Trestleboard ASHLER LODGE February 2014
Greetings from the East,
Well, it has been another productive month at the Lodge and our January meeting was a huge part of that. We were visited by our RWB Junior Grand Warden, Jim Mendoza and many other brothers, including W.B. Donald J. Spencer from CA who has relocated to our area.
Unfortunately, our two newest brothers, Kaeden Bodyfelt and David De La Pena, were unable to attend due to other commitments but we hope to see them this month. Along those same lines, we balloted on another petition and will welcome another brother into our ranks at the end of February (27th), so please let one of the officers know if you would like a part in that initiation ceremony. There is also another petition in the works so hopefully we can continue the momentum.
Our budget was also reconciled with actual 2013 numbers and distributed to the Lodge for informational purposes. There were no additions to the budget and all bills were paid accordingly. The budget and the budgeting process continue to be refined and, with the efforts of the Temple Board and investment committee, the Lodge continues to do very well financially. With all of the maintenance performed on the Lodge over the last year, we have had to lay out quite a bit of capital so it is important that we are able to return money to the Lodge investment committee to replenish those funds. Hopefully, we will not have any more major maintenance expenditures in the near future but it is nice to know that the past and present stewards of the Lodge finances have done such a fantastic job.
We were presented with the annual Lodge audit by Brothers Mohammad Mostafavinassab, Bob Guild and Eric Blow. Several deficiencies were found in the accounting practices and were addressed in Lodge by recommendations voted on by those present. In all, the Lodge is doing well in accounting for its finances but the new recommendations will assist all of is doing an even better job.
Reports were made on progress of the brothers that have not yet been passed or raised and each of their mentors agreed to reach out again and see if progress can be made to help these along in their Masonic journey.
Three brothers were elected to Temple Board and one appointed. So, many thanks to Brothers Bob Guild, Mohammad Mostafavinassab, Jeff Sorenson and WB Gary McPherson to help keep our Lodge humming along on the Temple Board side
At the close of the meeting, RWB Jim Mendoza imparted a few words of wisdom about the connection we all have to our past and the words of the Grand Masters of the past. While the messages of these GM’s are similar in many respects, it underscores the fact that we are all here for similar reasons and that does not change even if our officers change and the activities in which we participate change. We are all here as brothers and I cherish these meetings with all of you, my brothers. RW Jim then closed the Lodge in due form, and did a masterful job, and our own VW Richard Beers imparted the charge to us all.
Next month is the official visit of our DDGM and I hope to have a special guest speaker as well. I look forward to seeing you all in Lodge soon
Fraternally,
WB Roger Kaltenbach
Worshipful Master
roger@thekaltenbach.com
If you are receiving a paper copy of the Trestleboad and would like an e-mail version please e-mail WB McPherson at gary@mc-pherson.com
Greetings from the West,
As we see another month go by and all hoping for an early spring we see how busy our Lodge is and what a great time it is to be brothers. With that in mind I sure do have a big list of wages to pay this month although I suspect no more than normal as we have some great Brothers. Brother Eric Blow was raised as our newest Master Mason and I want to be the first to congratulate him on being raised to Master Mason. It was a great evening to say the least. Also, thank you to all the Brothers we had show up and welcome Eric to Master. It was great to see Brothers Tracy Baxter and Bruce Lobree along with several visiting brothers Dave, Jack and Wally from other Lodges. They sure do continue to teach me that every Brother’s raising is important in every Lodge as mine was and to show it. Thank you to all the Brothers who showed up to support Eric. Wages also need to be paid to the brothers who put on our District 2 Senior Wardens Competition this month. Our District 2 Education Team is so great, always there to help. Thank you to VW Richard Beers, VW Steve Pennington, WB Chris Haynes and WB David Burn who were there to help us perfect our work as a Worshipful Master. Also to Brother Jeff Sorenson who showed up as an observer and was thrown into being the JW. He did great especially since he had never even seen the words prior. Thank so much to all, and to my sidekick from Shoreline, thanks Brother Brian Loomis for making it a great time.
So many more things coming up soon as we are always going here at Ashler so any of you want to get more involved and we always need the help so come join us and I look forward to seeing you all soon. Also coming up soon is the newly name changed Leadership conference (formerly Wardens Conference) is open to all brothers who are thinking of moving up the line or just want to know more about Masonry. This is a great way to get all of that so let us know if you are interested, it’s always a great time
Fraternally,
Dan Southerland
Senior Warden
bkmdano39@yahoo.com
Greetings from the South,
Congratulations need to go out to Cristal Southerland and her 2014 Ashler Award winning chili. I enjoy seeing family getting in on the cook off as the past two years have shown that we have some competition out there. Wage also go out to the Rainbow Girls for serving. They even concocted six chilis by mixing #1 and #5 for me!
Wages need to be paid to the brethren who helped me out on a crazy Saturday with Ashler Street Clean Up and a small work party to take care of a few things around the Lodge. Special thanks goes out to WB Gary McPherson for cleaning out the kitchen and pantry.
Wages go out to Brothers Bob Guild, Mohammad Mostafavinassab, Jeff Sorenson and WB Gary McPherson for being elected to the Temple Board. The first three brothers now get to see how the sausage is made so to speak!
More wages are to be paid to the Brethren for coming together for the raising of Br. Eric Blow and the initiating of Br. Kaeden Bodyfelt and Br. David de La Pena. We have one more on January 27th, so please come out and be a part of this degree. I certainly believe having a full sideline is very important. VWB Beers said to me, “In Masonry, you get what you put into it”. Even if it is a small part or on the sidelines, that is a great thing. I am full believer in a little Sunshine Committee for all the brethren, so if you haven’t heard from or seen a brother in a while, reach out or let us know if you would like me to reach out and I certainly will.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at the next dinner, our Rainbow Girls will be preparing and serving the meal this month
Fraternally,
Kevin Haagen
Junior Warden
krhaagen@hotmail.com
For the most up to date information visit the Ashler web page at http://www.bothellmasons.org or find us on Facebook.
February 2014
Wed 5 6:30 pm – Rainbow Assembly #47
Thu 6 7:00 pm – Masonic Education
8:00 pm – Temple Board
Wed 12 7:00 pm – T. H. Little DeMolay
Sat 15 7:00 pm – Job’s Daughters Bethel #77
Wed 19 6:30 pm – Rainbow Assembly #47
Thur 20 16 6:30 – Dinner
7:30 pm – Stated Meeting - DDOV
Sat 22 8:00 AM –Breakfast at Steve’s Cafe
Tue 25 7:00 pm – Job’s Daughters Bethel #77
Wed 26 7:00 pm – T. H. Little DeMolay
Thur 27 7:00 pm - Ashler Lodge EA Degree
Youth Groups Update.
I hope to make this a regular feature in our Trestelboard. An update on what is going on with the wonderful Youth at Ashler Lodge.
Job’s Daughters:
Bethel 77 has started off this term with a bang! Madeline Dale is our new Honored Queen and it is her first time so I hope everyone can show their support and come to one of her meetings. They have already initiated 1 new girl and will be initiating 2 more at our February 8 meeting which will start at 4:30 as they have planned a game night afterwards. If you know of a young lady who would like to come and have loads of fun please invite her. The girls have lots of plans for this term. Our Grand Visitation is March 8 at 7 pm and we hope to see you there. They are planning a fantastic fund raiser on April 19. Breakfast at the Bothell Applebees! The daughters will be selling tickets so please help support them. Thank you for everything you do for us! Melody Dorning Bethel Guardian Bethel 77
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