Worshipful Master Bart Harvey     -     Secretary & Editor John "Corky" Daut
The October 2010 Issue
It’s Happening At Waller Lodge

By Corky

There was a short discussion the hunting rifle and equipment raffle to raise funds for Waller Masonic Lodge charitable purposes. We have already sold enough tickets to pay for the prizes...

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A motion was passed to have a breakfast on Saturday morning, the 23rd of October for the Local EMS, Police Department, Sheriffs Department, Texas Highway Patrol and Fire Department to honor them for their service to the citizens

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It was decided that Waller Lodge will join with Hempstead Lodge again this year to work the Liendo fund raiser

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DDGM “Bob” Podvin made his second official visit at the September meeting. He gave a talk on the importance of raising the per capita donation to have enough money to operate on.

The discussion also touched on the need for Waller Lodge to raise the Dues as currently they do not pay all the utility bills

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SICKNESS AND DISTRESS

Please say a prayer for, + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +

It was reported that Brother Bob Scarborough had a stent installed and is receiving dialysis three times per week.

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Doris Bozarth is recovering from a broken hip and will be home shortly.

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W.M. Bart Harvey’s wife was in the briefly in the hospital for tests and home now.



Sensitivity

Author Unknown


It's not easy to be a Mason. In fact being a Mason, a real Mason, an active Mason. a faithful Mason . . . is tough. It's hard enough trying to live by all the principles, the tenets and the charges of Freemasonry, you also have to be a brother. Frequently that's not easy.

As Worshipful Brother Mike Smith was so fond of saying, if you were the only Mason on earth, you wouldn't be a Mason. Several years ago Jack Paar wrote a book entitled "MY BROTHER WAS AN ONLY CHILD."

That strikes us as funny, even ludicrous, because it is impossible . . . twice. If that brother was an only child, the author couldn't possibly written that statement, likewise, an only child can't be anyone's brother. The only Mason on earth, therefore, couldn't be a Mason because he wouldn't have or be a brother. A Mason is not a “loner”. He interacts, sharing with his brethren. He is concerned with the life, health, and welfare of his brothers.

Being a Mason involves being a brother and that means being a member of a group. A Mason is not a "loner". He is an interacter, sharing with his brethren. He is concerned with the life, health and welfare of his brothers, their wives and widows, their children and orphans. The true Mason does not do these things selfishly, hoping that if he does them he will in turn be helped in his hour of need; he does them in loving response to the care he receives from his Heavenly Father, who watches over him.

Being a real Mason involves interaction with other Masons. It involves caring and sharing, giving and receiving understanding and seeking to be understood. It is no different then any other endeavor which involves personal interactions, such as a marriage a basketball team, or a community action committee.

No relationship between people is ever easy. Relationships require hard work, perseverance, and dedication, whether that relationship is a marriage, parenting, employment, friendship, brotherhood or any other endeavor

As Master Masons, "we are taught to use the trowel to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection, that cement that unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist except that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work or best agree."

BUT, how often do we sit in the dining room of the lodge and hear one brother make a negative remark about another brother behind his back? How often do we find a lodge split into splinter groups instead of being united into one beautiful perfect and complete whole? How often do we find brethren criticizing the Master or his officers for the way the lodge is run, the kind of food that is served, the way the money is spent, or their ability to perform the work? How often do we find lodges in the same town acting as if they were in competition with one another for membership, prestige, or leadership positions in the Grand Lodge.



I received this new computer virus the other day and thought I would pass it on to all of our Brothers who have a computer.

NOTICE!

You have just received da Cajun Virus. Sance we ain't got no programin sperience, dis virus woks on da honor system.

Please d'leet all da files on u hard driver,

Den, manually forward dis virus to averybody on u maleing list.

Tank ya'll for u cooperation.


The 80/20 Rule

By W:. Tim Bryce, PM, MPS

Also as a follow-up to my last article I was asked why it seemed only a handful of people always carried the workload of a Lodge. This is not uncommon and is found in everyday life as well. It is commonly referred to as the "80/20 Rule" or "Pareto's Principle." Vilfredo Pareto was an Italian economist who observed in 1897 that 80 percent of the land in England was owned by 20 percent of the population. Pareto's theory thereby relates to the ratio of input to output; e.g. twenty percent of your effort produces 80 percent of your results. From a time management perspective, it means that 20 percent of the people are normally responsible for producing 80 percent of the work.

