Golden Ark Lodge #595

TRESTLEBOARD

                May 2009

Volume 12, Number 05

Trestle-Board

27/APR/09 – FC Degree open at 6:30 pm

29/APR/09 – Child ID Program at Taylor Parks Elementary School – 5:00 pm

30/APR/09 – Legislation Meeting for districts 50, 51, & 59 at Allen Park Temple – 7:00 

04/MAY/09 – Regular Communication 7:00 pm  EA DEGREE TO FOLLOW!!

08/MAY/09 – Ladies Appreciation Dinner – 6:00 pm RSVP by 01/MAY/09

11/MAY/09 – FC Degree open at 6:30 pm

18/MAY/09 – MM Degree open at 6:00 pm

26/MAY/09 (Tuesday) -  Lodge opens at 6:30 pm

01/JUN/09 – 03/JUN/09

Grand Lodge Proceedings Grand Rapids  - NO LODGE

A Note from The Trestle- Board Committee

We have not received much feed-back regarding advertising, so starting in Our July edition, we will implement this.

Also starting in September, we will be going to an electronic format of this newsletter. We are aware that there are members that do not have e-mail and/or internet access, so, those wishing to receive a copy via U.S. Mail, please contact the office and let us know. We do not want anyone missing out on the information that is being distributed.

MASONIC PATHWAYS VISIT

Our JD, Br Timothy Dragone, has arranged for a visit to Pathways, on September 19, 2009. Pathways will provide bus transportation to and from the facility, as well as a lunch during our tour.  We will meet at the Lodge around 8:00 am. This is an opportunity to see some of the services offered to our Masonic family. We need to have at least 20 people committed to going, so please RSVP with Br. Tim. Remember that this visit is open to all of our members and their families

Greetings from the EAST      

Brethren, Family, and Friends

Spring is in the air and we have another busy month ahead of us.

On May 8th, we will be having a Ladies Appreciation Night to say thank you to our ladies for supporting us in all that we do. This includes wives, girlfriends, mothers and daughters.

We also have degree work to do, so if anyone wants to move up a chair, or sit in a different chair just ask. This goes for Past Masters and all other Members as well.

I was planning a BBQ/ Fireworks in July, but Taylor had to go and cancel fireworks for this year. I would still like to have the BBQ though so if anyone has any suggestions or comments please let me know.

As most of you know, but some don't, I lost my dad the end of March. The kind words of Support, and phone calls to ask me how I am doing and if I needed anything, and most of all the Masonic Walkthrough makes me very proud to be a Free and Accepted Mason.

                                                 
Until Next Month

Fraternally,

Russell D Ouellette WM

You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are!

Writings from the WEST

Brethren, Family and Friends

Spring has finally “Sprung” – I think that the warm weather is finally here for a while. Our Spring clean-up week did not bring many Brothers to the Lodge, but those that did come down accomplished quite a bit. Thank you for your help and support. Remember that the remainder of the list is still posted – I hope that we can get this accomplished before the Summer break.

I would like to thank all of you, once again, for bestowing the honor of Mason of the Year upon me. I am proud to be a member of this great fraternity and of Golden Ark Lodge.

As most of you are aware, I am involved with my daughter’s soccer team. Our Spring session has started, and we practice every Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Because of this, I am unable to start our classes prior to 8:00 pm. For those still interested in our Masonic Education classes, please contact me, or just be at the Lodge Thursday evening. Also, due to soccer, I am not able to dedicate as much time to our Scouts. Anyone interested in helping out with either the Cub Scouts or the Boy Scouts, please see myself, or Br. Brian Campbell. Remember that these boys are the future, and hopefully future Masons, so any help with organization and/or mentoring is appreciated.

Earlier in the year, the WM agreed to let me organize a team that will give the lectures, without the aid of the slides/DVD. While I have had a few volunteers, we still need help. We will also need some assistance in creating and constructing props. Please see me at Lodge, or drop me a note, if you are willing to assist with taking a part or constructing a prop.

Wayne Lodge has postponed their SW Dinner until 18/MAY/09, the same day as our MM Degree.

Until Next month – stay on the Level, and live by the Square

WB John R Miller, SW

We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.
salutations from the SOUTH

Greetings Brothers,

   I would like to take the time to thank everyone for showing up

And supporting WB John Miller at the Mason of the year party.

We all had a lot of fun. Remember, on 4/30/09 there is a  legislation meeting

at Allen Park Key at 7 p.m.

Paul Loudon– JW

Secretary Scribbles

Musings from an old After Master…..

Dear Brethren,

How time is flying! We are spiraling into an ever faster and faster pace of time and life, and before we know it the things we really wanted to do will no longer matter any more. Quite a somber thought, but all the more relevant if we take stock of our lives and ponder over our successes and near-misses. Well, it’s always later than we think so we had better get on with what still remains undone.  Let’s look at the simple things in life, because if we can sort out the simple things, then nine times out of ten the big stuff automatically falls into place.  When was the last time you hugged your children? Were you harsh with your wife, your parents, or your siblings? Just like ‘Charity begins at home’, so do our other qualities.

Have you noticed that if you start your day on a light, happy and loving note, somehow everything else falls into place or, at least, things are not as bad as they could have been? Why does this happen? I guess it has to do with that good old often repeated, often abused term.…attitude. Not what we sometimes point out in others, muttering “That guy has an attitude!” but the opposite.  Let me explain. Just as we are quick to pick up someone’s bad vibes and blame his obnoxious bearing to attitude, so is it possible to pick up someone’s good vibes. We are all wired up to pick up these vibes, signals, body language, intuitions, call it what you will. So, when we meet someone who smiles, is polite and open, we say that person is “genuinely” good. This may happen in a split second even though we may not know that person very well, but we feel ‘something’ about them that is comforting. So, therefore, if you want to be like that person, all you have to do is to change your attitude towards others. Be genuinely interested in the other person. Do not judge them, and if you have to, then be sparing in your criticism but quick to concentrate on their better traits. Be positive, especially when everyone else around is negative; hold your own. Start practicing these and other positive mannerisms and soon they will become habits. And that will bring about permanent change in your attitude. And the best school to practice? You guessed it……your Lodge! The best part is that in your Lodge you can be whatever and whoever you want to be, and your brethren will support you. Become an active, mainstream Mason instead of hanging on the fringes, and let yourself soar to new heights! Take that step to doing that extra bit for others and watch the lifeblood of change fill your very being. And as your attitude changes, you will be a better person, and someone you will be proud to know.  You can make a difference.  It can only begin within yourself and within your heart.  It’s a great day to be a Mason. 

I look forward to seeing you in lodge.  I promise you a greeting with a smile, a firm ‘grip’, and a warm welcome.

WB Mike Barham, HA

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