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Lodge Minutes

5/03/05 Newsletter

6/06/07

Brother Bill Hunter gives us the following report on our "unofficial" Bikes for Books program. We did two schools this June, Whittier and Longfellow. Here is his Longfellow report. Please pardon the caps, he was excited.

HELLO BROTHERS!

HERE IS A REPORT ON THE FOR BIKES FOR BOOKS AT LONGFELLOW:

THE RESPONSE FROM THE CROWD WAS VERY GOOD... Br. TOM DUFFY GAVE EVERYONE (ADULTS AND KIDS) A PIECE OF LIQUORICES AS THEY CAME INTO THE AUDITORIUM. THEY GAVE A BIKE TO RACINE LaF… FROM THE 6TH GRADE AND A BIKE TO WARD M. FROM THE 4TH GRADE. THEY ALSO GAVE A BIKE TO DALTON L. FROM THE 6TH GRADE FOR DISTINGUISHED EFFORT IN OUR PROGRAM AND HIS SCHOOLWORK OVERALL.

LONGFELLOW SCHOOL'S BOOK CHALLENGE PROGRAM IS IN ITS SECOND YEAR. BUT THIS YEAR THEY WERE JUST TELLING THE KIDS THEY WOULD GET AN AWARD FOR READING BOOKS, WHEN I OFFERED TO DONATE BIKES FROM THE MASONS. IT JUST ADDED THAT PERFECT TOUCH TO THE PROGRAM AND THEY WERE VERY HAPPY TO BE PART OF OUR BIKES FOR BOOKS THIS YEAR. SO THEY GAVE OUT EIGHT OTHER BIKES THAT THEY BOUGHT WITH THEY OWN MONEY. I INVITED ALL PARENTS TO BRING THEIR KIDS TO THE GREAT FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY ON SATURDAY BETWEEN 10AM AND 4PM TO GET A LIBRARY CARD.

I FEEL THAT OUR PROGRAM WAS A GREAT SUCCESS AND RECOMMEND THAT WE DO THIS NEXT YEAR.

BILL HUNTER

11/20/06  In light of the rave reviews of Br. Anthony Pfleger's cooking, and the highly successful Harvest Dinner he prepared. Br. Anthony has graciously conceded to popular demand for a copy of his recipe. Just so you know what a generous act this is, I've known cooks who've taken their favorite recipes to the grave instead of revealing them. Here is Br. Antnee's gift.

Italian Wedding Soup

10/29/06   Two young Americore volunteers found their way down to coffee with the permission of our Lodge Secretary Br. Glenn to give us a little talk on a program the Consumer Credit Counseling organization is running this year to help people making under 40,000.00 a year with their taxes. This program is designed to help middle and low income families get an earned income tax credit. The tax preparation program is free. To their credit, the brothers listened very politely. Then we regaled the both of them with coffee, donuts and good natured banter. About an hour and a half later they left.

Of course, Br. Alan took them on a tour of the temple. Br. Alan has the rather unique ability to point out a crack in the ceiling and somehow relate that to some arcane secret associated with the craft and leave the listener with the distinct feeling they have been granted a rare and privileged peek into the depths of the hidden knowledge of Freemasonry. Of course, we know he is full of effluvia. But our guests are duly impressed and I suppose that is all that matters.

Br. Tim Ryan was caught trying to make coffee and was reprimanded. Last year he made a pot and it was gawd awful having both the flavor and appearance of raw sewage. Br. Jerry Hall, among others, threatened never to come to coffee hour again if Br. Tim was let anywhere near the coffee pot. When he was confronted today by several of the brothers with the coffee scoop in his hand, he tried to feign innocence and ignorance of there ever having been a problem. He was escorted to his seat, and a disaster was averted.

I am sorry to report a grievous outrage occurred at coffee hour. Worshipful Brother Anthony K. had his apple fritter stolen. He had ducked into the kitchen to get our Americore guests some forks and when he returned, his pastry was missing, and his cup of coffee had been moved. Now, there may be some things lower than stealing another man’s donut. But I can’t think of any at the moment. The culprits took great amusement in Brother Anthony’s searching high and low for his apple fritter and even went so far in their evil deed as to offer assistance in looking for it. The only comfort to be had in all this is that when divine justice is meted out at the end of history, the both of them will be roasting in Hell over some sulpherous fire with a spit running from their keester through their open mouths, while Br. Anthony looks down from the celestial coffee and donut hour in Heaven while eating his apple fritter made to perfection in the Kitchens of the Kingdom.

