From the West

To all the brothers out there in the masonic world and Rockford Lodge No. 469,

I hope you had a great Easter holiday. To those of you that missed out we had a great Easter Egg Hunt at Rockford Park for the community. There was good participation and the children really loved it. A special Thanks goes to JW Kevin Kirkpatrick for all the hard work. If it were not for Kevin and the help of the brothers of Rockford Lodge, this Easter Egg Hunt event would not have happened. A special thanks to all the brothers of Rockford Lodge that wish to attend some of or all of our events. 

For more pictures of the 2017 Easter-egg Hunt click HERE

Here are some upcoming events: The spaghetti supper on May 20th at 6:00p.m.. We will also soon be having a barbecue dinner and if that's not enough we will have a steak dinner that cannot be beat. More details on these events coming soon.  Not only do we like to eat we also have scheduled turkey shoots for Saturday, April 22nd and 29th at 8:00 a.m. at the Rockford football field….and don't think this is all we have to do this year, we also have scheduled the very first car show for August 12th at Rockford Park. Needless to say we need all participation from all members that would like to come out and help and be part of our events. As you know, we have practice on Thursdays and stated meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month. We eat at 6:00 p.m.. God bless you, be safe, and come out and play.

From the West

Brethren,

It is with the greatest honor that I serve as your Senior Warden for the 2017 year.  As Senior Warden one of my duties is to pay the wages to those brothers who have been participating in the great work that your lodge is involved in, as well as informing you of that work.

Last month we held the installation of officers where your new Worshipful Master (Thomas Kittrell), Junior Warden (Kevin Kirkpatrick), and myself took our posts and receive our instruction of duties. The Worshipful Master's banquet preceded the event with chicken provided by the Eastern Star. I personally would like to thank those ladies for the wonderful food as well as all the help and services they provided over the last year. Pictures of the event will be posted as soon as they are returned.

On the same day as the installation, the officers, wives, and children participated in the Rockford Christmas parade. As is the case every year, we gave away a lot of candy and it was a great time.

Lastly, thank you to those Masons and their loved ones who came out on Christmas morning and helped deliver food to those home bound individuals in our area. Meals on Wheels has provided a wonderful opportunity, if you haven't participated in the past, Please consider it next Christmas. This year we took four routes and the Worshipful Master was very pleased with the results.

Again to all our members: Thank you for your work and I look forward to a wonderful new year.

Yours,
S.W. Randy Jackson

From the West

Brethren,

I hope this finds you well and the heat is not affecting anyone too much. This summer has been brutal but as always Rockford pushes through.

At the beginning of June we had our official visit. I would like to thank Brother Jess for taking the time to answer our questions and joining in our fellowship as well to all of the brethren that came out on a very stormy night.

We also held our 3rd annual Summer Days BBQ and it was a success! It was wonderful to visit with the brethren, their families and the community. A special thanks to the Eastern Star for coming out and selling deserts. If anyone has pictures from this event, please send them to the Lodge Email Rockfordtn469@gmail.com so we can get them on the website.

Lastly thank you to everyone that came out for the Widows and Orphans Dinner.  We served 3 widows and one orphan this year.

Yours in the Light,
T.C. Kitrell, S.W.

From the West

Brethren,

A lot has been going on at the lodge lately and we apologize for the delay in updates.  Firstly, March's Grand lodge degree went wonderfully. Thank you to all the brethren across the state that participated in the work.

A special thanks to brother Kevin Kirkpatrick for putting on a very successful first Rockford Community Easter Egg Hunt which was also his first as event coordinator. we had around 40 children and look forward to making this a rockford tradition.

For More Photos of the Easter egg hunt, Click Here.

We also held a family game night in March the night before "international tabletop game day" though the turn out was modest, we had a lot of fun.

In April we held 3 very successful turkey shoots and an EA Degree. thank you to brothers Shane, Dustin, Kevin, Murphy and Chris for help with the turkey shoots.


Yours,
S.W. Thomas Kitrell

FROM THE WEST

Brethren:

Greetings from Rockford! The month of January was as most can be for Rockford: a time of hibernation where we are adjusting to the new line, scheduling the calendar for the year, and working hard to make sure once February kicks into high gear we're off and rolling heavy.

