Worshipful Masters Message: Thomas F. Melbourn
October 2017
MASTERS MESSAGE Brethren, The 150th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Idaho AF & AM was interesting and some controversial items were discussed and voted upon. Four of the five resolutions passed. A copy of the proceedings will be available later. You can view the list of new Grand Lodge officers on the Grand Lodge website. The Lodge’s November officer elections are coming up, so for all officers who want to advance, please let me know what requirements are lacking for your certification proficiency. I will give the District Deputy Grand Master an opportunity to meet with you, or to plan on completing your proficiency in open lodge at Kootenai 24 or another lodge before the November stated meeting. We will be conducting the annual fundraising raffle, so tickets will be ready for sale at the Stated Meeting. The drawing will be held in December. Now for the sequel to last month’s bad joke about the unnamed, no arms, bell ringer whose “face sure rings a bell.” The church was now left yet again without a bell ringer, but the dead bell ringer’s brother approached the church about the job. He stated that he had always admired his brother’s extraordinary talent. He had watched his brother perform and after considerable practice had also perfected the technique. Since he was now retired, he pleaded for a chance to carry on his brother’s tradition and offered an audition. The committee was somewhat incredulous, but after observing a spectacular rendition of the man’s ability to strike the bell with the side of his head and face creating the same melodious tone as his brother, they immediately hired the man. The next Sunday the new bell ringer attempted to perform a tuneful series by flinging himself against the bell, but he too caught his foot in the rope which had never been removed from the bell. This caused him to fly past the bell, much like his brother, out of the bell tower opening, onto the steps of the church below, where he died. The pastor and a committee member rushed up to the body expressing their sorrow, but again somewhat in a quandary. The pastor exclaiming that he again didn’t even know this new bell ringer’s name. The committee member then replying that he too did not know the man’s name, but …. “he sure is a dead ringer for his brother”. My apology for another lame joke, but I don’t know anything but bad jokes. FAMOS On a not so serious note and much more back to reality Brother John Kunkle has reported his activities for the summer, as some of you know Brother John took it upon himself to promote a program for the members and their families known as the “FAMOS” program or “Free & Accepted Masonic Outdoor Sportsmen”, thus his activities report: “During this past summer, a handful of us were able to get together for a fun group shoot at the Farragut State Park Weapons Firing Range. The weather was great and it sure was nice having all of the range to just ourselves!” It takes a few weeks to coordinate all interested parties, decide on a cordial date and complete the park’s reservation paperwork. The range will soon be shutting down for the season, but I hope to be able to set up at least two private group shoots for brothers next season. The range now even offers a 3D Wild Game Archery range for those interested in pulling a string the next time! A group bicycle ride never came to fruition. I think we all seize the summer for recreational activities at our own pace and just get very busy. That’s okay, many other outdoor group activity ideas like fishing, boating, camping, ATV riding, etc… still exist! If you have an idea and interested in helping making it happen, please contact me and let’s get it done for next year…….John Kunkle Fraternally yours, Worshipful Master Tom Melbourn . |
TREASURER MESSAGE: Well my Brothers, November is coming up and Dues Notices will be sent out again for the coming year. Hopefully all of you members will elect to remain members in our fraternity. Currently we have five members who are in danger of losing their membership by not paying their dues after two years, and eleven members who haven’t paid their 2017 dues, which all tolled it is not too bad out of 169 members, however out of that roster we have 54 members who are either 50 yr. or lifetime members who don’t pay anything, so added up we wind up with only 99 members supporting our Lodge and out of the 169 members we only get maybe 20 members to attend meetings on a good night, but that is for another conversation. Boring stuff I know. But as a Lodge we cannot miss paying dues without it impacting on our finances. So Brothers let us all step up and be a member in good standing, catch up your dues and pay your dues for 2018 when you get your notice in November. Thank you, Phil Morgan, Treasurer |