Newsletter Date March 2015 Trestle Board Staunton Lodge No. 13 AF & AM Staunton Lodge No.13 Officers 2015 Worshipful Thomas H Otto 470-8038 Sr. Warden Harold Pat Smiley 886-0347 Jr. Warden Edmund Rick Potter 886-3556 Treasurer Steve R Wilt 448-1239 Secretary Benjamin L Edwards 435-6121 Sr. Deacon Kevin B Pitchford 255-5745 IMPORTANT DATES March 3, 2015 Staunton Stated Meeting, program presented by Rt. Joe Harris, DIW Jr. Deacon Robert Brian Moubray 294-2279 Chaplain David W Hayes 886-0916 presented by Wor. Tim Southern Marshall Jason M Rexrode 414-2127 April 10, 2015 District Leadership Conference at Tiler Stuart L Brown III 886-7784 Sr. Steward Jon H Otto/Jr. Steward Butch Smiley April 7, 2015 Staunton Stated Meeting, program tinkling Springs Church Fishersville, Virginia April 17-18, 2015 Robert Kennedy School at Lee Lodge No. 209 Brethren or others sick or in Distress. Pray for their recovery. Remember all our Masonic widows and orphans 1
Brethren, Despite the cold weather, we had a great turn out for the Tuesday stated meeting and Official visit of the District Deputy Grand Master. Rt. Wor. Scott Fielding, DDGM, awarded Rt. Wor. David Hayes and myself with a Certificate of Appreciation for our help with the Grand Master s Official visit to the district. He also presented the 2014 Levy Award to the Lodge. He announced that there would be zero cost to the lodges in the district for the Grand Master s visit. From the Master Worshipful Thomas Otto Congratulations to Bro. Jason Rexrode on his Life Membership in Perpetuity and to Rt. Wor. Bill Campbell who was recognized for all his years of service to the Lodge and the fraternity. Brethren, remember to submit your 2015 dues, if you have not already done so. Keep in mind, practices are held at Staunton Lodge every Tuesday morning (9:00 AM) and every second and fourth Wednesday (7:00 PM) each month. A thank you also goes out to Wor. Ben Edwards who has been keeping the lodge parking area plowed during all these snow days. Every Tuesday morning there is practice at the Lodge in all parts of the ritual, starting at 9:00 AM. Also every second and fourth Wednesday of the month there is practice at 7:00 PM. All brothers are welcome. Masonic Information Brethren, if you would like to add or see something in your Trestle Board, feel free to contact me, Wor. Thomas H Otto 32, at geteurdone@comcast.net MASONIC BIRTHDAYS KNOCKING AT THE DOOR Stuart L. Brown III 03/01/2000 James M. Rexrode 03/18/2014 Stephen R. Wilt 03/01/2003 Charles G. Wagoner 03/25/1981 David W. Brown 03/11/1966 Gary L. Whistleman 03/27/1980 Avis C. Koontz 03/12/1969 John M. Brandt 03/28/2013 Ardie L. Ervin 03/16/1983 Kevin B. Pitchford 03/31/2014 Rodney Magee 03/18/1972 Applications Read (0) Entered Apprentices (0) Fellow Crafts (0) Master Masons (3) Please make plans to attend practices and degree work, and support these men (and their coaches) as they continue their Masonic journey through their degrees. 2
THE MODERN COWAN by Floren L. Quick In Scotland, the operative Mason knew cowans to be ignorant builders who put stones together without mortar. They piled rough fieldstones into a wall without hewing them true, or squaring them. They masqueraded as Masters, but they did not have the Word. Now and again, today - fortunately not too often - we find a modern equivalent of the operative imposter. One such is the Mason who manages a place in an officer's line with little or no effect of his own to deserve it. With only that exertion that is necessary to maintain his place, he continues to advance in line until he receives the jewels and honors that he prizes so highly. But he does not know the Constitution, and he does not understand the traditions and dignity of the Craft. As a presiding officer, his vocal ability is more noteworthy than his executive ability; and when his term is ended, he is seldom seen until another honor or prize appears to be within his grasp. He is a contemporary builder who works without the benefit of the mortar of real enthusiasm or accomplishments. His structure is likened unto the rough stone wall, having little beauty of value. He