| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on April 6, 2009 |
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Brethren -
QUESTIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF STEWARD
Q1. How were you first prepared to be made a Steward?
A My coat sleeves, shirtsleeves and vest sleeves were rolled up and a corkscrew placed in my hand.
Q2. What is a corkscrew?
A An instrument fashioned like a winding staircase which our ancient Brethren ascended to receive their refreshment.
Q3. Where did they receive it?
A In a convivial room above the Chamber.
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All of which brings me to my topic for the month. Los Altos Lodge needs several Officers in it’s line. Two Stewards and now a Jr. Deacon. (Bro. Maury has asked to step down from his Jr. Deacon position.)
For those of you who have not been Officers, it is not an onerous task, but a rather enjoyable one. The friendships and experiences you can gain are not measured by time spent, but rather fraternal and social in nature. The years I have spent in the line, both in Los Altos and Los Gatos, have been the most gratifying of my adult life. Only my wife and family have ever ranked higher for my personal enjoyment.
Los Altos Lodge will not survive without several Brothers coming to the table to assume future leadership position. Where are you?
Bob Rowan - Master
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Here is one final tid-bit for the month:
Hospital regulations require a wheel chair for patients being discharged. However, while working as a student nurse, I found one elderly gentleman already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet, who insisted he didn't need my help to leave the hospital. After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let me wheel him to the elevator.
On the way down I asked him if his wife was meeting him.
'I don't know,' he said. 'She's still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown.'
My Brothers, time keeps marching on and this month I turn another year older. It seems like only yesterday that I began the Masonic journey. I remember well the day my Father and I had our first talk about the craft and my desire to join. Little did I know what was in store for me, as like most Masons my father did not talk about what happens in the fraternity. I could only guess as to what it was all about. The little article below was written some time ago but is relevant today.
Is your Freemasonry in Jars?\ “At a gathering of women the conversation turned to a discussion of Masons.
Some of the women seemed to be rather well informed on the subject, and discussed it at some length, but one woman was bored and finally remarked, “Well I don’t know much about Masons, but I think their fruit jars are very nice.” If we analyze that, we may find she said a mouthful without intending to poin a moral of any kind. Don’t many of us Masons have a lot of fruit jars into which we put our Masonry, then seal the jars and set them away in a dark corner? Even when Masonic friends visit us, we don’t get out some of the jars and treat our friends to the contents. We might at least take a jar along every time we go to a Masonic meeting and pass around what the jar contains.
Freemasonry put away in jars doesn’t improve with age, and the contents are likely to be forgotten. Freemasonry improves by dissemination. Brethren, keep your Freemasonry out of fruit jars; but if you do put some away now and then bring it out at the first opportunity and let the brethren partake with you.”
Elbert Bede, Editor Emeritus, the Oregon Freemason
If you want to explain Masonry to someone, the lodge has a lot of information about Masonry in the “Pass it on” kit. The kit includes a 2”X3” card that explains “…Who we are and What we do”. Let me know if you would like some of these and we will get them to you.
Bobbie Byers
Senior Warden
Brethren,
I received a number of brotherly comments on the new stated meeting dinner pricing and procedure. Remember to make your reservations by Sunday. These dinners are not only great eating, but great fellowship with brothers, families and friends.
By our next stated meeting I will have attended the Junior Warden’s retreat. I am looking forward to this opportunity to learn how I can serve our fraternity and our lodge better.
I look forward to seeing you at lodge on Monday April 6th, and of course at the dinner before.
David Anderson
Junior Warden - Elect
If you have not sent your dues payment for 2009, you are not in good standing, and therefore, not entitled to Masonic Priveleges. Please remit ASAP.
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