Post Office Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182
USA
Lodge telephone number: 817.656.2311
Best time to contact the Lodge: Tuesday and Thursday evenings between
6 PM and 9 PM
April, 1999
We had a wonderful time at the annual fish fry this year. It was great to see some new faces such as the DeMolay from the Masonic Home and School. Hats off to Brother Mike Haygood for an outstanding talk regarding Public School Week! The Past Master's Night was also a success. Thanks to Brother Hester for bringing his new smoker out and cooking the delicious steaks and potatoes. Thanks also to Joe Bass and the Bluegrass gang for their musical contributions. Malliga, you outdid yourself on the Orange Blossom Special!!
We enjoyed another wonderful dinner at the Masonic Temple last Friday. It was a pleasure to hear Most Worshipful Mike Gower deliver a speech regarding the unknown heights and depths of Masonry. He helped to rejuvenate the true meaning of our Masonic work. I am greatly anticipating our upcoming trip to Phoenix, Arizona! It will be an honor to visit with our brothers from Smithfield West! Hopefully we'll have many stories to share with you in next month's Trestle Board.
Daryle Hester, W:M:
Brethren,
It was definitely a life on the checkered pavement last month. I had a good Naval Reserve duty in Hawaii but, rushing the last Trestle Board out before I left allowed several errors to survive my proofreading. As my 5-year old says, "Ow-sers!" Those who attended the Fish Fry know that I missed it. The night before, in Hawaii, I attended the stated meeting of Hawaiian Lodge in Honolulu. (Since there's only 12 Lodges in the state, they don't number them.) A shipmate of mine is currently Worshipful Master and when his Junior Warden called to say he couldn't attend, he put me in the South. I tried to tell him that our ritual is different but he just said, "Just respond like you would in Texas, it'll give the Brethren a treat!" There was only one possible reply, "Yes, Worshipful Master." Now, the language of the ritual in Hawaii is much more ... Victorian ... than in Texas. It's very pretty but they don't use five words when ten will do. So, I helped open and close the Lodge. I did well though I must admit that I exaggerated my Texas drawl a little for effect.
The first two days in Hawaii was also the Conference of Grand Masters of North America. I stuck a lapel pin on, cracked a smile and brazened on in amongst the big boys. I was very well treated by the various Most, Right, and Very Worshipfuls from around the globe. M:W: Mike Gower, our own GM, was very gracious to me and allowed me to occupy his station for several hours. On Tuesday, after taking my leave of the Brethren, I wrote the following while heading back towards the Pearl Harbor Naval Station on the public bus: "It was interesting, being with these Brethren, all elected to care for Masonry in their jurisdictions. All facing much the same problems: aging members, declining memberships, apathy, and financial stress. All trying to bring the Fraternity into this new century; and a little frantic at the prospect of failure. They've had to look the future in the face and, like prophets crying in the wilderness, can't quite understand their brethren's inability to look into the looming abyss of closed Lodges, abandoned buildings, and a planet without the sound of those who labor in the quarries against hate, violence and illicit passions. They stand before the assembly of their peers and their voices rise with feeling, but they're preaching to the choir. They know that only in rare instances have changes made a flipping difference but, Light upon Light, they steel themselves for their return home. They take strength from each other to fight once again against the inertia of practices turned tradition turned landmark."
It's good to be home. Let's make 1999 a year when Masonry takes its light from under its basket and begins to shine a clear, moral radiance on a culture slouching towards Gomorrah.
David Terrell
Dear Brethren,
I hope that everybody enjoyed the Fish Fry and had enough to eat! I encourage everyone who came to the Fish Fry to come again. We had a great time with all the Brethren. I appreciate the friendship that everyone brought to Smithfield Lodge. Bo Hestilow did a great job in organizing the Fish Fry. Everything went very smooth; just like clockwork! Now, we had a GREAT turnout and there were some of the Brethren who didn't receive any fish but we had LOTS of French Fries left over!
Brethren, I enjoyed helping out at the Fish Fry. It made me feel so good to help other Masons who appreciate my help. I hope that all the Brethren enjoyed the Smithfield Lodge Fish Fry as much as I.
Rickey Levings
I have always felt a strong desire to help and inspire those around me. Owning and running a small business today in a large Corporate World can be quite challenging. Sometimes, the only thing I can offer that the large Corporations can't is the way I treat the people around me. In Masonry, this is no also true. When our time is up and our lives transcend from this non-perfect, to that all-perfect world above, we will be remembered more for the way in which we lived rather than our worldly wealth and honors. Charity work is not just important, it is a necessity in today's times and, above all, it feels good. In addition, there are ways of helping others simply by giving words of encouragement, praise and inspiration. We all tend to get a little stressed out at times and, sometimes, just a little pat on the back or a story like the following can help. This story was given to me by a scout who recognized that I was not my usual self and I thought I would share it.
A farmer owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or - whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened ... and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery. Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back ... a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back ... HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up ... shake it off and step up ... shake it off and step up!" He repeated it to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL!
The very thing that threatened to bury him actually blessed him ... all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity ... THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND BLESS US! Remember that FORGIVENESS-FAITH-PRAYER-PRAISE and HOPE . . . all are excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves.
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 Myers, P.M., Treasurer
Brethren,
What a month this has been! We initiated Entered Apprentices, held the Annual Public Schools Week Program, had the annual fish-fry, visited other Districts, and had the Grand Master's official visit to the 64th Masonic District. Smithfield had the most attendees at the banquet. It was indeed a good month!!