As a manager or Worshipful Master it thereby becomes important to recognize your core 20 percent workers and concentrate your attention on them. It also becomes important to devise new means to squeeze out the remaining 20 percent of the work from the 80 percent who do not actively participate. This is not to suggest that the 80 percent doesn't care about the Lodge, but that they simply have different priorities right now and may even be living far away from the Lodge. However, they should be periodically reminded that there is more to supporting a Lodge than just paying their annual dues.

With the 80/20 Rule in mind you must also be sensitive to a by-product resulting from it: petty jealousy. Since the 20 percent performs the work, they are thereby deserving of the accolades for performing it. Inevitably, it is not uncommon for small minded individuals from the 80 percent to feel slighted and jealous of those doing the work and receiving the recognition. Such petty jealously should

be overlooked and the person forgiven, unless something more malicious is involved, such as character assassination of which there is no excuse. The manager must carefully squash this behavior before it has an adverse effect on your 20 percent.

If not, the 20 percent worker will question why he is working so hard if he is only going to be the object of ridicule and humiliation. If your 20 percent begins to believe they are "Damned if they do, Damned if they don't" in their assignments, then nothing will be produced and your 80 percent work effort will plummet.

The 80/20 Rule is an interesting phenomenon that every Worshipful Master must be cognizant of in order to effectively put the Craft to work with proper instruction for their labor.



Moral Turpitude

By Corky

There was a brief discussion at the September stated Meeting. There were many definitions offered. I for one thought it meant crimes of a sexual nature. I guess the closeness of Moral and Morals threw me off.

Any way I looked it up in the Legal Dictionary to avoid any possible confusion in the future.

Moral Turpitude is a phrase used in Criminal Law to describe conduct that is considered contrary to community standards of justice, honesty, or good morals

Crimes involving moral turpitude have an inherent quality of baseness, vileness, or depravity with respect to a person's duty to another or to society in general. Examples include rape, forgery, Robbery, and solicitation by prostitutes.

Many jurisdictions impose penalties, such as deportation of Aliens and disbarment of attorneys, following convictions of crimes involving moral turpitude.



Masonic Anniversaries
Brother Years
Wayne C. Schultz60
Everett A. Bozarth53
Richard James50
Robert Brush29
Mark L. Seeman 17
David Reagan12
Thomas R. Rape 9
John Stalsby1
Alan "A J" Ward 1
Happy Birthday To
BrotherAge
Thomas Roy Shields94
Calvin C. Trapp80
Jimmy Hooper Sr67
Steve York59
Mark Herrington67
David Reynolds52
Kenneth L. Cones50



Masonic Questions and Answers

By Corky

Q: WHY SYMBOLISM? A: Why do we teach in symbols? Why can't we put things into plain words instead of using one thing to stand for another? Well, the answer is a bit complicated, so let's talk about it. First, we must understand that man is a complex character. He has a body and brain which help him understand the physical world around him and help him to reason things out. And, he also has a heart and a spirit and a soul which help him comprehend a language which his brain cannot. As an example, it isn't with your brain or your body that you love your God, your family and your country; it is with your heart and soul. Another way of putting it is that the language of love is not the same as the language of the tongue.

That same principle is present in Masonry. If everything in Masonry was written, there would be no spirit in it. Masonry expresses truths that are universal and can be understood without the use of words. This is symbolic language and is the means we use to communicate with the spirits, souls and hearts of other Masons. If you met with a Mason in a foreign land and couldn't speak his language, you could use signs and grips, draw a square and compasses, or draw a trowel, and he would understand. When a Mason sees the square and compasses, he knows immediately that it always stands for good and never stands for evil. And, when he sees the trowel symbol he knows that it not only is used to spread regular cement; it is also used to spread the cement of brotherly love.

To sum up, the reason we use symbolism is because only by symbols can we speak the language of the spirit, and because symbols form an elastic language which each man reads for himself according to his ability. symbolism is the only language by which the heart, spirit and soul can be touched. To suggest that Masonry use any other language would be just as revolutionary as removing our altars or meeting in public square instead of a Lodge room. Masonry without symbols would not be Masonry.

“Masonic Questions and Answers” It is basically for new Masons, Masonic wives and children. However, we may all benefit from being reminded sometime.

