MAY COLUMN KING OSCAR LODGE
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TRESTLEBOARD & SPECIAL EVENT

May 1st May Day & Grand Master’s Festival
at the Scottish Rite
May 9th Mother’s Day
May 14th Stated Meeting - Police & Fire Fighter Dinner
May 28th Past Master Degree Night & steak Fry
May 31st Memorial Day
June 11th Stated Meeting
June 14th Flag Day
June 20th Fathers Day
June 25th Special Meeting
June 26th King Oscar’s Day at the Races
FROM THE EAST
Greetings;
I sincerely hope this finds each of you and your families well and looking forward to the coming months.
We’ve been busy. The Blood Drive, thanks to you, was a success. We harvested thirty or so pints, with forty attempted. Thanks to King Oscar brother, Vic Cibelli, Vice Commander of the second district, VFW of the State of Illinois, for joining with us for the second year. Let’s continue the partnership! All had a good time.
King Oscar officers, April 10, 2004, competed in the sixth Northeastern district’s ritual competition. Thanks to George Imlach and Howard Schermerhorn for filling chairs. We didn’t win, however you would have been proud of our officers. Expect great things from them in the coming years!
Keep your eyes open for flyers of coming events. First, Past Master’s Degree Night is May 28, 2004. Join us for a steak dinner and watch your Past Masters perform excellent work
Saturday, June 26, 2004, plan to attend King Oscar’s Day at the Races at Arlington Park. Starting time, 12:00 noon. Cost $ 35.00 per person, which includes the ticket to the park; four hours open bar, two hours buffet. Should be a “blast.”
The park has dress codes. For gentlemen: collared or polo shirts, slacks and dress shoes or loafers - sport coats are recommended. For ladies: conservative dresses, skirts and blouses, pantsuits or Capri pants. Sandals, pumps and loafers are acceptable. Denim, jeans, shorts, T-shirts, halter-tops, athletic shoes or abbreviated attire are not permitted. Dress requirements also apply to children.
There are NO REFUNDS.
Please RSVP to Russell Johnson by June 1, 2004.
Space is limited – first come first served.
Fraternally,
Craig Stewart, Worshipful Master

FROM THE NORTH & ELSEWHERE
April 4th while visiting the Royal Arch Chapter in Fairbury, Illinois, I was surprised to learn from a dinner napkin, courtesy the local National Bank, “bluestem” is the official grass of the State of Illinois. A little poem relative to “bluestem” praised the merits of the financial institution. The author was “unknown.” Exercising “poetic justice,” following is a “revised version:”
Just as the roots of the native
Bluestem grass sink deep into the
Prairie soil and contribute much to
It, so too the “roots” of Freemasonry
Reach deep into our communities.

Roots give us stability and provide
The basis of the absolute dedication
And commitment we have made to
The development and well being of
Our communities and members

ORDER of DE MOLAY - SKOKIE CHAPTER
The Order of De Molay, Skokie Chapter, has been having representatives of various fields of endeavor speak to their membership concerning the profession of the speaker. This is done to give the youngsters insight as to what they might encounter if they enter the profession of the speaker. Our fellow King Oscar Brother, Walter S. Falkowski, an urologist, Saturday afternoon, April 10, 2004, gave an excellent presentation explaining the various aspects of becoming a physician. This is one more example of “Masonry in action!”

THE ONE-DAY CLASS
Taken from “Letters to the Editor” published in the Winter 2003 issue of “Freemasonry Today” a British publication:
“I am a new brother who was raised in the New York Grand Lodge’s One-Day Class. I have the greatest respect for Masonry. The possibility of participating in this historic event was truly an initiatory experience for me. It may not fit within the context that most brothers call initiation. For me it was an event that put me in touch again with the Masonic atmosphere I experienced as an adolescent in the Order of De Molay.
“That brotherhood taught me many important lessons. In the initiation received in the lodge room as well as the interaction with my brothers. These experiences provided a perspective that taught me to be a moral stable citizen. That I could function in a free and democratic society with a sense of spiritual purpose myself and share it with others.
“Yes, I admit that I did not follow through and become a Mason when I became an adult. One’s wish to participate in something positive like Freemasonry is often frustrated by the intensity of the demands of contemporary life in North America. It is not easy to lead a successful life and find time to make connections with a fraternity such as Freemasonry.
“I was surprised there was an opportunity to become a Mason in one day. I do not feel this journey slighted me in any way. For some, the One- Day Class is the only means available to enter the world of Freemasonry.”
Signed, Alex T. Roshuk, Brooklyn, New York, United States
NOTE: Edited for conservation of space.

