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      The Waller Masonic Lodge
      #808 AF & AM   E-Newsletter

             March 2007


Lead Stories

Brother Jimmy Hooper hits the big time.

            more »

For some time now, we have gone into our lodge rooms and told one another of our self-pride in being Freemasons

            more »

As those who have sat in Lodge lately will remember, some months ago we kicked off a remodeling project.

            more »

For years we've been hearing that Freemasonry is a organization for old men.

            more »

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.

           more »

Departments

The Editors Corner

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This Months Humor

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This Months Funnies

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The Famous Masons Series

            more »

The "Old Tiler Talks" Series

            more »

A Message From The East
Worshipful Master "Wes" Mersiovsky

For those of you who haven't been in the lodge building since the last stated meeting, or longer, will see something new next time. Maybe that should be something old will not be seen.

For about a year, we have discussed the idea of removing the closets from the hallway, the ones that were originally restrooms, to open up the entry, and hopefully make it more inviting. The hallway has been a congestion point for anyone wanting to go from the entry door to the dining area, especially if people stop to look at the bulletin board or talk.

Calvin Trapp, Corky Daut, and I ripped out the walls, and Reagan Rape hauled away the sheetrock and tile from the floor. Calvin and I worked on the wiring, because the lighting has to be moved, as well as the switches. The foyer, hallway, old restrooms, and old kitchen are now one room.

At the time of this writing, there is still a lot of work to do, including installing lights, patching holes, texture, paint, adding ceiling tile, and installing new flooring. Our District Deputy, Right Worshipful Robert Byrd will visit on March 13th, and we hope to have it complete by that date. ?



Thought For The Day

If a man has enough horse sense to treat his wife like a thoroughbred, she will never turn into an old nag.




Brother Jimmy Hooper Hits The Big Time

Brother Jimmy Hooper of Waller Masonic Lodge #808 AF & AM and his team of mules, 'Razus' and 'Baby' are scheduled to compete in the Championship Mule Pull at the Reliant Center during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on Saturday, March 10,2007 at 2:00 p.m.

Brother Jimmy and his mules have participated in local pulls in the Magnolia and the Field?s Store area, but this time Brother Jimmy said, "I just wanted to compete with the "Big Boys" one time."

Other mule teams from Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, as well as other local teams will also be in the competition. ?




The Waller Lodge Remodeling Project Is Moving Forward By "Corky"

As those who have sat in Lodge lately will remember, some months ago we kicked off a remodeling project with W.M. "Wes" building a huge new storage closet in the back end of the dinning room. The new closet was built to hold the items that have been stored in the 2 closets in the front lobby area, so they could be demolished.

The Mess When I Arrived
At the last stated meeting, W.M. "Wes" declared Saturday Feb. 17 as a work day so we could get together and demolish the closets and the wall and doorway between them and the "trophy" room. W.M. "Wes" and wife Liz started doing some of the destruction on Thursday and Friday afternoons and had made a good start. When I showed up Saturday morning, Brother Calvin had already removed all the old plumbing pipes. (Older Brothers will remember when those closets were the Lodge's rest rooms.) The rest of the morning was spent with us 3 tearing out the rest of the sheetrock and the 2X4 framing (In all honesty, with my knees I probably did a little more talking then working.) While we worked in the hall, Liz painted in the preparation room closet that will be used to store the Eastern Star's equipment.

After A Days Work
About noon we took a break to enjoy the delicious beef stew and peach cobbler that Shirley, Calvin?s wife, made for the workers. By then my knees were sending urgent messages that it was time to get off of them. Brother Regan Rape had gotten off work by then and was pulling up. He joined the others and they cleaned up the mess. Brother Rape hauled off all of the old sheet rock and other demolition materials that were left.

Still in the works, is installing a new tile floor, texturing and painting the walls, installing a new ceiling, installing new light fixtures and reinstalling the trophy cabinets and pictures in the new setting.