PLEASE let the editor know if you have a question.



Good Advice

On a Sears hairdryer- Do not use while sleeping.

On a bag of Fritos - You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.

On Nytol Sleep Aid - "Warning: May cause drowsiness."

On Sainbury peanuts - "Warning: contains nuts."



The Small Town Texas Masons E-Magazine

Don’t miss reading the monthly Small Town Texas Masons E-Magazine at, http://www.mastermason.com/STTM-Emag/

This Month features the Myra Lodge Number 878 A. F. & A. M and BROTHER SAM HOUSTON IS GONE


This Month's Humor

Two nicely dressed ladies happen to start up a conversation while waiting in the LAX airport. The 1st lady was an arrogant woman married to a very wealthy man. The second was a well mannered elderly woman from the South. When the conversation became about whether they had any children, the arrogant woman started by saying,

"When my first child was born, my husband built a beautiful mansion for me."

The lady from the South commented in a slow southern drawl, "Well, isn't that precious."

The first woman continued, "When my second child was born, my husband bought me a beautiful Rolls Royce."

Again, the lady from the South commented, "Well, isn't that precious."

The first woman continued boasting, "Then, when my third child was born, my husband bought me this exquisite diamond bracelet at Tiffany's."

Yet again, the Southern lady commented, "Well, isn't that precious."

The first woman then asked her companion, "What did your husband buy for you when you had your first child?"

"My husband sent me to charm school," declared the Southern lady.

"Charm school??" the first woman cried, "Oh my God! What on earth for?"

The Southern lady responded, "Well for one thing, instead of saying 'Who gives a poop?' I learned to say, 'Well, isn't that precious!"

The Waller Lodge Electronic Newsletter Subscriber's Extra Features


Wanted Immediately, 10 Good Masons
To Fill Existing Openings At Waller Lodge.

Waller Lodge Needs The Missing Masonic Brothers
To Fill Empty Seats At The Lodge On Meeting Nights.

Days; The 2nd Tuesday each month and Monday evenings..

Hours; Tuesdays 6:30 PM to 8:30 or
9:00 PM. Mondays 7:00 PM to 8:30 Or So

Benefits; Become Reacquainted With Old Friends, Meet New
Friends, Enjoy Fellowship, Free Dinner included.On Tuesdays



'Miracle Hospital' Supported By Wonderful Shriners, Masons

By Cynthia Calvert
Former Editor of Greater Houston Weekly Community Newspapers

[Editor's Note; I ran across this story in some of my old Hempstead Lodge #749 newsletters from about 7 or 8 years ago and just had to reprint it for the Waller Lodge readers.]

Forward By Corky

I had to read the column reprinted below, the second time before I could believe it. It is the first time that I could remember, in a long time, reading a story in a newspaper that was complementary to Masonry.

It impressed me so much, that I wanted to insert it in this issue of the newsletter. And since it was already set up to be printed, I decided to make Hempstead Lodge history and add another page to this month's issue of our newsletter so I could include it here.

Of course it is being reprinted with permission of the author.

The Houston Shriners Hospital is a 40-bed pediatric orthopaedic hospital providing comprehensive orthopaedic care to children at no charge. A new state-of-the-art facility opened in June 1996. The hospital is one of 22 Shriners Hospitals throughout North America. The Houston Hospital, which accepts and treats children with routine and complex orthopaedic problems, is one of just few pediatric hospitals in the United States performing microvascular orthopaedic procedures, and it has also become known for its work with children with cerebral palsy.
Down in the Texas Medical Center is a special place. A place for kids, a place dedicated to quality orthopedic health care, a place where there is no billing department. Everything is totally free of charge.

Shriners Hospital for children is the place where Ernie Estrada just spent the last month undergoing surgery and then daily physical therapy. A little more than a year ago, Ernie's mom Monica took Ernie, who suffered from cerebral palsy, to the circus. Ernie who uses handheld arm crutches, which got the attention of a volunteer working at the event. He gave a card to Monica and suggested she call Houston Shriners Hospital for Children to see if they could offer Ernie some help.

Today Monica and Ernie are grateful cheerleaders for the hospital. “I told my husband, if we could rename this place, we would call it “Miracle Hospital” because that is what they have done for us given us a miracle.