January saw Rockford reset its vision and come into focus where we promote an environment "Where Masons Meet, Work Well Together, and Have Fun." That's been our goal for years, and the month of January was great for that.  A special thanks to all the Past Masters who came to meet with the Worshipful Master and Wardens to offer us advice on trying issues.

A big thanks to all the brethren who helped come out on the 9th to make tamales.  That's become such an important fundraiser for our lodge that we appreciate the work of all who show up to help.  

Another thank you goes out to our Senior Steward, Bro. William Murphy, who has kept us well fed and brought more Master Masons into our lodge on Stated Meeting nights due to his expert cooking ability.

February is almost to a close, and with it Rockford's beginning to take off at the normal lightning quick speed at which we have events, degrees, and planned events.  Keep an eye out.  We've got great things coming.

Regards,
Bro. T.C. Kittrell
Senior Warden, Rockford Lodge #469

FROM THE WEST

Hello Brethren:

December 2015 was as memorable month for Rockford in many ways.  We had our Stated meeting, with the election of new officers and the annual Christmas Parade, of which we are always excited to take part.

Our Officer Installation was performed by Bro. Daniel Mata, Past Master of Jamestown Lodge 28 and District 13 Chairman.  Our new officers are as follows:

WM: Dustin Emmett Wade
SW: Thomas Colin Kittrell
JW: Christopher Lloyd Seaton
Treasurer: Mark Timothy Dixon
Secretary: Michael Garland Weems
SD: Kevin Hughes Kirkpatrick
JD: Ryan Michael Stansberry
SS: Willam Jerry Murphy
JS: Christopher Robert Kyle
Chaplain: Joe Malcolm Mencer
Tyler: Shane Scott Lowe

Our new officers set to work quickly closing out December with making another round of tamales and delivering food for Meals on Wheels.  A special thanks goes to Bros. Murphy, Kirkpatrick, and our Worshipful Master for taking time out to make those tamales, which are an integral fundraiser for Rockford.

The Meals on Wheels program presented us with an interesting challenge as the routes they asked us to take were all on Christmas Day.  Nonetheless, our Master, Bro. Kittrell, and Bro. Norm Walton and his family all stepped up to take time out of their holiday mornings to deliver meals to those who would otherwise not see a lot of Christmas cheer.

In an interesting turn of events, Bro. Seaton found himself with four cheese and sausage trays due to a mailing error.  After a quick phone call, Bro. Kittrell was able to find four families that were extremely happy to have them, including two Masonic widows.

It would be remiss of us if we did not note the passing of our dear friend and Brother Douglas Cable at the end of December.  Rockford Lodge, under the direction of Bro. Mencer, coordinated a memorial service and pot luck supper in honor of our departed Brother.  The service was attended by at least sixty brethren from across the state of Tennessee, which is a testament to how much Bro. Cable was respected in his Masonic endeavors.

Thank you all for a wonderful December, and we look forward to 2016.

Yours in Light,
Bro. Thomas "T.C." Kittrell
Senior Warden

(Ed. Note: Post updated to correct accuracy in names.  We apologize for any inconvenience--CLS)

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 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 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 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 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

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.

  

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 West

Brethren,

First let me thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Senior Warden this year. We accomplished a lot in the community and saw enormous growth like this lodge has not seen for many years and its all thanks to you, the brethren of Rockford Lodge.

Our Big event Last month was the Table lodge. The event was very enjoyable and there were lots of first timers. This event grows larger and larger each year. A special thanks to Brother Joe for the Smoked NY Strip roll ad to brother Christopher Seaton for giving a very enthusiastic Past Masters short talk.

More photos of TABLE  LODGE can be found HERE.

We also had 1 Master Mason degree, 1 Fellow Craft degree, and 2 EA degrees. The Growth in our lodge continues to be astounding.

I would like to thank everyone again for a wonderful year.

Your,
S.W. Shane Lowe

From the West

Brethren,
October brought three more entered apprentices into the lodge.

We held another Turkey shoot on the 18th. This continues to be an excellent fundraiser and we look forward to making it at least an annual event. A special thanks to brother Justin Smith for spear heading this event.

