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Upcoming Events - Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge
December 2008
Robert Felcher Worshipful Master Brethren: Thank you. Thank you for your help and direction during my year as Worshipful Master of our lodge. It has been an honor and privilege to serve you, Sylvan Hills Lodge and our fraternity for the past 12 months. I set some pretty high goals for myself at the start of the year and didn't quite make all of them but got close. I know that Brother J. D. will lead our lodge in the right direction during his tenure. Oh yeah, I really appreciate your "encouragement", or should I say pushing, in getting me ready to confer the Masters Degree on my son. That meant a lot to me and Mike! We still talk about it. Again thanks for all your help and lets all continue to increase membership in our lodge and fraternity. Fraternally, Robert Felcher Worshipful Master From the 2009 East J.D. Sexton Worshipful Master (2009) Brethren: The officers have been installed and the New Year begins I would like to thanks all my officers for this year for their commitment to the lodge. I know that together wewill have a wonderful year. Our first big event will be Saint John's night on the 27th. This will be our opportunity to show the lodges of our district the hospitality of "The Friendly Lodge" Sylvan Hills Lodge #754. I would like to have a large turn out so contact all the brethren, family & friends you can and urge them to attend. Fraternally, J. D. Sexton Worshipful Master - 2009 T.J. Henwood, PM Brethren: Thank you to all of you who have already sent your 2009 dues. If you've sent your check, your card will be in the the mail shortly, along with perpetual members and 50 year members. Please notice that our Stated Communication in January has been postponed, with a dispensation from the Grand Master, until the 8th. Finally, congratulations to the newly elected and appointed officers. I'm looking forward to another great year at Sylvan Hills! Fraternally, T.J. Henwood, PM Secretary Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 Free and Accepted Masons Highway 107 & Bear Paw Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 "The Friendly Lodge" Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6221 Sherwood, AR 72124 November 2008
From the East T.J. Henwood, PM Brethren: I have a couple of things on my mind this month. First, the 2009 dues cards have been sent by the Grand Lodge. Those of you who are perpetual members can expect to receive yours, with the latest roster of membership, in the mail soon. Also, the Lodge voted at the November Stated Communication to remit the dues of our 50 year members, so members of 50 years can expect yours, soon, too. For the rest, please remember that dues are due on the first of the year. You can send your 2009 dues of $50.00 any time to: Post Office Box 6221 Sherwood, Arkansas 72124 The other item of business that strikes me this month is our annual Lodge Scholarship. The deadline for 2009 applicants is February 1, 2009. Remember that all children and grandchildren of Lodge members who will graduate from High School in 2009 are eligible to apply. Application forms and information is available from me, at the lodge, and on our website: CLICK HERE I, too wish you a happy and safeThanksgiving with family & friends. Fraternally, T.J. Henwood, PM Secretary Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 Free and Accepted Masons Highway 107 & Bear Paw Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 "The Friendly Lodge" Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6221 Sherwood, AR 72124 Phone: 501 - 835 - 4545
October 2008From the East Brethren: October is going to be an exciting month at your lodge. First, we have our "Family Night Dinner" scheduled for Saturday October 18th starting at 6:00 PM. We will be serving fried catfish and chicken with all the trimmings. This would be a great time to invite some of our brothers and their families that have not attended lodge in some time. I hope to have a large turn-out so please mark your calendars. Second, we are honoring our "Past Masters" with a special dinner and if that's not enough, we will confer the first degree of Masonry on Thomas Gregory Lopez. Please plan on attending and enjoy a fine meal and help with conferring the degree. It sure would be great to have 25 Master Masons in attendance! I want to also remind my principal officers and all interested brothers that there is going to be a Leadership Training Class conducted on Saturday October 11, 2008 at the Grand Lodge starting at 9:30 AM. The class is sponsored by the Grand Lodge and I encourage all lodge officers to attend. Our lodge breakfast is Saturday October 25, 2008 starting at 7 AM. I know this is early for some of you but we serve a breakfast that I guarantee will give you a "jump start" to the day. In conclusion I want to thank all of you for supporting our lodge and the support you have shown me as Master of the Lodge. See you at the lodge! Fraternally, Robert Felcher Worshipful Master T.J. Henwood, PM Thanks to all of you who