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
May, 1999
Spring is in the air, and everything is in full bloom. Things are still moving at a rapid pace at the lodge. We are always in need of everyone's help, such as working in various degrees or just visiting with each other.
A few of use brethren went to Arizona last month, and we had a great time!! It was a quick trip, but the time spent with other brethren was well worth the trip. We appreciated Brother Fred Stewart and Jim Stegall for the wonderful food and trip to the Indian Reservation. They fed us a delicious meal of quail, dove, and elk! We also enjoyed just playing dominoes and getting to know all the brethren at Paradise Valley Lodge. This, I believe, is the true meaning of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection.
What a great turnout we had for Brother Billy Campbell's Golden Trowel Award! It was a joy to meet so many of his family and friends from other lodges. This was a true indication of what an impact Billy has on our fraternity. Billy's actions truly demonstrate that he is worthy of having received such a prestigious award. Masons like Brother Billy provide a road for young Masons like me to follow. Thank you Billy!
Please remember in the next few months that Smithfield will be deciding who next year's officers will be. All those who would like to work in the line-up or help in any other way should contact me or David Terrell. Thanks in advance to those who are willing to help keep Smithfield alive!
Daryle Hester, W:M:
Brethren,
I appreciated M:W: Brother Tom Land, PGM visiting the April Stated Meeting. Also visiting were Brothers Jim Funk (from Ohio (pronounced: A-high-ya)!), Ron Baker, Walt Campbell, Bob Hogan and Walt Curt. We discussed the acquisition of 90 new chairs for the dining room. Congratulations to Brother Harold Webb, who received a renewal of his 3-year Ritual Proficiency Certificate and to Brothers Emile Muzquiz and William Gosdin PM who affiliated with Smithfield Lodge #455. We initiated 2 EAs last month who are working hard on their proficiency. The Shrine sent representatives to discuss their plans to allow Lodges to earn a 20% commission on Circus program advertising sold by the Brethren.
We had our Breakfast "Airing of the Laundry" on April 3rd. We decided that the only constant thing is change. We discussed the pending GM recommendation to conduct business in the EA degree and make EAs and FCs dues paying members. Hopefully, this would bring new Masons into the Lodge family sooner and relieve the pressure to "advance at all costs." We talked about the Lodge's tendency to move quickly through a motion and second to a vote. perhaps too quickly sometimes. We planned the next Breakfast for May 29th, before the Lodge Elections.
In the evening informal meetings, we've been practicing opening and closing Lodge to improve our proficiency. This month, I will be planning the committees for next year. I'll be calling some folks who have much to offer the Lodge but, may not come. Please consider helping out.
David Terrell
Dear Brethren,
I hope that the stated meeting went OK. me and my wife went to Arkansas to visit with my sister and her family during the Easter holiday. The visit was good but, the weather was bad for the last two days that we were there. I went skeet shooting with my brother-in-law. My shoulder was very sore but, we had a great time with them. We wished we could have stayed longer with than what we did!
Also, I would like to say that this past weekend, me and my wife went fishing with my parents, Frank and Grace Levings, and my brother, Shawn. My Mom caught the biggest catfish. Dad caught two catfish but they were too small so he threw them back into the water. I caught two big catfish and hooked one that broke my line. It felt like a 20-pounder! My wife hooked one but, it got away too. Shawn was lucky and caught the most. Mom really outdid Dad that day. Brethren, I had a real good time with my family.
Rickey Levings
Well, once again Masonry has shown us the fruits of its labors. Last Saturday night, April 17, you and I and many others met at the Lodge to honor a Brother with the Golden Trowel Award. Brother Campbell was honored with this prestigious award not only for his efforts as a Mason, but for the presence of his character as a man, husband and father, living within his community. We would all be so lucky to be able to look back upon our lives and see our own footsteps imprinted within his.
Masonry teaches us many things. To most, this may seem to be nothing more than a tremendous amount of studies, not only during our inception into Masonry, but as we go on to teach those beginning their Masonic careers and the administrative duties necessary to operate a Lodge. I have been a Mason for nearly 15 years and I am just beginning to see what Masonry has really done for me. Second only to what our Parents and our Church has prepared us for, Masonry assists in the molding of our character as we serve before God, our family and our community. We should constantly remind ourselves that we are all students and as we continue to learn and improve ourselves, we are also teaching others by example. Brother Campbell exemplifies this and I am honored we are part of each other's lives.
