The Hour Glass Charted in 1923 Printed Since 1931 Masonry Builds Its Temples Among the Nations and In the Hearts Of Men May 2008 North Hollywood Masonic Lodge F. & A.M. #542 5122 Tujunga Avenue North Hollywood, California 91601 Tel: (818) 755-9304 - Fax: (818) 487.9802 (Meets Thursdays) North Hollywood Masonic Lodge #542 5122 Tujunga Avenue North Hollywood, CA 91601 www.lodge542.com nohomasonic@aol.com Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID N. Hollywood, CA 91601 PERMIT No. 450
F. & A.M. North Hollywood Lodge #542 Officers 2008 5122 Tujunga Avenue North Hollywood, California 91601 OFFICERS Gregory Kabchanian (Jasmine)- Gregorykay@adelphia.net...818.438.7378 Master Roni Zulu (Khani-Jo) -zulu542@earthlink.net...323.782.9977 Senior Warden Lance C. Huston (Liz) - lantz@zulutattoo.com Junior Warden Frank X. Vinci - fvinci@pacbell.net...818.980.6428 Treasurer Bruce E. Hudson, PM...818.755.2907 Secretary Gary R. Holme (Ellen) - garyholme@usa.net...818.995.8233 Chaplain Vicken Gulian (Marina) - vickeng@gmail.com...818.448.8550 Senior Deacon Armen Mardirousi - armen@neolynx.net...818.355.2850 Junior Deacon Levon Kevorkian (Marijan)...818.424.5806 Marshall R. J. Comer (Deborah Rosenthal)... 323.851.1632 Senior Steward Steve Gyutian...818.915.4773 Junior Steward James E. Sandsberry - tigermountain1@aol.com...818.762.3192 Tiler COACHES Steve W. Barr (Cece) - steven.barr@alumni.usc.edu...818.640.1271 Officers Coach Stuart Richard Williams...661.257.3839 Head Candidates Coach Harvey Presser...818.993-9949 Candidates Coach Don Regis...818.352.4686 Candidates Coach Kenneth G. Judd, P.M. (Marjorie)...805.581.4034 Inspector 324th District ADVANTAGE REALTY GROUP Woodley Auto Center Full Service Auto Repairs Body Work * Paint Shop * Transmission Repairs Tires and Alignments Smog Servies and Test Only Station Auto Repairs on Foreign and Domestic Cars JOHN TARPINIAN Specializing in Mercedes Bentz and BMW 7117 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys, California 91406 (near Sherman Way) Phone (818) 782-3833 / Fax (818) 782-5443 CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUNDING We guarantee the best possible rates and lowest possible charges! ASHOT ART TERNERSESIAN Member of N. Hollywood Lodge #542 I speak english, spanish, armenian, and russian. BUILDING ASSOCIATION OFFICE Jan Eddy P.M. - eddy33@earthlink.net...818.571.9570 Building Manager Roni Zulu. - zulu542@earthlink.net Web Site: www.lodge542.com Webmaster Geoffrey Schumann (Sandra) - seekingthelight@gmail.com...323.543.1777 Editor - Printed Hour Glass 2001 W. Magnolia Blvd. #D Burbank, CA 91506 Direct: (213) 327-7233 Fax: (818) 956-8715 Office: (919) 955-7744 - 18 -
H.L. Palmer Co., Realtors Homes ~ Commercial ~ Real Estate Loans Multiple Listing Service Computerized Sales Company LODGE TRESTLE BOARD - May 2008 - H. L. TIGER Palmer May 1st, 2008 Stated Meeting at 7:30 PM May 8th, 2008 Practice Second Degree 7:30 PM Phone: (818) 783-7832 Fax: (818) 783-1346 Internet: emailtiger@aol.com 15123 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 May 14th, 2008 OSI@ Granada Hills, &:00 PM May 15th, 2008 Second Degree 7:30 PM May 22nd, 2008, First Degree 7:30 PM March 29, 2008 First Degree 7:30 PM This Space Avail This Space Avail - 17 -
Hello everyone, From The East I d like to congratulate our newly obligated Entered Apprentices, Brothers: Martin Amador, Stepan Nersisyan and Tigran Nushikyan and welcome you into our great Masonic fraternity. I also like to congratulate Brother Vrej Saribekyan, whom we raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. I wish you all best of luck and illumination, and may your path to self realization be successful and fulfilling. It has been an immense joy to witness our ranks grow with sudden infusion of such diverse and well qualified group of men. Times are shifting, and today there is more focus to transcend our mundane daily concerns and a thirst for higher ideals in life. As we help integrate these neophytes into our craft, I d like to ask you all to bear in mind this shifting paradigm and its exigencies. Let s be the exalting examples of those higher ideals which we have come to embrace and by doing so lead the way for the others to follow. On a different note, North Hollywood Lodge #542 is proud to have a Reception for Right Worshipful William J. Bray III, Junior Grand Warden, on Thursday, June 12, 2008. For Further information, please check the full page ad in this edition of The Hourglass. This is one of a kind opportunity to meet him in person and the other members of the Grand Lodge of California. Brethren, please remember to visit or at least give a phone call to our brothers who may not be very healthy physically, but they sure appreciate a kind visit or a phone call. There numbers are also listed in this bulletin. Pasta with tomato/bacon/parmisan Sautéed crab meat with vegetables Sautéed Garlic Shrimp Salad Dessert/ Moushabak From the East Gregory Kabchanian Master (3)
