Trestleboard Odenton Lodge #209, A.F.&A.M. A.L. 6014, Issue 2 Founded May 12, A.L. 5908 "Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun of York" was coined by Shakespeare and put into print in Richard III, 1594. Now you're scratching your head thinking, "What is the Worshipful Master talking about? I fear he has lost it." The phrase means that a time of unhappiness is past. That unhappiness, quite literally, was the winter of 2014, the winter of our discontent. I have never seen the weather impact events at the Odenton Masonic Center as much. Bingo, for example, had to be canceled several times. But we are back on track now. Brothers, as always, sought to volunteer their time at bingos (every Monday night), monthly breakfast (second Sunday of the month) and dinners (third Friday of the month), as well as other events sponsored by the Lodge. A Message from the east The Odenton Temple Holding Cooperation will be hosting their annual Spring Tea 1 June, and brothers are asked to wear their tuxedo and vests in order to serve the tea. This event has always been a lot of fun; look forward to seeing you there. Our Grand Lodge is just as busy. 17 May will be the 227th Semi-Annual Grand Communication. Your Wardens and I will be in attendance and any Master Mason of Odenton #209 may attend as well. We welcome all who wish to attend. I wanted to thank everyone who helped make the Odenton Lodge #209 open installation a huge success. From the Grand Master of Masons in Maryland, MWGM Piepiora and his officers for officiating the Ceremony of Installation, to the Order of the Eastern Star #29 for the wonderful meal they prepared. Thank you all very much. Odenton Lodge is planning an array of activities for the spring, summer, and into the fall. Get in touch and come participate! Our Lodge continues to grow, and by the grace of God we enjoy new men joining our fraternity and becoming faithful brothers among us. Our membership is currently 124 strong, though 44 of our members are not living locally. It is disheartening that a number of local members choose not to attend and join in our fellowship. Approximately 69 brothers are in the area; of that, a meager 26 elect to take part. Please take a moment and ask yourself why you become a Mason in the first place? Was it for your glory, or the glory of the craft? I am sure it was for much more than just adding another dues card to your wallet. All I ask is if you can find the time, we would be delighted to see you again. Many of you have been made aware of my recent diagnosis of liver disease and my rapidly declining appearance and health. One bonus I have is to be treated by one of the finest hospitals around, Johns Hopkins. I am told to expect to be on the From the social committee Bro. Seth continues to chair the social committee. We re getting a lot of ideas and help from all the brothers. Our fellow lodge at Odenton, Sincerity #181, is also hosting several events which we should support and attend. In particular, fraternal visits to two other lodges will occur the first week of May. Details can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. Check in at the website calendar page or watch your email for the latest updates. 1206 Stehlik Drive Odenton, MD 21113 410.674.8689 www.odentonlodge209.net Regular communication first and third Wednesdays at 7pm.
4 5 Let prudence direct you, temperance chasten you, fortitude support you, and justice be the guide in all your actions. An Update on the Traveling Gavel Liberty Pickering Lodge #219 and Odenton Lodge #209 have (re)introduced The Maryland Traveling Gavel. The Traveling Gavel is a 24 hardwood gavel with a commemorative band. It is designed to promote fraternal visitations to other lodges. Specific rules guide how to obtain the gavel. The lodge who holds it the longest each year wins special recognition and possibly a prize from the Grand Master! More From the east transplant list between three and five years. I pray with the skill of my doctors and their knowledge of the philosophy, "better living through chemistry," I will be able to function a little more like I used to. Though I am not quite there yet, I will continue to support the functions of the lodge to the best of my ability. Fraternally yours, Patrick R. Culver Worshipful Master A lodge visitation can be one of the most educational and rewarding experiences within our fraternity. Let s share our fraternal friendship and fellowship with our brothers by visiting lodges throughout our great jurisdiction. May the most traveled lodge win! We are happy to announce that the Traveling Gavel was captured from Daylight Lodge by Jephthah Lodge on March 11. We are aware of several upcoming attempts to recapture, by Birmingham #188 and possibly by Odenton #209 itself (on May 6th). When the gavel year resets in September, new rules will be in place: the Gavel will reset to Odenton Lodge in September instead of Daylight Lodge (we ll trade years with Liberty Pickering). Also, the WM s presence will no longer be required for capture either of his Wardens may stand for him. We hope to get time at the Semi-Annual Communication to talk about the Gavel in front of all of Maryland, but that may be unlikely given the schedule. Congratulations to Bro. Senior Steward Dario Fermaint who was married on March 22 to his lovely lady Brooke. A few brothers of Odenton Lodge #209 attended the occasion.