have called or emailed with your military service information. If you have not yet communicated your service information, please do so that we can properly honor your service. But, there is a more pressing bit of information I need in the next week or so. That is, which of our Past Masters would like to work in the EA Degree on Past Master Honor Night? It is traditional that we offer the chairs for the degree to the Past Masters on that evening. So if you would like to work in the degree, please call or email me before October 18, the Family Night. That brings up another issue for this month, the family fish fry on Saturday, October 18th. We will serve at 6 PM There will be no charge, and no "kitty" that night. This is a night strictly for us, as Masons, to honor and gather with our families. We hope you and yours can attend. (There will be chicken available if you don't care for fish.) Fraternally, T.J. Henwood, PM Secretary Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 Free and Accepted Masons Highway 107 & Bear Paw Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 "The Friendly Lodge" Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6221 Sherwood, AR 72124 Phone: 501 - 835 - 4545
September 2008From the East Brethren: There are several events that we need to plan and schedule for the next couple of months. First, we need to be planning for our Lodge Family Night. Several brothers have made mention of this and want to have a fish fry. The weather will be cooler by then and I think it’s a good idea. We have chosen the 18th of October. Second, we need to schedule the Past Master’s Honor Night. We usually schedule a degree for that night and we may have an EA Degree ready by October. We have tentatively set this for the 23rd of October. Last, but not least by any means, is the thought that we may want to honor our returning Masonic brothers that have been serving our country in Iraq. For that matter let’s extend that honor to all of our veterans with a Military Honor Night. We have several in Iraq now and I know we have several veterans from other foreign service that we need to honor. Please think about these events and watch your Trestle Board for details on all these events. You can see we have a busy time in our future but a time for friendship and fellowship with our Masonic brothers. This would be a good time to invite a brother that has missed some meetings to come on back & enjoy a night of Masonic fellowship. Fraternally, Robert Felcher Worshipful Master T.J. Henwood, PM Thank you for your thoughts regarding how we can honor our members who have served our nation’s Military. After our discussions at the Stated meeting, we think it would be best to wait until after the first of the year. Those currently deployed will be home, and will have had time to get settled in by then. We’re looking at the 3rd Saturday of January. One thought that was shared was that we should honor ALL of our members who have served. We overwhelmingly agreed that this was the thing to do. So, I need your help. The lodge records do not indicate Military service. If you have been in the service, or you know of a lodge member who has, PLEASE let me know. We want to invite all, and we do not want to miss anyone. This event will be open to families, so we also want to invite the families of any Sylvan Hills member who served in the Military, but who may have passed on, so that their service can be recognized as well. Please let me know. Fraternally, T.J. Henwood, PM Secretary Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 Free and Accepted Masons Highway 107 & Bear Paw Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 "The Friendly Lodge" Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6221 Sherwood, AR 72124 Phone: 501 - 835 - 4545 August 2008
From the East Brethren: I have to say that July was indeed a special month for me. I had the opportunity that few Lodge Master’s or fathers have, that is to confer the Master’s Degree on his son. It was a night that I will not soon forget. We had sixty-one, yes sixty-one, Master Masons in attendance! This is great recognition for our lodge and its members. Again, thank you to all my brothers from Sylvan Hills, to the many other lodges and special thanks to the Grand Line Officers that attended. Michael has said again and again how impressed he was with the ritual work and by the number of brothers that helped. He will turn in his Master’s proficiency lecture Thursday August 21, 2008. Yes we retrieved the Proctor Traveling Gavel from Faulkner Lodge! It is home again and I hope it will have an extended visit this time. The members of Faulkner Lodge treated us to a good old home cooked meal of fried chicken, home grown tomatoes, brown beans and corn bread. If that was not enough they topped it all off with home made chocolate pie! Their hospitality was appreciated but they didn’t “sway” us from our appointed duty, to retrieve the gavel. For several years we have “nursed” our old A/C unit. I think it’s time we entertain the idea of replacing it. I have asked the building committee to submit a plan for replacement at