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Jackson-Coolidge Masonic Trestleboard

  Volume No. 11               May 2011                    Issue No. 5

George M. Otis P.M., Publisher

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17
 
Jackson Lodge No. 17, F. & A.M.
Greeting's From The East  

WM 17

Frank W. Lutze
Worshipful Master
517-563-8338

Dear ,

 

Easter is upon us.  Winter has taken one last shot at us and spring break for the school kids is over.  Speaking of spring break, mine was an interesting one.  Cassie, our thirteen year old granddaughter, asked if my wife and I were going any place interesting for spring break.  I replied that I had a weekend business meeting outside Baltimore.  Since all her friends were going away for the week Cassie asked if she could come along.  I said, "Sure and when the business meetings are over we could take the train to Philadelphia for a 3 day history lesson."  Much to my surprise she was interested.  We visited all of the usual sights:  Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, Christ Church and the US Mint. 

 

Between the movie "National Treasure," listening to grandpa, history lessons in school and the internet, Cassie knew that several signers of the Declaration of Independence (9 of 56) and Constitution (13 of 39) were Free and Accepted Masons.  She knew that George Washington, father of our great nation, and Benjamin Franklin were both Masons.  When we toured the Philadelphia Masonic Temple, which was built in 1873 Cassie saw the apron belonging to Worshipful Brother George Washington which tradition holds was embroidered by the wife of Brother Lafayette.  The granite for the temple was "cut, squared, marked and numbered at the quarry and brought to the temple ready to be put in place."  If you have a moment tour this spectacular and awe inspiring temple at http://www.pagrandlodge.org/.  As our stay in Philadelphia was winding down we toured a couple of houses from the colonial era.  One had been the residence of Bishop White, rector of Christ Church, which was founded in 1695.Brother Benjamin Franklin and Brother George Washington attended services in the present building which dates from 1744.  The tour guide related a story that in 1787 Bishop White and Richard Allen, the first African American ordained a Methodist minister led a protest over the segregated seating of African Americans during church services.  The guide mentioned that the church that was later founded by Richard Allen was a few blocks away and was open for tours.  We soon headed toward that church and what was to be a fascinating discovery.  We arrived at the church to find the door locked, but after ringing a door bell we were soon inside the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  The guide took us through the small museum in the lower level and then up to the sanctuary.  As we gazed at the expansive stained glass window illuminated by the late afternoon sunlight my eye caught a Square, Compasses and G in one of the panels,  I told the guide that I had seen several Square and Compasses in stained glass windows in Masonic temples but never in a church.  He stated that throughout history many of the ministers and bishops of the church were Masons and in recognition of that fact the Square and Compasses were included in the window design. 

 

You never know where you will find the Square and Compasses.

 

Fraternally,

 

Frank W. Lutze

Worshipful Master

 

WEARING THE EMBLEMS

 

Rob. Morris

   

You wear the Square! but have you got
That thing the Square denotes?
Is there within your inmost soul
That principle which should control
Your actions, words and thoughts?
The Square of virtue,--is it there,
Oh, you who wear the Mason's Square?

 

You wear the Compass! Do you keep
With that circle due
That's circumscribed by law divine
Excluding hatred, envy, sin,--
Including all that's true?
The Moral Compass draws the line,
And lets no evil passion in!

 

You wear the Trowel! have you got
That mortar, old and pure,
Made on the recipe of God
Divulged within His ancient Word,
Indissoluble, sure?
And do you spread, `twixt man and man,
That precious mixture as you can?

 

You wear the oriental G!

Ah, Brother, have a care!
He whose All-seeing Eye surveys
Your inmost heart, with open gaze,
Knows well what thoughts are there!
Let no profane, irreverent word
Go up t' insult th' avenging God!

 

Dear Brother! if you will display
These emblems of our Art,
Let the great morals that they teach
Be deeply graven, each for each,
Upon an honest heart!
Then they will tell, to God and man,
Freemasonry's all perfect plan!

From the Secretary's Desk 

apron

Brother's,

 

We have many events scheduled in May and June. If you are one of the brothers who spend your winters in the warmer climates we would like to see you return to your lodge. If it has been awhile since you been in lodge please do not hesitate as we are all brothers and you are always welcome to attend the meetings and we encourage you to return to the fraternity once again.  

 

In April we had a brother who had been absent for 38 years and was sorry that he had been away so long. In March we had another brother who was made a Mason in 1943 and had been away for several decades and he like the other brother was happy  to return  to his lodge.    

