Presentation Trowel

Fraternally,
Brother Frank

It has been my sad honor to attend a few Masonic Funerals this year. Sometimes, it is for a departed worthy Brother from out of the area that I did not know, sometimes, it is for a departed Worthy Brother who is my neighbor and likes to hang out on a Saturday afternoon. But they all are my Brothers. Many times our Brother being put to rest, may not be readily known to you. As, FreeMasons, we practice Brotherly love all the way to the edge of the grave. Being that all of us are Widows Sons, from the Entered Apprentice to the Master Mason, the funeral ritual is a very strong, beautiful and leveling experience.

Next time you see a funeral notice or receive a phone summons from the Lodge about a Masonic Funeral. Please, consider attending. Not only is it an obligation and a commitment we all have to each other, but taking a short time out of our busy days to pay the proper respect and tribute does a lot, not just for the deceased and their family but for the fraternity as a whole.

To lookinto the eyes of a deceased Brother’s family; someone you may not even know and to offer them some type of comfort to them and respect to their husband, father, son, mentor, quite possibly is one of the most noble things a FreeMason can do.

When the day comes for my spirit to wing its flight to the unknown world, I hope that my Brothers will come out for me and support my family, I know that, not only my close friends and family will be there, but my Masonic Family will be there as well.

Even those who have not met me yet, we will meet East of the Altar. That is where I plan to be. Where will you be?

On The Level ,
Moose

I will leave the gastronomic arena for a moment to pass on a bit of information I came across. I received a copy of William Preston and his Works for Valentines day from Pat, and have been working my way through it. Preston is considered the main father of our ritual as it exists today. What follows is from his first book, Illustrations of Masonry. In 1772, Preston presented his reworking of the ritual in several performances both at the Grand Lodge and other lodges in England. He also wrote a lengthy article on masonry in general, which he read at these performances. It is from this article that the following words stood out to me.

“It is a truth too obvious to be concealed, that the privileges of masonry have become too common. Several persons enroll their names in our records merely to oblige their friends; and reflect not on the consequences of such a measure nor inquire into the nature of their particular engagements. Not a few are prompted by motives of interest; and many are introduced with no better view than to please as good companions. A general odium, or at least a  areless indifference, is the result of such conduct. But here the evil stops not. These persons, ignorant of our noble principles, probably without any real defect in their own morals, are led to recommend others of the same cast with themselves for the same purpose. Thus, behold the end. The most sacred part of masonry is turned into scoff and ridicule, and the superficial practices of a luxurious age bury in oblivion principles which have dignified princes, and the most exalted characters.”

Sound familiar? Even in 1772, it seems there were those who joined our institution for the ring and little more. Remember, this was written at a time when lodge attendance was mandatory. It is our job when speaking with a prospect, or conducting an investigation into an applicant to ensure he knows both the “consequences of such a measure” and “our noble principles”. It is our responsibility to ensure the men who come into our fraternity are aware of their responsibilities to the institution, in order to continue to bring honor to the fraternity.

John Wasson, Junior Warden

In March, I attended the Grand Lodge’s Masters and Wardens Retreat. During the lectures on leadership and how to be an effective leader, much stress was placed on that other half of the leadership team: the followers. We can find articles and attend seminars that discuss certain aspects and qualities of leadership, such as effective communication, assertiveness, fairness, dedication and integrity. However, the importance of having quality followers often fails to be recognized. Successful leadership is actually the result of an effective team effort between the leaders and the followers. Those who follow determine the effectiveness of those who lead. Simply put, there can be no leaders without followers. As obvious as the last statement is, the value of having willing and able followers is often overlooked. In our lodge, the Master is often subjected to great scrutiny. He is judged by how effectively or ineffectively he leads the lodge. Yet, little if anything is mentioned about how effectively or ineffectively his membership supports and assists him in his endeavor to govern the lodge. Thus, it is to the other half of the leadership team that this article is dedicated. My hat is off to those of you who are followers, whose hard work and dedication strengthen our lodge and allow the Master to experience a successful year in the east.

Fraternally,

Joe Yow

Senior Warden

Congratulations are also due to our newly initiated Brothers, Brad Fisk and Sean Hoover. Welcome to the fraternity. It brings to my mind an excerpt from the book The Craft and it’s Symbols by Bro. Allen E. Roberts which goes: “The 133rd Psalm, which is recited during the Initiatory Degree, can be said to symbolize unity. It can also be termed a symbol of Brotherly Love.

Both are an essential need for that harmony which must prevail in every successful Masonic lodge. They are just as necessary for a happy life. This Psalm brings out the glories of unity and Freemasonry’s first tenet.” “The other two tenets, Relief and Truth, join Brotherly Love in trio that brings out the best that man has to offer to the world.”

Happy Easter to all!

Fraternally,

Leo Guison, Master Naval Lodge No.87

Posted:   03/17/2012 01:01:33 AM PDT

After sitting vacant for years, the former Masonic Lodge in downtown Vallejo is showing signs of life as contractors perform interior demolition work to make way for a mixed-use affordable housing project.

The brick Masonic Lodge with its tall ceilings and windows has sat at Virginia and Marin streets for nearly 94 years, and housed a variety of commercial uses since the Masons sold it in 1978.

In mid-2010, the City Council approved the Temple Art Lofts project which consists of 28 very-low income rental units with preference going to artists. Residents could earn no more than 50 percent of the area median income.

In an interview in early 2011, Domus Development President Meea Kang said various parts of the building could be used for artist community space, performance hall, art café, commercial art gallery space, music school and performing arts studio.

“It’s about anchoring a resurgence of the arts district with arts, jobs and studio space,” Kang said.

