| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on November 30, 2008 |
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Brethren -
Well here we are at the end of 2008. With it comes the end of my year as your Master. It is with great sadness, and great relief, that I write this, my last offering and “swan song”. Sadness, because it was with such joy that I served, due largely to the love and support of all of you who helped make 2008 such a memorable year for Los Altos Lodge. And joy, because, as with all presiding offices, there is much work and some turmoil that goes with the job. As I look toward 2009, I will cherish the somewhat slower lifestyle. But I will always miss the fun I had in the East, even though my fearsome and mighty gavel may have cleaved at the joint under the stress.
It seems like just yesterday I was being installed. Where did the year go to? But it would be remiss of me not make some notes of gratitude for the special support I had during 2008.
First, I’d like to thank my Corps. Of Officers, for without them the Lodge could not function. On a personal note, special thanks must go to my Little Brother, J. Kermit Williams, who has coached me, mentored me and been my most ardent supporter through my many years in Masonry.
Secondly, to my adoptive Dad, Bill Malmstrom, who has served as my Junior Warden. Bill filled in while Bobby Byers was off being Master Of Daylight Lodge in San Jose. It wasn’t easy for Bill (a typical ‘Type A’ personality) to put up with ‘Rhino’ stepson. But through all our 4 years of cooking together, wielding sharp and dangerous utensils, we’ve manage to laugh, argue, cut, carve, hack, hue our way along, serving top notch meals, and avoiding ever needing medical assistance.
I also want to thank Richard Rosenberg and Ernie Castillo, who served as my Secretary and Treasurer. You know, these guys work hard in the background, like Sergeants, making every thing happen on schedule. And as any military man can tell you, the Army runs by it’s Sergeants.
Looking forward, December will be a joyous holiday season, albeit a quiet one for the Lodge. On Monday, December 1st, we will have our usual Dinner and Stated Meeting. Be sure to attend as the meal will be delicious and the meeting lively as ever.
Then we are quiet until after the 1st of January except for some background meetings. But please note the schedule of Installations on the following pages and visit other Lodges as they welcome their new officers.
Right after New Years, our Dinner and Stated Meeting will be on Monday, January 5th. I’ll still be in the East so the “Watch for Gavel” sign will still be posted.
On Sunday, January 11, at 3:00PM, Los Altos will hold its 59th Installation of Officers. Please mark this date on your calendars and be sure to attend.
The January edition of the trestleboard will be generated by your 2009 Master- Elect Bob Rowan, so it is with the greatest pride and affection that I bid you all a fond farewell.
Fraternally,
Jim Gable
Master
My Brothers,
I thank you for your confidence in electing me to serve Los Altos Lodge # 712 as Master for the ensuing year. We are now concluding a year of landmarks for our Lodge and the facility in which we reside. Thanks to the constant diligence and attention of Worshipful Jim Gable and our Junior Warden, Worshipful Bill Malmstrom our major projects are nearly completed. I trust that you will make yourselves known to each of them with appropriate messages of your gratitude for their work.
2009 will be my third year to serve as Master albeit the first here in Los Altos, and I am looking forward to the challenge. Los Altos Lodge has a very special place in the Masonic Fraternity in California. We have led the way on many occasions and, like the Fraternity as a whole, we have done so quietly and have not publicized loudly about being the source of leadership emanating from of our graduated and still participating members. Look around yourselves!
Thank you Glenn MacBride, Dan McDaniels, Bruce Pruitt, Maury Dunbar and so many others that it would take the entire December message to list all of them.
I salute you all, from the youngest Entered Apprentice in the NE corner of the Lodge, to the most senior member of our Lodge. Thank you all for what you have done in the past, and what you will continue to do in the future. Be assured that I have your phone number and will call on you when you least expect it.
Fraternally,
Bob Rowan
Sr. Warden
THE SUN IS SETTING IN THE SOUTH !!!
The three times I have been Master the direction has been different. The first time I had been Junior Warden at Great Lights 818. Then I joined 712 and was elected Junior Warden, becoming Master in 1995, the year of the “Yo Ma MA’s”. In 1998 I filled in as Junior Warden for two years and went on to become the 50th Anniversary Master in 2001. In 2006 I again filled a vacant chair, this time in the West as Senior Warden and was Master in 2007, “Shaken, Not Stirred”. Then I went to Junior Warden (started in the middle and went both ways) to temporarily hold a spot for Bobbie Byers. I have enjoyed serving the Lodge and am looking forward to becoming a side liner with nothing to do. Like I said in one of my articles, “BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, NOT DOING IT AGAIN.”
