News

Well-known area resident Mark Norris has been designated this year’s recipient of the prestigious Community Builder Award. The award was presented by Cross Plains Masonic Lodge this past Tuesday at a well-attended Kiwanis meeting.

The rarely bestowed Masonic award is given to formally recognize outstanding non-Masons who have distinguished themselves through service to their community, to the local, state, or national government, to their church, or to humanity. It seeks out those men and women who, year in and year out, quietly and without fanfare, show devotion to their community and its people without the expectation or recognition or honors.

Mark Norris is the only child of Gene & Joan Norris. After attending 10 years of school in Andrews, Texas, Mark’s family moved to Cross Plains where he graduated high school in 1974. Mark worked several years for the phone company and then for R & R Operating. He remained employed in the oil field until 1990 when he went to work for the City of Cross Plains. He worked for the City until August 2006 when returning to the oil field as Vice-President at KLH Oil & Gas.

Mark’s accomplishments while at the City of Cross Plains are almost countless. Although his title was Water Superintendent, he took care of so much more. He was City Administrator Debbie Gosnell’s right hand man. She is quick to tell you that it is because of Mark’s work ethics and love for his community that the City facilities are in such great shape.

Mark is very community oriented and takes exceptional pride in his work and his city. He maintained the park areas and the local office with immaculate care that reflected it. After he went to work for the city he quickly began programs to upgrade much of the City’s waterworks department. He was especially instrumental in getting the new water tower and ground storage tanks in place and was equally involved in public relations with the various State organizations that govern Cities. Cross Plains is a thriving community and a great deal of its success belongs to Mark. It was his exceptional organizational skills that made the cleanup after the fire go so smoothly.

Mark has an impeccable reputation for his work ethic. He is a hard worker who works as though unto the Lord. His love of God makes him a joy to be around and everyone who knows him has only good things to say. He has a strong spiritual belief and stands by those principles. He volunteers at his church in Eastland, is on the finance committee and attends Bible studies. He is quick to donate his time to help anyone who needs it, especially the elderly.

Mark married Terry Brooks in 1979 and together they have two children, Aaron and Jesse. Sadly, Terry passed away prematurely. Mark was extremely involved in the children’s young lives. He volunteered many years with the little league association and as the children grew older he volunteered in the Athletic Booster Club where he served as President. Aaron is employed in Abilene and Jesse is attending Hardin Simmons University there. In 2002 Mark married Rachelle Bishop. They have a one year old son, Ian.

Mark is a very upbeat and positive person. One of his favorite sayings is; “It’ll all be okay!” He believes that God has great things planned for His Children. We believe He also has great things planned for Mark who is an inspiration to us all and an asset to our community.

Well-known area resident Cindy Payne has been designated this year’s recipient of the prestigious Community Builder Award. The award was presented by Cross Plains Masonic Lodge this past Tuesday at a well-attended Kiwanis meeting.

Cindy is the second of three children born to Audrey and Jewel Purvis of Cross Plains. After twelve years attending local public schools and graduating, she enrolled at Cisco Jr. College. She completed the nursing program and returned to Cross Plains to work for Dr. Carl J. Sohns. After his death she worked at Colonial Oaks Nursing Home and various home health care companies. She is currently employed by One Source Health Center.

Cindy’s zeal for the community and charity oriented events is exceeded only by her ability to stay out of the limelight. In her quiet demeanor, she has worked in practically every community program or fundraiser of recent memory. For example: She serves as Vice President of the Barbarian Committee and member of the Housing Authority, volunteers at the First Baptist Church Nursery/Vacation Bible School, and was instrumental in organizing the “Tractor Show/Barbarian Festival,” and the Terry Jane Scholarship Fund.

Cindy married Bobby Payne on December 4th, 1978 and the couple live on the Payne Ranch west of town. The Paynes’ daughter Jodie is a graduate of Tarleton State and is employed at Howard Payne University. Their son Ryan Glenn is a senior at Cross Plains High School.

