10/10/07

Dear Brothers,

A whole year has passed since I have last written, as if you hadn't noticed.

Kyra and I are doing very well. Kyra made a career switch from retail to finance and is now the assistant branch manager at American General Financial, which she loves as it gives her a 9-5, Monday-Friday schedule. In her spare time, when I'm either at school or at working at earning her green belt in Taekwondo!

I am pleased to say that school is progressing well. I eagerly anticipate graduating in either Spring or Fall of 2009. My degree will be in Political Science, and Economics… go figure, right? Haha.

At Missoula 13, I was appointed Senior Deacon for this Masonic year. This may change depending on the results of the elections occurring in January due to the consolidation of Harmony 49 into Missoula 13. I'm enjoying my time as S.D. Moreover, I'm happy to finally see our lodge growing. There was more drama and less brotherhood last year, and it was painful to be absent from lodge, but even more painful to attend it. There was no direction, and the W.M. hadn't the slightest clue on how to open lodge, conduct a lodge meeting, close lodge, or put on degree work. To be truthful, it seemed like many lacked basic knowledge of Freemasonry. This hurts to admit, but as brothers, we need to hear it if we expect to get better. It was a tragedy, because many men stopped attending, and it was difficult to generate excitement for new men. The regular attendees seemed to be going through the motions, including myself. This year, however, I'm pleased to say that things are evolving quite well. Our W.M. Colbert Howell is a fantastic Mason and well organized I might add. Through his leadership we're better enabled to start new programs and initiatives to educate our Brothers, and generate excitement about being Masons. I am petitioning for a key through our Temple Board so that I can start up Saturday morning coffee!!! For all the reasons we do it at Euclid, we're gonna do it in Missoula as well!

Being made a Mason and serving as Junior Warden at Euclid is like growing up with a silver spoon in your mouth. It seems really easy to be critical of the way other lodges do things once you've seen the way things should be done. Way to go guys! Keep being that city on the hill in Montana. Just know that I'll be watching, and Missoula 13 is catching up.

I miss you all very much. Br. John D. my heart sunk when I was informed about your son. I am sorry for your loss. Br. Al Johnson, I'm sorry about Lillian! Kyra and I thought you two were the cutest couple. I was also very humbled to discover the passing away of W.B. Floyd Knobbs… I can remember the first Saturday morning coffee I attended (in Dec. '04) while W.B. Roger was fixing breakfast, Bro. Floyd showed me around. What a square guy! Though it's been seven months, I would be remiss if I didn't express my deepest sorrow for W.B. Jesse Shaw. Words cannot express my feelings… so I will not try as it still upsets me to think about. Trina, know that you are loved and thought about often. And finally, November 3rd will make two years since the passing of our beloved W.B. Dave Bakas. Ria and family, you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Gosh, trying to fit a years worth of sentiment and thought into one newsletter is difficult… most of you know why… because I'm the best at turning a three words sentence into a five paragraph essay. Haha… I had a lot on my mind… again, all is well… I miss you all very much. Call or write anytime… I will do my best to contribute to my cobwebbed corner in a more timely manner. Until next time… keep this in mind.

Wisdom cometh not by age, but by knowledge.

(ancient Roman proverb)

With Brotherly Love,

Gregory L. Treible

a.k.a. Puddin'

 

10/1/06

Brothers from Euclid!!!

Greetings from the West! 

‘Tis I once again, to update you as to the current goings on as Masonry in Montana rolls on… 

First and foremost, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention for those of you who may not already know, Kyra and I married on July 23^rd… so for those of you with dirty minds… HANDS OFF – lest I be forced to physically restrain you while reminding you of YOUR obligation! 

I am happy to say that I have been visiting Missoula #13 and am in the process of petitioning for a plural membership. (As it was explained to me by W. Br. “Sarge” Selk, Secy/ Missoula 13, a dual membership is reserved for those brothers who’s home lodge is ‘out of state’, therefore plural membership is reserved for those brothers who have relocated within the state of his home lodge) Pretty interesting…

Anyhow, I must say that I am emphatically enthralled to be honored with the privilege of spreading “the Euclid way” or should I say, carrying the Euclid torch. I have already Master’d one EA degree here, and was asked to Master another at our next meeting! The Brothers in Missoula have taken well to me. For that I am humbly well pleased. 