The Estradas, who live in San Benito, have nothing but praises for the hospital – everything is “awesome, wonderful and amazing.” And the Estradas should know- they experienced many hospital settings in Ernie's 11 years.

“I had never heard of Shriners until about a year ago.” Monica said. “More people need to know about the wonderful job they do here, what they do for so many kids.” Another enthusiast is Chris Adams of Spring. Adams' daughter Christian Michelle was also a patient at Shriners, almost five years ago. Then just a toddler, Christian was diagnosed with a serious bone infection in her arm. At the time, the Adamses had no insurance as dad Chris was in school making his way to a second career.

Our doctor first sent us to Shriners, but we were sent on to Texas Children's. But as we sat in the waiting room, I got a phone call. I knew no one knew where we were, but it was the Shriners, telling us not to worry about a thing, everything would be paid.”

Baby Christian had two surgeries that first week and eventually spent four weeks hospitalized at Shriners. She had daily intravenous antibiotics, which dad said, “was no fun. But we endured.”

Today Christian is seven years old, healthy and beautiful.

And dad is a Mason. The Masonic Lodge 1174 of Spring is a group of 226 men who raise money for Shriners Hospital. Masons in Spring, in Texas, and all over the country engage in fund-raising to promote community projects

Worshipful Master Jim Sumner of Lodge 1174 explained that the mission of Masons is “men making better men.”

“It really works. Our work makes us better husbands, better fathers, better leaders and better pillars of the community. Our Lodge has different fund-raisers to support projects like Shriners Hospitals. Masons are the foundation group, then there are several appended groups such as the Shriners. We all work toward common goals. Masons and Shriners.

Masons and Shriners aren't religious per se, but everyone has to believe in deity. “We have members of every religion – Buddhist, Jew, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran. Masons teach cooperation and working together. We all contribute to our community and especially to wonderful projects like Shriners,” says Sumner.

Which brings us back to Adams whose father was a Mason. After baby Christian was on her way back to health, Chris asked his father about the Masons, this group who had made possible his baby's recovery.

He gave me a book to read and I wanted more. I wanted to give back to these wonderful people who had helped me. Some time later, I petitioned the Lodge for membership and I have been there every time the are doors open since.

Notice the common word here? Monica, Chris, and Jim all said the same word – 'wonderful.'

Raquel Williams, public information officer for Shriners, says the hospital in 2002 had a $18.65 Million budget. They served 3,411 active patients, performed 670 surgeries and recorder 35,000 children have received life altering or life saving treatments since the hospital's founding in 1952. All at no charge.

And if that isn't wonderful, then I don't know what is. Shriners Hospital for Children-Houston may be reached by calling 713-797-1616 or by visiting www.shrinershq.org

Afterward

Many of you have met my daughter, Valerie who was born with cerebral palsy. When we discovered it, the doctor said she would never walk or probably even sit up. She was treated at the Shrine Hospital for almost 17 years and at 50 years old, she still walks with crutches. She graduated from North Harris County Jr. College, then lived in the dorms at Sam Houston State University where she lacks one semester of earning her Teachers Degree in Special Education.

We were never ask for a dime at Shrine Hospital and like Brother Chris Adams (above), that was a big reason that, I became a Freemason.

I also wanted to add how great it feels to be an editor printing one of Mrs. Calvert's stories. Mrs. Calvert was my editor, printing columns that I wrote about growing up during the depression and WWII. They were featured in five of the weekly Houston Community Newspapers for about 6 years or so.

[The next story is one of them. Corky]



Surviving The Big Ones

By John "Corky" Daut

The big ones for me were that 16 year period between the Great Depression and World War II. Being born in 1928, I grew up during the hard times between the stock market crash of 1929 and the end of World War II in 1945.

Our neighborhood was plagued by an assortment of independent business. One, who we saw 6 days a week, was the vegetable man. His horse drawn wagon's approach was announced to the housewives along the route with it's loud bell

Then there was that group of independent business men who announced their wares with a familiar cry that kids could detect blocks away, giving them time to try and beg a nickel before he arrived. "ICEEE CREAMMMM... ICEE CREAMMM," came their cry. A few of these more desperate to make a dollar walked the streets and sold Popsicles and fudgsicles from an insulated wooden box that was carried under one arm with the aid of a leather strap over the shoulder. A couple of pieces of dry ice kept the ice cream from melting. Most of the regular employees for the ice cream sales companies, rode a three wheeled bicycle with a large insulated ice box between the two front wheels. A few, the elite, had the insulated box mounted between two wheels serving as the front end of a Cushman motor scooter.