is the cowans of modern speculative Masonry. He is to be pitied, for he is a Masonic failure. His honors are shallow. Bringing no interest to his position, he received little of the satisfaction and respect that belong to the real Master. Masonry has failed to reach him with a clear understanding of those marks of true devotion which (it) has to offer. He never knows the opportunities that the Craft makes available to those who diligently seek them. He misses the opportunities that the Craft makes available to strive for a just and worthy cause. He misses the opportunity for continuing fellowship and friendship. He misses the opportunity for loyalty and devotion. He misses the opportunity for development of his executive, intellectual and oratorical abilities. And most of all, he misses the opportunity for service - to God - to his community - and to his fellow man. These are the jewels that Masonry has to offer, but in his quest for position and honors, the modern cowan misses them. Like the operative cowan, he does not have the Word. REMEMBER YOU'RE A MASON When the pressures of recession Make us concentrate on greed, Take heed, a worthy Mason Cares about another's needs; Don't let pressures of the moment Make your obligation sway, Stop and help a fallen brother Or another by the way; What you give is like a bubble Whenever you assist, What it costs in time and trouble Is, soon after, never missed; Brother, bear that obligation You accepted on your knee, It's in direct relation To your own security; Never hesitate, my brother Square your actions now and say, "I'll remember I'm a Mason, "And behave like that today;" "With regard to human kindness And the 'Golden Rule', I pray, I'll remember I'm a Mason... And behave like that today." -reprinted from the Masonic Shimbun in the GLBC Bulletin, Nov. '79 Brother Jason Rexrode receiving his Life Membership in Perpetuity Certificate, LMP lapel pin and Life Member dues card. My Brothers, if you have not remitted your dues for 2015, please do so. Continue your Benefits and Rights by keeping your Membership current. 3
Florida Brother J Darwin King now residing in Staunton, was awarded his 50 year pin and certificate. Presented by Right Worshipful Scott L. Fielding (District Deputy Grand Master 19th Masonic District), Right Worshipful David Hayes and Worshipful Master Thomas Otto. Staunton Lodge No. 13 Blood Drive at Gypsy Hill Park Auditorium on February 25, 2015, from 12:00 (noon) to 6:00 P.M. 170th Grand Master of Masons in Virginia Most Worshipful Reese Edward Carroll, Jr. Together, We Can Make A Difference 4
Division Leadership Conference (DLC) on Friday, April 10, 2015 at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church (30 Tinkling Spring Drive Fishersville, Va. 22939). There will be a special presentation on Cleopatra s needle by Right Worshipful Roy M. Marty Heaster. 6:00 P.M. registration; 6:30 P.M. DLC begins Robert R. Kennedy Jr. Area Masonic Ritual School on Friday, April 17, 2015 and Saturday April 18, 2015 at Lee Lodge No. 209. A ritual class on the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason degree will be done by the brethren from the 18th and 19th Masonic District. Friday begins at 7:00 P.M. and Saturday the Eastern Star will be serving breakfast form 7:00 A.M. 9:00 A.M., Saturday class starts at 9:00 A.M. Fellowship with Staunton Lodge No. 13 5
Staunton Lodge #13 AF & AM Masonic Pictures 6
Staunton Lodge #13 AF & AM Masonic Pictures 7
Staunton Lodge No. 13 Masonic District 19 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons 708 D Street Staunton, Virginia 24401 (540) 324-2638 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1 Staunton, Virginia 24402 Email: StauntonLodge13@gmail.com Facebook: Staunton Lodge #13 AF&AM Website: www.stauntonlodge13afam.org March 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3Staunton #13 4 5 6 7 Stated Meeting 8 9 10 11Staunton #13 Evening practice 12 Lee #209 Stated Meeting 13 14 15 16 17 18Highland #110 19 20 21 Stated Meeting 22 23 24Augusta #111 25Staunton #13 26Highland #110 27 28 Stated Meeting Evening practice Blood Drive 29 30 31 8