From the South

Brethren,

This month is another big one. There will be a lot to remember so I encourage you all to check back on the website at Rockfordmasoniclodge469.org for updates and a calendar list.

On Thursday Nov 19th we will be holding our annual Table Lodge. Please bring a dish Meat provided by Rockford Lodge. We will eat at 6:00 pm. and don't be afraid to wear your Kilt! (Kilt not required)

This Saturday, Nov 21st will be our last Turkey Shoot of the year at Rockford football field at 8:00 am.

On Nov 24th we will be taking some of the socks that we have collected this year to New Providence Church to participate in the dinner they provide to those in need. 5:00 pm.

Nov 28th will be the new date for our fall trash pick-up on Russel Rd. and afterward we will be making Tamales. We need all the help we can get with the tamales. We were going to make the first batch last week but we just didn't have enough people show up. This is one of our biggest money makers. Please come support your lodge.

Don't forget, we are voting on the 2016 officers at the Dec Stated Meeting and the installation will be after the Rockford Christmas Parade as follows:

Rockford's 2015 officer installation will be on Dec 12th at 5:00 pm with dinner after. This will be a potluck, Meat provided by the Martha Washington OES.

Officer's pictures will be at 4:00 pm.
Closing the lodge of sorrows will be at 4:30 pm.
Installation at 5:00 pm.
Dinner to follow.

We will also be participating in Meals on Wheels this holiday season. more info to come.

From the West

Brethren,

Things are in full swing at Rockford Lodge. Last month really proved how much one lodge can do.

We started the month of October with a turkey shoot on the 10th led by the Worshipful Master at Rockford football field.  Though we were rained out for the second on the 17th we held a third on the 24th. The community seems to really love these events and we look forward to holding more in the future.

We held a Master Masons degree on the 15th. To our newly raised brother " A warm welcome and  we know that you will make an excellent addition to the lodge.

On the 22nd we held a lodge in conjunction with Sweetwater lodge at the Patricia Neal center at Fort sanders medical center for our worthy brother Douglas Cable.  Brother Cable was presented with a Past Masters Knife and had the day recognized by the city of Knoxville as Douglas Cable Day. Also at this event, two brothers received their Master's certificate having turned in there Master's lecture.
Please keep brother Doug in your prayers.

For more pics of the Doug Cable Lodge Event, click HERE.

Lastly, on Halloween we held our annual Halloween Carnival. A special thanks to the Boy Scouts for once again running the games. You all don't know how much it means to some of these kids.

For more pics of the Halloween Carnival Event, click HERE.

From the East

Brethren,

It was a time not long after Fort Sumter and The War of Northern Aggression was well under way. The Yankees, as they are still wont to do, had promptly flocked to Hilton Head and Tybee Islands, the barrier islands on opposite sides of the mouth of the Savannah River. The Savannah Folks didn't mind much that the Yankees had stolen the good beaches, for the water was still a bit cool for Southern preferences and, besides, they knew the gnats and mosquitoes would teach the Yankees a lesson they'd never forget. So, the Southerners, as Southerners are wont to do sometimes, just waited.

They didn't have to wait very long before the Yankees on Hilton Head sent out a messenger under a white flag. It seemed that the Yankees had among them a young fellow who had passed through the Fellow Craft Degree before shipping out. The Yanks were just sitting around slapping gnats when it occurred to one of them that, just maybe, there was a nearby lodge that could test him in the Fellow Craft Degree and raise him to that of a Master Mason.

As luck would have it, there was indeed a lodge in Savannah that would soon be having a Masters Degree.

One morning, not too many days later, a detail of Confederate Cavalry slipped across the Savannah River into South Carolina and traveled through Bluffton to the shore opposite Hilton Head Island.

From there they escorted one Fellow Craft Mason and, I believe, a number of Master Masons of the Northern Persuasion, safely through the Confederate Lines and back through about 35 miles of Confederate defenses to Savannah where the candidate and his witnesses were delivered into the lodge.

