| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on December 23, 2003 |
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The "elects" are at the gate and the Installation race is on From now to the middle of January 2004 the local lodges will hold their installations. We are going to be hard-pressed to keep our waistlines within due bounds.
The honor of being your Master for the ensuing year made me reflect on the seriousness of the position. As an organization of brotherly love this is the time of year when we most reflect on what our obligations are. Let us also remember and pray for those less fortunate than ourselves. And especially for our service-men overseas. May the G.A.O.T.U. guide us and those in public office that govern towards peace.
For 2004 I hope to have entertainment for the Ladies that will be both entertaining and instructional. January, I hope to give them a respite from the hectic holiday season and provide a 1950 movie, one of the St. Trinians series. Lets see how many remember this series starring Alistair Simms. For February and March, I have booked a horticulturist. These presentations are to start at 7:30 PM. The speakers will be attending the dinner and I intend to invite the Los Altos interested residents to attend. Notices will be placed in the Los Altos Town Crier inviting the public. I hope to have cookies and refreshments for the public. I am planning more of these community invited presentations. If the ladies have other suggestions get them to me early so I can work them into my plans.
Included in this Trestleboard is a tentative yearly schedule. I am trying to crank up a telephone committee to call all the local members and widows to inform them of events and inquire if they plan to attending. This should provide a better head-count in preparing dinners. Hopefully it will also help us to keep in contact with all our members and widows throughout the year.
I want to congratulate our Master for the splendid work he did this year. It was a year of many functions and presentations all handled with ease and professionalism. We also had some disquieting inci-dents, which were professionally addressed, researched and hopefully resolved to the satisfaction of all the brethren. Rick set an example of good leadership.
In keeping with the holiday spirit, my family and I, wish to extend greetings and good wishes to all our readers. May the Lord grant you peace and safe keeping through this Holiday Season and throughout next year.
Ernie Castillo
Master elect
The holiday season and that of Masonic installations being now in full swing, it is fair to say we are all really busy. Los Altos Lodge is no exception, having com-pleted the old Masonic year with outstanding Masonic events such as hosting a reception on December 8 for Worshipful A. Glenn McBride our newest AGL. In addition many if not most of us have a full schedule attending numerous other Masonic installations and holiday events. All this of course, while not even mentioning our family and personal holiday events.
Once again El Camino Research Lodge on December 27th (St. Johns Day) and own Los Altos Lodge Installation will occur on Sunday January 4, 2003. Our first Stated Meeting of the New Year, with all the incoming officers in their newly installed positions will take place the next day on Monday January 5, (God willing, and the creek don't rise!) It would be real nice if many Los Altos brothers who have not attended in a long while could see their way clear to attend these events. It really helps the new officers start the New Year off right when our Brethren show up in numbers. Please come if you can.
Many of you will remember Brother Doug Deforrest. He has been a member of Los Altos Lodge for many years, and is an outstanding professional Concert Organist. In fact for many years he has been in such demand professionally, that he sometimes missed coming to lodge. Then awhile back he retired and moved to Sonoma County, and the chances of attending Los Altos Lodge became even slimmer. At that point he sent me an email explaining that while it was even more difficult to attend lodge at Los Altos, he would like to try attending at one of the lodges up there, and asked if I could recommend one. Having had at least 2 opportunities to visit the Sebastapol lodge several years ago in my capacity as Grand Organist of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of California, I advised that he should look into that lodge.
Well you will be happy to hear that since his retirement he has had enough time to join and attend that lodge. The best news is that he was asked to step into the line there as Senior Deacon, and was installed as such on December 13, 2003. Congratulations Brother Doug, all the best in your new Masonic adventure. I will be planning a visit to that area sometime this year and hopefully, I can do so when your lodge confers a degree. I will announce the date in a future column of "The Westerly Wind." Perhaps several Los Altos Brethren can at that time also make the trip with me.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Worshipful Master, Rick Weyers, for an outstanding year and our incoming Worshipful Master, Ernie Castillo, for all his attention and help with my ritual during my year as Junior Warden. In general I want to thank the lodge for electing me Senior Warden and in particular Worshipful Brother Bill Malstrom, our officers coach, for his constant attention to my ritual weaknesses. Many of you will recall I have always had an extremely hard time memorizing ritual. Well, Bill has always gone the extra mile to see I got it right, in spite of my shortcomings. Once again Thanks Bill.
With the closing of the usual holiday period (Western Tradition) on January 6, we now enter upon a period of new duties and New Year Resolutions. I hope each one of you made some resolutions because resolutions are like the rudder on a ship. It is very difficult to even get out of the harbor without one.
