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
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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.
The Widows Sons | Masonic motorcycle club’s first ride!
Bros. Chuck Nagy, Bob Hospadaruk, and PM Rich Wilcox, members of AAF262
The newly formed “Due Guard” chapter of the Widows Sons masonic motorcycle club had their first ride last June 12th.
Despite a low turnout (probably due to the sketchy weather and our organizational skills :-) they had a really great ride to Apple Charlies in New Boston, MI. On that day, Findlater Lodge #475 hosted a outdoor MM degree for two new brothers, followed by a most excellent pig roast and rock show! Also, there was a bet that anyone who said the word “rain” would have to pay $1 into a charitable fund, fortunately or not, only one brother said the bad word, so we have a whole dollar to put to good use now… And it didn’t “precipitate” hardly a all, just a few sprinkles for about 3 seconds!
Do you drive 500cc or larger bike and you are a mason of any degree? Join the Widows Sons by contacting seniorsteward@aaf262.org He will put you in touch with the right people!
SOCIAL: Master’s Table Dinner | Corner Brewery
If you are free and interested in learning more about Ann Arbor Fraternity No. 262, be sure to stop by Wednesday at 6:30PM for dinner and fellowship at our monthly Masters Table dinner.
Corner Brewery is a cozy microbrewery, located in Ypsilanti, MI - just north of the Depot Town area. Large tables, laughs and a menu full of both food and drink await you!
Our Master’s Table Dinners are monthly social events and are open to ALL Masons, candidates, their male friends and those interested in Freemasonry.
Corner Brewery
720 Norris Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
http://www.cornerbrewery.com
MORE INFO: http://bit.ly/2010-04-masters-table
Brothers from Ann Arbor Fraternity 262 deliver their revised check - complete with the additional $1500 contributed by the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation to Food Gatherers.
From the Food Gatherers website:
“We’re able to stretch a dollar pretty far with our purchasing power, so if you can donate funds, we can do the shopping! For only $35, you can underwrite the cost of three meals a day for a child for an entire month, and $50 can feed a hungry senior for one month.”