The milk man stopped his truck at each house on his route book and carried quart bottles of milk and chocolate milk in his metal carrier to your door. If you knew him well enough and had a standing order, he would even come in the back door and put it in the ice box for you

Up until the mid nineteen forties, the ice man's truck was a common sight in the neighborhood. Most companies gave the customers a heavy card sign with a big number on each edge, 10, 25, 35 or 50 pounds. The sign was placed in a window with the pounds wanted facing upward. The iceman could check the sign from his truck and chip a ten to fifty pound blocks from one of the three hundred pound blocks hidden under the heavy tarpaulin covering the bed of his truck. Then he would pick up the block with his metal hooks, carry it into the house and put it in the icebox. The neighborhood kids would follow him to beg ice chips to suck on.

The Jewel Tea man with his panel truck full of spices, extracts teas, pudding mixes and other foods and condiments stopped less often but just as regular. When your purchases to date totaled a certain amount you received a free dish or bowl as a premium. Now those same dishes run 10.00 to 30.00 dollars apiece in an antique store. There was also the Watkins man who sold salves, pain killers, ointments, spices and medicines door to door from his truck.

Corky The Cowboy
The pony man only came by about once a year. He had a Shetland Pony, a big camera and assorted cowboy hats, scarf's and chaps. He would decorate the kids like a cowboy, seat them on the pony and take a picture. The mothers were so proud of their little cowboys they would buy one.

Other small business men like the knife and scissors grinder who usually pushed his foot operated grinder with him like a wheelbarrow and worked on your front porch.

The sewing machine man carried a small tool kit as he walked from house to house. He cleaned, adjusted and oiled your sewing machine in your home while you watched.

Last but not least were the kids who fell for the advertisements on the back of comic books about making BIG money by selling Cloverine salve, a free picture with every box of salve, and all occasion greeting cards to friends and neighbors. Sometime they were the same ones who at other times tried to sell you newspaper and magazine subscriptions.

Although times were hard in the 1930s and early 1940s, there were still opportunities for boys to earn money. The first money I ever earned on my own was approximately twenty five cents from selling scrap iron. Mr. Henry next door, took me to the junk yard. He also gave me most of the scrap iron.

The first money I ever earned working for someone else, was putting advertisements in screen door handles for an insurance agent. She paid us ten cents for every hundred brochures we hung on doors. I earned thirty five cents and a tuna fish sandwich for a whole days work. We all ran and hid when we saw her coming the next time.

Summer work in grocery stores was usually available. I spent one whole summer working at the Boulevard Food market on Harrisburg Boulevard and York Street to save enough money to buy a used clarinet and join the band when school started.

I also worked the summer I was 14 years old as a laborer in the Sidney Myers Inc. (later Weingertens), wholesale grocery warehouse on Lockwood Drive. It was the summer of 1942 and World War II was going strong. That made it pretty easy for a 14 year old boy to get a man's job. There just wasn't enough men left to fill them. And, it was definitely a man's job. We made $14.00 a week, working 8 hours a day stacking 20, 30 or 40 pound cases of can goods and bags of food.

Another summer was spent as a machine oilier and wiper in an the old Southern Hinke Ice Company. I really loved working at the ice company, even though it was seven days a week. I made forty nine dollars a week. Almost unheard of for a high school student.

Part time employment after school for me included Hall's grocery store. I bought my first 22 caliber rifle with money I earned there. It was a single shot Remmington that cost me $7.35 at the Bering Cortez hardware store downtown. Mr. Hall let me off a couple of hours and I rode the bus downtown to buy it. The Forum Cafeteria downtown on Main Street was another after school job, working from 4:00 P.M. until about 10:00 P.M. washing dishes. Well, we actually filled the racks with dishes and sent them through the dish washing machine.

Shudde Brothers Hat Factory started as an after school job renovating men's hats. It turned into a full time job after Nellie and I married and lasted until I was drafted in 1952..



Masonic Lodge showing off new look

by Dennis Sharkey

The second oldest building in the city of Oskaloosa Kansas has a fresh look and the people behind it are wanting to show it off.

