorsed a brother who is running for political office in Dallas. This stirred up a lot of controversy, some thought it was against Masonic principles to do this. Bro. Jones explained that the site is his, It is not owned by, or affiliated, in any way with the Grand Lodge of Texas, and it his option as to what is placed in the news. I think he is doing a good job with the site. If you want to receive this e-mail let me know.

Come to Lodge for the stated meeting in March, fish fry, public schools week, meet with good Masons from across the area. See you there.

Fraternally Yours,

BR Campbell

Secretary

Remember the "Smithfield Masonic Lodge Permanent Endowment Fund"

Your support is a continuing need.  Any donation is welcome.  A donation of $100.00 or more puts your name, or the name of someone you wish to honor, on a plaque in the dining area of the Lodge.  Please send your donation to Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455, A.F. & A.M., P.O. Box 821413 , Fort Worth, Texas 76182

Thanks to our Trestle Board Sponsors

Masonic Birthdays for March, 2006

The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.

Congratulations Brethren!

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