| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on January 4, 2001 |
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Happy New Year!
This month the President of the United States will fulfill his obligation under the U.S. Constitution to give his annual "State of the Union " address to the U.S. Congress. This month I am going to provide Part Two of the "State of the Lodge."
Ninth, we had a very special year with three of our members becoming Hiram Award recipients. Although Grand Lodge rules now prohibit a lodge from giving out more than one Hiram award per year, this was possible because our three members who received Hiram awards received them from three different lodges. First, Past Master Roland Voss received his Hiram award from Calaveras Lodge No. 78 in San Andreas on May 6, 2000. I was pleased to be there, along with Jason Martin, representing Los Altos Lodge. Then Past Master Richard Rosenberg received his Hiram award at Los Altos Lodge on September 25, 2000. Also, Brother Maury Dunbar received the Hiram Award from El Camino Research Lodge on September 32, 2000. We are all fortunate to have had three wonderful Masons from our lodge receive the recognition they well deserve. A big thank you to Wor. Roland and Wor. Richard and Brother Maury!
Tenth, members from Los Altos Lodge visited many lodges during the year. To name just a few that come to mind: DeAnza Lodge No. 511, Charity Jarman Lodge No. 362, Mountain View Lodge No. 194, San Jose Lodge No. 10, Modesto Lodge No. 675, La Parfaite Union Lodge No. 17, California Lodge No. 1, El Camino Research Lodge, Oriental Lodge No. 144 (Now Phoenix Lodge), Brotherhood Lodge No. 370, Inyo Lodge No. 221, and Tokyo Yuai Lodge No. 11 in Tokyo, Japan.
Eleventh, on December 11th we initiated Justin A. Martin, which was a very special day for me also. Justin is the twin brother of our member Jason A. Martin, who was raised a Master Mason in the state of Illinois where he was living when he was 18 years old. Justin also has an older brother, Christian M. Martin, who is also a member of our lodge, and of course all three are my sons. To sit in a tiled lodge meeting with them for the first time on December 11th was a very memorable day for all of us.
Twelfth, we are just now completing our fiftieth year as a lodge. Our first "half ?century" as a lodge has been a very good time. We will be having our fifty-first installation of officers on January 6th, 2001, which will begin a new fifty years for our lodge. I hope the next fifty years will be as successful as the past fifty! We all certainly owe a big debt of gratitude to all those members and officers who carried our lodge this far. Now it is up to us to continue the good work!
Last, I have two personal observations to make. First, this past year was the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of both the state of California and also our Grand Lodge in California. For the first time ever, our Grand Lodge authorized an official commemorative apron for members and officers to wear this year. I purchased one for myself, bearing the Master's emblem, and another for Jason which bore the emblem of a Steward. Those aprons were worn at every meeting of Los Altos Lodge during the year. It is not certain that grand Lodge will authorize them to be worn in future years, but for the time being at least, I am retiring them from future use. And on a personal note, last May 18th, my son Justin and his wife presented me with a beautiful granddaughter, Kataryn Alexa Martin, thereby moving me into the ranks of being a grandfather!
I look forward to serving our lodge in the future, and will always be happy to hear from each of you. God bless you, and have a wonderful, happy, and prosperous New Year!
Fraternally
Robert W. Martin, P.M.
Master
It is with a heavy and sad heart that I announce the passing of our Brother Steve West. To Diane I extend my sincere Sympathy and Love.
What a great year to be Master. We start a new millennium and celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of our Lodge. There are so many of our members, past and present, that we have to thank for having the foresight to start our Lodge. Then there are those that took the even bigger step in buying our Lodge Building. I have the feeling that all the time there was thoughts going through their heads, "Did we do the right thing? Can we afford it? Will it work out?" Working together as Brothers it did work and now we have a building and Lodge Room that we can be proud of. I wish that I had been there during the building years of the Lodge.
Linda and I have been attending the Installations of the Masters of 2001 and the enthusiasm is high. They all are looking for great hears and having fun. There are only two Past Masters in the group this year, which adds to the enthusiastic make up of the Masters of 2001. They have fresh ideas, and the drive to want this year to be the best. I feel honored to be a member.
I have not had much input on programs for the Ladies at our Stated meetings. HELP!!! One of my goals was to have interesting, entertaining meetings of the type that would keep our Ladies coming, and enjoying themselves, while we have our meetings.
Talking of meetings another of my goals is to keep our Stated Meetings interesting, informative and SHORT. I have given the Wardens permission that if the meeting lasted past nine o'clock they could walk out (and I think they would). To do this will require everyone's help. Any reports will have to be written and a copy given to the Secretary. The report will be limited to three (3) minutes. There are some reports that will be given quarterly. Announcements will be given at dinner so our Ladies will know what's happening (no more"you didn't tell me about that") and some of the correspondence will be read there. We will open at 7:30 P.M.
There are two dates in my proposed calendar that will be changing. April 21st., Ladies night will be moved to May and visitation will be moved up or down from the date listed due to that being Father's Day weekend.
From the 2001 Officers of Los Altos Lodge we hope your Holiday was Merry and Bright and we look foreword to a Very Happy and Fun Filled New Year.
Bill Malmstum, PM,
Master Elect
As your new Junior Warden I am looking forward to serving you. My plan is to assure that you are 'well fed' and 'well refreshed' but keeping our girth within bounds. I will have more to say in future Trestleboards. My wish that the new millennium bring you and your loved one health and happiness.
Richard Weyers
J.W. Elect
The Los Altos Annual Crab Feed will take place on February 19, 2001. Bring your sharp teeth and make your reservations. Our crab feed is an event that you should not pass by. All you can eat crab. Invite your friends and neighbors. Make your reservations with our Junior Warden who is eagerly awaiting your call.
ed.
Brother Steven Richard West passed to membership in the Eternal Grand Lodge above on Dec. 19, 2000.
Soft and Safe to Thee my Brother, Be Thy Resting Place! And Bright and Glorious be Thy Raising from it.
SANTA CLARA VALLEY DAYLIGHT LODGE No. 844, is extending an invitation to all brethren of Los Altos Lodge No. 712 to visit us at our stated meetings. We meet on the 4th Thursday of every month at the San Jose Masonic Center (SJMC) 2500 Masonic Dr. in San Jose. Our meetings start at noon. If you wish to partake of our lunch at 11 a.m. just call George Boreham at (408) 244-0225 and make your reservation. Our next stated meeting is January 25, 2001.
A couple of upcoming events you may be interested in are: a first degree (3 candidates) which will take place at the SJMC on Jan. 11th. A lunch of sandwiches and refreshments precedes the degree (make reservations as above).
Also our annual trip to China Town is scheduled for February 11, 2001. It is a great affair We meet at the SJMC at 9 am (Sunday 2/11) and take a chartered bus into San Francisco. The morning is spend shopping on our own and we then meet at a local Chinese restaurant for a family style Chinese dinner. Afterwards we take in a fantastic bilingual musical play. All for the price of $35 per person. The play alone is worth the trip. If interested you must have reservations. To attend make your reservation with Al or Betty Wong at (snip), send checks to same at (snip). [Call or email the Lodge Master.]
Ernie Castillo, Master SCVDL
The Holiday Dinner on December 17th was greatly enjoyed by those that were able to make it. The entertainment was great and the food exemplary, plenty and delicious. Our thanks to all that participated.
Bill & LInda
The Altavista email account was discontinued as of December 12th. Please remove your reference to the Los Altos email address. When we have a new address it will be announce in the Trestleboard. Until further notice you may address any comments to the editor at his email address.
ed.
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