JANUARY 2006 COLUMN
KING OSCAR LODGE # 855
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www.kingoscarlodge,com
it is loaded with GOOD stuff
TRESTLE BOARD & SPECIAL EVENTS
JAN 13 Stated Meeting
JAN 27 Special Meeting
FEB 10 Stated Meeting
Valentine Dinner
MAR 10 Stated Meeting
MAR 24 Special Meeting
FROM THE EAST
Brethren & Friends:
December has been a busy and an enjoyable month Happy New Year to all. See you every second and fourth Friday at King Oscar Lodge!
Fraternally,
Danilo C. Auro
Worshipful Master
CHRISTMAS PARTY & SMORGASBORD
Both of these annual events were up to their usual state of excellence. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus returned home safely and are working very hard for Christmas Eve.
WWW – WISE WORDS of WISDOM
All human beings should try to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why. ~ James Thurber
Why is it that our memory is good enough to retain the least triviality that happens to us, and yet not good enough to recollect how often we have told it to the same person? ~ Francois de la Rochefouculd, (1630-1680)
I keep six honest serving-men (they taught me
all I know);
Their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and
Who. ~ Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)
An optimist is a fellow who believes a housefly
is looking for a way
out. ~ George Jean Nathan (1883-1958)
Who supplies another with a constructive thought has enriched him forever. ~ Alfred A. Montapert
The difference between a perseverance and an obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from strong wont. ~ Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)
We are the echoes of the future. ~ William Stanley Merwin
You do not destroy the beauty of the rainbow by understanding the light process that forms it. ~ Anne Mc Laren
One half of life is luck: the other half is discipline – and that is the important half, for without discipline you wouldn’t know what to do with your luck. ~ Carl Zuckmayer (1896-1977)
The trouble with words is that you never know whose mouths they’ve been in. ~ Dennis Potter (1935-1994)
THE SPIRIT OF MASONRY
“Gentle, gracious, and wise, its mission is to form mankind into a great redemptive brotherhood, a league of noble and free men enlisted in the radiant enterprise of working out in time, the love and will of the eternal.” ~ Joseph Fort Newton
These words are engraved in marble on the front wall of the Iowa Grand Lodge Library, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was in this library that our late Brother Newton secured his first Masonic literary light and was inspired to write “The Builders,” the perennial Masonic best seller.
NOTE: Extracted from the October mailing from the Southern California Research lodge F & AM.
“SO MOTE IT BE”
“When I say the words, ‘So Mote It Be’ I’m not speaking to the mortal beings around me. I’m speaking directly to the Supreme Deity of all existence. I’m asking God to look into my heart and know what is there that I may not know the words to express. I’m asking God to recognize my needs, even those I don’t know exist and to provide for them, to know any weaknesses and frailties of life, to know all that my humble existence cannot comprehend. I’m yielding to His will and imploring His mercy.
“ What do those words mean to you my Fraternal Brother?”
NOTE: By Worshipful Brother Paul Weathers – Oasis Lodge #52, Tucson, Arizona. Taken from the November 2005 “Emessay Notes,” a publication of the Masonic Service Association
BURMA SHAVE
For those of you old enough to remember when there were no super highways and the top speed of most “machines” (automobiles) was 30 miles per hour: “Burma Shave” (a revolutionary new non-hot-lather-less shave cream) signs (each line on a separate sign board spaced at readable distances apart) were found along the “gravel and dirt roads.”
Drove too long Speed was high
Driver snoozing Weather was not
What happened? Tires were thin
Next is not amusing X Marks the spot
Burma Shave Burma Shave
Brother speeder The midnight ride
Let’s rehearse Of Paul for beer
All together Led to a warmer
Good morning, nurse Hemisphere
Burma Shave Burma Shave
Around the curve No matter the price
Lickety-split No matter how new
Beautiful car The best safety device
Wasn’t it? In the car is you
Burma Shave Burma Shave
More next month.
Steve Greenberg, are you reading? These are for the few who have never heard your “Burma Shave” lecture.