Br. Anthony P. announced that he and his wife are expecting their fourth child. This was met with general applause and hearty congratulations. They don’t know the sex of the baby yet, and prefer to wait until it is born. Br. Anthony will also be preparing a fine cooked and genuine Italian meal for our Harvest Dinner on November 16^th. It is hoped all the brothers and their wives will attend. The cost will be a very reasonable $8.00 per person including beverages and dessert.

Our Br. Ron F. will be leaving the military soon as an intelligence officer and will be returning to his home stomping grounds of the Philadelphia-New Jersey area. Both he and his wife are looking forward to it. Although, Br. Ron says the only thing he will really miss about Great Falls is the Lodge and the brothers.

Worshipful Brother Jessie Shaw, who was our Worshipful Master last year, made a rare and welcome appearance at coffee hour. He was wearing his Griz hat. Of course, the University of Montana Griz are the majority of the brothers favorite football team. We don’t talk much about that other football team from our state agricultural college in Bozeman. Well, not publicly anyway; and if at all, it is usually in a low whisper.

10/27/06  Well, the winds of autumn have finally arrived. They are a little late this year, or so it seems.
They came last night. I was lying in my bed just beginning to drift off to sleep, and I heard what seemed to be a chestnut rolling across my roof. But I wasn't sure what it was. So I got up. Checked it 
out. Nothing but the wind blowing stuff around. 

We've had such a long and beautiful Indian summer. We've grown so accustomed to the trees' beautiful
autumnal gowns of yellows and reds, that after today's winds, it will be a shock to see so many of them
stripped bare. Looking like a nude model Twiggy, who definitely was more appealing with her clothes on.

Tomorrow is coffee and donut hour down at the Lodge, and I think Br. Roger will be making pancakes.    Its just the kind of weather that requires a hearty breakfast to begin the day. Hopefully, Br. Al will turn up the boiler so we have heat. If he does, and its warm, the brothers will be there 
until early afternoon playing pool or practicing degree work. 

10/15/06  Well Br. Jeffery A. is off to Iraq along with his wife Miss Erin, who is also in the Air Force. Our favorite Brother Kelly J. has also been re-deployed by the Army to Iraq this month. In light of the lack of some of the basics being provided to the troops (based upon our past experience with our brothers being sent over there) we will be forming a committee to send care packages over. We've already told them all they have to do is ask us and we will see that they get it.

We had a tremendous turnout for coffee hour. The downstairs was packed. Br. Roger out did himself with a pancake, egg and bacon breakfast. The brothers were in bliss. Although all the food was excellent, Br. Roger has a way with pancakes. I've had many good and memorable pancakes in my life, but there is something special about a Br. Roger pancake that you just can't put your finger on. One thing I've noticed, is you do not want to talk or interrupt any brother when he is focusing on the indescribable and unabated  joy and pleasure of eating a Br. Roger pancake.

Br. Anthony Keel gave his EA proficiency on Saturday with his coach Senior Warden Br. Alan Frohberg asking the questions. Br. Anthony did a fine job and we were very well pleased with him. Br. Sean and Br. Justin showed up for coffee much to our surprise. They've had a pretty grueling schedule with the military and were pleased and relieved to finally make it down to see the brothers.  Br. Anthony P. also showed up having dropped his wife off at the Great Falls convention center for the Women's Conference being held there. This elicited a general conversation among the brothers that resulted in a consensus agreement that the Lifetime Channel and Daytime Soap Operas should be banned from TV.

Of course, there were many other interesting conversations, both general and private which you could tell all the brothers enjoyed. We had a few guests. One of our Brothers from Mobile, Alabama showed up with his son and his son's friend to visit us. They appeared to be having a good time as well. Br. Jerry mentioned that he had a great time on Br. Roger's Trip for the Craft to Havre. His wife Miss Penney, who has not been well for awhile, made the trip too. She lived in Havre from 1935 to 1939. She enjoyed herself very much. The brothers took the tour of underground Havre and found it very fascinating.

The Worshipful Master did not attend Saturday coffee hour. Which was just as well as it gave us an opportunity to talk about him and abuse him in his absence.

