Post Office Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182 USA
December, 1998
Smithfield Lodge is participating in this annual program between Thanksgiving and Christmas! Put Masonry where your heart is and contact Brother J. B. Hutcherson for details
Through his unselfish devotion and untiring efforts, "Brother Hutch" joins the following men whose names are forever inscribed on the heart of Smithfield Lodge #455:
Les W. Egger PM
Charlie R. Groves, Jr. PM
A.M. "Bo" Hestilow PM
R.T. "Bunk" Koonce PM
David Myers PM
Daryle was unable to provide an article for this month's Trestle Board.
Brethren,
Thanks to Brother Fred Irwin for providing a synopsis of the resolutions before Grand Lodge. We've also provided copies of the resolutions. They're laying on the tables in the dining area. Please drop by and get a copy. It's important that Past Masters try to attend and vote. Other members should communicate their opinions to one of the three principle officers. I attended the 64th & 14th District MWS Association meeting. The M\W\ Harry Cunningham was the speaker. He cited statistics indicating that if we continue efforts to attract good men, the decline in membership should bottom out between the years 2005 and 2008. He noted that the H&S would be celebrating its 100th anniversary next year and asked the Lodges to participate in the celebrations. He also encouraged us to become more active in seeking out children who can benefit from living at the H&S. The H&S choir entertained us with wonderful music and somebody in their kitchen REALLY knows how to cook butter beans and cornbread.
Over the past month we initiated a new brother, and received the proficiency from three brethren, an EA, a FC, and Brother Dale Barnett's MM proficiency. The Garage Sale committee presented a short history of the committee's efforts. An edited version of the report is included in this Trestle Board. Please join me in expressing the Lodge's gratitude for their efforts. Brother Hutcherson is once again coordinating the Mall Greeter program for this year. Please call him and sign up to help. It's great fun, extremely rewarding and helps the lodge financially. We balloted on a petition for the Mysteries. Brother Mike Haygood spoke on the duty Masons' have to reverence God and avoiding irregular actions that bring reproach upon the Fraternity. Everyone should also note that he was invited to speak on the value of Masonic wisdom at the 64th District MWS Association meeting and did a wonderful job.
David Terrell
Dear Brethren,
We have a lot of things going on in the months ahead. This month has seen an Entered Apprentice degree on the 17th of November, two Fellowcraft degrees on the 19th of November, and a Master Mason degree.
Brethren, I would like to see more participation in the Lodge. We need assistance from all the Brothers besides the ones that only come to the Stated Meetings. It would be nice to have more attendance in the Lodge
Rickey Levings
Brethren,
Well, here we go. I've “preached” about support and participation in Lodge activities for 6 months and now is the perfect time to kick it in gear. The Lodge will be DOOR GREETERS at Northeast Mall once again. This is a great opportunity for Masonry to put itself before the public and show what we are made of. It has also proven to be a financial plus as well. It's easy to do and doesn't take a great deal of your time if everyone gets involved. The shifts begin the Friday after Thanksgiving and run up to Christmas. Try a shift, you won't regret it and the satisfaction you will get from meeting and helping others at this special time of year will be overwhelming.
Grand Lodge and the 64th Masonic Breakfast is also around the corner. December 3, 4 and 5 to be exact. The breakfast is Saturday and a group of us always attend. This is also a great experience, especially if you have never attended Grand Lodge. The fraternal bonding is wonderful and you will see how and who is running your Grand Lodge. Your Lodge Officers are your representatives and collectively vote on behalf of each Lodge, so your input is important. Past Masters are also members of Grand Lodge and will have their own vote as well. We gather at the Lodge early Saturday morning, drive down for the Breakfast and stay till mid afternoon to hear, discuss and vote on the resolutions proposed to Grand Lodge and ballot on the new Grand Officers. Again, here's one more opportunity to show your support and have a great time with your fellow Brethren.
We also have several Candidates working in the various degrees. We could use your help and I'm sure they would find it much more comfortable to see more of our members present at the meetings, degrees and study nights. Even if you don't feel proficient in degree work or study material, at least come out and support the Lodge and say hello to your new Brethren. A small effort on your part can make a tremendous impact on a new Candidate and provide the comfort he is looking for in his new Lodge.
Let's move on. In spite of being redundant, I would like to repeat something I said in the last Trestle Board. As you all know, the Holidays are just around the corner. That means shopping, traveling, parties and such. If this is not you, remember, OTHERS WILL BE! Even though this is supposed to be a joyous time of year, it can also bring tension and stress. Most of the time, reminding yourself, your family and friends of the true meaning of the particular holiday will put things in their proper place. Since starting a family a short 13 years ago, I have found this to be a vital tool for enjoying and surviving the holidays. Drive safely and, most importantly, think of others as you and your family share the holidays with us.
Be proud of your Masonry and hold your head high as you walk in the path of those who have walked this way before you. It is because of them that this wonderful opportunity exists for you.
David W. Myers, Treasurer
Brethren,
We are receiving the dues at a good rate. Please get them to me in a timely manner so I don't have to send out reminders and even suspend some who do not pay. If you are having trouble paying your dues, for whatever reason, please let me know so that we can take care of them before June 23, 1999. Enough of this for now.
We are having several new Masons, and some who have been Masons for a long time joining us at Smithfield Lodge. There are those of us who are very proud to let our friends know that we are Masons, and that being one makes us better men.
We will be acting as greeters at the North East Mall again. We will have the food court door and need several people to help us out. This will pay the lodge a good deal of money; it is fun; and you'll have a better holiday season if you'll help! Brother J. B. Hutcherson PM is coordinating this effort and would be happy to hear from you. Please help us.
The year is going by very rapidly. Soon we will have a new Grand Master and a new District Deputy Grand Master. Join us at the Stated Meeting in January for the DDGM's official visit. The Grand Master's workshop will be held on January 19, 1999 at the Masonic Temple. We need at least nine of the officers or twenty members present to qualify for the attendance award. We have not qualified for this award in the past several years. Let's try harder this year! The programs to be presented at the workshop are timely and informative. All Masons and their spouses are encouraged to attend.
We had a good Wives' and Widows' Banquet last month. If you were in town, with nothing to do and did not attend, shame on you! Brother Michael Haygood brought a talk that moved several of us to appreciate our Fraternity even more than before. I like this young man!
I have just finished a study course at our church that dealt with our being on purpose and balance in life. On of the exercises asked us to write what we would like on our tombstone. This was a rather disturbing and thought provoking task. There was a time when our reputation was most important to us. Has this time passed? Think about your own life. Do we still care what our community thinks of us? I hope this will make you stop and think about your own standing.
B.R. Campbell, Secretary
December 3 -- Stated Meeting 7:30 PM
December 4&5 -- Grand Lodge
December 6 -- Christmas Concert by H&S Choir at Temple, 2 PM
December 9 -- Christmas Party at Masonic Home & School
December 10 through January 5 - Lodge Dark
January 16 -- Grand Master's Conference at Temple
March 19 -- Grand Master's Official Visit and Dinner (Brother Terrell has Tickets $10)
The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays in December. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.
James W. Allen -- 12-10-57
Richard A. Coates APM -- 12-13-57
Dan R. Davis -- 12-19-72
Donald S. Giles -- 12-04-81
Donald E. Russell -- 12-11-70
Malcolm R. Shepard III -- 12-20-80
Wriley S. Stark -- 12-18-56
Congratulations Brethren!
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@fwst.net)