October 2021 Trestle Board

Brethren,

     Our Stated Communication is this upcoming Monday, October 11th at 7:30 PM. 

     The Eastern Star will be cooking a special carnitas dinner at 6:30 PM at the Lodge.  The cost is $10.  Bring wives, kids, friends, and strangers you happen to run into on the street.  It should be pretty good. 

      Our next practice will be the following Monday, October 18th at 7:00 PM.  We’ll be working on the FC degree.  Whether you are an officer, a new member, or an existing member interested in getting involved, you’re invited to come.

      What seems like a lifetime ago, I stepped into the East with a list of activities and events designed to revitalize and re-energize this Lodge.  And we started off strong in those first few months by participating in our first ever Polar Bear Plunge, purchasing dozens of shoes for kids in need with our Foot-2-Foot Fund, adding esoteric discussion topics to our meetings, and visiting three Lodges. 

      Then the COVID Shutdowns took the wind out of our sails.   But even in the midst of a pandemic, we still managed to replace our 2nd floor heater, add air conditioning to our first floor, and replace most of our Lodge room seating.  Most importantly, our Lodge members and Brothers from literally across the globe came together to support a Brothers suffering through a downright horrifying experience.  I’ve never been so proud of my Fraternity as I was in those weeks.  Thank you for everything you did. 

     But now, we’re about a year removed.  The world is somewhat reopened.  Yet most of our members have become so accustomed to missing Lodge that I spend most meetings juggling seats and begging for pro-tem officers.  In August, we ended up with a visiting brother from New Hampshire sitting as our SD.  And it would be generous to say that we average about 3 members at Lodge practices.  

    The truth is we have deprioritized Lodge.  The length of our cable tows has shrunk well below our hobbies, our jobs, our affiliations elsewhere, and frankly, our couches.  The Lodge is where we go when we can’t think of anything better to do that evening.  

     I wish this letter wasn’t such a downer.  We’ve survived quite a bit over the last two years.  And I’m proud of our ability to persevere.  But the time for “survival mode” is over, and yet I can’t start new activities without participation.  I can’t hold discussions or make plans with the same 3 or 4 men.  And I can’t schedule official visits with other Lodges when we’re barely opening our own doors.  

    In December, I’m moving on from the East.  It’s been an honor serving you all.  It would be great seeing you all before I step down.   But if I don’t, thank you for putting your trust in me.  I wish I could have done more to help strengthen this Lodge. 

     I’ll see some of you next Monday. 

      Fraternally,
      Andrew Coelho