the September stated meeting. If you have thoughts or ideas on this please contact the committee. Fraternally, Robert Felcher Worshipful Master T.J. Henwood, PM Last month, I was reminding you about our members serving in Iraq. At our Stated Meeting in July, Jason Crawford’s wife, Misty came by the Lodge, and let us know that the unit should be home by year’s end. I think the Lodge should do something to honor our members’ service. Please let me, or WM Felcher know if you have any thoughts about what we can do. Fraternally, T.J. Henwood, PM Secretary Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 Free and Accepted Masons Highway 107 & Bear Paw Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 "The Friendly Lodge" Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6221 Sherwood, AR 72124 Phone: 501 - 835 - 4545 July 2008
From the East Brethren: This month is going to be special. My son, Brother Michael Felcher, will be raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on July 24th. What makes this even more special is the fact that I will confer the degree. I know he is nervous about receiving his Master's degree, but not near as nervous as I am about conferring it. I will be honored if everyone in our lodge would come out that night and enjoy this special occasion. We also set Monday July 28th as the time we would pay a visit to our brothers in the Faulkner Lodge to retrieve our gavel. We need the three principal officers plus five members to make this trip. If you can make the trip please let me know at one of our regular Thursday night meetings. I encourage, no, I challenge you, to call one of our brothers that hasn't been to lodge in a while and urge them to come back and enjoy some good Masonic fellowship. We also have several members that have yet to pay their 2008 dues. Please, if you can, get your dues current. We have several important nights scheduled this month so come out and enjoy an evening with your Masonic brothers. Fraternally, Robert Felcher Worshipful Master T.J. Henwood, PM Last month Brother Gary Fortson brought up an excellent subject just before we closed the lodge, when the Worshipful Master asked for anything for the good of Masonry. Brother Fortson was concerned about our members serving in the Military. He specifically wanted to be sure that no mason from Sylvan Hills was suspended for nonpayment while serving our country. I can assure everyone that, as far as I know, that is not the case. In fact when Brother Billy Don Garner returned from his tour in the Middle east, the lodge paid his dues for the year. However, we do have two brothers stationed in Iraq; Brothers Doug House and Jason Crawford. I have heard from each of them via e-mail. I believe they would really appreciate an e-mail from their Lodge brothers. If you have e-mail, take a moment, and send a note of support to each of them. Doug House: roy.house@us.army.mil Jason Crawford: renegaderngr@aol.com What better way to celebrate the 4th of July? Fraternally, T.J. Henwood, PM Secretary Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 Free and Accepted Masons Highway 107 & Bear Paw Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 "The Friendly Lodge" Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6221 Sherwood, AR 72124 Phone: 501 - 835 - 4545
June 2008From the East Brethren: I want to start by saying thanks to our Building Committee for their efforts in keeping our lodge cool in this warm weather. It seems as if every Thursday Brother Joe Reynolds is out checking our A/C to ensure that we have cool air for our meeting. Thanks Joe for your work and your concern for our lodge. Thanks also to Brother Dave Freeman, of Airtec. I want to remind you of the celebration of "Saint John the Baptist" that is being held at Mt. Sinai Lodge, in beautiful down town Levy, on Tuesday evening June 24, 2008. They will serve a meal at 6 PM and Lodge at 7 PM. I encourage all of you to attend & enjoy a night of Masonic fellowship and brotherhood. Brothers it is time we retrieve the "Traveling Gavel" and bring it home to Sylvan Hills Lodge! It is currently at Faulkner Lodge. Because of St. John's in June, our next opportunity will be Monday July 28th. We need the three (3) principal officers plus five (5) lodge members to retrieve the gavel. Please let me know if the July date is good for you and let's go get the gavel... Fraternally, Robert Felcher Worshipful Master T.J. Henwood, PM Brethren: This month our Treasurer’s report shows us a little more than $600.00 in the red compared to our budget. Why? There are some 35 members who have not yet paid their dues for 2008. At $50.00 each that’s $1750.00. That’s more than the difference. Are you one of the 35? If so, please help your Lodge by sending your Also, please keep the Lodge informed of change of address, phone and e-mail. Speaking of e-mail, I have a list of Lodge members who I send e-mails to about Lodge activities. If you would like to be on this list, send me a note at:
sylvanhills754@gmail.com
I promise, no Jokes or spam. Just occasional short notes about Lodge activities. Hope to see you at Lodge, soon.