From The West (cont.) What does So mote it be mean? So mote it be. The word mote is derived from the Anglo- Saxon word motan meaning to be allowed. Hence, the phrase So mote it be. These are the last words in the Regius Poem. When and where did African-American Freemasonry start in the United States? On March 6, 1775, in Boston, when the degrees of Masonry were conferred upon Prince Hall and fourteen other African-American men in a Military Lodge (No. 441 on the Irish Register) in the English Army attached to the 38th Regiment. Why are Lodges in some Jurisdictions known as A.F.& A.M. and others as F. & A.M.? There were two Grand Lodges in England between 1751 and 1813, one was called Moderns (actually, the older of the two) and one was called Antients. The latter used the title Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (A.F. & A.M.) while the original Grand Lodge used Free and Accepted Masons (F.& A.M.). Warrants to Lodges in the United States were granted by these two Grand Lodges and thus the differences. Twenty-four Grand Jurisdictions in the United States use A.F. & A.M., twenty-five use F. & A.M., South Carolina uses A.F.M. and the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia uses F.A.A.M. (15) On the Level, Roni Zulu Senior Warden The Past Master s Page As we anxiously stood before the door to the lodge, we were met by friends who soon became our brothers. The experiences of the ancient rituals of freemasonry were at first peculiar and elusive, but by the time we had proved our proficiency in the Third Degree, we found them comfortable and enlightening. With this in mind I d like to speak about what Freemasonry can do to and for men and the world. Freemasonry overflows with symbols, myths, parables and allegories. There are some established meanings to the symbols, but the interpretations are also fluid and speak distinctively to each of us. Those individual meanings often provide a purpose or a call to action. Some of those emblems struck a familiar chord with me. Two of the symbols which had a familiarity for me are the rough and finished ashlars. Our journey through Masonry is reflected by this simple symbol of perfecting or squaring the ashlar, and thus perfecting or squaring our actions. I often go walking in this old granite quarry to reflect. During one such walk, I found a partially finished block of granite and while rolling it in my hands in the dusty old quarry I was struck by a thought as forcefully as a blow from a setting maul. To improve my self, all I had to do was eliminate what was impeding me. This was an epiphany- a significant insight, and so I have kept that granite stone. Imagine my delight at discovering these symbols in my lodge on the night I was initiated. Men, like ashlars, are perfect, not when there is not anything to add, but when there is nothing more to take away. as St. Exupery said, My own imperfections are numerous but I will continue to labor away at that stone, using the tools presented to me in lodge, until I draw my last breath. The ritual of Freemasonry challenges a new Mason to explore beyond his own tribe, that is, beyond those of his family, race, and nation, beyond those of his religious creed or political persuasion, Cont. P.12
The Master s Page Brethren, the Master s Page was designed to allow me to babble on so to speak!! and convey a message, hopefully a meaningful one, that could have not been fitted in a single page. Case in point today s subject, the search of tangible higher ideals in times of trouble. It sounds like a cliché, but let s take a look at it! Times of trials or uncertainty could hit both at the individual or societal levels. The former can be caused, by a personal tragedy, death, terminal sickness or chronic depression to name a few. The latter is a phenomenon that usually occurs during wartime, or when dire economic conditions adversely affect the society at large. The cause here is not as material, for we generally know a priori the ripple effects of such ominous events. For instance, I m sure many of us would remember such grievous events at some point in our lives, where we felt the pressing need to be closer to our families and friends and maybe seek further guidance and consolation. Also, the two World Wars and the Great Depression attest to the veracity of such phenomenon, where membership in Freemasonry as well as other institutions witnessed a sudden spike in membership numbers. Higher Ideals on the other hand are principles or beliefs that serve as a tool or beacon for the individual to maneuver through the morass of uncertain and irrational occurrences in one s life. Here, I may proudly attest that Freemasonry encompasses such higher ideals and generations after generation passes it on to her members. Believing in the existence of a supreme being is paramount; practicing the principle of brotherly love, as in the Golden