2009 REPORT FROM OUTGOING DDGM
Well the year flew by and I was able to fulfill most of my obligations as
DDGM for 2010. The only lodge I was unable to visit was Paul M. Schneidau
because they meet the same night as us and I just couldn’t miss our
meeting being secretary and all that the job entails. I received a stunning
Past DDGM apron from the 16th District at the January 28 meeting and I will
wear it with pride for the rest of my life. It’s impossible to express
my gratitude to my lodge, Germania #46, for selecting me to represent the
district this past year.
The district is doing well with some lodges doing much better than others. We should all be extremely proud of our lodge’s membership for stepping up and taking plural memberships in other16th district lodges that have fallen on hard times. At one lodge meeting I attended nine of the ten members present were members of Germania; all ten had taken plural memberships!
Cervantes Lodge in particular went from virtually extinct to meeting regularly with almost 40 members, due in part to members of Germania. They now have a few petitions coming in seeking the degrees in Masonry and they are doing quite well. Another lodge which once had a membership of over 850 members was down to only a handful of brothers that supported it. Katrina was particularly cruel to this lodge, i.e. lost records and members that lost homes and had to move. Again, members of Germania stepped up with plural memberships and have supported this lodge and they are currently working on four candidates. Hopefully they will be able to stand on their own in the near future.
Kosmos Lodge once was struggling and moved their charter to Bayou Lacombe and here they have thrived. A few years ago many members of Albert Pike took plural memberships to “kick start” them and now Kosmos is thriving in their new environment (it could be the country air).
Bottom line – the district is strong but there is still work to do.
The thing I am most proud of is the amount of members in the 20 to 40 yr.
old range that are being introduced to Masonry. I see them taking very active
parts. The average age of our three line officers is 40 years old! But better
than that most of the brothers following them are even younger. They participate,
come to meetings and are active. I am very proud of our district and especially
GERMANIA LODGE #46.
- Klaus “Joe” Kueck P.M. – DDGM 2009
REMEMBER OUR VETERANS AND SOLDIERS!
A veteran is someone who, at one point, wrote a blank
check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up
to and including their life.'
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no
longer understand it.' sent in by a vet
The message above has become much more poignant for us recently. Our Senior
Warden, Bro. John Day III is being deployed to Afghanistan within weeks.
(editors note: I work on the newsletter as info comes in and had included
the message above before we learned of John’s deployment) S.W. John
Day III announced his unexpected deployment at our last meeting and with
that announced his resignation from the chair of Senior Warden for the good
of the Lodge. His resignation has not yet been accepted as polled members
are mulling a way to keep him in his position until his timely and safe
return. Regardless of the organizational details, we all wish Bro. John
a safe and speedy return and that he stays out of harms way. This will be
his second tour to the same turbulent country. At the January 27 meeting
Bro. John, along with our presently active and ex-military, were given high
praise from the members present for the many sacrifices they have made and
continue to make while protecting our country and freedoms. God speed, Bro.
Day. We hope to have you back in Lodge very soon.
VOCABULARY LESSON
1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.
3. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.
6. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer
the door in your nightgown.
7. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle (n), olive-flavored mouthwash.
9. Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over
by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Pokemon (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.
14. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.
15. Frisbeetarianism (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that, when
you die, your soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent (n.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish
men.
MASONIC BIRTHDAYS !
February
Mark Faulkner 02/27/2008 – 2 yrs.
Ray Wochomurka 02/27/2008 – 2 yrs.
Beryl Jacobs 02/16/2000 - 10 yrs.
Dr. Larry Wade 02/01/1996 – 14 yrs
Leonard Johnson P.M. 02/18/1995 - 15 yrs.
Steve Racca` 02/22/1995 - 15 yrs
Tom Mixon P.M. 02/09/1994 - 16 yrs.
Wayne Gilmore P.M. 02/12/1992 - 18 yrs.
Thomas Wolfe 02/22/1991 - 19 yrs.
Larry Chapoton 02/14/1973 - 37 yrs.
TRESTLE BOARD
*February 10 – regular meeting – Special guest operative Mason from Germany.
* February 5 – 7 Grand Lodge in Alexandria
* Sunday, February 7, Super Bowl covered dish at
the lodge. Bring a covered dish.
* February 13 – Endymion extravaganza. Open
house at Germania. Bring your food and drink.
*February 24 – regular meeting – degree
planned
Bro. Dave Krasner and myself met a young man from Germany at the Deutsches Haus dressed in what could have been a ring leader, magician or chimney sweep. After talking to him for a while we realized what a fascinating young man he is. Sebastian Herdlicka turned out to be an operative or stone Mason who is traveling around the world for three years learning the way his craft is done in other countries. His clothing is what must be worn by a journey man in his craft. His guild is over 800 years old! We invited him to the lodge on short notice for dinner and he came but due to the EA degree we didn’t get to spend much time with him. Well, he will be back with a power point show at the February 10 meeting. He leaves shortly there after back to Germany and won’t be here for Mardi Gras. DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SEE AND TALK TO THIS YOUNG STONE MASON. The roots of our fraternity are very evident after talking to him, seeing his guild booklet and his jewelry.
Make sure you have the Endymion Extravaganza, February 13, on your calendar! What’s better than to have a place to park your car, use the bathroom, grill and still be able to go to the big parade. Bring your own food and drink, grill and charcoal provided. Parking on a first come first serve basis. Members, their families and friends only!
W.M. Brandstetter wants to open the lodge for more social
activities and a place for members to go to read, hang out and socialize.
The first of the events will be SUPER BOWL – The doors will open
around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday February 7. Bro. Dave Krasner has a device
to show the game in HD with a projector. All members, their families,
friends and especially prospects are invited to come join the WHO DAT
nation and cheer for our beloved SAINTS. Please a covered dish and drinks.
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp-
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well..
I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
'And why's everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'
JUDGE NOT.
Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car .
Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
Sent in by HPM Eldred Gilmore
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