The records note that this Brother was indeed proficient in the Fellow Craft Degree and he was raised to the Degree of a Master Mason.

That night another detail of Confederate Cavalry, no doubt Brothers to a man, slipped back across the Savannah River and safely escorted their Brothers back to Hilton Head.

~ W.M. Shane Lowe

Doug Cable Lodge

Brethren,

We will be holding a special lodge at Fort Sanders hospital on Oct. 22nd for our brother Doug Cable who is staying there. We only have room for 50 people and there will be a pot luck meal. due to limited space, please RSVP with brother Joe Mencer at (865) 256-1357.

Prayer Request

Brothers,
Please keep our newest member and oldest friend Doug Cable and his family in your prayers.  Brother Doug is currently in the Hospital and not in the best condition. For those of you that are younger masons or may not know Doug's name, brother Doug is one of our district deputies and the man that makes the canes that we have been giving out since the bicentennial celebration. Brother Doug is much loved by Rockford lodge and though we just accepted him as a member, none of us have ever thought of him as a visitor.

From the South

Brethren,
This month starts the busiest time of year at Rockford. To the brothers of the lodge: We need all the help we can get.

October 10th, 17th & 24th. we will be having Turkey Shoots at the Rockford football field beginning at 8:00 am

October 15th we will be having a Master Masons degree Eat at 6:00pm Degree to follow

October 31st will be our Halloween carnival. please invite all the kids you can. We strive to provide a safe atmosphere for children to get candy and play games. We will also be participating in the Tennessee Child ID Program (TNCHIP) at this event.

November 7th will be the Veteran's day breakfast .  Veterans eat FREE so tell all the vets that you know.

~J.W. Scott Hopkins

From the West

Brethren,
The month turned out more adventurous than we had anticipated.

September's Steak dinner, the second annual, was a huge success and with the new format, ran much smoother than last year's.  With nearly $1000 in profit, we have already gotten the centerpiece dish for the upcoming Table Lodge.  A special thanks to all the brothers that helped make this event a success.

Though it was in October, I am going to go ahead and thank Brothers: Shane Lowe, Joe Mencer and William Murphy. the four of us went to a widow's house in Clarksville Tennessee to assist in the renovation. We added vinyl siding and flashing to prevent further weathering. Though our quarters were rather less than appealing, it proved to be a memorable event and a touching endeavor.  

For more pics of the Widow's house Renovation Event, click HERE.

Your's,
~J.W. Dustin Wade

From the East

Are you a source of light, or of darkness?

We create our own reality. What we expect from life is what we receive. If we expect and look for the trouble, disagreement, and negativity in situations that is what we are sure to find. If however, we expect and look for the good, cooperative, and positive outcomes in situations that is what we will experience.

Life cannot, and does not always go smoothly. We cannot appreciate the good times and the joys that life brings without the rough times and the sadness that must cross our path on occasion. It is our response to these times that defines who we are.

Brothers, I am guilty of being a source of darkness. That is, in seeing and focusing only on the problems in lodge that I perceive need to be corrected. And in being privy to, and a part of, the occasional personality conflicts that are destined to arise in any group.

Yes, there are problems in every lodge. Yes, we do not always agree with, or get along with each other. This has always been, and always will be. But we cannot be negative about these difficulties. Our negative thoughts are like a cancer which spreads and weakens us, and those around us, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

It is easy to fall into the trap of negativity or darkness. But, with effort on our part, and the assistance of the G.A.O.T.U., we can instead choose to open our eyes to the light. My Brothers, that light is Brotherly love. Love is being positive and expecting the best life has to offer. Love is knowing that, although our human frailties will result in disagreement, where there is hope and understanding there can be the peace and harmony to work together towards a common goal.

So, for the sake of the Fraternity and your well-being, I urge you to make the commitment to change your life, to become a source of Masonic Light.

Yours Fraternally,
Shane Lowe W.M.