 

We have had great success with the dinners we have been serving prior to our stated meetings. Why not come if only for the dinner and enjoy the fellowship  as the meals are great and the fellowship even better. 

 

  • Mason of the Year Dinner - Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.    
  • Rose Parade - Sunday, June 5th, 2011 and will have the Past Master's float  
  • Strawberry Festival - Thursday, June 16, 2011; Awards Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and Master Mason Degree at 7:30 p.m.
  • Kid's Fest at Ella Sharp Park - Friday, June 17, 2011 (More info to follow)

From the Publisher

  

Brothers,

 

The below article is from The Northern Light, which is the Scottish Rite Magazine that I receive every month. Notice what is written in the box - To Whom It May Concern.

 

I have harped on this exact thing many times in Lodge about how bad we are in visiting with our brethren who cannot attend lodge. I have visited some of them but I am one person and have a hard time doing any more and even now I have not been doing enough. I know that is a bad excuse.

 

Are we Masons, are we all not brothers? Do we not remember our obligations?

 

Forgive me for getting on my soap box but we need to do more, and that includes myself.

 

Brother George M. Otis P.M. 

 

To Whom It May Concern:


* * * * * * died on May 20, 2010. Please do NOT send any more items from the Scottish Rite or anything else from the Masons. At this time I have a bitter feeling for anything Masonic. I notified blue lodge & Scottish Rite both that he was ill and in the V.A. nursing home.

 

NO ONE EVER CAME TO SEE HIM while he was alive. Also, I was not contacted even after they knew he had died. DO NOT TELL ME YOU ARE ABOUT BROTHERHOOD. As far as I'm concerned, if you are not a clique, you are nothing.

 

* * * * * * happened to be a gentle man who helped many people but did not brag about it. All I and he ever heard at the meetings was the big shots bragging about what they had done. Yes, I 'm very bitter and I want nothing Masonic coming to my home again.

 

NL

W.M. East
 

Jackson-Coolidge Masonic Center
Lodge Blue Room
 


Table of Contents
Jackson Chapter No. 3, R.A.M.
Jackson Council No. 32, R. & S.M.
Jackson Commandery No. 9, K.T.
Jackson York Rite College No. 3
Jackson Fern Leaf Chapter No. 66, O.E.S.
Jackson Chapter No. 7, I.O.R.G.
South Central Scottish Rite Club

         SECY         

 

Stephen D. Vining P.M., Secretary

Jackson Lodge No. 17, F. & A.M.

Region No. 4 Grand Lecturer

Grand Lodge of Michigan

(517) 914-8400

 

 May


2011

 

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Fellowcraft Degree, 7:00 p.m.

| Officer's must wear tuxedo or dark suit |

 

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

Mason of the Year Dinner, 6:30 p.m.

Honoring George M. Otis PM, BGP 46 

Regular Communication, 7:30 p.m.

 

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

Temple Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

| Jackson Lodge 17 will be Dark | 

 

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

Grand Lodge of Michigan Annual Communication

Soaring Eagle Resort at Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

 

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Grand Lodge Week 

| Jackson Lodge 17 will be Dark | 

 

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

Master Mason Degree Practice, 7:00 p.m.

 

Sunday, June 5th, 2011

Rose Parade

| More Info To Follow |

 

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

No Dinner This Week

Regular Communication, 7:30 p.m.

    

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Annual Strawberry Festival and

Membership Awards Dinner, 6:00 p.m.

Past Master's will confer the

Master Mason Degree, 7:30 p.m. 

| Officer's & Degree Team should wear tuxedo or dark suit |

 


Friday, June 17th, 2011

Kid's Fest
| More Info To Follow | 

 

LODGE WILL BE DARK JULY & AUGUST 



Lodge Mason of the Year Dinner

Honoring George M. Otis PM, BGP 46

| Prior to the stated meeting

 

steak 

 
Thursday, May 12th, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

Swiss Steak Dinner 

All for a $5.00 donation to the Stewards Fund

Contact Adam W. Wygant, Junior Warden

517-745-1699 or you can email him at

[email protected]

Come and join us for St. Patrick's Day!

