At the end of this month, your Junior and Senior Wardens and I will be attending the Grand Lodge in Sedona.  This year promises to be a very interesting Grand Lodge with all that is currently happening.  But rather than focus on the negative, I prefer to focus on the positive.  Therefore, it is such a pleasure and honor to devote this newsletter to a brother who emulates Masonry.  All brothers should look up to and hope to achieve, if only half, of what this brother has accomplished.

On May 8^th, WB Lloyd Beyers presented the Apron Lecture to our newly initiated Brother Nick Lindquist.  There are several things that make this a noteworthy occasion.  First, another brother was scheduled to do the Apron Lecture and at the last minute, unbeknownst to me, WB Lloyd requested to do the Apron Lecture.  He has not participated in any degrees for a good year or more.  So, listening to him present the Apron Lecture was quite a surprise.  After Lodge that night WB Lloyd told me he wanted to do the lecture because he always enjoyed talking with Bro Nick, every Tuesday, when he came to lodge.

Second, if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting WB Lloyd, or hearing him rattle off his Past Master dates, you are missing out.  WB Lloyd is 93 years old and still rarely misses a Tuesday night.  One would think that is quite an accomplishment in and of itself, but there is more.  WB Lloyd gave a flawless lecture, he did it on the night he celebrated his 69^th year in Masonry.  What an extraordinary honor to help this brother celebrate 69 years in masonry.

WB Lloyd was Master of Tippecanoe Lodge 492, in Indiana,in 1949.  At that time he was the youngest Master of his lodge.  He is now the oldest living Member and Past Master of his lodge.  In the late 90s, he was Master of Terre Haute Lodge #19, in Indiana.

A couple of weeks ago our JW, Bro Cosmo, went to WB Lloyd’s home to do a video interview.  This interview will be available on CD and on our website in the near future, so that we all can learn from this esteemed Brother.

So, in a year when our Grand Lodge has been going through a rough time, Oriental 20 is lucky a Brother that reminds us what Masonry and Brotherly love is all about.  I feel so honored and privileged to know WB Lloyd and to have seen him in action.  I can only hope I am as good a man as he, as I grow older.

So WB Lloyd, Congratulations on 69 wonderful years in Masonry.  You are truly loved at Oriental 20 and you are welcome to participate in a degree whenever you want.

Fraternally,

Geoff Cummings, WM

I believe I mentioned in a previous Trestle Board that I became a Mason 6 years ago.  I had no idea what to expect after that.  I did know that I fully intended to sit back and observe and try to find out what Masonry was all about.  For those who don’t know me, I’m not one who likes to be the center of attention.  I’m more of an introvert than an extrovert.  Apparently WB Ed Benedicto had other plans, because he asked me to be his Chaplain during his year as Master.  Whether WB Ed knew I was a shy quite guy, I don’t know.  Maybe he did and didn’t care, or maybe he did but saw something in me that I didn’t.  I need to ask him one of these days.  Well he set in motion my progression through the chairs sometimes more quickly than I may have liked, or was comfortable with, but I hung in there.  Now, six years later I find myself Master of this great Lodge. A position I never imagined myself being in.

In the four short months I have been your Master, I think I’ve learned more about what Masonry is about than I have in the past six years I’ve been a Mason.  We have some wonderful brothers in this lodge full of a wealth of Masonic information as well as brothers who are eager to learn more about Masonry.  I find myself constantly getting involved in conversations where I learn something new about Masonry.  I also am encouraged, when talking to our new candidates, by their enthusiasm in learning the craft and their willingness to get involved in the lodge.

This past month Bro. Coleton VonRoder visited Oriental 20, his home Lodge, while on a two week leave from the Military.  He’s been serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan, since becoming a Master Mason a little over a year ago.  I don’t know about you, but if I was home on leave for only two weeks before being stationed overseas again, I’m not sure spending my two free Tuesday nights at lodge would be at the top of my list.  They were for Cole.  Not only did he show up, he participated in the degrees.  Thank you, Cole, for spending your two free Tuesday nights with us and for serving our Country.  Good luck overseas, in the Orient, and bring Fraternal greetings from Oriental 20, to the Lodge you will be attending over there.

Finally, just this past week, 10 Brothers from Oriental 20 traveled to Phoenician Lodge #58.  I have only been to one other Lodge, so it was especially exciting for me.  Our Phoenician #58 Brothers were gracious hosts.  It sure is interesting to see how another Lodge conducts their meetings.  While attending Phoenician Lodge, I was presented with their Traveling Gavel.  It was a great honor to be presented with this.  Make sure you come to Lodge to see it.  It will be proudly displayed in the East until another Lodge takes it.