As I write this article it is still early in December, and only a few days ago we remembered December 7th, 1941. The day that lived in infamy! I was only a boy of 9 when it happened, but I clearly recall and will never forget our entire family gathering around the radio to listen to President Franklin D. Roosevelt announce the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
I will also never forget the shock in the faces of every adult in the family, and although we children had no idea where Pearl Harbor was, we knew something really bad was happening. We therefore mourned the event along with our elders. I recall the next day all five of my uncles made the trip downtown to enlist in the service of our country. Several of us children asked if we could also join up, but of course that didn't happen. When we found we couldn't go, we started a children's neighborhood watch group, and promised to alert the grownups if we saw any enemies on the way to and from school each day.
Mother went to work at Gibson's Springs (A war plant) as an assembler, and Dad worked at the Inland Steel Company in Indiana Harbor shoveling coal into the open hearths to make steel for our boys overseas. Tia (Aunt) Rose stayed with us after school to make sure we did our homework. Her husband, my uncle Ike, had joined the U.S. Army, and after a short training period was sent overseas. We kids, who were really brats only a few days before, became overnight angels of mercy in every way we could. I used to shine shoes for extra money but every member of our little group made up small signs which read "Free shines to our boys in uniform," and in fact we often got a chance to serve them whenever we went down by the U.S.O. Club in downtown Chicago.
Today it is sad that so many of this younger generation have forgotten the lessons of that day. I know I will never forget. I hope you won't either.
One of my favorite famous people of that day was Earl Nightingale. He, having been born in 1922, was a little older than I, but was also a product of hard times, and when he turned seventeen in 1938, like most of us, he was eager to escape his depressing surroundings, and explore new and exciting places. It was then that he joined the U.S. Marines.
While he wanted to travel the world, the farthest he got was to Hawaii, and there in 1941 was stationed aboard the USS Arizona. On the morning of December 7th, 1941, he was at his duty station on the deck, when the attack on Pearl Harbor began. There were only twelve surviving Marines on board that day, and he was one of them.
Later when he was discharged from the service he worked for NBC Radio while taking extension courses at several universities. He worked hard to educate himself, and when he was 35 in 1956 he retired with several million dollars and an annual income of $50,000.00 per year. (In that day that was a great deal of money.)
He became world famous as the founder of the Nightingale Covenant Foundation, an organization established to help people improve themselves through positive thinking.
One of his most important discoveries can be found in his pep talk entitled, "The Strangest Secret". In that work he teaches positive thinking with short examples. One of his best is as follows.
Our minds are one of God's most amazing gifts, and very much like a farmer's field. Imagine for example, that a farmer plants two seeds, both in fertile ground. One sweet corn, the other Nightshade, a deadly poison. He waters and cares for them both with equal diligence, and what will happen? At harvest he will find that the Nightshade will have produced in equal abundance as the corn. The ground will return in equal abundance what ever he plants. The ground doesn't care if he plants poison or sweet corn. It will return what he plants, but it doesn't care what he plants.
The same thing happens with the human mind. If we plant negative thoughts we get back negative results, if we plant positive thoughts we get back positive results. The mind doesn't care what we plant. It will return what we plant, but it doesn't care what we plant. But, unlike the ground the mind is exclusive. We must plant only one of the two or the result will be watered down by the exact proportion to those other thoughts we plant. The Strangest Secret is that we become what we think about. If we think negative thoughts we become negative people (and therefore failures), if we think positive thoughts we become positive people (And therefore successful people.) It's as simple as that! God gave us the tools, but it is up to us to use them correctly if we wish to succeed!
He then closes his lecture with his famous (Masonic) signature:
We are all here for a reason. We came from somewhere, and we are going to somewhere. The Great Architect of the Universe didn't build a staircase going nowhere, and in the final analysis, as the teacher at the shores of Galilee tried so hard to teach us... "As you believe, so shall it be done unto you!"
Fraternally, Brother
Luis J. Orozco, II, SW- elect
Brethren, I would like to take this first opportunity to thank you for electing me as your Junior Warden for 2004. I can ensure you that I will try my best to honor the trust you have placed in me. Ernie, Lou and I are all hard at work to make this upcoming year a banner one. I'm sure you will enjoy it.
I also wish to congratulate Rick Weyers on an outstanding year as Master. We are all deeply indebted to him for his commitment and leadership.
As I sit and ponder where to go with the first of my articles, I am reminded of two issues before us that disturb and motivate me. The first is the declining membership of Masonry as a whole, and the second is the question of balance. Simply restated, how do we make Masonry more visible and attractive to prospective new membership, while preventing the time commitments to accomplish this from becoming over loading and keeping the current members from being more active? The answer is not an easy one. But as I lay out my next three years agenda, these issues will be the focus of my efforts. Look to future trestleboards as I lay out plans.
