Claud L. Austin #1450 Web Site Claud L. Austin Masonic Lodge #1450 AF&AM 500 S. Harwood - Dallas, Texas 75201 - Scottish Rite Cathedral - Tel: (214) 748-9196 V O L U M E 1, I S S U E 2 October 2014 Knox-Corinthian Golf Tournament 2014 Claud L. Austin Comes To The Table With A Gold Sponsorship To Assist The Dallas Scottish Rite Hospital and Cathedral. Claud L. Austin Lodge supported the 27th annual Knox Corinthian Golf Tournament 2014 in a big way. Claud L. Austin once again comes to the tournament with a Gold Sponsorship to support the Scottish Rite Hospital of Dallas and the Dallas Scottish Rite Cathedral. I was truly proud to be the Worshipful Master of such a benevolent Lodge. Sometimes we forget why we are Masons and, as always, Claud L. Austin lead with a passion. It was a great feeling to be a small part in such a great event. I have recently found out that not only did Claud L. Austin come to play, but worked in the quarry for the good of the Knox-Corinthian Lodge Tournament as well. What a great team of dedicated Masons. The workers I am aware of were: Stephen Apple, Sr., Buck Howard, J.C. Montgomery Jr., Bill Cox and Larry Winkle. Please take the time to thank them for their dedication to the craft, and our thanks also go to anyone I may have unknowingly left off this list. The funds from the event will be split between the Hospital and the Dallas Scottish Rite Cathedral (our homebase). The Tournament turned out even better than expected. The morning was crisp and clear with a touch of overcast skies. It was like the Grand Architect Himself had looked down and called for such a wonderful day for such a wonderful event. To start the day, we had hotdogs, hamburgers and all of the fixings outside under the great sky of Frisco, Texas. There were two teams in the hunt for the win from CLA. One team was the Brother Billy Purdue Team consisting of Don, Randy, Matt and Clay Purdue (and I mean sons and grandsons came to play) a great looking clan I might add. The other team was the CLA Worshipful Master s Team consisting of WM Larry Christensen, Steve Brazeal, Larry Winkle and Larry Wells. The competition was fierce and the field was full. As in this next picture, it shows we were all leaning on Brother Steve. In this next picture though, you can see that the audience thinned out. Oh well, some are A players and some D players. The two teams came in 12th and 13th overall, but more importantly, we all had a great time supporting a good cause! LBC, WM, CLA
P A G E 2 2014-2015 Claud L. Austin Golden Trowel Award Brunch The Claud L. Austin 2014 Golden Trowel Committee was appointed by Worshipful Master Larry Christensen at the beginning of the 2014-2015 year. The Committee was comprised of the following members: Stephen Apple Sr, PM Mal Fitch, PM Bill Cox, PM Chairperson Member Member Golden Trowel Award Brunch December 13, 2014 The Committee has reached a unanimous decision on the candidate to receive the Claud L. Austin 2014-2015 Golden Trowel Award. This will be voted on at the next stated meeting, November 24, 2014. Worshipful Master has instructed the Committee to not disclose the candidates who were considered in the selection process to receive this prestigious award. As well, Worshipful Master has asked the Committee not to disclose the name of the recipient chosen until after the vote by the Lodge in November. Please come to vote and to congratulate this year s honoree. This was a difficult task and the Committee took their selection challenge to heart. I would like to thank the Committee for their hard work and due diligence in this matter. Trust me, it was not easy with all of the great Masons they had to look at on the Claud L. Austin roster. Words from the East By: Larry B. Christensen, WM With the holiday season upon us, let us all take time to pause and give thanks for all of the many blessings that the Grand Architect above bestows upon us during the year. May you and yours receive all of the blessings from above. In Loving Memory to a Great Love Story Lee and Ray Skinner Lee Skinner, beloved wife of Brother Ray Skinner, PM, passed away Saturday, September 27, 2014 after a gallant fight. Ray and Lee were married 53 years and were childhood sweethearts their life was one of the greatest love stories every told. If you ever met Lee, you knew you had met someone special. Her ever present smile lit up the room and you simply felt joy in her presence. Claud L. Austin was blessed to have her as our First Lady. Lee will be missed by everyone who knew her. The love of our Lodge goes out to Ray and their three children, Rob, Angela and Shelley during this most difficult time. God s peace to each of them.