Fraternally,

Geoff Cummings, WM

Do you know what’s going on at your Lodge?  If not, then you had better make sure you are on the weekly e-mail blast, checking Oriental’s website, or like Oriental’s Facebook page to keep up to date with Oriental 20’s happening.

Oriental 20 roared into March like a lion!  We hosted the 1^st Annual Science Fair as a joint venture with Mesa Public Schools.  March 1^st, some of our Brother’s judged the science projects entered by the 8^th graders.  Oriental 20 then hosted the awards ceremony on March 3^rd where the first place winners displayed their winning projects. The money raised, from our fundraiser in January, went towards hosting, purchasing awards, and giving cash prizes to the 1^st place winners.  I was so impressed by the complexity of their projects, how articulate they were in explaining their projects, and how enthusiastic they were about their projects.  We hosted well over 50 students, their parents, and some representatives from Mesa Public Schools.  It was a great opportunity to show off Oriental 20, and Masonry.  Vicki Massey from Mesa Public Schools was very impressed with our joint venture and hopes that we will help next year when they include science classes from high school.

At our March Stated meeting, we honored Bro. Don Wilson, for all of his hard work, and dedication over the years in running the School Essay Program and Bikes for Books program.

As of this writing we have already had our first Social Meeting.  On February 25^th, a few Brothers met at Fox’s Cigar Bar in Gilbert for some brotherly camaraderie.  The conversation covered many topics, but most importantly we learned a little bit more about each other and Masonry.  If cigars and drinks aren’t your thing, that’s ok, because the Social Committee has other events planned.  If you have an idea for a social event, let them know or better yet, ask to be on the committee.   Additionally, we’ll be having a Family Fun Night every quarter.

This last month Phoenician Lodge traveled to Oriental 20 for a visit.  It was nice to have so many visiting Brothers.  Oriental 20 will be returning the favor on April 10^th.  Instead of having Lodge, Oriental will travel to Phoenician Lodge, for their stated meeting.  If you’d like to join us, please let our secretary know, as Phoenician would like to have a head count of Brothers attending.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that the members of your Lodge, at our March Stated Meeting, decided to let the Grand Lodge handle the issues that are at hand.

Fraternally,

Geoff Cummings, WM

As you have probably already noticed, this year the lodge officers are putting considerable emphasis on retaining existing members.  Worshipful Brother Geoff wrote at length about this in his Master’s Message for March.  The pedestal officers are squarely behind him in having activities besides stated meetings and degree work, and we are hoping that this will attract many of our members to get actively involved in the lodge again.

That said, I would like to address the importance of being in attendance for degree work.  I realize that sitting on the sidelines watching a degree for the umpteenth time tends to become very boring.  I myself fell away from being involved with lodge activities for several years because I got tired of watching the same old thing over and over.  However, in the last couple of years, I have come to realize that from the perspective of the candidate, seeing only a handful of brothers sitting on the sidelines is very discouraging.  I can’t help but wonder how many of our candidates look around the nearly empty lodge room and wonder what kind of a “lame” organization they are joining.  In thinking back to the time when I was going through the degrees, there was still a relatively large turnout most weeks, and I now realize what an encouragement it was to see so many brothers sitting in lodge.  It made me feel I was becoming a part of something important.

I know that some of you have work or family commitments that take precedence over lodge activities, which is as it should be.  However, I would like to encourage all brothers who are free to attend lodge to come and support us and more importantly to show your support for the candidates coming up through the degrees.  And if you want to do more than simply sit on the sideline, there are many small parts that you could learn and thus become actively involved in the degree work.

Fraternally,

Ben Chambers, S.W.

The second half of January was busy with two third degrees being conferred.  First, my congratulations to brothers Kevin Middleton and Ed Woosley on being raised to Master Masons.  It is always a pleasure to see candidates make it through their degrees.  My thanks to all those who made both of these 3^rd degrees possible.  It is good to see many of the newer brothers starting to fill positions, especially in the second portion of our third conferrals.  Specifically, my thanks to John Tinnel, George Rusk, Curtis White, Daniel Ayala, Suresh Muthumani and Ben Webb.  As always, my thanks to our past masters who also faithfully support us by filling in where needed.  I often times don’t know how we would get along without their support.  A special thanks to Doug Berry for filling in as Senior Deacon for the January 17^th degree.

Fraternally,

Ben Chambers, S.W.

Here it is February already and I find that I need to pay some wages from as far back as December.  I want to thank all the officers and attending brethren for supporting us in doing the 2^nd degree for brother Ed Woosley in December – a time when normally we don’t meet.  I know that this was highly appreciated by both brother Ed and his father.   My congratulations to brother Ed on being passed to the degree of Fellowcraft.

