Oceanside – San Dieguito Masonic Lodge no. 381

Brethren,

In September the lodge honored Worshipful John Brooks with this year’s Hiram Award. The event was spectacular. We also initiated one new member, Brother Frank Pecoraro.

For those brothers in attendance at out last Stated Meeting, you will recall the point brought up by several members regarding our Lodge’s support for the Youth Groups—they are a very important part of our Masonic Family and need you to attend their meetings support the fund raising activities that they have.
PLEASE attend our Stated Meetings and, as always, the lodge officers and our candidates appreciate your support at our Degrees.

Our lodge was one of 13 in California to be recognized by 2010 Grand Master Ken Nagel for having 100% of its officers donating to the Masonic Homes this last year.

Congratulations to WorBro Roy Youngblood, who has been appointed a member of the Grand Lodge Youth Orders Committee by 2011 Grand Master Bill Bray.

Fraternally,
Dave Lonergan
Worshipful Master

Brethren,

I have written about attending Lodge twice this year, focusing on members of Oceanside-San Dieguito present at our lodge meetings. The Grand Master’s theme of “Coming Home” was not just about showing up your lodge but to return to the craft and visit lodge near where you live.

This is a theme that I would like to continue during the coming year. I hope that each of you will attend a lodge somewhere in the world this coming year. We are a fraternity that has members all over the world who would like to get to know you.

I am a relatively new mason and there are many members of our lodge that I have never met, and I would like to get to know each you.

Please “come home” to Oceanside-San Dieguito Lodge, “come home” the fraternity of Freemasonry during 2011.

Fraternally,
Drew Middleton
Senior Warden

Brethren,

I wish to thank everyone for making the Hiram Award ceremony a memorable one for myself and family. What an honor.

The planning and coordination of this event did not just happen. Someone had to step forward and make it happen. My hat is off to Worshipful Tom Traver and his wife, Dorothy, for overseeing the entire operation with Tom acting as the Master of Ceremonies.

My thanks to Sissy Pitts for preparing my favorite meal; also to the Rainbow Girls and Jobs Daughters for serving the meals and drinks. And to the ladies that assisted in the kitchen. Nothing but rave reviews.

To Worshipful Tom Colgan, Inspector of the 901st Masonic District, who made the impressive and informative Hiram Award presentation to the Lodge.

To WorBro Roy Youngblood my thanks for preparing and printing the various announcements, invitations and programs and the other behind the scene details. Roy makes it look easy.

To the many that sent cards, letters and phone calls of congratulations, I want to let you know that I sincerely appreciate your support and encouragement.

And of course to my Brothers that were able to attend with their families. You made the evening complete.

Thank you one and all.

Fraternally,
John Brooks, PM
Junior Warden

Brethren,

For those of you who were around the Lodge in 1986 can remember there were over 100 in attendance at our Stated Meeting Dinners and the cost was $5.00 per person.

Today there will be about 30 in attendance and the cost is $10.

The cost of preparing dinner for 100 was about $200 so the groups preparing the meals could make $300. Now the cost to prepare 30 meals is a little less that $200 and the groups can make a little over $100. The work is about the same for preparing 100 or 30 meals, but the resulting income is significantly less. It is getting to the point where doing a dinner is not an efficient money maker for the groups.

The meals are just as good, and the fellowship today would be better with more brethren attending.

Fraternally,

Roy Youngblood (Master in 1986)
Lodge Secretary

October 2010 Trestleboard

Brethren,

August was again another busy month for the Lodge with several Degree conferrals. The Lodge performed two 3rd Degrees and a double 1st degree.

Worshipful John Brooks was selected as the recipient for the Hiram Award for our Lodge for 2010. I think that I speak for the entire Lodge when I say that there is not a more deserving Mason this year for this award. John can be seen setting up the Lodge before each Degree or Stated Meeting, coaching countless Candidates, picking up and driving home Mason’s who can no longer drive—John’s charity in serving our Lodge knows no end. I would like to congratulate John on this honor, and thank John for his devotion and service.

Please attend the dinner on Saturday September 11th at 6 PM and celebrate with us.

Please attend our Stated Meetings and, as always, the Officer’s and Candidate’s appreciate your support at our Degrees.

Fraternally,
Dave Lonergan
Worshipful Master

Brethren,

With Grand Lodge convening at the end of September this Masonic Year will soon be coming to a close.

As our good secretary has advised me that in addition to making sure that our Inspector is happy with my ritual work I should be working on officer and committee appointments, and the budget for 2011; I ask, that if you are interested in being an officer or serving your lodge on a committee, that you let me know.

Also, as I have stated in the past that coaches for our candidates are needed to teach them the proficiency work. Assistance can be provided you in becoming capable of being a coach. Members as sidelines are also needed and always welcomed.

Fraternally,
Drew Middleton
Senior Warden

Brethren,

At the August Stated Meeting I was surprised and honored to be informed that I was to be the Hiram Award recipient for the 2010 Masonic year. I had no idea that I was being considered for this high honor. I have never considered anything I have done in Masonry to be anything but a labor of love. I wish to thank the committee for recommending me to the Master and many thanks to the Master for approving their recommendation.

I understand that this high honor is NOT a call for me to retire but to keep working at our ancient craft as long as I am capable of doing an acceptable job.

The ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 11th. Dinner will be served in the dining room starting at 6 p.m. This will give us a time to have conversation and for you to meet my family, which I am extremely proud of, and for them to meet you, my friends and Brothers. Immediately following dinner the presentation will take place in the Lodge room.

I would be honored by your presence at this once in my life time event.

May Brotherly Love Prevail.

Fraternally,
John Brooks, PM
Junior Warden

Brethren,

At Grand Lodge later this month, the amount of the dues increase will be determined, and I will then prepare your dues notice and mail it out. You should receive the envelope by the end of October. If you have not received the notice by November 1st please let me know.

Please remit the amount indicated as soon as you can. I will make every effort to get your 2011 dues card in the mail to you within 72 hours after I have received it; with the exception of November 10th through 14th when I will be attending the Grand Guarding Council of Job’s Daughters in California.

Fraternally,
Roy Youngblood, PM
Lodge Secretary

Trestleboard – September 2010