Far Hills Newsletter

Fraternal Greetings from the East.

Greetings Brethren,

Happy New Year!  I hope and trust that is all is well.  I want to start the new year out by asking our members to remember and reflect on what it is about the Craft that they love.   We are at an interesting point in our history, not only nationally, but at the Blue Lodge level as well.  We have to identify what it is that our members want, and what they would like to see this Fraternity become in the future.

“The times they are a changin’” and so is the Craft.  If we are to change and make progress we have to know what direction to take.  We are looking for your input, so drop me a line or better yet come to lodge and talk to me about it.  As the saying goes, “if you’re not changing and progressing, you’re already behind.”  I would say we have a good deal of catching up to do.  We need your help Brethren!

From the Grand Master

This year our Most Worshipful Brother, Terry W. Posey has placed an emphasis on our men and women in uniform with his slogan “It’s all in the Family”.  In an effort to reach out to those men in the military, EMTs and firemen, MWB Posey has allowed for each Lodge to confer all three degrees for the lowest possible cost of $40.00.  If you know of a good man who is in uniform this would be a great time to talk to him about the Craft.

This Date in Masonic History:

Jan 2. 1901:   On this date in 1901, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt received his 1st degree in Matinecock Lodge #806, Oyster Bay, New York.

Trestle Board

January 14th -   7 PM Stated Meeting -  EA Degree – MM Exam

January 28th -   7 PM State Meeting -    FC practice.

February 11th – 7 PM Stated Meeting -  FC Degree.

February 25th – 7 PM Stated Meeting – Annual Inspection – FC Degree

March 11th -     7 PM Stated Meeting.  Business

March 25th -     7 PM Stated Meeting – Business

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

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”

- Benjamin Franklin

More from the East

Not since 1975 have five Past Grand Masters and the new Grand Master received Grand Honors in Far Hills Temple. Back then, MWB Calvin T. Hubler had been elected Grand Master and George L. Marshall Lodge became the first subordinate lodge to give him Grand Honors. The five past Grand Masters were Charles B. Hoffman, L. Todd McKinney, Frank W. Nicholas, Ralph M. Francisco and Louis C. Holzapfel.

On Thursday, October 22, 2009, Far Hills Lodge became the first subordinate lodge to extend Grand Honors to Most Worshipful Brother Terry W. Posey as the newest Grand Master of Masons of Ohio. In attendance with him were five Past Grand Masters. MWB Neil M. Smalley, David L. Dresser, Douglas O. Brennaman, William P. Mayberry, Sr. and James M. Williamson.

This time however the subject was the Master Mason Degree. MWB Dresser wanted to raise his two grandsons and as he was short on time before he had to return to his home in Florida, he received permission from the Grand Master to raise the two Fellowcraft Masons simultaneously. Two sets of ruffians, two Senior Deacons were the only changes. Each grandson was raised individually.

The grandsons were examined in each degree the traditional way, the long way. Both were eager to learn more about masonry and had decided not to go through the one-day class.

Any one-day class member who would like to experience the one-on-one feeling may make his wishes known to one of the officers and we will fit you into the schedule; which- ever degree you would like to experience.

It has been difficult to get brethren interested in becoming line officers. Being a lodge officer  is not an impossible task and can be very rewarding. Some time and commitment is required. Let one of the officers know if you are interested. It is not fair to ask the Past Masters to have all the fun.

2010 Lodge Officers Elected and Installed:

• WB Jack Harless – Worshipful Master
• WB Dan Springston – Senior Warden
• Bro Dave Brewer – Junior Warden
• WB Jim Simko – Treasurer
• WB John Weyrauch – Secretary
• Bro Tom Rutherford – Chaplain
• Bro Kevin Howard – Senior Deacon
• Bro Tom Adams – Junior Deacon
• WB Bill Irwin – LEO
• Bro Bill Riffle – Senior Steward
• Bro Bob Tomlinson – Junior Steward
• Bro Art Camp – Tyler
• WB Lloyd Nickel – Marshal
• WB Dale Evans – Trustee

Be proud of being a member of the oldest fraternal organization in the world. Support your blue lodges as well as the Scottish Rite. York Rite and the Shrine.

We’re like the marines. We are looking for a few good men!

Christmas Holiday Event Successful

Congratulations are in order as Far Hills Temple was the scene of a great event on Christmas Eve  beginning at 5:30 PM and running through 6:00 PM Christmas Day.

The event was planned and executed by the members of Dayton-Victory Chapter No. 594, Order of the Eastern Star (Judy Mack, Worthy Matron) provided food to all emergency personnel of Centerville and Washington Twp.

