WIDOWS REPORT
We have had some difficulty locating some of our widows since Katrina.
We do not know the where abouts of Mrs. Gearhart Eilers, Mrs. Albert Rohr,
Katharine Thornton and Mrs. Hugh Vogt. Anyone knowing how to get in touch
with them please notify me or any officer.
Speaking of widows I have great news. Mrs. Karl Kraak, widow of Karl Kraak
who died in 1990, was instrumental in getting the P.M. pictures that grace
our walls. I was looking for any missing pictures back in the early 90’s
and when I called her I hit the jackpot. She had kept all of her husband’s
pictures and gave them to me. Well, she has been receiving the newsletter
ever since… that is until two months ago when it started bouncing
back. I knew she was getting up in age and contemplated the worst. I called
Westminster Towers where she was living and they said that they thought
she was ok but didn’t have any more information. Finally I was able
to learn that she moved in with her niece about four blocks from my house
in River Ridge and she is spry and doing very well. Mrs. Kraak turned
99 yrs old last October 23 and is looking forward to her 100th! Bro. Kraak
was the last master to serve two years in a row (1965 & 66) due mainly
to the remodeling of the interior of our hall and the introduction of
air conditioning to Germania Lodge. Hard to believe that before that it
was oscillating fans and one big window fan.
In case you missed the March 14 meeting here is
the program that W. Bro. Ric Bell prepared for the nights Masonic Education.
A few weeks ago, Worshipful Brother Cairns asked me to give a talk to
the Lodge on a topic of my choice. I was both honored and horrified. What
would I talk about?! There are so many topics how could I choose one?
My bent for the esoteric threatened to produce a deep discussion of some
arcane elements of our ritual. Then, as if moved by the Great Architect,
my attention focused on something more fundamental…etiquette, a
universal and always important topic for any society.
So, I researched Masonic etiquette and found that volumes have been written
on the subject, ultimately pointing out two basic tenets, common courtesy
and common sense. But there are a few specific points we should all remember.
They will seem obvious, but remembering them is not as easy at it may
seem.
We should understand that etiquette is actually a set of conventions
or rules established by a society to establish formal behavior requirements,
they are not laws, there are no penalties for breaching them, but they
are essentially good form. For our purposes, the following are relevant
to an open Masonic lodge.
Entering a Lodge Properly Dressed
This was pointed out in every source I found. We should be sure to don
our aprons properly before approaching the door of a Lodge and we should
return them neatly upon leaving.
Hats
All hats should be removed prior to entering a Lodge. The Master alone
has the privilege (not requirement!) of wearing a hat.
Punctuality
Dawdling and failure to observe schedules is bad form for anyone, more
especially for officers. It is disrespectful to all members and visitors
to open a Lodge late or to linger on an exhausted topic or to enter a
Lodge late.
Addressing the Lodge
When wishing to address the Lodge, stand, wait to be recognized by the
Master, salute the Master and address the Master respectfully, address
the Lodge or another brother through the Master. Brothers making motions
should stand; as should those seconding a motion (remember the Secretary
must record both).
Announcements, Topics, Motions
It is proper to inform the Master of your intent to bring up a topic,
make an announcement or enter a motion for some action prior to the meeting
in which you intend to do so.
Titles
It is proper to address brothers within an open Lodge as “Brother
(last name)” or “Worshipful Brother (last name)” for
past masters. “Right Worshipful Brother (last name)” and “Most
Worshipful Brother (last name)” are used to address Grand Lodge
officers. (Check your jurisdiction to discern which title for which officer.)
A Master does not refer to himself as “Worshipful Master”.
It is a title of honor bestowed upon him by his fellows.
During Ritual
Do NOTHING that will detract from the solemnity of a degree. Sidebar conversations,
laughter, excessive noise of any kind will distract a candidate and possibly
disturb a degree team. If permitted, entering or exiting Lodge during
a degree should be done strategically to cause the least disturbance.
There is a lot more for your study if you desire. There are several sources
are available if you would like more information. In fact, Worshipful
Bro. Manny Blanco from Moreno Valley Masonic Lodge #804 in Moreno Valley,
California donated a book on the topic to Germania in response to my plea
for information from the Philalethes listserv. The book is available in
our library. If you want some other sources, just drop me a line at zizax@cox.net
or give me a call at 504.250.2264.
Ric Bell, PM
A LITTLE HELP AT TAX TIME
TAX
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries, then
Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ???
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.
Put these words
upon his tomb,
"Taxes drove me
to my doom..."
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
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DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE THESE
TAXES!
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax,
Fuel permit tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Interest expense
Inventory tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road usage taxes
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone federal excise tax
Telephone federal universal service fee tax
Telephone federal, state and local surcharge taxes
Telephone minimum usage surcharge tax
Telephone recurring and non-recurring charges tax
Telephone state and local tax
Telephone usage charge tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
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