At the time of this writing we have performed another 2^nd degree, this time for brother Sean Munroe.  Again, my congratulations to brother Sean on being passed to the degree of Fellowcraft.  My thanks to all the officers who were able to attend, and a special thanks to brother Milton Arizmendi for filling in as Chaplain and MW Jim May for filling in as Senior Deacon and for giving both the “G” Lecture and Charge.

Finally, I would encourage any brother who want to be more involved in lodge activities to talk with me.  As far as degree work, there is commonly a need for brothers who can fill a chair, give a charge, give one of the lectures or do one of the many parts in the third degree.  Aside from degree work, there are many other areas where you can be of service to the lodge and to the fraternity.  In any case, I will be glad to help you find something you enjoy doing and where you can make a real contribution.

Fraternally,

Bro. Ben, S.W.

February was a busy month at Oriental 20.  At our stated meeting on February 7^th we had a visit from Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden, Jeff Carlton.  He had some very wise counsel for the brethren and stated he is very pleased with the direction the lodge is headed in trying to gain, and retain, its members.

At the end of January, I along with your Senior and Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, and Marshall attended the Grand Lodge’s Annual Leadership Conference.  This year’s resounding theme was attracting new members, but more importantly retaining our existing members.  This theme was reiterated again by RW SGW Jeff Carlton, when he addressed the brothers on February 7^th.

Potential members, and existing members, are not joining Oriental 20 for its Stated Meetings, dinners, or degree work.  They are joining for camaraderie, education and community service.  We, as lodges, have done a poor job of asking members what they are hoping to get out of their lodge.  So going forward we will be asking new prospective candidates why they are wanting to join Masonry and what they expect out of Oriental 20.

What have I done to embrace this?  I started a Social Committee and our first event was a Valentine’s Dinner.  I have asked Brother Milton Arizmendi to Chair this committee.  As of this writing the committee consists of Bro Manny Campana, Bro. John Tinnel, Bro. Mike Gates, and Bro. Dave Williams.  Hopefully, by the time you receive this Trestle Board we will have had our second social event.

Brothers, the last 6 years Oriental 20 has degree work every Tuesday.  While that has made us very proficient in our degree work and we have raised many fine brethren it’s my goal that in 2012 we incorporate other activities.

So, my challenge to you Brethren is this…If you haven’t come to Oriental 20 in more than 6 months, I’d like to hear from you as to why.  Also, let the Senior/Junior Warden, Secretary or myself know what you’d like the Lodge to do for you.

Fraternally,

Geoff Cummings, WM

By the time read this, I will have survived my first month as Master of Oriental 20 and we will have already had our BBQ Fundraiser, which was a success!  The actual dollar amount we raised, for the Mesa Public Schools, is still being tabulated at this writing, but it looks like it will be in excess of $500.  Thank you to Bro. Cosmo Magliozzi and Bro. Bill Giese for all of their hard work and donations.

I will be honest, I did not know what I was going to say in this month’s Trestle Board.   I spent several days contemplating what to write.  Being a fairly new Mason, I just celebrated my 6^th year as a MM on January 17, 2006, at Oriental 20, I decided I would write on what I’d like to see the Lodge move towards this year.

I have started reading many Masonic publications, Masonic blogs and talking to other brothers.  In doing so, I have found charity is an important part of Masonry and many brothers would like to see us focus more on that.  Although, bringing new members into the Lodge is the life blood and vitality of the Lodge, there needs to be more to membership than just degree work.  There needs to be brotherly love (camaraderie) and community service in the community in which we live and in which our lodge resides.  In researching and reflecting on my own Masonic journey, I found that brothers are hungry for Masonic history, Masonic knowledge, and Masonic charity.  Not only is this fulfilling for us as Masons, but it shows the community what Masonry is about.

If any of you are involved in, or know of, a non-profit organization that could use some volunteers please let me know.  I’d like to schedule the lodge to volunteer at various places periodically throughout the year. This will not only enrich our lives, but allow us to get to know our brethren and contribute to the community at the same time.

Fraternally,

Geoff Cummings, WM

Brethren,

I hope everyone had a safe and great holiday season last year. Its 2012 and we have many great things planned for this year. One of my goals is to have a Masonic educational story which I will present every stated meeting to help teach and discover historic moments that shaped our history not only in America, but around the globe. This month is our BBQ Fundraiser on Saturday January 14^th at 1PM.The purpose is  to raise funds for our Mesa Public Schools Science Fair held in March. In addition, please let me know if any brother has any ideas or requests for refreshments this year. One of my goals is to have healthier and filling food for the mind. This month we will have Bruschetta and Caprese salad and more….

Again, I look all seeing you in lodge!!!!

Fraternally,

Cosmo Magliozzi

Junior Warden