Sept 6 Labor Day
Sept 10 Annual Meeting
Sept 24 Special Meeting
Sept 26 Installation
Oct 8 Stated Meeting
Oct 8 & 9 Grand Lodge
Oct 11 Columbus Day
Oct 16 Sweetest Day
Oct 22 Special Meeting
Oct 31 Halloween
FROM THE EAST
Brethren & Friends:
This is my last “Letter from the East” as your Worshipful Master. Let me first say, as it has been said many times: THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR OF SERVING AS AN OFFICER EIGHT YEARS AND BEING YOUR WORSHIPFUL MASTER THIS YEAR!
In the past when a Master made such a statement, I really didn’t understand its significance, just thought he needed to say something pleasing. But the expression has new meaning for me. I will never have the opportunity to be Master of King Oscar again. In our hundred and six years there has never been a brother repeating his term in the oriental chair. Past Masters of our lodge comprise a very unique club. I doubt many lodges can boast such an enviable record.
I wish to thank our officers for their support, hard work, and friendship. It is their working together with the brethren that makes King Oscar so special.
Thanks to Howard Schermerhorn for getting me involved in Freemasonry. Ben Zwick for spending many Sundays eight years ago as my mentor. We watched few Bears losses together, thanks, Ben.
Russ, at my first meeting as a Master Mason, pulled me from the sidelines and placed me in the Marshall’s chair, I had no idea what was going on. Russ told me to sit there and when he pointed to me to close the door. (Did not think it would be an eight year commitment.)
Two other brothers helped me with rod work when I was a Steward; they were Jim and Chuck Rabishaw. I would meet them at the Evanston Temple on Sunday mornings. God bless them.
Brethren of King Oscar Lodge, THANKS for patting me on the back when I did something well and offering kind and courteous advice when I didn’t do so well. We always enjoyed the experiences.
Rich Johnson handed me the Master’s gavel last September, I hope I’ve added something. Bruce, I’ll be handing you the gavel and with the blessing of the Brethren you can make it a little easier for the officers coming up th line.
God bless, and THANKS AGAIN!
Fraternally
Craig Stewart
Worshipful Master

FROM THE NORTH & ELSEWHERE
Brethren:
“Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.”
I believe I was once told this phrase was (possibly still is) used in learning the “touch system” of operating a typewriter. Personally I still “HPCE.” That is “hunt, peck, curse and erase.”
Let that be as it may. The matter now at hand; renovation of the Jefferson Masonic Temple is well underway. Part of this venture, for the benefit of those of us who can no longer easily negotiate stairs, is to provide an elevator to the lodge hall.
Stairs do not “grow on trees,” they cost money.
You now have the opportunity to “aid and assist worthy needy brethren” who cannot climb stairs. We ask that you assist this effort by contributing what ever you can to the “Elevator Fund” and suggest a minimum contribution of fifty dollars. A plaque will be prepared acknowledging, for time immemorial, your name and the extent of your generous contribution.
Please give this serious consideration. More will follow in a separate mailing.

PICNIC AUGUST 1, 2004
Sunday, August 1st lodges of the sixth district of the Northeastern Area joined together for a great Masonic picnic at LaBaugh Woods on North Cicero Avenue. Well in excess of three hundred attended. The usual hot-dog, hamburger, bratwurst, corn-on-the-cob, Swedish-pop, Coke, Pepsi, root beer, chopped-onions, mustard, catsup, relish, watermelon and tomato bill-of-fare was of gourmet excellence. The table manners were of the “usual picnic” genre “gobble, gobble!”
From personal observation everyone, old, young, ancient, skinny, fat, obese, under-nourished etc. had a GREAT time.
To all the brethren who diligently labored to insure the success of the event, BIG, BIG THANKS, GUYS oops BRETHREN!

DEATH of LYNNE SULLINS
The beloved wife of Past Grand Master Charles H. Sullins passed away Wednesday August 11, 2004. King Oscar Lodge expresses its sorrow in this great loss. Most Worshipful Brother Sullins, our sincere condolences to you and your family. May Almighty God be with you and yours in these grievous days.

TEMPLE RENOVATION
The lawn area where the flag pole stands has been “bricked in” and looks “mighty spiffy.” Heating and air conditioning units are being installed. New gutters have been hung. The ground area next to the old police station parking lot has been “dug up” and replaced by “sparkling decorative stone.” New thermo pane windows are now in place. As of this writing new dry walls were being “nailed to the new studs” in the area where the pool tables have been located, that area is housing the new heating equipment.