While her job puts her in daily contact with the sick, she has numerous times given of herself to provide extra help to the patients and their families. She is known for genuine compassion in caring for the ill, elderly or needy. From her fifty cents per hour first job at the local “Dairy Bar” to pillar of the community, she is a real life success story and an asset to her fellow citizens.

The Paynes are members of the First Baptist Church where Cindy assists in the nursery.

Previous recipients of the Community Builder Award: Jack Scott, Bob Pipes, Terry Thomas, W. G. McCoy, Julene Franke and Danes Turner

Dannes Turner was honored as this year’s recipient of Cross Plains Masonic Lodge’s Community Builder Award during presentation ceremonies at this past Tuesday’s luncheon meeting of the local Kiwanis Club.

The rarely bestowed award is to formally recognize outstanding non-Masons who have distinguished themselves through service to their community, to the local, state, or national government, to their church, or to humanity. It seeks out those men and women who, year in and year out, quietly and without fanfare, show their devotion to their community and its people without expectation of recognition or honors.

Dannes Dell Turner was born to Clyde and Peggy Dickson on March 5, 1959 in Crane, Texas. The Dicksons moved to Cross Plains when Dannes was in Jr. High. Besides graduating as the Class of 1977 Valedictorian, her achievements and community interest were marked at an early age by her serving on the Student Counsel, class officer, and being listed with the National Honor Society, Who’s Who, Society of Distinguished American High School Students. She was also recognized as Class Favorite and Homecoming Queen.

After a year of higher education at Stenograph Institute in Abilene, she accepted a job at Citizen’s State Bank where she is still employed with twenty-five years tenure.

Dannes married Greg Turner on March 18, 1979. The Turners have since made their home in Cross Plains. Their marriage has been blessed with two children, Joseph Dwayne and Jennifer Danell. Both have followed their mother’s example in choosing careers of service to others. After graduating from Howard Payne University, Joseph is a teacher and coach. Jennifer is currently employed by Abilene Regional Hospital and is taking classes to become a nurse.

Dannes has taken an active roll in practically every community program or fundraiser of recent memory. She has organized charitable events for families stricken by hard times and is a familiar face to those receiving “meals-on-wheels.” She has worked with Project Pride, EMS/Fire Department fundraisers, and Cross Plains Economic Development Committee. She has taught Sunday School for 20 years, is active in Vacation Bible School and has served on various church committees.

Even with her job and community involvement, Dannes manages to always maintain a balance with her commitment to God and family. Most importantly, to quote her husband; “If anyone, I mean anyone, ask her to help them, no is not in her vocabulary.”

Cross Plains Masons, this past Thursday, passed a resolution initiating construction of a new building and a move to 225 South Main Street adjacent to City Hall and the new park. The local fraternity presently occupies the former Garden Club building at Beech and Southeast 2^ndStreet. The new building will mark the Lodge’s third Main Street location.

Cross Plains Lodge No. 627, A.F.&A.M. was chartered Dec. 16th, 1886 with B. N. Hendon, Master; W. R. McDermott, Senior Warden; and J. M. Coffman, Junior Warden. Meetings were first held at East Caddo Peak in the upper story of a wooden building about 16 X 24 feet. Meetings were held on Saturday nights on or after the first full moon of each month. These early Lodges, sometimes called “Moon Lodges,” met during the full moon that those attending could better find their way by moonlight as they traveled to and from Lodge by horseback and buggy.

In 1888 they constructed a 24 X 48 feet, two story, wood frame building constructed near “old town” Cross Plains, in the vicinity of the present cemetery. The Lodge occupied the upper level and the lower floor housed the school. In 1911 the Lodge moved to the upper floor of the First Guaranty Bank building at Southwest 1^st and Main. The school later moved to their present-day campus.

In 1926 the Lodge built the large two-story brick building at the corner of Main and Northeast 2nd Street at a cost of approximately $10,000. During the Great Depression the Lodge and the Nation fell upon hard times and the ground floor was sold to help pay the mortgage. Several businesses occupied the lower portion including a grocery store and City Hall. The Lodge continued to occupy the upper level until 1994 when tornado damage prompted a move to the current Beech Street location.

