TRESTLE BOARD
Boyleston Masonic Lodge #123 A.F. M.
PO Box 502
Ballentine, SC29002
February, 2011
Greetings Brothers,
We’re already into the 2nd month of the new year and we had a good stated meeting. It started out with a meal of beef stew on rice and all the fixins plus a nice array of desserts, all prepared by our sisters of the Eastern Star.
At the meeting there were 53 brothers of which only 4 were visitors. I don’t know of another lodge that has that kind of attendance on a consistent basis. I can tell you that it is exciting to see the lodge full like that. It seems that every meeting we’re seeing one or two brothers come back who haven’t been there in quite a while and that is great. Please don’t hesitate to come visit your lodge just because you haven’t been there in a long time. We want to see you and we’ll welcome you with open arms. Don’t worry that maybe you have forgotten to do certain things or you might not know anybody, we’ll make you feel welcome.
At the meeting we read 5 new petitions!!!!! This month we will put on all 3 degrees and if you haven’t seen a degree in a while, come see them. Our degree team is as better than any other I’ve seen and that’s because they stay active.
Last month the past masters held a pancake supper with the proceeds going to the building fund. It was a big success and Ray Boland PM presented the lodge with $622.00. Thank you Ray and the past masters.
Gene Swygert gave a report on the activities of the realtor and he has put the Richland building on the internet and is posting and handing out flyers of the building and networking aggressively. You never know when that right person hears about the building and knows someone who might be interested in purchasing it.
The lodge voted to let the Richland #39 building committee have the last word on approving or countering an offer given and that should help speed up the process if an offer is given. The agents are Phil and Verdi Sherer at Coldwell Banker Realty and the building is listed at this web site
Our building committee is on a constant vigil to keep our buildings in good order and Ronnie Alcorn suggested we renew some light fixtures in the dining hall and that project will happen soon. When you come to lodge or just driveby, please notice the new entrance and exit signs to the parking lot. The signs were made and placed by Jim Weih our Senior Warden. Thank you Jim they look very professional.
We lost one of our brothers last month. Kenneth Turney lost his battle with diabetes the last part of January and the lodge held a Masonic Funeral at the family’s request. We are fortunate to have 2 brothers (Carlos Gibbons and Gene Swygert) who put on a very moving funeral service. Please remember the family has to request a Masonic funeral so please let family members know your intentions. If you haven’t been to a Masonic funeral service, it is very moving and rewarding. Sometimes during the weekdays it is hard to find brothers to have a good attendance at a Masonic service so if you give your number to the Secretary he will make sure you are notified of occurrences.
Also this is probably a good place to remind you that the lodge could use and would appreciate any bequeaths when a brother passes. It will help sustain our lodge and help us to continue to improve our property. I can assure you that we have a great core of brothers who constantly monitor what our lodge needs, and use our funds wisely. We, also, understand our philanthropic purpose and are in the process of analyzing the best way to help out. Of course, the more funds we have the more people or organizations we can help.
We have some people that are in need of our prayers and let’s keep them in hearts and minds to help get them and their families through some this trying time.
Jim and Judy Dry Kenny Robbins and wife
Ken and Barbara Burgess Donnie Slice
A special note for those who don’t know, Gene Hutto suffered a serious stroke and at this moment is in the LexingtonHospital. Over the years, Gene has been one of the most active of our brothers
Our brother David W. Bouknight Jr lost a son in an accident on a cruise ship.
Work for the month
Thursday Feb. 9th Entered Apprentice degree dine at 6:45pm meeting at 7:30pm
EA Practice Wed. Feb 8th7:00pm
Thursday Feb. 16th Fellowcraft Degree dine at 6:45pm meeting at 7:30pm
FC Practice Wed. Feb 15th7:00pm
WednesdayFeb. 22nd Master Mason Degree dine at 6:45pm meeting at 7:30pm
MM Practice Tues. Feb 21st7:00pm
MASTER MASON DEGREE ON WEDNESDAY INSTEAD OF THURSDAY!!!!!!!
Saturday Feb. 11th 7:00 am wood cutting work party to fill the pits for the bbq
DON’T FORGET TO PAY YOUR DUES AND SUPPORT YOUR BLUE LODGE
Answer to last month’s trivia question: What is scatology? The study of excrement (there are plenty of other names for that but we above that. Right?)
This month’s question. Where is your medulla oblongata?
Worshipful Master Senior Warden Junior Ward Jamie Faircloth Bobby Lockaby Ronnie Watson
803-600-0429 803-798-3589 803-345-3619
Treasurer Secretary Senior Deacon
Dennis Gobble Jud Close Jim Weih
803-750-2180 803-732-5604 803-518-1770
Junior Deacon Chaplain Steward
Richard White Ronnie Faircloth Chris McDowell
803-777-1568 803-345-2297 803-749-1148
Steward Tyler
Barry Goen William Watkins
803-476-7704 803-892-9799