The Masonic Lodge Building on the corner of Jefferson and Liberty streets houses businesses on the street level, but upstairs the members of the Masonic Lodge 14, Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 62 have been meeting for 124 years.

Masonic Lodge 14 Secretary Dan Shimmin, left, Diana Price and Jim Elrod, right, stand below the recently restored 124-year-old tin-pressed ceiling

Corky The Cowboy
Thanks to the generosity of Order of the Eastern Star member Diana Price, the hall's historic tin-pressed ceiling now lights up the hall with it's vibrant colors. Just months ago, the tin-pressed ceiling's paint that was more than 70 years old had turned dull and dirty. Paint chips collected like snow in the hall's corner where the roof had been leaking for years.

“I just couldn't stand looking at it anymore,” Price said. “I looked at the chips on the floor and said we've got to do something about it.

“I wish you could have seen it before. It's just amazing,” she added.

Price donated $3,200 for the labor to restore and repaint the tin-pressed ceiling. The Lodge donated the materials.

Lodge and Eastern Star members are grateful for the work that was done on the ceiling. Price said the original painter, Eddie Stevenson, would have charged about $10,000 for the painting. Stevenson told members that he could do the work for half. However, three weeks into the project Stevenson unexpectedly died.

An Open House will be held Sunday, Oct. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. Entrance is on southwest corner of building. Call Dan Shimmin for more information at 876-3041

Eastern Star member Doris Elrod said both groups began to scramble to figure out what to do. Elrod said she considered getting up on top of the scaffolding herself to finish the job. That's when Donald Barden of Pioneer Painting and Drywall stepped in to finish. Not only did Barden finish the project but it ended up costing less.

Now that the work is complete, members of both organizations want the public to see the beauty of what organization members have seen for more than a century. Organization members realize that many in the public don't even know the hall exist.

“We know there's a lot of people that don't know,” Price said. “We just think people should know.”

The hall's new paint job is only the second time the ceiling has been painted since the construction of the building. The ceiling was painted in 1937 after the building next to it burned down, causing some smoke damage to the inside of the Masonic Lodge.

During the open house scheduled later this month, tablets containing minutes from the last 124 years will be on display.

Many articles and documentary pieces have been written and filmed about the Free Masons, an organization that historically traces back to 17th century England. Often reports focus on the Free Masons as a “secret society.”

Lodge Secretary Dan Shimmin says otherwise.

“We are not a secret society,” Shimmin said. “We are a society of secrets.”

Shimmin said Masons are a society of men who hold high moral standards and a will to do good. Masons don't discuss religion but one requirement to be a Mason is to believe in a “higher power,” which is of the interpretation of the individual. Masons don't discuss politics or anything else that would cause divisive debate amongst members. Shimmin said in the hall there is nothing but harmony.

“We can't make a bad man good,” Shimmin said. “But we can make a good man a whole lot better.”

Some famous Americans who called themselves Free Masons include George Washington, Ben Franklin, Andrew Jackson and Harry Truman.

Free Masons do not recruit members, but rather wait for an individual to inquire.

50 Year Free Mason Jim Elrod said although the club likes to fly under the radar they are very active in the community with sponsorships and yearly scholarships.

“We're not just here,” Elrod said. “We do some good things.”




A Little Military Humor

Santa Comes But Once A Year Even In Iraq



Canton's Blue Hills Masonic Lodge

ByPeter Cox
From The Canton Journal
Canton MA

The Masons' new memorial at the Viaduct will be dedicated this month after all. Canton's Blue Hills Masonic Lodge announced the dedication to commemorate the 175-year anniversary of the span will take place Sunday 10 October at 3:00 pm even though the town's committee is postponing its part of the celebration until the spring, George Comeau, co-chair of the Viaduct 175 Committee, said the town needed more time for its celebration.

“We just needed a little breathing room,” he said. The Journal reported that the dedication would be postponed along with the other celebrations from the committee, which is no longer the case. “There was some confusion, for sure,” said John Ciccotelli, a spokesman for the lodge. “The town was going to have a larger celebration, and that's postponed now, but the Masons are carrying on.” Comeau said the committee's celebrations still are postponed, but he will be speaking at Sunday's event and supports the Masons' decision to move forward. “It's the right thing for them,” he said.

