Fidalgo Lodge #77 Trestleboard Guidance From the East HAPPY NEW YEAR BRETHREN! Every year we set new goals for ourselves. Like most Americans, by February, our resolve is waning, and by May, we don t even remember our resolutions. Then, on December 31st, we berate ourselves asking, How did I waste a whole year? Not this year! I have some ideas that will have myself saying on December 31st, 2018, Look how much I ve accomplished this year! Here they are... First, You must decide and act. Mental hurdles may keep you from making decisions and taking action. Get over it! Make a list of all the reasons you want to accomplish your goal. Refer to that list when indecision threatens to take control. To go to Lodge or not go to Lodge? You already know the answer. Next you must take baby steps. Even small steps taken toward your goal consistently will move you in the right direction. Once you experience a few small wins, taking bigger steps becomes easier. You don t have to memorize the entire ritual right now. Try one line at a time. Find a replacement. One way to break a bad habit is to replace it with a good one. What can you choose to add to your life that will fill the void left by eliminating a bad habit? For example, replace tv time with family time, candy with fresh fruit, coming to Lodge tardy with helping set up. Celebrate your successes! Every time you reach a milestone, acknowledge your accomplishments in a positive way. For example, you ve attended the last 12 Lodge meetings? Go get yourself a new suit. You ve attended the degree conferrals too? How about a new pair of shoes. Good luck. I ll see you at the finish line! Fraternally, WB Bob Belli http://www.anacortesmasons.org E-Mail AnacortesMasons@gmail.com Page 1
FIDALGO LODGE #77 ANACORTES WASHINGTON January 2018 Wisdom From the West A hearty greeting from the West Brethren! For Christmas this year, my wife and I decided to focus less on physical gifts and more on shared experiences. So, for Christmas we went with our two children on a family road trip! We ended up traveling in nine states, went to six National Parks, visited many National Monuments and Landmarks, and drove over 4,000 miles! We all had a great time. I share this because as Freemasons we are travelers deeply connected to history and we see things differently as a result. We visited more than a few small towns along the way out in the deserts of Arizona and Nevada which were important gold, silver, or other boon towns in their time. At each place, I looked for Masonry s marks and found them. The town of Tonopah was particularly interesting to me. It was for a brief period extremely important. This middle of nowhere 6,000 feet in elevation town, even lead to full on US and China international trade disputes and embargoes as well as making some people extremely rich. In more recent years Tonopah played a part in stealth fighter development. Masons were right there all that time. In some towns that I visited, such as Jerome Arizona, the Lodges are now gone, as are some of the towns which are now ghost towns. In others such as Goldfield Nevada, their Lodge is amazingly still there and in use even though the town population went from about 35,000 in its early 1900 s heyday to 250 today. There is so much to learn about life while traveling. Enjoy your travels Brethren! Always keep your eyes and mind open. As a Mason, you are not only connected to the history of our civilization, but are helping to write it. What will some future traveler to our area someday learn about the fervent members of Fidalgo Lodge #77, surrounding Lodges, and how we helped make our communities better places for all? When you come to your sunset how will your story read? I hope it's interesting! Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you in Lodge. Let s make it a great year. Fraternally, Andy McLaughlin SW Fidalgo Lodge #77 For a very nice write up on the history of Tonopah Lodge #28: http://nvmasons.org/lodges/tonopah-28/ http://www.anacortesmasons.org E-Mail AnacortesMasons@gmail.com Page 2
