Palm Springs Masonic Lodge 693 F&AM Trestleboard November 2017 From the East: This October saw our lodge take yet another step toward building a better lodge experience for all involved. Our stated meeting was yet again efficient and kept within reasonable time limits. The education was well received and several members had thoughtful responses and this is in keeping with one of founding principles and that is 1- Everyone has a voice 2- Everyone sees the vision 3- Everyone has a role 4- The leaders let the workers work. In keeping with this philosophy this has allowed all members to come in and contribute and because we stick to it the contributions have grown exponentially. All of gatherings at lodge are always accompanied by Masonic education. Whether it s 3-5- or 7 minutes long we always have something to explore and this is in keeping with our belief that we are here to learn as much as we can in order to help us become that better man. Brothers Ruben Leija and I went to this year s Annual Communications up in San Francisco and had a great time. On Saturday night after the Grand Masters Ball we had cigars and great conversation with Past Grand Master M. David Perry and his son Nick and the present Master of Napa Valley Lodge No. 93 Hector Marroquin. They had many stories to tell us and we had many things in common. This month on November 7th we will be having our Stated Meeting and annual election of officers. This of course will be preceded by our stated meeting dinner which will be prepared by our chef Brother Hector Minion. Once we get fill our bellies we will go into our stated meeting which we have become very efficient at conducting, we have gotten it down to about 30 minutes after opening lodge for business which takes about 10 minute in case you have not times it. Our Masonic Education topic of discussion will be The Point Within the Circle presented by Brother Dave Mathews. On Tuesday, November 14 th we have our Hall Association Meeting at 6:00pm and everyone is welcome to come. After that we will be practicing on the Third Degree at 7:00pm followed by some Masonic Education. The topic will be further light in Masonry. Tuesday, November 21 st will be Fellowship Night beginning at 6:00pm. Come join us and socialize with your brethren, friends and family. Tuesday, November 28 th Practice on the Third Degree both Sections starting at 6:00pm followed by some more Masonic Education. The topic will be What is a Lodge a representation of? Come join us brothers, see what we are doing. Ask where you can help and join us on this journey. Cesar Rubio PM Master Palm Springs Lodge #693
From the West: The second step to the eight steps of excellence revolves around ritual. The second step states; Bring a sense of awe to Masonic Ritual. By bringing a sense of awe back to the ritual we are creating a desire to learn more on the part of the candidate. The initiate will, by using his heightened sense of hearing, hear the words spoken more than if he were not hoodwinked. By taking away the candidate s sight, we are preparing him to use his other four senses, with an intentional focus on his surroundings and what is transpiring around him. Being proficient in the degree is the most important element of the degree. By understanding the words being spoken, the person delivering the ritual has a better grasp of the idea he is attempting to convey to the candidate. This understanding promotes the proper inflection on certain words, gives the ritualist a strong command of the words being spoken, and result in a sense of awe on the part of the candidate. What better way to convey and impart an idea, or convey that sense of awe we all attempt to bring to our ritual work. The better we know what we are saying the easier it is to impart the concept to the initiate. Think of it this way; Try to describe a sunset to a person who is totally blind. How would you be able to describe the colors of the sunset? By thinking about ritual this way, the ritualist can find the right words. When working in degrees, those words are already given to us, it is our job to convey these words correctly, with feeling and sincere intention to relay an idea or concept to the initiate. Fraternally, Jeffrey Bayer PM
November Birthday s: Gary Okamoto Randy Viscovich David Whittaker Marvin Rudin Hector Minon Jeff Gibson Gary Knutson David Schrager Carl Story Sr. Rudy Velasco From all your brothers at Palm Springs we wish you all the best on your special day. Raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason: Lee Davis 2005 James Evilsizor 1979 Alan Franks 2012 Keith Gibson 2001 Frank Hollister 1976 Ruben Leija 2013 Fredrick Matas 1991 Hector Minon 2011 Philp Perrin 1993 Brent Poist 1995 Stephen Pritsker 1982 Randy Viscovich 2014 When was the last time you joined your brothers at lodge?
November s Calendar: Tuesday, November 7 th Stated Meeting 7:30 pm Dinner 6:00 pm Election of Officer s Tuesday, November 14 th Hall Association 6:00 pm Practice 3 rd Degree Monday, November 20 th OSI Twentnine Palms 6:00 pm Tuesday, November 21 st Dark Tuesday, November 28 th Executive Meeting 6:00 pm Practice 3 rd Degree ~ Brethren of Palm Springs, we all know what a great chef Hector is but he has graciously moved aside for the month of November so we can all enjoy a special meal. The recipes for this dinner have been handed down through the generations just like our ritual, mouth to ear never having been written down. The chef for November is our own Brother Bill Roose and here is his special menu: Warm Bread Italian Salad with Dressing Sausage & Meatballs with Ricotta Raviolis & Red Gravy (Homemade by Nono Roose) Cannoli s Beverages All this for $15.00 per person please RSVP to jrg28@hotmail.com
Hall Association Report: Brethren as of this Trestleboard we need to report the following: The lodge rental for the Grotto Shriner s was a huge success and we need to give Brother Hector a big thank you for managing that event. We will also have hosted the Fest of Tishri for the Scottish Rite with the Past Grand Master in attendance and Brother Jacob received his 50-year pin, congratulations Brother Bob. We have another rental on November 19, 2017 for a French Degree and all Master Masons from Palm Springs are invited to attend. Please contact Brother Hector for more information. As far as the hall goes we have received several bids for the following; demo inside hall and offices, drywall, paint and roof repair. We are waiting for a check from our insurance company to begin work once the hall board and Grand Lodge have approved and accepted the contractor bids. The hall association will continue to update the brethren as we move forward. Read all about it: The Palm Springs Masonic Lodge 693 F&AM now has a new web page. Please go to: palmspringsmason.org Brother Nick Seneca, has put the page back up with currant content, pictures and facts about freemasonry and a contact us site. It has been a very long time since this lodge had an updated web page. Please check out the new web page and give us your feedback. All the brethren at Palm Springs want to say well done Brother Nick and thank you for all your hard work. Treasurers Report: Brethren it is that time of year once again, dues notices will be mailed out shortly. The amount of our 2018 dues will be $195.00 that is the increase in per captia from Grand Lodge, rounded to the next whole $5.00 please remember that your dues are what allow your lodge to function on a daily basis. There is one other change from 2017 we will no longer be able to pay our dues online thru PayPal. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. As we count down the final months of 2017 it is my pleasure to report that of the 121 members of Palm Springs 693 all but 15 have paid their 2017 dues. So, without any other unexpected costs for the remainder of the year, we will come in under budget for the second year in a row and start the new year with a surplus. Fraternally, Jeff Gibson
Fellowship: Here are just a few of the things you missed at the October stated meeting, Rare Please!
You Bet There is A Ninth Step to Excellence.
What do you mean no English Muffin s! Who s in charge here?
Why not come to lodge and enjoy yourself
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND Happy Thanksgiving From Palm Springs 693