VOLUME 8, ISSUE 9

From the East
Brethren,

Sixty some days to go.  November will have 5 Saturday breakfasts.  Nov. 4th is Election Day, PLEASE VOTE.  Stated Meetings on the 11th and 25th, 7:30, dinner at 6:30.  We’ve had some really great meals.  Nov 14th is a Fish Fry / Pork Tenderloin Dinner for the Roof Fund, serving from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, All you can eat $8.00 each.  Tuesday Nov. 18th, Master Mason Degree for Brother Ken Bittner.  We’ll use this as a practice for Nov 22nd One Day Degree Day.

Thursday Nov. 20th, Thanksgiving Dinner at the Lodge.  See Insert.  Nov 27th, Official Thanksgiving Day.  Cone on the 20th, and celebrate with your Brothers and Sisters at the lodge.

There have been many repairs to the Lodge this year and more need to be done.  Theses do not include the Roof, and the Fund Raising is still continuing.  The money already raised is in a separate account for only the roof.  The Lodge has raised over $29,000.00 so far this year.

Next month, my final article as Worshipful Master will include some of the repairs, changes and improvements that have happened this year.  All organizations can not function without a COMPETENT SECRETARY and Brother Russell LeMar has done an outstanding job again this year.

W:. Bryant Davis, P. M., Chaplain; Brother David Griffin, Treasurer; Brother Russell LeMar, Secretary; W:. Art Barker, P. M., Junior Deacon and Brother Marlin Marsh, Kitchen Manager have all been faithful workers at our fund raisers,  These Brothers have not missed any meetings or fund raisers.

 2008 - We’ll make it GREAT!!  Remember T.G.I.F.

With Love for the Fraternity,

W:. Jon P. Vonderau P. M.
Worshipful Master

From the West

Brethren,

He paused for a moment and looked up to that 40-50 more paces still to go. The ground was rough and uneven, hard to walk on. Catching his breath, continued climbing. Reaching the spot that was his favorite in the past several weeks, he felt the refreshing breeze which helped to dry his face of the dripping sweat caused by the midday sun. He looked around for a minute, absorbing the  beautiful view , then sat down on the usual rock , being in partly shade and placed the clothe bag on his side he was carrying which was folded by it four corners and contained his food that was prepared by his wife early morning  before sunrise. Slowly opened it, found freshly baked , unleavened bread slightly burned at the edges, just the way he liked it. Also there was a whole salted and smoked fish , caught from the nearby river along with some radishes he grew in the small but well maintained garden in front of his house and a nice cluster of grapes from a local vender. He leaned back against the still cool stone wall , took a good bite of the bread first , closed his eyes and let his mind and thoughts free. He felt satisfied with life.  It took many years to reach this point. Loved his work with many friends around, found a perfect companion in his wife who gifted him with four sons and a daughter. From their early years he taught them everything he knew, about everyday life, how to harvest what the surrounding nature could provide, how to survive the bad times if comes. He loved especially of teaching sciences, architecture, mathematics and his favorite subject , the night sky, spending countless hours steering at the small lights above, most fascinated by the brightest one, the morning star which’s location he used many times in his work. Suddenly he opened his eyes, lifted his leather flask ,took a deep gulp of water flavored with juice squeezed from wildly grown berries. The time was right to continue work.

Finding himself before a gigantic peace of stone from the mountain that showed the sign of shaping, he felt pleasure to grab the tools in his strong and steady hands and applied a heavy blow, striking the stone at a perfect angle and spot…..

These are some mementoes of one of our ancient Brethren, a stonemason’s life.

With Brotherly Love,

Joseph Gondos

Senior Warden 

From the South
Brethren,

                It’s November and the Holiday’s are upon us.  We have a Master Mason Degree on the 18th, a Short of Time or One day class on the 22nd, the 20th is Thanksgiving at the lodge.  One the 14th there will be a Fish Fry and each Saturday morning is Fellowship breakfast, throw in a couple of stated meetings, a practice or two, a National Holiday and you have a full month!

                The Lodge has raised a good amount for the roof fund but we are not there yet, to help us get by with the roof we have for the next few years, the brethren present have elected to have the current roof, cleaned and repaired.  This is not the final resolution on the roof, it is just a measure to help us get by until we can raise the rest of the funds to Get R Done.

                If anyone has any Masonic education they would like to share, send it on over, we have a page dedicated on our website for.   As always we are looking to share.

                On Veteran’s Day. Nov 11th at our stated meeting we will be having chicken, Nov 25th with be taco night.  December 9th will be officer elections, Meatloaf has been requested before the end of the year so I plan on making it that night.

                Happy Birthday Marines!

                2008 – We’ll make it Great!!!

Semper Fi,
Glen Bishop
Junior Warden

From the Secretary Desk

IN MEMORIUM

BROTHERS RAISED TO THE SUPREME LODGE ON HIGH

GIFT STORE:

Come see Additional new selection of new items available in our Gift Shop to buy.  If you have not had the opportunity to stop by the Gift Counter recently, please do so and see the larger selection of Masonic and Eastern Star merchandise that can be purchased.  Gift Shop Hours when Lodge is open. (see photo)

Brother Paul Smith  & W: Johnny Walker

Clearwater Masonic Ring

Clearwater Masonic Lodge Ring is available for purchase by contacting the Secretary in the Lodge office 447-5161. The Stainless Steel Ring has been customized for the Lodge with Name and chartered year. Reserve your ring for our next order.  We have ring and finger measuring tools in the Lodge office to help size this ring. This is a great way to be a proud Brother from Clearwater Lodge The Cost is $100.00 each, (approx 4 weeks for delivery)

Recycling Cans and Newspaper

Clearwater Lodge is pleased to support a program of collecting Aluminum cans.  The Lodge turned in 65 lbs, and the owner donated extra funds to help our Lodge.   Please rinse cans prior to bringing them to the Lodge and place them outside the back door of the Kitchen for collections.  Remember also to bring your newspapers and leave them in the bright RED container in the parking lot.  Funds collected from Aluminum cans and Newspapers help pay for repairs to parking lot.