I have been so proud of our newly raised Master Masons. They pitched right in and helped with the fish-fry, participated in the floor school program, and generally made themselves at home in our Lodge. Way to go guys! Masonry means so much to each of us. No two members get the same thing out of a meeting. This was brought home to me by a letter from Right Worshipful Lorean Cole, after our visit to Archer Lodge in Archer City. His son, Allen, a member of Smithfield, got to go with us when we visited Archer Lodge. Not only did he get to set in Lodge with his son, but he got to renew acquaintances with many from Smithfield. The Master of Archer Lodge treated us so nicely, fed us well, and acted as a Brother should. We owe him a lot. It was a wonderful way to enjoy the fraternity.
My stint as president of the Masonic Service Bureau is rapidly coming to a close. It has been a good year for the bureau, thanks to those from Smithfield who have supported me during this time. It means a lot to me to have had you attend. Your Lodge has gained stature in the district by having a member preside this year. This has been a compliment to the Lodge more than to me. Thanks again.
The stated meeting for the month of April may fall on April Fools Day, but you will get a boost in your spirit if you attend. Daryle's year will soon end. If you have not honored this young man by attending one of the meetings where he has presided, you have missed a special blessing. Plan now to attend one of the next few meetings. Thanks for a "Job well done!" Worshipful Master.
It appears that we may be able to acquire some better chairs for the Lodge. Brother Hutch has located some chairs that are for sale. They are used, but in excellent condition. The cost will be about half the price of new chairs. Linda Hester suggested that if you want to buy one or more for the Lodge, we should put a plaque, or some other marker on the donated chairs. It makes sense to me. Let's do it. The chairs will cost $10.00 each. We will need about 90 chairs to replace the old plastic ones in the dining area. Contact me, or one of the building and grounds committee, if you want to donate for the chairs. As they will not be available until June or July, we have some time to talk about this.
B.R. Campbell, Secretary
April 1 -- Stated Meeting
April 17 -- Golden Trowel Presentation
The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays in April. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.
|
R.D. Bates |
4-14-88 |
|
J.W. Beach |
4-27-92 |
|
L.W. Egger PM |
4-16-64 |
|
A.C. Evans |
4-29-76 |
|
S.I. Hayes |
4-12-44 |
|
T.L. Hester PM |
4-20-74 |
|
K.M. Jordan |
4-27-93 |
|
R.T. Koonce PM |
4-20-74 |
|
R.B. Lester PM |
4-11-57 |
|
J.A. Minshew |
4-28-69 |
|
D.O. Morris |
4-10-79 |
|
Walter Nelson |
4-20-53 |
|
S.D. Newell |
4-30-91 |
|
J.S. Phillips |
4-16-70 |
|
G.W. Powell |
4-16-92 |
|
W.W. Ritter |
4- 6-68 |
|
F.P. Sakert |
4-22-48 |
|
R.L. Sanders |
4-10-86 |
|
M.D. Self |
4-10-75 |
|
T.L. Taylor |
4-12-88 |
|
W.C. Wagner |
4- 1-86 |
|
R.W. Wright |
4-11-50 |
This is a new addition to the Trestle Board. The Senior Warden missed the last stated meeting, something about serving his country in Hawaii. Tough duty, but somebody has to protect the Nation. While there, he got to attend the Grand Masters' Convention. The Grand Master of Arizona was informed of the visit of Paradise Valley East to Smithfield West, and said that he would endeavor to attend with us. I think that this is a round-about way to get an invitation to one of his Lodges. By the way Rt:W: Brother Jim Ward, Grand Secretary, was elected President of the Grand Secretaries Association while there. Good for him!
We have an opportunity to travel to Fairfield Lodge and see another Grand Jurisdiction put on a Master's Degree. If you are interested in going contact Brother Terrell.
The purpose of this article is to generate interest in visiting other Lodges, other Grand Jurisdictions, and other Masonic functions. For instance, Smithfield has been invited to attend Lodge in Roswell, New Mexico for the installation of Brother Jim Stegall's nephew as Master. We will accept. Want to go? Get more information from an officer.
I hope this whets your appetite for more Masonic Travel!!!
Brother Campbell, P.M.
The cost of developing (Masonic) leadership is increased by the fact that so many of our members are not well suited to the tasks they are being asked to perform. Today's leaders are being asked to do things they've never had to do, either within or without the Fraternity. They're being asked to develop community projects, speak with legislators and bureaucrats and, in Arizona for the first time, serve as advocates for their Lodges to obtain real property tax exemptions.
We ask them to develop programs designed to help Masonic widows when most of them haven't the slightest idea of what a widow needs and the resources available to the widow, such as Medicare, Medicaid and other public benefits. We ask them to develop public relations programs for their Lodges. We ask them to adopt schools when most of them haven't had children in school in thirty (or more) years. We also ask them to vary from the norm of "this is my year" to a concept of long range planning.
Running a Lodge in the 21st century requires creativity. Most of our members' creative days are behind them. They don't want to be creative. They don't want to dream. They just want to be comfortable by doing that which they have been taught to do, "the same old stuff."
M:W: Larry C. Schafer, GM of Arizona, at the GM Conference of N. America, 23 February 1999
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@hiram.net)