Secretary s Desk Highlights of the December 2017 Stated Meeting: This was the Official visit of the DDGM, VWB Dino Conti, who stated that it was gratifying to see a lineup of newer Masons in the chairs. He reminded us of the District Meeting: Jan 13 at 3PM. He gave kudos for the secretary/treasurer s record keeping; recommend that all officers complete the PILM; kudos to San Juan #175 for their good showing at this meeting; recommend travel for all and thanked the brethren of Fidalgo Lodge for their willingness to travel to other Lodges and for their support of the community. Brother Robert Gara was installed as Junior Warden by Bro. Andrew McLaughlin, SW Visitors from San Juan Lodge #175 included JW: Daven Holzier, SW: Ray Jackson, PM: Ken Meeker, WM: Kent Meeker Communications from MWGM Warren Schoeben: we have received additional information on the Honor Flight selection and participation process which makes it unnecessary for the WAGL to have a process on their own. WA Masonic Charities will donate to the program, and the GM encourages members to contribute to the program. Information on the Puget Sound Honor Flight program is at http://pugetsounhonorflight.org/ Communication from RWB Jim Kendall, DGM: 2018 Lodge Leadership Retreat, 16-18 March Pasco WA. The primary focus is on Wardens, Senior Deacons; however, any Master Mason, including Masters and Past Masters may attend. Registration information will be on the WAGL website on 3 Jan WB Eric Johnson, P.M. New Business: Circle of Care; Ike Jurgens in a walker, wife is in hospice; Mary Nelson fell and hurt her leg Widows and Orphans Fund needs a new secretary: see VWB Bell WM announced the new committee lineups, which are noted at AnacortesMasons.org Bro McLaughlin donated a Masonic reference work to all the newly elected officers VWB Bell gave a short presentation on the attitude of prayer and noted that there were two forms (as given in the Lodge Officers Handbook). The flag was retired and the evening s labors having been completed, the Lodge was closed by the DDGM in due form at 8:35 P&HP. Fidalgo 77 January Calendar of Events 1/9/17 (2nd Tuesday) Temple Board (5:30 PM) Dinner (6:30 PM) Stated Meeting (7:30 PM) 1/10/17 (2nd Wednesday of Jan) EAM for Scott Anderson (7:00 PM) 1/13/17 (2nd Saturday of Jan) EAM District Annual Communication (3:00 PM) 1/26/17 (4th Friday ) Masonic Education Evening (7:00 PM) http://www.anacortesmasons.org E-Mail AnacortesMasons@gmail.com Page 3
Secretary s Desk Cont. http://www.anacortesmasons.org E-Mail AnacortesMasons@gmail.com Page 4
FIDALGO LODGE #77 ANACORTES WASHINGTON January 2018 2018 Lodge Officers January Masonic Birthdays Raised to the degree of a Master Mason Gerald Myers (PDDGM)....1/16/1996 David Alberts..1/22/2000 Dylan Lee.1/18/2017 http://www.anacortesmasons.org E-Mail AnacortesMasons@gmail.com Page 5
Masonic Study Group Report At the December meeting of the Masonic Study Group we discussed the rite of Circumambulation. The brethren present had a lively discussion and all agreed that it was more than just walking in a circle. Exoterically you were conducted once around the Altar that the brethren might see that you were duly and truly prepared. Esoterically this movement also represents the movement of the sun from the East the West by way of the South and also for the Entered Apprentice, it symbolizes the journey of his life. The rite of circumambulation has been traced to man s first efforts at worshiping the sun. The sun represented his concept of God because it was the source of light which he believed represented the source of life. Circumambulation is found in all major religions in one form or another. If you are interested look at the following references: Http://www.themasonictrowel.com/books/the_square_and_compasses_falconer/files/chapter_12.htm http://theeducator.ca/symbolism/circumambulation The Journal of the Masonic Society Spring 2017 The Mystery of Tubal-Cain pg 25 the circumambulations -- Traveling To & From http://www.sacred-texts.com/mas/sof/sof23.htm Symbolism of Freemasonry XXI. The Rite of Circumambulation Fraternally, VWB Gerald Myers The Fidalgo Trestle board is edited and published by Bro. Daniel Brown. For any submissions or comments, please e-mail at : danielbrown1235@gmaill.com http://www.anacortesmasons.org E-Mail AnacortesMasons@gmail.com Page 6