HELP HELP HELP
Brethren and friends, any of you able bodied male individuals who can drive a nail, spread a bit of paint where required, push a broom, mop a floor, dust furniture or lend a helping hand in any manner, should willingly volunteer your services to our “Superintendent of Renovation,” Russell E. Johnson. Contact him at 847-966-2471 home phone, 847-965-1257 FAX or russelljohnson@juno.com e-mail. The lodge will forever be grateful and it should make YOU FEEL GOOD! YOU HEAR?? GOD BLESS! SO MOTE IT BE!

LEST WE MIGHT FORGET - KING OSCAR LODGE HISTORY
In 1987 and 1988 America witnessed U.S. Soviet cooperation with Michail Gorbachev and President Reagan, the winding down of the Cold War. Irwin Dahlstrom and Robert Marchi continued the King Oscar traditions. NOTE: From “Centenary Celebration 1898 - 1998” compiled by Worshipful Brother “Randy Becler.”

WWW WISE WORDS of WISDOM
There are two very difficult things in the world. One is to make a name for oneself and the other to keep it. Walter Schumann
You can’t please everybody if you are going to make a difference in this world. Melvin Chapman –Educator
Even on the springboard to success, you have to bounce a little. Zig Ziglar –Speaker
It often takes more courage to change one’s opinion than stick to it. Georg Christopher Lichtenberg (1742-1799) Philosopher
Choices are the hinges of destiny. Edwin Markham (1852-1940) Poet
Horse sense is what keeps horses from betting on what people will do. Author Unknown
It is easier to have the vigor of youth when you are old than the wisdom of age when you are young. Richard J. Needham – Writer
“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Oath taken by athletes competing in the Special Olympics
Allowing ourselves to be open to sorrow will also keep us open to joy. Kathy Ireland, model and CEO

“WELTER’S WELL” of WORTHY WORLD WIDE MASONIC TRIVIA
In 1872 the Commissioner of Patents held that the Masonic emblem could not be used in a trademark or trade name for commercial purposes.
Fredrick A. Bartholdi, a freemason designed the Statue of Liberty. The cornerstone was laid August 5, 1885.
Operative Lodge #150 in Aberdeen, Scotland is unusual in that it is open only to operative masons.
The Rev. William Dodd, first Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of England, was hanged for forgery on June 2nd 1777.
NOTE: Frank, again we thank you!

MASONIC RESTORATION FOUNDATION
Brother Dennis Chornenky, an American freemason, having studied the decline of the Craft in the United States, traveled to Europe to better understand the history and structure of European freemasonry and the reasons for its success. Having visited numerous lodges in close to a dozen European countries he returned to the United States. On the basis of the knowledge and experience gained, he founded, with the support of well known and respected American Masonic leaders and scholars, The Masonic Restoration Foundation.
If you are interested in learning more of the foundation and its work visit website <www.masonicrestoration.com>
NOTE: From a two-page article in the summer 2004 issue of “Freemasonry Today,” an excellent publication from England.

DETROIT MASONIC TEMPLE FOUNDATION
A year or two ago, in this column was a “blurb” about the world’s largest
Masonic Temple, it has 550,000 square feet of floor space and 11,260, 393 cubic feet of air space. When it was built it was the only edifice in the world with three theaters under one roof. It has over 1000 rooms and is located in Detroit, Michigan.
Masonry started in Michigan in April of 1764. The Masonic Temple
Association of Detroit opened the present building January 24, 1926. Now for the first time, a foundation is being formed to preserve this great Temple! It is classical Gothic architecture with facing of Indiana limestone, which is reminiscent of the massive medieval castles of old.
NOTE: From the July 2004 “Emessay Notes” published by the
Masonic Service Association.
CORRESPONDENT COMMENT: It just occurred to me - three years following the Detroit Temple’s opening, the beautiful Scottish Rite Cathedral of Indianapolis, Indiana was completed, (1929.) At that time I was a sixth grade student, living in Indiana’s capital city. Following completion of the new cathedral; Sunday afternoons, over the radio were aired carillon concerts from the cathedral’s “ huge set of bells.” My family never missed listening to those, beautiful to the ear, concerts. Fond memories of “long ago!”
This year is the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral.

