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Batavia Lodge 404
Trestleboard
March and April 2004
From
the East...
GREETINGS FROM THE EAST.
I have
learned a lot in the four months that I have been Master. It’s been a lot of
work. I’m still learning my ritual. I’m going to keep on plugging!
I can tell you in four months I have grown as a Mason. Some of the things that
scared me at the beginning, such as opening and closing the lodge, don’t scare
me now.
Being the Master is very rewarding. I’ve had the privilege to have four Entered
Apprentices going in who are very excited about learning the craft. They’ve even
helped on breakfasts and gone to funerals. They’re ready to be Master Masons. By
the time this Trestleboard is sent, these four plus the five other Entered
Apprentices from our neighboring Lodges will have gone thru the Blue Lightening.
These men should be proud!
In the coming months I plan on getting back to learning about famous Masons. I
hope this will interest you. I also hope to get a Cougar’s baseball outing
together and Past Master’s Dinner. We have things to look forward to!
Before that happens, we have a March 22nd date with the District Deputy as well
as Ritual Competition. Brethren, won’t you try to attend to help us do a good
job? One of our brothers, John Donaldson, went to that house not made with
hands. He will be missed for his quiet unassuming support. I’m glad I got to
meet him!
Until next time, come see us at lodge. Our communications in the Trestleboard aren’t frequent enough!
Curt
Morrison
Worshipful Master
From
the West...
GREETINGS
FROM THE WEST, BRETHREN.
Last
time, I asked “What do you want from OUR Lodge?” Since then, I have received
some interesting ideas and a lot of support! Thanks to all the brethren who
responded!
Now I ask, “What is the purpose of Masonry”?
Is it the philanthropic endeavors of our Fraternity?
Is it the working and retainment of our Ritual?
Is it the Fellowship we have within our Fraternity?
Is it to support and reinforce the Moral teaching of our Faiths?
Is it a Mystical system of learning tracing its roots to the mystery schools of
antiquity?
Is it all of the above? Or are they all by products of the true purpose and
goals of our Fraternity? Which is making good men better!
Congratulations to our new Brothers who were passed and raised at the Blue
Lightning held on February 28th. We had 2 from Geneva: Johnny M. Francisco and
Robert W. Giertz. Two from Dundee: Robert Ballau and Edward E. Emerson. Four
from Batavia: Joseph A. Blessing, Neal J. Conde III, John S. Duros and Timothy
L. Hoehn. Two from Cary-Grove: Donald R. Brewer and Dale K. Ingersoll.
Welcome to our fraternity!
The Charity teaches us to work for the good of others. The Fellowship shows us
we are not alone. The Ritual strengthens our mind and sharpens our memory. The
Floor work exercises our control over our bodies.
The Search for our beginnings stretches our imagination of the possibilities.
This all adds up to becoming better men which build a better society. So I ask
again, “What is our goal as Masons?”
Or are the goals of Masonry as varied as the organizations under the umbrella of
our Fraternity. Or are the goals different for every Brother?
Let me know what YOU think!
Fraternally,
Ed Steffy Senior Warden
From
the South...
OR
MAYBE LEFT FIELD ….
We take
an oath to never reveal any of the HIDDEN mysteries of Ancient Free Masonry, but
that does not mean we have to keep our families in the dark about our
Fraternity. We are asked what induced us to become Master Masons, and respond
with …. To contribute to the relief of worthy distressed Brother Master Masons,
their Widows and orphans. If our families do not know what Masonry is all about,
or do not know whom our Brothers and their families are, how can we contribute
to their relief? How do they know whom to talk to if they need help? Can you
name the wives or children of more than six brothers out of our 140 members?
Does your family know the names of at least six brothers? If we want our
fraternity to grow, we must get the word out as to whom we are. And I think we
should start at home.
Here are a couple of questions I heard from our new brothers after the Blue
Lightning we held on February 28. What can I tell my wife and family? How can my
wife get more involved in Masonry? Are there any other wives that are involved
in Blue Lodge functions? Are their any functions that my family can participate
in? Yes, we have Appended Bodies that have social functions. But shouldn’t we
get our families involved at the root, The Blue Lodge? Our families will spread
the Word, better than we could ever hope to.
The statements above are my own, and have not been endorsed by any other brother
in our fraternity. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please come
to one of our stated meetings and voice your opinion.
Dan Jones, Sr. Junior Warden
From
the Secretary...
