Arcadia Lodge #249 Newsletter
PO Box 249, Ames, Iowa 50010-0249
www.iowamasons.com
515-233-4299
April, 2008 - Volume 7, No. 4
W.M.: Jeremy Davis 291-7016
jeremyndavis@gmail.com
Sec.: Jay Cole Simser - 232-2580
JaycoleS@aol.com
Greetings from the East
Happy Spring! With the winter we have had, I believe we are all ready for Spring-warmer temperatures and longer days! Now, if I were writing this back in my hometown, I would be remiss if I did not bring up the fact that with Spring brings farmers out to their fields to start another crop-year cycle. This sign of new growth is reminiscent of the growth masonry is experiencing throughout the state and country. With each new brother raised, it signifies a new level of growth for the lodge, but in order to sustain that growth, certain catalysts are often needed to help encourage and promote growth. That's where we as "mature" brothers play an important roll. Just as fertilizers help a corn plant to grow, those of us who are "mature" brothers need to be sure we are helping our "newer" brothers learn more about masonry which will allow the new brothers to become active participants in our fraternity.
Because April is often viewed as a month of growth, the lodge should be no different. During the past couple of years, we have raised a number of new brothers, but, unfortunately we have not seen all of them become active participants in our activities. And so, I issue this challenge to each of our members: If you were a top-line or second-line signer for a new brother during the past couple of years, call that brother and invite him to attend the stated meeting on the first Thursday of April. And, better yet, sign-up him and yourself (family included) to attend the $5 dinner prior to the meeting. Just e-mail our secretary at jaycoles@aol.com to reserve a spot for dinner!
Another exciting event will be the Spring Picnic on the second Thursday, April 10, 2008. This event will be tentatively held at Brookside Park beginning at 5:30 p.m. This is an event for the whole family and should be a good time. If, however, we have inclement weather, we will move the picnic to the lodge. If we move the event, the lodge secretary will send out an Arcadia Alert notifying the lodge members of a location change. Darrell Staley has agreed to serve as Grill Master for the evening. For the picnic, the lodge will provide the burgers/hot dogs, buns, and beverages; however, we ask that each brother attending to bring an item (or two) to share (i.e.: potluck style)! Just e-mail our secretary at jaycoles@aol.com if you will be attending so we know how much food to purchase.
On another note, Arcadia hosted the Central Iowa Regional Masonic Leadership Seminar on Saturday, March 15th. There was a good attendance of 30 brothers representing various lodges from the surrounding area. Additionally, the brothers were also very fortunate to hear from the Grand Master and the Chairman of the Committee on Division and Reference. It was a great day and Arcadia will look forward to hosting this event again next year!
Plus, don't forget about Arcadia After Work Wednesdays! It happens on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, which will be April 16th. So come on down to Olde Main Brewery in downtown Ames from 5 to 7 p.m. for a beverage (or two) and enjoy some quality fellowship. We will meet in the bar area on the "restaurant" side of the establishment.
I would also like to extend the thanks of a grateful lodge to Bros. Tim Grandon and Doug Petty for their years of service on the Property Management Committee. Due to personal reasons, both have found it necessary to step-down from the committee. It is for that reason; their resignation was accepted at the March stated meeting. We're sorry to see these two brothers step-down; but fortunately, we have a talented group of brothers in Arcadia who are able and willing to step-up and serve. At the April stated meeting, the replacements for Bros. Tim and Doug will be announced. Additionally, at the March stated meeting, Bro. Josh Tostlebe was elected and installed to the office of Treasurer. Congratulations, Josh.
As we look to the summer, we have a number of activities just around the corner. In June, we are tentatively planning on having a paintball outing. In July will be the annual Table Lodge. The table lodge will be at a new venue this year. More details will be forthcoming in the near future regarding these two events.
Take care and we'll see you at the Lodge.
Fraternally,
Jeremy Davis, WM
Birthdays
Happy Birthday to the brothers having birthdays in April:
Tristan Pritchard-Meaker - 1st,
Ken Smith - 3rd,
Cecil Spatcher - 3rd,
Larry Honsinger - 18th,
Homer Kalsem - 18th,
Walter Hyde - 21st,
Bruce Bickel - 24th,
Dan Shaffer - 24th,
Dennis Dutton - 25th,
Clayton Lokken - 26th, and
Dennis Brown - 30th.
Calendar
April 1 - 7:00 p.m. Eastern Star Stated Meeting.
April 5 - 9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour. Lincoln Center HyVee.
April 3 - 6:30 p.m. All Masonic Dinner - $5.00.
7:30 p.m. Arcadia Lodge Stated Meeting.
April 5 - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Star School of Instruction.
April 6 - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Fraternal Open House.
April 7 - 7:00 p.m. DeMolay Stated Meeting.
April 9 - 9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour. Lincoln Center HyVee.
April 10 - 5:30 p.m. Arcadia Lodge Spring Picnic
Newsletter Deadline.
April 13 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Church.
April 14 - 7:00 p.m. DeMolay.
April 15 - 7:00 p.m. White Shrine Stated Meeting.
April 19 - 9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour. Lincoln Center HyVee.
5:15 p.m. Arcadia After Work.
April 17 - Arcadia Lodge.
April 19 - 7:30 p.m. Amaranth Stated Meeting.
April 21 - 7:00 p.m. DeMolay Stated Meeting.
April 23 - 9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour. Lincoln Center HyVee.
7:30 p.m. York Rite Stated Meeting.
April 24 - Arcadia Lodge
April 27 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Church.
April 28 - 7:00 p.m. DeMolay.
April 30 - 9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour. Lincoln Center HyVee.
June TBA - Paintball Outing
July TBA - Table Lodge
To schedule an event at the Masonic Temple call Jay Cole Simser - 232-2580
2008 Dues are Overdue
Anyone that has not yet paid dues for 2008 should contact Jay Simser and do so immediately.
E-Mail Address Changes
If you change your e-mail address for any reason, please send your new e-mail address to David Countryman, Newsletter Editor at davidc@iastate.edu, so there will be no interruption in the arrival of your Arcadia Lodge #249 Newsletter.