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Vol. XIII No. 6 George Washington 1776 Lodge #337 F&AM Trestle Board October/November 2012
Noteworthy News in and About the Lodge Ashlar Awards Given Out The first ever Ashlar Award presentation at GW1776 Lodge was made by Br. Otto Tesch, PM to Worshipful Master Chuck Carroll and Senior Steward William Hutchins at the Stated Meeting held September 18th. The award recognizes a senior and a junior member of the lodge who are responsible for being mentors to a new brother, guiding him through all three degrees and culminating with his Master Mason posting. The award consists of a certificate and a pin that represents the Perfect Ashlar. The candidate, in this case, Br. Seth Swanson, does not receive a pin, but is encouraged to take up the task of guiding a new brother through the process.
MM Posting Cards Dealt in Lodge Brothers William Hutchins, Seth Swanson, and Wiley Gladney were presented with their Master Mason Posting Cards at the September 18th Stated Meeting. The Masonic Code stipulates that all brothers who have posted in the MM degree are entitled to a Certificate of Proficiency. However, these certificates have not been in use for some time. Early this year, our Lodge Counselor, Br. Walt Smith, PM, suggested that our lodge come up with a card to give out to those who have posted. Br. Smith received such a card from the Michigan Lodge where he was raised. He had asked Br. Seth, who is a wiz at computer art design, to help him design a card, but coincidentally, the Grand Master had the same idea and came up with a card from the Grand Lodge to be distributed to those who post in the MM degree, along with an edict that prevents Wisconsin Freemasons from joining appendant Masonic bodies without first obtaining their MM posting card. These were the first cards to be presented at GW1776 Lodge since the June edict.
Mason of the Year Brother Walt Smith, PM, Counselor, was unanimously proclaimed Mason of the Year at GW1776 at the September 18th Stated Meeting. Brother Walt, a recent recipient of the Ritual Posting Card, has shown great dedication to the Lodge this year. As Lodge Counselor, he faithfully attacked his responsibilities with a determination that is unequaled by all others, taking an active role in the progress of every candidate for the degrees in the lodge.
The first Ashlar Awards for GW1776
Gw1776 Masons Get up to Code Worshipful Master Chuck Carroll was awarded a Diploma of Achievement for Successful Completion of the Masonic Code Correspondence Course, May 15, 2012, along with a pin displaying the course initials with square and compasses. Senior Deacon Tyler Kristopeit has also taken the course and is awaiting the results. Now that they’ve become proficient in the Masonic Code, their next step is to take the Masonic Education Correspondence Course, which is based on the Wisconsin Masonic Handbook, (Green Book). According to the instructions at the beginning of the course: It is the desire of the Grand Lodge that this correspondence course has helped you understand your fraternity better and allowed you to become familiar with the Wisconsin Masonic Handbook. It is further hoped that you will study and research numerous topics in your efforts to become more knowledgeable of the vast and colorful history of our Order. If you would like to learn more about the Masonic Code, log onto the Grand Lodge web site, click on the publications tab and take the course! As King Solomon said, How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! --Proverbs 16:16