Plans are for a structure similar to City Hall to be set back from the street for best aesthetic effects. Donations to the building fund have already started coming in from Lodge members and construction will commence as soon as sufficient monies are available.

Julene Franke was honored as this year’s recipient of the Cross Plains Masonic Lodge’s Community Builder Award during presentation ceremonies at this past Tuesday’s luncheon meeting of the local Kiwanis Club.

Dorothy Julene Franke was born to Harold Dale and Rozell Johnson Gary in a small house close to the Colonial Oaks Nursing home, Cross Plains, Texas. She grew up on land east of town while attending and graduating from Cross Plains School, but her ancestral roots run deeper and straight to the heart of America.

Maternal great grandparents, Nancy and John Henry Johnson, left Alabama and settled near Scranton, Texas after the Civil War. Freed slaves brought with them did not like the area and were returned to Alabama. One of Nancy’s parents was Seminole Indian. Some of her grandparents were in the Trail of Tears, where in one of the saddest chapters of American History and by act of Congress, in 1838 the Indian Removal Act began the forced move west of some 15,000 Native Americans from their homes in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. More than 4,000 Cherokees died from disease, hunger and exhaustion on the 1,000-mile march to their new home in present-day Oklahoma.

Julene’s paternal great grandfather fought in the Civil War and on returning home was killed while fighting with a carpetbagger who was trying to steal his land. Her great grandmother sold the land to the carpetbagger, purchased a wagon and team of horses and moved her family of seven to land in Victor, Texas. A son, Julene’s grandfather, came to land north of Cottonwood.

Another of her maternal grandparents settled in Forth Worth and started the first Baptist Church that is today one of the largest in the area. There were also aunts and uncles who settled in Admiral area. When Indians showed up, one aunt of Indian ancestry is said to have hidden her husband in the rain barrel and appeased the Indians by feeding them cookies.

On December 6th, 1953, Julene married Leo Glenn Franke at the First Baptist Church in Cross Plains. The Frankes have 3 children: Rhonda Beth Look, Randall Glenn and Vivian Celeste Lewis. They have 5 grandchildren, 2 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Julene’s community involvement began at the age of 14 when she started teaching Sunday school, a work of love that she continued until 1994. She also took her first job in Caton’s Variety Store at the same age. Joining the Garden Club in 1960’s, she has held local, district, and state offices. During those years she served on the committee that sponsored scholarships for Texas students studying horticulture. She was Chairperson of Symposiums, and of the Judges’ Council. Locally she started the club that coordinates wedding and anniversary receptions that has won several state awards. Continuing today, the Cross Plains Garden Club will host the District VIII Fall meeting in November. As Chair, Julene has already begun arrangements.

She has served as a member and President of the PTO. While she was President, the PTO fed over 500 people at the first homecoming meal. They also bought air-conditioners for both high school and grade school that were later destroyed when the school burned.

Julene served as Chairperson of Cross Plains Girl Scouts Assoc. that started in 1970. As board member of Central Texas Girl Scout Association, she helped send many girls to Brownwood Lake Camp, sponsoring over night camping, trips to plays, concerts, and ice shows. She was also one of the original members of Project Pride.

Currently she is an EMT with the Cross Plains EMS, a board member and past President of the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Cross Plains Housing Authority, a representative of the Cross Plains City Council on the Callahan County Nutrition Project and member of the Senior Citizens Group. The Nutrition Project serves meals to seniors in Cross Plains, Baird, and Clyde.

Julene continues to work with the Sidewalk Committee and was instrumental in the sidewalk face-lift that evolved over the past eight years. Her involvement continues with work to obtain a grant to complete sidewalks north along Main St. to the schools and then south to the HWY 36/HWY 206 intersection.

Julene has studied and worked in tax accounting for 22 years. She worked for Exal McMillian several years and then started her own business, Cross Plains Business Service. Among her other talents and interest, she is a National Accredited Designer and a National Accredited Horticulturist, with Master Judge Qualifications and an insurance agent in the health and investment fields.

The Frankes currently live west of town where they are engaged in farming and ranching. When she is not busy with her business or community projects, Julene’s favorite hobbies are gardening flowers and vegetables, quilting, sewing, and tending her poodle April.