Worshipful Brother Tom Duffy is on cloud 9. His daughter has a fiancé. Worshipful Br. Anthony was visiting him the other day with Br. Mike Renne. While talking to Br. Tom, Br. Anthony noticed that in back of Br. Tom, there was a young man being rather familiar with his daughter, even venturing so far as to give her a kiss. While she seemed to make no protest to this behavior, Br. Anthony knowing how Br. Tom feels about any one taking an interest in his daughter, alerted him with due and timely noticed that some young fellow was taking liberties with the young lady. Br. Tom took a quick look and turned back as if this was as usual as the sun coming up in the morning, and off handedly remarked that this was her fiancé and proceeded to pick up the conversation right where he left off when Br. Anthony expressed his surprise. 

6/21/06 We had a pretty good turnout at our June 20th meeting. Technically, this was our Worshipful Master Brother Jessie's last meeting presiding as Master of the Lodge. So lots of fine words were spoken on his behalf; and he gave a very poetic and well delivered opening and closing to the Lodge. We also admitted as a new member another Brother from Texas last night. Worshipful Brother Anthony, who has long maintained we should return Texas to Mexico along with a note of apology, objected on the grounds that this would only serve as an encouragement for other Texans to petition the Lodge, and he didn't think he could handle any more. However, he did admit that Brother Gene was a decent fellow and that for the harmony of the Lodge, it would be easy enough to pretend Brother Gene hailed from Louisiana.

Our Junior Warden, Br. Puddin (Greg Triebel) announced he was moving to Missoula to attend the University of Montana. As much as we shall miss him, we are very proud of him attending the U of M. This, in spite of our Senior Warden's Tom Lehotsky's fantasies that this should be an MSU Bobcat Lodge. It is, in fact, very much a UofM Griz Lodge. Since many of the Brothers have gone there.  Br. Puddin announced he would continue his column as a Traveling Brother and give us the occasional timely account of his adventures and reflections.

Our Secretary Br. Glenn recently returned from a trip to Alaska to visit his daughter and grandson. His only comment to this point was that at this time of year, Alaska never goes dark.

The Brothers were excited anticipating their visit to Grand Lodge this weekend. Br. Alan complained that the Masonic Motorcycle Club tapped him to be the one to carry their luggage in his van and to follow them up on their ride to Havre. He was protesting the injustice of this to the Worshipful Master over the laughter of the members of the Motor cycle club present in the Lodge. As pitiful as his pleas were, they didn't elicit much sympathy. All the other Brothers were just glad they weren't asked to do it.

Br. Anthony Pfleger jumped in at the end to perform the role of the Junior Deacon and did a sterling and nearly flawless first time close. The Brothers were very impressed.

Of course, lots of business was discussed including installation of officers, the 4th of July Parade and Barbecue, and other issues to numerous to mention here as Worshipful Brother Jessie wrapped up his year. We adjourned to the Master's Table which consisted of ice cream with a variety of toppings from butterscotch and strawberry to chocolate. As an added treat, there was whipped cream to add to the top.

1/6/06  Brother Roger should not be allowed to combine coffee with vitamin pills. Overcome with energy, he decided this morning that the entry way into the Lodge dinning room should be painted. He had everyone scurrying around like an army of ants scooping up stuff and stowing it away until the painting is ended.

When asked what color he was going to paint the walls, Br. Roger said he didn't know. It all depended on what color Br. Mark W. was going to donate.  Br. Hank L. , Br. Roger's second in command, was a strong advocate for the color puce. Which he pointed out would beautifully compliment his new designer painting T shirt he bought specially for the project. We all looked at him. But no one said anything, much less took the suggestion seriously. That's the thing. When someone's your brother, you put up with this kind of stuff. Masonry is all about toleration, even of poor color choices. However, Br. Anthony did comment that he'd much rather endure the nauseating mint green it now is than have to deal with looking at puce.  He said he supposed if we were looking to turn the dining room into a cat house, puce wouldn't be such a bad color.

Br. Dan S. was assigned the task of removing the coat hangers, but got sidetracked with marveling over all the assorted novel designs and pretty colors. It's like he never saw a coat hanger before, even though he must have passed the things hundreds of times in the last 6 years. I looked at Br. Roger and said this is going to be a long project. With luck, we'll have it done by our 200th anniversary.

Which brings me to my point. There are times, when just eating a donut and drinking a cup of coffee, should be energy enough to expend on a Saturday. 