The event started slowly, but as the word spread, the number of patrons increased and the food was kept fresh and hot throughout the day. The OES Chapter has already planned to do this again next year. Thanks from the members of FHL for bringing attention to the FHT.

Blood Bank Information

Anyone who donates blood to the blood bank, i.e., brothers, wives, and/or friends can donate and credit it to the Far Hills Lodge No. 784.   We now have an I.D. number, which is 1418. If you don’t remember that number, ask for Nancy Blair at the Blood Center for 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 Secretary’s Desk

We are looking forward to reducing our suspensions for non-payment of dues.  If you’re having difficulty paying your dues, please let us know and we can help you out.  Contact the Secretary or Worshipful Master in whatever way is most convenient for you.

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

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 East

I hope that your summer has been exciting, I know that mine has. It’s time to pick up the tools and begin working again. We have a busy schedule planned for the next couple of months and your participation will be greatly appreciated.

Believe it or not, the Masonic year is actually winding down and we are looking for brethren to fill positions in the line. This may be the year to take a more active role in your Lodge.

Brethren, at our last stated meeting in June we had an unusual occurrence happen. Two candidates opted out of the Grand Master’s Class to take their journey through Masonry the traditional way.

We were privileged to have three Past Grand Masters: MWB David L. Dresser, MWB William P. Mayberry, Sr. and MWB James M. Williamson; and our Deputy Grand Master RWB Terry W. Posey present to initiate the two grandsons of MWB Dresser. Other members of the Lodge assisted in the work of the evening. WB Jim Simko did a fine job with the lecture and Bro. Tom Adams did his usual fine job with the charge.

Please join us in welcoming our new members into the Lodge and help us to make them feel welcome. Newly obligated EAs are Bros. Michael A. Miller and Jonathan D. Miller, two blood brothers who, as you read above, decided to receive their degree work the traditional way. These are the two grandsons of MWB. Dresser.

Grand Master’s Class

At the state-wide Grand Master’s Class held on June 13, 2009, 2340 men were raised. In the Second District, held at the Dayton Masonic Center, 235 candidates (largest in the state) received their three Masonic degrees. That class included nine candidates from Far Hills Lodge, including MWB Dresser’s son-in-law Bro. John E. Millstead, Jr. Other new brothers from the one-day class are Bro. Eric M. Bull, son of Bro. John E. Bull, Jr., Bro. Sean K. Fickert, son of Bro. Robin S. Fickert; Bro. Thomas A. Harris, grandson of Bro. Thomas N. Harris, Bro. Mark T. Seitz, son of Bro. Thomas A. Seitz; Bro. Anthony D. Tomlinson, Bro. Robert Tomlinson, step-sons of WB Lloyd O. Nickell; Bro. Christopher R. Wamsley and Bro. Matthew A. Mattingly, friends of WB Jack M. Harless.

I-CARE

The main mission of Masonic Senior Services/I-CARE is to link senior Masons, their wives and widows, and Eastern Star members to services in their community that will allow them to remain healthy, safe and independent in their own homes as long as possible.

An in-home assessment is available to provide convenience, privacy and individual care in linking unmet needs with available services. Each of the I-CARE Coordinators has extensive knowledge of their area’s available services for seniors.

Lodge Education Officer

On August 5, 1884 on Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor, the cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was laid.

On October 9, 1880, the American Committee of the Statue of Liberty issued an invitation to the Freemasons Grand Lodge of the State of New York.

On August 5, 1884, in response to that invitation Grand Master William A. Brodie, assisted by his associate Grand Lodge Officers, laid the cornerstone of the pedestal of the Bartholdi Statue of Liber Enlightening the World, on Bedloe’s Island, in New York Harbor.

The copper box placed under the stone contained many rare memorials. Among the were nineteen bronze medals from the United States Mint, representing as many Presidents of the Federal Government who were all proven Freemasons; a copy of the United States Constitution; George Washington’s Farewell Address; copies of New York City newspapers; a portrait of Bartholdi; a copy of Poem on Liberty by E.R. Johnes; and a list on parchment of the Grand Lodge officers.

Although cornerstones of public buildings and monuments had been laid by representatives of the Grand Lodge from the beginning of the history of the State, voices of opponents began to be heard questioning the propriety of the procedure. The Grand Master took occasion, therefore, to offer worlds of explanation at the laying of the cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty. He said that the Fraternity had been called upon for this service because it had become a common law of practice the world over to invite the Masonic craft to lay the cornerstones of public structures, in time honored recognition of the fact that, symbolically at least, the Freemasons of the present are the descendants of the ancient operative Masons who built the world’s great masterworks of architecture.

