Noah Lodge #357 Trestleboard

Hello, Brothers All,

We are fast closing out my year as your Worshipful Master, and you will be electing your new officers for 2012 in December. I want To thank you for your trust and faith in me over the past year. I have really enjoyed seeing the lodge work and pull together to raise some monies for several charities. And I especially enjoyed seeing the improvements that have been made at Noah. These improvements could not have been done without the material and time donated by a couple of our new brothers who have been raised THIS YEAR. Notice that improvements to the Lodge did not come from the increase in dues, the increase in our dues was needed just to keep the lodge open and the expenses paid in a timely manner. Electric, gas, trash, lawn maintenance, and general upkeep are again "all ours" since the Guiding Light Church has moved to their own church on Bus. 41.

With all the work and improvements that have been done, we are far from being out of the woods as far as the roof is concerned. We are patching leaks monthly and STILL losing that battle. Therefore we are starting a "NEW ROOF FUND" and will accept ANY AND ALL DONATIONS TO THIS FUND. A quarter, dollar, $100, $1000 would help. The current estimate for a new roof is $20,000 to $25,000. ANY help, assistance, donations will be greatly accepted and appreciated.

We are also looking for our older members to come to lodge to help guide our new Master Masons as they are planning to go through the chairs. These men are willing and able, but they (and we) need YOU to fulfill our obligations to each other and to our Lodge.

So for we have raised
5 MMs
4 FCs
5 EAs
In November we will observe 1 EA give his catechism
January: Initiate at least 1 EA
March: We should have 2 or 3 To pass to FCs

So dig out your code book and help get us ready.

Brothers, we have come a long this year, but we have a very long way to go, and we NEED help.

May the blessing of GOD be upon us and all Masons.

Larry Newton
Worshipful Master

Brethren,

November is here and so is the holidays, we are in the giving season. Noah is a giving Lodge and we strive to stay that way, by being a helping brother and a caring Lodge. I am not in town as I have been working out of town out in Livingston Texas and have been going to Lodge at Trinity Lodge #18 in the 27th district out here. All Lodges are just about the same I am learning they have the same struggles we have back at Noah. However, we are planning a big B-B-Q this weekend, there will be Briskets at $45 each slabs of ribs at $10 each and sausage 5lbs for $6. I can't wait and I already have a job doing the dishes.

Trinity Lodge is also getting ready for their Grand Lodge in December, plenty of members going. Their Lodge is not set up in an old style building all their furniture is old and looks like they started back in the 1800s. Their work is different but the same. Lodge is enjoyable out here but it is not home. I miss all the Brothers and all our problems that we have.

Work has been fine, my Uncle and I have set up 25 or more deer stands over aprox 9000 acres - he is lease manager out here and I am his assistant. Lots of 8 and 10 pointers out here, turkeys as well and hogs are plentiful. The hunting is play time. I've been working down in Houston, soon to be done there and then up to Livingston to work on the lake.

Well Brothers, I will be back in December for sure ready to carry on with my duties. If anyone needs to get in touch with me I have a new Number which is 941-815-2204. Call or text me if you like (or even if you don’t like). It's already been down to 30 out here one night, weathers fine, rain is scarce. Hope all is well with all Brothers, and let's not forget our homeridden Brothers through the holiday seasons. Send a card, make a call, check with our visitation committee, see if they need help doing some of this.

From your Senior Warden and Brother.

Lawrence A. Tomlinson
PM

My Brothers,

Some time ago while undergoing some remodeling a local lodge needed to make use of the banquet hall at the local hotel to hold their meetings.

One evening a Gentleman entered the lobby and observed the Tyler standing at the door holding his sword in hand. The Gentleman turned to the desk clerk and asked "What's going on over there?".

The Clerk told him that the local Masonic Lodge was holding their meeting in the banquet room.

The Gentleman replied; "Oh! The Masons. Isn't that the organization that is very hard to get into?" The Clerk replied " It Must be! The poor guy with the sword has been knocking on the door all night and they still haven't let him in!"

Brother James E. Hamilton
Junior Warden

At the end of June, I mailed out 23 late notices. So far I have received five (6) responses.

If you have not been to Lodge lately, you'll be surprised at the renovations done by Brother Ed Ciofani and his crew of workers.

Hope to see you at Lodge.

Fraternally,
Jerry Keeton
Secretary

My Brothers,

Living in America at Thanksgiving, enjoying the beautiful weather of southwest Florida it should be easy to list our many blessing.

I find it hard to do as I think of all who are suffering in these difficult times. As I drive around the area every day I see homeless, see parents with children going to the soup kitchen for a meal, I see parents lining up at the Salvation Army to register for Christmas for their children.

As the cold weather will be in the north, I think of all whp will need to decide, will I keep warm or buy food this month?

My brothers, at this time my true blessings are easy to see. Gods grace, family, friends, the many volunteers who help every day, freemasonry and brotherly love.

Family night and the fellowship at lodge on the fourth Monday of each month. And, my brothers, hope for the future of America, and the world.

Amen.

May god bless you every day in every way

John McKinney

Chaplain