The U of M is treating me well thus far! As most of you are already aware, I am studying foreign relations with a minor in Chinese… I can’t wait to visit and share with you my new language. I am also currently interning for one of our two state Senators (who will remain nameless so as to not portray a bias of some sort) This should prove to be a very interesting platform from which my public service will expand. Next semester I will be interning for an organization more relevant to my studies in international politics – the UN Association USA, MT chapter. And these internships will culminate in a study abroad opportunity I would like to take advantage of -- in China!!! 

Well, I certainly wish Euclid’s WM Thom L. the best of luck during this new year. I’m sure Euclid will remain at the pinnacle of light yet again this year! I cannot wait to hear about it.

With married life moving extremely well… school’s on at full force, and while working to pay the bills, I must say that I’ve been very busy… but I will always take time to speak to my Brothers… so if you’ve got the time and wanna chat… give me a buzz… and with that I will close for now… May you all travel in peace and health.

Fraternally and Forever,

Gregory Treible, “puddin’”

 

4-21-2006

Dear Brothers and friends,

I have been terribly remiss in my commitment to this newsletter. I hope you'll pardon me for my negligence the past, let's see, 1-2-3 months… geez… 3 months… goodness. Anyhow… for those of you who are unfamiliar with us personally, but out of curiosity for Masonry you peruse our website, I'm back!!!

Much has occurred in the last few months. Let me update you Br. Ron, Br. Justin, Br. Anthony F., Br. Alex, are among others who have completed the path to light with respect to receiving the third and final degree of craft Masonry. It gives me great pleasure to finally call these fine gentlemen, Brothers, and have it actually mean something. 

Gents, you'll find that Masonry is much like a gyre of knowledge… you've got all these pieces of the puzzle, clues surrounding you everywhere you look. Your Masonic journey takes you through these gyres and allows you to funnel that "light" into something more powerful, highly concentrated. Then at last, when you think you've just about reached that point at which you are satisfied, you realize that the very end of that particular gyre in which you've just traveled only ends at the point that you find yourself on the outskirts of the top of another gyre. It's almost like our acquisition of scientific and technological knowledge that allows us to view outer space. Once we think we've reached the end… we quickly discover that we're trapped in a galaxy within another galaxy that perpetuates unto infinity. Mathematics gentlemen, mathematics… talk about sacred geometry.

I must wholehearted thank both W.Br. Roger C. and Br. Alan F. for the single-handed way in which they organized and executed an outstanding George Washington Convocation (Royal Arch, York Rite) and subsequently an ever-mind-imprinting experience in both the York Rite Council and culminating in the mind-blowing Consistory (Order of the Knights Templar) I am proud to be dubbed Sir Knight Puddn'!!!

The dining hall, and Saturday coffee hour meeting area painting jobs are coming along very well. I would like to offer many thanks to the Brothers assisting the Temple Board of Trustees with this project. Also, there are talks of paving our parking lot behind our magnificent temple… so thus shows how busy the spring and summer months can become. Last year the major project was our roof… and this should give you some indication as to what we're doing in name of temple beautification now. 

I want to say that I could go on forever with information in this newsletter, but I will pull it to a close for now. I hate to admit this, but on July 1st 2006 I will depart Great Falls, for Missoula to complete my undergraduates degree in Political Science, after which I am considering all options, but I'd like serve again by re-entering the USAF with a commission. My ultimate goal is to become a Professor of Political Science… the paths to get there are many, and I sincerely thank and appreciate all the time that my Brothers (you know who you are) have invested into guiding my many thought processes into a focus. I'll write more about my departure in the newsletters to come. Meanwhile, I will look for a worthy Brother to take over… Until next time, travel "LIGHT" and be well.

Gregory L. Treible -- Puddn'

Thought of the Week…

Does mankind have free-will, or are we guided by fate under the veil of free-will???