The Masonic
VOL. NO. 16 NOV. 2012 ISSUE NO. 9
Trestle Board
Mad River Lodge No. 77
1868 - 2012
Waitsfield, Vermont
King Hiram’s Lodge No. 45
1817 - 1832
A MESSAGE FROM THE EAST
My Dear Brothers,
Let me say, ‘Thank you to all’. With all that needed to be
done; from overnight duty at Baked Beads
beginning on Thurs. night, Slice & Dice food
prep on Fri. night, the cooking and juggling
between Bake Beads and the serving and takeouts on Saturday for our annual supper; with
all the help we had on the Chicken Pie supper
this year was superb as usual and we carried
on a 36-year tradition in serving the
community, We have Brother Rick Rayfield to
thank for that, as he was the chairman of this
event backed up by his resourceful bride, Holliday. This
couple organized the event well and once again we thank
many of you brothers and your families for helping out both
at the dinner and from home.
Next we bestowed the Entered Apprentice degree to a
young man on Oct. 16th and by the time you read this we will
soon be planning a Third Degree and another Fellow Craft
degree.
Our Christmas Party committee will be headed up by SW
Chris Keast this year and will be held on December 16th so
mark your calendars early. We’ll need several brothers to
volunteer ahead of schedule to help out in the kitchen,
please plan on assisting this year.
At Carla Straight-Messer's suggestion, this year's
December holiday party will be accompanied by an Arts &
Crafts Show. Masons and their families are invited to bring
their creations for display. Set up time will be included in the
December Trestle Board. Start gathering your homemade
artwork, woodcraft, textiles and other items, and share your
talents with us!
We have a busy and exciting year in progress and I
encourage everyone to become more involved.
Fraternally yours,
WM Fred R. Messer
NEXT LODGE MEETING –NOV. 6TH
Our Regular Tuesday Communication at 7:30 pm
-2-
OCT’s MONTHLY MEETING
Worshipful Master Fred Messer
called our lodge’s October meeting to
order 7:37 pm, with acting Flag
escorts SS Richard Rayfield and JS
Charlie Kettles. SD Gary Bombard
paraded our flag as WM Fred Messer
recited our Flag Charge.
The Officers in their stations: WM:
Fred Messer, SW: Christopher Keast
(Bill Morse filled in for opening), JW:
Brent Adams, Treasurer: Gerry
Maynard, Secretary: Charlie Kettles,
SD: Gary Bombard, JD: Bill Peatman, Tyler: Richard Backusacting, Marshal: Vacant and Chaplain: Rick Rayfield.
Seated on the side for the evening was: DDGM Lee Martenson,
PM’s Donnie Demas, Richard Backus, Bill Morse and Geoffrey
Colby of Mt. Lebanon Lodge AF&AM of Boston, MA.
The first order of business was the approval of the minutes of
September’s meeting. WM Fred asked for the minutes to be
accepted as printed in the Trestle Board with the correction that it
was omitted that brownies were served and were provided by Fred
Messer. It was so approved.
Next Treasurer Gerry Maynard presented his report for Sept –
Oct 4th that showed receipts of $1,049.00, which included a porch
donation of $550 and expenses of $1,053.41. A motion to accept the
report pending audit was moved and accepted by a vote of the
members and so passed.
The next order of business was the Resolution Comte’s report for
Brother Philip Jones, which was read by Rick Rayfield and accepted
with the ‘Thanks’ of the lodge. The Masonic funeral service for
Wor. Brother Manny Crafts on Thursday, Sept. 13th by the lodge
was remembered. Then a new comte was appointed to present a Set
of Resolutions for PM Manny Crafts, Jr. The chairman is Gerry
Maynard and members Donnie Demas and Rick Rayfield.
(Cont. on Next Page)
-3-
OCT’s MEETING (Cont. from Pg 3)
Next WM Fred Messer reviewed the Cornerstone Ceremony and
the Open House of the lodge on Saturday, Sept. 8th last month. He
thanked the Grand Lodge Officers for an excellent ceremony. The
Cornerstone was set in the position and tested by our Masonic
working tools. Fred ‘Thanked’ Rick for donating two new Dan
Brown books as door prizes. Rick reported that bro. Kip Campbell
sent him a disc of photos of that days event which he’ll get to the
Secretary.
Gerry next reported on our recent District meeting of the 6th and
13th at Granite Lodge. It was a good meeting, excellent meal, the
Grand Master did a great job and Bill Morse received the ‘Citizen
of the Year’ award. Bill was in attendance and received a standing
ovation.