Since the
last newsletter 3 Brothers received their 50 year pins. WPM Thomas Anderson,
Brother Donald Carlstedt and Brother Scotty McLain. WPM Homer Terry received his
60 year pin.
If all goes well, by the time this letter is published, we will have raised 4
new Master Masons.
As always we still have members who have not paid their 2004 dues. In fact,
there are 8 of you. They are due on December 31 of each year in advance. PLEASE
REMIT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!
February 23rd we had a program by Bro. Steinbach on Dr. Bucher, a member of our
Lodge 404 and 73 which dates back to 1849. It was very interesting. So you see
Brethren, we are trying to make our regular meetings interesting other than
paying bills and having refreshments. Please join us on the 2nd and 4th
Monday’s.
Sincerely,
Harold A. Hall (Bosco, Secretary)
From the Picnic Committee...
It is
getting that time of year again to start thinking about our annual Batavia
Lodge/Eastern Star combined picnic. We need input from all of our families!!!
We would like to get an idea of the ages of people that might be attending so we
can buy appropriate game prizes and have suitable games for each age group. We
also need input as to some ideas for games for different ages. This is your
picnic and should have your input into what we do. Please give this info to
either Dan or Vicki Jones 630-896-3613 or to any Batavia Lodge Officer or
Eastern Star Officer and they will get it to us.
More info will follow as to date and time. Thank you for your help.
On February 26th at Grand Lodge School held at Geneva Lodge No. 139, seven ruffians from Batavia Lodge No. 404 stole the Traveling Trophy from Geneva. On February 28th at the Blue Lightning held at Batavia Lodge No. 404, seven thugs masquerading as worthy brothers to help us with the Blue Lightning stole the traveling trophy back to Geneva Lodge No. 139
Calendar of Events
March 8 Batavia Lodge #404 stated meeting
March 8 Elgin Lodge #117 - Official Visit Geneva
March 9 Blackberry Lodge #359 - Official Visit Elburn
March 9 Eastern Star #265 Batavia
March 13 Master and Warden’s Breakfast 7:00 a.m. Geneva — Colonial Restaurant
March 13 Lay Cornerstone — New Children’s Home Murphysboro
March 15 Eastern Star #952 Geneva
March 16 Geneva Lodge #139 stated meeting
March 18 Dundee Lodge #190 stated meeting
March 18 Unity Lodge #48 stated meeting Geneva
March 21 Geneva’s Past Master’s Dinner 5:00 p.m.
March 22 Batavia Lodge #404 - Official Visit
March 23 Eastern Star #265 Exchange Night with Geneva Batavia
March 28 Pancake Breakfast 7:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. Batavia
March 30 Grand Lodge School of Instruction Blackberry 7:00 p.m. Elburn
April 1 Dundee Lodge #190 stated meeting
April 1 Unity Lodge #48 stated meeting
April 5 Eastern Star #952 Exchange Night with Batavia Geneva
April 6 Geneva Lodge #139 stated meeting
April 10 Master & Warden’s Breakfast 7:00 a.m. Geneva — Colonial Restaurant
April 12 Batavia Lodge #404 stated meeting
April 12 Elgin Lodge #117 stated meeting
April 13 Blackberry Lodge #359 stated meeting Elburn
April 13 Eastern Star #265 Batavia
April 15 Dundee Lodge #190 stated meeting
April 15 Unity Lodge #48 stated meeting
April 19 Eastern Star #952 Geneva
April 20 Geneva Lodge #139 stated meeting
April 25 Pancake Breakfast 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Batavia
April 26 Batavia Lodge #404 stated meeting
April 27 Eastern Star #265 Batavia
April 29 Standard Club – Unity 7:00 p.m. Geneva
May 1 Grand Master’s Festival 8:00 a.m. Chicago — Scottish Rite Cathedral
May 3 Eastern Star #952 Geneva
May 4 Geneva Lodge #139 stated meeting
May 6 Dundee Lodge #190 stated meeting
May 6 Unity Lodge #48 stated meeting
May 8 Master & Warden’s Breakfast 7:00 a.m. Geneva — Colonial Restaurant
May 10 Batavia Lodge #404 stated meeting
May 10 Elgin Lodge #117 stated meeting
May 11 Eastern Star #265 Honoring Mothers Batavia
May 11 Blackberry Lodge #359 stated meeting Elburn
ALL STATED MEETINGS – 7:30 P.M. – ALL EASTERN STAR – 8 P.M.