Teachers, staff, and administrators of Cross Plains Independent School District again gathered at Jean’s Feed Barn this past Tuesday, March 5^th, for the fifth annual pre-school breakfast hosted by the Cross Plains Masonic Lodge. The well-attended event was in concert statewide efforts to honor and express appreciation for all those who contribute to public education.

Public School Week was established in late 1950 when W. J. Burris, Grand Master of Masons in Texas, issued a proclamation calling upon all Texas Masons to not only participate in the program, but to impress upon their friends the importance of a closer affiliation between parents and teachers, and to revitalize interest and support of our public educational system. These efforts have continued annually by proclamations of the Grand Lodge and the Texas Legislature.

History recalls that Masonic Lodges of this State took the lead in founding our public free schools. Many of Texas' first grade schools and schools of higher education were operated in buildings owned and erected by Masonic Lodges.

Frederick Eby, Christian writer and teacher, wrote of the simple dignity and liberal brilliance of two statements that stood out in early Texas history as to the necessity of developing the intellectual capabilities as the prerequisite of democratic government. The first of these is to be found in the introduction of the Texas Declaration of Independence, written by James A. Collingsworth, a member of the Masonic Order, and reads as follows: "It is an axiom in political science that unless a people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity of self-government."

The second statement was made by Mirabeau B. Lamar, President of the Republic of Texas and a Mason as all presidents of the Republic were: "It is admitted by all that a cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy, and while guided and controlled by virtue, is the noblest attribute of man." The University of Texas later adopted a portion of that statement as its motto: A cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy.

Mirabeau Lamar is called "the father of Texas education" not only because of his undying efforts in that cause but because he was president when the first law mandating public education was passed. Before him another famous Mason, Stephen F. Austin, had labored long and hard to insert a clause calling for public education in the Mexican Constitution of 1824 and was responsible for the first English speaking school in Texas at San Felipe de Austin in 1829.

During breakfast, various individuals articulated their appreciation for our local educators dedication and devotion to duty.

Local Masons Cecil Barton, H. D. Weaver, and Stan Painter coordinated the affair to acknowledge the continuing efforts of all those involved in our Public School District in preparing our children for the challenges of the future.

Community Involvement continues to be our mantra. We have seen a large increase in interest and activity. Our slight, but significant gain in membership is confirmation that the efforts of our officers and members are producing positive results. We are proud of the continuing attendance and participation of our brothers. Let’s take a look at this year’s highlights to see how we are doing.

Degrees Conferred during the past year included: three Master Masons, three Fellowcrafts, and three Entered Apprentices. Public interest continues to generate petitions for the degrees in Masonry.

Official Website of the Cross Plains Lodge was launched to keep our members informed and to increase our visibility in the community by placing us on the internet with other Masonic Lodges and fraternal organizations. Site visitors to date have exceeded twice the population of our fair city. Visit today at: www.cross-plains.tx-mm.org

College Scholarships were presented to graduating students Dusty Spencer and Candice Francy. One scholarship was paid from Lodge funds and the other by member donations. The scholarships and awards were presented at the high school’s award ceremonies and reiterated at graduation. Mindy Mitchell and Sam Nixon were last year’s scholarship recipients. Jody Lynn Payne was the recipient of the Fort Worth Scottish Rite scholarship.

Mirabeau B. Lamar Awards were presented to graduates Lucino Maurecio and Robert Walters for outstanding achievement. Ventura Monrreal and Jeremy Gilliam were last year’s recipients.

Community Builder Award was presented to Preacher Bob Pipes at the Kiwanis’s luncheon meeting on May 2nd. This award is the highest Masonic honor extended to non-Masons for contributions to the community and humanity. Jack Scott was last year’s recipient.

Golden Trowel awards were presented to Brothers R. L. Barnett, H. L. (Tex) Evans, James Irwin, and H. D. Weaver for meritorious service to both their lodge and community. Golden Trowel recipients are nominated by committee, voted by the Lodge and approved by the District and Grand Lodge.

Public School Week activities included the third annual pre-school breakfast for Cross Plains ISD teachers and staff. Attendance was again near 100%.