She could not be immediately reached for comment for this story.

After securing financing toward the end of 2011, Domus began to clean out the building, remove debris and perform other interior work to make way for actual rehabilitation, city Senior Community Development Analyst Guy Ricca said.

“This is fairly preliminary work,” Ricca said. Permits will need to be secured with regular building inspections to complete remaining phases, he added.

Other work will involve structural

improvements and historic preservation, and other improvements, according to a schedule the developer provided.

Work on the building is expected to take one year to complete, Ricca said.

The project also includes an adjacent building that once housed the former City Hall which also served as a firehouse and police station.

Some in the downtown are not entirely thrilled with the project, including Gracie’s BBQ restaurant and business owner Ken Ingersol who said the area doesn’t need any more low-income housing.

“It’s a horrible idea,” Ingersol said of the project. “You have an area that is saturated with low-income housing already…You need to be creating jobs instead of housing.”

Ingersol also questioned the ease with which the project won city approvals, including a parking waiver which will allow project residents to use a city-owned lot across from the Empress Theater.

Ricca stressed the project did not get “preferential treatment,” and has already undergone city scrutiny and won council backing.

Temple Art Lofts is in response to a bid request the city sent out to developers seeking interest in creating at least 15 units of affordable rental housing, Ricca said.

The project is designed to satisfy the settlement agreement over the Buchongo affordable housing lawsuit. That settlement required the city provide 8 two-bedroom units that were affordable to very low-income families.

Using a combination of federal funds, the city was able to loan Domus $1.16 million to buy and renovate the building, which had gone into foreclosure.

The council also committed another $500,000 in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds.

In addition, the council late last year also waived or deferred $464,840 in taxes, impact, permit and administrative fees.

Part of that is a $350,000 loan the Housing Authority gave Domus to cover water impact fees, Ricca said.

Contact staff writer Sarah Rohrs at srohrs@timesheraldonline.com or (707) 553-6832.

 For our stated meeting for March, we will be having a somewhat traditional meal, corned beef and cabbage. How did this meal originate? In the 1600’s, the British and Irish used “corned” beef for consumption, trade, and as provisions for the British Navy and Army. Corn has nothing to do with the process, the term refers to “corns” of salt put in the meat to preserve it, which it did well.

 Since the process did not distinguish between cuts of beef, usually the necks and shanks, and the least desirable cuts were used for trade, mostly to the French for food for the slaves on the sugar plantations in the Caribbean. The production and trade of corned beef was a source of wealth for England and France, but in the American colonies, it’s consumption was limited, due to it’s association with poverty and slavery. Cabbage was not associated with the early use of this meat.

 Todays dish of corned beef and cabbage probably came about after large numbers of Irish immigrants came to America. They found corned beef an inexpensive meat to use in the much more traditional Irish dish of bacon and cabbage. Its association with Saint Patrick’s Day has led to the large amount of corned beef consumed in the US now, estimated at 2 million pounds on that holiday alone.

 John Wasson, Junior Warden

For those brothers who have experienced difficulties, personal or otherwise, traveling the road to Master Mason, please remember that we are here to help you through the process.

It does, however, require your effort in contacting us for assistance. I have recently had a couple of brothers contact me telling me that they have solved their issues and are ready to get back on course to becoming a Master Mason, and I thank them very much for their communication and willingness to move forward.

With work, family, school and other factors significantly affecting our discretionary time, progress through the degrees can be quite challenging, but not necessarily impossible. This process may require a lot of effort on your part, but remember you are not in this alone.

Fraternally,

Joe Yow

Senior Warden

I want to start by saying congratulations to our Bros. Roland J. Wong, M.D. and Gerald L. Bettman Jr., PM, for receiving their Golden Veterans Awards. Your fifty years of Masonic membership not only reminds us of your pure dedication to the craft and proof of true and exemplary Masons, but it also gives us something to aspire to.

Welcome to the fraternity and congratulations to our newly-initiated Bros. Mario A. Valencia and Jean S. Gomez as Entered Apprentice

Masons. Congratulations as well to Bro. Johnathen R. Harris for being passed to the degree of Fellowcraft. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” You asked for membership and sought admission of your own free will and accord. You have knocked and gained admission because all that the fraternity has to offer was to be opened before you. May your Masonic journey lead you to the truths that Freemasonry teaches.

On a fiscal topic, our recently concluded audit for the year 2011 by our District Inspector Wor. Bro. Leo Paule is complete and we successfully passed. I would like to extend my gratitude and thank the following brothers who were present and provided the required documents during our audit meeting: Bros. Bill Hems, Robert Wilson PM, Barry Hughes PM, Keith Wattles PM, Henry Budding PM, John Wasson, Jeff Massingham, and Doug Campbell, including Glen Munkres PM who provided important accounting information.

I would like to close with a teaching that we can ponder on and inspire harmonious thinking. We are doing our fraternity a disservice if we merely speak its teachings. But if we reflect on them –brotherly love, relief and truth–and put that reflection into action, it can only fortify harmony itself which is the strength and support of all societies especially of ours.

Fraternally,

Leo Guison, Master

Naval Lodge No.87

Brother Walt Turner -

The brittle thread which bound him to earth has been severed and the liberated spirit has winged its flight to the unknown world. Rest in Peace Brother.

The Dash

“I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on his tombstone, from the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of his birth, and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For the dash represented all the time that he spent alive on Earth, and now only those who love him know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard , are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left, that can still be arranged.

So when your eulogy is read, with your life’s actions to rehash. Would you be proud of the things they say, about how you spent your dash?”

-Linda Ellis