BILL MALMSTROM, PM
Junior Warden
(Soon to be sideliner)
Membership Dues must be paid by January 1st
Unless you are a Los Altos Lodge Life Member, your 2009 Membership Dues must be paid by January 1st, 2009 or they will become delinquent. Please make sure to forward your check to our Secretary now and help us keep you up to date. Also, there is still time to obtain a Life Membership at the reduced 2008 rates!! Please refer to our September edition of the Trestleboard or contact our Lodge Secretary for more info. on Life Membership.
Masonic Service Bureaus i n California are established to provide assistance and relief to Sojourning Masons (and their immediate families ) of thi s and other jurisdictions whether residing or visiting within the boundaries of said Bureaus’ geographic area or responsibility. These Bureaus, administered by their respective Executive Secretaries are comprised of member Masonic Lodges located in the various areas of our great State. They operate under the auspices of the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of California. The general guidance and direction of these Bureaus is assigned to the Committee on Masonic Service Bureaus.
The Several Masonic Service Bureaus in cooperation with the “Home Lodge” of the sojourning Mason extend services such as emergency financial assistance, investigation(s) for admission to Masonic Homes (both within and without California) and in time of direst need, provision of a Masonic Funeral Master.
The San Jose Masonic Center Association provide assistance in performing funeral service. We will help in notifying local members of the needs of a distressed worthy brother and/or his family. We will attempt to notify and/or contact constituent lodges of a brother in distress. We will provide assistance to the family of a deceased brother and help in notifying all his Masonic affiliations.
If necessary we may provide some financial aid to Masons and/or their families to the best of our abilities.
We are also prepared to provide mason and their families with information of local governmental services available.
Our local MSB currently has a niche for sale. It accommodates up to four (4) sets of ashes and it is located at the Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park; 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose. The value of the niche is over three thousand dollars. We would like to dispose of this niche. If you or your family are considering plans of this nature and are interested in this niche, please contact me. We will dispose of the niche for cost (less than $500.00) plus a small donation.
Ernest Castillo,
MSB Executive Secretary
(408) 242-8833
To all the brethren of Los Altos. Our lodge is blessed with the ability to grant a 25 year Mason a congratulatory 25 yr. Pin. Any member of our lodge wishing to receive their 25 year pin has only to notify the Master and it will be scheduled for presentation.
THANK YOU!
The 2009 Masonic Student Assistance Program
The 2009 Masonic Student Assistance Program or MSAP is a vital link to help schools educate teachers and staff in dealing with ‘at risk’ children. To better provide for this program, Los Altos Lodge will match individual member’s contributions, dollar for dollar, to a maximum total of $500. So make out a check to the Lodge and mark that it’s for the MASP Program in the memo block. Your donation is tax deductible and you will receive a receipt from Grand Lodge to honor your generosity.
Santa Clara Valley 2009 Lodge Installation Schedule
Day Date Time Lodge - Master-Elect Thursday, Dec. 4th 12:00 Noon Daylight - Ross Fuller Saturday, Dec. 6th 2:00PM Mt View-DeAnza - Lyman Penning Saturday, Dec. 6th 7:30PM Mt. Moriah - Jim Dingman Sunday, Dec. 7th 1:00PM Morgan Hill - Gregg Hall Wednesday, Dec. 10th 7:30PM Willow Glen - James Felker Saturday, Dec. 13th 6:00PM Palo Alto - Roller Rajendra Naidoo Monday, Dec. 15th 7:00PM San Jose 10 - Will Montoya Friday, Dec. 19th 7:00PM Friendship - Randy Shelton Saturday, Jan. 10th 5:00PM Liberty - Michael Hertzberg Sunday, Jan. 11th 3:00PM Los Altos - Robert Rowan Monday, Jan. 12th 7:30PM Golden Rule - Rodrigo Dioso Jr. TBD TBD El Camino Research - Jeff Unscheid
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