Assistance Contributions from the membership were given, in the name of the Lodge, to three families who had met with dire circumstances.

Longevity Awards were presented to Brothers O. B. Edmonson (50 yrs) and R. G. Smith (60 yrs). Other 50 year members are: John Adams, Tom Buckner, Donnel Clark, Nathan Foster, John Kilgore, Roy Stambaugh, Carl Edington, John D. Isenhower, and Bob Lane.

Stated Meetings continue to be published in the local newspaper, courtesy of Bro. Carl Edington. Stated meetings are the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM. Practice is the last Thursday at 7:00 PM.

Grand Lodge 1999 was attended by Bros. Tex Evans, WM 1998-99, and Stan Painter . Several Lodge Officers plan attending this year.

Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital accepted a patient referred by the Lodge.

We are saddened by the loss of Brothers: Calvin Gamble, Ivan Clark, Nash Tucker, Clyde Melton and James E. Clark.

Masonic burial is a privilege extended to all Masons. It is the duty of each Lodge to conduct funeral ceremonies, in accordance with Masonic customs and usages, in all cases where it is the expressed wish of a member in good standing, and is concurred in by his near relatives.

In the absence of such expressed wish, the ceremonies shall be performed when requested by his near relatives. It will not be initiated by the Lodge. It must be requested.

When you are called to pay natures last just debt, will your wife, children or other near relatives know of your desire to have, or not to have, a Masonic burial? Considerable coordination is required. Request for Masonic burial should be made either in advance of or immediately after death.

There is a greater need today in our fraternal organization for true friendship than perhaps any time in our history. Things seem so chaotic, people so careless, irresponsible and self-centered. We are drifting away from our churches and from the old-fashioned yet ever-needed American home.

And yet, are we are doing all in our power to cope with these strange but existing conditions? Are people losing faith in us because we fail to live up to the standards of true Masons? Are we true to our own convictions of duty and right, or just seeking popularity by walking with the crowd?

When each of us entered our brotherhood, a friend in whom we could trust walked beside us. Is that same friend, with other members, still walking beside us in true friendship that each and every brother pledges to cherish? We would do well to remind them, and ourselves of our charges.

Remember, he who has a thousand friends has not one friend to spare; and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.

The future of Masonry continues to be a matter of concern. There are the doomsayers who maintain that we have not changed with the times and are no longer relevant to modern society. I do not agree.

In the heyday of Masonry, individuals were motivated to join our ranks by the basic human need of belonging. Being a Mason carried an air of nobility and acceptance into the community. It was validation of being an upright, charitable, and worthy citizen.

Lodges today, along with churches and synagogues across the nation, are experiencing a revival of interest. As moral principles and social values have deteriorated, many are anxious to associate with something of substance and depth. We only need make them aware of us.

This awareness will not come about by resting on our laurels and ballyhooing the past While we are justly proud of our heritage, repeated articles patting ourselves on the back for famous members and past achievements beg the question, “What have we done lately?”

To attract good men to our ranks we must be active and visible by significant involvement within our communities. Many lodges are doing this in spite of a dwindling and aging membership. I applaud them. Simultaneously, some lodges have closed their doors because their meager membership could support neither the required facilities nor activities.

A golden opportunity awaits us as an advocate for our public schools. Lingering on how Masons were instrumental in their establishment and lip service is not enough. We must offer strong support for returning the tools of academia and discipline to the classroom, and fixing what is broken.

Change is necessary. Reduce the memory work? Perhaps, but not to the extent that our members never learn the lessons of “what makes you a Mason.” Emphasis on getting more members should never take precedence over what we are about. If we demonstrate the principles of Masonry within our communities, membership will take care of itself.

Officers and committee members should serve as staff assistances to the Master of the Lodge. When the appointment is accepted and responsibility given, they should take the initiative. Keep the Master of the Lodge informed and get concurrence as required. Don’t wait for direction to act on each function.

The very least that we can do as individuals, if physically able, is to attend lodge. There is nothing that impresses a candidate less than a virtually empty lodge room. If you want to do more, make your desires known. Offer to serve on committees and participate.

