Far Hills Newsletter

Fraternal Greetings from the East.

Greetings Brethren,

Your lodge has been very active for the last fiscal year. WB Jack Harless led us for his second year and special thanks go to the Past Masters who helped keep the lodge alive.

It is time for some changes, as we prepare for a new Masonic year. You are invited to attend the annual meeting on Thursday, November 11th and help elect the new officers to lead us. As usual, there will be refreshments after the meeting.

From the Grand Master

Worshipful Brother, Terry W. Posey complete a very busy and productive year. Check out his blog to see how busy he really was. GMOhio.blogspot.com He did the Second Masonic District proud.

This Date in Masonic History:

On this date (November 1) in 1922, the cornerstone of the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia was laid in a Masonic ceremony.

Trestle Board

November 11  -   7 PM Annual Meeting -  Election of Officers – Reports. Also, Far Hills Temple Association Annual Mtg.

November 25  -   No Meeting. Happy Thanksgiving.

December 8  – 7 PM Stated Meeting -  Installation of Officers.

December 22  – No Meetings until January 2011

January 13  -  7 PM Stated Meeting.  Business

January 27  – 7 PM Stated Meeting – Possible EA Degree

Remember that Far Hills Lodge meets on the Second and Fourth Thursdays of each month except during July and August

Far Hills Temple Association

Thank you to Tom Spettel, Carl Eger and Dick Crandall for repainting the front porch pillars on the building. It was not an easy job. Come to Lodge November 11 to hear their report. They do a great job taking care of the facilities.

Freemasons correctly meet as a Lodge, not in a Lodge. The word “Lodge” referring more to the people assembled than the place of assembly. However, in common usage, Masonic premises are often referred to as “Lodges”. Masonic buildings are also sometimes called “Temples”. In many countries, Masonic Centre or Hall has replaced Temple to avoid arousing prejudice and suspicion. Several different Lodges, as well as other Masonic or non-Masonic organisations, often use the same premises at different times. According to Masonic tradition, medieval European stonemasons would meet, eat, and shelter outside working hours in a Lodge on the southern side of a building site, where the sun warms the stones during the day. The social Festive Board (or Social Board) part of the meeting is thus sometimes called the South. Early Lodges often met in a tavern or any other convenient fixed place with a private room.

Blood Bank Information

Please consider donating blood to the blood bank. Brothers, wives, and/or friends, etc. may donate with credit going to Far Hills Lodge #784. Our ID number is 1418. Ask for Nancy Blair at the Blood Center if you need help.

Remember it’s easy to give this gift to others in need. It’s the “Masonic way.”

Thanks,
Ron Seigla, Blood Bank Chairman

From the LEO

Several years ago, the story is told of a Mason who always wore his Masonic ring and lapel pin when in public. On some occasions he rode the bus from his home to the downtown area. On one such trip, when he sat down, he discovered the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.

As he considered what to do he thought to himself, “You’d better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.” Then he thought, “Oh, forget it; it’s only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount?” “Anyway, the transit company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a ‘gift from God’ and keep quiet.”

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then handed the quarter to the driver and said, “here, you gave me too much change.”

The driver with a smile replied, “I noticed your Masonic ring and lapel pin. I have been thinking lately about asking a Mason how to join. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. You passed the test. Can you tell me how to become a Mason?”

When the Mason stepped off the buss, he said a silent prayer, “Oh, God, Grand Architect of the Universe, I almost sold you and my beloved Mason out for a mere quarter.”

Our actions are the only Masonic creed some will ever see. This is an almost scary example of how people watch us as Masons and may put us to the test even without us realizing it! Always be diligent, whether it be at the theater, restaurant, grocery, service station or just driving in traffic. Remember, whether it be a lapel pin, a ring, or an emblem on the car, you carry the name of our great fraternity on your shoulders whenever you call yourself a Mason. You never can tell who may be watching!

From the Secretary’s Desk

Please notify me of any changes to your personal data, including your email and postal address.

Remember that your dues are due NOW and are very much needed. Please send them back ASAP. Thank you if you have already done so.

Check out these sites:

• www.farhillsmasons.org
• www.freemason.com
• www.secondmasonicdistrict.org

Important Notice

Please note that all correspondence to the lodge should be sent to our secretary’s home address:

John A. Weyrauch, 4700 Briar Knoll Dr. Kettering, OH 45429
937-434-5140  jaweyrauch@woh.rr.com

If the correspondence is meant for the Master, it should be sent to:

Jack Harless, 7185 Bigger Lane., Centerville, OH 45459.
937-681-0512   jackharlessdc@yahoo.com

Far Hills Temple Manager:
WB Thomas A. Spettel, 116 Sherbrooke Dr. Kettering OH 45429
937-294-8647 tspettel@woh.rr.com

Mail sent to the temple address will be returned to the sender by the post office. We do not have provisions to receive mail at the temple.

From the Lighter Side

A man is walking through the recreation ground of his local park when he notices a huge fight in full fury on the football field he is passing. “What’s going on?” he asks a spectator watching from the side-lines. The other replies, “It’s a match between the Masons and the Knights of Columbus.” “What’s the score?” asks the man. “I don’t know,” is the reply, “it’s a secret.”

A Doctor and a Plumber are in the same Lodge. On Sunday morning the Doctor wakes up to find his toilet blocked. So he rings the Plumber. “But I don’t work Sundays! Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” The doctor said, “I don’t like working Sundays either, but if you were in trouble, and felt unwell, Brother I would come around to see you.”

“OK.” says the Plumber. He goes to the Doctor. He goes upstairs and looks at the toilet, takes two aspirins from his pocket and throws them down the bowl. “There,” he says. “If it’s no better tomorrow give me a ring and I will call around.”