From the South

Brethren,
as we enter the fall and our busiest time of the year, I would like to thank you all for a wonderful year thus far. We have many more events coming up and will need all the help we can get as we close out the year.

This Saturday September 19th is of course our annual Steak Dinner. Come get a 9 oz Ribeye, Baked Potato and salad for $10 per plate. We will be Serving from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

October 10th, 17th & 24. will be our first run of fall Turkey Shoots. More info to come.

We will also be hosting our Annual Halloween Carnival on October 31st. More info in next month's Trestle Board.

Yours
J.W.

From the East

Brethren,

What we do not understand, we do not possess. Neither can we impart to others what we do not possess. Superficial exposure to Freemasonry will not suffice to achieve even minimum requirements of a real Mason. To be meaningful it must be more than an intellectual exercise or a passing experience. Ritualism must be supplemented and embellished by explanation, education, personal fellowship before Masonry can become a part of us and its precepts strengthened by performance

~W.M. Shane Lowe

Prayer Request

Brethren,

Please keep these families in your prayers.

Brother Philip Young - Loss in family and hospitalization of another family member.

Brother Chip Hatcher - Medical procedure.

Doug Cable - Medical procedure.

From the South

Brethren,

Here are your upcoming events.

First the Steak Dinner has been moved been postponed until September 19th.  We will be eating at 6:00pm and it will be $10 a plate.  If you would like tickets please contact a lodge officer.

We have a Master Mason's degree set for August 27th, Eat at 6:00 pm Degree to follow.

September 12th will be our quarterly lodge maintenance day.

We will also be having our biannual roadside cleanup of Russell road in September though a date has not yet been set, more to come.

~J.W.

From the East

Brethren,

The Blue Lodges of Ancient Craft Masonry have three splendid and impressive degrees. The thrust of the Entered Apprentice Degree is the teaching of great moral principles by beautiful ceremonies and lectures. These include the four great cardinal virtues of temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice, together with the beloved golden tenets of Masonry--Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. The Fellowcraft Degree emphasizes the importance of the acquisition of knowledge, and that with it comes greater duties and responsibilities. The great degree of all Masonry is the sublime degree of a Master Mason. This degree reveals the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul in a very impressive manner and also charges that it is incumbent upon all Masons to continually pursue further light as we travel symbolically in our pilgrimage in life from the West to the glorious East

W.M. Shane Lowe

From the West

Brethren,

This June was a historic day in the history of Rockford masonry. The BBQ/Ice-cream social “Summer Days” Event was a huge success with hundreds turning out. We have had a few big events over the last few years but I cannot recall 1 other where every active member, and even some with other obligation restraints, EAs and FCs contributed in some way. Whether it was through donation, making sure the law was mowed, collecting money or running the kitchen, the brethren of Rockford Lodge showed as a shinning example of what we can accomplish when we all come together in the light of Masonry.  A special thanks to Brothers Mike Weems for donating the ice-cream, Joe Mencer for spending over 50 hours across two weeks running the smoker, Danny Gleason for providing running the TN CHIP machine, and the Martha Washington Star Chapter for providing most excellent sweets.

For more pics of the Summer Days Event, click here.

Brothers Shane Lowe, Mark Dixon, Chris Seaton, Scott Hopkins and myself sold hotdogs at the Blunt County Fishing Derby at the beginning of the month and were able to raise a few dollars.

Lastly, the latest masterpiece by our illustrious woodworker was taken to Sweetwater Lodge. The Swicegood alter was presented at Sweetwater’s stated meeting and is beautifully matched to the lights that were presented earlier this year.

For more pics of the Sweetwater Alter, click here.

~S.W. Dustin Wade

From the South

Brethren,

I have a few announcements for this month.

July 11^th, Don’t forget that the Community Yard Sale is this Saturday at Rockford Lodge. Vender’s will start setting up at 8:00am. We have 10 venders this year, which is 2 more than last year, and we kept the parking lot full last year.

