August 2022 Trestle Board

Brethren,

     Summer has been in full swing and children are going back to school. Time continues to roll on!

     As with previous months, July was busy and much was achieved. Notably the Caroline’s Promise event at the Middle School was another rousing success with great support from our Lodge. We had our own table where we distributed boxes of crayons and other drawing tools, Wor. Bro. Bissoon with his table from the Treasurer’s Office and our new Brothers Tingler with their own table! Big “Thank You”s to you all!

     In terms of “work” at the Lodge we have three Fellow crafts ready to make their returns and be raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. I have received little support from the brethren in preparing for this and will be reaching out to see who is available and willing to assist with the Degree work.

     Another area that I must mention where response is lacking is in the area of dues payments. We are a relatively small Lodge with a HIGH percentage of delinquent dues. If you are one of those to whom this applies, please try to attend to this matter. One of the aspects of the new “Grand View” system is that not only do the officers of your Lodge get notified of the situation but also the Grand Lodge is notified. In the past it has been possible to be excessively patient and understanding about late payment but that is getting to be beyond our control. So, once again, if you are behind in your payments please do what you can to rectify the situation. If you are in financial difficulty then please let either me or the secretary know so that we can try to assist in some way. We are also discussing the creation of a fund to assist those brothers who are in financial distress so, again, let us know if this is your situation.

I am writing this “late” trestle board from South Carolina where I have had the privilege of taking a short vacation. I would like to stay longer but will drive 350 miles on Monday so that I can be at our Stated communication at 7:30PM. It would be nice to see you there!

    The electric company has finally addressed the street light problem and we now have functioning lights outside the Lodge. The chair lift still requires attention and I hope to get that addressed this month.

     Attendance at the July District Schools at Fredericksburg on the 4th Tuesday of the month was again impressive. Our District will be responsible for presenting the Fellow Craft Degree at this years Area Ritual School in Kinsale on September 17th. I encourage all Master Masons to attend these monthly schools which are provided to help us keep our Ritual sharp and accurate!

     Anniversaries of those raised in August include: 

Bro. Emmett Hart            60 Years          Bro. Willie Carneal Sr.     43 Years
Bro Stanley Beger Jr.      40 Years          Bro John Broaduss         37 Years
Bro Lynwood Broaddus   37 Years          Bro Arthur Whittaker       48 Years
WB William Anderson Jr. 27 Years          Bro. David Lewis            23 Years
Bro. Otis Wright               17 Years          Bro. Ashby Brooks         11 Years
Bro. Steve Forcum          11 Years           Bro. Thomas Napier        9 Years
Bro. Adam Woolridge        9 Years           Bro. Steven Mitkowsk     7 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!

     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