3 Gentlemen, We are one third of the way though 2014; it's amazing how time flies. As your Senior Warden, I am your pillar of Strength. I assist the Worshipful Master in opening, governing, and closing his lodge. I take my responsibilities seriously, but I am not uptight about it. I continue to learn and grow from all my brothers at the lodge and the experiences therein. I enjoy the lecture work and the various events that fosters camaraderie amongst us. As we welcome new brothers among us, it is vital that we hold true to the traditions of Freemasonry. Our Worshipful Master and Past Master Dumas have worked and continue to work in trying to bring our brother lodges together to move the GOATS agenda forward, but somewhere there has been a breakdown of communication. Hopefully in the near future we can reestablish that agenda, for it was moving forward pretty good and we had a lot of positive responses. We are also trying to get a traditional photo taken of our current members; we are hoping to arrange this before we go dark for the summer. We are continuously looking for ways to involve our families and friends. If you have any ideas, please feel free to bring it up to the brothers. We are looking for ways also to raise funds at our events already in place. Some examples are specialty foods night at bingo, or entertainment at our Friday dinners and breakfasts (e.g., a comedian, musician, magician, or cheerleaders). The sky is the limit as long it is free or close to free. I want to put a prayer out for the Culvers and all the other brothers and families that are fighting for their health and welfare. Even in tough times, our God blesses us. There is light in every tunnel. I feel that our lodge is one of the best lodges in Maryland. Let's see what we can do to make it even better. v/r, Kenn Adams, Bro. Senior Warden Chaplain s Corner Greetings, brethren! As we enter into spring, most all of us are enthusiastic and ready for the warm weather. I'm sure many brothers will be using other forms of daily working tools including; gardening, planting, mowing the grass, and enjoying and watching nature's beautiful colors bloom around us. Throughout the year, it is great to see how each brother balances their time between work, family, God, and lodge activities. We quickly adapt to using special tools like we do so well in the kitchen to prepare such great meals and develop camaraderie among us all - along with other activities to keep the lodge functioning from our hard work. Since we are taught to divide up and balance our time each day, let's all continue to make a special effort to pray for and assist our distressed Worshipful Master Patrick R. Culver. As he perseveres to battle and overcome his current medical situation, keep him and our fellow brothers and families that are experiencing sickness and/or distress in your prayers. In closing, we are blessed to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of brethren and family members who are willing to support each other and grow together during the cycle of seasons throughout the year. Fraternally, Words from the west James F. Miller, Chaplain 410-507-5690 Words from the south Greetings from the South, brethren. I would first like to start by thanking all of the brothers who have come out to our various events we have had so far here at Odenton #209 this year. Together with the support of OES #29 and the OTHC, we have already accomplished some great things this year. And we have much more planned! While doing some reading, I came across a quote that got me thinking. Freemasonry has promoted fellowship, it has nurtured brotherhood, it has practiced charity. It has education, it has been founded on truth and the cardinal virtues. But what is Masonry s greatest mission in life today? What should be the thrust of modern Masonry? Those are the answers we are presently seeking, and on our success in finding the answer depends the future of our Fraternity. L.L. Williams. So. What are the answers? In my opinion, the answers lie in all of us. Our personalities, our ideas, our attitudes. Pretty much everything about us. But not as individuals. As Freemasons, we join a fraternity, a brotherhood, and in this together, where the ideas, attitudes, and personalities are combined with like minds, we find the answers. Alone, we are in the dark, but together, we have all the light we need. JW
Let prudence direct you, temperance chasten you, fortitude support you, and justice be the guide in all your actions. Lodge Memorabilia Lodge pins are now available! They are $5 each. Contact Bro. Cort to get one. The first pin was given by WM Dumas and GI Hill to Bro. Walter Ewanus, along with his service award, in recognition of his sixty years of service to Freemasonry. We unearthed a cache of commemorative coins from the lodge s 100 th anniversary in 2008. They are available for $20 each, or 3 for $50. We also have polo shirts in XL for $23. Meeting minutes If you missed a meeting or didn t write down the date for an upcoming event, no need for you to be in the dark. Contact Bro. Secretary for a copy of the minutes. Ritual Practice Any brother is welcome at our ritual practice, if you ve received the degree we re practicing. We practice every Wednesday on which we don t meet, at 7pm. Dress is casual. Enjoy some fellowship, learn more about the ritual work, or even start learning a chair. You don t have to know a part to attend! Show me