134TH YEAR April / May / June 2009 VOL. 36, NO. 2
Brethren,
My, how swiftly, run the sands of time. It is hard to imagine that a quarter of the year has come and gone. I would like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication thus far. As well as those who do so much behind the scenes, and rarely take credit for their worthwhile efforts. Your support of me, the Officers and Lake Drummond Lodge in particular is astounding, and I am truly grateful.
We have raised our first Brother of the year, Bro. Jason S. Roberson, as well as initiated one. Congratulations to Jason, and we hope to Raise our new Entered Apprentice soon, as well as those who are working so diligently on their catechisms. We have started implementing our Mentor Program, thanks to Worshipful Brothers Buddy Whittington and Bill Manier, as well as other Past Master and Officers, keep the input coming in. Like I have stated before, the Mentor Program is not intended to replace the catechism coach but to add another tool to help retain active members.
The first quarter of the year has been extremely busy; our March Stated (DDGM Official Visit) had over 75 Brethren in attendance, we also saw our two newest 50 and 25 year Masonic Veterans, Brothers Kenneth E. Stephens, Sr. and Guy Walters, respectively. Things are heating up at Lake Drummond Lodge, don’t you think it’s time you came to Lodge to see what the fuss is all about.
A few notes on upcoming events. Our Annual Spring BBQ Fundraiser is rapidly approaching. The BBQ will be held on Saturday, April 25th from Noon until 5:00 PM. Please come out and support this wonderful event, enjoy the great food and the even better fellowship. Thanks to Worshipful Kenny and Brothers Tim and Norman Strickland for heading up this great and important undertaking. . If you haven’t been to a Lodge meeting lately this may be the sparked needed to excite your curiosity once again, as well as the opportunity to see some old friends and Brothers. Lake Drummond will host the C. Frank Hicks Masonic School of Instruction once again this year. It will be on Saturday, April 11th with registration beginning at 8:00 AM. Come enjoy the spectacular ritual of the 36th Masonic District. Lake Drummond will be holding Family Night Covered Dish Dinners, when a fifth Thursday falls in a month. The next opportunity for this is Thursday, April 30th. Dinner will be at 6:00 PM, with some form of entertainment to follow. This is open to our families and friends, please come out and enjoy the fun, and don’t forget to bring a dish.
Looking ahead we have a few other events that I would like to highlight:
Saturday, May 23 – The Lodge will go catch a Tides ballgame, family welcome of course. Please email or call me by May 9th, if you plan to attend.
Monday, May 25 – Portsmouth Memorial Day Parade, there will be a Masonic procession in full regalia. I would like to have a group to attend. Please contact me if you are interested by the end of April.
Wednesday, June 10 – 36th District Blood Drive at Lake Drummond Lodge. More details will follow, please check the web site.
Saturday, June 13 – Lake Drummond will have a Lodge Family Picnic and Ice Cream Social. There will be games and such for the kids as well as the adults. Time will be approximately 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Thursday, June 18 – Lake Drummond will hold a Table Lodge. This is open to all Masons (EA, FC and MM). To begin at 6:00 PM.
A preview of our next Fundraising event is a Golf Tournament. To be held on Friday, July 18th at Sleepy Hole in Suffolk, shotgun start at 1:00 PM. Entry fee is $75.00 per person and Hole sponsors vary from $100.00 to $200.00 with a nineteenth hole for $500.00. Entry will include 18 holes of golf with a cart, a goody bag, door prize ticket, and a dinner to follow when trophies and prizes are given out. There will be a closest to the pin and longest drive contest as well. Every member will be receiving a letter with more information in the months to come.
I would like to congratulate our Senior and Junior Wardens, Kenny Stephens Jr., and K. Lee Hobbs Jr., for obtaining their Warden Certificates. They have work very hard and have demonstrated how hard work can pay off. They have really set an example for the officers following them, and I have no doubt that Lake Drummond Lodge will be in capable hands for many years to come. Great work guys!
A reminder that Lake Drummond has gone digital, visit us online at http://www.lakedrummond178.org and see the new face of Lake Drummond Lodge, Great job Bro. Sonny Tate. Please contact our IT Committee Chair, Bro. Sonny Tate or myself to log your email address on file in order to receive updates electronically as well as our Trestleboard.