May 2008From the East I am excited to announce the conferral of the Fellowcraft Degree on my son, Michael Felcher, set for May 8. Brethren, I have a feeling of pride that is hard to describe in words. I hope you can come and share in this with me, and our Lodge. I also want to encourage ALL Master Masons to attend the Grand Master's area meeting on Saturday, May 10, at the Scottish Rite Temple, at 7th and Scott Streets, in downtown Little Rock, AR. The doors will open for coffee and donuts at 8 AM. Registration is from 9 - 10, and the Grand Master's presentation from 10 until noon. A lunch will be served, and following that, the Master's Degree will be conferred in full form using the Scottish Rite stage, props, and robes. It should be something to see! I'm hoping we have a good turn out of the officers, and members, because there are going to be awards for the best attendance. There's a lot going on this month, and June looks busy, too. I'd like to try to visit Faulkner Lodge on the 23rd of June to retrieve our Traveling Gavel. Mark your calendar now, and let's roll! If you haven't been to Lodge in a while, I'd like to see you, soon. Fraternally, Robert Felcher Worshipful Master T.J. Henwood, PM Brethren: As our Worshipful Master says, May and June are turning out to be busy months for Sylvan Hills, and Masonry in Arkansas. I, too, want to encourage you to attend the Grand Master's meeting on May 10. I'd sure like to see one of the attendance plaques hanging on our wall! I am also excited about Grand Master Graham's musical program. On May 16th, the Grand Organist from the Grand Lodge of Scotland is coming to present an evening of organ music at the 1st Presbyterian Church, across the street from the Scottish Rite. There will be a reception to follow, where you will have an opportunity to meet the artist. Of course, we're busy, too with a Fellowcraft Degree, Masonic Education, and our monthly breakfast. Always remember, your family and friends are welcome at the breakfast. On the more mundane side of things, dues continue to come in. We are approximately 83% paid at this point. Check your card, and if it doesn't say 2008, send your check for $50.00 today. Help us be 100% by the 4th of July! Fraternally, T.J. Henwood, PM Secretary Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 Free and Accepted Masons Highway 107 & Bear Paw Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 "The Friendly Lodge" Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6221 Sherwood, AR 72124 Phone: 501 - 835 - 4545 April 2008
From the East Congratulations to Brother Scott Looney on becoming a Master Mason! We had a great degree night with brothers from several lodges and from the grand line participating. Thank you for helping in the degree & please visit Sylvan Hills Lodge any time. My special thanks to Most Worshipful Grand Master Brother James Graham for his visit and taking part in Brother Scott's degree. Brother Scott told me he was impressed with our work and wanted to thank everyone that took part. We will be scheduling clean-up days for the lodge and for North Hills Children Center. Please gather up your rakes, gloves and shovels! Again, I want to encourage all of our members to attend lodge and enjoy the fellowship of our fraternity. Fraternally, Robert Felcher Worshipful Master T.J. Henwood, PM Brethren: Although it doesn't show up in his article, our Worshipful Master is a little under the weather. He went in this past week for some tests on his heart, and wound up in surgery having a stint implanted. As of Thursday, the 3rd, he was home and doing well. Give him a call, and send him your best wishes. As always, I would remind you all how important it is to keep the Lodge current regarding your personal information such as address, phone, and e-mail. Also, I want to remind you that if it is your desire that you receive our final tribute of a "Masonic Funeral", or as I prefer to call it a Masonic Memorial, please let your closest family know of your desires, as well as your funeral director, if you pre-arrange, and me, so that I can make a note in your Lodge file. Hope to see you in Lodge soon. Fraternally, T.J. Henwood, PM Secretary Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 Free and Accepted Masons Highway 107 & Bear Paw Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 "The Friendly Lodge" Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6221 Sherwood, AR 72124 Phone: 501 - 835 - 4545 March 2008
From the East I've been your Master for three months now and I'd like to say thanks for all the support you have given me and the lodge during the first part of my tenure. Sylvan Hills Lodge is one of the best lodges in our fraternity and that's because of our members. I ask that you continue to visit with our "Rusty Masons" and encourage them to come back and enjoy the brotherhood of Masonry. Remember, we will continue to grow if we work and act by the square of morality towards all mankind. If all goes as planned, we will confer the Master’s Degree on Brother Scott Looney on March 27. That would be a great time to come back and rekindle your association with your brethren. Again, thanks for your support & I'll see you in lodge! Fraternally, Robert Felcher Worshipful Master T.J. Henwood, PM Brethren: The 2008 Scholarship Committee met on March 6, 2008. Upon the recommendation of the