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Forty-two King Oscar brethren were brought to the light of birth in February, they are: Ronald H. Nystrom, William J. Martens (1): Elliott A Velez (2); Richard J. Merk, Donald E. Esser (3); Joel D. Eller (5); William P. Andrews (6); Elmer H. Wenk (8); Dean M. Bavetta (9); FrancisStrmecki (10); Robert E. Morgan (11); William H. Ahlenius (12); Clarence M. Kunstmann, Chester A. Hammerberg, Chester S. Larson, Lowell L. Lathrop (14); Arthur R. Dietz (15); Edward L. Henson, John M. Gubrud (16); Herbert A. Borman, Eugene T. Hughs, Russell C. Johnson (17); Ramon Feliciano, Duane W. Berg (18); Elliott F. Lang, John E. Mc Neal (19); Wencesiao R. Herandez, Bengt R. Jaensson (20); Herbert E. Harrald, Edward M. Riblon, Ainsworth E. Hanson (21); Gary M. Bothman (22); Laddie D. Peknik (23); Edward M. Schrey, Larry Dakof, Ronald G. Meyers, James R. Hill (24); Thomas R. Traharne (25); George W. Klait, Raymond H. Rickhoff (26); Jerzy J. Milanowski (27); Alfred S. Nathan (28).
Brethren Happy birthday, “and many more,” as the “Krauts” always add, that is of course if YOU so wish! God bless!
PROFOND THOUGHTS WITH A “TWIST” OF HUMOR!
Grandmothers are just “antique“ little girls. ~ Author unknown
Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. ~ Author unknown
Perfect love sometimes doesn’t come until the first grandchild. ~ Welsh Proverb
One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the finger of a grandparent. ~ Joy Hargrove
DID YOU KNOW?
More than half the coastline of the entire United States is in Alaska.
Brazil got its name from the nut, not the other way around.
Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined. Also, Canada is an Indian word meaning “Big Village.”
Spain literally means ”the land of rabbits.’
Chances that a road is” unpaved”
in the U.S.A.: 1%, in Canada 75%.
NOTE: Possibly “Burma Shave” signs remain along 75% of the Canadian
“gravel” and / or “dirt” roads.
NOW “YOU” know, along with “the rest” who have read these - “DID YOU KNOW” interesting (we hope) “bits” of trivia?
PHILOSOPHY of CHARLES SCHULTZ
Ponder the following six questions. You do not have to answer them, as you will later learn: “THE REST of the STORY.”
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five Miss America winners.
4. Name ten people who won the Nobel Prize.
5. Name the last six Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last ten World Series winners.
How did YOU do?
The point is, none of us recall headliners of the past. These are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners
Here is another quiz: see how YOU do on this one.
1. List a few teachers who inspired you to learn.
2. Name three friends who helped you through difficult times.
3. Name five people who taught you things worthwhile.
4.Think of people who make you feel appreciated and special.
5, Think of five people you enjoy “hanging out” with.
EASIER wasn’t it!
The lesson: People who make the difference in your life are not those with the most credentials, money, awards THEY are the ones who CARE!
“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia!” Charles Schultz
NOTE: This seems most appropriate in a “first of the year” column, sorta like new year resolutions – calls for a wee bit of serious pondering, hope you agree.
Received in an email from Illustrious Brother Lee Bradley 33°. THANKS Lee! Reprinted for the benefit of those who are not “computer nuts” and spoiled with “email,” God’s third greatest gift to mankind. If you do not know gifts numbers one and two, “SHAME on YOU!”
SICKNESS & DISTRESS
Don Dykinga we understand had back surgery and is now home. The Modaressi’s were in an auto accident Mohsen was released but Betty was confined to the hospital. That was the last information furnished to me. .Your Correspondent had a serious fall Saturday evening December 10th he is having difficulty walking etc and is waiting to be taken to Emergency at Resurrection Hospital Monday December 12th as this is written.
OBITUARIES
We are deeply sorry to inform you Doreen Brahmstadt, dear wife of Illustrious Brother Harry R. Brahmstadt 33°, passed this life November 24, 2005. Brother Harry, we extend our heart-felt sympathy in these days of indescribable grief. May the power of Almighty God soothe the wounds of loss. Lord, hear our prayers!
CLOSING
By the time this is in your hands the holidays will have passed but they will certainly not be forgotten. They will be relived over and over again in our memories. Thanksgiving and Christmas are occasions we cherish forever. Fondly we remember with a smile and a tear our grandchildren’s bringing to mind how much they look and act as their parents did in their youth. Simultaneously we reflect upon our lives at the time of their parents growing to adulthood. Such experiences are healthy nourishment for the soul. This is especially true as we enter another new year.
With these thoughts, it is my precious privilege
to wish you - Happy New Year! I hope to visit you again next month!
God bless.
Whispering George C. F.