The plans also include replacing the old worn our front entrance to the building.




Waller Lodge Membership Today
by "Corky"

For years we've been hearing that Freemasonry is a organization for old men. Well sir, since I'll be 79 a couple of weeks after you read this, I figured I would just see how Waller members rank in the age category.

59% are over 61 years old. 38% are between 31 and 60 years old. Only 3% are less then 30 years old.

(A couple of members weren't counted, because the record I searched had a couple of gaps.)

 3 Members between 91 and 100 years old
 7 Members between 81 and 90 years old
15 Members between 71 and 80 years old
19 Members between 61 and 70 years old
11 Members between 51 and 60 years old
10 Members between 41 and 50 years old
 5 Members between 31 and 40 years old
 2 Members between 21 and 30 years old
 3 Exact age unknown - but over 40 old
75 members total

While I was figuring, I also ran the figures on the length of Masonic service for the Waller Lodge members.

 2 Members, Masons between 61 and 70 years
 9 Members, Masons between 51 and 60 years
14 Members, Masons between 41 and 50 years
13 Members, Masons between 31 and 40 years
10 Members, Masons between 21 and 30 years
10 Members, Masons between 11 and 20 years
15 Members, Masons between 01 and 10 years
  2 Raised date unknown
75 members total




Right Worshipful Robert Byrd Visits North Waller County
by "Corky"

Waller Lodge's W. M. "Wes" Mersiovsky, J. W. "Jim" Brown, Treasurer "Corky" Daut and Brother John Reese attended the Hempstead Lodge stated meeting last Thursday evening. It was for the official visit by District Deputy Grand master Right Worshipful Robert Byrd.

It seemed like old times with a total 20 Master Masons in the Lodge room including Doug Holloman and Kevin and Robert McWilliams whom I hadn?t seen in Lodge in a long time.

Worshipful Master "Bubba" Schiel turned the Lodge over to the D.D.G.M. who gave an interesting talk about the Grand Master's plans and ideas for improving Masonry. Right Worshipful Bird will be making his official visit to Waller Lodge at our stated meeting next Tuesday, March 13th. We need all members to attend, to show our support for Waller Lodge and hear the Grand Master's message




Masonry Has Become An Island To Itself

For some time now, we have gone into our lodge rooms and told one another of our self-pride in being Freemasons and what Masonry has done for us. We have boasted to each other with great pride concerning the founding of our country by Freemasons. We have told and retold ourselves about all the famous men who were members of our noble Craft. But, in all this, we are preaching to the proverbial choir who sing in a church far removed from the mainstream of everyday modern life.

Simply put, Masonic organizations have become islands unto themselves, turned inward, and have lost appreciation and recognition in the non-Masonic world that they once so justly deserved and enjoyed.

Over the years, Freemasonry in this country has developed in directions many no longer consider vital to society. Yes, our many charitable organizations do give us some positive public exposure, but they do very little to communicate what our fraternity is or what it does. The Shrine Hospital network is far and away Masonry's greatest philanthropic institution as judged by public perception, but very few people outside the organization have any inkling that every Shriner is a Freemason.

In order to preserve our Craft and to carry it on to future generations as a positive vital force we, as Freemasons, need to make immediate and dramatic changes in our way of doing business, not in the Craft's philosophy and ritual, but in the way we practice that ritual and develop public understanding of Masonic philosophy. I do not understand how any right-thinking individual could seriously fail to grasp the fact that Masonry's reluctance to be actively involved in the communities and its lack of willingness to communicate with good men about the fraternity are the chief reasons for Masonry's inability to bring new initiates to its altars.

Specifically, what can we do? If we are to regain the lofty status we once held, we must become a recognizable part of the community Our real civic responsibility is to convince the world, by our actions, that we are Masons. We should do those things that provide leadership in improving the moral and emotional status of our environment. In fine, we should communicate, by our actions, the kind of public image that the whole world can admire and will wish to emulate.