by Bro. Edgar Guest I would rather see a Mason than hear one any day, I would rather one would walk with me than merely show the way. The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear, Fine counsel is confusing, but examples are always clear. And the best of all Masons are the men who live their creeds, For to see the good in action is what everybody needs. I can soon learn how to do it if you'll let me see it done, I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run. And the lectures you deliver may be wise and true, But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do. For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give, But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live. By-Laws Update The By-Laws Committee has prepared an update to our lodge by-laws. Once the text is approved by Grand Lodge, stay tuned for an announcement as to the evening we ll be voting. Congratulations Ethan Dietrich (EA 3/19) Andrew McDowell (EA 1/29, FC 4/2) Scott Thomas (EA 3/19) In memoriam Bro. Ralph Eugene Long Born February 1, 1916 Initiated June 3, 1950 Passed September 6, 1950 Raised October 11, 1950 Laid down working tools April, 2014
5 His pleasure to give them relief by Patrick R. Culver, Worshipful Master Toward the end of the Civil War, a number of Confederate prisoners of war were being held in the vicinity of Winchester, Virginia, where they were guarded by a regiment of Ohio troops. One afternoon a young major accompanied the regimental surgeon on his hospital rounds among the prisoners. The young officer noticed that although the surgeon stopped at each bed, at some he gave tobacco, sometimes some money which he peeled from a large roll in his pocket and to others, advice that had nothing to do with the patient's medical condition. The major's curiosity was raised as to why this surgeon would give aid over and above what was expected to the dirty, ragged prisoners. The surgeon replied that he was a Mason and that since the wounded prisoners were Masons, "it was not only his duty but also his pleasure to relieve their wants to the limit of his ability, regardless of their rank or condition." The major, touched by these actions, expressed a wish to become a Mason. At that period of time, many lodges ignored jurisdictional lines or length of residence. Later these actions would The Knife & Fork Degree Don t forget about our monthly breakfast (second Sunday, 8am) and dinner (third Friday, 5pm), held at the lodge. These are fundraisers that help our lodge and the THC keep a roof over our heads. They are also great opportunities for service and fellowship, and an extra pair of hands is always needed. These are open events family and friends are invited and encouraged! Upcoming dinners: May: Mexican (Patrick Culver) June: Cookout (Cort Bossert) July: TBD (Ethan Casey) August: TBD (Kenn Adams) cause many headaches for the various Grand Lodges, but at this point were just part of the war. Thus, Hiram Lodge #21 of Winchester elected him to receive the degrees, which he proceeded to do. The lodge had had a fluctuating membership for the past four years since the town was constantly changing hands as the armies moved up and down the Shenandoah Valley. At times, the Federals had a majority in the lodge, and at other times the Confederates did. After the final defeat of the Confederate Army at Cedar Creek in October, 1864, things finally settled down, and the lodge looked again to hold meetings while under Northern occupation. In order to do so, Brothers Brent and Legge received a letter of introduction to General Phil Sheridan from the Honorable Montgomery Blair of Baltimore Postmaster General in President Abraham Lincoln's cabinet. With this letter of introduction, they were able to get an audience with General Sheridan. When they met with the general, he was surrounded by his staff and orderlies. After showing their credentials, the Brothers stated their purpose was to ask for permission to reopen the Masonic lodge. General Sheridan, in view of his known political and religious affiliations, Upcoming events Don t forget about the following events scheduled throughout the year. May 4: THC Basket Bingo May 6: Visit Jephthah Lodge #222 May 8: Visit Glen Burnie Lodge #213 May 17: Semiannual Communication at Grand Lodge June 1: THC Spring Tea June 7: Grand Lodge Family Day Picnic June 7: Sincerity #181 Orioles game June 18: Strawberry Night after the meeting (bring your family!) June 21: Pig Roast by Bro. Gonzalez June 24: Feast of St. John the Baptist June 27: Odenton #209 hosts Bingo at Bonnie Blink July 26: Grand Master s Ball August 3: THC Crab Feast August 30: Mid-Shore Seafood Fest. September 20: Festival for the Child (Bull & Oyster Roast fund-raiser) October 4: Harvest Home Day Lodge events Any Wednesday on which there s not a stated communication, we hold ritual practice. We ll be working through one degree or another to make sure we re at our best. Any brother is welcome to attend (and participate!) for any degree you ve already received. Bro. Seth Pickett has been organizing a monthly series of social events for the brothers and their families to spend time together at refreshment. If you have ideas for things you d like to do as a lodge or are interested in helping to organize, contact him at berylpicketii@gmail.com. Find a way to serve your lodge. Many hands makes light work, and everyone has a gift they can share with their brothers.