FLORIDA MASON GOLDEN WEB AWARD
The Florida Mason the official publication of the Florida Grand Lodge recently announced they have an award for web design. The “Florida Mason Golden Web Award” has been introduced to recognize Masonic bodies for outstanding web sites.

CORNER STONE LAYING - ILLINOIS MASONIC CHILDREN’S HOME - MURPHYSBORO, ILLINOIS - A GREAT DAY FOR ILLINOIS FREEMASONRY!
It was a warm, sunny, dry afternoon, Saturday, March 13th that welcomed a crowd of distinguished Masons their wives, neighbors, friends, City and County officials to participate in the “laying of the cornerstone” at our new children’s home.
The facility is truly a thing to behold.
Following the formal ceremony, tours and delicious refreshments were enjoyed.
When the weather becomes warmer a “neighborhood block party,” in celebration of the opening of the home, will be held. With great pride I share with you, my granddaughter, Sheri Cook, who lives three doors from the home, is assisting Theresa Miller, the home’s Associate Administrator, in arranging the event.
Brother William Kiser, the Administrator of both the LaGrange and
Murphysboro facilities, is looking forward to the planned neighborhood celebration. This is “true Freemasonry in action.”
Deservedly, we are popping our vest buttons!

RECEPTION - RITE WORSHIPFUL JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN
Most appropriately, the evening of March thirteenth, a reception for Illustrious Brother, Richard L. Swaney, our new Rite Worshipful Junior Grand Warden, was held at Southern Illinois University’s Student Center Ballroom. The place was “packed!”
I advisedly say “most appropriately” for it is acknowledged that “Rick” is the motivator who “kept the wheels moving” to “get the job done” in Murphysboro.
For your correspondent, the “whipped cream topping” of the two events was the privilege of meeting Rick’s father-in-law. He is Worshipful Brother Herbert P. Mullins, (not Moon, of the old comic strip), a native “Hoosier.” Brother Herbert is originally from Monticello, Indiana, only twenty-one miles from Logansport, the “stomping ground” of my youth.
NOTE: Rick, hope you are reading this, God bless!
Wish you to know the Excellent Grand Chaplain of the Grand
Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of the State of Illinois, reverently and fervently petitioned the Grand Architect of the Universe to provide great weather in Murphysboro Saturday, March 13, 2004.
SO MOTE IT BE!

LEST WE MIGHT FORGET – KING OSCAR LODGE HISTORY
In 1983 Bill Sandroff, our Tyler for many years, presided in the East. We moved from the Glenview Temple to Gale Street. Randy Becker, who compiled our Centenary History, wrote “I remember Bill as the most genuine and kindest gentleman I have ever known in my lifetime.”

WWW – WISE WORDS of WISDOM
Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow out your candle. Katherine Dunham - Dancer
One should know the value of Life better than to pout any part of it away. Hester Piozzi (1741-1821 ) Memoirist
To be free is to have achieved your life. Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) Playwright
What you are afraid to do is a clear indicator of the next thing you need to do. Unknown
No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched. George Jean Nathan (1882-1958)
Patience is never more important than when you are at the edge of loosing it. O. A. Battista
I didn’t really say everything I said. Yogi Berra
Life is an adventure of forgiveness. Norman Cousins (1915-1990
All men make mistakes, but married men find out about them sooner! Brother Richard “Red” Skelton
The virtuous need but few laws; for it is not the law that determine their actions, but their actions, which determine the laws. Theophrastus

MASONIC RECORDS
The longest family service to one Lodge: The Wilding family in Cheshire, England have tyled Lodge of Sincerity, No. 428, continuously since 1836, a total of 166 years. Brother Geoffrey Wilding, arranged for his son, Tony, to take over as Tyler in February of last year.
The oldest known English Freemason: Worshipful Brother Samuel Crabbe, who died aged 109, on July 23, 1990. He was born December 12, 1880; initiated in Dolphin Lodge No. 4464, Bristol, England, February 9,1927. At age 103 he joined the Royal Arch.
The oldest Masonic Hall in continuous use: In Scotland, Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, No.2 has been meeting at the same premises since December 18, 1736, a total of 267 years. NOTE: Taken from “Freemasonry Today” issue 28, an English publication.

OKLAHOMA INDIAN FREEMASONS VISIT ENGLAND
The South Fylde Group of the Province of West Lancashire, England, hosted the first ever visit outside the U, S. of the Oklahoma Masonic Indian Degree Team. The Grand Master of Oklahoma, Ronald Savoy Coppedge, accompanied the thirteen strong team.
During their two-week visit the team visited four different Lodges with a total of 1000 Brethren on the sidelines. Local Brethren in the form of hotel accommodations and a 45-seat motor coach gave support. The English sponsors managed to raise $ 15,000.00 to cover all the team’s expenses while in England. NOTE: Condensed from “Freemasonry Today” issue 28.