The time is long overdue when the Masonic fraternity must come into the open with a revitalized public presence so all men may see that even in the cloud of present-day social confusion, there is one organization with strong and worthy ideals. We must plan an organized effort to seek out the good men of our communities and tell them what Freemasonry stands for and what it does. We need to communicate the idea that we are interested in them because of their quality as men and if they seek membership, that they will be welcomed.

Failure to communicate these things to the public can only contribute to our current membership decline and eventually place our noble craft among the greatest of extinct societies.

"HOW OTHERS PERCEIVE US" was published in the July 2000 issue of the Louisiana Freemason. ?



Celebrations For March

Masonic Anniversaries
BrotherYears
Carl Miller 46
T. M. Peterson 34
Steve York 32
John Daut, Sr.17
David Reynolds08
Happy Birthday To
BrotherAge
Kenneth Healy91
John "Corky" Daut 79
C. J. Rose 73
Everett F. Hoover70
Robert F. Willie69
Herman S. Flanagan64
Richard Ventrca56
Eric Flanagan49



Jack was sitting on a plane when a guy took the seat beside him. The guy was an emotional wreck, pale, hands shaking, moaning in fear. "What's the matter?" Jack asked.

"I've been transferred to New Orleans , there's crazy people there. They've got lots of shootings, gangs, race riots, drugs, poor public schools, and the highest crime rate."

Jack replied, "I've lived in New Orleans all my life. It's not as bad as the media says. Find a nice home, go to work, mind your own business, enroll your kids in a nice private school. It's as safe a place as anywhere in the world."

The guy relaxed and stopped shaking and said, "Oh, thank you. I've been worried to death. But if you live there and say it's OK, I'll take your word for it. By the way, what do you do for a living?"

"Me?" said Jack. "I'm a tail gunner on a Budweiser truck."




The Editor's Corner
by "Corky"

If you weren't at the Valentine party last month, you really missed a good time. The 24 of us who were there really missed you and you and your love and you really missed having a good meal, good fellowship and an enjoyable couple of hours.

Worshipful Master "Wes" and Liz and daughter Nichol (Actually it may have been mostly Liz and Nichol.) went all out to present a delicious meal. The deserts the ladies brought were excellence. Nichol created a bingo game with a Valentine theme that everyone enjoyed playing and before we left everyone had received at least one prize.



Long Time Masons

The Brothers of Waller Lodge would like to acknowledge those members who have served Freemasonry for 50 years (or more). And, to express our gratitude and congratulations to;

Bro. Floyd E. Dennison - Bro. Andrew L. Foster - Past Master C.L. Garrett - Bro. James B. Haney - Bro. Kenneth Healey - Past Master Tom A. Kenney - Past Master John W. Reese - Past Master Wayne C. Schultz - Past Master (of Hempstead Lodge #749) Thomas Roy Shields - Bro. John L. Thompson



This Month's Humor

A minister decided to do something a little different one Sunday morning.??He said "Today, in church, I am going to say a single word and you are going to help me preach.

Whatever single word I say, I want you to sing whatever hymn that comes to your mind."

Then the pastor shouted out "CROSS."

Immediately the congregation started singing in unison, "THE OLD RUGGED CROSS."

The pastor hollered out "GRACE"

The congregation began to sing "AMAZING GRACE, how sweet the sound."

The pastor said "POWER."

The congregation sang "THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD."

The Pastor said "SEX."

The congregation fell into total silence. Everyone was in shock. They all nervously began to look around at each other afraid to say anything.

Then all of a sudden, way from in the back of the church, a little old 87 year old grandmother stood up and began to sing "PRECIOUS MEMORIES."




4 WIVES


Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.

He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."

Thus, he asked the 4th wife , "I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will! You follow me and keep me company?"

"No way!, replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word.

Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!"

His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me.

When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave."

Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go."

The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In Truth, We All Have These 4 Wives In Our Lives:

Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

Thought For The Day:

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!




