Papillion Lodge #39 A.F. and A.M.

This month I am changing the format for the mailed version of the trestle board. We have not been using the space available and this will also reduce mailing costs. I also wanted to thank the DeMolay boys and Sweetheart for folding and tabbing the Trestle Board. If you have an email address and receive the trestle board by mail please notify either myself or Carl, so we can reduce our expenses.

Ladies and Brethren,

This is my first message as Master of the Lodge. I would like to introduce myself and give you an idea of what direction I would like to take the Lodge.

I was born in Columbus, Nebraska into a healthy, secure family. Under my father’s leadership; kindness, honesty, and fairness prevailed in our family. He was Master of the Columbus Lodge in 1955. All I remember is that he was a Mason, and we were told to make sure his apron was used properly when the time came. Unfortunately, it was used for the intended purpose over 30 years ago now.

We have a new core of officers; MC- Anthony Warner, SC- Russell Stiles, JC- Eric Kenyon, SD- Lucas Stiles, with PMC Anthony Blackwell filling in where needed. While we have added one advisor, one of our active members as stopped coming regularly, we do need more members, since we didn't match our majorities this year. Sweetheart elections will be in January with the Sweetheart Ball being in February.

Carl Highman, LOH
Advisory Board Chairman

We are finishing the year with 124 dues received, including perpetual and known comped Brothers, that leaves only 77 left to collect. Of those sending in dues, 47 included donations, we have also received donations from several of the Perpetual Life Members. Charity truly is one of our finest works.
First delinquent notices will go out early in February, save your lodge the extra postage and beat the deadline for submitting your dues if you are one of the 77.

Carl Highman, PM
Secretary

The Papillion Masonic Family was saddened by the death of Brother Geoffrey

Mitchell. I would like to take this opportunity to THANK all of you who provided salads and desserts for the fu-neral luncheon.

Also, I truly appreciate the members who assisted the day of the luncheon preparing, serving and cleaning up the hall afterwards. These types of events could not be done without the cooperation of the members of the Masonic families.

We were fortunate to obtain the Carpenters Union #444 hall. Brother Dave Arius was instrumental in taking care of those arrangements.

Sir Knights,

We are now on the downhill slide. While we had to cancel the December meeting for safety with the parking lot not being cleared yet from the snow storm, the treasurer and secretary did get our bills paid so all is well with the world.
The four items on the horizon are elections in March, Grand York Rite April 8-10, the Steak Fry on the 24th of April and Installation of officers on May 2nd.

This month I am changing the format for the mailed version of the trestle board. We have not been using the space available and this will also reduce mailing costs. If you have an email address and receive the trestle board by mail please notify either myself or Carl, so we can reduce our expenses. The post office hours are changing again and the increased costs associated with new rules have increased the need to email as many trestle boards as possible.

Brethren:

This year has gone by fast and as my year as Master is coming to a close and as I reflect back I realize that there is more to being Master than what I thought. It has been a learning experience that I will always keep with me. I would like to thank everyone for the help and guidance you have given me. I plan to keep active in the lodge and look forward to participating in the degrees. I am planning a Past Masters night in the spring so watch for details.

One advisor and two boys went to the Dad Land Day memorial in November. There was a tour of the DeMolay International Headquarters followed by lunch, at trip to a sports center, dinner and the movie 2012, warning it pushes 3 hours. Sunday morning, after breakfast, the group went to the graveside of Dad Land and one of our boys took a part in the ceremony. That was followed by lunch and a trip to a mall on the Kansas side of KC, returning home by 5PM on Sunday. Twenty-two DeMolays and advisors took part representing four Nebraska Chapters.