February Trestleboard - 2005

Masters Message

The Secretary’s Desk

Masonic Education

Escallonia Chapter OES

Escalon Assembly Order of Rainbow for Girls

Members

District Events

Cancer Dressing Station

Masters Message

Secretary’s Desk:

Something new. I recently received an E-Mail from the Grand Lodge concerning a 2005 Ritual Competition for Master Masons. This year the competition will cover designated verbal and floor work performed by the Senior Deacon during the Middle Chamber portion of the Second Section of the Second Degree. The Executive and Ritual Committees wish to recognize, during the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, those Brethren whose ritual excellence demonstrates the Grand Masters theme of “Freemasonry; Values that Brighten Our Communities, Share the Light!” Each year the Executive and Ritual Committees will search the State of California to locate the “Best Ritualist” in one of the many parts of our Degree ritual. To participate in the competition, you must complete and submit a registration form to YOUR respective District Inspector (or in his absence, to YOUR Division Assistant Grand Lecturer) by the deadline of April 30, 2005. Travel and lodging expenses for the award ceremony at Grand Lodge will be provided for the recipient of the Best Ritualist as selected by the Grand Lecturer with the assistance of the Asst. Grand Lecturer during the month of August. The competition is open to all Master Masons, with the exception of current Inspectors and current Grand Lodge Officers. Each of you are encouraged to recharge your inner light, hone your ritual edge, and be ready to demonstrate to the world that through the ritual lessons of Masonry you have not only become a better man, but a man with the highest ability to bring Masonic light to everyone, member and non-member alike, within his ever-expanding reach.

Years Ago, Worshipful Eugene Boesch was in the east for the first time. Other officers seated at the time were: Richard Kearsley, JW; Carl Miller, Chaplain; David Paddack, SD and Wilbur Leedom, JD. They meet on the first Wednesday of the month at 8 PM. A proposed amendment to Section I, Article III of the By-Laws stating that if the regular meeting fell on a legal holiday or during the Annual Communication the stated meeting would be held the next succeeding Monday at 8 PM and was adopted by vote of the Lodge

The following is from an article in the February-March 1996 "The Oklahoma Mason" from the Southern California research Lodge. From time to time, Brethren ask why Masonry is involved in the placement of corner stones, and so a little information about the history of the tradition may be helpful. The tradition goes back to antiquity - so far that it literally cannot be traced to its origins, and it probably evolved out of the foundation and completion sacrifices which were common with any large building project (and which are echoed in the legend of the Master Mason Degree). In Babylon, clay cylinders, called “timmon” were inscribed with the history of the king and of the building, and buried in the foundations of the structure. Clay tables describing the building and the history of the king were buried in the floors of the buildings erected by Darius and Cyrus. During the construction of the cathedrals of the Middle Ages, special stones, hollowed to receive offerings, were included in the foundations of the walls. Thus, from the remotest times, the laying of a special stone, usually sealing in a deposit intended for future generations, has been a part of any significant building. Although the terms are often used interchangeable, there are actually three major classifications of such stones. Foundation Stones are the first stones placed as part of the foundation of a building. These stones are below the level of the ground. The stone George Washington laid for the nation’s capital was actually a foundation stone, as is clearly shown by the newspaper accounts of the time. Corner Stones are the first stones placed at ground level. They are generally placed in the northeast corner, from which building traditionally commenced. Commemorative or Dedicatory Stones are the stones most commonly placed by the fraternity today. They are not part of the structure of the building, but fit into a space left in the stone or brick work. Generally, the placement of such a stone is the last act in the building and serves as a dedication of the building and a signal of its completion. The association of Masonry with the placement of corner stones is obvious and comes from the craft guilds. There are records of Masonic Lodges in Ireland placing corner stones, with full parades and ceremonies, dating from the 1500s and records from England from the late 1600s. Apparently, the first stones in Washington, D.C. which were placed by Lodges with Masonic ceremonies were not those in federal buildings at all, but those which marked the boundaries of the District of Columbia.

Masonic Family Christmas Party was held on Friday, Dec. 10th and was a huge success. A full house gathered to eat turkey dinner with all the trimmings prepared by Claudia Albertoni and Karen Boesch. Many thanks to all the members who helped set up and decorate the tree and the tables. It was very festive and this year we had a special surprise, storyteller extraordinaire, Kim Boesch, who told the story of the Polar Express, followed by a visit from who else, Santa Claus! The Rainbow Girls lead everyone in singing carols and were a great help to Santa as well. Thanks to the Masons who helped with the set up and everyone who helped clean up. A great deal of work goes into this event but the rewards of coming together in fellowship and good will, and seeing the happy faces of everyone who attends make it all worthwhile. Mardi Gras/New Year was the theme for the January meeting and I must say our Organist, Darlene Cross looked very festive in her colorful dress and beads. Sister Darlene, we feel very fortunate to have you and your beautiful music at Escallonia Chapter.