Charlie, the Interview Comte’s chair, for the Duel membership
petition of bro. Geoffrey Colby was next to report. He stated that
the comte recommended that the petition be acted upon. The master
dismissed the comte with the thanks of the lodge and asked that Bro.
Geoff be escorted to the anteroom. He ordered the ballot be cleared
and read the petitioner’s request. A ballot was taken and bro. Geoff
was remitted to find he was voted the newest member of Mad River
Lodge. He received a welcoming round of applause and Sec. then
presented him with the by-laws and books of the lodge; along with a
“Proud to be a Mason” pin.
Next WM Fred dealt with our 4th of July Parade fundraiser and he
elucidate on how we did. He explained that we didn’t do as well as
we might have done and the profit was a little over $40. And he felt
we shouldn’t do this event again.
JW Brent Adams next reported on his progress heading up the
Baked Beads Comte. He said he needed a few more men to step up
to stand guard duty this weekend and to call him,
Chairman of the Chicken-pie Comte Rick told us that Holliday
has already been lining up the help they need to have another
successful supper. He said he had his kitchen crew signed up for
Saturday and we needed to know who was doing the Slice and
(Cont. on Page 12)
-4-
FROM OUR CHAPLAIN
By Rick Rayfield
Digging Deeper
For each one of our many Masonic symbols we can dig deeper into a rich
heritage of stories, meanings, and history of the symbol. The Master’s
gavel, for example, is a symbol of a proper instrument, used practically
for controlling the business of the lodge. The broader symbol of a
courtroom judge banging the gavel for “Order in the Court!!!” is an
exaggeration we all know, both dramatically and comically. The gavel in
a stonecutter’s hands is the power behind the chisel which trims the
rough surface into smoothness. It engraves beauty and knowledge into
the stone. A gavel used judiciously nudges stones perfectly into place.
The gavel is a symbol of many kinds of order that helps perfect our lives.
Sometimes we forget to dig deeper. We think we know enough. My
daughter is named for a great-great-grandmother who left Lithuania in
1891 at age 15 to work as a seamstress in Gloversville, New York. She
brought with her a large, detailed, beautiful needlepoint she had made
showing Abraham casting Hagar and their son Ishmael out into the
desert. Sara and baby Isaac are in the background. I have often
wondered what was in the mind of this young immigrant leaving her
homeland to come to this country.
I have long known the Bible passage which this scene depicts. But just
this week a child in church read aloud the next verses. Hagar is hopeless
in the desert, and she abandons her boy Ishmael under bush rather than
watch him die. God then provides a spring to keep them alive, and
Ishmael flourishes to become the father of all Arabs.
No doubt this miracle was part of young Sophie’s vision. Though she felt
pushed away from her home, she had hope that America would provide
blessings. It did. It still can. I was reminded to always dig deeper. Our
fraternity and nation may need to dig deeper into its symbols to see a
hopeful future.
-5-
Mad River EA Degree Held
After a brief rehearsal at 5 pm on a chilly Tuesday evening of
October 16th the degree
team was ready to inducted
‘Chuck’ Abere, Jr. into the
Entered Apprentice Degree
of Masonry. After the lodge
was opened, it was reset so
an additional FC member
could attend.
The initiation began at 7:03
pm with WM Fred Messer
presiding in the East.
The degree team was: Fred Messer, who did a first-rate job in the
East, with an assist from SS Bruce Humphrey and JS Gerald
Maynard. And particularly from SD Gary Bombard who escorted
the candidate thru-out the evening. The rest of the degree team was:
JW Brent Adams, Tres. Gerry Maynard, Sec./Prompter. Charlie
Kettles, SW Chris Keast, JD Bill Peatman, Mar. Gordie Eurich,
Chap. Rich Rayfield and Tyler Bob Danaher.
After receiving his new apron; RWGerald Maynard gave the
Apron Charge for the newly entered member.
After the tools, PM Charlie Kettles gave a Charge for the degree,
which was immediately followed by the Degree’s Symbolism, nicely
presented by PM Rick Rayfield.
It was good to have PDDGM Richard Backus, and WM Eugene
Corliss, PM Bill Morse, PM Bruce Humphrey of Winooski #49 on
the degree sidelines.
After the entire lodge welcomed and congratulated our newest
brother; further assistance and advice for the new brother came
from: Robt. Danaher, Rick Rayfield, Gerry Maynard.
WM Messer thanked his team for their fine work tonight; also Bill
P., Brent A. and Chris K. for a good job tonight as he did our
visiting brothers from Waterbury, whom he thanked for coming.
