| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on March 2, 2008 |
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Brethren – It’s been a busy month around Old LA712. First, a hearty welcome to our newest brother, Daniel Hales. As I stated in the February edition, he was initiated on January 27th and Worshipful Bill Malmstrom did a great job in the East. Dan’s tentative 2nd Degree will be on March 10th. GO DAN!!!
Next, the new Address Books have been mailed. If you didn’t receive yours by now, drop me a line and we’ll get one out to you. Many thanks to Worshipful Ernie Castillo for editing and printing them.
The monthly Stated Meeting on March 3rd will also be our Inspector’s Official visit. Worshipful Randy Downey is looking forward to this date and let’s do LA#712 proud with our best work. As a reminder, officer’s are to be in tux’s for this event. Our St. Patrick’s Day theme dinner will be at 6:30PM and the meeting will start promptly at 7:30PM.
Our Annual Sweethearts Dinner will be on Monday, March 17th. I sincerely hope all our Lodge Sweethearts can make it as it is our tribute to all of you so dear to our hearts.
This month’s Officer’s Association Meeting will be on Thursday, March 27th in Morgan Hill. It’s the annual Chicken Feed and the Association’s Reception for the Grand Master. All officer’s are expected to attend. Dinner starts at 6:30PM and the meeting will be at 7:30PM.
Please note in your calendars, we will have a very special evening on Monday, March 31st. Los Altos will award the prestigious Hiram Award on brother Ed Clarke. Ed has spent many years aiding and supporting our youth groups and is truly worthy of the highest honor our Lodge can bestow. The Lodge will provide the dinner and then we move upstairs for the presentation. Congratulations Ed !!!
The elevator project continues to make progress, despite unforeseen problems (as all building projects have). The roof rafters are now in place and the plywood sheathing is down. Hopefully, we will have good weather in March to allow us to get the structure weather-tight. I make regular visits to the Lodge to check progress so we can put together a gala dedication event sometime this spring.
That’s it from the East. Have a great March.
Jim Gable - Master
The Test
Author Unknown
Several years ago, the story is told of a Mason who always wore his Masonic ring and lapel pin when in public. On some occasions, he rode the bus from his home to the downtown area. On one such trip when he sat down, he discovered the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.
As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it." Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter; who would worry about this little amount." Anyway, the transit company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change."
The driver with a smile replied, "I noticed your Masonic ring and lapel pin. I have been thinking lately about asking a Mason how to join. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. You passed the test. Can you tell me how to become a Mason?"
When the Mason stepped off the bus, he said a silent prayer, "Oh God, Grand Architect of the Universe, I almost sold you and my beloved Masons out for a mere quarter."
Our actions are the only Masonic creed some will ever see. This is a really almost scary example of how people watch us as Masons and may put us to the test even without us realizing it! Always be diligent, whether it be at the theater, restaurant, grocery, service station or just driving in traffic.
Remember, whether it be a lapel pin, a ring, or an emblem on the car, you carry the name of our great fraternity on your shoulders whenever you call yourself a Mason. You never can tell who might be watching!
Fraternally,
Bob D. Rowan
Senior Warden
When the second stories of our building were added (at two different times) they were not connected so there was no reason to make them the same elevation. Well this came back to haunt us. There was almost eleven inches between the height of the front unit and the back unit. Luck was on our side in that the degree in the slope of the floor was within the limits of ADA. However the eleven inches meant that the ceiling at one end was too low. The outside wall had to be raised that eleven inches to meet code, raising the wall affected the slope of the roof. This was worked out with the builder and we are now back on track.
For a change the weather was on our side. The roof framing is completed and sheeted. It now looks like a FEMA project with a large blue tarp covering the roof. The elevator contractor had started bring in his equipment and in the next few weeks will be installing the rails and hydraulic ram that will move the car up and down.
We are having to install a fire alarm system for elevator recall and tie it in to the fire sprinkler system that has never been connected to anything other that the water flow valve.
Due to the rain we are going to have to replace some sheetrock in the halls and the lodge room.
I feel that competition will be some were towards the end of April to the middle of May.
See you next month with more updates.
Bill Malmstrom, PM
Junior Warden
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