Master’s Letter | September 2010
Well, summer is behind us. I hope you all had the opportunity to have a vacation break away and enjoy a little time with family and friends. I had a nice couple days up in Leland, visiting nearby Sleeping Bear Dune, and even had the pleasure of running into Bro. Mike Shehan and his family at an ice cream shop. I had a further Masonic surprise when I walked into the Glen Haven General Store, dating to the late 1800s, which is now preserved by the National Park Service. Its original owner, D.H. Day, was a Mason and a Knight Templar. Carved into an archway in the store are a golden square and compasses, an eye, and a cross! Glen Haven at the time was sparsely populated and was unlikely able to support a lodge. Still, it is interesting to see how important Bro. Day’s Masonry was to him in that, at the time, far-flung corner of Michigan.
The first annual Tri-lodge Picnic, being AAF 262, Golden Rule 159, and St. Mary’s No. 4, Prince Hall, took place in Gallup Park on August 8. It was a marvelous time and special “thanks” are due to our JW Clinton Bartholomew and JW Jim Lakin of 159. Attendees, who also included Masons and their families from Jackson, Belleville, Milan, Saline, Manchester and Prince Hall brothers from Romulus, enjoyed barbecued pork and chicken and potluck side dishes. The many children particularly enjoyed the two “tug of wars” that were held. PM Ray Holcomb of Golden Rule crafted special triangular sounding board for the occasion. On each side is small brass plaque with one of the lodge’s names. It was agreed that it will serve as a trophy, much a like a traveling gavel, for AAF 262, Golden Rule 159 (where it is presently housed), and St. Mary’s No. 4. W.Bro. Holcomb put a lot of thought into its symbolism; if you see him, you should ask about it. I stayed to the end to help with clean up and was really excited to hear how everyone looked forward to next year’s Tri-Lodge picnic.
September will be a very busy month for AAF 262. First, the September 1 regular meeting will NOT be taking place at Hathaway’s Hideaway NOR will there be a pre-lodge meal (there are many nearby restaurants and perhaps we can adjourn to one following our meeting). Instead, we will be holding it at the Pittsfield Grange, located at 3337 Ann Arbor – Saline Road, just a mile or so south of I-94. If the brethren like the space, we will make final arrangements with Grand Lodge to shift to this new location which will provide us with some much needed elbow room. It is my hope to wrap up our MMs for the year this month. We will have MM degrees on Sept. 15 and, it is hoped, on Saturday Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. in the Detroit Masonic Temple. The Study Club, lead by PM Seymour Greenstone, will meet at Hathaway’s at 7 p.m. on Sept. 22 to discuss “Music and Masonry.” Lastly, Masters Table this month, on Sept. 29, will be at Knight’s Steakhouse, at 6:30 p.m. This is an annual bring your wife and/or lady event (just kidding, please do not bring both!). Please RSVP with PM Justin Krasnoff at 734-665-2236
We have a lot on our plate brothers. We will have raised 14 new masons by the end of this month and STILL have a backlog of work to do! Key to our continued growth and success is everyone’s active participation. We want to hear from you and, if you are able to make it, SEE you. I remain hopeful that we can put together a proper Master Mason degree team, with understudies so we can mix things up, and perhaps flesh out some standing committees. So even if you are not in the line, or don’t want to be, there are meaningful and fulfilling ways you can participate in lodge. Of course, we are also happy just to share a meal with you and have you on the sidelines. Lodge should be an oasis from the headaches and responsibilities of everyday life. Make the most of it.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Robert Blackburn, WM
UPCOMING EVENTS from Our Trestleboard
- September 1, 2010
Regular Communication - No dinner before, meeting 7:00pm
LOCATION CHANGE: Pittsfield Grange, located at 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Road See Trestleboard for details - September 15, 2010
MM Degree
Pittsfield Grange - September 22, 2010
Quarterly Study Club: Music and Masonry
Hathaway’s Hideaway
Masons of all degrees are encouraged to attend this event. - September 25, 2010
MM Degree
Special Location: Stony Creek Lodge No. 5, Rochester MI - September 29, 2010
Masters Table Dinner
Knights Steakhouse
All masons, and men interested in masonry, should attend. Ladies too!
