KING OSCAR SEPTEMBER 2005
COLUMN
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It is loaded with “good stuff!”
TRESTLE BOARD & SPECIAL EVENTS
Sept 9 Annual Meeting
Sept 19 Special Meeting
Sept 23 Special meeting
Sept 25 Installation
Oct 6 thru 8 Grand Lodge
Oct 14 Stated Meeting
Oct 28 Special Meeting
Nov 3 & 5 Scottish Rite Reunion
Nov 11 Stated Meeting & Veterans Day
Nov25 Special meeting
FROM THE EAST
Greetings everyone:
Coming to a close is my term as your Master.
During the year a lot has been accomplished; renovation of the temple and its
re-dedication by the Grand Lodge officers. A great amount of degree work was
performed initiating new members and the introduction of a new Masonic education
program for the candidates. I wish to thank all of you for the honor of being
your Worshipful Master, Especially appreciated is the support you provided in
making it a successful year. I will always cherish the year!
We have a great line of officers; many of them brand spanking new, who are serving
you well. Show your appreciation by your presence. They are regularly practicing
ritual and floor work to maintain King Oscar’s reputation as the great
lodge it has always been.
September 16th we are holding an extra meeting for degree work. Please make an earnest effort to attend.
I will continue to participate in any manner I can. May God bless all of you. See you in lodge?
Fraternally,
Bruce Polit
Worshipful Master.
FROM THE NORTH & ELSEWHERE
FIRST THINGS FIRST
July 31st our dapper Norwegian, Irwin Dahlstrom,
became a nonagenarian, I know, I could hardly believe it either. He has me bested
by twenty-seven months. But he looks so young! Irwin, God bless you, Illinois
Freemasonry’s greatest dignified Senior Deacon!
At the Scottish Rite’s June Council of Deliberation, held in Moline, Illinois
two members of King Oscar Lodge were nominated to receive the Meritorious Service
Award next June. Those are the guys at the Rite who wear “red prayer caps.”
Our Bill Smith and Edward Witas III were so honored. The two comprise fifty
percent of the total of four allowed the Valley of Chicago this year. Too bad
only the Master is permitted to cover his head in a Blue Lodge, for there are
a number of “our boys” in the “Red Cap” brigade.
Congratulations, Bill and Eddie!
Friday, July 29th you correspondent was appointed Excellent Grand Chaplain of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois for the 2005 – 2006 year. Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Frank H. Welter Sr. made the appointment during the Grand York Rite sessions held in Springfield, Illinois. Frank, thanks a bunch! The honor is very much appreciated by this old curmudgeon!
The above, I think is proof positive of the timbre of King Oscar brethren!
“AN ODE TO AMERICA”
The following was taken from the Romanian newspaper “Evenimentulzilei.” A Mr. Cornel Nistorescu wrote it.
“Why are Americans so united? They would not resemble one another even if you painted them all one color! They speak all the languages of the world and form an astonishing mixture of civilizations and religious beliefs. Still, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people into a hand put on the heart.
“Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the army, and the secret services that they are only a bunch of losers. Nobody rushed to empty his or her bank accounts. Nobody rushed into the streets nearby to gape about. The Americans volunteered to donate blood and to give a helping hand.
“After the first moments of panic, they raised their flag over the smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of their national flag. They placed flags on buildings and cars as if in every place and on every car a government official or the president was passing.
“On every occasion, they started singing their traditional song: “God Bless America!” I watched the live broadcast and rerun after rerun for hours listening to the story of the guy who went down one hundred floors with a woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the Californian hockey player, who gave up his life fighting with terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a target that could have killed another hundreds or thousands of people.
“How on earth were they able to respond united as one human being? Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some turned into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with every phone call, millions and millions of dollars were put in a collection aimed at rewarding not a man or a family, but a spirit, which money can not buy.
“What on earth can unite the Americans in such a way? Their land? Their galloping history? Their economic power? Money? I tried for hours to find an answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases with the risk of sounding commonplace.
“I thought things over, but I reached only one conclusion… Only freedom can work such miracles!”
This was received in an E-mail from Patricia Falkowski, the lovely wife of my favorite urologist, brother King Oscarite, Walter Falkowski. It is most appropriate that it to be included herein, as we all know “Freemasonry is one of the greatest champions of democracy which is TRUE FREEDOM!”
Thanks Pat for sharing!!
“REFLECTIONS”
These “Reflections” are those of a lady, undoubtedly they apply equally to men. Considering that 44.25% of Illinois Freemasons are between the ages of sixty and seventy-nine, the expressed observations must surely apply to this group of “just and upright brethren!”
Personally, quite a number of years have past since I was a member of that age group, but every day I continue to experience the existence of these reflections.
BE HONEST, brethren! Should you not agree, PLEASE, PLEASE check with your “better half” for an unbiased confirmation that Whispering George C. F. is still on his rocker - not “off his noggin!”
FINALLY: here are the “Reflections.”
“You know, time has away of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
“It seems just yesterday that I was a young girl, just married and embarking on my new life with my husband. And yet in a way, it seems it was eons ago. I wonder where all the years went. I know I lived them all,,,
“I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.. But, here it is…the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise…
“How did I get here so fast? Where did the years and where did my babies go? Where did my youth go?
“I remember well… seeing older people through the years go and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom or imagine fully what it would be like…
“But, here it is…husband retired and he’s really getting gray…he moves slower and I see an older man now. He’s in much better shape than me but I see a great change. Not the man I married who was dark and young and strong… but, like me, his age is beginning to show and we are those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be.
“Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! Taking a nap is not a treat anymore…it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will…I just fall asleep where I sit!
“So, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things.
“At least I know, that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last… This I know, when it’s over… I will enjoy the spring in the arms of my loving Father…and wait for the loved ones to come when their winter is over too.
“So, if you’re not in your winter yet…let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly.
“Remember that scripture?…our life is but a vapor, it vanishes away… So, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!
“You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life. So. live for God today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember…
“Life is God’s gift to you. The way you live it is your gift to God. Make it a fantastic. one. LIVE IT WELL!”
NOTE: Received in an E-mail from brother Read Rogers. Thanks, Read!
WWW WISE WORDS OF WISDOM
Fashions fade, style is eternal. Yves Saint Laurent. (1936- )
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest good intention. Author unknown
What we must decide is perhaps how we are valuable, rather than how valuable we are. F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940)
Every life has its dark and cheerful hours. Happiness comes from choosing which to remember. Author unknown
One way to get high blood pressure is to go mountain climbing over molehills. Earl Wilson (1907-1987)
Retirement should be based on the tread, not
the mileage. Allen Ludden
(1917-1981)
Make good habits and they will make you. Parks Cousins
Joy is the flag you fly when the Prince of Peace is in your heart. Wilfred Peterson
Like all blessings, leisure is a bad thing unless it is well used. James A. Garfield (1831-1881) U.S. President
MASONIC SYMBOLISM – Historical Issues
The marble monument we examined last month could not have been constructed at the time of King Solomon there were no velum or papyrus books at that time, only scrolls.
The generally accepted view of this monument
is that it was created in 1819 by Jeremy Cross. The illustration was done by
Amos Doolittle. Brother Cross felt, as we do, when great men die, they must
have a suitable monument. The symbol of a broken column was widely used at that
time. The rest of the figures in the monument were designed to tell a story
and point out moral ideas. We find the story is profound with multiple meanings.
We need not apologize for the non-historical elements in the story of this monument.
We learn only that Masonic tradition informs us that a marble monument marked
the grave of the Master Builder.
Next month –“ Conclusion”
LEST WE MIGHT FORGET – King Oscar History
It seems the “Centenary Celebration” booklet published the year of our one-hundredth birthday skimmed over the year 1972, Gordon Nystrom’s term in the oriental chair who reminds us it was a busy and active year.
Our meeting place at the time, Ravenswood Temple was sold, various locations were used until Glenview Temple was located. However, when moving there, our meetings had to be “severed in twain,” from every Friday to just two Fridays a month.
During the year trips were made to Cresent Lodge # 25, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Masonic Home In Sullivan, Illinois. There were Spring and Fall Dinner Dances, a golf Outing, two Blood Drives, a Family Picnic, Past Masters Dinner and Past Masters Degree Night.
Lovell Moore Lodge of Muskegon, Michigan visited us in the fall.
The lodge had a Low Twelve Club where voluntary cash funeral donations were made.
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
Forty-four of our brethren were born in the month of October. Among them are
Hazelnut, Rowan, Maple and Walnut trees. Those born from the 1st through the
3rd are hazelnuts, 4th through the 13th rowans, 14th through 23rd maples, 24th
through 31st walnuts.
The brethren are: Sidney Lazar (1); Charles A. Thompson Jr, Paul O. Hammerberg, George W. Tonn (5); Joseph D. Seckelman (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 Jr, Edward J. Witas III (11); John W. Erickson, Ronald D. Bellinger (13); Kurt O. Ronnegren, Heinz O.Freese, Peter G. Ganios (14); Roy P. Schimmel (15); Gary L. Groat (16); Harry A. Jackson (17); Peter C. Sneddon (18); Dusan Ciran, James M. Denton, Charles E. Knoblock, John S. Anderson (19); Merritt D. Berg, John G. Villanueva (22); Paul G. Collins, Stanley J. Jurczak (24); Jolyon B. Frenzel (25): William R. Beiersdorf, Pete Trontis, William J. Eeitel III (26); Bernard Dakof (27); Edgar S. Hammerberg, Harvey L. Hansen, Daniel Salgado, Benjamin J. Gierman (28); John D. Magaha II, Warren T. Hanson (29); Stephen K. Costa, Richard A. Kuhfal (31).
Now for “the rest of the story.” Hazelnuts are - Extraordinary, Rowans - Sensitive, Maples - Independent of mind and Walnuts - Passionate. Do these descriptions accurately apply?
Regardless of - yes or no, we sincerely wish all great celebrations and a healthy and happy life, God bless and keep you!
SICKNESS & DISTRESS
Chester Smith is much improved and hopes to
be mong us soon. Hang in t
here Chet!
Robert Patterson is in a rehab facility
Gilberto Balabin is at home recovering from surgery.
Sal DeCola had surgery and is doing well. Knowing
him, he’ll be with us this month. Sal, take it easy, you hear, Son?
Almighty God Your loving care for these, our beloved brethren is earnestly solicited!
Lord, hear our prayers!
CLOSING
Now that Labor Day is past and the children (should you be young enough) are back at school and, Mother you have a few extra minutes for “yourself” – ENJOY! We sincerely hope you have not suffered too much from the effects of the dastardly hot weather we’ve experienced this summer. It does, however provide a subject for “small talk” if you have time for such.
For those Masonic bodies that are “dark” during July and August - now is the time to “brush up” on ritual and floor work and get back into the “swing” of things Masonic! Good luck! God bless!
Until next time,
Whispering George C. F