From the Chaplain By; Kenoth Flournoy, Chaplain, CLA P A G E 3 TEXAS GOD'S WORD: Blessed is the NATION whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." - Psalm 33:12 They say that pride is not a good thing when it places more importance on yourself rather than on God's providence, faithfulness, and plan. But there's also a good pride; an emotion where we are pleased in recognition of God's blessing. Such is the case for me when I realize that I'm a Texan! I know that there are those who don't understand this, and perhaps you're proud of your little state as well, but Texans are known for our Texas-patriotism and above all, as a whole, still recognize that God is the author of all things...including all things Texan! For those of you who are from Texas or got here as quick as you could, you can join me in the good kind of pride. Enjoy! YOU MAY LIVE IN TEXAS... If someone in a Lowe's store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you may live in Texas; If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Texas; If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Texas; If vacation means going anywhere south of Dallas for the weekend, you may live in Texas; If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas; If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Texas; If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked, you may live in Texas ; If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Texas; If the speed limit on the highway is 65 mph--you're going 80 and everybody's passing you, you may live in Texas; and if you find 60 degrees a little chilly, you may live in Texas! Cowboy's Ten Commandments (Posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, Texas) 1. Just one God. 2. Honor yer Ma & Pa. 3. No telling tales or gossipin. 4. Git yourself to Sunday meetin. 5. Put nothing before God. 6. No foolin around with another feller s gal. 7. No killin. 8. Watch yer mouth. 9. Don t take what ain t yers. 10. Don t be hankerin for yer buddy s stuff. Y'all git all that? KF, Chaplain, CLA
V O L U M E 1, I S S U E 2 PAGE Claud L. Austin Goes To The 74th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Ok, how many of you want to vote that Brother Larry Winkle is having the time of his life? The 74th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was recently held in Sturgis, South Dakota. Over 500,000 motorcyclists attended and among them were six members from Claud L. Austin. Those attending were Bob Jensen, Chuck Lawson, Larry Wells, Ray Skinner, Larry Winkle and Grady Smith. All had a great time and returned having had no wrecks or injuries. Not sure how that happened? Two brave wives also attended, Peggy Smith and Lee Skinner. Lee being an accomplished rider herself, brought her brand new Harley to the party. CLA has a number of present or past motorcycle riders including: Doug Adkins, Stephen Apple, Sr., Steve Brazeal, Bob Chambers, Larry Christensen, Ed Kirkpatrick, Wendell Miller, Jim Moore, Bob Sparks, Bob Chambers and Scott Transou. Almost 1/4 of the membership of Claud L. Austin has an interest in motorcycle riding. Roy Bragg and Bruce Bragg also attended the rally with the group, and I have been told that they bought two new Harley trikes and a trailer on their way out. Now that is getting it together! From left to right Glad to know that CLA was well represented at the Rally and that everyone got back home safe and sound with their wheels on the ground! Ray Skinner Larry Wells Chuck Lawson Grady Smith Larry Winkle Bob Jenson Who are the men in red showing their colors? CLAUD L. AUSTIN MASONIC LODGE #1450 AF&AM 4
Notice of Claud L. Austin Fall Festive Board November 21st 6:00pm at the Dallas Athletic Club By: Zola B. Blicker, Senior Warden, Festive Board Chairman, Claud L. Austin Fraternal Greetings to the Brethren of Claud L. Austin Lodge #1450. AF&AM. Claud L. Austin Fall Festive Board will be FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 21, 2014, AT 6:00 PM YOUR RSVP IS REQUIRED AND SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO ZOLA BLICKER, Festive Chairman. This has to be done PRIOR to November 9th in one of the following manners P A G E 5 Email: zbblick@ aol.com (click on the link above to RSVP by email for the November 21st Fall Festive Board) Office: (972) 661-8977 Mobil: (972) 979-7200 Res: (972) 661-5070 I CANNOT ASSUME YOUR ATTENDANCE WITHOUT YOUR RSVP!!!! Your cooperation in this regard is solicited and appreciated. This November 21st Fall Festive Board will be No. 2 under WM L.C.'s watch. Let us continue to show him our support with a great attendance for another outstanding Festive Board (I am prejudiced!!! ). I repeat my promise that your cuppeths shall runneth overeth with good cheer, conviviality, and with more than ample abundance of Brotherly Love and affection. SO NOTE YOUR CALENDARS, MAKE IT AN "OBLIGATION" TO ATTEND, AND GET YOUR RSVP INTO ZOLA. Cheers and Fraternal Regards To All, ZBB, SW, Chairman of the Festive Board, Claud L. Austin NEXT STATED MEETING November 24th, 2014 at 12:00 Noon - in the Green Room at the Dallas Scottish Rite Cathedral Hope to see you all there! May the blessings of the Supreme Architect above be with you and your household during this Holiday Season, until we gather again. Larry B. Christensen, your Worshipful Master working for you in the Masonic Light 500 S. Harwood - Dallas, Texas 75201 - Scottish Rite Cathedral in the Green Room Tel: (214)748-9196 www.cla1450.org From the Secretary s Desk Donnie Swango, Secretary, Claud L. Austin Brother Secretary says HAPPY Holidays!
P A G E 6 Calendar of Events October, November and December 2014 Thursday, October 2 10:00am Claud L. Austin - Study Club & Meeting (Cancelled) Thursday, October 16 10:00am Claud L. Austin - Study Club & Meeting Thursday, November 6 10:00am Claud L. Austin - Study Club & Meeting Thursday, November 20 10:00am Claud L. Austin - Study Club & Meeting (Cancelled) Friday, November 21 6:30pm Festive Board Monday, November 24 12:00pm Stated Meeting Thursday, December 4 10:00am Claud L. Austin - Study Club & Meeting (Cancelled) Saturday, December 13 10:30am Claud L. Austin - Golden Trowel Award Brunch Thursday, December 18 10:00am Claud L. Austin - Study Club & Meeting (Cancelled) http://www.cla1450.org/calendar/ To stay in touch - click on link above and go directly to the CLA Lodge Web Page Calendar, for an up-to-date calendar. Note: The Study Club & Meetings are not tiled and minutes are not kept. Please come, we would love to have you. Thank you, Brother Apple, Sr. for keeping our calendar updated! Don t forget the 2014 Grand Annual Communication December 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2014 Waco, Texas A postman, on his route, picked up a letter from a mailbox that was addressed to God. The postman seeing that the letter was not sealed, and there being no postage on it, opened and read it. It was from a man who was down on his luck and was asking God for help. The letter asked for $50 to get his family through the next week. The postman, being a Mason, took the letter to Lodge that evening, read it, and asked for donations for the unfortunate fellow. The Masons, wanting to help, took up a collection, and received $25 from the brethren. The Secretary placed the cash in a Lodge envelope, and gave it to the postman to deliver back to the man the following day, which he did. Another day passed, and the postman again found an unsealed letter in the mailbox addressed to God. Again he opened and read the letter, which thanked God for the money, but instructed him to send it through the Knights of Columbus next time as the Masons had kept half.