Our DGM Betty Overbey was in attendance and continues to be a great help to all of us this term. We remembered our beloved Brothers, Dean Raymond and David Emmons, and we are deeply saddened by their passing A big Thanks to John Salomon, Past Patron for sitting in the East for our Worthy Patron, Walt Bailey who has been under the weather. thanks to all the substitutes for he evening and it was great to have visitors in attendance, especially first time visitors! Following the meeting , Bev Tootle and Sigrid Simonds warmed us up with delicious bowls of chili beans that really hit the spot. Our next meeting will be February 9th, with a Valentine theme and casual dress. We will be renewing our Obligation also . See you there! Worthy Patron Becky Bailey, Worthy Mason Walt Bailey,

Please put on your calendar an Initiation for Heather Caudle on February 18th at the usual time. Escalon Assembly #63 Rainbow For Girls My time in the east is quickly coming to an end. I have enjoyed my time as Worthy Advisor the last four months. Escalon Rainbow has been busy traveling up and down the state with our Grandie, Heather, plus all of my own activities. I would like to thank everyone, Rainbow, Masons, Eastern Star and DeMolay for all of your support in making my term a successful one. I do hope that you will continue supporting the girls, and we can be one large Masonic Family Rainbow Love, Laconia Butler, WA.

Hello, My name is Sarah Ingold and I have been selected to be Worthy Advisor of Escalon Assembly. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all of you to come to my installation, it is on January 30th at 2:00 PM. Having our sponsoring bodies on the sidelines means a lot to me and the girls and we would like to see all of you there. I would also like to invite you all to come to our annual ham dinner which has been moved up this year so we could have it before Grand Assembly. It will be on February 19, from 6-8:30 PM. (See enclosed flyer) The ham dinner, as most of you know, is our major fund raiser for Grand Assembly so please come and help some of our girls go to this statewide convention so more of the girls from our assembly can support Heather Caudle as she will be on the Grand Floor this year. For all of you that have a sweet tooth and don’t come to the ham dinner for the ham, our infamous Chocolate eclair cakes will be served for dessert. Tickets can be purchased from any of the girls or at the door. Thank you all for supporting our girls. Until next time! With all my Rainbow Love and Service, Sara Ingold, Worthy Advisor

We have five Brothers who celebrate a birthday during the month of February. Phillip Renstrom, 11th: James Guinn and Bob Shannon, 16th, George Dickson Jr, 23rd and Ken Cooper on the 26th.

Third degree anniversaries this month are:

Hank Dresson, 3rd (48 Yrs); Larry Grcich, 19th (16 Yrs); Jim Haley, 20th (23 Yrs); Hector Olivares, 23rd (6 Yrs); and Bill Gillispie, 24th (57 Yrs). That makes a total of 150 years of Masonry combined. Congratulations Brethren.

On a more solemn note we have had two Brothers pass to the Celestial Lodge above. Brother Dave Emmons on December 19th and Brother Dean Raymond on January 10th. “Safe and Soft to Thee, my Brothers, Be Thy Resting Place”.

Masonic Education this month discussed the history of the Cornerstone. The Grand Lodge of California will convene in the Escalon Masonic Center on March 19th at 8:30 AM for the of laying three Commemorative Cornerstones. Escalon Lodge will host two dedications starting at 10:30 AM at the High School for the El Portal Gymnasium and Music Building and the Performing Arts Center / Library / Cafeteria at the High School. Oakdale Lodge will host a dedication at the new Fire Station in Valley Home at 2:00 PMA light breakfast will be served at Escalon Lodge beginning at 7:00 AM. Please call the Secretary at 838-1632 if you plan on attending.

The first School of Instruction for the 485th Masonic District will be held in Escalon Lodge at 7:00 PM on the 28th of February. All Lodge officers are expected to attend. Please call the Inspector at 838-1632 if you are unable to make this meeting.

From Escalon Officer’s Coach:

Editorial:

Remember that the deadline for submission is the Friday after Escalon Lodge stated meeting.