Post Office Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182 USA
July 1997
Dear Brethren,
During the last Stated Meeting held June 5, 1997 there were many items of business taken care off. Elections were held for the Lodge Officers of the next Masonic Year, several Brothers were recognized for service to the Lodge and regular business items were discussed. We noted, with sadness, the sudden passing of Mrs. Billie Montgomery whom we had planned to honor. Our sympathies to her family. We will miss her greatly.
The newly elected officers for the ensuing year are: Steve Bachman WM, Daryl Hester SW, David Terrell JW, David Meyers Treas., Billy Campbell Sec., and Allen Cole as Tiler. The installation of Officers is to be held at 7:30 PM, June 28, 1997 at the Lodge.
The following Brethren were awarded a Masters Award Certificate for service to Smithfield Lodge: A.M. Hestilow PM, Les Egger PM, R.T. Koonce PM, Charles Groves PM, Harold Webb PM, Frank Levings PM, David Meyers PM, Jim Mendenhall PM, J.B. Hutcherson PM, T.C. Powell PM and Teddy L. "Butch" Hester PM. The Mason of the Year Award was presented to Brother Billy Campbell PM for his unselfish dedication to Smithfield Lodge and Masonry. Brother John Townsend APM received special recognition also. Congratulations to Billy and all the other brethren recognized for their service.
Brother Jack Jeter became an Affiliated Past Master of Smithfield Lodge and an Endowed Member, welcome Jack!
Newly Raised Master Masons for the year are: Trace Brooks, Chris Bowman, Eddie Don Patterson and Gerald Michael Haygood. Brother Haygood is our newest Master Mason, being raised on June 19, 1997.
The Grand Master has Proclaimed that a program be presented on Saint John's Day, June 24, 1997. The program will be given by Brother Billy Campbell PM beginning at 7:00 PM. Ladies and Guests are welcome. Please invite your friends and make your plans to attend.
I would like to thank each of you for the opportunity to serve as Worshipful Master of this Lodge.
Fraternally and Sincerely,
Johnny Rumfield from Smithfield
Brethren,
The time is near for us to cast off, raise the anchor, and get under weigh. We have a long but scenic voyage ahead. We will be heading in an easterly direction with nothing but the stars and past experience to guide us. I would like to thank all the members of Smithfield Lodge for the honor of serving as Worshipful Master for the upcoming year and for the pleasure of serving as Senior Warden this past year. I would also like to thank all of the Officers past and present who have been such a great support too me. I hope for a strong wind at our back to keep the sails full, and the Lord to keep our compass heading true. The crew stands ready.
Fraternally Yours,
Steve Bachman
Brethren,
Our June Stated Meeting was a success. It was touching to see such well deserving men honored for their efforts in building Smithfield Lodge. I hope we can continue to acknowledge those who contribute so much to our Lodge. Thanks to those who brought a covered dish for the meal. Don and Genni LaPlante, your firecrackers were incredible!
I would like to express my thanks to you for being elected Senior Warden for the next Masonic Year. As our installation of Officers is upcoming, I look forward to seeing everyone there. As always, we need everyone's continued support to make the upcoming Masonic Year a success.
Sincerely,
Daryle Hester
Several members have donated moneys to the Permanent Endowment Fund in lieu of flowers for funerals. This is a unique way to honor our deceased loved ones. Mrs. Ruby Crane and Mrs. Edna Anderson have contributed to the Endowment Fund in honor of their husbands. Their names will be added to the honorarium plaque in the Lodge. The families have been notified of gifts made in honor of their deceased loved ones.
HELP! HELP! HELP! I need to find these missing widows. They have moved and I have no current address for them. If you know where these individuals are, please contact me.
Mrs. Lucille Jennings
Mrs. Oleta Lewis
Mrs. Lucille Miller
Mrs. Ruth Morton
Mrs. Clara Reeves
Mrs. Jewell Smith
Mrs. Lorena Smith
Mrs. O.J. Whitley
Mrs. Thelma Williams
Fraternally Yours,
B.R. Campbell, Sec.