committee, the Lodge has voted to award the 2008 Scholarship to Taylor Brown, of Cabot, AR. Taylor is the grandson of Bro. Bob Trask. His application showed excellent academics, and well-rounded extracurricular activities. He is already accepted to the University of AR at Fayetteville. Again, it was a difficult choice, and all the applicants scored well. I guess it is that time of year for me to begin singing the “pay your dues” lament. Actually, we are doing well so far this year; and my thanks to the 139 of you who are already paid for 2008. If you are in the remainder of the those who make up the rest of our 179 members, please send your dues of $50.00 today. As always, if you are experiencing a situation that makes your dues a burden, contact me, the Worshipful Master, or some member of our Lodge and let us know. We would want to help you. Fraternally, T.J. Henwood, PM Secretary Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 Free and Accepted Masons Highway 107 & Bear Paw Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 "The Friendly Lodge" Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6221 Sherwood, AR 72124 Phone: 501 - 835 - 4545
February 2008From the East Brethren: I want to start by saying "thank you" to all that worked in the EA Degree for Brother Caves and the Fellowcraft Degree for Brother Looney. The degree work was excellent & the kitchen also did their part by providing a great meal. Let's encourage these brothers to get on their lectures and turn them in as soon as possible. We also have several "Rusty Masons", those that have started their degree work & failed to continue, that need encouragement from us. I want each of you to contact one of these brothers and invite them back to their lodge to continue their education and Masonic fellowship. We will be scheduling a night in the near future for that purpose. We have two Brothers that have been Master Masons for 50 years! They are Brothers Ellis Benton and John Ison. That's quite an accomplishment, to say the least. I will present them their "50 Year Pins" at our stated meeting in March. Please be there to help honor these Brother Masons. Fraternally, Robert Felcher Worshipful Master T.J. Henwood, PM Brethren: We have received four excellent applications for the 2008 Sylvan Hills Lodge Scholarship. Two of the applications came from Sylvan Hills High School, and two are relations of Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge members. The Scholarship Committee will meet at 5 PM on March 6, 2008, at the Lodge to select the 2008 winner(s). All members of Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 are welcome to attend and observe the selection process. Otherwise, this month, just a couple of "housekeeping" notes, or reminders. It is important to keep the Lodge informed of your current mailing address. Thanks to those who have recently informed me of changes. Also, if you desire a Masonic Funeral, or as I prefer to call it, Memorial service, please be sure to inform your family of your desires, and ask them to inform the Lodge upon your death. Actually, we'd like for families to let the Lodge know when one of our members is ill, or hospitalized, so that we can send a card, or visit, & especially, include them in our prayers. Also, let me know of your wishes, so that I can make a note in your Lodge records. Feel free to email me, Click Here Fraternally, T.J. Henwood, PM Secretary Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 Free and Accepted Masons Highway 107 & Bear Paw Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 "The Friendly Lodge" Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6221 Sherwood, AR 72124 Phone: 501 - 835 - 4545
January 2008From the East Brethren: I hope all of you had a merry Christmas and are enjoying a happy New Year. I have two goals for this year: First, I want to continue our relationship with the North Hills Child Services Center. They appreciate our help, and more than that, they need us. Second, I want to increase our membership by ten. I know that's a high number, but we can do it. We already have 2 EA's, and one new member by affiliation. This month we will start another EA on the 17th. So, we are almost half-way there! Again, thank you for electing me Master for 2008. Fraternally, Robert Felcher Worshipful Master On the Secretary's Desk I have to report that we lost 9 members at the close of 2007. One transferred his membership to Texas, and eight were suspended for non-payment. So, we need to meet WM Felcher's goal of ten new Master Masons in 2008, just to recover. There is one ray of hope, however. Those eight who did not pay for 2007 can be reinstated, simply by paying their 2007 and 2008 dues before the end of 2008. Included with this edition of the "Trestleboard", you will find a generic Dues Notice. Postal regulations prohibit personalized messages on the bulk permit. So, if you will accept this notice as your notice to pay for 2008, you can save our Lodge the expense of individual dues notices. I hope to see you at Lodge in 2008! Fraternally, T.J. Henwood, PM Secretary Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge #754 Free and Accepted Masons Highway 107 & Bear Paw Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 "The Friendly Lodge" Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6221 Sherwood, AR 72124 Phone: 501 - 835 - 4545 |