The meeting closed at 8:34 pm. Afterwards all retired to the dining
area for some ice cream along with Wilma Maynard’s nicely baked
brownies, the small groups chatted and ate.
-6-
Great Chicken-Pie Supper Held
On Friday evening of
Oct. 5th we had Rick
Rayfield heading up
the Slice and Dice
team as the pots of
cooked chickens and
quash filled the top of
the stove. With the
additional
help
of
Gary
Bombard,
Charlie
Kettles,
Donnie Demas and Chuck Abere de-boning chickens and
filling cooking pans, with cooked chicken meat. This crew
finished up quicker than usual because of the work done
behind the scenes by Gerry Maynard and Gordie Eurich.
Also Joann Eurich beautifully set up the dinning area for
our guests.
Once again all the excellent planning and work done by
the Rayfield Family and all of the people they get
together to make this years feast one the best ever.
Holliday
had
everyone
donating,
decorating, prepping,
cooking, baking, and
volunteering right on
schedule this year.
This year we had
more
pre-seating
tickets sold at the
book store and folks
were allowed to enter the building a bit earlier because of
the inclement weather. Greeting our hungry guests was
ticket-seller Charlie Kettles.
When all was ready, Wor. Fred Messer welcomed
everyone and our Chaplain Rick Rayfield offered Grace
before the meal.
(Cont. on Next Page)
-7-
Great Chicken-Pie Supper
(Cont.)
This year the kitchen staff seemed to
have everything prepped and ready on
time. The biscuit boys, Brent Adams
and Kraig Greenslet (shown here)
rolling pins in hand were topping the
pans of pre-baked chicken pies.
The tables were set with apple cider
and condiments, while Rick was adding
the finishing touches to the cole slaw
(shown below) at the take-out table.
Gordie had the mountains of mashed
potatoes set to go when the squash
was ready to be served.
This year the ladies set up a table-full of desserts for
‘Take-outs’ ready go so as to avoid any delays. This
worked out very well, and between Vicky Kingsbury and
Rachel Keast filling all the orders, we had people in and
out with their supper in no time at all.
The first serving was full to our usual capacity and as the
delicious
chicken-pie
trays all came out on
time and were served
piping hot by a great
team of adults and
kids. The adults were
as followed: Holliday
Rayfield, Rachel Keast,
JoAnn Eurich, Fran Blair, Vicki Kingsbury, Carla Messer,
Linda Sinnott and Laurie Hannah, Gordie Eurich, Fred
Messer, Ken Blair, Chris Keast, Bill Beard, Brent
(Cont. on Next Page)
-8-
Great Chicken-Pie Supper
(Cont.)
Adams
and
Kraig
Greenslet
and
the
volunteer
kids
were
Miranda Rayfield, Caroline
Blew, Aurora Cunning ham, Fiona Adams, Emily
Sinnott and Sarah Sinnott
. None of our guests were
left wanting for anything
as these servers doted on their every need.
It was good to see so many of our returning friends and
neighbors who stopped by for an enjoyable evening meal
and chat with local friends. We also had some visitors
from out of state who enjoyed this special seasonal treat.
It was good to see some brothers from Winooski Lodge
#49.
Also this year we did way
more
take-outs
than
usual. The Folks who
cooked all those delicious
desserts of Apple and
Pumpkin Pies year were:
Rachel
Keast,
Allen
Gaylord, Linda Sinnott,
Lynne Kingsbury, Arlie
Belknap, Rachel McCuin,
Suzanne Austin, Rebecca
Peatman, Joan Foster, Fran Blair, Ayla Walker, Louise
Moulton, Cheryl Kingsbury, Ruth Beard, and Holliday
Rayfield, So if we missed or forgotten to mention you
here, please except our sincere “thank you for all your
help.”
WE TRULY APPRECIATE IT.
-9-
Happy Birthdays
Now as winter’s Jack
Frost is here we can wish these brothers the very best
of an Happy Birthday. So from all of us, we wish you
all a very special Happy Birthday.
Everett C. Maynard
Gerald M. Maynard
Donald J. Demas
Timothy S. Baker
Gary H. Kenyon
John L. Hadden
David E. Jamieson
Stuart A. Maynard
NOV. 6TH
NOV. 6TH
NOV. 7TH
NOV. 9TH
NOV. 11TH
NOV. 12TH
NOV. 20TH
NOV. 21ST
MASONIC BIRTHDAYS
Lauren H. Long Nov. 7th 61 Yrs.
George R. Kingsbury Nov. 7th 58 Yrs.
