Master’s Letter | November 2010
For those of you not living in Michigan, October had some truly magnificent days. Not to rub it in, but we had a proper “Indian 
summer” - gorgeous colors, cool clear mornings and warm afternoons. I even managed to get my canoe out on the Huron River a couple of times to just soak it all in. Our regular passed uneventfully, other than a visit from our BGP Jack Woodyard and our new DDI Bill Krebaum. At the time of writing, we are looking forward to initiating three new brothers on October 27 at Hathaway’s Hideway (we cleared up our backlog of 14 candidates initiated, passed, and raised this year only to have 14 or more new candidates seeking admission!).
November is a significant month for Masons – not like the feast of St. John in June and December – but including events and historic occasions nevertheless important to the Craft. November 9 is the Feast Day of the Quatuor Coronati, or “Four Crowned Martyrs.” According to Catholic and Masonic tradition, the four men were
Christian stonemasons who were executed in 305 C.E. for refusing to carve a pagan statue. As a result, they were revered by early operative masons. Borrowing their name, on November 28, 1884, the first Masonic research lodge, Quatuor Coronati No. 2076, G.L. of England, received its warrant. November was also the month, in 1752, that a 22-year old George Washington took his first step in Masonry, being initiated an Entered Apprentice at Fredericksburg Lodge (now Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, G.L. of Virginia, A.F. & A.M.).
At AAF 262, November is my last full month as Master. Our regular will take place at the Pittsfield Grange on the 3rd. We will be holding a Fellowcraft degree at Hathoway’s Hideaway on the 10th. Saturady, November 13, we will be hosting our second annual “Freemason Party for Food Gatherers” benefit party at the Ann Arbor Brewing Co. in Ann Arbor. On November 17 we will be moving our storage lockers and other items from Hathaway’s Hideaway to the Grange and conducting our annual Lodge of Sorrow. I will be renting a U Haul truck and need as many hands as I can get to meet me at 5:15 to 5:30 p.m. to make this happen. Dress for the evening will be casual and a meal will follow. I hope also to get poinsettias divvied up for delivery to our widows (if they are available that early; if not, we’ll have to get this done early December). It will be a busy night of work, ritual, and fellowship. Please come and be a part of it. Lastly, our monthly Masters’ Table will take place on November 24. Check our online Trestle Board for details.
I hope that you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and that if you are traveling that you and those with you stay safe. See you in lodge!
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Robert Blackburn, WM
UPCOMING EVENTS from Our Trestleboard
- November 3, 2010
Annual Meeting - Pittsfield Grange, Election of 2011 Officers! - November 10, 2010
FC Degree - Hathaway’s Hideaway - November 13, 2010
Freemason Party for Food Gatherers! - Arbor Brewing Company - November 17, 2010
Lodge of Sorrow - Pittsfield Grange - Novemeber 24, 2010
Master’s Table - Location TBA - December 1, 2010
Regular Meeting - Pittsfield Grange - December 8, 2010
Study Club - Hathaway’s Hideaway - December 18, 2010
Installation of 2011 Officers - Zal Gaz Grotto Club - December29, 2010
Master’s Table / St. John the Evangelist Evening - Pittsfield Grange
