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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,

It's that time of the year when the Lodge installs new officers.  The installation of Lodge officers will be held July 15, 2006 at noon.  Come on down and be a part of the installation!

Serving as Worshipful Master has been a very rewarding and enjoyable experience.  It is not possible to be an effective Worshipful Master without the help, experience and guidance of other brethren.  Smithfield Lodge is blessed with some of the finest Brethren you will ever meet!  I thank the many brethren who have diligently served the Lodge this last Masonic year!

I've learned that the Lodge has many, many pieces that must jointly fit together in order for the Lodge to properly function.  If just one of those pieces is missing or not functioning properly, the Lodge is weakened.  Smithfield Lodge is a very strong Lodge.  There are many dedicated brothers who diligently work for the good of the Lodge and the Community.  It is this giving spirit and sincere heart that makes Smithfield Lodge a great lodge.

I would like to encourage each and every brother to continue giving of themselves to their families, the Lodge and the Community.  Serving others or a good cause teaches us many useful values and provides us all with many great experiences that no book could ever describe.  And those great experiences and achievements are not possible unless Unity, Love and a spirit of giving are continually present.  I've definitely witnessed the love, unity and giving hearts of the brethren this Masonic year.

In closing, it is my most sincere wish and prayer that each and everyone of you achieve the dreams of your heart and receive a 10-fold return from your giving this last year!  It's always great to be at the Lodge, and I have no doubt that Smithfield Lodge is the finest Lodge you may ever attend!

Thanks again to all the brethren who have served, donated their time and given freely of their many talents.  My "hat" is off to them!

Fraternally,

Michael Haygood

Worshipful Master

From the West

Brethren,

We have a wonderful  line of officers coming in 2006-2007.  I want to thank everyone for allowing me to be your next Worshipful Master. It is not a responsibility I will be taking lightly. I am very proud to be a member of Smithfield #455. Everything has been running very smoothly and I don’t plan on rocking the boat. I do hope to stir up a greater interest in Freemasonry at Smithfield.

June 10^th was the 130^th anniversary since our Lodge was chartered and the day of Harold Webb’s Golden Trowel award, shame on you if you missed it. The food was excellent and Rite Worshipful Elmer Murphy was stellar. Brother Ernie Runyon has posted some pictures on our website.

Brethren, everyone should give Brother Bo Hestilow a big, big thank you. He volunteered to fill the Junior Stewards position and wound up doing most of the work for both Stewards all year. He did an excellent job with no complaints. He is a great example to us all of what Freemasonry is all about. Of course there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother – and if Bo is working then Bunk is working. And that is Freemasonry too! Thank you, Bo and Bunk.

Again, on July 15, at 12 noon there will be the installation of officers. It will be an open meeting with lunch to follow. The Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of the great state of Texas will be the installing officer. Everyone and their families are invited.

I hope to see you all there.

Fraternally,

Herb Taylor

Senior Warden

From the South

Brethren,

Well, here we are again, the end of one regime and the start of a new one.  This has been a real joy for me, not just because I’m moving up again, but I enjoy the historical installation ceremony.  It is very beautiful and has not changed too much since our forefathers performed them some 200 years ago.

This past year has been a really good one for Smithfield Lodge, and I learned a lot from Brother Les Egger and from Brother Mike Haygood;  Mike,  it has been my honor to have worked with you.

A lot of exciting things have been going on at the Lodge this year, we’ve had a Past Master’s Dinner, a Wives and Widows Banquet, we’ve almost gotten caught up on handing out pins for certain years of anniversary,  we’ve had a garage sale that brought a nice sum of money into the Lodge (thank you Bro. Herb!), we were able to hand out a $500 scholarship to a local student that was well deserving of it, and we handed out a Golden Trowel Award to very deserving  Brother, Harold Webb.  I know I’m more than likely forgetting some activities, but as you may recall, I am recovering from some major injuries and haven’t been around much.

I am also looking forward to working with Brother Herb Taylor as our new Worshipful Master.  I have known Brother Taylor for some 20 odd years, he can be a nut sometimes, but you will not find a more loyal Brother or friend.  Bro. Herb is the person that helped me get into Masonry, and tried his best to help with my esoteric work.  I considered him a Brother before I ever knew about Masonry.  I know he will do good things for Smithfield Lodge and Masonry as a whole.  Good Luck Herbie!!

We still have a lot to do before 2006 is over, and my biggest wish is that more of our Brethren would get involved at the Lodge.  We have had several new members that are involved, but we really need more!  I have never understood why someone would want to be a Mason, just to stay home!!  Some mysteries will never be solved.

Fraternally,

Rick Montey

Junior Warden/Editor

The Secretary’s Desk

Brethren,

This has been a very busy month what with the election of officers, a newly raised Master Mason, and the awarding of the Golden Trowel to Bro. Harold Webb by PGM Elmer Murphy, III. He did a superb job in the presentation to a very worthy brother.

You need to meet Bro. Thomas Wayne Massie, the newest Master Mason at Smithfield. He has done a very good  job in his esoteric work. He has visited other Lodges, and the Service Bureau meeting. He has a hunger for Masonry. Show him you care, also.

Several brethren are in failing health. We need to visit, call and inquire about them. Bro. W.M.Gosdin, P.M. is in CSC at this time, Brother T.C.Powell, P.M. is recovering from a stroke in November. If you know of others, please let me, or one of the officers know.

Congratulations to the newly elected, and appointed officers. I pledge my help in the ensuing year, you can help by visiting the Lodge.

What a fine job Brother as Master this year. He got things moving at Smithfield.

Attend the stated meeting in July, the installation of officers by the Grand Master. This is a good way for Brother Herbert Taylor to start his year. Come to Lodge soon.

Fraternally Yours,

BR Campbell

Secretary

From Brother Harold Webb:

Brethren,

            Recently the Lodge honored me with the presentation of the golden trowel award for this year. There was a good turnout, as the Lodge was nearly full. As usual, Right Worshipful Elmer Murphey III had some good and inspiring things to say. There are a number of things I want to say. First, I want to thank the Lodge for deeming me worthy to receive this award. Secondly, there are a few individuals I want to recognize for their special contributions in making it a very special evening for me. Brother Billy as always makes it look easy in handling the paperwork from the Grand lodge to our lodge. The kitchen team did a wonderful job. Brother Al Hestilow, assisted by Bunk Koonce and Gary Spraggins, and Ernie Runyon worked tirelessly to prepare the meal and serve it. Thank you Brothers for what you did. You are what makes Smithfield what it is. And what it is, is a very special place.

Fraternally,

Harold W. Webb  P.M.

Photo Catch-Up

New Master Masons                                    Golden Trowel Dinner                            Visit to Chalk Mountain Lodge

                                    Past Masters Dinner                                                                         Golden Trowel Award

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 July, 2006

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

Congratulations Brethren!

Calendar of Events