Jackson-Coolidge Masonic Trestleboard

  Volume No. 11               July 2011                    Issue No. 7

George M. Otis P.M., Publisher
Stephen D. Vining P.M., Webmaster

   

Frank W. Lutze
Worshipful Master
517-563-8338

Dear ,

June was a wonderfully active month for the Brothers of Jackson Lodge #17.  The Rose Parade saw Officers and Brothers riding on the Past Master Float.  The Shriners, absent from the parade for many years, returned with several units.  In the staging area, before the start of the parade, we met a member of a Civil War reenactor unit.  As he approached us he pointed to the Square and Compasses patch on the cuff of his uniform jacket.  He called our attention to the fact that his patch was without the "G".  He said that the "G" was added to the symbol prior to the Civil War and that it started in the Eastern states and moved West.  Since his unit was from the Western states the "G" hadn't made it to his Lodge.

After the parade we hosted the annual coloring tent at the Party in the Park.  Kids of all ages eagerly colored for the opportunity to take their turn to select a prize.

At the June Regular I presented a short talk on the meaning of the "Forget me not" pin.  Brothers in attendance that evening each now have the opportunity to wear that pin.  (if you missed my talk and are interested - ask and yes I have a few pins left).

Next came our annual Strawberry Festival.  It was the best attended in years.  I had the pleasure of presenting four 60 year, four 40 year and two 25 year pins.  It was great to talk with Brothers who have been Craftsman for 60 years. After a great meal the Past Masters did fine work in Initiating an Entered Apprentice.

On the heels of the Strawberry Festival came the Kids Fest in the American 1 building at the Jackson County Fairgrounds.  As usual the lines were long to take advantage of the MiChIP program.  Brothers, family members and friends all pitched in the make the day a success.

The Master Mason degree team will close out the month of June with a practice for the six Master Mason degrees scheduled for July 6 and 7.  I am excited and honored at the prospect of Raising six Brothers to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.  Your help and supported will be welcome and appreciated these evenings.

As I prepare for my role in this degree rich in beautiful symbolism I reflect on the fact that I will have the pleasure of presenting the last working tool to our six Brothers.  I recall as Entered Apprentices we were presented with the 24 inch gauge and common gavel.  We were taught to give 8 hours to the service of God and the distressed Brother.  Eight hours seems like a long time. How about an evening prayer, grace before a meal, a contribution to a charity or a few canned goods to a food bank.  We all can find time for these and minutes add up to hours.  We were taught to use the common gavel to divest our lives of the undesirable traits.  The perfect ashlar is fitted not by a single blow but of many.  Some of them square and true and others miss the intended mark and must be corrected by the next blow.

Practice our Craft with skill and zeal my Brothers.  Remember that if you pick up the tools of our Craft but for a few minutes each day it soon become a routine that will make good men better.

Fraternally,

Frank W. Lutze

Worshipful Master

To the Brothers of Jackson Lodge #17 but more especially our six Fellowcrafts who will soon kneel "where Hiram knelt":

"Last Night I Knelt Where Hiram Knelt"

(A Master Mason's Poem)

  Last Night I Knelt where Hiram Knelt
And took an obligation,
And now I'm closer to my God,
For I'm a Master Mason.

The heretofore my fellowmen seemed
Each one like the other,
Today I search each one apart,
I'm looking for "My Brother".

And as I feel his friendly grip
It fills my heart with pride
I know that while I'm on the square
That he is on my side.

His footsteps on my errand go
If I should such require,
His prayer will plead in my behalf
If I should such desire.

My words are safe within his breast
As though within my own,
His hand forever on my back
To help me safely home.

Good counsel whispers in my ear
And warns of any danger,
By square and Compass, 'Tis Brother now!"
Who once would call me stranger.

I might have lived a moral life
And risen to distinction
Without my Brother's helping hand
And the fellowship of Masons;

But God who knows how hard it is
To resist life's temptations
Knows why I knelt where Hiram knelt
And took that obligation.

- - -   (Author Unknown)

From The Secretary's Desk 

If you have not yet paid your 2011 Lodge Dues your payment should be made as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of suspension for non payment of dues. The Delinquent Dues Committee was activated at the June Regular to investigate those brothers who have not paid and to report back to the lodge in September. Please contact the Secretary for more information if necessary. Thank you.    

Temple Board News 

A few changes of special interest have been made to the building recently. On Wednesday, June 29th several brothers installed the stone and monument from the former Liberty Lodge #209 Masonic Temple. New signs have and will be installed.

The above picture is of the monument and stone that was at the Liberty Lodge building. A special thanks to Worshipful Brother's Jerry Bethel, Jimmie Snyder and Willie Snyder for making the arrangements to get and transport the stone.



The sign pictured above has been installed next to the flag pole to advertise for hall rentals and to make all aware of the bodies that meet in the building.



The above sign will be installed soon on the below frame pictured above the and to the left of the Lodge entrance with the three lights. There are separate light switches inside to turn on a light for Blue Lodge, Commandery or Eastern Star as needed.

Jackson-Coolidge Masonic Center
Lodge Blue Room
 

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

2011

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Master Mason Degree, 7:00 p.m.

Three candidates this evening.

Officer's wear tuxedo or dark suit.

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

Master Mason Degree, 7:00 p.m.

Two candidates this evening.

Officer's wear tuxedo or dark suit.

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

| Lodge is Dark this week |

Thursday, June 21st, 2011 

| Lodge is Dark this week |

Thursday, June 28th, 2011

| Lodge is Dark this week |

LODGE WILL BE DARK JULY & AUGUST 

Annual Strawberry Festival

And Awards Dinner

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

60 Year Membership Award

| Front Row |

Harry Wilkins, Richard Kiehle,

Kenneth Hall (68 yrs.) and Dwight Riemenschneider

| Back Row |

Frank W. Lutze W.M., Stephen D. Vining R.G.L.

and W.B. Russell T. Chapel, Grand Steward

40 Year Membership Award

Charles R. Waters Jr. PM, Gerald S. Yeomans,

Michael Pierce PM and Henry Osterhouse PM

Frank W. Lutze W.M.,

Russell T. Chapel Grand Steward and

Stephen D. Vining R.G.L.  

25 Year Membership Award

Thomas E. Royce PM,

Frank M. Schremser Jr. PM

Russell T. Chapel Grand Steward,

Frank W. Lutze W.M., and

Stephen D. Vining R.G.L.  

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. 

Contact Masonic Bodies 

• Visit Our Jackson-Coolidge Masonic Website 
• Contact Jackson-Coolidge Trestleboard Publisher 
• Contact Secretary - Jackson Lodge No. 17, F. & A.M. 
• Contact Secretary - Jackson Chapter No. 3, R.A.M. 
• Contact Recorder - Jackson Council No. 32, R. & S.M. 
• Contact Recorder - Jackson Commander No. 9, K.T. 
• Contact Secretary - Jackson York Rite College No. 3 
• Contact Secretary - Fern Leaf Chapter No. 66, O.E.S.
• Contact Secretary - High Twelve Club No. 16
   

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.

• 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.

Masonic Sale Items 

phone: 517-262-0147