June 24 -- St. John the Baptist Day, Program at 6:30 P.M.
June 28 -- Installation of Officers, Program at 7:00 P.M.
July 3 -- Stated Meeting, Pot Luck Meal, DDGM Visit
July 19 -- Breakfast 6:30 A.M. Lodge clean up
August 7 -- Stated Meeting, Pot Luck Meal
August 13 -- Masonic Service Bureau meets at Smithfield, Dinner at 5:00 PM
August 16 -- Breakfast 6:30 A.M. Lodge clean up
My Brothers, it has been two years since I first entered the lodge room. I only vaguely glimpsed the possibilities as I looked around the simple but well-kept room. All I really knew was that some of the best men in my acquaintance were Masons. So, hopeful at the prospects of fellowship, I became a Mason. It has been a beautiful journey thus far. I love learning about Masonry -- its ritual, customs, traditions, charities, organization and the opportunities to improve myself and contribute to society.
It's time for us to remind our brethren what Masonry is all about. Wonderful things are happening and most of our members are missing them! We have degrees to confer, fat to chew, food to eat, and Brothers to visit! We need to get everyone excited about what they already know at heart. We must communicate the power of Freemasonry to our members. It is exciting to be a Mason! Masonry is unique!
The new Trestle Board is but a first step. You must take the second. Come see us! I will probably not know your name at first -- but I'll learn it if you tell me enough times. (I'm an Aggie, you know!) I will not know much about you -- but I'll find out if you'll sit and talk a spell. We may not even become close friends -- but we might. Anyhow, we'll step farther into the Light and improve ourselves, by trying to live with love and care, upon the Level and by the Square.
Fraternally,
David Terrell
The Golden Trowel Award is a Masonic Award authorized by The Grand Lodge of Texas to honor those Masons who labor in their Lodges behind the scenes. It is awarded to Masons dedicated to seeing that Lodges are active, well maintained, and that the tenets of freemasonry are properly attended to. Their labors, often unnoticed, are essential to the day-to-day operation of any Lodge. The Worshipful Master could not operate his Lodge without them.
The selection of a deserving Brother is made by a committee, appointed by The Worshipful Master. The committee normally consists of the three most recent Worshipful Masters, as these brethren are not eligible for the Award. They nominate worthy Brothers, submit their names to the Lodge, where it is voted upon by the membership of the Lodge.
To date, Smithfield Lodge has recognized four distinguished Brothers by presenting them with this award. These Brothers have served Masonry well and we are honored that they are members of this Lodge. As you can see, the past recipients of the Award, listed below, meet these requirements to a tee.
A.M. Hestilow PM
R.T. Koonce PM
L.W. Egger PM
C.R. Groves
Thank you Brethren for all that you contribute to our Gentle Fraternity. Keep up the good work.
Wow! The second Trestle Board is now out, or at least the second that I have been involved with. Several of you have given very favorable feedback to me concerning the last issue of the Trestle Board. Also, many of the wives expressed their supportive opinions. I am very grateful for your opinions. I don't mind any comments, constructive or otherwise, concerning the news letter because this would mean that it is being received and read. So let us hear from you. Hey! we'll even print your comments if you would like (and maybe if you don't). Please feel free to submit anything that you think might be of interest.
I would like to extend my very sincere thanks to Brother David Terrell for his extremely valuable help in getting the Trestle Board to press. I felt that the title of Editor should have gone to him but, he requested the title of Graphic Designer. Anything you want Brother Terrell, just say the word. I also want to thank Brother Terrell's family for putting up with me several nights to allow us to work on the publication. Family time is very valuable and extremely important, so thanks for allowing me to take up some of that precious time. Brother Jim Allen has also been a big help by supplying us with copies of "The Ohio Mason" from which we have borrowed several exchange items that will be used in future editions of our newsletter.
I hope that The Trestle Board will stir your desire to join us on meeting nights, or other special occasions. Especially if you haven't been active. We will try to keep you informed and make those of you that are involved feel a little special by mentioning your contributions. Brothers, come visit us! We miss you!
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (David.G.Terrell@juno.com)