On a different note, I would like to bring up a couple of “money things”. As you know, this Trestleboard has really taken off and has been well received. No one wants to see it stop. However, Lodge funds do not pay for the expenses of this communication. It is 100% funded by contributions. We have started another form of raising funds for this Trestleboard by providing a business card ad for a contribution of $100 per year. This contribution runs from January to December and will be prorated during the year. This is where all members of the Lodge can help without the need to attend Lodge. The next time you are at the hardware store, grocery store, barber, tanning booth .... etc. (You got the picture?) Ask the manager if they are willing to help with a donation and we will put them on the mailing list and include a business card ad in the newsletter. Point out to them that this newsletter reaches 300 homes and 34 other Lodges (each having 300 or more members) each month. While you have their attention, remind them that the Shrine Circus is in November and if they intend on buying a few tickets or a complete box of seats with banner advertising and the works, tell them you would like to handle that for them. DON'T PANIC! I am going to make this very easy for you. When they begin to ask questions or try to hand you money, simply ask for their card or write down their name and phone number and give it to me, Allen Cole or one of the Officers and we will take it from there. It costs them nothing extra and the Lodge will make a commission from the sales. What an easy way for you to be a part of your Lodge's activities even if your schedule doesn't allow you to attend Lodge meetings.
Next time you see a Brother Mason from Smithfield Lodge, tell him you appreciate all he does for Masonry. There are many at Smithfield, thank goodness, and that is why Smithfield Lodge is one the strongest and most active Lodges in Tarrant County. 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,
First of all, I would be remiss if I didn't thank you for the honor that the Golden Trowel represents. As I said, there are many others who are much more deserving of this honor, but none will be more proud to wear the lapel pin which was presented in such fine fair. Thanks from the bottom of my heart, and what fun we had.
The new year looms ahead, we have officers lined up to fill the many places needed, Brother Terrell is having trouble filling committee assignments. If you are asked, help him out and accept.
I was pleased to attend the Scottish Rite Maundy Thursday program recently. The Chaplain from Haltom City Lodge brought a fine talk reminding each of us that we are special people, responsible for Masonry in the future. We must be positive in our presentation of Masonry to the public. We know that the character we show is all that some person knows about the Craft, what do you show ??
The officers, and those who want to go, are going to attend the Masters, Wardens, and Secretaries Association meeting on May 24, 1999. Dinner will be served at 6:00 P.M. The meeting place will be the Masonic Temple and this will be our May travel commitment, please come.
Brother Jack Jeter is setting up a visit to the Retirement Center soon. We will need to know how many will visit. Brother Kirby Rudisill will have a noon meal for us. This will allow us to get to know some of the residents, and get a general idea how the residence is run. If you want to attend, contact the Lodge, or one of the officers.
This is a plea to each of you, COME TO LODGE AND SEE WHAT GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING THERE. We need you at Lodge on any Tuesday or Thursday night. We meet about 7:00 get through by 9:00, and have a good time with our brethren.
B.R. Campbell, Secretary
The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays in May. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.
R.P. Burgess 5-23-89 A.T. Cain 5-14-85 T.S. Carpenter 5-22-75 A.L. Chote 5-17-56 M.L. Harwell 5-17-49 R.E. Holder PM 5-19-53 R.R. Irwin 5-9-67 D.G. LaPlante 5-16-96 S.F. LeMaster APM 5-13-67 R.S. Lewis 5-13-50 J.C. Lorenzo 5-27-78 J.L. Lyons 5-12-82 F.M. Morrow, Jr. 5-19-53 L.E. Morrow PM 5-31-66 J. Reynolds APM 5-21-59 W.A. Schopper 5-27-80 C.W. Smith 5-9-74 T.C. Walker 5-12-66 D.V. Wiltse 5-18-95
Congratulations Brethren!
"WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?"
In the home it's kindness
In society, it's courtesy
In business, it's honesty
In work, it's fairness
Toward the unfortunate, it's
pity
Toward the wicked, it's
resistance
Toward the weak, it's help
Toward the strong, it's trust
Toward the penitent, it's
forgiveness
Toward the fortunate, it's
congratulations
Toward God, it is reverence and
Love-
THIS IS MASONRY.
(By Bro. John Cornish, Lodge No 855, New York - From the - Empire State Mason, January-February 1967)"
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@fwst.net)