Thank you for those who donated to the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Fund; Kenny Stephens Jr. along with Billy Mutter and Allan Vanderploge, took the initiative to purchase the machine. Donations were also received from David Patrick Sr., in honor of his late Father, and Worship Phil Morley, PM. Thank you very much for your generous support. Hopefully this device will never need to be used, but we now have the technology to save lives. There will be a brief training session at our Covered Dish Dinner on Thursday, April 30.
The Lodge began maintaining our own landscaping last year. This saved us around $1500.00 last year alone. We will continue this, but I am soliciting your help, we need volunteers to assist in cutting the grass. Please contact our Junior Warden or Myself if you can help us out.
With the recent change in weather I look forward to starting some community support activities. Be on the lookout on the web site for details.
We have recently begun taking can food donation for the local Food Bank. Please drop off some nonperishable food items on your next trip to Lodge
Thanks to our wonderful Trustees, who help keep Lake Drummond Lodge the Crown Jewel of the 36th Masonic District. Also, Thanks to Brother Mike Diaz Sr. for his recent donation of labor costs to the Building Fund.
Please keep our sick and distressed Brethren and their families in your thoughts and prayers. If time permits please make a visit or a quick phone call to remind them how deeply they mean to us. Wor. Bro. Elmer Walters, Sr. is our Sick Committee Chairman; please notify him or myself of anyone who needs to be added to the list. Wor. Elmer sends dozens upon dozens of get well soon and thinking of cards and I truly appreciate all that he does.
Keep an eye out for the Appendant bodies that meet at Lake Drummond Lodge, they need your support. Congratulations to Pat and Bill Manier, Worthy Matron and Patron of Victory Chapter No. 13, OES. I would like to say a special thank you to Bethel 11, IOJD, for the wonderful support that they have shown throughout the year. Let this support be reciprocal, get out and visit a Jobies meeting, see the schedule or contact Melinda and Tim Russell for further information.
Finally, thank you for all that you do to serve Lake Drummond and I hope to see you all in Lodge very soon. Be proud to be taken by the hand as a brother, wear Freemasonry proudly and Let Our Light Shine. If there is anything thing I can do to be of assistance to you please do not hesitate to ask. God bless all of you and may all of your good intentions be crowned with success.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Kyle W. Strickland
APPLICATIONS FOR LAKE DRUMMOND’S 2009 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
DATE DUE - APRIL 1, 2009
On the recommendation of the Scholarship Committee and with the approval of the Worshipful Master of Lake Drummond Lodge,
the deadline for receiving applications for the Scholarship Fund has been changed to April 1. Previously the deadline had been
June 1. The change was made primarily to enable the recipient of the scholarship to have their name printed in the graduation
program as having received a scholarship from Lake Drummond Lodge No. 178. Also, the change in date will enable the committee
to make a decision in a timely manner. This will ensure that the recipient can be recognized in lodge with his/her parents before
they have left for college. Nothing else has changed. The new application form is available from the Lodge secretary or from Ray
Lowery, chairman of the scholarship committee.
WITH THE SICK
Please report all sick Brethren and/or family members to the Sick Committee Chairman,
Worshipful Elmer E. Walters, Sr., 757-547-3484, or any Lodge Officer. See home
page of this website for telephone numbers of Lodge Officers.
Worshipful Robert J. “Bob” Litterst
Brother Walter H. Becker
Brother Randolph W. Pritchard
Brother W.C. “Bill” Meiggs, Jr.
Brother Johnny L. Pennington, Sr.
Brother A.S. Atwood, Sr.
Worshipful John E. Cagle, Jr., 60 MV
Brother Erskine C. White, 60 MV
Brother Robert A. Anderson
Brother Frank Forbes, Jr., 60 MV
Brother Dalton L. Burrus, 50 MV
Brother Al Fohl
Brother Wiley J. Wilson, Jr.
Brother Robert G. Esleeck, 60 MV
Worshipful F. Michael Strother, 50 MV
Brother John W. Hyman, Sr.