Three Brother Anthony's.  It should be mentioned that since September, we added two more Br. Anthony's to the Lodge. At first, the original Br. Anthony was glad to have another namesake in the Lodge. Now, the name seems about as common as Bob.

12/17/05  Some of you may remember reading the special warning issued last week ( see below) where Brother Mark W. inadvertently poured coffee on W. Br. Anthony's wrist and hand. Apparently, this was no mere accident. Protesting the coffee prohibitions against them, both Br. Mark and Br. Tim R. used as their excuse the fact that although they were in the 4th of July Parade, Br. Anthony made no mention or acknowledgement of their participation.  Patiently enduring this stinging rebuke, Br. Anthony kindly pointed out that had they worn their black suits as he told them to, they would have had their picture taken and their participation would have been acknowledged. However, in order that brotherly love might prevail, and  even though the coffee prohibitions against them must still remain in force for the betterment of the Lodge, Br. Anthony does apologize to the brothers for not publicly acknowledging their parade participation sooner, and very much regrets that he did not take their picture for the website. And Br. Anthony hopes that next year when he tells them to wear a black suit for the parade, they will do so.  He doesn't want to see anymore of these sissy cream colored summer suits that only the Knights of Birmingham would wear in a parade.

12/10/05  SPECIAL WARNING: The following is a list of brothers who are not allowed to either make coffee or pour coffee at the Therapeutic Coffee and Donut  Hour.

Not Allowed to Make Coffee:

Worshipful Br. Jerry DeM.  The resulting caramel colored swill is not even fit to serve your hated in-laws, much less the in-laws you like.

Br. Tim R.   Somehow, and I don't know how, he has learned his coffee making skills from Br. Jerry. If you see him anywhere near the coffee making machine, give your brothers due and timely notice.

Not Allowed to Pour Coffee:

Br. Mark W.   Proceeded to miss the cup and pour coffee over Worshipful Brother Anthony's hand and wrist. Fortunately, the coffee had gone cold at that point. So there was no physical damage, just the mental trauma which continues.

11/20/05  Brother Dan S. patiently scours ebay for Masonic items related to Great Falls. His two latest coups were a picture postcard of the Temple in 1924 (see photogallery) and a Grand Lodge coin from 1919 featuring the Great Falls Temple on one side. A photo of this will be forthcoming. Br. Dan very generously  donated these to Euclid and they will form the founding objects d' art of our new Euclid Gentlemen's' Cabinet of Masonic Curiosities.

10/18/05   Brother Marty is back in Great Falls for a few weeks from Korea to visit his new son who was born on October 13th. (See photo gallery).  We are very much looking forward to seeing him at coffee and hearing his stories of his adventures in Korea. Of course he is floating on Cloud 9 with the little one's birth. He did drop by to say hello to the Worshipful Master at his work place. Worshipful Jesse informed us at the Lodge meeting he offered to take Br. Marty out for a celebratory beer. But Br. Marty said he had to get home early because it was his turn to change diapers. The brothers were stunned and incredulous upon hearing this.  The thought that any man would prefer changing a diaper to the pleasure of a beer was alarming and inconceivable. It was discussed at some length after lodge around the Master's table whether or not we should do an intervention. But Brothers, who have had children, reassured us this was only a temporary aberration. That soon enough he'll get his fill of changing diapers. Indeed, after about the 50th diaper, he'll be praying for a beer.

If you have a new pickup truck, don't tell Worshipful Brother Tom D. Brother Tom has spent the last year sealing our Temple roof. The final portion required the removal of about 15 garbage bags full of pigeon droppings before they could even begin the process of sealing it. A brother, who shall remain nameless, had just purchased a brand new, spiffed up, pickup truck; and was prevailed upon by Br. Tom to assist with the cleanup. Rather than cart 15 bags of pigeon droppings down the stairs, Br. Tom decided it just  might be easier to drop the bags from the roof right into the back of the truck. As a test, he threw one over the side of the building; and it dropped smack dab in of the middle of the truck bed before exploding and covering the entire truck with pigeon poop. The owner was having a coronary. But Br. Tom, who has a much admired reputation among the brothers for his ability to dispassionately assess the reality of any given situation,  figured since the damage had already been done, he might as well go ahead and throw the other 14 down there are as well. To his credit, he did take the truck to the car wash. Right after he dropped the traumatized owner off at the hospital emergency room for treatment for shock. On the bright side, Br. Tom reports that the roof is now finished and good for some 35 plus years with minor maintenance.

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