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The Trestle Board

Smithfield Lodge #455 A.F. & A.M.

8013 Main Street, North Richland Hills, Texas

P. O. Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182

Lodge telephone number:   817.656.2311

Contact the Lodge on  Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 7 PM and 9 PM

WEB ADDRESS: http://www.smithfieldlodge.com

From the East

Brethren,

We all need to give Michael Haygood a big thank you for all he did last year. He was an excellent Worshipful Master. He did a wonderful job. He has raised the bar for all of us! Thank you Brother Haygood.

Well, we started off this Masonic year with a bang!  On July 15^th the Grand Master came out and did our installation of officers. We really enjoyed him and had a wonderful time. We also had fourteen people from Smithfield attend the banquet for the Grand Master the night before, and again we had a very good time.

Preparation for an event like the Grand Master’s visit is no small task. I’d like to thank everyone that helped – Ernie and Jeanne Runyon, Kerry (Triple K) Krantz, Jim Mendenhall, Aaron Alkek, Billy Campbell, Bo Hestilow , and my wife Miss Rene. Thank you for all the work and fun and fellowship.

We all owe a great debt to our Senior Steward Ernie Runyon. He has spent countless hours up-dating our computer system, records, and web site. This kind of talent does not come cheap. Also he has made many other improvements to our lodge such as pictures, preserving our charter, organizing our records via computer. Also, he is now representing Smithfield by being an officer at the Masonic Service Bureau. So when you see him again give him a big thank you.

Brethren, I will need your support this August. At our stated meeting on the 3^rd, Right Worshipful Bob Jernigan will be making his official visit. I’d like everyone that can, to be there. Also on August the 14^th we will be going to the Ft. Worth Temple to get the traveling gavel. We will need ten men there to claim it as our own. I don’t know if Smithfield has ever had the traveling gavel before; but the time to have it is now.

Also, this year, as your Worshipful Master I will be attending all the meetings of the Masonic Service Bureau and the Masters Wardens and Secretaries Association. I don’t want to go alone and I would be glad to pick up anyone who wants to go, or meet at the lodge. These organizations are good for Freemasonry and need our support.

Smithfield is down to about 200 members. I am asking each and every one of you to please make one stated meeting if it is at all possible. If you can’t make it would you please call or write and let me know how you are doing. I know 10% live out of state. I would like to meet and shake the hand of every Smithfield Mason I can this year. Come spend some time with us at the Lodge.

Fraternally,

Herb Taylor

Worshipful Master

From the West

Brethren,

I know that my fellow officers will have something to say in their articles about the Installation of Officers, so I will cut mine short.  It was a pleasure having the Grand Master as the Installing Officer, he did a beautiful job.  I was personally impressed with Arlington Commandery’s flag presentation.  This was my first time to witness this, and it was very touching!

I am looking forward to working under our new Worshipful Master, I know he has a whole head full of ideas and is excited to try them out.  I am also looking forward to working with and helping the Junior Warden and the rest of the officers.  We really do a have a great line-up for several years to come, and I know we will all do our best to serve you, the members; and the Fraternity.

If anyone has any ideas or items you would like to see here in the Trestle Board, please contact someone at the Lodge and let them know.  As the editor, I am always looking for items or pictures to fill in space.  I hope to try and squeeze in a sickness and distress area by next month, so if you if know of someone who is sick, in the hospital or someone who needs special prayers, please send their names to me or any Lodge officer.

Fraternally,

Rick Montey

Senior Warden/Editor

From the South

Brethren,

If the installation of officers is an indication of our year to come it will be a great one! It was a great honor to have our Most Worshipful Grand Master Brian Dodson, install the officers here at Smithfield. There was a lot of energy and enthusiasm during the ceremony that is sure to carry on in the upcoming months. I consider the Jr. Wardens position to be an honor and a privilege and will do my best to support and represent our lodge this Masonic year. I’m looking forward to working with Worshipful Master Herb Taylor and Senior Warden Rick Montey. Brother Rick and I started our Masonic Journey about the same time. It sure has been a pleasure traveling down that road with him. Brother Rick has gained a wealth of  Masonic knowledge in a short period of time and is always willing to share it with other brethren.

We have a big group each Tuesday and Thursday for floor school but, we always have room for more! Come out and join us for an evening of fellowship and education, you will be glad you came.

I would like to remind all Master Masons and their wives about the upcoming 2006 Wardens' Retreat & Leadership Training Program in August. Reservations are required. The host hotel will be The Richardson Hotel, 701 East Campbell Rd, Richardson 75081 (972-231-9600). The Retreat starts on Friday evening at 7:00pm and finishes up Sunday at 12:00 noon. Please talk with other brethren who have attended in the past and I’m sure they will tell you it was a great learning experience.

Fraternally,

Walter Busch

Junior Warden

The Secretary’s Desk

Brethren,

This has been a good month for Smithfield Lodge. The Grand Master, M.W. Brian Dodson installed the officers, the only disappointment was that there were not more members in attendance. Herbert Taylor will be a fine Master this year. The officers are listed elsewhere in this periodical.

Mike Haygood, PM, did a fine job as Master this year. He set some goals early in the year, and accomplished them. Next time you see him congratulate him on his year, what a joy to have worked with him.

Congratulations to Bro. Ernest Runyon, he was elected to the treasurers position in the Masonic Service Bureau at their last meeting. We will host this organization in February. Make an effort to visit this meeting.

Unfortunately we were notified of two brothers deaths this month. Brothers James DeFord, and Clifford Thompson. I was disappointed that none of the family notified us in time to inquire if they wanted a Masonic Burial service. Brethren please make some plans with a member of your family to notify the Lodge in case of your demise. The officers phone numbers are always listed in the Trestle Board, help us in this matter.

We also had to suspend 8 brothers for non-payment of dues. This is always a hard matter for the Lodge, we contact the members with a dues notice, a reminder in March, a phone contact, if possible, in May asking if there is a way we can help. So this is your decision, we can help if you let us know in time. The Grand Lodge law requires us to close the books on June 23 of the year. If arrangement are not made prior to this date the secretary has no choice. We hate to lose members in this way. Help the laggards committee when they call. We have means to keep you from being suspended, but you must do your part.

Thanks to the W.M. for asking me to help in his installation. Serving as installing Marshall was indeed a privilege.

Finally, we pledge to the incoming officers our help this year, and pledge to the members as much help as we can, but remember we must know what is going on in your situation. We are here to help, just let us know.

Fraternally Yours,
BR Campbell
Secretary

2006 Installation Photos (more by clicking here)

Will post color pictures as soon as I get them.

         Texas Grand Master-Brian Dodson                             New Master with Grand Master                                  Arlington Commandery #107

                                  From One Master to Another                                                                      Your New Officers with Grand Master

Remember the "Smithfield Masonic Lodge Permanent Endowment Fund"

Your support is a continuing need.  Any donation is welcome.  A donation of $100.00 or more puts your name, or the name of someone you wish to honor, on a plaque in the dining area of the Lodge.  Please send your donation to Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455, A.F. & A.M., P.O. Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182

Thanks to our Trestle Board Sponsors

Masonic Birthdays for August, 2006

The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.

Congratulations Brethren!

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