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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,

We have had a busy month here at Smithfield. We awarded two fifty year pins. Congratulations to Brothers Bob Steel and Raymond Lester. Thanks to Rite Worshipful Bob Jernigan who presented them and also made his second official visit from the Grand Lodge.  If you notice our charter is missing it is because Brother Ernie Runyon took it down for restoration. Thanks to Brother R.T. (Bunk) Koonce, it was his idea to have it restored.  We also went down to the Temple and captured the 64^th District traveling gavel named “TG64” from Fort Worth Lodge #148. We are the first to have it. We can thank Brother Bob Holmes for making the opportunity available to us.

I am starting to believe there is a major conspiracy out there to make me cry. On August the 14^th  I was waiting  at the Temple to see if we were going to have enough people to get TG64. We needed ten. That is when Brother Rick Montey, my close friend for many years and Senior Warden, gave me a special Masters pin. As all this was happening I looked up to see about twelve Smithfield Brothers walk in all at once. I didn’t expect all this support or this many Brothers to care about Smithfield Lodge. I was touched by it all. Of course being the manly man I am, no tears were shed. At that point I would have been happy enough even if we didn’t get the traveling gavel.

The sixteen Brothers who made the special effort to win the TG64 are: A.M (Bo) Hestilow, Jim Mendenhall, Fred Brown, Arron Alkek, Mike Byers, Rick Montey, Ernie Runyon, Wayne Massie, Kerry (Triple K) Krantz, Walter Busch, Billy Campbell, Richard Muzquiz, Les Egger, Gus Carmona, Matthew Wingate and myself. Thank you all so much.

Brethren, some Lodge or two may come to our next stated meeting to get the traveling gavel. We need as many people as possible to meet and greet our visiting Brethren. This is what Freemasonry is all about. Please don’t pass up this opportunity to represent Smithfield Lodge and Freemasonry. If you are busy with life and can’t make it we understand. However don’t let the television or high gas prices or some other unworthy thing keep you being with us. If you call me at 214-538-9520  I will come get you (Arizona  and other out of state Brothers excepted).

Fraternally,

Herb Taylor

Worshipful Master

From the West

Brethren,

Our  Worshipful Master has hit the floor with BOTH feet running!  His enthusiasm is catching and has everyone here excited about his term.

He has done some sprucing up in the parking lot, worked on some building issues that needed attention, he’s moving the Past Master’s pictures to make room for future generations and is having the Charter restored and preserved.  And just as important, because of him, Smithfield Lodge was the first recipient of the 64th District’s Traveling Gavel Award!

I wish more of our brethren  would come check out what is going on.  We have several fairly new Master Mason’s in the line-up and we have several petitions in hand for possible new members.

Smithfield  Lodge is HOT and growing! I’d hate for you to miss out on this excitement. If you have transportation issues, just call one of the officers and they'll arrange a pick-up for you.

Fraternally,

Rick Montey

Senior Warden

From the South

Brethren,

We had an excellent visit to the Fort Worth Lodge at the Masonic Temple downtown.

We had an overwhelming turnout from Smithfield lodge. The food and fellowship was outstanding. We had 16 brethren in attendance, this was a shocker to everyone especially to our Worshipful Master. You should have seen the grin on his face (it’s probably still there). Don’t forget to stop by the display case in the lodge and take a peek at the Sixty-Fourth District’s Traveling Gavel we captured that evening. We plan to visit a different lodge every month so be sure to check the web site and the bulletin board in the lodge for our next scheduled visit.

Is Freemasonry Hard to Get Into?

(Courtesy of Brother Mitchell Ray Jones)

A  man was checking in at a hotel and, while at the registration desk, he noticed a group of men heading toward a function room. He said to the clerk, “Who are those men?”  She replied, “Oh, they are the Masons. They are meeting in one of our rooms until their new lodge room is finished.” He replied, “Oh yeah, the Masons! Isn’t that the group that is so hard to get into?” She replied, “You don’t know the half of it!  See that man with the sword? He’s been banging on that door for eight months and they haven’t let him in yet!”

Fraternally,

Walter Busch

Junior Warden/Editor

The Secretary’s Desk

Brethren,

We have gotten off to a good start for Bro. Herb's year. Thanks for your support.

The return from the endowment fund at Grand Lodge was received. it paid $32.05 per endowed member member. We currently have 52 endowed members at Smithfield. However, the current per capita at Grand Lodge is $14.25. I would suggest that the endowed members make a donation of at least that. This will help the budget. I know some of you say "tough"  that is the deal we made when we bought the endowed membership. This will help in the long run, but let's be realistic, give  Bro. Herb a chance to have a working budget. 'Nuff said.

We had two new 50 year members presented with their awards. Bro. R.B. Lester P.M.,  and  Bro. Bobby Steele. Both have contributed much to the Lodge. Thanks and congratulations brethren.

We have visited several Lodges lately, Bro. Ernest Runyon has taken on a position of responsibility with the Masonic Service Bureau, we can see that we cannot be isolationists, and expect to get all that Masonry allows. Thanks to those who are helping in the District, and  the Grand Lodge.

Several brethren are in need of our prayers. Let us not forget that part of our obligation to each other. Pray for the sick, and afflicted.

Congratulations to Bro. Mickie Brous on receiving the 50 year service award at the last meeting of the Service Bureau. The award was presented by PGM Rt W. Elmer Murphy, III. What a pleasure to have been in attendance when this deserving Brother was recognized. He represents all that is good in Masonry.

I hope to see you in Lodge soon. 

Fraternally Yours,

BR Campbell

Secretary

OPEN ANNOUNCEMENT to ALL 29 District 64 Lodges:

“TG-64,” the 64th Masonic District Traveling Gavel has arrived and is in residence at Smithfield Lodge No. 455. Worshipful Master Herbert Taylor and 15 of the Officers and Members of Smithfield Lodge No. 455 honored Fort Worth Lodge No. 148 with a gracious visit on our August 14 Stated Meeting. Bolstering the Grand Master’s third quarter initiative of Friendship, Fellowship, Fraternity, Fun, and the Five Points of Fellowship an outstanding time was enjoyed by the Brotherhood. 64th District Lodge Brothers plan you fraternal visit to Smithfield Lodge No. 455 and be the next host of “TG-64,” as the traveling about the 64th District proceeds in the dynamic 64th modus operandi.   So Mote It Be.

 Sponsored by Robt. P. (Bob) Holmes, PM, Fort Worth Lodge No. 148

The 1st Recipients of the 64th District’s

Traveling Gavel (TG64) 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 September, 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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