There was, besides, a special reason: “No institution has done more to promote liberty and to free men from the trammels and chains of ignorance and tyranny than Freemasonry, and we, as a Fraternity, take an honest pride in depositing the cornerstone of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World.”

Bro. Frederic A. Bartholdi was born April 2, 1834 at Colmar, Alsace, France. He passed away in 1904. He was the designer of the Statue of Liberty. Bro. Bartholdi convened his Lodge members to review the statue before it was shown to the United States committee. He was one of the early members of Lodge Alsace-Lorraine, Paris, France.

From the Secretary’s Desk

Any questions or problems regarding membership, dues, suspensions, reinstatement from suspension, petitions or awards should check with John Weyrauch. We can make special arrangements according to the situation of each individual brother or just answer your questions. Dues are comin’!

Blood Bank

Brethren, we do have a blood bank account set up at the Community Blood Center. When you donate tell them that it is for the account for Far Hills Masonic Lodge #784. We will get credit for each pint of blood donated. Brethren, this is one way to help others by giving something of yourself.
Thanks,
-Bro. Ron Seigla

Annual Communication

October 16 & 17
Toledo, Ohio

The governing body of Ohio Masonry is the Grand Lodge of Ohio, F & AM, located in Worthington, near Columbus. Each year the Grand Lodge holds an annual communication to dispense with business necessary to govern Ohio masonry and to elect new officers.

The Annual Communication is held in different cities and this year it will be held in Toledo on October 16 & 17.

Since it his highly likely in the normal progression of the officer line that the Deputy Grand Master advances (if elected by the members present at the convocation) to Grand Master, the present DGM, RWB Terry W. Posey, will be elected Grand Master in Toledo.

The Past Masters’ Club of Antioch Shrine has been asked to be the Honor Guard for his installation on Saturday. A bus has been hired to transport anyone desiring to go to Toledo on that Saturday (17th) morning and return later in the afternoon. For details or to reserve your seat, contact Mike Johnson at (513) 885-1627 or (513) 737-6576.

Open Houses

At the statewide open houses mandated by the Grand Master the words used to describe the event were: “excitement” and “success”. Check out the article in the May/June 2009 issue of the Beacon.

A Warm Masonic Tale

This is a story of Masons surrounding a campfire in the Old West, at night, discussing the Fraternity and its teachings. One old man listened patiently, then finally spoke up.

“I can tell you more about Masonry in a little example than some of the great Masonic philosophers can in books.

Everybody stand up and gather in a circle around the campfire,” he said. They did that.

“Now, everybody hold hands with the man next to him,” said the old man. They did that, too.

“What do you see looking ahead?” asked the man. “The face of a brother through the flames,” said one participant. The old man asked, “What do you feel in front of you?” The response was “the warmth of the fire” and “the comfort it brings on a cool night.” The old man continued, “What do you feel at your side?” They responded, “the warm hand of a Brother.”

“Okay,” said the man, “Drop your hands and turn around.” The did so.

“Now what do you see as you look ahead?” asked the old man. The reply: “Complete darkness.”

“What do you feel at your side?” “A sense of loneliness, of being alienated.”

He asked, “What do you feel at your side?” They answered, “Nothing at all.”

Finally, the old man asked, “What do you feel on your backside?” They replied, “The warmth of the fire.”

“So it is with Masonry,” said the old man.

“In Masonic gatherings you can feel the warmth of Masonic interaction. You can see the face of a Brother through the light Masonry brings to you, and you can always feel the warm hand of your Masonic Brother.

When you turn away from Masonry and are out in the world, you see darkness, feel alienated and alone, and you do not feel the warm hand of your Masonic Brother. But Masonry, and the warmth and light it brings, are just a turn away from you.”

~ Trestleboard ~

Sunday, August 10, 2008 ~ 3:00 PM Family Picnic at Twin Oaks Shelter at Hills & Dales Park ~ See info below
Sept. 11 ~ 7:00 PM ~ Stated Meeting
Sept. 25 ~ 7:00 PM ~ Stated Meeting and Fellow Craft Degree
Oct. 04 ~ 8:00 AM ~ Special District Officer’s Meeting, Middletown
Oct. 09 ~ 7:00 PM ~ Stated Meeting and Lantern Reception
Oct. 17 and 18 ~ Grand Lodge in Columbus.
Oct. 23 ~ 7:00 PM ~ Stated Meeting

Fraternal greetings from the East

Summer is half over and it will soon be time to resume our labors. On June 26, we initiated two brethren into Masonry. On September 25, we will advance them to the degree of Fellow Craft.