The Masons came up with the idea for the 8 foot obelisk, which will commemorate the Scottish freemasons who originally worked on the project. They also spearheaded the fundraising for the obelisk. Comeau said the monument was Ciccotelli's idea, so the Masons wanted to do the dedication while he still is their leader. “They're very intent on doing this while their Master is still their Master,” Comeau said. “It was his work that got this done, so it really is a sign of respect.”

The Masons and the community at large will gather first at the lodge for some snacks and socialization, and then move on to the base of the Viaduct on Neponset Street, where they will start the dedication at 4 p.m. Ciccotelli said they also will be burying a time capsule at the site of the monument.

“We're very excited about the capsule,” he said. “While the celebration might be a little smaller than first expected, the dedication and capsule will be very stirring.” The monument has been completed, and will be placed at the site on Sunday. “I've seen pictures of it, and it's really going to be very impressive,” Comeau said. The bridge was built as part of the Boston & Providence Railroad, and the giant structure was commissioned at the very start of steam power, with marks left on each and every stone by the freemasons. “There are very few national landmarks that are so accessible to the people,” Comeau said in a previous discussion with the Journal. “Not many 175-year-old structures are used every day, and it's one of the busiest lines in the country.” Comeau said the volunteer committee hasn't decided when they will have their next celebration, but they will definitely have some events in the spring. “The Viaduct isn't going anywhere,” he said. “And we sure aren't going anywhere.” While there was some confusion on the celebrations, Comeau said he has no doubts as to why the Viaduct is so important to the town. “There is no other structure like it in the entire county, so it speaks to the town's uniqueness and our willingness to innovate,” he said. “It really is a national landmark and an incredible feat of engineering right here in our town. It's worthy of celebration.”

On 10 October 2010 at 3:00 pm people will gather to dedicate a stone monument to remember the Freemasons who labored to build the historic Canton Viaduct 175 years ago. The Canton Viaduct is the longest existing freestanding stone railroad bridge of its kind in the world. This structure was built, owned and operated by laborers, and businessmen from the area. The viaduct structure was completed in 1835 and was built by stonemasons, many of whom were also Freemasons. Each stone in the Viaduct still bears the stonemason's mark etched into them to signify who carved it from the quarry, and many of those marks are also symbols of Freemasonry. The railroad track it carries served to link the cities of Providence and Boston as well as the towns in between, and had become a major stimulus in bringing large scale industry to Massachusetts communities and the rapidly developing United States which was being transformed by the Industrial Revolution during that era. It was built of such quality workmanship that it has been in continuous use ever since that time. Even today, it still conveys the Acela Bullet Train on its route to Washington DC. To commemorate the many Freemason stoneworkers who were instrumental in constructing the Canton Viaduct and to acknowledge its importance to the industrial development of America, members of Blue Hill Lodge AF&AM in Canton in conjunction with other Masons and members of the community served by the Canton Viaduct, have decided to erect a granite monument recognizing the contributions of these early builders. The Canton Viaduct Masonic Memorial will be a prominent and attractive monument erected at the east side base of the Viaduct within Viaduct Park off Neponset Street in Canton.

It will be a stone obelisk made of American quarried granite and will stand approximately 8 feet high. It will eventually serve multiple purposes: as a memorial to the Viaduct's Masonic builders, as a heliochronometer (sun dial), as a mile marker to Boston, and will mark the location of a small time capsule to be opened at the Viaduct's 300th Anniversary in 2135 AD.

Masons and non-Masons alike are invited to attend. Individuals wishing to observe or take part may gather at Blue Hill Lodge at 21 Church Street at 3:00pm for some socializing and light snacks and then proceed to the site of the memorial, or they may go directly to the site of the dedication at Viaduct Park, just west of the archway where Neponset Street crosses under the Viaduct. Off street parking is available. The dedication will begin at 4:00 pm at the park. All are welcome.



Here are some of the "funnies" our grandparents enjoyed.




The Old Tiler Talks

So Many Rascals
From the Old Tiler's Talk - by Carl H. Claudy, The Temple Publishers


Why are there so many rascals in the Fraternity, and why don't we turn them out?" asked the New Brother.