The Famous Masons Series  


Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton

[Arthur ]

May 10, 1850 - Oct. 2, 1931

"Work hard, deal honestly, be enterprising, exercise careful judgement, advertise freely but judiciously."

Born of Irish parents in Glasgow, Sir Thomas Lipton, through a unique style of shopkeeping and imaginative advertising?as well as the introduction of the teabag? developed a small grocery store into an international business, making him a millionaire at the age of thirty.

First challenging the America's Cup yachting trophy in 1899, he made five unsuccessful attempts, endearing himself to the American public, which gave him a gold cup after his last defeat in 1930. Queen Victoria knighted Lipton in 1898 for his commercial success and philanthropy. He was created a baronet in 1902. During the Spanish-American war, and later during WWI, Lipton gave money and services to aid the wounded.

Sir Lipton left much of his fortune to the city of Glasgow, to aid the poor, and to build hospitals. He was the oldest member on the rolls of Lodge Scotia No. 178 when he died in 1931.

Raised: August, 1870
Lodge Scotia No. 178
Glasgow, Scotland






Harold C. Lloyd

April 20, 1893- March 8, 1971

Silent screen actor, comedian and producer, Harold Lloyd was an active Shriner. As Imperial Potentate of North America in 1949, he appeared on the cover of the July 25, 1949 Time Magazine with its accompanying cover story entitled The World of Hiram Abif. He was later elected President of the Shriners Hospital Corporation in 1963 as well as Chairman of the Board of Trustees

He arrived in Los Angeles in 1912, shedding his grotesque comedy clothes and characterizations for a pair of horn-rimmed glasses in 1917. In doing so, Lloyd created an American archetype in a motion picture career, which spanned 34 years and over 200 comedies. Among his most famous films are Grandma's Boy (1922), Safety Last! (1923), The Freshman (1925), The Kid Brother (1927), Speedy (1928), and Movie Crazy (1932).

Lloyd was also a prize-winning stereo (3-D) photographer. He produced two compilation films of his earlier work, Harold Lloyd's World of Comedy (1962) and Harold Lloyd's Funny Side of Life (1963), and was preparing further revivals of his best films before succumbing to cancer on March 8, 1971 at the age of 77.

Initiated: 1925
Alexander Hamilton Lodge No. 535, Hollywood, CA





Harpo Marx

November 23, 1888 - September 28, 1964

Born Adolph, he changed his name to Arthur during World War I but was known professionally as Harpo. The second oldest of the four Marx brothers comedy team, Harpo rarely if ever spoke while in character but was reknown as a mime and harpist. His ready wit was recognized with his inclusion as a member of the Algonquin Round Table in New York.





I recently discovered an excellent source of cartoons that were printed in newspapers during the 1900's, 1910's and 1920's. I thought we might enjoy seeing the "funnies" our grandparents enjoyed.





Lets Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide


A freshman at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, a couple of years ago. He was attempting to show how conditioned we have become to alarmists practicing junk science and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical dihydrogen monoxide.

He listed some very excellent reasons for banning dihydrogen monoxide.:

1. It can cause excessive sweating and vomiting.
2. It is a major component in acid rain.
3. It can cause severe burns in its gaseous state.
4. Accidental inhalation can kill you.
5. It contributes to erosion.
6. It decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.
7. It has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients.

He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical. Forty-three said yes, six were undecided, and only one knew that it was the chemical name for water.




Masons, both young and old can still benefit from the "Old Tiler Talks" stories that started in 1921. It's funny how these stories (lessons) that taught our Masonic grandfathers, are just as significant today as they were 80 years ago. The book with with 70 of the "Old Tiler Talks" stories and 2 other Carl Claudy Masonic books may still be purchased from Temple Books


Promotion
By Carl Claudy

From the Old Tiler's Talk - by Carl H. Claudy, The Temple Publishers

The New Brother's face showed a bad case of peeve, and his voice reflected it as he greeted the Old Tyler in the anteroom.