To keep this short I will leave you with one thought. It is no secret that Masonry is experiencing a decline in membership, as are most fraternal and social organizations. But Masonry has endured for hundreds of years and will continue to flourish if we work to make it so. As I look at the three principle officers stations I am reminded that the sun is at meridian height in the South, the West at the close of the day, but rises again in the East. Like the Phoenix, the light of Freemasonry will soar to new heights as we labor toward the dawn of a new day.
Again I thank you for your trust and support.
Jim Gable,
Junior Warden elect
January 2004 is now upon us and it signifies the end of my term as Master of Los Altos Lodge No. 712. This year has been a rewarding experience and education for me. The Officers of Los Altos Lodge have provided you with many opportunities for Masonic Fellowship. My theme for 2003, "Fraternally Feeling Good" was, in fact, in full force. Hopefully many of you, your friends and family took advantage of these opportunities and "Fraternally Feel Good", as I do. Listed below are the Lodge Events that were held this past year:
December 2002: * 12/16: 53rd Installation of officers, Grand Master Holsinger as Installing Officer January 2003: * 1/6: Stated Meeting with Dinner * 1/13: LAMTA Meeting * 1/15: 50 year GVA for Dan McDaniel, PM, PGM Doan Presiding, with Dinner * 1/26: Annual Superbowl Party February 2003: * 2/3: Stated Meeting with * 2/10: LAMTA Meeting * 2/17: Annual Crab Feed & Sweetheart's night March 2003: * 3/3: Stated Meeting with Dinner, Annual Inspector's Visit Dinner * 3/10: LAMTA Meeting * 3/17: Annual Chicken Feed & Grand Master's Reception OAM hosted by Golden Rule * 3/24: 1st Degree Conferral * 3/29: Tri-Lodge Youth Observance Pancake Breakfast at MV-DA Lodge April 2003: * 4/7: Stated Meeting with Dinner * 4/14: LAMTA Meeting * 4/30: Annual Public Schools "Teacher of the Year" Night, Tri-Lodge Event May 2003: * 5/5: Stated Meeting with Dinner, Wine Tasting Night * 5/10: 25 year Member Award Night * 5/12: LAMTA Meeting * 5/21: Scholarship Award Night at Los Altos High School June 2003: * 6/2: Stated Meeting with Dinner * 6/9: LAMTA Meeting July 2003: * 7/7: Stated Meeting with Dinner * 7/12: Los Altos Art & Wine Festival, Masonic Information Booth * 7/13: Los Altos Art & Wine Festival, Masonic Information Booth * 7/14: LAMTA Meeting * 7/28: 1st Degree Conferrals, Two Candidates August 2003: * 8/4: Stated Meeting with Dinner * 8/11: LAMTA Meeting & Charity Discussion September 2003: * 9/8: Stated Meeting with Dinner * 9/11: U.S. Constitution Observance Night, Tri-Lodge Event * 9/13: 50 year GVA for W. Bruce Pruitt, PM, PGM Stoval Presiding, with Dinner * 9/15: LAMTA Meeting * 9/20: Annual Lodge BBQ * 9/22: 2nd Degree Conferrals, Two Candidates * 9/29: Annual Roll Call/Coming Home Night with Dinner October 2003: * 10/6: Stated Meeting with Dinner * 10/13: Grand Lodge Sessions * 10/14: Grand Lodge Sessions * 10/15: LAMTA Meeting * 10/19: SCVOA Grand Master's Reception * 10/20: 2nd Degree Conferral, Visitation to MV-DA Lodge * 10/27: OAM with Dinner hosted by Los Altos Lodge, Grand Lodge Results November 2003: * 11/3: Stated Meeting with Dinner * 11/10: Hiram Award Night with Dinner for William J. Malmstrom, PM * 11/12: LAMTA Meeting * 11/23: Tea Party for Elevator Fund hosted by Kermit & Vera May Williams December 2003: * 12/1: Stated Meeting with Dinner * 12/8: Reception for A. Glenn MacBride, AGL Division II, Holiday Party with Dinner * 12/10: LAMTA Meeting * 12/13: Pancake Breakfast with Santa in conjunction with Los Altos Village Association January 2004 * 1/4: 54th Installation of OfficersAs you can see, we had 52 events over the past year that provided opportunities to our Membership to be involved with Los Altos Lodge, your fellow Brethren, and the community; either by enjoying Fellowship &/or providing the Lodge with assistance to achieve a successful event. Thirty Four of these Lodge events had delicious food available for those that wished to eat (or, in my case, indulge). I can't help but wonder how many of our Members and Sweethearts are making commitments to attend some of the many, many opportunities to reach out and renew old friendships or establish new friendships each year. Your Lodge Officers are working hard to provide you with opportunities to become involved. Why not commit to at least one event each quarter or even one per year. We sure would appreciate seeing you again!