Let prudence direct you, temperance chasten you, fortitude support you, and justice be the guide in all your actions. Trestleboard Ongoing Bingo every Monday night, 7pm Rehearsal 2 nd /4 th /5 th Wednesday, 7pm May 1: Sincerity #181 Fellowship Night at Brian Boru, 7pm 4: Odenton THC Basket Bingo 6: Visit Jephthah Lodge #222 7: Stated communication, 7pm; FC proficiency, confer MM degree 8: Visit Glen Burnie Lodge #213 8: Temple Holding Corporation, 7pm 10: Lodge work day, 8am 11: Breakfast, 8am 16: Dinner, 5pm 17: Grand Lodge Semiannual Comm. 21: Stated communication, 7pm; confer EA degree June 1: THC Spring Tea, 2pm 4: Stated communication, 7pm; lecture by Bro. Luis Gonzalez 7: Family Day Picnic, 11am 8: Breakfast, 8am 12: Temple Holding Corporation, 7pm 14: Lodge work day, 8am 18: Stated communication, 7pm; Strawberry Night 20: Dinner, 5pm 21: Pig roast at Bro. Luis Gonzalez s 27: Bingo at Bonnie Blink, 7pm Please check the website for updated information as plans frequently change. Candidates Jeremy York (elected) Entered Apprentices Ethan Dietrich, Michael May, Juan Paz, George Simmons, Scott Thompson, Michael Wigal Fellow Crafts Andrew McDowell, Matthew Williams, turned them down. At that point, Dr. C.H. Allen, a surgeon on Sheridan's staff and a member of Aurora Lodge #22, Montpelier, Vermont, supported the brothers, with the argument that it would be a wise idea to reopen the lodge, since it would give the Northern officers and soldiers something to do while they were encamped around Winchester. This would allow the army to mingle with the townsfolk in a fraternal way and promote goodwill. Dr. Allen stated that he was a Mason and he would personally attend every meeting to see that nothing malicious towards the United States government occurred at the meetings. Reluctantly, Sheridan gave his permission. The lodge resumed meeting on November 28, 1864. From that point to June 24, 1865, 231 men were raised in the lodge. Almost all of them were from the North. At the time the Major's petition was acted on, a Confederate Chaplain, J.B.T. Reed, was Master, and he conferred the first degree upon the candidate on the evening of May 1, 1865. The next forenoon, he was instructed by the brethren on that degree and that evening, he received the second degree. On the morning of May 3rd, he was instructed on that degree and raised a Master Mason at 3 o'clock that afternoon. Shortly thereafter the war ended, and the Ohio troops were sent home. The Major took a demit from Hiram Lodge and upon reaching home deposited it in Canton Lodge #60, Canton, Ohio. For the rest of his life, William McKinley took an interest in Masonic activities and did not lose his interest even when he became Governor and later, President of the United States of America. His last Masonic act was to place a sprig of acacia on the casket of Brother George Washington upon the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the death of the "Father of the Country." My father, Past Master Howard, and I have had the privilege of attending Lodge at Hiram Lodge. We are also members of the North and South Skirmish Association (N-SSA), an organization that dresses in Civil War uniforms and fires period weapons for score. We shoot muskets, carbines, pistols, repeating rifles, cannon, and mortars - all real ammunition, all for score. Having identified that the N-SSA had many members that were also members of the craft, we arranged a special communication with Hiram Lodge where we attended in Civil War Uniform. Both blue and grey sat side by side in the bond of fraternal brotherhood like our ancestors did in the 1860s. For more information about Hiram Lodge: http://www.winchesterhiram21.org/ For more information about the N-SSA: http://www.n-ssa.org/index.php
7 New meeting activities! To provide for increased opportunity for Masonic education, learning, and fellowship, as well as to draw in the members of our lodge and other lodges to our communications, the brothers of Odenton Lodge #209 and Sincerity Lodge #181 have decided to try establishing a joint presentation series. While the content may not always be strictly a lecture (perhaps a short film, a display of photos, or something else creative), the plan is to have additional content, usually (but not always) of a Masonic nature, at a meeting of one of the lodges, approximately once per month. Odenton will take a month, the next month would be Sincerity, and the next month might be either, or a month off. The first lecture will be delivered by Bro. Luis Gonzalez at Odenton #209 on May 