"S'matter, son?" inquired the Old Tyler. "You look like a cross between a thunder cloud and the Black Hole of Calcutta!"

"Politics!" snapped the New Brother. "I thought it was bad form, undignified, un-Masonic to electioneer for officers. It's bad enough any time, but when they electioneer for one who isn't in line for promotion and to throw out one who has served years in the chairs, I think it's terrible!"

"Yes, yes, go on," encouraged the Old Tyler. "Get it all out of your system."

"Tonight they elected Bill Jones Junior Warden. He doesn't attend regularly, does he? And Smith, who was in line for promotion, was dropped. Smith never missed a night last year and did his best as Senior Deacon. Jones is more popular than Smith, and may make a better officer, but the point is that Smith worked and Jones never has. So I'm peeved!"

"Wiser heads than yours have been peeved at politics in a lodge," answered the Old Tyler. "It's a difficult question. By Masonic usage any electioneering is taboo. The unwritten law and the theory contend for a free choice of officers by unbiased votes. But men are men first and Masons afterwards, and politics always have been played. I know of no way to stop a brother from telling another brother how he ought to vote!"

"That doesn't dispose of the injustice of Smith," answered the New Brother. "It isn't right."

"The majority thought it was right," countered the Old Tyler. "Now that Jones has the job, I'll tell you that I knew Smith wouldn't get it. He has been faithful to his work, never missed a night, done his best. But his best just wasn't good enough. You speak of Jones being more popular than Smith. There must be a reason, and if he is better liked he'll make a better officer."

"But it is still an injustice." The New Brother was stubborn.

"You argue from the standpoint of the man who believes that a man elected or appointed to be Junior Steward has a neck-hold on the job ahead of him," answered the Old Tyler. "According to your idea any Junior Steward who attends lodge and does his work ought to be elected to the succeeding position each year as a reward of merit. Actually the job, not the man, is important. The good of the lodge is more important than the reward for the man.

"You don't realize that Masonry is bigger than the individual, that the lodge is bigger than its officers, that the positions in line are greater than the men who fill them.

"A Master may make or mar a lodge. If he is a good Master, well-liked, popular, able, attentive to his duties and enthusiastic in his work, the lodge goes forward. If only enthusiasm and faithfulness recommend him and he lacks ability, and the respect and liking of his fellows, and he has not the equipment to rule, the lodge will go backwards. Smith is a nice fellow, faithful, enthusiastic. But he has more from the neck down than from the ears up. Jones hasn't attended lodge much, but he is a brainy man, accustomed to preside, knows men and affairs, and, if he bears out the judgment of the brethren, will carry this lodge to new heights.

"Smith was given his chance for four years. In that time he could not demonstrate to the satisfaction of his brethren that he would make a good Master. It was a kindness to drop him now and not let him serve two more years. It is hard to be told 'we don't want you,' but the lodge showed wisdom in choosing as Junior Warden a man in whom it believes, rather than merely rewarding faithful effort.

"I am sure the Master made a nice speech to Smith and thanked him for his work. His brethren will show him they like him as a brother if not as a Junior Warden. Smith will not be as peevish about it as are you. He has been a Mason long enough to know that the majority rule is the only rule on which a Masonic lodge can be conducted. He won't understand his own limitations, or believe he couldn't be as good an officer as Jones, but he will bow to the decision of his fellows and keep on doing the best he can. That is Masonry at its best. Politics is often Masonry at its worst, but in the long run the right men get chosen to do the right work. Sometimes it is a bit hard on the man, but the good Mason is willing to suffer for the love he bears his mother lodge."

"As a peeve-remover you are a wonder!" smiled the New Brother. "But I wonder how you'd like to be supplanted by another Tyler?"

"When the lodge can find a better servant, I shall be glad to go," answered the Old Tyler simply. "I try to be a Mason first, and an Old Tyler afterwards!"




See You Next Month

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