This year has also been solemn with the passing of six Brethren and one Sweetheart.
* January 1st, 2003 - Brother C. Eugene McMahon * February 9th, 2003 - Brother William W. Moller * March 7th, 2003 - Brother William M. Harvey * June 18th, 2003 - Sister Charlotte S. Everett * July 23rd, 2003 - Worshipful Harold M. Rapstad, PM * August 15th, 2003 - Brother John W. (Jack) Huston * September 11th, 2003 - Worshipful Raymond W. Bente, PMI would be remiss in my duties as Master if I did not recognize your Officers for 2003. First, I extend my appreciation to Worshipful Ernie Castillo, PM. Ernie has always beenavailable to assist me in my duties and I could not have completed my year without him. Brothers Lou Orozco and Jim Gable coordinated all the Stated Meeting Dinners and Special Event Meals with Valley Star Club for satisfying meals (special thanks to Joyce Buschek and Lora Corner for catering to our needs). Brother Lou was my coach and still serves as my Masonic Mentor. Thank you Lou. Brother Gable had to step up his pace mid-year to qualify at Sr. Deacon and then again in the Fall working towards qualification for Jr. Warden. Very few can do this. Thank you Jim. Worshipful Bob Lake, PM served as both Trestleboard editor and Organist. Thank you Bob for your timely publications and beautiful "taped" music.
Our remaining Charter Member and Treasurer for 11 years, Worshipful H. Sterling Bailey, PM; words cannot do justice for the contributions you have made to Los Altos Lodge for the past 53 years. Thank you for all the wonderful assistance you have provided the Lodge and your membership.
As Secretary and photographer, Worshipful Richard Rosenberg, PM has done an outstanding job in making sure our minutes are complete and our Lodge procedures are followed according to the CMC. Then there is Worshipful Kermit Williams, PM serving as Chaplain and providing me with assistance during Stated Meetings and Special Events. Thank you Kermit for your help and also to Vera May for perpetuating the Elevator Fund Drive. Worshipful David Kimball served as our Tiler and always had the Lodge set-up in time for all occasions and provided water at each station for those of us that are somewhat long- winded. David also served as chairman of the sunshine committee and kept in touch with our Members throughout the year. Robert Sohigian served as Marshal and is working toward qualifying at Sr. Deacon for the ensuing Masonic year. Brothers John Graham (Sr. Deacon), Earl Gault (Jr . Deacon), and Craig Schoonover (Jr. Steward), attended many events and helped to complete the line, fill-in as needed, and contributed to our successful year. Worshipful Bill Malmstrom, PM served as head officers coach and principal chef for the Crab Feed, Lodge BBQ, Roll Call/Coming Home Night, December Stated Meeting, and Reception for A. Glenn MacBride. Thank you Bill for your delicious meals.
Worshipfuls W. Bruce Pruitt, PM, Dan R. McDaniel, PM, and Brother Harold Hughes served as Trustees for the year.
Our LAMTA Directors served the Lodge and Los Altos Masonic Building well this past year initiating the Elevator Fund, Providing new Lodge Furniture and sound system in the Lodge and Dining Room (spearheaded by Jr. Warden-Elect Jim Gable), and made improvements to the overall appearance of the Building and Kitchen. Cudos to Harold Hughes (Vice President), Hal Bain (Treasurer), Worshipfuls Ernie Castillo (Secretary), David Kimball, and Gunnar Galsgaard, Brothers Larry Fagan, Jim Gable, Flemming Nielsen, and John Graham.
My appreciation also to Worshipful Pat Bailey for keeping our Website current and informative. I have received many compliments from Brethren and perspective candidates who have visited the site, became in formed, and have used some of our information to make improvements in their own Lodges. Pat also coordinates the Superbowl party in the Lodge dining room which is growing in popularity in our Masonic District. Thank you Pat!
And finally, thank you Worshipful Greg Buschek, PM for filling in at Sr. Deacon earlier in the year and for your beautiful craftsmanship on the Gavel presented to the Grand Master at our Installation. Greg also served as President of LAMTA for 2003 and helped out in the kitchen for many of our meals.