On Sunday August 10, 2008, you are invited to a Family Picnic at Twin Oaks Shelter in the Hills and Dales Metro Park in Kettering. Gathering time will be 3 PM; sooner if no one is using the shelter ahead of us. The lodge will provide the hamburgers and the hot dogs. If you want something special to cook on the grill, feel free to bring it along.

Please bring a dish to share. Also bring your own chairs and your favorite drink, if you don’t care for lemonade; (no alcohol – lodge function and park rules). Twin Oaks Shelter is on Patterson Blvd, near the Patterson Monument on the north side of Community Gulf Course. Best access to the site is off West Dorothy Lane to Patterson Blvd.

District Officers

A special meeting of the District Officer’s Association will be held in the Middletown Masonic Center on October 4, 2008. The District Deputies will be presenting all three degrees with the accompanying lectures. This is a rare learning opportunity to improve on ritual proficiency. Too many words in the ritual are being misinterpreted, so this would be the ideal time to learn the proper wordage. This will be an all-day event, with lunch provided. Bring your rituals and read along with the demonstrations and take notes if needed. I have never seen such an event before.

Commemorative Lamp for 200 Years

On October 9, 2008, Far Hills Lodge will be the final recipient of the Second Masonic District’s version of the Grand Lodge’s Commemorative Lamp honoring 200 years of Masonry in Ohio. We won’t get to keep it, though. It will be returned to Grand Lodge on October 17, 2008 by the lodge delegation.

Condolences

Our condolences to WB Thomas H. Routsong (PM 1967) and Bro. Thomas A. Routsong, on the loss of wife and mother Marti who passed away on July 12, 2008. Marti was Past Worthy Matron of Far Hills Chapter OES and Past Grand Marshal of the Grand Chapter OES in 1984.

Birth Announcement

Congratulations to Senior Warden Jack Harless on the birth of his daughter Emla on May 22, 2008. Mother and daughter are doing fine and Jack will have to work 20 more years.

Well Wishes

Bro. Carl Eger, President of the Far Hills Temple Association Board of Trustees, is recovering from shoulder surgery.

Farewells

Having bid farewell to Bro. and Major Michael Perry, our Senior Warden, who has been transferred by the Air Force to Texas; we have an opening in the officer line. This is a good place for a member who might have considered becoming an officer, to get a good start for personal development in public speaking and being at ease when talking in front of a crowd, as well as allowing a brother to become more familiar with the workings of the lodge and Masonry in general. The office of Senior Steward may be a beginning position but it is not unimportant. Have you ever seen a degree presented without the stewards?

Correction

A couple of issues back, I quoted some “Murphy’s Laws.” I have since found out that these laws were not written by Murphy, but by some other guy with the same last name. Besides, Murphy was an eternal optimist. Thought you would like to know.

Temple Board

The temple board is making some upgrades in the kitchen: new range, countertop replacement, sink repairs. The cost won’t be too much, but the board could use some financial assistance. It has been requested that the membership (who are the actual owners of the temple) make
some contributions to the “Kitchen Fund”.

It won’t take a large donation by each of the brethren, but any donations would be greatly appreciated.

Final Note

I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Special Lodge Supporters

Brethren add your name to the list.

These Brethren donated Ten Dollars or more in extra support to our lodge and we thank them. Their names will appear in the newsletter until January, 2008. Won’t you be a supporter and send a donation to WB John Weyrauch at the above address.
Carl J. Bruckner
Paul H. Bushong
Richard L. Coy
Fount Deaton
Guy C. Douglas
Jack D. Dowler
George A. Fisher Jr.
Howard A. Fricke
Brian R. Hawkins
Jimmy Hoover
Lloyd O. Nickell
Richard W. Poore
Charles W. Ridgeway, Jr.
John W. Shimer
James M. Simko
Mark F. Stachler
Charles W. Topper
Daniel W. Wertz
John A. Weyrauch
James T. Young

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 Drive • Kettering, OH 45429
(937) 434-5140 • jaweyrauch /at/ woh[dot]rr[dot]com (insert appropriate symbols when emailing)
If the correspondence is meant for the Master, it should be sent to:
James M. Simko • 1316 Southlyn Drive • Kettering, OH 45409
(937) 293-8452 •jsimko.pwm /at/ usa[dot]net (note the dot between the o and the p)

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.