2011 Line of Officer's
 

      • Frank W. Lutze, Worshipful Master
      • Lyman S. Robertson Jr, Senior Warden
      • Adam W. Wygant, Junior Warden
      • Dale D. Brown PM, Treasurer
      • Stephen D. Vining PM, Secretary
      • George M. Otis PM, Chaplain
      • Richard G. Shea PM, Senior Deacon
      • David G. Shea PM, Junior Deacon
      • Eric J. Cole, Senior Steward
      • Andrew S. Marlow, Junior Steward
      • R. Todd Rubert PM, Marshal
      • Thomas E. Royce PM, Tiler
      • George M. Otis PM, Publisher
      • Stephen D. Vining PM, Webmaster
         

 Jackson Chapter No. 3, R.A.M. 




RAM03



  

HP

Jackson Chapter No. 3, R.A.M.

Michael E. Hicks, E.H.P.
517-787-8438


 Ronald L. Spees, Secretary
517-780-9387

Calendar for the month of May 2011

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011
Stated Convocation, 7:30 p.m.


(Will Open & Close In Chapter This Month)

 

High Priest - Michael E. Hicks

King - Adam W. Wygant

Scribe - Marcus U. Blue, Jr., P.H.P

Treasurer - Dale D. Brown, P.H.P  

Secretary - Ronald L. Spees

Captain of the Host - Stephen D. Vining 

Principal Sojourner - Thomas E. Royce, P.H.P 

Royal Arch Captain - Dale D. Brown, P.H.P

Master of the 3rd Veil - R. Todd Rubert 

Master of the 2nd Veil - Joe R. Poston 

Master of the 1st Veil - Eric J. Cole
Sentinel
- George M. Otis

 Jackson Council No. 32, R. & S.M. 

32 
 
 #32 TIM
Jackson Council No. 32, R. & S.M.
 
Ronald L. Spees, T.I.M.
517-780-9387

Adam W. Wygant, Recorder
517-796-4661

Calendar for the month of May 2011
 

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

Stated Convocation, 7:30 p.m.

| Will Open In Chapter This Month |

 

Thrice Illustrious Master - Ronald L. Spees

Deputy Master - Dale D. Brown, P.T.I.M.

Pr. Conductor of the Work - Marcus U. Blue, Jr., P.T.I.M. 

Treasurer - Thomas E. Royce, P.T.I.M.

Recorder - Adam W. Wygant
Captain of the Guard - Eric J. Cole
Conductor of Council - Michael E. Hicks
Steward - Stephen D. Vining
Sentinel - Vacant
Chaplin - Thomas E. Royce
, P.T.I.M.
Marshall - Vacant

 

 Jackson Commandery No. 9, K.T. 

 KT9
adam 
Jackson Commandery No. 9, K.T.

 

Adam W. Wygant, Emminent Commander

517-745-1699

 

 Michael E. Hicks, Recorder
517-787-8438

Calendar for the month of May 2011 

 (All meetings are at the Masonic Temple unless otherwise indicated)

  
Monday, May 2nd, 2011 
Commandery will be DARK this week.

Monday, May 9th, 2011
Commandery Drill Corp, 7:00 p.m.
Dinner, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, May 16th, 2011
Stated Conclave, 7:30 p.m.
Potluck with Ladies, 6:30 p.m.


Monday, May 23rd, 2011
To be announced later

Monday, May 30th, 2011
Commandery will be DARK this week.
Memorial Day


Commander:  Adam W. Wygant 

Generalisimo:  James H. Blauvelt, P.C.
Captain General:  Lloyd A. Darling, P.C.

Sr. Warden:  Paul M. Tarr
Jr., P.C.
Warden:  Cortland C. Rule, P.C.

Prelate:  Stephen D. Vining

Treasurer:  Harry E. Green, P.C.

Recorder:  Michael E. Hicks

Standard Bearer:  Richard E. Ward, P.C.

Sword Bearer:  Theodore E. Welch, P.C.

Warder:  Kenneth D. Chandler, P.C.

Sentinel:  Lewis M. Woodard
, P.C.
1 Guard:  Marcus U. Blue, P.C.

2 Guard:  Barry L. Chapman
 

3 Guard:  Kenneth L. Sheffer, P.C.
1 Hermit:  Thomas E. Royce

2 Hermit:  Dale D. Brown

3 Hermit:  Theodore E. Welch, P.C. 

 Jackson York Rite College No. 3

York Rite College

Jackson York Rite College No. 3

Robert C. Cunningham, Governor
517-231-3735

 Timothy C. Forche, Secretary
517-676-5157

Calendar for 2011
    
Friday, May 20th - Annual Meeting, 7:30 p.m. 
  