July 16^th, We have 2 FC Degrees, eat at 6:00pm, Degree to follow.

July 30^th, We will be hosting the annual Widows and Orphans dinner/ Family night. Eat at 6:00 pm. If you know a Blunt County widow or orphan, please invite them to come and eat. Rockford lodge will be providing Fried Chicken and it is requested that each Brother attending brings a covered dish (Pot Luck). We will also be collecting donations for the Tennessee widows and orphans fund.

Aug. 15^th, We will be hosting our 2^nd annual Steak Dinner. Eat at 6:00 pm. This year we will be serving via a line rather than at the tables. Dinner will include Steak, Salad, Baked Potato and Desert for $10

Yours Fraternally,

Scott Hopkins J.W.

From the East

Brethren,

In the Master's Degree we are told to emulate the legendary Master Hiram who was faithful even though his life was imperiled. It would be well for us today to not only emulate his fidelity and courage but his industry, skill, and devotion to his work. Perhaps one of the greatest teachings of Masonry is that the building of human character is likened to that of building a great Temple. If it is important that the best designs, materials and workmanship should be used in the erection of a beautiful Temple, isn't it even more important that greater concern should be employed in the building of our own character temples, which the Apostle Paul to vividly depicts as a "house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. ''

~W.M. Shane Lowe

From the West

Brethren,

We need your help.

On Jun 20th Rockford Lodge will be hosting it's first annual"Summer Days Event".  This is a combination of the Ice cream social and a BBQ fund raiser. There will be Free Ice Cream from 2pm-8pm, 3 types of BBQ from 5pm-8pm, Live Music, and a Bounce House for the kids.  BBQ is $10 for adults and $4 for kids 12 and under. Bring every one you know!!!

If you are a member of Rockford Lodge, Brothers we will need all the help we can get. We will start setting up early Saturday Morning.

JULY 11th. We will be hosting our annual Community yard sale and we need vendors!!! if you know someone that wants to have a yard sale, have them call me, Dustin Wade, at 865-686-2064. There is no vendor fee but i do need a heads up of who is coming so we don't over book.

Stay cool rockford and well see you Saturday!

~S.W. Dustin Wade

From the South

Brethren,

First of all, I hope everyone is staying cool this summer and that you'll come cool off with us at the Summer Days BBQ and ice cream social on the 20th.

As we are in the height of summer and brothers are spending time with there families and taking vacations, we did not plan any events for this past month. Though we are an active lodge, we still want you brethren to take time and relax with those love and support you.

We did have two degrees last month so, congratulations to those brothers and we look forward to hearing those lectures.

Enjoy your summer brothers and we will see you soon.

Yours,
Scott Hopkins J.W.

From the South

Brethren,

Warm weather is upon us and there are some exciting things planned for the upcoming months.  This month we have 2 EA degrees on May 21 (this thursday)

June 6th we will be serving food at the fishing derby. This will be my first year attending this event and I have been assured that it is a lot of fun. I hope to see many of you there.

Please don't forget about the summer days BBQ and Ice Cream Social on June 20th. The Ice cream Social will be free but the BBQ will be $10 for adults, If you need tickets to sell or need to buy some. Please contact a Rockford Lodge Officer.

We also have the Annual Community Yard Sale on July 11th. If you would like to set up a booth, Please contact me at 865-686-2064. Setting up a booth is Free.

From the East

Brethren,

Masonry existed for many centuries and that great cathedrals were constructed by these craftsmen. The magnificent structures erected by them before the time of modern machinery testify to the skill and devotion of our ancient craftsmen to their assigned tasks. From this gradually emerged the beautiful symbolism of Speculative Masonry which became formally organized in the early part of the 18th Century. It has been aptly said that while Operative Masons built great temples for the worshipers, Speculative Masonry seeks to build worshipers for the Temples. Anyone who is even superficially informed as to the work and doctrines of Masonry knows that it cannot be classified as a religion or as a substitute for one. Masonry does engender Brotherly Love and Adoration to God, which should induce its members to become better members of the church of their choice

Brethren,
The degree for tonight has been move to next week April 30th

From the South

Brethren,

We have 2 degrees set for this month.  The first is a Master Masons degree on April 16th, eat at 6pm Degree to follow.
The Second degree is an EA on April 23rd, Eat at 6pm Degree to follow.