On Halloween night we held our annual Halloween carnival. The lodge's dinning room was packed full of kids for the majority of the night and we gave away plenty of candy. As is the lodges custom This was our Senior Deacon (Eric Middleton)'s first event to run and it went of with out a hitch.

More Halloween Carnival Photos can be found HERE

From the West

Brethren,
I am pleased to bring you the results of our work during the last month.

On the 4th, Brother Jess Walker came for the official visit. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm of the brethren present and the eagerness of the younger masons to jump into the ritual work without being asked.

On September 9th, the brothers of Rockford lodge were pleased to provide food for and serve the ladies of the Martha Washington Star chapter and we look forward to providing such services in the future.

On the 20th, Rockford lodge held a steak dinner fund raiser.  This is the largest fund raiser we have had in many years bringing in over $2000. A huge thanks to the brethren who put this event on and an even larger one for the brothers from other lodges, ladies, friends and kids who jumped in and helped. We were so busy during the event that unfortunately, we did not take any photos.

We initiated a young man on the 27th. We have held 15 EA degrees so far this year and more may be on the horizon. If you see a brother that you don't recognize please remember to introduce yourself and remember that with so many new masons coming in we need all the help we can get in teaching and molding these men into the knowledgeable masons that Rockford is known for.

Thank you.

From the West

Brethren,

Last month we passed one Fellow Craft and Initiated one Entered Apprentice. Our good fortune continues.  This can only be a testament to the wonderful work our lodge is preforming both in the community and with in the walls of our lodge.

Thanks are in order for the brethren that came and helped out during our Ice Cream Social part 2.  Though it seems that we didn't get the word out as well as we would have liked, there were definitely some smiles.

Lastly, Congratulations to brother Andy Swicegood, plural member of Rockford and Sweetwater, for receiving Rockford's Proctor Award on Aug 14.

More PROCTOR AWARD pictures can be found HERE

From the West

Brethren,

July was a busy month for us. Continuing our influx of masons, we raised 2 new Master Masons last month. So many young masons have been getting involved and dedicating their time to the lodge and these young men are no exception. They are already great additions to Rockford.

We held our first annual community yard sale last month and the turn out was awesome. Between vendors and visitors, we ran out of parking spaces. All the vendors were extremely thankful for the opportunity and many look forward to participating next year.

  More YARD SALE photos can be found HERE

Another annual event was our 6th annual ice cream social. Unfortunately, due to in-climate weather, the turn out was minimal. We still have a lot of ice cream and will hopeful re-hold the event this month. Watch the "From The South" for more information.

More ICE CREAM photos can be found HERE

The beautiful lights that were made by brothers Joe Mencer and Doug Cable found their way to Sweetwater Lodge on July 18th. A few brethren along with the fore-mentioned brothers, presented the lights to the lodge prior to assisting with a Master's degree. A special thanks goes to brother Andy Swicegood for having us and for his work in that lodge.

 More LESSER LIGHTS photos can be found HERE

Rockford and Prudentia Lodges came together at Prudentia to provide a late luncheon to the area Masonic widows and orphans. We had wonderful food and fellowship and I sincerely hope to see these friends around the lodges more. Our doors and arms are always open.

At the end of the month we held a long over due family night and all I can say is WOW. The turn out was unimaginable.  A special thanks to everyone that attended we look forward to doing this again very soon.

More FAMILY NIGHT photos can be found HERE

Thank you all for an incredible month. Thanks to you Rockford is running strong.

From the West

Rockford is having a great year!

First a quick catch-up.

Rockford put on our first turkey shoot in May and it was a hit. Turn out was great. Brother Justin Smith did a top notch job!  We also raised 2 new brothers to the sublime degree of Master Mason in May.

In June we performed an EA, FC and a Masters. We also had the fishing derby, which was a good chance for Rockford to be seen by the public. We had a good time serving hot dogs and having fellowship. On the 28th Brethren from Rockford lodge and the Boy Scouts joined to clean up the lodge's "Adopt-a-Road" that being Russell Rd here in Rockford. The boys received many hours of community service and it was an excellent chance to renew our friendship with the Boy Scouts of America. 

More pictures can be found on our Photobucket page HERE

 I would like to let you brothers know how proud I am to serve as S.W. of this lodge. Rockford is great because of the men I so proudly serve.

- Bro. SW Shane Lowe