| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on April 2 2006 |
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April is here, spring has begun, and the trees and plants are starting to bud, soon giving way to bright and colorful flowers. The year marches onward at its continuous never ending pace. The Masonic events that were barely visible on the horizon when I was installed as Master are approaching very fast indeed. Before I start talking about upcoming events, I first wanted to quickly mention the OAM and the speech that was given by the Grand Master. He talked about the Family of Free Masonry and about supporting all of its parts, and emphasized the importance of supporting our youth groups. The importance of Brotherly Love between the members, and the obligation of Charity we have taken as Masons. Both of the Wardens articles in this trestleboard cover more of the topics presented and discussed at the OAM. On March 17th, I received the good news that the plans for the elevator had passed another city committee. So the process continues and we move closer to getting the construction started on the elevator remodel.
Now for the coming stated meeting, this will be the official visit from our Inspector, Doug Clifford. The officers have been practicing their ritual work and are looking forward to his reception. Come and support the Lodge Officers and welcome our inspector to Los Altos lodge. On the following Monday there will be a presentation of a Golden Veterans Award. This award is presented by Grand Lodge and given to members for 50 years of membership. On April 10th Kermit Williams will be presented with this award. There will be a dinner hosted by the lodge at 6:30 in his honor. After the conclusion of the dinner, we will retire to the Lodge Room and our Inspector Doug Clifford will make the presentation. Upcoming events in the next three months: the Scholarship presentation, Teacher of the Year award, the Los Altos Art and Wine Festival, conferral of degrees, and the Grand Lodge Ritual competition. Bruce Pruitt has organized a degree team of Los Altos members for the ritual competition. Look for more information about these upcoming events in future trestle boards.
Fraternally,
Gregory Buschek
Master
I MUST BE HAVING FUN BECAUSE TIME IS SURE FLYING BY. Worshipful Greg said “Bill I need your article for the Trestle board . Before I knew it was March and I did not have an article for the March Trestleboard. Now it is time for April's Trestleboard. Linda and I attended the Grand Court Order of the Amaranth at the beginning of March. It was a little sad. The first time I went to Grand Court there must have been about five to six hundred in attendance. This year there were under three hundred with under two hundred voting members. Membership has dropped below twelve hundred members and it looks like at least two courts will merge.
The Most Worshipful Grand Master spoke at the Saturday banquet about the Family of Freemasonry and how we have to work together to grow. That we must get out into our communities and make our selves be known. Monday at the OAM chicken feed in Morgan Hill he reinforced this. The only secrets in Masonry are the signs and modes of recognition. In Culvar City he said his wife got him a copy of FREEMASONS FOR DUMMIES and recommended that everyone get this book as it is great. The latest issue of the Scottish Rite magazine says the same thing. One of the interesting fact that was brought out Monday is that Masons in California total about 75,000. At it's peak there were 250,000. He remarked that we would never attain that number again but we have to work to keep from getting any lower than it is today. I talked to Ken Nagle about the Lodge's standing in giving. Our Lodge is number four in District 1 and number nine in the state. That sounded great until I learned that only 8.2% of our members contributed. Brethren do the math.. If every member gave we could be the number one Lodge. Ken said that a story has been spread that the home has more money than it will ever need. This is wrong. He told of one lodge that had given a total of $ 3,200.00 one year. They had more than one widow in the home and it was pointed out that amount was not even enough for one persons care. There is still time to get in on this years giving. Remember that giving to the Foundation is TAX deductible. As Masons we can not ask a person to be a Mason, but if we know someone that we feel would make a good Mason there is nothing about your wife asking.
Shaken not stirred in 007
William Malmstrom, P.M.
Senior Warden
At the last OAM, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting between Most Worshipful Fred Sorsabal and Worshipful Bud Ramsey at the head table of the 58th Annual Chicken Feed at Morgan Hill No. 463. It was a wonderful meal and I truly had an enjoyable time. In the OAM, the Grand Master gave a presentation on the state of the fraternity, and the importance of Masonic Charity was stressed. We were then treated to replaying of the “I wish to be a hero” presentation, which can be viewed on the Internet at the address listed below. Besides the philanthropic benefits of the Fraternity, it is also a wonderful way for bretheren to work on their presentation and networking skills. It is heartening to think that any of us could stand up at such a visitation and talk with the Grand Master.
As many of you might know, I started the new year with a new assignment at Sun Microsystems. My new assignment calls for frequent travel to Beijing. Unfortunately, I'll be there during the April stated meeting, and may miss other meetings in the future. I will work with the Worshipful Master to ensure that my seat is properly filled.
Robert Sohigian,
Junior Warden
“I Wish to be a Hero”
www.freemason.org/movies/hero.swf
Golden Vererans Awards for Worshipful James Kermit Williams
When: Monday, April 10th Where: Los Alto Lodge Time: 6:30 pm Cost: $0 with Advanced ReservationWorshipful Brother Williams was born in Arkansas, and traveled the world with the Navy. When stationed in Sunnyvale in 1955 he petitioned to join Los Alto Lodge #712. He was Initiated, Passed, and Raised by Los Altos lodge. He became a Master Mason on February 27, 1956 and during his Masonic career has served as an officer for more than 25 years. He was elected to presided as Worshipful Master for the year of 1979 and was awarded the Hiram Award in 1993. On April 10th Kermit Williams will be presented the Golden Veterans by the Grand Lodge of California.
Come and join us at the Lodge for the presentation of this award.
Reservations can be made by contacting Greg Buschek or Bill Malmstrom.
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