Rule -- makes the person more tolerant and less embittered towards others. Relieving the needy transcends all obstacles laid by egotism and self-interest. Pursuit of the truth and self-realization is important in times of normalcy, but more in times of trials. As Masons we learn to be prudent in face of uncertainty, and with fortitude confront our trials and tribulations, meanwhile using temperance to avoid excesses and uphold justice in all our endeavors with others. Most importantly, Masonry teaches us, as all ancient mystic Cont. P.12 Happy Birthday GUY NICHOLAS MAY 1 LYNN GRAVES MAY 2 ARMEN ARUSTAMYAN MAY 2 GEOFFREY M SCHUMANN MAY 2 MARK T WELLER MAY 6 ROBERT H CLASEN MAY 7 JACK R LLOYD MAY 7 PATRICK M SILVER MAY 7 WILLIAM B BURT, P.M. MAY 8 LTC BRUCE F KAY MAY 9 WALLACE G PEARSON MAY 10 DR MERLE FISH MAY 11 WALTER C TAYLOR III MAY 13 PIERRE MORONI MAY 18 ALFREDO PALOMO REYES III MAY 18 JOHN TASHTCHIAN MAY 23 TIMOTHY HILL MAY 23 HOWARD A GAUTSCHI MAY 23 SEAN P MEEHN MAY 24 (14)
BRETHREN IN SICKNESS OR DISTRESS Please aid and assist these distressed worthy brethren. If you know of any other brother in sickness or distress, please let us know. Worshipful Don Maltby is having medical issues with his hip. 818-985-5564 Brother Bill Greene is nearly blind 818-896-3901 Lily Mae Green has suffered a heart attack. Please contact brother Bill Greene with any support you can. Entered Apprentice & Fellow Craft Members... All Entered Apprentice & Fellow Craft masons are expected to attend Lodge every Thursday night for profi ciency instruction. This is your opportunity to advance through the degrees as quickly as possible, and it is your opportunity to get acquainted with the brethren of North Hollywood Lodge. The candidate coaches will be present and will keep you moving along toward your goal. While the memory work may seem out of reach at fi rst, you will fi nd that by being coached through the work, you will advance with ease. Don t be shy. Don t worry about your speed of attainment as each person is able to memorize at their own pace. Stuart Richard Williams 661.257.3839 Harvey Presser Don Regis 818.993.9949 818.352.4686 From The West My Beloved Brethren, There is much Masonic lore and jargon that can be confusing to the novice Mason. I am listing some explanations as a service to our Entered Apprentices, Fellowcrafts, family and any others who might be in wonder of these terms. Why are we called Freemasons? The name definitely dates back to the days when Masonry was almost wholly operative in character. Numerous explanations have been suggested, such as (a) masons worked in free stone (which could be carved), and hence were called free-stone masons, later shortened to freemasons (b) they were free men, not serfs; (c) they were free to move from place to place as they might desire; (d) they were given the freedom of the towns or localities in which they worked; (e) they were free of the rules and regulations that were usually imposed upon members of guilds. When was King Solomon s Temple Erected? It was started about 972 B.C. What is meant by the Golden Fleece, Roman Eagle, and the Star & Garter? The Order of the Golden Fleece was founded by Duke Phillip of Burgundy in 1429. The Roman Eagle was the symbol of the power and might of Rome during its heyday two thousand or more years ago. The Order of the Star was founded by King John II of France in the 1300 s. The Order of the Garter was created by King Edward III of England about the same time. The use of the apron as a badge is actually older than any of these. What does hele mean? Hele, pronounced hail, is derived from the Anglo-Saxon and means to cover or conceal. (13) (6) Cont. P.15
From The South During the past few months I have encouraged our elder brethren to step forth and assist in the guidance, advancement, and education of the several newly obligated brothers. I now extend the invitation and challenge to those new bothers that I have been speaking. This Lodge is your home, you are welcome anything and encouraged to attended all events that you can. Your help is both wanted and needed on several levels. Masonry makes no demands, it provides opportunities, it gives you the key to a door, it opens a path to your feet. But it forces you neither to use the key nor travel the path. It beckons; you may follow or not as you please. If you follow, you will travel strange ways, but you will find them increasingly pleasant the further you go. So not hesitate to get involved, ask questions, and never cease in seeking further light in Masonry. From the south Lance Huston Junior Warden The Master s Page schools, to rise above our mundane existence, leaving the old self behind, and as a raised initiate soaring into a sublime existence. Times are always shifting, that s the nature of our universe. But what Masonry teaches us will always stand the rigorous test of times and be unflinching in face of uncertainty. Our