Cornerstone Ceremony Video
Be sure to watch and enjoy on youtube
http://youtu.be/DaG97OQMdL0
FOR EXCELLENT JOBS WELL DONE
To: Charlie Kettles for Layout, Printing, Folding, Stapling, Mailing &
emailing of the Sept’s issue. For Content: WM Fred Messer, Wayne
Whitelock, Rick Rayfield and Chas Kettles. Many Thanks to all – Editor
-10-
Service Award Presented
On very rainy Friday of October 19th the
members of Mad River
Lodge headed down to
the lodge by 7 pm to
meet and greet Brother
Clifford E. Kew II.
After he greeted us in
the dining room and
introducing himself and
his son Trey, we all had
a nice visit until it was
time to head up to the Lodge room and present our
brother with his 25 year service award button and
certificate. WM Fred Messer read our lodge’s
presentation and the certificate. He asked if he
would like his son to pin him, which the 8th grader
was happy to do. Next secretary Charlie Kettles
reminded Bro. Kew of some of the world events
that occurred back in the year 1987 when he was
raised in this lodge room. Then Gerry Maynard and
Gordie Eurich read the poem, “I see you’ve
Traveled some” and the secretary presented Bro.
Cliff with a ‘Proud to be a Mason’ pin.
Then in the dining room Bill Peatman helped dish
up the ice cream sundaes and milk.
PM’s 6TH DIST. MEETING
On Friday, October 26th at the Hilltop Restaurant the
Past Masters Social Hour of cheese, crackers and
conversation opened at 6:00 pm, with dinner beginning
at 7 pm. ‘Thank’ to our sec/treas. Randy Ricker for all
he’s doing for the Past Masters.
-11-
OCT’s MEETING (Cont. from Pg 3)
Dice or chicken pick’en and such on Friday at 6 pm. He took the
names of those who volunteered.
It was reported that the fundraiser Luncheon on Thursday,
September 27th for the State Cemetery Commissioners turn out
very well and everyone had a good time; with Richard Backus, Rick
Rayfield, Bill Peatman and Bob Danaher doing the cooking and
serving. The meeting began at 10 am followed by a delicious
meatloaf meal which was a big hit, plus they had plenty of food and
finished up by 1:30 pm. Bro. Geoff Colby, in his Revolution
enactment garb, enlighten the audience about some Revolutionary
War facts.
New Business:
The Building Comte held a meeting on Wed, Sept. 19th to
determine how they should proceed with the work of the porch.
They reviewed to courses of action. One with the porch in place and
the other with the porch removed.
It appears the Long Term Flood Recovery people are living up to
their name and will not be moving out of our lodge dining room as
soon as we thought? They have additional flood relief cases they are
still working on.
Wor. Fred reminded everyone that there will be a rehearsal on
Monday, Oct. 8th at 6 pm for the 1st degree. The degree is
scheduled for Tuesday, October 16th at 7 pm.
SD Gary Bombard reminded the brothers that we have two men
who should be about ready to take there Master Mason degree. He
will check on the progress of bro. Travis Morse, while SW Chris
Keast will find out the status of bro. Kyle Greenslet. They should
report back at our up coming degree on their readiness.
For Masonic Education Brother Gerry Maynard was asked to
review how we properly receive Grand Lodge Officers. He
explained the procedure in detail and concluded with the giving of
Grand Honors.
Next WM Fred Messer asked that we now put into practice
(Cont. on Page 13)
-12-
OCT’s MEETING (Cont. from Pg 12)
everything that Treasurer Gerry Maynard had just enumerated. At
this point our DDGM C.
Lee
Martenson
was
escorted out of the lodge
room and with Rick
Rayfield
acting
as
Marshal and Bill Morse
to introduce the Grand
Officer. They reentered,
were
received,
and
welcomed. Grand Honors
were given and escorted
to the east.
The last to speak was District Deputy Grand Master R.·.W.·. C.
Lee Martenson who, brought the greeting of the Grand Master
M.·.W.·. Phil Morton and the Grand Lodge Officers, strongly
suggested to WM Fred not to give up on the 4th of July event and
having Masonry being out in the community is also very important.
He then informed us of the origin of our Fraternity’s influence and
related that a Southwest Air article on NYPD detective Tom Burns
who back in 1883 broke up a gang of criminals by using a secret
method on them that became known as the ‘Third Degree’?
The meeting was closed in form at 9:30 pm and in the ante-room
we indulged in some sweet flat cake that WM Messer had baked.
Time to Pay Your Annual Dues
First off, we would like to say “Thanks” to those brothers who have
recently sent in their annual dues. Second we still have 1/3 of our
membership who haven’t paid up? Lastly, if you have a financial
problem and feel you can’t afford the .14¢ a day? Please let your
secretary know. Send your $50 check made out to: Mad River
Lodge #77 F & A M to: P.O. Box 448, Waitsfield, VT 05673-0448.