Fern Leaf Chapter No. 66

 

OES 

Fern Leaf Chapter No. 66, O.E.S.     

Gail Kirk, Worthy Matron
517-782-4427

Ellen Yoakam, Secretary

517-536-0643

  
Calendar for the month of May 2011
   
Tuesday, May 3rd
Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 17th
Stated Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Jackson Assembly No. 7, I.O.R.G. 

RG 
 
Jackson Assembly No. 7, I.O.R.G.  

Brandy Kuhl, Mother Advisor
517-522-4349

Calendar for the month of May 2011
 

Tuesday, May 10th -
Stated Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, May 13th - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
All You Can Eat at Masonic Temple
Adults $7.00 - Children 8 Under $4.00

Tuesday, May 24th - Rainbow Meeting, 7:00 p.m. 

Jackson High Twelve Club No. 16 

High12
Jackson High Twelve Club No. 16

Michael E. Hicks, President
 517-787-8438
 
 Darrell G. Kesterson, Secretary
517-563-2902

Calendar 2011

 Meetings are held every Monday
of the month at 12:00 noon at the  
Cascades Manor House
1970 Kibby Road
Jackson, MI  49203

Cost for meal is $10.00 per person

| No Meeting's on Monday, May 2nd & 9th, 2011 |

 

South Central Scottish Rite Club 

 

South Central Scottish Rite Club

Michael E. Hicks, President 
 517-787-8438 

  No meeting information available.

Chart of York Rite Masonic Degrees

York Rite
 

Contact Masonic Bodies 


                              

SPECIAL MONETARY APPEAL


Brothers of Jackson Lodge No. 17, F. & A.M.

Companions of Jackson Chapter No. 3, R.A.M.

Companions of Jackson Council No. 32, R. & S.M.

Sir Knights of Jackson Commandery No. 9, K.T.

Companion Sir Knights of Jackson York Rite College No. 3

Sisters of Fern Leaf Chapter No. 66, O.E.S.

 

We have just completed a massive project at our Masonic Center in Michigan Center. We had to do the following:

  • Clean the entire building and replace the furnaces. Install new  rooftop heating and air conditioning units with new air ducts.
  • Throw away a lot of items that are of little use to us anymore.
  •  New Hanging Sign out front and in the very near future a new Masonic/York Rite/Eastern Star lighted sign on the building.

We now have a more efficient building that we all can be proud of.
 
COSTLY - YES BUT NECESSARY
 
$80,000.00

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
 
PLEASE, contribute as liberally as you can
without material injury to yourself or family!

Thank you for your support!
Jackson-Coolidge Masonic Temple Association

Make your checks out to:
 
Jackson-Coolidge M.T.A.
355 Napoleon Rd.
Michigan Center, Michigan 49254-1264

Masonic Sale Items 

 Masonic Tail Light Stick On Emblems
Cost is $3.00 per set of emblems 
Contact Brother George Otis P.M.
Phone: 517-262-9862
or email [email protected] 
 
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Tail Light

Masonic Emblem
 Temple Board Contact Information
Temple Board Meetings will be held on:
Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.
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 Jerry L. Bethel, President 

phone: 517-262-0147 

George M. Otis, Secretary
phone: 517-262-9862

 Special Note To The Brethren
 Member's of all Jackson-Coolidge Masonic Bodies
 
We are in need of your email address for transmitting the electronic version of the Jackson/Coolidge MTA Trestleboard on a monthly basis. It is becoming more expensive to produce the Trestleboard due to rising postal rates and the cost to make the printed copies. (We usually print about 300 copies). If you would still like to receive it by mail that is fine too.
Just let us know your preference.
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Call or email
Stephen D.  Vining, P.M.
 [email protected]
phone 517-914-8400
or
George M. Otis, P.M.
[email protected]
phone 517-262-9862
Thank you!

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Join Our Mailing List

 � 2009-2011 Jackson-Coolidge Masonic Temple Association
Stephen D. Vining P.M., Webmaster

 

Banquet

Table

Donations
 
Needed
We are still in need of donations for the banquet tables.
Please contribute if you are able. Make check payable to:
 
Jackson Lodge No. 17
 
and send to
 
Jackson Lodge #17 MTA Fund 
P.O. Box 1309
Jackson  MI 49204-1309

                                 Your Help Is Needed and Appreciated. Thank you.