Masonic ideals are the guiding beacon in times of trials and tribulations. Let s hang on to them tightly and help those who become part of Masonic family to do the same! The Past Master s Page beyond those of his profession, and of his neighborhood and socioeconomic class. As his horizons expand, he begins to see the whole world as his society- our society, and every man as his brother. He discovers that the only way to truly leave his own children and grand children a legacy of worth is to insure that all avenues of human society in which they may walk are free from tyranny, oppression, and intolerance. Freemasonry is not just an esoteric study, a gentleman s club, or the appreciation of a rich history. It is about acting today for the benefit of all mankind. Some have posited that Freemasonry is dying and needs to find and attach itself to a worthy cause. This is a dual misconception. It is not dying, and Freemasonry itself is a worthy cause. Indeed, there is no more commendable a cause than the raising up of men who will better society. We will continue to attract and retain good men. And we will continue, just as those who have gone this way before us, to put the timeless philosophies of Freemasonry to work for we know that this is how we show ourselves to be upright men and Masons. Excerpts from Bro. Lorenzo E. Tidditts Response at the Installation 2008 at Washatch Lodge No. 1 F.& A.M., Utah. (letibbitts@ gmail.com.) Contributed by Kusala Dharma, PM (12)
Brethren, From The Temple Board We are still ahead of our projected budget for the fi rst quarter of 2008. There are many scheduled events which have been booked over the next few months with a few bookings for later this year. We are commencing cautious dialog with a developer for the parking lot project. We will be reporting as we move forward. The Hall Association continues to solicit our members for input with ideas for our Lodge Building. Many of you have great ideas and thoughts and we would appreciate hearing from from you, even with ideas you may think are small or insignifi cant Fraternally. Chris Holme PM Presiden Mission Statement It is the Mission of the North Hollywood Building Association to manage the property of the North Hollywood Masonic Lodge in a fi nancially responsible manner; to generate revenue from the use of the facility and maintain the building s aesthetics, make improvements to the facility, and see to all needed repair work. It is also the duty of the association to oversee relationships with vendors, renters, and properties surrounding the building in a manner fi tting the fraternity. (11) From the Secretary Greetings Brethren...The Lodge has been very active these past months. We are experiencing a time of new interest in Freemasonry, and North Hollywood Lodge No. 542 is on the receiving side of many new Applications for the Degrees. It is great to be able to present them during our Stated Meeting, and have our membership grow as these new candidates progress in their Masonic Studies. During the month of April, we made three new Entered Apprentices on the 10th, and a new Master Mason, Bro. Vrezh Seribekyan, on the 17th. I welcome these new Brethren into their Masonic Lodge, and urge them to continue their Masonic studies, and stay in communication with their coaches and the Lodge. There are many positions of responsibility available to all of our members who desire to be of service to the Lodge. Just ask your coach and the Master, Wor. Kabchanian, as to how you can help. The annual Masonic Service Bureau s Breakfast is now history, and the Lodge was well represented with a full table of our Brethren in attendance. It was a great morning, with the greeting Brethren of the many Lodges in attendance, as well as making new friendships, was all part of the morning that honored our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Richard Wakefield Hopper. This month of May also promises more degree work and Masonic studies as we continue to advance with the conferral of degrees and Lodge activities. The month schedule is posted on our Trestleboard. Our Senior Warden, Bro. Roni Zulu reported that Wor. Donald Maltby: (818) 985-5564 and Bro. Bill Green, (818) 896-3901are in need of a caring phone call from the brethren, as they can not get out to Lodge anymore and they would really appreciate your communication. That s all for now, Brethren, and I hope to see you there, in Lodge, or as we meet throughout our travels. Fraternally, Bruce E. Hudson, P.M., Secretary (8)
Lodge Calendar May 2008 31 Temple Board Meeting 7:00pm 1 Stated Meeting Dinner 6:30pm Stated Meeting 7:30pm 8 Reception for Right Worshipful William J. Bray III Junior Grand Warden OSI@ Granada Hills, &:00 PM 14 Second Degree Practice 7:30pm Second Degree 7:30pm 15 Thurs June 12 6:00 Social 6:30 Dinner $18.00 per person RSVP to Chris Holme (818) 981-9188 chris@chrisholme.com First Degree 7:30pm First Degree 7:30pm 22 29