June 2022 Trestle Board

Brethren,

    Unbelievably the year is almost half gone already! Mid-summers day comes and goes this month even though we have many bright months ahead of us! Memorial Day has come and gone and I hope that those of you who had picnics or cooked out had a great time! We must remember that Veterans’ Day is to recognize those  who have served while Memorial Day is to honor those who gave their lives in Service of their Country. We are grateful to them all!

     The month starts out NEXT MONDAY JUNE 6th with an Entered Apprentice Degree at 7PM. This will be our fifth active candidate! I hope many of you will be able to join us to offer a great introduction to the Fraternity in general and Kilwinning Crosse in particular! The lecture will be given by my good friend and Worshipful Brother Barry Mensh who is serving as Master at John A. LeJeune #350 at Quantico this year.

     The following Monday, the 13th, will be our Stated meeting at 7:30PM with Dinner preceding at  6:30PM and furnished by the Ladies of the Eastern Star Chapter. I am excited to announce that, at this months meeting, Worshipful  Michael Joyner, Past Master of Richmond Randolph #19 will be presenting a talk on “The Penalties of Our Obligations”. 

     Our Senior Deacon, Jim Taormina, has accepted the role of leading the planning for a summer cookout to be held in the town in the near future – more to come on that. Anniversaries for the month of May were also recognized at our May Stated, with W.B. Terry Bullock celebrating 41 years, R.W. Tom Lewis – 49 years, Bro. Burl Pack – 52 years and Bro. Ernest Chilton – 53 years! Please join me in congratulating them all!!

     Acca Shrine is having an open session this weekend (June 3rd & 4th) during which the initiation fee is being waived! (Dues will still need to be paid though). For more information contact W.B. Andrew Coelho.

     The street lights continue to be a problem but we have discovered that the problem is more widespread with many lights out throughout the town. We will make efforts to assist in getting this resolved by Virginia Power.

     The District Schools at Fredericksburg on the 4th Tuesday of the month continue to be poorly attended. These schools are held for OUR benefit and I encourage all who can (especially officers) to attend as regularly as possible. Start time is 6:30 PM.

     As mentioned in previous newsletters the Grand Lodge has fully launched the GrandView system now and you should all have received login information. This will make accounting easier for the Lodge and will make it easier for us to keep up with dues collection. It will also make it easier for Grand Lodge to see where suspensions for non payment are needed! On that topic, the Lodge is currently lacking in funds to support its charitable and other activities. This is largely the result of a massive backlog of dues being received. Almost half of our members have still to pay 2022 dues and many have additional years owing. i know times are hard and that Real Estate and Property Taxes have just hit us but please try to catch  up with your dues as soon as you can. I would ask that you continue to send them to the Lodge and not to Grand Lodge as it allows us more control over sending in the correct assessment. 

     This month’s anniversaries include: 

WB George Atkinson     33 Years          WB Thomas Blatt, III       44 Years
Bro George Broaddus   58 Years          Bro Samuel Brown          16 Years
Bro Ashton Durrett         73 Years !!      Bro Leslie Finch               61 Years
Bro Jerry Hancock         31 Years          Bro. Bobby Jewell            45 Years
Bro Bernard Mahon       67 Years !!      Bro Willie Payne               63 Years
Bro Robley Pitts             60 Years          Bro Donald Robinson, Jr. 33 Years
RW Joseph Schiebel     18 Years          Bro John Southworth        33 Years
WB William Southworth 39 Years          

Congratulations to you all !!

     Practices continue to be held on Mondays, if no Degrees are scheduled, at 7pm at the Lodge and we have a group of regular attendees. If you would like to learn a part for a degree, refresh your memory on Lodge opening and closing procedures or re-learn a catechism, please come and join us. We are flexible in what we work on according to the needs and desires of the attendees.

     On the Internet, our Facebook page “Friends of Kilwinning Crosse Lodge No. 2-237” is thriving and has an ever increasing number of followers. Check it out!

     We are still looking for some volunteers to man the table at the Caroline’s Promise event when it comes around. 

     If anyone would like to contribute any items or articles to the trestle board please email them to me and I will try to accommodate.      Fraternally,

     Richard J. Fisher
     Worshipful Master