How we handle our Masonic Obligation will not go unnoticed by the general public. Their perception will be influenced by our treatment of our fraternal brethren, their families, our communities, and our humanitarian activities.

Masonry will survive. Whether it will survive, as we know it, is dependent on our efforts within a very short timeframe. This current period of our history may determine our future more than any other. Let us work together that Masonry may flourish.

Continuation of the Cross Plains Teacher/Staff Appreciation Breakfast during Public School Week, as well as Masonic Scholarships and Lamar Awards, were voted by the Lodge at the December 2000 stated meeting.

March 5-9, 2001 will mark the fourth time that Public School Week celebration has included a Teacher/Staff Appreciation Breakfast.

One scholarship is funded through regular Lodge monies and a second is made possible through generosity of our members. Contributions may be handed or mailed to the Secretary.

At the outset of Masonic Proclamations for Public School Week, Texas Masons were called upon, not only to assist in this program, but to impress upon their friends the importance of a closer affiliation between parents and teachers, and a revival of interest in problems of our educational system.

New Era began with the moving of the Lodge from the old upstairs location on Main Street to the single story building at South 7th and Beech. The new lodge room is smaller but more modern, complete with carpet, central heat and air conditioning. There are also full kitchen and dining facilities.

College Scholarships were presented to two graduating students. One scholarship was paid from Lodge funds and the other by member donations. The scholarships and awards were presented at the school’s award ceremonies and reiterated at graduation.

Mirabeau B. Lamar Awards were presented to two students from the graduating class of ’99.

Golden Trowel awards were presented to Brothers Ike Neal and Ray Purvis for meritorious service to both their lodge and community. These were the first such awards presented in recent memory. Recipients were nominated by committee, voted by the Lodge and approved by the District Education Officer and Grand Lodge.

Community Builder Award was presented to Jack Scott. Community Builder Award are presented to outstanding men and women who have distinguished themselves through their service to the community, to the local, state and national government, to their Church or Synagogue, or to humanity. Lodges seek out individuals who, over time, quietly and without fanfare, show their devotion to their community and its people without expectation of awards or honors.

High School Landscape was improved by the planting of Spanish Oak trees around the west and south sides of the campus. The trees were dug from the Mike Knott farm courtesy of H. D. Weaver with several Lodge members assisting in the planting.

Public School Week was kicked off by the second annual pre-school breakfast for Cross Plains ISD teachers and staff. Attendance was very close to 100%.

Assistance Contributions from the membership were given, in the name of the Lodge, to three families who had met with dire circumstances.

Fifty Year Pin presentations were made to Brothers John Adams, Tom Buckner, Donald Clark, Nathan Foster, Calvin Gambill and Roy Stambaugh. Other 50 year members are Carl Edington, John D. Isenhower, Bob Lane, and Garland Smith.

Twenty-five Year Pins were presented to Bros. H. D. Weaver, Lewis Fortune and John Baum.

Masonic Funerals were conducted for Bros. John B. (Jake) Green and Jim Baum. We were also saddened by the loss of Bro. Bob Latson, PM.

Stated Meetings are again published in the local newspaper, courtesy of Bro. Carl Edington. Stated meetings are the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM. Practice is the last Thursday at 7:00 PM.

Grand Lodge 1998 was attended by Tex Evans, WM 1998-99. Several Lodge Officers plan attending this year.

Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital applications were furnished for several children seeking admission.

Our Endowed Members include: O. B. Byrd, Jim Irwin, John Kilgore, Ike Neal, Stan Painter, Carroll Pringle and Chuck Woody. Endowments are purchased for $500 and pay the member’s dues in perpetuity. Ray Purvis is a life member.

Our Lodge can be extremely proud of our accomplishments during the past few years. Having just completed one Master Mason and three Entered Apprentice degrees, we are again off to a good start. Attendance is up and there are positive indications that membership may be on the rise.

Credit for our recent successes can be given to renewed interest of our membership, commitment of our officers, and the Lodge’s involvement in our community. Prospects for the future are only as good as our willingness to continue these endeavors. Masonry will never flourish based on its past. There is much yet to be done and we must never again rest upon our laurels.