OUR NEW WEBSITE!
Please visit us at www.lakedrummond178.org.
Any brethren wishing to receive notification of this communication via email
please contact Bro. Sonny Tate, webmaster at [email protected]
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES - $100.00 PER YEAR, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2004
2009 Dues Reminder Envelopes were mailed to the membership with the Nov. Dec. 2008
Bulletin. The Secretary reports there are 14 members owing 2008 dues as of this date.
GRAND LODGE’S LIFE MEMBERSHIP IN PERPETUITY PLAN FOR MEMBERS
Life Memberships can be paid in full or by an installment schedule of your own choosing.
More details can be obtained from the Lodge Secretary. Effective January 1, 2004, $100.00
x 16 years = $1,600.00 with current year’s dues paid. We have 97 LMIP members. We now
have 2 members who are making installment payments for their life membership.
IN MEMORIAM
Brother William Nelson “Pat” Patrick
Raised - September 30, 1970
Died - January 27, 2009
Note: The Lodge makes a memorial contribution to the Building Fund in memory of every deceased member.
DONATIONS TO THE LODGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Victory Chapter No. 16, OES
In memory of Brother William N. “Pat” Patrick, given by Kevin and Susan Rogers
DONATIONS TO THE LODGE BUILDING FUND
Worshipful Elmer E. Walters, Sr. for donation of cost for name label for LMIP Board.
Brother Michael J. Diaz, Sr. for donation of 3.5 hours labor for furnace repairs, valued at $280.00
Brother Scott V. Smith for donation of 2,000 BBQ Tickets, valued at $304.50
DONATIONS TO THE LODGE GENERAL OPERATING FUND
Brothers Roy P. Nelson, 50 MV, Robert B. Barham, 50 MV
NEW MEMBERS
Brother Jason Scott Roberson - Raised January 15, 2009
Brother Gary Scott White, Sr. - Affiliated - January 8, 2009
PRESENTATION OF MASONIC SERVICE AWARDS
25 Year Service Award to be presented
Dr. Alan Gregor y Forbes Raised - May 31, 1984 To be Presented - June 11, 2009
50 Year Service Award
Worshipful Elmer E. Walters, Sr. Raised - May 7, 1959 To be Presented - May 14, 2009
Brother James Henr y Reid, Sr. Raised - Jan. 29, 1959 To be Presented - *May 14, 2009
*Brother Reid requested he receive his service award at this stated meeting.
WARDEN’S CERTIFICATES
The Worshipful Master was pleased to present, with appropriate congratulator y remarks, the following
named members their Warden’s Certificate, signifying their passing an examination on the work of the three
degrees in Masonr y as prescribed by our Grand Lodge. This certificate is required before a member can be
elected to the office of Lodge Master.
Brother Kenneth E. Stephens, Jr., Senior Warden - Certificate No. 8266
Broher K. Lee Hobbs, Jr., Junior Warden - Certificate No. 8267
AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (A.E.D.)
The Lodge has a new Automatic External Defibrillator (A.E.D.), which is located in the Lodge’s Social Hall. Brother Kenneth
E. Stephens, Jr., with the assistance of Brothers W illiam M. “Billy” Mutter and W. Allen Vanderploeg, recently purchased this
equipment and is available when needed to assist anyone. There are a number of members who are qualified to use the AED
equipment. The following members have made additional donations for this project. Worshipful Phillip W. Morley, Jr., Brother
David F. Patrick, Sr., in memory of his father, Brother W illiam N. Patrick, Worshipful F.T. “Buddy” Whittington.
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER NOMINATION
Grand Master’s Executive Order No. 2-09 sets forth the regulations governing the nominations for the office of District Deputy
Grand Master for the Masonic Year 2011.
Berkley Lodge No. 167 has made the following nominions at their Feb. 5, 2009 stated communication and requested Lake Drummond Lodge
to concur in their nominations.
For District Deputy Grand Master for 2011 - Worshipful Steven Wayne McGowan.
For Alternate Nominee for DDGM for 2011 - Worshipful Alan Glenn Cannon.
Lake Drummond will vote on the nominations at our April 9, 2009 stated communication.