Freemason Party for Food Gatherers
BREAKING NEWS: Funds raised at this event will be matched by the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation!
You are cordially invited to a fundraiser party to benefit Food Gatherers - an Ann Arbor food agency that works to prevent hunger. Food Gatherers does this by collecting and delivering over 7 tons of food per day to those in need in the immediate Ann Arbor area.
Due to hard economic times, Food Gatherers needs your help - with either financial or non-perishable food donations. This party is how you can help an important local charity that directly affects our area, and have a great time doing it! Last year we raised almost $4000 that was then converted into TONS of food. Let’s see if we can do even more for Food Gatherers this year - bring a cash or non-perishable food donation to help make a difference.
THANK YOU to our local business sponsors:
- Arbor Brewing Company
- Motawi Tileworks
- Metzger’s German Restaurant
- Sam’s Clothing Store
- Michigan Theater
- Red Hawk Bar & Grill
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- The Ark
- University Musical Society
- Hackney Ace Hardware (Dexter)
- Henriettahaus Coffee Roasters
- Showcase Stables
DRINKS & FOOD : Food and beverage refreshments from the restaurant on premises!
LOCATION in beautiful downtown Ann Arbor:
Arbor Brewing Company
114 East Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Download a Flyer to PRINT and POST!
LET US KNOW YOU’RE COMING! - RSVP with Facebook
Tri-Lodge Picnic | A time to remember!
August 8, 2010: Ann Arbor Masons enjoyed a wonderful and historic day of family, food, and fellowship. The occasion was the first annual Tri-lodge Picnic, being Ann Arbor–Fraternity 262, Golden Rule 159, and St. Mary’s 4, Prince Hall Masons. The event was held at the Old Picnic Shelter in Gallup Park. Not only were Masons and family members from the three lodges present, but also from Belleville, Milan, Jackson, Saline, Romulus, and Manchester lodges. 
The three lodges provided a pig roast and chicken BBQ entree, while guests contributed side dishes and deserts. The children, it seems, had most fun with the two tug-of-wars that were held.
A special moment was shared by all when PM Ray Holcomb of Golden Rule 159 presented the three WMs (pictured above: Bill Krebaum-159, Robert Blackburn-262, Bryan Campbell-4) with a commemorative sounding board he made in honor of the day. 
The sounding board, on which a Master raps his gavel, will serve as a traveling trophy between the three Ann Arbor lodges and serve as a centerpiece at future Tri-Lodge picnics.
UPCOMING EVENTS from Our Trestleboard
- August 25, 2010
Masters Table Dinner - Masons and interested non-masons are welcome! Location TBD - September 1, 2010
Regular Communication - Meeting at 7:00. LOCATION CHANGE: Pittsfield Grange, located at 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Road See Trestleboard for details
Master’s Letter | August 2010
I hope that everyone is enjoying their summer, wherever this newsletter finds you. For those of us living in Ann Arbor, we’ve seen the end of this year’s Top of the Park season and the Arts Festival, but there are still many more local festivals and events to enjoy before summer is over. At AAF 262 we have two social events this month – our annual lodge picnic and regular Master’s Table night. As the lodge is dark, I hope I’ll see many of you there.
The July 7 MM degree proved to be a hot one. My car thermometer read 96 F. Still, we had a great turnout and a festive night despite our lack of A.C. We had a night of informal attire (Hawaiian shirts and shorts preferred) and a tropic inspired meal to make light of weather. Several guests were present, including the new Grand Lecturer. Congratulations again to our three newest Master Masons.
August 8 is the first ever “Tri Lodge Picnic,” that being AAF 262, Golden Rule 159, and St. Mary’s No. 4, Prince Hall Masons. The event will take place at 3 p.m. at the Old Picnic Shelter in Gallop Park, Ann Arbor. A reservation is required; details are available on our lodge website or by contacting our JW Clinton Bartholomew.
Solomon’s Temple is one of the most significant symbols in our Craft. We “walk” through it during our degrees and share in one of its legendary, though not historic, events. As Freemasons, we cannot spend enough time contemplating this important element of our work and what it means to each of us as individuals. A recent book, well worth reading on the subject, is William J. Hamblin’s “Solomon’s Temple: Myth and History” (Thames & Hudson 2007). Hamblin moves from a review of early Near Eastern temple architecture, to conjectures about the historic first Jerusalem temple, the history of the Temple Mount, and the significance of KST to Jews, Christians, Muslims, and other groups, including the Freemasons, following the destruction of Herod’s temple in 70 C.E. The book is well laid out and nicely illustrated. It’s a little too big to take to the beach, but it is a great introduction to the subject and well worth the read.
Lastly, keep your eyes open for email notices or trestle board updates concerning our September regular meeting. As you may know, your officers are investigating alternate meeting places to Hathaway’s Hideaway. We may have a trial run coming up at the Pittsfield Grange. We are growing and need more room to do our work. The hope remains that all Ann Arbor Masonry will one day reunite in a single venue. In the meantime, we may have to make do with other cost-effective options while we grow our building fund.
Sincerely & fraternally,
Robert Blackburn, WM
UPCOMING EVENTS from Our Trestleboard
- August 8, 2010
Tri-Lodge Family Picnic
Gallup Park - August 25, 2010
Masters Table Dinner - Masons and interested non-masons are welcome! Location TBD
Master’s Table | July Event a Success!
We had a phenomenal night at Joe’s Crab Shack this past Wednesday. We had close to 30 people there, including three new candidates and visiting brothers from as far away as Detroit and Jackson! We are also receiving many requests for plural membership! Clearly we have a great thing going on at AAF262.
Visit to Windsor #403, AF & FM Grand Lodge of Canada
On Friday, May 21, ten members of Ann Arbor – Fraternity 262 traveled to Windsor, Canada, to witness a Master Mason’s degree performed by the brothers of Windsor No. 403. Windsor Lodge was founded in 1883. Though separated only by the Detroit River from our Masonic jurisdiction, the ritual we witnessed was very different from our own. 
Windsor 403 conducted themselves with great solemnity throughout and their candidate proved himself to be especially well instructed in Masonry. At the close of the meeting, WM Robert Blackburn presented Windsor No. 403, by and through its acting Master Bonn Sotto, PM, with a small ceremonial trowel commemorating the visit. The brothers of Ann Arbor – Fraternity were then treated to a fantastic dinner of Vietnamese food. “Thank you” again Windsor No. 403 for your outstanding hospitality.