The Lodge needs the assistance of every member. If you are interested in participating in our ceremonies or serving on committees, let your willingness be known, and we will find a place for you. Just your attendance, or even occasional attendance, at meetings is helpful and encouraging. All who are physically able, are sincerely urged to attend and participate.

Many of out activities, such as student scholarships, are possible only through the generous contributions of our members. We will never solicit donations but want all who wish to participate to have the opportunity. If you desire to contribute to any of these projects, see our secretary.

We commend the brethren who have worked for our recent and past successes. I am aware that many of you have made significant contributions in the past and continue to do so. Even those who have become inactive, be assured, we have not forgotten and greatly appreciate what you have done. Please don’t feel that you are no longer needed. Your Lodge will always need and welcome your participation.

By necessity, many changes in our fraternity will occur within the next few years. I challenge you to be part of it!

Our Lodge has taken another new step in the form of this newsletter. The renewed energy and interest in Lodge affairs and Masonry in general is exciting to see. The labors of some dedicated brothers have paid off in the form of increased attendance and new candidates for Masonry.

Conferring degrees has become a regular activity again. This is especially pleasing to see following a period of decreasing membership.

I would like to encourage all members of our fraternity to come and enjoy the degree work, attend study nights, gain proficiency, and participate in the various degrees. There is plenty of work for all members.

I am proud of our Lodge and the progress we are making. I am proud to be a Mason.

Human life is one long procession of goals reached and passed -of objects sought and obtained, relinquished or forgotten -but anyway removed from the field of sight to make room for others. Sometimes, that which we look forward to, is so compelling in its attractiveness that it seems to blot out all beside. We must have this or perish. But it is not always so in an imperfect world. It is only in the cold light of retrospect that we see how slight a thing could once fill our whole horizon with desire or face how small an angle it subtended in the general scheme.

Man still finds himself compelled to believe and act that even beyond the veil which drawn across his mortal span there lies a continuing field of endurance and achievement.

Before the development of modern surveying, the system of recording boundaries that form a parcel of land was a difficult and perplexing problem. Almost the only method men could devise was to fix upon some feature such as a hill, stream, or rock or even a tree -thus establishing limits beyond which a man’s property could not or should not go. These more or less permanent markers were call “landmarks,” a word which explains itself. It is easy to understand why destruction and removal of a landmark was deemed so serious an offence. It meant robbing a man of his property.

Freemasonry has honored this term as one of the most important of all its basic laws. There are in the craft certain principles, practices, traditions, usages, or laws which cannot be changed by any mason, lodge or grand lodge. Let’s see if we can understand the phrase in its larger meaning.

Freemasonry has an identity, a character of its own. Some things can be abolished, changed or modified without destroying that identity. Other changes would destroy Freemasonry itself -that is it would cease to have its original identity and become something else.

A simple illustration with a glass of water divided into smaller and smaller portions until we reach the last molecule. If we divide the molecule, we no longer have water, but gas - hydrogen and oxygen. There is a point beyond which the fluid cannot be changed without losing its identity.

This is a picture of the idea of landmarks. They signify that in Masonry which is essential to its identity – to do away with them is to do away with Masonry. A rough definition of a landmark; whatever is found necessary to maintain the identity and secure the prosperity of Freemasonry has the property of a landmark.

Embodied in the very nature of Masonry are: a belief in God and the immortality of the soul, prayer, respect and obedience of civil law, and the absence of sectarian bias.

Each member of this Lodge (unless herein exempted) shall pay dues from the time of his raising or affiliation, an amount set by the lodge from time to time provided that they are not less than that prescribed by the grand lodge in article 311, constitution and laws. Minimum dues are $30.00.

A member, however, shall not be required to pay such dues if he purchases an endowed membership in accordance with the laws of the grand lodge.

Dues notices are usually sent out in October and are payable in advance of the calendar year, (January 1st to December 31st). Your current dues card should indicate “has paid dues to Dec, 31, 1999.”

Dues not paid within the grace period, by midnight, June 23^RD,result in automatic suspension.