ENTERED APPRENTICE DEGREE LECTURES - DRAMATIZED
From “News From the Lodges” April 2004 “The Idaho Freemason.”
January 28th, Eagle Rock Lodge # 19 of Idaho Falls, presented the second and third lectures of the Entered Apprentice Degree using “exemplification / dramatization.” The team consists of ten participants, of which seven have speaking parts.
The dramatization doesn’t change the meaning of the lecture. It simply depicts what is said and makes it much more interesting and understandable. This is especially true for the candidate who, for the first time, is supposed to be learning about Freemasonry.
The props include, in addition to the Great and Lesser Lights, a charter, trestleboard, rough and perfect ashlars, point within circle supported by two parallel lines.
The furnishings of the Lodge are in no way altered.
The presentation was prepared by MWPGM R. Dix Hoffman, after having viewed a similar performance in Nevada. The brethren of Eagle Rock Lodge provided much assistance in the effort. Copies of the script are available from the Idaho Grand Lodge Office.
NOTE: From the July mailing of the Southern California Research Lodge F & AM.
CORESPONDENT COMMENT: Sort of “goes along” with my views relative to a “better way” of presenting lectures, as outlined in our January 2004 column. Just because “its always been done this way” doesn’t mean there isn’t “a better way” to do it in 2004 and beyond!
This year we initiated the “Iowa Plan,” an additional way, revolutionary to Illinois, which has worked well in other jurisdictions in increasing membership.
Why should we not try methods, revolutionary to Illinois, which are
used in other States, that more intelligibly present lectures? Copies of the “exemplification / dramatization” script, developed by Idaho’s PMWGM R. Dix Hoffman are available from the Idaho Grand Lodge Office.
Lectures are the very first opportunity we have to properly expose
a candidate to understandable Masonic Education! Proper knowledge - an excellent member retention tool, guaranteed!

THE DOOR WAS SHUT!
“The Federal Government said – ‘No, we simply will not deal with 49 individual Grand Lodges, we would certainly like to have the support of Freemasons but you need one organization to represent you.’ This is how The United States government reacted to an offer of Masonic support for our troops in World War I.
“The Masonic Service Association came into existence as a result of
this decision and, because it was finally recognized that there were cases where a national organization, working on behalf of all Freemasons, could serve a useful purpose. It happened in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1918. Initially, the primary function of the MSA was to support our military personnel.
“From that modest beginning the long road to where MSA is today was undertaken.
“Today, MSA has four basic functions: (1) Education / Publications, (2) V. A. Hospital Visitation, (3) Disaster Relief, (4) Public / Media Relations.”
NOTE: From a presentation to the Iowa Lodge of Research in May of 2004, by Brother Richard E, Fletcher PGM of Vermont and currently the Executive Secretary - Treasurer of the MSA, included in the July 2004 “Short Talk bulletin.”
Next month another segment of Brother Fletcher’s presentation concerning the MSA will be reported.
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OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
The month of October “brought to light,” for the very first time forty-eight of our brethren. Reflects activity of the cold month of February. Those “forty-eighters” are: Sidney Lazar, Bjorn Skaalerud (91); Charles A. Thompson Jr, Paul O. Hammerberg, George W. Tonn (5); Joseph D. Seckelma (6); Richard J. Destree (7); Walter E. Roehrig (8); Viador Y. Gonzales (9); Kurt A. Bloom, Tyler J. Reid, Alan R. Randau, Philip R. Thomas (10); Joseph W. Jackson, Edward L Witas III (11); John W. Erickson, Elswoorth L. Cobble, Ronald D. Bellinger (13); Kurt O. Ronnegren, Heinz O. Freese, Peter G. Ganios (14); Roy P. Schimmel (15); Gary L. Groat (16); Norbert A. Piasecki, Harry A. Jackson (17); Peter C. Sneddon (18); Dusan Ciran, James M. Denton, Charles E. Knoblock, John S. Anderson (19); Theodore H. Johnson (31): Merritt D. Berg, John G. Vilanueva (22); Paul G. Collins, Stanley J. Jurczak (24); Jo;yon B. Frenzel (25); William R. Beiesdorf, Pete Trontis, William J. Eitel (26); Bernard Dakof (27); Edgar S. Hammerberg, Harvey L. Hensen, Daniel Salgado, Benjamin J Gierman ( 28); John D. Magaha II, Warren T. Hanson (29); Stephen K. Costa, Richard A. Kufal (31).

SICKNESS & DISTRESS
Randy Becker is now in the York Rite home in Paxton. His wife is expected to be joining him there in the near future.
Bill Bissen had a trip back to the hospital. He is now at the nursing home. It is reported he is undergoing strenuous therapy

CLOSING
Summer vacation, for the young and employed, (gainfully, I trust) is a memory! School is back in session and Mother has a bit of time for herself! Really, do you Mom? “A mother’s work is never done! Dad’s is but from dawn to dust,” or something like that. Sorry Dad ‘tis true, ‘fess up.
Much sooner than we like, the sharp winds of winter, ice and snow will be upon us. Make sure the snow blower is in tiptop operating condition. Have your automobiles (machines, they were called eons ago, when I was a youngster) “winterized!”
Masonic bodies are dusting off the lethargy of being “dark” for a couple of months and are preparing (we hope) for Grand Lodge October 8th and 9th. Will see you at the “Credentials Desk.” Until then, as the Boy Scout motto reads: “Be Prepared!”
God bless,
Fraternally,
Whispering George C. F.
CHICKEN HATER!