"You remind me," answered the Old Tiler, "of the recalcitrant witness whom the prosecuting attorney could not get to answer his questions with a categorical 'yes' or 'no.' 'I can't answer them that way,' the witness protested. 'All questions can be answered that way!' stormed the prosecuting attorney. 'All right,' came back the witness, like a flash, 'you answer me this: Have you stopped beating your wife yet?' Of course the prosecuting attorney couldn't answer that 'yes' or 'no' without admitting that he did beat his wife. And I can't answer your question without admitting that there are so many rascals in the Fraternity, when I know there are not!"

"You know what I mean!" continued the New Brother. "There are a lot of fellows in Freemasonry who have no business there. How did they get there and why don't we turn them out?"

"But do we know it? I have been tiling this lodge for a great many years. I know every man in it, many of them personally. I can't call to mind a single rascal. Even when I think hard I can't remember a single Mason among them all I'd like to see put out, can you?"

"I sure can! I know half a dozen I'd like to see out of this lodge!" answered the New Brother.

"Without telling me their names, you might mention one or two and tell me what they have done to you," suggested the Old Tiler.

"I didn't say they had done anything to me," answered the New Brother. "One man I have in mind has no business in this organization. He swears horribly. He is tough and uncouth. He doesn't 'belong.' I'd like to see him out."

"You mean O'Rourke, the Irishman? Why, man alive, he's one of our prize exhibits! A protestant Irishman is pretty rare anyhow, and when you have a two-fisted fighting variety like Paddy you certainly are off on the wrong foot. Suppose he does swear? Have you no fault which is as bad? Uncouth? What has that got to do with it? Paddy is there with brotherhood; he'll fight for or nurse you, lend to you or borrow from you, work for you or with you, just because you both speak the same language. I can't imagine anyone wanting Paddy out of the lodge."

"I didn't know all that," the New Brother excused himself. "There is another man; maybe I can describe him so you won't know him. He is very close with his money and he doesn't want the lodge to spend money. I don't say he is crooked, although I have heard stories about his business deals which looked queer. No one ever got the best of him in a deal. Men like that ought not to be in the great fraternity we have, which is supposed to be all virtue and open-handed giving."

"You talk like a book that was scrambled when it was written," retorted the Old Tiler. "I know perfectly well the man you mean. That's Taylor. I won't defend Taylor's reputation, because it's not a nice one. Taylor's young wife died when he didn't have money enough to send her west and ever since he has worshipped money, because it could have given him the one thing he wanted. Taylor is not a rascal; he is as honest as you. But he is exceedingly shrewd and he doesn't make any deals which don't come out his way. As for his not wanting to spend lodge money, do you?"

"Of course I do."

"Well, there you are. He doesn't, you do. You do, he doesn't. Neither attitude is rascally; it's just difference of opinion. He thinks our money should be saved, you think it should be spent. He is a smarter man than I am, or you are. But none of those things make him a rascal. In fact, now I think of it, there is only one man in our lodge who might be put out with benefit to the lodge!"

"I thought you said there were none!"

"I have just recalled one. He's a nice enough fellow on the surface, too. Good looking and decent appearing. But he carries a concealed weapon, which is against the law."

"Why don't you prefer charges against him?'' asked the New Brother.

''It's not that kind of a weapon," smiled the Old Tiler. "It's a verbal knife with which he stabs innocent people in the back. He hasn't very much sense and so he goes off halfcocked and shoots off his face before he knows what he is talking about. He sees evil where there is an appearance of evil instead of looking below the surface. He cannot see the leaves for the trees or the waves because there is so much water. And he hasn't yet learned several Masonic lessons, such as tolerance and brotherly love, even though he has been regularly initiated, passed, and raised. He was Masonicly vaccinated, but the virus didn't take. I don't want to see the brother put out of the lodge, because there is good in him. I'd rather see him stay here and learn. But if you really feel that he ought not to be in our lodge I'll show you how to do something no man in all this lodge has ever done before." "I'm afraid I don't quite understand . . . I'm afraid I do understand . . . I'm afraid . . . "

"Don't be afraid, boy. That spoils it all!" cried the Old Tiler. ''If you think this brother of whom I speak ought not to be among us, prefer charges against yourself. That will make you a reputation and get rid of a narrow-minded and intolerant Mason. But if you think this brother can learn, I'm willing to forget I ever heard him speak of any of his brethren as rascals and . . . "

". . . and try to remember that even a fool can be cured, if he has an Old Tiler for a doctor!" the New Brother finished the sentence for him.


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