Rockford will be hosting a Turkey Shoot on April 18th & 25th at the Rockford Football Field.
We will begin at 8am  $3 - $5 to shoot.

Don't forget the district meeting on April 28th at TN204 We will eat at 6pm.

We have begun selling tickets for the summer BBQ.  It will be held on June 20th at Rockford lodge. BBQ will be sold from 5pm - 8pm $10 for adults and $4 for children 12 & under.  This day will also be our Ice Cream Social, FREE ice cream to anyone from 2pm - 8pm, No purchase necessary.

From the West

Brethren,

I am pleased to announce that we had 4 degrees last month.  1 EA, 1 FC & 2 MM; one of which was held on the beautiful Grand Lodge floor in Nashville for the last Master Mason's degree of Most Worshipful Grand Master Delbert R. Musick's Term.

Grand Lodge News will be passed at the stated meeting thursday, we will see you then.

Yours,
~Dustin Wade S.W.

From the West

Brethren,

Last month's Country ham breakfast was a blast. I've always enjoyed getting out early to meet with my brothers and make some good food.  Some money was raised and people were fed.

A lot of stuff got shuffled last month because of the bad weather but we did get in 2 FC degrees and the Awards Night.  Congratulations to the following brethren.

Billy Dunlap - Fifty Year Mason
Charlie Bean - Fifty Year Mason
Leon Stalcup - Fifty Year Mason
Philip Phillips - Fifty Year Mason
Gerald Phillips - Fifty Year Mason
Kent Mitchell - Proctor Award "244"
Dustin Wade - Proctor Award
Robert Ford - Proctor Award
Philip Young - Young Mason of the Year
Dustin Wade - Mason of the Year

More pics available HERE

Special Announcements

Brethren,
Here are a few special announcements.

The Shriners are reaching out to local lodges, they need drivers to transport children from Knoxville and surrounding areas to hospitals like Vanderbilt. If you have the availability and desire to aid this worth while cause, please contact brother Jack Haggard at (865) 453-2146; his group will also be meeting at Shoney's in Alcoa every 4th Monday.

Secondly, Our own brother Eric Middleton has started a sock drive to open for the duration of the year. We need lots of socks, Children's and adult's.  These will be donated in turn to aid the Shriners in there Shoe drive as well as other local organizations like church's and food pantries which will help get them to those who need them the most. If you would like to donate, please drop new socks off at rockford lodge. We can also purchase the socks for you if you would like to make a monitory donation.

Lastly, Brother Tim Webb has had some Rockford Lodge polo shirts made. If you would like to order one, they are $12 - $17 depending on size, please contact brother Tim at (865) 978-0792.

From the South

Brethren,

The seasons are changing and though things are slowing down, we have a lot of official business coming up.

This Tuesday Mar. 17th,  we are having a Masonic education class held by brother Carl Reneau, start at 7.

This Thursday Mar 19th, we have a MM degree, eat at 6 degree to follow, and Saturday the 21st is Lodge Maintenance Day, we will start at 9 am and be there most of the day, come when you can.

On the 24th we will be holding a degree on the Grand Lodge floor in Nashville around 8-9 pm. If you would like to participate in the degree, please contact brother Joe the degree captain at (865) 256-1357.  Grand Lodge will be on the 25th and 26th.

Next month.

The official visit will be on April 2nd. we need as many brethren to attend as possible.  For those newer masons, this is where a Grand Lodge official visits our lodge and helps us straighten out and inconsistencies in our ritual. He will also be grading us and testing any one who would like to get their proficiency or lecturer's cards.