21 st, who will present on a topic to be determined, suitable for brothers of all degrees. Future plans are TBD. We welcome any brother who would like to present on any topic to get in touch. Living past masters James H. Conboy, 1949 Charles W. Boyer, 1953 * George H. Ruggles, 1963-64 George W. Smouse, 1966 * James Clifford Reusing, 1970, 74-75 Kenneth D. Bell, 1973 James S. Merrill, 1979 Leo Pluswick, 1980 * Robert W. Evett, 1982 Gerald E. Ketchem, Sr., 1982 Joseph B. Edwards, III, 1984, 1995 Michael W. Patteson, 1986 Grafton L. Aleshire, 1989 Gary T. Neal, 1991 Edward C. Garrant, 1992 Richard L. Garrant, 1993 John A. Edwards, 1994 Howard E. Culver, Jr., 1996 Charles R. Baillargeon, 1998, 2000-01 Thomas A. Keller, 2006-07 Robert A. Dumas, Jr., 2008, 2013 Logan E. H. Starr, Sr. 2009-10 Jon F. Zeigler 2011-12 From the desk of the secretary Things just get busier and busier. Get ready for a lot of fun coming up. Apologies that this Trestleboard has been so long in coming we are looking into doing something smaller and more frequent, with a large issue like this only a few times a year. So many of you still live so close to us but we don t see you. We would welcome you back. Please let us know what we could do to get you involved. If you ever need a publication, Masonic Manual, meeting minutes, copy of correspondence, or other information, please just contact me. I m happy to help. If you would like to receive the Trestleboard electronically, please send me a note. It s more convenient for you and saves the lodge about $3.00 an issue. - John Stoneham, Secretary Edict regarding dues Please note a recent Edict from MWGM Piepiora whereby a member who does not possess the current year s dues card loses the right of visitation to his home and other lodges except upon the invitation of the WM. What are my dues? 21 brothers have not paid for 2014 yet. Regular members: $103.50 Lifetime members: Paid by the lodge Lifetime (Ben Franklin): $26 Dual/plural membership: $77.50 NOTE: due to a change in Grand Lodge assessment to support the MD CHIP program, dues increased to $103.50 this year. This reflects the $3.00 additional assessment for CHIP and $0.50 because the Grand Lodge assessment was incorrectly calculated in previous years. Connect online Find the most up-to-date event calendar, photos, and news on our website at odentonlodge209.net. Join our Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/odentonlodge209. Notify the Secretary to get on our members email list, members@odentonlodge209.net. Submissions Contact the Secretary to submit items or photos for inclusion. Please submit items by the end of the second meeting of the month. Updates Please contact your Secretary if your name, address, email, phone, affiliations, or profession have changed, so we can keep our records up to date and keep in touch with you.
Odenton Lodge #209, A.F.&A.M. 1206 Stehlik Drive Odenton, MD 21113 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Trestleboard Odenton Lodge #209, A.F.&A.M. A.L. 6014, Issue 2 2014 Officers Worshipful Master Patrick Culver 240-565-3286 Senior Warden Kenneth Adams 443-848-6436 Junior Warden Cort Bossert 443-250-5450 Senior Deacon Ethan Casey 410-562-3844 Junior Deacon EJ Hanlon, Jr. 443-440-7934 Secretary John Stoneham 410-499-9848 Treasurer Herb Hopke 410-672-5547 Senior Steward Dario Fermaint 619-384-8851 Junior Steward Christopher Barber 301-674-2532 Chaplain James Miller 410-507-5690 Tyler Seth Pickett, II 216-470-0186 Marshal Paul Romer, Hon. PM 443-254-5421 You can email any officer at <office>@odentonlodge209.net. Trustees Cort Bossert, 2012 [for WM Culver] 443-250-5450 Jon Zeigler, PM, 2013 410-674-2719 Howard Culver, Jr., PM, 2014 410-761-4493 Grand Inspector James T. Hill, Jr., PM #222, GI 410-987-8124 Deputy Grand Lecturer John Thomas, PM #101, PWGL 410-799-5873 2014 Committee CHAIRs Audit: Roy Stevens, Hon. PM, PWGT 410-551-5417 Blood: John Ertel 410-279-3648 Bonnie Blink: John Stoneham 410-499-9848 By-Laws: Robert Dumas, Jr., PM 443-306-4184 Catechism: John Stoneham 410-499-9848 Family Day Picnic: Patrick Culver 240-565-3286 GOATS: Patrick Culver 240-565-3286 Harvest Home Day: Cort Bossert 443-250-5450 Membership: James Miller 410-507-5690 Open House: Kenneth Adams 443-848-6436 Past Masters Night: Patrick Culver 240-565-3286 Ritual: Robert Dumas, Jr., PM 443-306-4184 Scholarship: Paul Romer, Hon. PM 443-254-5421 Sick: Grafton Aleshire, PM 410-693-8327 Social: Seth Pickett, II 216-470-0186 Strawberry Night: Kenneth Adams 443-848-6436 Widows Night: Cort Bossert 443-250-5450