I appreciate your trust and confidence in me this past year and all the support you all have given the Lodge and me. But, it's now time for a new pair of hands to be at the reigns. Please provide Worshipful Ernie Castillo the same support you have given me and help us keep Los Altos Lodge No. 712 strong!
Richard G. Weyers,
Junior Past Master [elect],
Los Altos Lodge No. 712
Bethel No. 103, Mountain View International Order of Job's Daughters Invites you to attend an Opening Meeting & Bethel Officer Advance Friday, January 16, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. Mountain View Masonic Center 890 Church Street Mountain View, California (corner of Franklin & Church)
2004 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE We will have our practices on Monday nights. We plan on at least 2 practice nights a month.
Jan 2004 4 Installation 5 6:30 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM Stated Meeting 10 2: PM OES 10 6:00 PM Liberty #299 Installation 12 TB Deadline 12 I7:30 PM . Golden Rule # 479 14 LAMTA 19 7:00 PM Practice - Review years practice schedule 22 6:30 OAM - Liberty Lodge Rod Work, Reception of GL Officers & Flag. 26 7:00 PM Practice Feb. 2004 Scholarship committee Past Masters Association 1 Super bowl party 2 6:30 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM Stated Meeting Secretary Report, Treasurer Report, LAMTA Report and Trustee Report. 7 2: PM OES 9 7:00 PM Practice 11 LAMTA 16 6:30 PM Crab Feed 23 6:30 PM OAM - SJ #10 First degree Mar 2004 Youth Activities Month Hiram Award Committee 1 6:30 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM Stated Meeting (Inspectors official visit) 6 2: PM OES 8 7:00 PM Practice 10 LAMTA 15 6:30 PM OAM - Golden Rule #279 GM chicken feed 22 7:00 PM Practice 29 7:00 PM Practice Apr 2004 Public School affair - TBD 3 2: PM OES 5 6:30 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM Stated Meeting 12 7:00 PM Practice 14 LAMTA 19 6:30 PM 50 Anniversary Dinner 22 6:30 OAM P.A. 26 7:00 PM Practice 28 Public School Award night May 2004 1 2: PM OES 3 6:30 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM Stated Meeting 10 7:00 PM Practice 12 LAMTA 17 7:00 PM Practice 19 OAM 24 7:00 PM Practice 31 Memorial Day Observance June 2004 Present Scholarship 5 2: PM OES 7 6:30 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM Stated Meeting 9 LAMTA 14 7:00 PM Practice 16 Los Altos Scholarship Award Presentation 16 6:30O AM Mt. Moriah #292 21 7:00 PM Practice 28 7:00 PM Practice July 2004 3 2: PM OES 5 6:30 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM Stated Meeting 10 Los Altos Arts & Wine Fair 11 Los Altos Arts & Wine Fair 12 7:00 PM Practice 19 7:00 PM Practice 26 7:00 PM Practice Aug. 2004 2 6:30 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM Stated Meeting Secretary Report, Treasurer Report, LAMTA Report and Trustee Report. 7 2: PM OES 9 7:00 PM Hiram Award or Practice 11 LAMTA 15 Lodge Picnic/BBQ set up with OES 22 7:00 PM Practice 26 6:30 PM OAM Friendship #210 27 Visitation Sep. 2004 Constitution Month Constitutional Observance month 4 2: PM OES 6 Dark Labor Day 11 Alternate Visitation 13 6:30 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM Stated Meeting 20 7:00 PM Practice 22 6:30 PM OAM Golden Rule #479 27 7:00 PM Practice Constitution Observance. Program Oct. 2004 2 2: PM OES 4 6:30 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM Stated Meeting 11 GL Communication 12 GL 7:00 PM Practice 13 GL; 7:00 PM Practice 17 GM Reception at San Jose 18 7:00 PM Practice 25 OAM Los Altos Nov. 2004 Elections and bringing in the Flag 1 6:30 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM Stated Meeting Election of officers 6 2: PM OES 8 7:00 PM Practice 10 LAMTA 15 7:00 PM Practice - Past Masters degree Night if appropriate 20 Visitation 21 Lodge room not available 22 7:00 PM Practice 24 6:30 PM OAM Mt. View - De Anza 194 GL Results 25 Thanksgiving Dec 2004 6 Stated Meeting 13 Christmas Party or 7:00 PM Practice 20 7:00 PM Practice 27 DarkNotes:
Will get together with Mt. V. & P.A. about Public School affair. Roll Call is planned but it may not be in Sep.. Visitation is planned. When and where still up for grabs. A 25 year pin night is planned. It will not be on a Monday. If necessary 50 year presentation nights are to be planned.
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