NORWEGIAN DAY PARADE IN NEW YORK
In May of last year, the Grand Master of New York, Brother Carl Fitje and his wife, Renee, joined his District Deputies and staff Officers in the annual Norwegian Day Parade in Brooklyn. The Grand Master was born in Brooklyn. He remarked: “it was wonderful to be in the parade and to see and speak to so many fellow Norwegians.” NOTE: From “The Empire State Mason.”

RELIGION – BROTHERHOOD
Associate Grand Chaplain of Louisiana, W. David A. Roach, made the following comments, reported in the July 2002 “Louisiana Freemason:”
“What good is Freemasonry today? Different religions today still distance themselves from each other. They may even worship and love the same God, but when it comes to working together against the common foe, they resist alliances. We are the very organization that gives men who belong to different institutions of high moral development a chance to work together for causes that our country and communities need most. We represent that kind of mutual effort. We build that kind of brotherhood.”
NOTE: How true, how true! Included in the March mailing from the Southern California Research Lodge.

APRIL BIRTHDAYS - MISSED IN OUR MARCH COLUMN
Just discovered I missed four brethren born the last few days of April; they are Louis E. Wilcox (28); Omar H. Iraqui (29); George L. Dressel, Walter S. Falkowski (30). Brethren, I sincerely apologize.
Attempt to list the birthdays a month in advance, so, if you wish, you may send a favorite brother a personal greeting. I goofed, just proves, we aint all perfect!

JUNE BIRTHDAYS
Thirty-eight brethren were born in the “Month of Weddings,” June. They are John Valencik, Howard Eck, Peter VanWanroy (1); Donald Weinberg, Kevin Besetzny (3); Leonard Peterson (4); John Siebert (5); Robert Shupp, Jerome Owens (6); Robert Babowice (7); Herbert Gonzales(8); John Helton (9); Ivan Broaddus, Warren Peterson, Richard Fagerman (10); Kenneth Lindgren, Melville Cook (11); Robert Patterson, Haskell Jefferson (13); Norman Anderson (15); Anthony Scipione Jr. (16); Michel Langdon (17); Gregory Bryant, Marvin Iverson ( 20); Earl Heppner (22); John Davidson (23); Gary Chanoux (24); Edward Shimanek, Gilbert Llovet (25): Donald Lind (26); Ray Almgren (27); Manuuel Mateo, Stanley Freese, Manuel Salgado (28); Almer Edhal (29); Danilo Auro, Irvin Ray (30).
Happy Birthday brethren, may God bless. So mote it be! Another year has “hit the dust!”_

SICKNESS & DISTRESS
None reported!
We repeatedly ask: if YOU know of someone that is ill or in distress
PLEASE LET US KNOW!

OBITUARIES
Brother Henry J. Orians was born May 11, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois. He was initiated December 28,1956, passed February 28, 1957 and raised March 28, 1957. Brother Orians passed this life March 16, 2004. He was a Master Mason nearly 47 years.
Brother Harold A. Hansen was born November 3, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois. He was initiated October 22, 1951, passed November 12, 1951 and raised November 26, 1951. Brother Hansen laid down the working tools of life March 18, 2004, having been a Master Mason nearly 53 years.
Brother William C. Dixon was born February 14, 1934 in Chicago. Illinois. He was initiated August 11, 1966, passed September 8, 1966 and raised September 22, 1966 in Community Lodge #1005. He served as Master of that lodge in 1979. Brother Dixon also served as Secretary of Providence Lodge # 711 for a number of years. He was a Master Mason for nearly 38 years. Brother Dixon surrendered the working tools of earthly endeavors April 7, 2004.
Thus endeth the mortal existence of three just and upright Masons. They now sit at the right hand of the Grand Master of the Universe. May their souls rest in peace.

“We little knew that morning,
God was going to call your name,
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to loose you,
You did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you,
You are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.”
Author unknown.

CLOSING
As the old saying reads, “ March winds bring April showers, the showers bring May flowers.” Along with these occurrences we look forward to green grass, the return of the birds from Southern environs, like a lot of our affluent seniors.
These positives are normally followed by the arrival of dandelions
crab-grass, mosquitoes, poison ivy and other such summer accompaniments which keep us humping to exterminate them.
Oh, forgot two of the super “welcomed arrivals,” strawberries and rhubarb. Love them each by themselves but mix them together in good old fashion pie dough - you have my favorite pie! AMEN, so mote it be!
Until next time, God bless!
Whispering George C. F.

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