We will be having Turkey Shoots on April 11th, 18th & 25th at the rockford football field. for more information, please contact brother Justin at (865) 712-6688.

The District Meeting this year will be hosted by TN 204 on April 28th eat at 6pm.

Lastly, a special thanks to Brother Tim Webb, who is standing in for me while I handle some family business. We all need help from time to time and its a great help to have a brother who will step in and share the load.

Yours in the light,
J.W. Scott Hopkins

From the West

Brethren,

First, the 2014 Christmas Parade pictures are now available HERE

January was a relatively slow month; however, We got a lot done. 

We made the last few batches of tamales and thank you to all the brethren that helped.

We had Officers, Families and even EAs helping out, Thank you all for your Hard work.

We have also sold a lot of tamales and had a lot of donations to the D.A.D. program, Keep up the good work and don't forget to spread the word about D.A.D.Y. 

Also, Brethren, We will be performing another degree at the Grand Lodge this year. If you are interested in participating in the degree, please contact Brother Joe Mencer as he is the degree captain for this event.

Lastly, congratulations to our new EA, if you ever need anything just ASK.

  

Country Ham Breakfast

Brethren,
This is a reminder, we will be hosting our annual country ham breakfast on Saturday Feb. 7th at 7:30am at Rockford Lodge. We are requesting a $5 donation per person. and will be serving the usual: Country Ham, Eggs, Sausage, Gravy, Pancakes, Biscuits and Juice.

From the West

Brethren,
First let me to take this opportunity to thank you for electing me to serve as you Senior Warden this year.

On to the December events,
First, the Christmas parade was a huge success. We had a lot of families turn up and ride on the float. We gave out all the candy left over from Halloween and about 30 pounds on top of that. If you missed it this year please try to make it next year because everyone had a great time.



Later that day, the 2015 officers were installed. A special thanks to everyone who brought food, we really enjoy good food and great fellowship; and congratulations to my fellow officers.

Unfortunately due to a miscommunication with those in charge of the Empty Pantry, we were unable to participate this year. The good news is that they had more than enough people participating to get the supplies out to those in need. We have better contacts for this year as well as another potential group that is in need of help during the holidays.  We also gave $200 worth of presents to the Rockford school for needy children that the school had contacted us about

In observance of St Johns day, we held a coffee meeting on the 27th. A few of us got together for coffee and donuts and pretty much did what we do every night after the meeting, talked masonry. To those of you that came, thank you; to those that couldn't make it, we understand that this conflicts with holiday plans and hope you had a wonderful time during your holiday season.

Lastly, Brother Middleton has placed a large blue bin at the lodge in front of the freezer. This is for Socks. We are collecting Socks throughout the year and towards the end of the year we will be giving some out to the homeless and donating some to the Shriner Shoe Fund so they wont have to buy as many. Socks are cheap, please pick up a pack the next time your at Wallmart and throw them in the bin.

Yours,
~S.W. Dustin Wade

From the South

Brethren,

A new year is upon us. Thank you for giving me a chance to be your Junior Warden this year.  We have a very busy schedule this year with at least one major event each month after January.

We have 2 EA degrees scheduled for Jan. 22 - Eat at 6pm and degree at 7pm as usual.

Because they are big events and because we don't have anything for this month, I will go ahead and let you know what is coming up next month.

On Feb. 7th we will be hosting our annual Country ham breakfast. We always have a good turn out for these but this year I would love to see us run out of food.  We will begin serving at 7:30am and we request a $5 donation per plate.

On Feb. 21st We will be having our annual Awards Night. this is where we give out awards to various masons in Blount county as well as some of our in house awards. It will be a pot luck with Rockford providing the main meat. We will Eat at 6pm.

Again I am looking forward to another great year as a Rockford Mason, lets start it out with a bang.

Yours,
Scott Hopkins
Junior Warden