And as Bartles and Jaymes use to say, “We thank you for your
support.”[Paid up lifetime members owe $35]
-13-
OFFICERS: MAD RIVER LODGE 2012 - 2013
Frederick R. Messer Worshipful Master 793-2238
Christopher M. Keast Senior Warden 454-0174
Brent V. Adams Junior Warden 496-3774
Gerald M. Maynard Treasurer 496-3614
Charles R. Kettles Secretary 496-4880
Gary A. Bombard Senior Deacon 496-2941
William R. Peatman, Jr Junior Deacon 496-3951
Ryan J. Green Senior Steward 585-0581
Junior Steward
Gordon E. Eurich Marshal 496-3869
Rick J. Rayfield Chaplain 496-5667
Robert J. Danaher Tyler 496-6818
MASONIC E-MAIL ADDRESSES
Brent Adams cb3cats@aol.com Charles Kettles potsenvt@madriver.com
Rich Backus rkbackus@madriver.com Dick Kingsbury kingsbury@madriver.com
Tim Baker timbaker123@aol.com Mike Kingsbury mkingsbury@gmavt.net
William Beard resbeard@sover.net TJ Kingsbury tkingsbury@kingsburyco.com
Gary Belknap belknap@wcvt.com Troy Kingsbury kingsburys@mac.com
Kenton Blair kblairvt@yahoo.com Janos Lawrence artbyjanos@gmail.com
Gary Bmbd bombardbldg@madriver.com James Leith morhunt@digital.net
Bob Danaher rjohndanaher@yahoo.com Steve Maynard sjmaynard@myfairpoint.net
Marke Englert marke_32nd@msn.com Stuart Maynard stumaynard@comcast.net
Bruce Fowler bgfhotza@madriver.com Darrell Mays boogie@gmavt.net
Allen Gaylord mapleman1977@yahoo.com Fred Messer fmesser@madriver.com
Willard Gove wlgove@aol.com Pete McMullen prmandabm@cox.net
Ryan Green surreptitiousun@gmail.com Bill Peatman rmwrp@aol.com
Roy Hadden hadden@wcvt.com Rick Rayfield rayfieldvt@aol.com
Bruce Hyde hydeaway@madriver.com A. Rich’dson richardson.adamj@gmail.com
Jon Hammond jon@capitalsoccer.net Alan Rossetto sensei@wildblue.net
Jeff Hunsberger denzone@myfairpoint.net Jeffrey Silman jsilman@idotaxes.com
Dick Jamieson mrjamieson@comcast.net Wayne Whitelock wrwhitelock@aol.com
Jon Jamieson jon@jamiesonins.com Bruce Humphrey bhump48@yahoo.com
Jeffery Kahn JHTK01@gmail.com Skip Flanders wtbskip@comcast.net
Chris Keast chriskeast@charter.net Geo. Seymour morebanjos@comcast.net
Grand Lodge VT glsec@vtfreemasons.org Bill Morse Bill@ju5tin.com
Masonic Trestle Board Committee
Fred Messer Chairman 793-2238
Charlie Kettles Editor 496-4880
Rick Rayfield Member 496-5667
Bob Danaher Member 496-6818
-14-
MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday –Nov. 6, 2012
OPENING OF THE LODGE
Reading of Minutes & Treasurer's Report
Unfinished Business/ Committees:
1. Report by Resolution Comte
2. Report on Bake Beads,
3. Report on Chicken Pie Comte
4. Report on 6th District PM’s Meeting
5. Report on Oct. 16th EA & Nov 3rd MM Degree
6. Report on Porch Construction
7. Other Old Business or Reports
New Business/ Committees:
1. Drape the Charter
2. Report of Christmas Comte
3. Set up MM Degree Team & Dates
4. Set up FC Degree Team & Dates
5. Any New Business, Communications
6. Masonic Education
Petitions for Membership:
1. Affiliation or Candidates!!!
2. Balloting on Candidate
CLOSING OF THE LODGE
Snail or e-mail: Articles, Comments, Notices and Dues to:
Charles Kettles - P. O. Box 448 -Waitsfield, Vt. 05673-0448
e-mail to: Potsenvt@madriver.com
-15-
VERMONT 05673-0448
Mad River Lodge # 77
4376 Main Street
Waitsfield, VT 05673
What is Freemasonry? It’s a spiritual, benevolent and patriotic
society of men committed to our God, our families, our neighbors
and our country.